A post with a moral story
Why is it I picked the wettest day ever (yesterday) to go out?
I suddenly craved for home cooked meals so off we went to my parents' place.
Munching on sweet & sour fish, nilaga and tons of kakanin on a rainy breezy day was fabulous.
Listening to familiar tunes from Julio Iglesias, Claude Francois and Roger Whittaker made me sooo nostalgic of the good old days.
But alas it was time to leave and head back to the city.
First, we had to make a quick trip to Edsa Shangri-la Plaza for some necessities.
Next thing we know we are stuck in a horrendous traffic jam amidst a heavy downpour, my ulcer was acting up and my menstrual cramps was driving me crazy!
By nightfall, tired and soaking wet in more ways than one, we were back in our little loft, too tired to move but managed to watch "The West Wing" with our eyes open.
For the first time in weeks, I slept early at 1:30 am.
Yes siree, that is EARLY for me!
Now I think I might be coming down with something. Blehhh!

Moral of the story:
Wear a jacket!
Because trying to balance a handbag, 2 bags of groceries, an umbrella and laundry during the wettest day of the year wearing just a denim skirt and a t-shirt is sheer madness!

"Pretty Woman" gives birth!
Woohoo Julia Roberts gave birth to twins, Sunday morning. A girl and a boy.
Congratulations!

But my question is:
What kind of a name is Phinnaeus Walter???
Geeez!

I combined together the lyrics of these songs to form a new song.

Pieces of Me - Ashlee Simpson

Feels like Home - Chantal Kreviazuk

Why Can't I? - Liz Phair

Colour Everywhere - Christian Bautista

Breaking Us In Two - Mandy Moore

If You Leave My World - Michael learns to Rock

On a Monday, I am waiting
Tuesday, I am fading
And by Wednesday, I can't sleep
Then the phone rings, I hear you
And the darkness is a clear view
Cuz you've come to rescue me

There's something in your eyes
Makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself
In your arms
There's something in your voice
Makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life

Why Can't I Breathe
Whenever I Think About You
Why Can't I Speak
Whenever I Talk About You

My life is so predictable
Never any mystery but ever
Since you shined the light
All of that was history
Now I have a hand to hold
And a reason to believe
There's someone in my life worth living for
I was hanging around just wishing on a star
To put the happiness back in my heart and ...

Could we be much closer if we tried
We could stay at home and stare into each other's eyes
Maybe we could last an hour
Maybe then we'd see right through

I'm gonna live my life in sorrow
And you'll forever see me cry
(If you're gonna leave me cold tonight)
But if you leave my world tomorrow
You've got to leave me cold tonight

Do they know it's Christmas?
The new version of this popular song was just recorded last week.
Has it really been 20 years??! Wow, I remember it like it was yesterday.
Robbie Williams, Joss Stone, Chris Martin are among the various artists singing for a good cause.
Help them feed the world this Christmas time.
Click here to donate. I just did :))
This is what Christmas should be all about. (IMHO!)

It's Christmas time
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time

But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard
But when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing
Is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring
There are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

And there won't be snow in Africa
This Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

(Here's to you) raise a glass for everyone
(Here's to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

To rattle off a few thoughts

First I'm glad that Angelito Nayan, the diplomat/UN employee who was taken hostage along with 2 of his colleagues was released safely. He's now home and I'm sure grateful that this horrific incident is over.

I'm now more picky regarding movies I watch at the cinemas. A few like "The Manchurian Candidate" and "National Treasure" I expressly didn't bother spending my limited funds on. However, I do intend to catch "Alexander" and "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" soon. I have to admit I don't like Colin Farrell but movies like these are best seen on a wide screen. As for Bridget Jones, two words: HUGH GRANT!

In my effort to curve my chatting addiction, I made a choice several months ago to just log on to my Y!M and MIRC. Little did I know that some of my friends who were on my MSN Messenger list were actually missing my ebullient presence. Especially since one of my good male friends in Dubai needed me to console him during his 'crisis' and I wasn't there! I feel bad for neglecting him but I felt worse knowing that one of the nicest guys I've ever met in my life has fallen into hard times. May God bless him!

Speaking of friends, a couple of them have decided to move to another city and start over. All for the sake of the bigger salary and even bigger responsibilities. I for one am constantly amazed how people can just leave everything and start over fresh. It certainly takes a lot of guts, something I'm afraid I never had. I wish both Iyad (my immediate ex) and Aoff - good luck in their new endeavors.

For some strange reason, my monitor has been acting up. It flickers then turns blank. To remedy the situation I would tap it several times. So I end up hurting myself. I got fed up so I yanked it off my computer table, got my old Compaq Presario monitor, installed it and voila it works. Incident free. Times like these I wish I had a 'handy' man around to carry heavy items for me. Isn't that what guys are ONLY good for? :D

Having lived abroad most of my life, I'm still not used to having Christmas trusted upon me as early as September. Now I feel like I'm the Grinchette of the 12th floor! Everytime I pass by the corridors and see my neighbors' decors on their doors, I make a mental note to myself "It's time I get into the Yuletide spirit and set up the decors at the condo". But I still haven't done it. I usually get them up December 8 and take them off January 3. I've never been a Christmas-y person. Even if I listen to Christmas carols repeatedly, I don't get myself wholeheartedly engrossed in the whole merry making and spreading cheers spirit. Yes, I am a scrooge!

Here's an interesting game. Try it. I never seem to go beyond 9 meters!
How far can you go?

Another 3 day weekend, this week. All these days off, no wonder we don't progress! But I guess people do need to unwind from time to time. It's good for the soul.
So enjoy and have fun!

Friday's Feast
Appetizer
How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?
As less as possible! LOL

Soup
What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?
Survivor: Vanuatu. Although Chad got voted off last week I couldn't care less now who wins but I still watch it. Yes today's show was pretty good it proves that one can never predict the outcome for this reality tv show.

Salad
If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?
Faintest shade of blue

Main Course
Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn't yet.
Hmmm a seat in the movie house that automatically tapes a person's mouth when they talk during the film!

Dessert
List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this holiday season.
"He's making a list and checking it twice gonna find out who's naughty or nice ... Santa Claus is coming to town"
I've been really naughty but I can still wish for 3 things can't I?
Ok hmmm *ponders* I'm one of those persons who doesn't make wish lists but at the top of my head I would say
1. a cellphone
2. jeans and
3. world peace Teehee :D

My answers
Thanks for all the recommendations.
I'll check them out.

Flare demanded:
1. If your life was to be a movie, what songs would make up the soundtrack?
It's a long list but here are a few:

In my Life - Bette Midler

Flying without Wings - Westlife

La vie en Rose

Moonlight over Paris

Tamally Maak - Amr Diab

Kiss the Rain - Billie Myers

Somewhere over the Rainbow

2. Who would play the leading role
(i.e. the role as you)?
Winona Ryder - I don't look like her but I wanted someone petite
3. Who would direct it?
Steven Spielberg would direct my melodramatic epic titled:
"The Confessions of a Diplobrat"


Toni added:
1. What's the first thing you do when you get up?
Switch on my PC, yes really! lol
2. What's your favorite M&M color?
Blue
3. What's your favorite board game?
Scrabble but it has been ages since I played


Michael asked:
1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here
2. Coke or Pepsi?
Diet Coke
3. Best movie you've seen this year.
Definitely, Before Sunset


Misty wanted to know:
1. What did you want to be as a child?
A stewardess LOL
2. Favorite vacation spot?
Paris, France
3. Favorite holiday?
My birthday but it isn't a holiday :D


Caligirl had:
Three questions rolled into one
WHO IS E?
E well he fits the description of my ideal partner in life but he's not mine to have. *sighs*

Ok try this
(A) First, recommend to me:
1. a movie
2. a book
3. a musical artist, song, or album

(B) I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want.

(C) Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends to ask you anything; say that you stole it from me.

I stole this from Misty.

Something copied, cut and pasted
From Misty

10 Random Things about me:
10)I am a flirt.
9) I eat yogurts at 3 in the morning.
8) I wear earrings even when I'm at home.
7) I can get really cranky, sometimes.
6) Lip balm is my favorite make up.
5) I don't like my handwriting.
4) I remember all my friends' birthdays.
3) I giggle a lot.
2) I was part of the gymnastics team in school.
1) I like beer.

9 People I heart a lot:
9) My sister.
8) My father.
7) My mother.
6) Donna.
5) Pinky.
4) My ex ex.
3) E.
2) Johnny Depp.
1) My online friends.


8 Things to do before I die:
8) Travel more.
7) Drive.
6) Swim.
5) Find my soul mate.
4) Visit the US.
3) Be more religious.
2) Be more conscious of my health.
1) Have inner calm and peace of mind.


7 ways to win my heart:
7) Dine and wine me.
6) Be a kind soul.
5) Be understanding of my different moods.
4) Be patient.
3) Have a sense of humor.
2) Woo me with your mind through great conversations.
1) Watch movies with me.


6 Things I believe in:
6) My parents.
5) Soul mates.
4) Destiny.
3) My sister.
2) True Love.
1) God.

5 things I fear:
5) My parents ill health.
4) Being alone.
3) Having no ambitions.
2) Death.
1) Evil.


4 favorite things in my bedroom:
4) My bed.
3) My printer.
2) My computer.
1) My scented candles.


3 things I do everyday:
3) Eat.
2) Sleep.
1) Shower.


2 things I'm trying not to do:
2) Be lazy.
1) Fall in love with E.


1 person I want to strangle:
1) No one.


Right now...
Current clothing: shorts and tee.
Current mood: frisky.
Current taste: water.
Current hair: tied in a pony tail.
Current annoyance: telemarketing phone calls.
Current smell: Splendor by Elizabeth Arden.
Current thing you ought to be doing: sleeping.
Current jewelry: earrings.
Current book: I'm STILL reading The Runner.
Current refreshment: water.
Current worry: none.
Current crush: someonE.
Current favorite celebrity: Hugh Grant.
Current longing: sex.
Current music: OPM (original Pilipino music)
Current wish: to be loved.
Current lyric in your head:
"I'm a little bit of crazy, I'm a little bit of a fool
I'm a little bit of lonely, I'm a little bit of all, Oh, I need a cure Just a little bit of you and I will fall"
Current makeup: Nivea lip care.
Current undergarments: black bikini and bra.
Current regret: none.
Current desktop picture: this
Current plans for weekend: watch any of these movies, if not all of them.
Current cuss word du jour: merde.
Current disappointment: that E lives so far away.
Current amusement: Love Actually vcd.
Current IM/person you're talking to: None.
Current love: E although I'm in denial. LOL
Current obsession: Foreign movies.
Current avoidance: Falling in love with E.
Current thing or things on your wall: this portrait of me drawn by an artist in Montmarte, Paris circa 1998.



Current favorite book: Time magazine.
Current favorite movie: Love Actually.

My current obsession
I'm now hooked on foreign movies.
So my quest to buy as many 'artistic' films as I could find ... began at Megamall, this evening.
But we (my sister and I) needed a full stomach.
So first stop was The Rasa Express, the newest Singapore restaurant at the Megastrip. Reasonably priced, the interior design was cosy but the choices of food items are a bit limited. Tasty enough though so will definitely go back!
We were determined not to go home empty handed.
So we stopped at all the video stores on every floor, scouting every angle of each store and ended up with quite a harvest.
But I do lament the fact that very few French films are available here.
The guy who I chat with on a daily basis, E had recommended several good ones but I can't find them anywhere. Perhaps I need to get my butt off to Alliance Francaise one of these days.
I confess that my penchant only veers towards European/Latin American films.
For the life of me I can't stand Chinese and Japanese movies. Strange but true!

Anyways, I bought these:
1. L'Auberge Espagnol
2. Divine Intervention
3. City of God
4. Y tu Mama Tambien
5. Abril Despedacado (Behind the Sun)
6. La Seconda Moglie (The Second Wife)

My phases
I tend to go through phases.
A week ago, I was into anything French.
I downloaded several songs.
I listened to them till my ears bled.

This past week, I got hooked on Hispanic themes.
I've been listening to a Julio Iglesias CD of popular Spanish songs.
Yes, take note I said Julio NOT Enrique Iglesias.
His father, the suave crooner.
It is rather unfortunate that his concert (Julio Iglesias) scheduled for next month here at the Araneta Coliseum has been postponed.
I also watched these two movies.
One was lighthearted with a simplistic theme.
The other had a very controversial subject dealing with the Catholic church.
I have never been to Spain, unfortunately!
But I have a special affinity with that country.
Here's a little piece of trivia:
The first posting abroad of my father was supposed to be to Madrid, Spain.
But my mother was pregnant with me at that time. She didn't want to give birth in a foreign country. Me being their first born and all, she wanted to have a strong family support system here. So my father had to give up the post.
But there are times when they tease me that I should have been born in Madrid.
That the first words out of my mouth could have been "hola, arriba arriba"
That my name should be Amparo Constancia.
So God willing some day, I can go explore Spain and interact with its citizens.

"My implants are frozen"
Funny one liners.
Traveling around the world.
Racing through different time zones.
A good case study of relationships.
Different sorts of characters.
How can you not love the Amazing Race?
I'm addicted to it!
I won't miss a single episode.
I even watch it several times during the day.
I read all the links about it from this website .
And best of all compare notes via e-mail with my dear friend in the US of A who is a certified reality tv show addict.
Just like ME!
Woot! I'm happy. :)

Song currently in repeat mode
A Little Bit
by M.Y.M.P

I was kinda hesitant to tell you
Should I let you know
I was never really like this before
Need I say more

Or maybe I'm confused when you are near me
I don't know what to do or I should be
There's only one thing in my mind
That's you and me

I'm a little bit of crazy
I'm a little bit of a fool
I'm a little bit of lonely
I'm a little bit of all
Oh, I need a cure
Just a little bit of you
And I will fall

I'm always on the run to see you
Would you allow me to
It wasn't my attention to hurt you
This feeling is true

Or maybe I'm confused when you are near me
I don't know what to do or I should be
There's only one thing in my mind
That's you and me

I'm a little bit of crazy
I'm a little bit of a fool
I'm a little bit of lonely
I'm a little bit of all
Oh, I need a cure
Just a little bit of you
And I will fall

What have I been up to?
Nothing blog worthy really. The usual.
Downloading mp3s. Mostly French songs.
Chatting but mostly with just one person.
Watching movies I borrowed from the video store, downstairs.
To mention one, Hidalgo was very pleasant!
Done a bit of work here and there.
Bought another foreign movie, "The Crime of Padre Amaro."
Feasted on steaks at Cafe Adriatico, Eastwood City in Libis.
And noodles at Oody's, Robinson's Galleria.
I also texted friends to arrange a rendez vous.
But as is the norm, they haven't replied yet.
I reckon they have much more busy lives to live!
And I need to set my alarm clock so I can watch "The Amazing Race 6" live tomorrow morning on Studio 23.
Je sais que c'est pas tellement vivant mais je suis vraiment heureux! :)
Eh voila ca c'est ma vie!

"I love you more today than yesterday ... but not as much as tomorrow!"
Nope I'm not singing about anyone in particular. Or am I?
I was referring to the Ayala Malls ad with that song which I couldn't stop singing yesterday in my head (of course) while gallivanting around Greenbelt.
Hey what's up with me and songs lately?
Anyways, after completing our errands in the Makati area, my sister and I were in the mood for some hot soup for merienda.
Yes sir while normal people eat their dinner at 7pm, that hour for us is just snack time.
Since we were in the Makati area, I suggested Super Bowl at Glorieta.
But my sister wasn't in the mood to park there.
Our moods vary according to the parking spaces at a mall. Strange but true.
So I suggest Luk Yuen instead at Greenbelt 1.
But we saw Dulcinea where Luk Yuen used to be located, little did we know that it no longer exist!
Just goes to show we don't go out much. Well not to that neck of the woods, anyhow!
We instead ventured into David's Tea House.
So yeah we got our hot Wanton Noodle Soup, Beef Brisket Soup and several dimsuns.
At 7pm for snack purposes only! Take note!
Then it was off to National Book Store which is now my main source of VCDs.
I bought "Talk to Her" by Pedro Almodovar.
Yes I have a thing for foreign movies.
And foreign guys as well.
But that subject is not open for discussion.

Oh I also bought the DVD of "Before Sunset"!!!
Well pirated, of course. :D
Certainly not at NBS but somewhere else.
Where? I ain't telling because it might get raided.
Which would make me delusional!
But I'm really ecstatic beyond reason.
I can now watch it repeatedly and memorize the dialogue of the film.
Happy ... happy ... joy .. joy!
Ahhh such simple joys, my boring life is grand!

Is it still early for me to sing this song??
I can't help it really it's been playing over and over in my mind.

All I want for Christmas is YOU
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true...
All I want for Christmas is YOU ...

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you, You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the north pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You.

All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is You
All I want for Christmas is you baby

Avant le coucher du soleil
Paris - my favorite city in the world.
2 characters reunited.
Another chance encounter.
Witty exchange of ideas, opinions.
Great dialogue.
Sparks flying all over.

I finally watched it yesterday. Absolutely loved it.
I'm definitely buying the DVD!

I won't go into the nitty gritty details since everyone has already dissected the movie into bits and pieces.
How I felt while watching is another matter.
I'm an emotional wreck nowadays.
I had to take some steps to address it.
How? What? Isn't really the point.
Suffice to say, it had to be done.
I'm dealing with it.
It might not be the correct way to do it.
But for now, I believe it's my only option.
I just pray I make it without any battle scars.
But hey it (the scars) has made me who I am!
I've got my full battle gear so I'm ready!
OK ... bring them on!
Alright enough with my self pity crap.
Grumbling stomach beckons!
I need my calories, fatty amino acids and bad cholesterol! I'm outta here.

Everybody's Changing [Keane]
You say you wander your own land
But when I think about it
I don't see how you can

You're aching, you're breaking
And I can see the pain in your eyes
Says everybody's changing
And I don't know why

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing and I don't feel the same

You're gone from here
Soon you will disappear
Fading into beautiful light
'cos everybody's changing
And I don't feel right

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing and I don't feel the same

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing and I don't feel the same

Great images

Ang sama ba natin? (Are we bad?)
That's what E asked me earlier.
When I told her I didn't go to our friend's baby christening.
And neither did she.
I don't think we were bad.
I don't know about her.
But I didn't feel like going.
I simply wasn't in the mood.
Till last night I was still making up my mind.
Whether to go or not.
I totally forgot to buy a gift.
Maybe that's the reason why.
I stayed up all night chatting with someone.
I got carried away and slept at 7am.
This morning my sister woke me up.
It was already 10:30 am by then.
And the reception was at 11.
So I said no I won't go na lang.
Don't get me wrong, I am really glad she had a baby.
But it wasn't in my best interest to be reminded that I am still single without a husband and no baby to baptise.
Does that make me selfish?
Does that make me a 'bad' friend?
I really don't know.
Frankly I don't care.

Virtual Reality
Since I basically don't have a life, I amuse myself by chatting online.
Not as often as I used to but I indulge myself from time to time.
So I've essentially heard everything on those chat channels.
But I was totally dumbstruck when he said:

[Nick^^] God...you are excruciatingly beutiful :)
[Nick^^] beautiful.....I can so spell... :)
[Me] tsk tsk how many times do I have to tell you? I ain't beautiful
[Nick^^] I will tell you what you is...and what you ain't... :)
[Nick^^] I have always told you that you are cuter.....than most everyone! :)

If only!
I can find someone in real life to tell me that!
I would marry him right away and make wonderful babies!
Despite being a nonbeliever of marriage and having no maternal instincts whatsoever!

*Sighs*

Quotes, Poems and Funnies
Got this quote on my cellphone today
What is love?
Those who don't like it ... call it responsibility.
Those who play with it ... call it a game.
Those who don't have it ... call it a dream.
And those who understand ... call it destiny!
All I can say to that is ... Amen!

Speaking of love, contrary to an earlier post, I haven't watched Before Sunset, yet. Something came up and I had to cancel my plan.

Alright so it seems GWB just got re-elected.
Oh well ain't that grand? (insert sarcasm here!)
Practically everyone I've chatted with told me it was time for a change. Quite unfortunate!

I found out by surfing intensively where an ex (5 times over LOL) gets those really funny emails which he forwards to me.
This site has really cool ads from all over the world and this one contains silly but hilarious videos! Enjoy!

A poem by Baudelaire
A une passante
La rue assourdissante autour de moi hurlait.
Longue, mince, en grand deuil, douleur majestueuse,
Une femme passa, d'une main fastueuse
Soulevant, balancant le feston et l'ourlet;

Agile et noble, avec sa jambe de statue.
Moi, je buvais, crispe comme un extravagant,
Dans son oeil, ciel livide ou germe l'ouragan,
La douceur qui fascine et le plaisir qui tue.

Un eclair .. puis la nuit! - Fugitive beaute
Dont le regard m'a fait soudainement renaitre,
Ne te verrai-je plus que dans l'eternite?

Ailleurs, bien loin d'ici! trop tard!
jamais peut-etre!
Car j'ignore ou tu fuis, tu ne sais ou je vais,
O toi que j'eusse aimee, o toi qui le savais!

-----------------------------------------------
To A Woman Passerby
The deafening street howled around me.
Tall, thin, in full mourning - majestic sorrow -
A woman passed, with a stately hand
Lifting and swinging her widow's reeds and her hem,

Agile and noble, with the foot of a statue.
As for myself, clenched like a madman, I drank
From her eyes - pale sky giving birth to the hurricane -
Sweetness that mesmerizes and pleasure that kills.

A bolt of lightning ... Then night! Fugitive beauty
Whose glance suddenly brought me back to life,
Will I see you again only in eternity?

Somewhere else, so far from here! Too late! Never, perhaps!
For I do not know where you are fleeing, you do not know where I am going,
Oh you whom I could have loved, oh you who knew this!

Gift giving dilemma
I think it is rather unfair for single people to continually give gifts.
Let me explain.
The moment a friend gets engaged, the events to celebrate the subsequent occasions would warrant gifts.
First you have the bridal shower then the wedding itself.
Soon after comes the baby shower.
Once the infant is born, you need the binyag (baptism) gift.
So in a span of several months, one must be rich enough to shelve gifts for all these very important occasions or simply be deemed as a cheapstake.
And they said that being single was fun.
How come we single people don't get gifts for the following occasions:
I.survived.a.horrible.first.date.gift
I.just.broke.up.with.my.bf.gift
the.I'm.now.celibate.not.by.choice.gift
I know ... I know .... I am being very cheap.
But hey I do raise a valid point right?

Weekend Recap
It has always been a tradition for my family to visit our dead relatives.
One day before All Souls' Day. (November 1)
But this year we started on October 30.
We drove all the way to Cavite for my father's side of the family.
Whole bunch of relatives I haven't seen in ages, of all shapes, sizes and ages congregate at the ancestral house.
The food is delicious but it's the endless conversations and catching up with each other that really makes the trip worthwhile.
Even if it means I'm asked the 64M dollar question "When are you getting married?" endlessly.
Never mind the fact that I'm not really seeing anyone right now.
They make it sound like it is a matter of national interest.

Sunday - it was back to Manila to visit the graves of my maternal grandparents in Sucat, an uncle in San Juan and more maternal relatives in Mandaluyong.
Hot, humid and I notice I've grown darker from staying out in the sun the whole day.
But it's only once a year and I really enjoy these sort of 'visits'.
My only lament is that people don't pay their respects to their beloved dead relatives religiously nowadays.
It is heartbreaking to see tombstones without any candles or flowers.
But hey I guess some people have better things to do .... like frolic in beaches, attend Halloween parties or get drunk at Octoberfest parties.
Yes I know I can be a prude sometimes ... or is it most of the time?
No! Don't answer that!