I am Sher-locked!

I don't even know how to start this. Emotion is taking its toll on me I can't think straight. But oh well, I decided to wing it. Must get this out of my chest.

You probably know I watch the British mini-series Sherlock. But have I also mentioned how big a fan I am? I would die to see Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Martin Freeman (John Watson) in person! These two guys' superb acting + the intelligent stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle + the witty-funny dialogues + the awesome cinematography equate to the best TV show our generation has ever seen. (I know I may be overacting but that's my feelings talking! Haha.) Another factor that could have possibly affected all my excitement is the fact that every series of Sherlock only has three episodes, with each episode having approx 90 minutes, and then goes hiatus. That means I get to have three weeks of happiness, followed by a year of waiting! Imagine the anticipation us fans have to endure! But it won't be put to waste--Sherlock doesn't disappoint.

After watching The Reichenbach Fall, third and last episode of Series 2, I can't stop talking about it. I just got too many feelings inside and I can't even let them all out because I only know very few people who share the same enthusiasm I have. But Tumblr, being the coolest site ever, is where I find refuge. Lots and lots of Sherlock fans all over the globe I am so happy! I share with them all the sentiment!

Now excuse me as I will rewatch.

PS. Here are some screencaps.

The 2011 Year-End Report

Last, last year, I made a similar report out of too much excitement on the new year ahead. Originally, I attempted making a list of the top stories which made it to the news in the year 2010. But since I haven't really watched news then (is staying in the dorm enough of an excuse?), I got nothing to write about. Hence, this list. Turns out it was something good. A summary of my year's highlights. And knowing myself all too well, I just love 1) lists and 2) looking back at the fond, and even the not-so-fond, memories of the past. Here goes my year-end report for 2011.

1. This year can probably be dubbed as the start of my social networking activity. And when I say activity, I mean "super active." I have been in Facebook since 2008 or 2009, I think, but this year, this website just became one of the default sites I visit whenever I get hold of the internet. Then there's Tumblr, which I joined in 2010 but really became a part of my life this 2011. In fact, I was so often visiting here--liking, reblogging, and posting stuffs--that I gained followers I never thought I would've gained! Plus over the hundreds of notes I received from posting photos, etc. I was so absorbed in Tumblr that during summer, I barely left the computer, doing nothing else but scrolling the day away. Also this year, just recently actually, I signed in at Twitter. Tbh, I fought so hard so not to join another social networking site because it's already eating up so much of my time. But the temptations are too strong, I finally gave in. It was at first boring. I did nothing but read updates from celebrities I follow: friends Georgina Wilson, Isabelle Daza, Solenn Heussaff, Liz Uy, and Anne Curtis, among others. Then I went to a phase where I used this site as my news source: I followed ANC, Inquirer, and Maria Ressa. And finally, I entered the phase where I actually followed and been followed of friends and people I know. There are other sites I visit too, such as Google+, Gmail and Ymail (of course), Youtube, 9gag, Inquirer.net, and some fancy blogs I follow--all bookmarked in my laptop. Had I been super OC again, I would've accounted all the hours spent surfing the net, whether it's on social networking, reading, or artsy-fartsy sites. (Hmm, nice idea there!) Approx one-sixth of every day, perhaps? GOOD GOD.

Got this from Tumblr!

2. I may have spent too much time in the worldwide Web, but I just made a breakthrough in the aspect of books, as well. This year, I read a total of six books!!! Yes, I am not big on books, then all of a sudden, this?! To think that's four of them are even included in the BBC list of books to read! What is this sorcery??! I read The Count of Montecristo and The Three Musketeers, both classics from Alexandre Dumas; Smaller and Smaller Circles, a great detective story from Filipino author F.H. Batacan; The Hobbit, prequel of the infamous Lord of the Rings Trilogy adventure, all written by J.R.R. Tolkien; The Undomesticated Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, first tween-y (but surprisingly about adults) and girly book I've read; and Bridget Jones's Diary which is soooo funny and kilig by Helen Fielding. I counted all the books I've read in my entire lifetime (school text books excluded) and I counted just a total of fifteen! (I told you I was serious about not being fond of reading!) And this year's total comprised nearly one-third of the grand total. How great this year is for being intellectual. Haha.

3. Next on the list are the series which provided me much of the entertainment I need to balance out my stressful academic life. There are the ones I already watched in the previous years: How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and Modern Family. Then there are the ones which have just been introduced to me and others which I watched just recently: Nikita, Downton Abbey, Hot in Cleveland, Awkward, and Once Upon A Time. There were mini-series too like Sherlock (its second series coming up this month! *can't breathe*), and Any Human Heart. I tried watching New Girl but I guess it didn't click to me that much. I have also seen the first two episodes of Suburgatory and 2 Broke Girls but wasn't able to download the succeeding episodes anymore. And oh, I almost forgot the All-Star Cycle of America's Next Top Model where I was rooting for Laura or Allison. Too bad they didn't win, but at least they made it to Greece! 2011 had also been the year where I developed a love for period dramas (Downton Abbey is one proof, and maybe Any Human Heart?) particularly to the Austen Classics. I finished Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle), Emma (Romola Garai), and Sense and Sensibility (whose Edward Ferrars is Dan Stevens), all BBC mini-series, in no time! I also loved Lost in Austen, spin-off of Pride and Prejudice, which I heard is going to have a film version. *excited, hope it won't disappoint*

Maybe I watched a little too much? :p

4. Aside from knowing a whole lot of new faces (to me) in the entertainment industry because of all the new shows I've been seeing, I also got to know more people in the UP College of Engineering as well this year after I became part of a new family, the UP Career Assistance Program for Engineering Students or UP CAPES, under the Publicity and Publications Committee. My friend Jona urged me to join so that we'd still get to spend time together now that we won't be classmates in most major subjects anymore. So I did apply, and imagine my surprise when I got accepted! Joining UP CAPES was timely, too. After UP Catandungan failed to be recognized as a university organization due to its lack of members, UP CAPES became my new avenue for challenges and work experiences, alongside my other org, UP KEM. The twist with this new org is that it taught (and is teaching) me a whole new lesson foreign to me: design. It has somewhat made me realize that I also have a thing for the arts and design. Also, I have learned how crucial practice and inspirations are in gaining the skill. I know I still have lots of work to do to come up with greater ideas and better output, but I can say I have done quite of an achievement this year.

Visit UP CAPES here.

5. Another new experience: I lived in a boarding house for the entire first semester. All these time since high school, I have stayed in dormitories, so the feeling of living in a boarding house or apartment outside school never failed to make me curious. I bet freedom's great--no curfews or general assemblies to mind, I used to say. Then, this happened. I did not get accepted in any dorm for AY 2011-2012. Luckily, my sister Elvy is staying in a boarding house in KNL while she's still hunting for jobs back then. I was very glad, at last I will finally have to live with my Ate. The first month of freedom was truly great! But it only lasted until my sister decided to transfer to an apartment in Shaw, nearer her workplace. I was left in the room. I had housemates, but we were never close. Just imagine, the solitude almost drove me mad. Although there is internet connection to keep me busy, it was the fact that I cannot talk to anybody whenever I got home which made me succumb to depressions. I really started to feel sad all the time, I don't know why. Plus I became so clingy! Yuck. Thankfully, I got accepted in Ilang-ilang Dorm when I reapplied for the second sem. Now, I'm happier. (Bonus: Ilang-ilang Dorm already has good wi-fi connections now relative to that of last year's! Even comparable to our internet speed in the boarding house!)

6. My sporty nature--I know I have (somewhat of) it in me but I never thought 2011 will troll on me like that. I played Ultimate Frisbee for Batch 08 during the ChE department inter-batch sports competition, and I was the only girl. It was my first time to hold a disc used in frisbee and I did not even know the rules. I joined anyway because, well, if you're already on the venue for the game and the opposing team has the chance of winning by default just because your team doesn't have any other girl player present, I don't think you can say No to playing, right? You ask me why I was there? Because of friendship. Lol. Riuji, our batch coordinator who persistently called me and asked me to join, telling me "basta 'wag lang ma-default,"  is to be blamed for all of this! Haha. But you know what, that experience was really fun, I even consider it a milestone. In case you're wondering, I served as cheerer on field, but was able to become a real player when I caught the disc and gave us one point by the end of the game. We did won. Against the freshies. Hihi. Another sporty moment was when I accepted to be a substitute player, this time in swimming. (I join the difficult games because I'm great like that. ) Same person who got me into this: the almighty Riuji Sato. My friend, still. >:D Well, I thought it was a non-serious game of swimming, where participants' favorite stroke is the survivor stroke or 'yung basta makatawid lang sa pool. I even considered wearing white shirt and shorts since there was no prescribed swimwear. Imagine my surprise when I saw that the girls wore one-piece, complete with goggles and headcap! One of them even competes for national triathlon events. Golly! I was the only person who only knows survival stroke. I swear I can see all their faces while I was swimming in the pool, too concerned I might drown halfway. But hell yeah, our ChE team (this time, the sportsfest was inter-department instead of inter-batch) composed of Kuya Chix, Karmina, Van, and I, still got the third place. Not that we're fast, but because only three departments were able to send participants. Haha, what luck! Finally, to complete my sporty streak for 2011 is my first ever 5K marathon! My first marathon, in fact. It was held in Naga, and I ran with Kuya Win and Ate Yeth. Great bonding moment!

Finish line!

7. Just like any other year, 2011 has its share of both happiness and tears. But in 2011, I experienced something I never thought would happen in my college life--a death of a dear friend. Bryan Diano. Friend, classmate, batchmate, and orgmate. His life was claimed by a jeepney accident on the dawn of Sept. 11. It was so sudden it took me a long time before the truth sank in. Someone so awesome can't die too soon, I kept convincing myself it was a different Bryan Diano I heard on the news. But when I saw my other batchmates and orgmates crying, I just knew it wasn't a joke he loved pulling on us. It was real. He was gone. For some days, I had moments when I just laid on my bed, staring at nothingness, and tears just flowed out from my eyes without me knowing it. 

Sad, sad news :(

Although there was too much grief, time heals. Now, all bitterness is lost, only the good memories remain. We love and miss you, Bry. Until we meet again.

8. Since I became a resident member of UP KEM in 2010, I was given responsibilities and tasks to hone my skills. This year, it's been an honor to be part of KEM's major events both for first and second semester. National Chemical Engineering Congress or NCEC (Inter-U part) and Awitan. Held last August, NCEC (composed of two parts namely National Chemical Engineering Symposium or NaChES and the Inter-University Competition or Inter-U) was a big success (and I mean, BIG!) I worked for the Technicals Committee of Inter-U, under Ate Kat, and we were in charge of making the rules and the questions, consulting it with our judges, making the necessary revisions, as well as scoring and entertaining questions raised during the contest proper. To be honest, it was a committee I never dreamed of joining. The Inter-U technicals for me must be composed of the brightest people. And there I was, outlier of the group (not being emo here). It was hard for me to adjust especially it was my first time working with all the other members (Ate Kat, Kuya Karl, Ate Maricar, Jake and Jay) who were really topnotch in their respective batches. I was only a substitute for Riuji (not again!) who won't be able to perform his tasks then because he was busy with ESC work. Turned out, that committee was my most loved group of people I have ever worked with in KEM. 

Inter-U Tech team but without Jay

Just this December, Awitan was my next big project. Dyan invited me to be part of her Logistics Committee which I gladly accepted. I had my share of experiences for this event too. I got lost in Camp Aguinaldo trying to find their Aguinaldo Theater. I frequented Divi and learned how to use a map to find the things I was looking for i.e. gummy bears. I asked for every trophy maker's calling card in Recto. I became active in fundraising projects (FRPs) but only the simple ones like taho sale, jelly milk sale, Sonny's Donuts sale, and every other sale of goods imaginable. I can say I am a different person now after having done all that. And I am proud to be part of Eng'g Week 2011's best night event!

Aside from these two major responsibilities, there were still other jobs I have done for KEM especially as part of the Socio committee such as becoming LMK mommy (our contestant won the title), joining the Project Balay Aklatan of UP Prime, among others.

9. On February 8, 2011, Bennard and I celebrated our third anniversary. It still comes as a surprise for others that we were able to endure three years together, when all the panliligaw moments feel just like yesterday to me. And the better part is, as years go by, we get to know each other well and we become more than just the couple. We became best friends.

Cheers to three years and counting!

This year had been greater than ever since I got to spend time with Bennard's family as well! Last summer, I joined their Holy Wednesday (Lent) procession, a family tradition. It was the second time I went to their place. Also this year, Bennard and I joined Tita Becky, his aunt, once in jogging around Bonifacio High Street and had dinner afterwards. I was really nervous of seeing Tita Becky, let alone converse with her, because I thought she's a snob. She wasn't. She was very approachable and I haven't had difficulty in talking to  her. It was a lovely evening, after all. Lastly, my another encounter with Bennard's family was on Dec 27. Tita Dandan, his mom, and Tita Becky went to Naga to rummage "Zara." Bennard, Leo, and Shenina tagged along. Since I was still in Naga, Bennard asked me to join them. Most afternoon, while the two titas spent hours and hours looking for the best bargains, the kids went to SM. We tried the Speed Coaster 4D in exchange of a movie. We ate and looked through shops and boutiques then ate again. By dinner time, Tito Jojo, Bennard's dad, joined us in the SM Foodcourt. They dropped me off at home after that.

Although he did not get to spend much time with my family, he got to see Mama and Papa in Manila before we went home for the break. He also saw Ate Glad and family, first time, when he dropped me off at home after a pre-Christmas date. Also, he accompanied Joy in her first Lantern parade and Midnight Mercato. He always get to see Ate Elvy often.

10. Last but not the least in this list (tongue twister!) is our December celebration this year. The first part of the happenings which started when Papa, Mama and Joy went to Manila was already mentioned in my previous post. The second part which I will just tell you about is Raph's christening and our noche buena together. John Raphael or Raph, my second nephew, was christened on December 21 and I was a proxy ninang for my sister Ate Elvy. It's my first time to be one, and my second time to ever attend a baptism (first one's Gwen's). So yeah, you can expect my excitement. Plus Raph is sooooo cute in his barong tagalog!!! At reception, I did more videoke singing than eating. Haha. But of course, only at the hearing range of very few people, namely Joy, Ate Let, Ate Yeth, Ate Glad, Ate Ling, Gwen, Maine, Zye and Lianne. During Christmas eve, our family was almost complete in our noche buena salo-salo. The Pillogo siblings, my cousins from Mama's side, were there too after we've invited them when we bumped into each other at midnight mass. Just almost because Ate Glad, Kuya Nel, Lianne and Justin left for Legazpi on Dec 24 to attend Kuya Nel's family reunion. On Christmas Day, the kids opened their gifts. So many gifts for them which I can't recall I have ever experienced in my entire childhood. I felt slightly cheated. Hahaha, joke. I totally understand that time's different now, 'nubers. We're richer now, perhaps? Lol. But seriously, this I think is my most commercialized Christmas, whether you see that in a good or bad light. As long as we are together and everybody's happy, it’s still Christmas to me.

My December in a Nutshell

How's your Christmas vacation so far? It's barely three days before the 25th and ten days before the New Year! Yeah, sure I know Math. Haha. I just want to emphasize how near it is already!!! It also means heading back to school again soon. Tsk. Oh well, before I get started in my drama of leaving home again, I will go back to my festive mood first and live each day as it comes. I am spending the holidays with my family. But this year, instead of our having it in our home in Virac, we are celebrating it here in Naga City! And also new this year, Kuya Win is here for Christmas! Nothing beats spending the holidays with your family complete. :)

Okay, now I am getting too excited.

Actually, for me, the holidays already started long before this day. It began after I have submitted my first long exam papers for ChE 123, my last exam for the year. I am doubtful it went well, but past is past so let's just move on from there. Hopefully, I will have better exam results next year to make up for that one. I must have better exam results! Obviously because I don't have Eng'g Week as a reason now.

Engineering Week a.k.a. Eng'g Week, is the most anticipated (I think) ESC event every year by every affiliated engineering student in UP Diliman. The different eng'g orgs battle it out for the Engineering Week Overall Champion or EWOC title. Being a resident member of UP KEM, the consistent runner-up for the title in the past years, I sure find Eng'g Week a big deal, although I admit I haven't really been an active player. I prefer to be more of the cheerer. This year, I have watched Smokers Night, Dulaang Eng'g, and Indakan. I have also helped out in Awitan 2011 as a logistics team member. I am less busier this year since there is no more cheering competition (which I was part of last year) but I watched and cheered for more games like Debateng'g, Dresseng'g, Casteng'g Call and Pipol Pusoy. More than any of the points earned or the titles won, the most rewarding thing to have is that org spirit I saw from everyone.

My tickets for three of the night events

My somehow-active presence during the Eng'g Week is not the only thing new about me. After Bennard's insistent request, I am donning a new hair too!

So.. how does it fit me?

I got my hair cut just in time for the Spartans' Christmas party! Like the last years, it was again held at Anton's place. Thank you Lucille, Anton and family for having us. Had so much fun! :) Here are win photos during the games. Halata bang nag-eenjoy kami masyado?

And because I am vain like that, I'll show you what I wore during our Christmas party. :P

Thanks JK for the gift! I can really make use of this. Thank you, thank you! And Raisa, I hope you like what you received. ;) 

Another thing which made my December a blast was my parents and youngest sister's visit in Manila. Papa and Mama went for their medical check-ups and so Joy tagged along. They stayed for a week and so we were able to spend lots of time together in the city. We also scoured the malls for the chikitings' gifts. Joy and I found these on Booksale.

Books for the kids

Book for me (at 45 freaking pesos)

I even toured my sis in UP during the timely Lantern Parade and we waited for the fireworks too!

Joy and some mascots

White Lady from the Balete Drive and I

Here are photos of some of the floats.

And here are the people I was with during the parade!

Jilly and I (with my Ate singit at the back)

Bennard and I posing at R-12

Me as photographer lol

After staying for a while in UP, we headed to Mercato. Para naman may foodtrip experience si Joy before going home. :) Bennard, Joy, and I had burgers, cheese sticks, garlic and parmesan buffalo wings, macaroon and melon juice. Ate Elvy and Kuya Amar had takoyaki and other Japanese food. The Off Beat burger aka Krispy Kreme Burger which I bought for us turned out to be only good when it's for sharing (the case when I first tasted it). Now that I had it all for myself, I found it less impressive. Joy liked Bennard's burger better which he bought from Ranch something. Oops, sorry Joy. Haha.

So there. This is basically how the first few days of my Christmas vacation went. Many things happened, and I can still make more things happen in the few days left I have before 2011 finally closes.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!

This Time of Year

♫ 'Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la la la la la. ♫

It's just sixteen days before the most wonderful time of the year! Are you excited already? If you ask me, there is nothing more that I look forward to every year than Christmas time. Its very thought just gives me a certain kind of peace and comfort. It's hard to explain it, that feeling, but I am sure you already understand what I am trying to say. 

This year is particularly special to me. I have never seen Manila so bright before! Or maybe I just did not go out that much in the past years. Haha. I have been to Greenhills, my first, to Tiendesitas, to Araneta Center-Cubao, to Boni High, to Ortigas (the Liwanag Park was just soooo bright, sometimes I think Meralco is wasting a lot of electricity they could have just provided for their consumers), and of course, to UP. 

Oblation (Photo taken from UP FB Account)

Gateway Mall Christmas Tree (inside)

Gateway Christmas Tree (outside)

Shangri-La Mall decor

Greenhills' Christmas presentation

Greenhills-ala-Disneyland

Meralco Building

Meralco Belen

Aside from the lights, what's new to my Christmas season this year are the Christmas bazaars. And the super sale at malls. My oh my, there are lots of good stuffs out there in relatively lower price. If only I had more money, I could have already fulfilled my wish of doing Christmas shopping for all my loved ones! Next year, I'll try saving up months before December. Hihi.

Bipolar (I start out fine then I rant!)

Heeeey! November went by just like that, and I'm both happy and sad about it. Happy because it means it's almost my favorite time of the year (I love Christmas month better than my birth month) and sad because I only had one post for the previous month. I can't have any more excuses now since the internet connection in the dorm still hasn't failed me, and since I haven't been too busy with my acads yet. (Well, I will be this weekend, especially that I got three scheduled exams next week!) It's just that I started to be active on Twitter (follow me: @rhenabundo), then there's my Tumblr (follow me still haha: rhenaissance.tumblr.com), and Facebook. I am lately not into movies though I have already finished the MTV series "Awkward" which my orgmates told me about. And of course my usual dose of The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and How I Met Your Mother. Have I told you I've been watching Downton Abbey? It's a good series, you should watch (if you love period dramas, this is made for you)! Sadly, Series 3 is to air next year. That long wait which I hate. And love, at the same time. :)) So, while trying to forget my anxiety over Downton (which I watched to amuse myself while waiting for Sherlock and Game of Thrones second seasons), I tried a British mini-series, "Any Human Heart," mainly because Matthew Macfadyen is in it. Now that I'm all finished with it, "Once Upon A Time" is next.

(How did we arrive in this topic again? Haha. I'm sorry I have this habit of blabbing and topics branching out until I lose track of what point I am really trying to make.)

Okay. So I was telling you, I am somehow disappointed of myself for not keeping the goal I have set for myself, which is to constantly post new entries. My past attempts on blogging had failed and I don't want this to end up like those. Another reason why I am writing this entry because I was inspired by the new blogs I have been reading. Oh, how I wish to be like them! Their life seems so... interesting! I just can't help but admire the scope of things they can talk about. And the time and devotion they had given to keep their blogs updated. And each one's unique way of writing!

I told you I don't have any more excuses now. But I have a few things in mind which usually prevent me from "going for it".

One. Although I think my writing style is what I can call my own, I find it boring. I can get too verbose.
Two. I overthink. I am too critical of myself. I always feel that I am never interesting enough.
Three. Maybe I don't actually write for myself. Maybe all the to-cross-one-thing-from-my-bucketlist reason is just one way to cover up my real reason for blogging. Maybe, just maybe, the real reason is about how others will start to view me. Do I have low self-esteem? Maybe.

They say a man's essential need is the recognition from others. This applies greatly to me, I think. Either that, or I am just too vain.

Secret to Happiness

It's been over a month since I last posted! And now that I will soon have to say bye-bye to my fast internet connection (I'm transferring to dorm from bhaus so that means hello mabagal na Dilnet!), I might as well blog again. 

Well, what has been going on? Hmm, lemme see. The second semester started last week and I have already met with all of my new professors. Instincts tell me this is going to be one tough time in my life but I am ready to face it since I have also started confiding with the Lord since Nov 5th. I have been praying St. Bridget's prayer: The Fifteen Prayers Secret to Happiness for almost two weeks now and it feels so comforting despite the somewhat bleak future ahead. I have noticed good changes in myself since I started praying and it does make me really happy.

During the first day, I found myself praying for my sins, my worries, and my cares as if I have perfect knowledge of them all. In the past, I would just stare blankly at the wall, lost in thought what I am about to say to Him. On the second day, I was placed in a situation where I would normally be annoyed to my landlady because she plans to transfer my bed to the top bunk because according to her, the bottom bunk already belongs to my roommate who just arrived this second semester. I was tempted to ignore my new roommate because I feel like she's part of this "injustice." But then after I prayed, I just smiled at her and we started talking. That night--and until now--she remains at the top bunk. Maybe she convinced our landlady not to transfer her bed anymore. Who knows? That same day, I also learned that I wasn't accepted in the dorm. It felt like I just calmly accepted all of it. I wasn't mad at OSH at all. The third day was just a happy day. It was Bennard's 20th birthday and we truly enjoyed our every moment together. On the fourth day, I almost had a quarrel with Bennard. I was being the selfish person that I am again and he pointed this out to me. Because I got offended, I was tempted to do the thing I always do: escape and flee. But then for some reason, maybe Bennard's patience or some clarity I later had in my head, I didn't. We separated ways that night in good terms. On the fifth day, I learned that a new list of accepted dormers will be posted the next day at the OSH, and I am feeling lucky! Indeed, the next day, I was accepted--and there's a twist! While I was expecting Sampa or Kamia as my new dorm (I checked non-single fee dorm thinking there would be greater chances of being accepted in there), I got admitted to Ilang-Ilang (a single-fee dorm which means my food for weekdays is already provided for!) And my happiness for the sixth day does not yet end in that--I was able to add another subject: MBB1, making me 18 units this sem, and change the schedule for my ChE 131 to my desired date and time! Weeeee, Mae and I are classmates again! :-) 

This joy I am currently experiencing means a great deal for me. I wasn't being my usual self the past sem and I so much wanted to change that this time. I want to stop worrying about the simplest things. I want to avoid getting too down at the slightest circumstances. I want to live happily and worry-free. I know life will throw shit at me, but I want to know that I will be able to bounce back gracefully from that. Now, I found the secret weapon--lots of prayers and of course, my wonderful support system. With all these, I feel happier and less inclined to succumbing to my depressing thoughts again. I still may not have gotten rid of my worldly desires but I know I am beginning to learn to control. You know, the other day, I was craving for Shakey's buffalo wings and I was aware it will leave a gaping hole in my wallet in case I gave in, but then I thought of heating the meat I brought from home. And voila, I was satisfied! Good save, right?

I hope everyone's as happy as I am. :-)

October 8th

I really love it whenever the 8th of the month comes around. This October, Bennard and I had our 44th monthsary! Yayyyy! I know there's really not much sense in counting the months if you have already been together for so long. But for us, it's a good thing to have a little celebration every now and then. Besides, the thought of dolling up a bit more than the usual days excites me. So, after my ES 12 exam, I hurried back to the boarding house to change. By 8:00 PM, he's already come to pick me up.

We do not have an itinerary to follow. Most of the time, we just wing it. Necessity: dinner. This usually is based on our palate for the evening (or maybe just mine). On this occasion, I craved for kare-kareng bagnet (too specific for a craving, don't you think? HAHA) and so I convinced Bennard to eat at Pino Resto Bar. Pino is somewhere in UP Village, Quezon City (not sure though whether it's along Maginhawa Street, a hub for foodies) and it will be just our second time there. As expected, there were a lot of customers so we waited for quite a time before we were entertained. It's okay, it was worth it. I definitely had a fill that evening.

Red Wine Adobong Tadyang

Kare-Kareng Bagnet

Next stop: TriNoma mall for a movie. What's Your Number vs. Dolphin Tale? What's Your Number wins. The next showing (last full show), however, was still in two hours. So we went to Gelatissimo first for dessert.

Mint Choc Chip and Macadamia Caramel

And then to Powerbooks which is really a haven. Bennard bought the fourth volume of the Trese comics, I went looking for Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy's Diary. Unfortunately, the bookstore still has to preorder it which will take 3-5 more weeks. We just went on looking at books, and of course, Jane Austen novels kept on screaming at me, asking me to buy them. (I particularly loved Emma's book cover.) And I want the Wide Sargasso Sea too. And, and.. The Alice in Wonderland book with golden pages was so very tempting as well. And there were also a lot of other collection-worthy items and gift ideas. Gift prospects for Bennard--a note to self: (1) the big DC Comics book. Price = 2 grand. (2) director collection--David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, etc. Price = probably 3 grand all in all. Those were the only things I remembered so far, even after all the "hint-droppings" he's thrown at me. What a girlfriend.

After Powerbooks, we still had an hour to spare, so we just went checking out from shops to shops. Yes, bored much. We almost hit Netopia out of nothing else amusing to do. Just to buy us some more time, we went queuing for NYFD. It's really funny because we were still full, but we did it just for the sake of looking forward to something. And at looooooooooong last, the guard finally allowed movie-goers to enter the cinema.

That movie we watched starring Chris Evans and Anna Faris was fun and sexy. 

What's Your Number?

Favorite scene: Ally (Anna Faris) faking a British accent. It's hilarious. Plus, the guy she's with is Martin Freeman.

So there, that's a tummy-filling, dress-bursting, book-lusting, movie-going Saturday night for me. Thank you Bennard! :-*