My take on Letters to Juliet

This week the bu spoiled me by taking me to two movies. We love watching movies and as long as there's a good one playing we're sure to catch it. :) Making the most of my free time. Well, this week after coming from an interview in the Ortigas area the bu and I met up at Galleria to watch a movie. We had to choose between Letters to Juliet and Toy Story 3. We ended up watching the more girly one. :)

Letters to Juliet is a feel good movie. It makes cynics believe in love and the power that is has despite time apart. :) I am a romantic and this was my kind of movie.

The way I saw it,the movie's intention was to make people believe in true love once again. And I must say, despite the many obvious turn outs, it did just that. :) The feeling this movie left me with was happiness and love. :)

Amanda always has this way of acting that's natural, almost like she's not acting. I just thought it was funny that her character's name was Sophie, same as that of her Mamma Mia! character. Hmmm...maybe it's easier for her that way. hahaha...

British people are known to be dry with their humor and that was how it was in this movie but it just made the movie more...sweet. The obvious twist partnered with the execution was what made this movie such a good girly movie.

I would recommend this movie to be watched on DVD though since it didn't really leave me with a "that was worth it" feeling that I look for when paying exorbitant rates for movies now. But if you're looking for a feel good, romantic movie then this is it for you. Try not to anticipate the parts you've seen in the trailer, it will make it more interesting.

Think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves. Consider letting them go.
- Oprah Winfrey

Welcoming change

A month and two weeks ago I officially resigned from the company I spent the past three years of my life in. It was bittersweet, it was so hard to let go off all the connections I made but it was also a much needed break and a welcome change! :) An opportunity for new beginnings. :)

I have been enjoying my time off. Being able to wake up in the middle of the day, nap when I want to. Go to visit the bu at his clinic, plan trips, watch movies in the middle of the day. Just practically do what I want, when I want. It was a welcome break indeed. But, after a month of not working, I must admit I was getting impatient and antsy. I am not used to having nothing to do.

I have been sending out my resumes a lot. More than I did when I first graduated from college. I also uploaded my resume in those sites where possible employers can go through them and I was lucky enough that someone called me...and everything started from there. I honestly felt that I screwed up the interview. It was a panel interview and they did not at all seem impressed by the things that I had to say. But in the long run, I'm am elated at how everything turned out.

Can't say much more now. But I'm excited for this new chapter in my life to begin. :)

Happy Birthday Little Bro!

My brother is 24 today.

Oh how time flies. It is like it was just yesterday when you were graduating from high school and I from college. But now you're nearing your quarter-life crisis and I'm still looking young. hahahaha...

To many more years of looking younger than you!

Happy happy birthday brother! :)

Chili oh chili

I made chili last night! :) My second time cooking on my own! :) It wasn't bad and the fact that I made something from scratch was fun! I actually had to cook for 2 hours! Obviously something I don't do. hahaha...

The chili wasn't that bad, I got mixed reviews ranging from "It's too spicy!" to "It's not spicy enough!" thanks to the fact that the people I feed have very varied taste preferences. My basis of course would be the bu. When we first started dating he would never even come close to something that was spicy, not even a little bit. But as our relationship grew his taste for spicy food grew as well but his tolerance is still low. So last night's chili was based on his taste. According to him, it had to have some kick. hahaha...

What I realized is difficult for someone who doesn't eat meat and cooks meat dishes is the fact that I can't try the food so I didn't know what it tasted like at all and had to rely on the reaction from the bu. It was quite hard but I guess it's something that I have to get used to cause I sure won't eat meat.

My chili turned out drier than normal (it wasn't really dry but it wasn't what I thought chili should be.) I think it was more so because of all the adjustments I had to make for the taste that I had to keep it on the fire longer than necessary. Learned from that! :)

Next up on my list, tuna pasta. Finally something I can eat! Will tell you all about it next time! Til then, happy eating!

My first foray into the culinary world

I have been obsessing about cooking something more challenging than just scrambled eggs. So I asked Miggy to download a cookbook for me on my touch and that's what got the ball rolling.

After going through it, I settled on a bacon cheeseburger pizza recipe. It was specially chosen because the bu loves ground beef. :) Just a little trivia though, I don't eat meat for a very specific reason and cooking meat is very hypocritical of that reason. But...let me defend myself by saying I am also not someone who forces my beliefs on other people. Meaning I respect their choice to eat meat and because they are the people I was going to feed, I had to respect that as well. It did not mean I was nonchalant about the whole experience. On the contrary, I was very apologetic.

But I digress, I have never been a strong food person. On all levels. I don't eat a lot, I'm very picky, I can't cook to save my own life. But because I have nothing better to do and I promised to make myself better I figured it was time I learned another life skill. :) And I'm happy with the result.

The bacon cheeseburger pizza I made wasn't bad at all. :) I actually did good on my first try, my mom said I just needed to cut the bread more thinly and the bu's only comment is the sauce was weird but I followed the recipe and I used Italian pizza sauce which was probably why. Will try to find other alternatives or actually start from scratch. But it was such a great experience actually being able to say I prepared and cooked everything myself! :)

So tonight I'm making dinner, chili. The bu loves his ground beef and my dad loves beans so I'm hitting two birds with one stone. If I actually get to buy my ingredients. So it's off to the grocery for now. :) My eating public is waiting! hahahaha...

Learning how to cook

I remember taking cooking classes in ICA and loving it except for that day when we cooked squid which I don't eat but had to handle anyway. That was horrible. But cooking and baking classes had to be my favorite. So to add to my list of things to do while I'm in between jobs, I'm going to learn how to cook. No, I'm not going to enroll myself in culinary school, I'm just going to go at it with a cookbook and my positive spirit. hahaha...I'm hoping the people I feed have iron-clad intestines...they might need it.

So any ideas what I should start with?

For the heck of it. :P

Free-IQTest.net - IQ Test">

Wahahahaha...Val I'm more genius than you! :P

Lessons on life, love, family and God...

I was going through my facebook homepage when I came across this blog written by my bestfriend's younger sister. It is about the legacy of their family and I must admit, I am amazed not only because of her family's story but more so because of how she writes. Every aspect of her life, every thing that happens to her, every memory, every conversation, every action is testament to her love for God.

Coming across her blog was very unexpected and very welcome. It is always a nice comforting feeling when someone you know is living their dream. I am happy for her and it gives me hope that I too will get there some day! :)

My take on Valentine's Day the movie...

I spent today relaxing with the Bu. I initially wanted to go out of town but due to the fact that we never plan ahead of time, we didn't have anywhere to go. Yes, we're never prepared.

So we decided to take a relaxing day and do what we normally do. Stay home and watch movies. Today the movie we decided to watch was Valentine's Day, the Hollywood version of what they tried to pull off as Love Actually. But let me tell you first hand, it was nothing like Love Actually.

Love Actually is one of my favorite movies, a feel good movie that makes you think about the people you love and how happy you are to have them. Valentine's Day on the other hand was soooo cynical it wasn't amusing anymore.

Ok, they had cute kids who eventually ended up together. But everything about the movie was predictable. You knew from half way through the movie that Ashton would end up with Jenifer and that Jessica would end up with Jamie. Predictable. I also knew from the moment Patrick said he had to work in Chicago on Valentines Day that he was married. Everything was text book.

For a movie that had so many big names in it, this one was a let down. :( I love happy love story movies. But, I also like movies with twists in the end, take for example Love Me If You Dare. I loved that movie despite the fact that they got buried in concrete. :) It was so much fun and extremely unpredictable. I only wish this had turned out the same way.

Anyway, off to have dinner then head home. :) Til the next movie.

We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present.
- Thomas Edison

My brother the law student.

My brother just finished his first official week in law school and he couldn't stop telling everyone about it. hahaha...:)

Ever since we were young kids, I would always end up in a fight with my younger brother. You see, I'm the middle child (but I'm an only girl so it makes up for the complex...hahaha), Miggy is the youngest most opinionated, brattiest of us all. :P (bawal magcomplain, blog ko to! Gawa ka sarili mo...hahaha! :P) My older brother is the quiet type. He's just gonna let it be. I'm the noisy one, I love bitching and whining and complaining (not all at the same time, I'm not that annoying! :P). Miggy is, well, opinionated. hahaha...he will be sure that you know what he thinks. I think that's part of the reason why he wants to be a lawyer.

Our family has never really been the talk about feelings type of family. We're there for each other but we rarely say it out loud. But let this be my way of proclaiming it to the world, I'm proud of you brother! :) Yay!


My younger brother. The soon to be lawyer! hahaha...ayos. I feel safe!

Good luck on your new chosen career. You're one step closer to your dream. Stay with it. :) I'm here if you need anything, wag lang pera! hahaha...:P

Welcome to civilization

I was browsing through the internet and came upon this article on Yahoo that talked about a photograph of 2 slave boys.



This photo shows how uneducated and little minded people were before. We are sometimes still like that in our society now a days, especially when it comes to accepting the minority or people who grew up away from our social circle.

But despite that, we have still grown a lot and I'm thankful that I was able to live in a generation where being able to share one's ideas and beliefs does not automatically mean being stoned or crucified. :)

To read more on the article go to this address...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100610/ap_on_re_us/us_slavery_photo

***I would have posted a link but I can't seem to figure it out! hahahah

Finding New Meaning

I have been through a slump recently. I admit, I've been taking my sweet time. Not really doing anything, just going with it. It's a bad cycle and I must get myself out of it. After my two interviews I have yet to send out more resumes. I don't really know what's taking so long, but I do know that I have to kick myself in the butt to get things moving.

The recent days have proven to be a roller coaster of emotions. One minute I'm seething mad, the next I'm perfectly fine. I'm trying to control my temper and with that my emotions. It's not a good thing letting them loose all the time. Marks the existence of an immature person. :) In the process of learning about myself, there are times when you come across things you might not necessarily approve off. And these past few days, I have come face to face with that reality.

I am not a perfect person. Not at all near it, but as I strive to be a better version of me, I have to assess. Everything. And sometimes, you just realize, that's not cool. hahaha...so without going into detail...I must become better.

Moving on. Met up with one of my closest friends last night and she is going for her first two interviews today! So yay for you Pom! :) Sending out lots of positive energy! I'm so proud of you!

Photos from our trip

Since I need to calm down, let me try to remember the beauty that is nature. Sharing some shots by Miggy and I during the past weekend.




While waiting for the rain to pass...Bu and I decided to take photos of the rain drops as they dropped down from the hut we were standing in. :)



Saying goodbye to Nagsasa.



Miggy was playing with the camera settings. :) I just got up from my nap and was ready for real food! :)



Here's a jeep that was infront of us. It says in the bottom: Bawal ang tanga sa Olongapo! (Stupid people are not allowed in Olongapo) hahaha



Going at a steady 180/kph on the drive home. Good thing I was asleep. hahaha.

Til my next beach trip! Hopefully it won't be raining then!

Dear God...

In the past few weeks I have been trying to get back the person that I am and I believe I am well on the way. :) I am becoming happy once again. :) I am becoming more alive. I have figured out what makes me happy and what doesn't. I have met people who inspire me, continue to harbor healthy relationships with everyone I love, and continue to live a life I would only hope would make You happy.

But today I need You. I need patience, lots of it. I will not be angry. I will let it go. But I cannot do it alone. So please Lord, give me strength. I really need it.

Roughing it Nagsasa Style

Last weekend I went with the bu to a med mission in Nagsasa Cove, Zambales. Nagsasa is a few coves farther than Anawangin. Anawangin is already a well known beach destination for those who want to rough it for the weekend, and when I say rough it...I really mean rough it.

Now, thanks to Havaianas, I had already been given the chance to go to Anawangin once before so I knew that there wasn't any electricity or plumbing or hotels. I was prepared. At least that was what I thought. Getting ready for the trip, Miggy and packed essentials.


Anawangin from our boat.

The rainy season has already begun in the Philippines. Sadly for us, it was raining when we left Manila.


Nagsasa after the rain.

To better explain the need for a medical mission, let me begin by describing Nagsasa Cove. It is a 30 minute boat ride from Pundaquit, way past Anawangin. There is no electricity. No way out of the island except through hired bancas, no water except the one that you bring from the main land, no hospital, no doctor, no medicine. There was a small village that was established there. Population was probably 50-100 people, although I didn't see them all. There were a lot of kids with kids. It was probably the first time, if not one of the first few times that doctors came to Nagsasa to do a medical mission and I was happy to be part of it. :)


Meet Angel, a 3 year old Nagsasa local who was so cute and friendly. He had cough, a trend in that island.


The team that went to Nagsasas. MMC Interns and us. I was the one taking the photo so I wasn't there.

After the med mission the Nagsasa locals were kind enough to feed us lunch. :) They served us a pot of rice and some corned beef. Now normally you would think corned beef was normal food we often take for granted. But for them, that was a treat and yet they served it to us. It was very humbling indeed. But, being the pescitarian that I am I had asked them to cook a can of tuna for me. (yes, I now eat canned tuna...as long as they are dolphin safe)

By 3 PM everyone had finished packing up the supplies and we were finally going to enjoy the island and what it had to offer. Since I had barely gotten any sleep the past few days, I decided to take a nap before going for a swim. So we set up our tent (yes, I slept in a tent and that was sooooo uncomfortable I would never recommend it. To anyone) and I slept for a few hours. By the time I woke up the light was fading so it was time I tried out the water. So the I went for a swim with the bu, Emboy and Goldie. I only swam for awhile since I wanted to be able to bathe while there was still light. :)


The guys getting ready to go for a swim.

Once we were done with our bath, dinner was already ready. The locals prepared sinigang for us. It was so sweet of them but since it was about to rain there were a lot of insects around that we couldn't eat with the light on making it extremely difficult to know if you were eating anything you weren't supposed to. As a result I really wasn't able to eat much. I'm not complaining though, because the generosity of the locals amazed me. They fed us what they caught that day, which I believe should have been for them and their families. I am once again, humbled by their kindness.

We hung out for awhile in the dark. I brought portable speakers so we had music. But by 10 PM, everybody had already gone to bed that it was embarrassing to be so noisy that we decided to call it a night. After that night, I am bruised. Seriously. I have bruises on my hips where my bones stick out and the bu actually came down with a fever. But, that's not the worst of it. Since it's already rainy season, it poured in the middle of the night. It rained so strong that the tent walls were shaking. It was pretty creepy. Thank God we set up our tent under a hut-like structure. The people we were with weren't as fortunate. They got soaked. The next morning we were up and about by 6 am. Everyone was packed and ready to go. But, Nagsasa wasn't ready to see us leave. A storm cloud was coming so we had to wait. About half an hour later, we were on the way back to main island. Thank God we got home safe.


The storm clouds that delayed our trip home.


Goodbye Nagsasa. Til we meet again. I will bring an air mattress or atleast something soft to sleep on.

That trip was soooo much adventure that I think I'm ok for the next 20 years. :) hahaha...But the trip itself was so much fun. And helping those people out was just the icing on the cake. :)

Dream big and stay grounded. The grounding allows you to take the necessary steps to reach your dreams! It can be done.
- Stacey Shipman

Keeping me grounded...

So I guess I was overly ecstatic yesterday that I forgot that I'm still not sure about what the future holds for me. I had my second interview today and although it wasn't bad I must admit, the one I had yesterday was way better.

I felt bad, I honestly did. I was on my A game, I kept telling myself that. But I guess I really wasn't. The things that I thought were important for me when I was still working didn't seem as important to them. I won't go into detail since it really is their opinion. :)

Today was just a reminder that I have to be prepared for anything. I really felt bad, after the interview I had to call my friend and tell her all about it. It was sad really, but I guess we just have to wait and see. Talking to my brother he kept telling me that it was fine. I would get there, I just needed to keep trying and that this is all just part of the experience. :) So I will take it with a grain of salt and move on.

Sending out more resumes and a lot of positivity. :)

Getting my feet wet! :)

As a person who's been constantly working for the past 3 years, I haven't been in an interview for that long. I must say...it was fun.

I have been applying to everything I can apply to! :) It's the panicky me that's making it all happen. I feel like I need to do something. So I'm trying everything. Yesterday, I got my first call for an interview. After 2 weeks of sending out resumes. Not bad. I research on the company and it looks ok. I just have to find out more. I talk to the bu and we both agree it will be good for me. :) I need to get out there. Keep trying out interviews...and well, practice. hahaha...It's a good thing today's practice turned out great. The woman who interviewed me said she liked the fact that I was soooo happy and positive. She says she was going to endorse me their boss and see if they can offer me a position. Woot woot. Considering this is my first interview! yay for me! :)

Hope to get more interview invites soon. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks God. :)

The future you see is the future you get.
- Robert G Allen