Cuddly-doo!

I Am THE Star!

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Labinlimang Hangad

WTF?!?

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Chinky Siy!

1. Duelling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are Chinky Siy!--> Fight Club ba ito? haha
2. A thimbleful of Chinky Siy would weigh over 100 million tons.--> t*ng ina 'to ah! oo na, malaki na ako! ipaggiitan pa raw...
3. The patron saint of Chinky Siy is Saint Eugenie!--> Assumptionista ako?!? Oh my gad! I don't like to make tuhog the fishballs!
4. Chinky Siy is the largest of Saturn's moons!--> lintik. kanina ka pa ah.
5. The state nickname of Iowa is 'The Chinky Siy state'.--> why not?!
6. If Chinky Siy was life size, she would stand 7 ft 2 inches tall and have a neck twice the size of a human.--> pucha, palalakihin na nga ako lalo, di pa proportioned!
7. New Zealand was the first place to allow Chinky Siy to vote.--> rock on!
8. Chinky Siy does not have toes.--> so, what the heck do I have -- hooves?
9. Humans have 46 chromosomes, peas have 14, and Chinky Siy has 7.--> ako'y isang mababang nilalang... huhuhu
10. The canonical hours of the Christian church are matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, Chinky Siy and compline.--> canonical hour ako?? wtf?!

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

For Vanity's Sake

I just had to see how this would turn out if I used my digitally-enhanced graduation photo...



I'm sorry... Zhang Ziyi again... 86%!!! I'm sorry.. star-studded na ito! Grabe, baka ma-starstruck ako sa sarili ko 'pag tumingin ako sa salamin mamaya! wahahahaha!

Sabi na artistahin talaga ako, eh!

putek benta!! hahaha



ito ang mas benta hahahaha

I'm sorry... Zhang Ziyi, Shiri Appleby?And of course... JERICHO ROSALES?!!? Di ba sabi nila yung mga magkahawig ang nagkakatuluyan? Paano ba yan, girls? Sorry na lang kayo! wahahahaha!!!

25 Songs, 25 Questions

Get your mp3 player & put it on shuffle mode. Press play & listen to the first 25 songs. Use a line from each song to answer the following questions. NO CHEATING – use song #1 to answer question #1, & so on. Try to keep the answers at least somewhat truthful.Ü

1. What is your life like right now?
“I’m so lost in my emotions.”
I Fall So Deep – Gary Barlow

2. What is your biggest fear?
“Sana’y pansinin ang tinig kong umaawit ng kundiman.”
Sabay sa Ihip ng Hangin – Hangad

3. What is one thing that would make you happy?
“That moment I knew, you were the one I could spend my life with.”
My Boo – Usher & Alicia Keys

4. What is your biggest secret?
“Long after the hillsides have crumbled away, there still My love will be.”
Love Untold – Hangad

5. Who are you in love with?
“It all comes down to faith, that’s the way I see it.”
God-Shaped Hole – Plumb

6. What will your future be like?
“I let it go.”
Kiss by Kiss – Emilia

7. What is your family like?
“’Pagkat ako ay para mong alipin.”
Nandito Ako – Lea Salonga

8. What is something that makes you feel sad?
“I love to see (her) him smile back at me, & I know (she) he is happy.”
All These Things – Stephen Speaks

9. What was your childhood like?
“Makapangyarihan ang pag-ibig na hawak mo sa ‘yong kamay. Ikaw ang (diyos) diyosa at (hari) reyna ng iyong mundo. Matakot sila sa ‘yo.”
Huwag Kang Matakot – Eraserheads (Orange & Lemons cover)

10. What is school like?
“Our days are full of passing faces, our hearts are bruised in many places, yet all shall be well.”
All Shall Be Well – Bukas-Palad

11. How is your love life?
“You’re switching sides like a Gemini.”
She Bangs – William Hung (Michael V. cover haha!)

12. What is something that excites you?
“Isipin mo na lang na may nagmamahal sa ‘yo.”
Hey, Jay – Eraserheads

13. What is something you love?
“Awiting malungkot, awiting masaya, dulot sa ati’y damdaming kakaiba.”
Hanggang sa Muli – The CompanY

14. What is something you hate?
“Does he like me like me, like I like him? Will we be friends or something more? I think he’s interested, but I’m not sure.”
Mix Tape – Kate Monster from Avenue Q, The Musical

15. What is something you find attractive in the opposite sex?
“I will not make the same mistakes.”
Because of You – Kelly Clarkson

16. What is your best memory?
“Be anyone you want to be, bring to life your fantasies.”
Burn – Tina Arena (Nina cover)

17. What is something that can make you laugh?
“I know you know what’s goin’ on.”
6th Day Medley – 6th Day

18. What is something you’re guilty of?
“Maybe I’m just a sentimental fool bringing back memories from a photograph of you.”
Photograph – Ariel Rivera

19. What’s the most fun you’ve ever had?
“I think I’ll follow the Voice that calls within, dance to the silent song It sings.”
Pilgrim’s Theme - Hangad

20. What’s something you want to do before you die?
“Just a little bit of happiness, it is all that I wish.”
Wishes – Nathan Morris

21. Something you want to say to your best friend:
“Wishin’ all of my daydreams come true, now baby what am I to do?”
Daydreamin’ – Tatiana Ali

22. Something you want to say to your (crush) love:
“Every prayer has been answered… I could not ask for more than the love you give me ‘cause it’s all I’ve waited for.” (the whole song, actually.. ¤sigh¤)
I Could Not Ask For More – Edwin McCain

23. Something you want to say to someone you hate:
“Makakaya ko ba kung tuluyang ika’y wala na at ‘di na makikita?” (rhetorical question haha evull!)
Wala Na Ba’ng Pag-ibig - Jaya

24. Something you want to say to someone you admire:
“Even the best fall down sometimes.”
Collide – Howie Day

25. Some last words you would like to give:
“I wonder if it’s worth [it – ] me holdin’ on.”
Half Crazy - Musiq


Credits to Cla Ü

That's All...

Oo na, huli na ako sa balita. I just watched The Phantom of the Opera movie a couple of nights ago. I didn't watch it on Broadway when we were in New York, but after watching the movie, I could just imagine myself on the orchestra seat, tissue in hand, with tears flowing down my cheeks. The movie made me cry, particularly the famous romantic duet of Raoul & Christine, & being the sentimental geek that I am, I'm pretty sure that I would sob my way throughout the play had I gone & watched it.

Music speaks to my soul. Listening to music is such a spiritual experience for me. I am so moved that even in a live rock concert, you might catch me a bit teary eyed amidst a full auditorium dancing about. Raoul & Christine's duet is no exception. As of today, I've listened to the song for more than ten times already, and the intensity of the effect the song has on me just keeps on growing...


ALL I ASK OF YOU
The Phantom of the Opera OST
click to download

RAOUL
No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you -
my words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry -your tears.
I'm here, with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you

CHRISTINE
Say you love me every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you, now and always
promise me that all you say is true -
that's all I ask of you

RAOUL
Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light.
You're safe: No-one will find you
your fears are far behind you

CHRISTINE
All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night
and you, always beside me
to hold me and to hide me

RAOUL
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
anywhere you go, let me go too - Christine,
that's all I ask of you

CHRISTINE
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
say the word and I will follow you

BOTH
Share each day with me, each night, each morning

CHRISTINE
Say you love me

RAOUL
You know I do

BOTH
Love me - that's all I ask of you
Anywhere you go let me go too

LOVE ME -

that's all I ask of You...

Fun with Puns!

Stolen from Merrie hehehe


few... ---------- lo pascual

if... ---------- fagfatawad mo

missed her... ---------- dj can i make a request, pwede ba yung love song ko?

tuwing... ---------- kol tuwingkol litol star

joseph... ---------- fruit gum

jewel... ---------- turre

anchor... ---------- tis.. anchor-ny!

below... ---------- tin mo akow ng hiwaga ng iyong pagmamahal

gems... ---------- yap! james k n b? yap yap yap!

amanda... ---------- top of the world looking down on creation and the..

come back... ---------- tumibok ang puso wala ka nang magagawa kundi sundin ito..

hey, busy?... ---------- D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

many... ---------- pacquiao, sosyal ka hah, slang slang ka pa..

some... ---------- milby, o bat biglang nawala slang mo?

when your dreams seem so far away..
when everything seems so distant..
just reach hard... ---------- gomez

eto lang ang masasabi ko sa mga jokes na ito..
super duper korny na... ---------- sanchez



nyork nyork nyork

What Now? Part 2

I just read Bea's recent post about life after graduation. It got me thinking about my own situation again.

I received two e-mails from two different organizations hiring fresh graduates. Having been fortunate enough to come from a prestigious university, I just realized how lucky I am to be able to literally sit & wait for opportunities to come to my doorstep. There are a lot of people out there who NEED to get jobs for their families but couldn't because the good jobs are reserved for people like me. Sometimes I feel that I don't deserve all of this. I probably don't. But those people out there who've been looking for jobs since forever to provide for their families don't deserve that kind of hardship either. It's just not fair. It's not fair that I get several opportunities to pursue my crazy ideals while there are others who cannot even afford to HAVE ideals. That's not right at all.

One e-mail was from a Fortune 500 company. Well-established, pays well, great benefits. They're looking for someone to work at Human Resources -- something that I have a lot of experience with in my college organization. It's also a bonus that I took a Training course as my Psych elective in senior year. Although I have some aptitude for this type of work, I don't feel that it's a job that I'd love & would fight for.

The other one was from an NGO aimed at public education. Still young but pretty established, have no idea if they'll be paying. They're looking for a Communications Officer or something like that. I like people. I love being with people. I communicate well with all kinds of people. Plus their cause is something that I'm very passionate about. BUT they want a sample of a written work. Back in grade school, I was told that I wrote well, but definitely not the same case in recent years. Maybe I write good formal letters, which is something that I have quite an experience with, but other than that, I have nothing Palanca-Award worthy to submit. And I don't know how to make posters using Photoshop.

The question in one of my previous posts still stands: WHAT NOW?

I thought that things would be clearer to me once I've graduated. I've planned it all out before even graduating from grade school. Amazingly, everything went according to plan, right up to graduation day last March. Now that it's all finally over, I'm quite surprised at how clueless I really am to dealing with the world, the REAL world. I've always seen myself as sensible, responsible, adaptable, a girl with a good head on her shoulders. But during my four years in college, I've come to know about the scared little girl inside me, afraid of trying out & doing things on her own, afraid of being alone. I guess I've still got a lot more growing up to do.

Life is ALWAYS more complicated than we think. I'm just glad that we learn something new about it every now & then.

21 Names

Nakaw again from Nanan (ito ang gawain ng mga unemployed haha!)

Can you name 21 people you can think of right off the top of your head? Don't read the questions underneath until you write the names of all 21 people. Don't changethe names you've written once you start answering the questions. Ready, Start!

1. Nono 2. Nanan 3. Beatot 4. Michee 5. Bea s. 6. TJ 7. Kia 8. Lota 9. Francis 10. Benj 11. Bodi 12. Cheenee 13. Cla 14. Vianx 15. Ruthie 16. Nicolo 17. Matts 18. Rica 19. Koonce 20. Teehankee 21. Rai


THE QUESTIONS:
1. How did you meet 14? ACIL
2. What would you do if you never met 6? mabubuhay naman siguro ako.. probably one good friend less.. naks!
3. What would you do if 20 and 9 dated? why not?! tapos kami naman ni Lota wahaha
4. Did you ever like 5? syempre, best friend ko yan eh. haha
5. Would 4 and 12 make a good couple? ay. micheenee. hahaha!
6. Describe 8: loka-loka, jologs, marunong makinig, creative, intelligent, masipag
7. Do you think 13 is attractive? aba oo! lahat ng friends ko attractive! haha!
8. Tell me something about 17: masarap kasama sa tawanan -- kabag ang aabutin mo!
9. Do you know any of 4's family members? met her kuya once. *drool*
10. What's 21's favorite color? blue
11. What would you do if 18 just confessed s/he liked you? sabi ko nga ba bakla ka eh. haha!
12. what language does 20 speak? Tagalog. English.
13. Who is 9 going out with? 8. e mag-asawa na yan eh. haha!
14. What grade is 16 in? senior year college
15. When's the last time you talked to 13? wow. tagal na!
16. What is 2's favorite band? Eraserheads -- With A Smile! Doo-do-doo-doooo!!
17. Would you ever date 7? naka-ilang dates na kami nyan, even before Benj. haha!
18. Would you ever date 12? why not? MemRel rules!
19. Is 15 single? hmm. di ko alam. hehe
20. What is 19's last name? Santos
21. Would you ever want to be in a serious relationship with 11? iba gusto nya eh. haha!
22. What school does 3 go to? e graduate na sya eh
23. Where does 15 live? bicol!
24. What's your favorite thing about 10? mahal nya si Kia! yikee!
25. Have you seen number 1 naked? ay. skandalo ito! wahahaha!!

Ateneo Cross-List

Nakaw (na naman) kay Nanan at kay Lem:

(x) eat at Manang’s (liempo, donut, biko)
( ) learn the alma mater song (school spirit! wahaha!)
( ) get on the dean’s list (huhu)
( ) sleep on a bench
( ) be a TNT!
( ) jog around the campus in the evening
(x) visit the art gallery (once)
(x) know at least one xerox lady (ate alma, ate jenny, ate evelyn, ate imelda)
(x) get a Jesuit for a teacher (Dacanay forever!!!)
( ) itch from higad bites (i survived!)
(x) have gotten an F in something (curse you, Math 12!)
(x) have taken a crap in school
( ) watch a La Salle vs. Ateneo UAAP game (sa TV ba counted? wahehehe)
(x) give a powerpoint presentation
(x) study in the caf (iba talaga pag cramming na)
(x) watch a T.A play (parang nakanood ako. di ko lang matandaan kung ano.)
( ) sit on the SEC ledge and watch the stars
(x) eat in Full House, Martha’s Kitchen, and Ken Afford (sara na yung full house and martha's nung 1st year kami)
(x) sleep in the lib (pag nagpapakanerd)
( ) visit Mr. San Andres
(x) go to the chapel
(x) have gotten a pebble stuck in your shoe/slippers in the middle of the quad (lalo na ngayon!)
( ) cut class with your block to watch a movie
(x) sign up for those institutional (i.e. difficult but brilliant)(Dacanay rules!)
( ) go to CERSA night
(x) have tried siomai rice
( ) learn how to smoke
(x) fall in love (talaga lang ha? haha!)
( ) actually read the book you keep borrowing from the lib
(x) play cards during your free time (sa ACIL ako natuto ng pusoy dos!)
(x) dress in business attire (wretched orals & defense)
(x) learn to stay awake for more than 24 hours straight (mornangs galore!)
( ) have gotten side comments from ASSOC
( ) take (and enjoy) Saturday classes
(x) go to your immersion
(x) eat Food for Thought sandwiches (wheat bread, salami, lettuce, egg, tomato! Nanan's Special! haha!)
( ) get a boyfriend/girlfriend again (hmm. haha!)
(x) take time to read the vandalism in the CR doors
( ) watch "Minsan Lang Sila Bata" and "Macho Dancer" for class (high school pa)
(x) do a last minute paper
(x) have spent a lot for 1x1 ID pictures
(x) get exempted from final exams (History 166 under Dr. Totanes)
(x) attend a college mass
( ) promise to quit smoking
( ) play hide-and-seek in the mini-forest
(x) know where the best restrooms are on campus (well, renovated na ang mga banyo)
(x) join an org (go ACIL!)
(x) allow yourself to make mistakes
(x) take summer classes (make-up for my Math 12, practicum)
(x) admire the sacred heart statue in the evening
( ) make a video for a project
( ) have a crush on a teacher
(x) attend a Jesuit retreat
( ) have gotten a parking ticket
(x) come to school in your crappiest yet most comfy clothes (esp freshman year)
(x) learn how to use the Bayantel pay phones
(x) participate in school activities
(x) catch the Blue Babble Battalion tryouts (sa caf)
( ) date an Atenean
(x) ride a tricycle on campus
(x) find a tambayan painting room! (sa old ACIL Rm. sa now inexistent Colayco Hall)
(x) admire the marikina valley at night (from the LHS Titanic)
( ) go drinking along Katipunan
( ) learn how to beg for a higher grade
(x) use your cuts wisely (i barely cut class)
(x) volunteer to be class beadle (Theo 141 under Dr. Tejido)
(x) had the worst lottery schedule for reg
(x) admire the trees on campus
( ) have forgotten about your freecut and gone to that class
(x) eat in the ISO canteen
(x) be active in your org (iisa na nga lang eh, tatamarin pa ako. haha)
( ) have signed up on an ACP class just because the girl or guy u like signed up for it (once lang nag ACP)
( ) get as many app forms as you can during the job fair (di ko pinuntahan!)
(x) learn how to cram
( ) sell tickets (or watch) an org-sponsored movie premiere
( ) save money to Xerox all of your seatmate’s notes
(x) have accidentally seen a make-out session (di pa nga by accident yun eh haha)
(x) check out the Meron Lagoon and Lambingan Bridge
( ) have dozed off in class in Bel right after a class in CTC/SOM/Comm. Bldg or vice-versa
( ) learn how to work with groupmates from hell
( ) perfect the art of parking on campus
( ) had a bad encounter with one of the guards on campus
(x) develop a love for sisig
( ) learn how to pronounce "AEGIS" properly
( ) have used typing rooms at the library
(x) have reserved a classroom, AVR, etc. for a class or org function
( ) have asked the library for an endorsement to research in other libraries
( ) have lost a perfectly functioning umbrella.
(x) have used consultation hours properly
(x) Looked forward to lab breakage refund, in case you didn’t break any equipment
(x) visit the Guidance Office and Infirmary

What Now?

What have I been up to these past few weeks since I got back from the US?

1. gave out my pasalubong
2. helped around in the family business
3. watched a few DVDs (e.g. Constantine, The Virgin Suicides)
4. met up with friends
5. weekends with the family
6. bummed around the house
7. currently reading 'Wicked' by Gregory Maguire (which inspired the hit Broadway musical that I never got to watch)
8. ignored several job opportunities

Yes, I am guiltily avoiding getting a job. Guilty, because I haven't gotten around to being the responsible daughter that I am. Guilty, because I can actually afford to take a break while most people, some of them my friends, have been busting their butts at work a few weeks right after graduation.

No, I do not plan on being like this (a bum) all my life. I just feel that I'm in a point where I'm not sure which step to take next. Do I compromise my dreams & settle for an available job that I can easily do & would no doubt please my family? I'm just afraid that if I get into something so far from what I really want, I might not be able to get out anymore. So what's keeping me from pursuing my dream? The timing, fear of disapproval. Those kind of things.

Let's say the timing isn't right. What am I to do NOW? I guess that's what's really bugging me right now. No, I'm not bored with the stress-free conditions that I have set myself up with. I guess after all the things I have done to enjoy myself, the hype's settling down & I'm starting to hear Reality's faint knocking on my door to actual adulthood.

I'll probably answer it when I hear the doorbell. Until then, I'm just going to sit back, iPod on ears, & 'Wicked' in hand.

Something's Fishy...

Ang kabaliwan ng mga ACILista habang naghihintay tumila ang ulan sa Something Fishy sa Eastwood

Nakaw kay Nanan

i miss you, ACIL peeps!

huhuhu

Biyaheng Hangad 2006 Pictures

Sobrang dami pa ng mga pictures namin actually. Marami kaming may dala ng camera. I'll upload more pix as soon as I get a hold of my copy of the compiled pictures.

Chicago
Orlando
New York
Los Angeles

Miss ko na kayo, Hangad!

New Jersey, New York, Los Angeles

New Jersey/New York:
1. commuted from La Guardia Airport in New York to Jersey City via rented van & subway while lugging our bags (there were 16 of us, so we were quite a sight to look at)
2. saw Ground Zero (World Trade Center)
3. slept in a convent (trial ba ito for my future? why nat?!)
4. met the other wonderful Hangad members who are now based in the US
5. learned how to commute from Jersey City to New York City (take Bus 51!)
6. commuted from 14th St. in New York City to Jersey City via subway & bus... BY MYSELF! Ü
7. ate New York street food!
8. ate lunch at Central Park & lounged at Sheep Meadow (while sighting some hot bods haha!)
9. BROADWAY!!! (Mamma Mia!, Avenue Q, & Sweeney Todd)

Los Angeles/Torrance:
1. went to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills (kaso puro designer shops pala ron. my gad!)
2. went to Hollywood
3. shopped at a bargain CD store (WINNER!!!)
4. finally got to buy myself some clothes from a bargain store
5. Bath & Body Works shopping spree! (Thank you, Mother's Day Weekend Sales! haha!)
6. finally got to eat a corn dog
7. tasted a lime lemonade (talap!)
8. watched MI:3 in Westside Mall
9. eaten Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (ang natatanging pinunta ko sa States!)

Favorite Hangad Highlights:
1. expanded my vocabulary (e.g. BORKY means 'scary' *don't ask me why*)
2. noticed that the sound technicians I worked with during the concerts had common names (e.g. John, Bob, Tim, Neil)
3. got to be 'backstage' & 'behind the scenes' with great performers! (ala 'Almost Famous' effect)
4. spent a marvelous 4 weeks with some of God's most precious messengers of love & grace


Deux, Clare, Meechee, Mariel, Teen, Rose, Elaine, JC, Louis, Migs, Prime, Ron, Toby, & of course Mother Domi, Ernest, TJ, & Bea: Thanks for being so accomodating, warm, & patient with me. The memories you have shared with me will always be remembered & cherished. Congratulations to all of you, for your past, present, & future achievements. Kita-kita na lang sa mata!


*pix to follow (ang dami kasi!)*

Orlando, Florida

As usual, ililista ko muna yung mga highlights ng trip:

1. Disneyworld!!!
2. Shopping at Waterford
3. Shopping at Premium Outlets
4. Cleo the golden retriever
5. Dudoy the little boy!
6. Yo momma jokes with Christian
7. The best sound system we've had for the tour!
8. The heat in Orlando!

Tito George, if you're reading this, pasensya na at ito lang ang nasulat ko. Ngayon lang kasi ako nakapag-update ng blog. Medyo lumipad na ang mga memories ko about our trip there. Ang hindi ko talaga makalimutan ay yung INIT! Para palang Pilipinas ang weather doon. Oo, lumalamig sa gabi, pero grabe ang heat! Now I know bakit Miami Heat ang pangalan ng team.

Tita Ching, Tito Amador, Jamie, Tita Tess, Tito Dante, Tito George, Tita Lea, Tita Mina: THANK YOU! Grabe, kahit inaapi nyo ang pagsho-shopping ko, ok lang. I really enjoyed your company, pati na ang yummy food, syempre.

We're now in New Jersey, pero most of our gimiks are to New York City. Teaser about what I've been doing so far: BROADWAY! Matts, lagi kitang naaalala pag nanonood ako! Sobrang ma-e-enjoy mo talaga ang mga napanood ko! Kwento & pix soon! Hirap kasi mag-upload. Maraming gustong mag-internet. hehehe

Chicago, Illinois

I'm actually not in Chicago right now. I'm in Schaumburg, which is mostly a suburban area. But we did go to Chicago to do some sight-seeing. Before I start getting into detail, I'll enumerate the highlights of this part of the tour:

1. Had me & my stuff go through a SPECIAL inspection at the airport in Minnesota
2. Went out for a long walk with 34 degrees Farenheit (about 3-4 degrees Celsius)
3. Bought DVDs from Virgin Records (Now & Then; The Virgin Suicides)
4. Walked down along Michigan Avenue
5. Went to the Water Tower
6. Went to Millennium Park
7. Went to the Art Institute of Chicago
8. Went to the Shedd Aquarium
9. Ate lunch at Quizno's Sub
10. Tulips EVERYWHERE! As in equivalent sya ng santan sa Pilipinas!
11. Ate Chicago-style pizza
12. Kumanta sa Magic Sing ng Breakout by Swing Out Sister, as a submission to the drunken whims of the Hangad members

Ibang-iba ang Filipino community dito sa Illinois. Sobrang close at parang mga bagets pa na tipong mahilig mag-inuman at mag night out. Ang kukulit pa, especially Tita Raquel! Sana mas matagal pa kami dito sa Illinois. Bitin. Salamat talaga kina Tita Aleli & Tita Elisa sa lahat ng tulong at tsismis, kay Tita Nida sa pagsundo at paghatid sa airport, kay Tito Boy at Tito Ben sa kakulitan din, at kay Tito Jess sa phone card, lotion, at fabulous picutures. Madami pa silang dapat kong pasalamatan, kaso bangag na ako at pinipilit ko na lang itong tapusin. Maaga na naman ang flight to Orlando in a few hours.

Roomies ko pala sina Bea (yehey!) & Clare. Back in Minnesota, I was in the same house as JC, TJ, & Deux.

Nabigyan pala ako ng $50 from Ernest & Trin (of Hangad) as part of my share of the pocket money they gave us. So, I have already spent a total of $102.84 so far on this US trip.

Pictures to follow.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hi friends!

Grabe na ito! Imagine, 32 hours ang travel from Manila to Minneapolis! Kangaragan! Manila - Guam - Hawaii - Los Angeles - Houston - Minneapolis. 5 planes. Goodness. At kailan ako nahilo? Before the plane landed in Minneapolis. Lakas ng turbulence (Fun with Puns: TURBELENCE? Yun ba yung sinasakyan pag may emergency?) probably because of the wind. Kalamigan dito! Walang binatbat ang Baguio!

Minnesota Highlights:
1. Fruits with cottage cheese (Lota, specialty ng Minnesota ang cheese. Heaven ito for you!)
2. Went to Como Park (saw polar bears doing backstrokes on the pool, lions doing a quickie [NO JOKE])
3. Went to the Cathedral
4. Went to the Capitol
5. Went to the Mall of America (rode a ferris wheel for the first time, bought souvenirs)
6. Touched hale (I have a picture to prove it! Will show you soon!)
7. See my breath coming out of my mouth because of the cold weather
8. Heard a tornado warning (loud siren), but with no one seeming to be bothered by it
9. Saw a White Castle branch! Harold & Kumar! wahaha!(I think we might eat there tomorrow!)

Our hosts are so hospitable! Thank you very much to the Hiess Family! I'm still not over the book Tita Judith bought for me at Barnes & Knoble without my even asking. Oh, & the Godiva chocolate bar. *drool* But I'm saving it for my mom. She loves that chocolate.

And for myself, I bought a pink Minnesota shirt & a Minnesota star keychain (apparently Minnesota is the North Star state) Apart from that, it's also the state with 10,000 lakes. No joke. As in may lakes everywhere, kahit sa tabi ng highway. Parang malalaking puddles na kalat-kalat.

Sige, past midnight na rito. I need to rest na kasi concert na bukas sa Basilica. My gad, ang laki ng simbahan. No room for error! The pressure!

Nagastos ko pa lang so far sa aking US trip ay $30.86. Basta sa L.A. & New York na lang ako mag-splurge para malapit na kami umuwi nun. hehehe

Pictures!!!Ü

The Easter Journey: Biyaheng Hangad 2006

Apr 21, 2006, Friday, 8:00PM

Basilica of Saint Mary
Hennepin Avenue & 16th Street, Downtown Minneapolis
MN Minneapolis, Minnesota
Call (612) 317-3507


Apr 22, 2006, Saturday, 7:30PM

St. Hubert Church
729 Grand Canyon St.
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Contact HangadChicago@yahoo.com or (847) 287-5291


Apr 28, 2006, Friday, 7:30PM

St. Joseph Catholic Church
1501 N Alafaya Trail
Orlando, FL 32828
Call Tess Gabriel at (407) 275-6461; Mina Bailey at (321) 946-1495; George Tunaya at (407) 382-1471; or Father Rex at (407) 929- 0577


May 6, 2006, Saturday, 3:00PM

St. Anne’s Church
3545 Kennedy Blvd.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Call Rick Rivera at (201) 779-9114


May 7, 2006, Sunday, 5:00PM

Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz
378 Broome St.
New York, New York 10013
(Mass and mini-concert)


May 13, 2006, Saturday, 2:00PM

First United Methodist Church of Torrance
1551 El Prado St.
Torrance, California
Call Rose Domingo (310) 880-3610 or Josie Bada (310) 962-3929

You asked for it, you got it!

Dahil natamaan ako sa comment ni Cheenee about not updating my blog, eto na. hehe

Obvious naman siguro sa previous post ko na napakaganda ng experience ko sa 8-Day Ignatian Retreat ko sa Baguio. Kakaibang experience sya, friends.

Oo nga pala, I graduated last March 25. Pero backtrack lang muna sa Baccalaureate Mass nung March 24. Astig, si Fr. Dacanay ang homilist. At ang choir, da bomb! (Syempre mga friendships ko nandun haha! Heller Nanan, Eds, TJ!) Pero syempre astig yung kumanta ng Responsorial Psalm, si TJ. I felt so proud, kahit na halos murahin nya ako after the Mass kasi nakita pala nya akong humahagikhik habang kumakanta sya. haha! But the most memorable thing about that day was Fr. Dan speaking in Tagalog in front of everyone after the Mass to announce some things about the graduation practice that afternoon. Winner!

After the Mass, Beatot, Sherwin, Hazel, Arjay, Eds, Nanan, & I went to Eastwood to grab some grub before our scheduled graduation practice. We ended up eating at Serye. Yummy! I was able to ride in two of Sherwin's Benz's, one 2-door, & one SLK. Deym! Funny thing though, we arrived late for the practice because Arjay's car got a flat & Sherwin had to help fix it. Funniest part was when we were hurrying to go back to school, Sherwin realized that he didn't have his mobile phone with him. We tried calling it & could hear it ringing faintly but we just couldn't seem to find where it is. It turned out that I was sitting on it because Sherwin had left it on the passenger's seat in front & my blind eyes didn't notice it when I moved in front. Kakaiba ang utot ko, MUSICAL! haha! Upon reaching the exit of the parking lot, Sherwin frantically searched for the parking stub, which also ended up on my seat again. Nanan didn't stop himself from saying that cash might suddenly come out from my butt. haha!

Ironically, rushing to the practice was a bit useless because the organizers were already hungry for lunch & were already speeding things up to end it. So, we got to spend around 30mins or so for the practice. After which, I contacted Tin because we agreed to go see a movie after my grad practice, plus it was also her last day of exams. We ended up watching V for Vendetta at Eastwood (yes, there again) with Bobby, her blockmate.

Grad day. Blooper of bloopers, I had left the cord that we were supposed to wear during graduation at home. Good thing my family & I arrived 2 hours early & my dad (God bless him) went back home to get it for me. (Note that we live 40mins away from Ateneo.) Lucky me, Ate Julie (from OSA) was one of the usherettes & promised that she would hand me the cord in my seat when my dad arrives. So she did! With the help of Ate Susan (from the Psych Dept). Several speeches were given, of course the loudest applause went to Boyet, our valedictorian (though he did get a bashing from a parent in the Inquirer, poor boy).

I forgot to mention that the graduation was held in the high school covered court, which was rectangular & vertical in orientation, which meant that guests seated in the back would be watching ant-like students on a toga marching up the stage, if not for the amazing projection screen up front. My mom said after the graduation that I was 'telegenic'. Why not?!

Oh, our graduation was webcast LIVE. Amazing.

After the ceremonies, TJ told me to wait for him because he was going to give me something. Something = a dozen red roses. Of course, considering that I do not have a lovelife & getting those flowers caused a stir with my parents. They immediately asked me if he was courting me. Right. In what parallel universe will that happen? haha!

So, what have I been doing after graduation?

1. helping out in the family business
2. watching DVDs
3. reading the books I've bought long ago but never got the chance to read them
4. enjoyed days not having to worry about responsibilities like school work (sorry undergrad friends... bayaan nyo, makakarating rin kayo rito. kaya n'yo yan!)
5. catching up with old friends over food
6. preparing for my trip to the US

Yep, you read that right. But before I get to that, I would just like to announce that my family & I are going to Baguio on Holy Thursday till Black Saturday.

And on Easter Sunday, I'll be attending the send-off concert of Hangad. Send-off where? To their US Tour, which is where I'll be going as well.

We're leaving on April 18 & be back on May 15. We'll be going to Minneapolis, Chicago, Orlando, New York, New Jersey, & Los Angeles (in that order).

No, I'm not a member of Hangad. It just so happened that my mom was pressuring me to go to the States since I haven't used my Visa yet, & Hangad needed the extra hand for their production stuff. There. It's a plus that I'll be with TJ & Bea. Whoopee!

I'm so excited!!! Aaaahhh!!!

High on the Lord

Do you know what it's like

To sit in the middle of a garden
and be embraced by a cloud?

To open your bedroom window
and smell the mist coming into the room?

To be wrapped in a fog
and see everything as if in a dream?



To witness the dawning of a new day
and see both the sun and the moon in the same sky?

To watch the sun rise and set
amidst whipped-cream and cotton-candy clouds?

To bathe in the warmth of the sun
and dance at the glow of the moon?

To stand on a mountaintop
and touch the sky on tiptoe?

To stare at the night sky
and convince yourself you're in outer space?

To delight at the sight of the morning dew
kissing the soft petals of a newly-bloomed flower?

Or to walk into a labyrinth
but never lose your way
because you hear God's Voice calling out to you?

Or to understand and feel the graces of True Love
in the peaceful silence?

If you do know, I'm sure you'll be keeping all these things in your heart.

A tribute to the 8-Day Retreatants Batch 2006

What a way to end the year. ¤sigh¤

Lintik benta! hahaha!

On to other news...

As of March 3, 2006, Friday, 5:45PM, my academic life finally ended. Well, technically, it's not yet over since I have yet to complete my clearance. But yes, no more exams, no more orals, no more papers.

On a sad note, I did crappy in all of my final exams. What a way to end my academic life. Goodbye 3.08 QPI. Back to C+ land for me.

On a lighter note, we won Best Thesis Poster Presentation! Thanks to Mr. Ego Faylona for his creativity & generosity to see our vision through. In terms of tangible academic recognition, this is the only thing I've ever received throughout my four years in college, so pardon me if I gloat a little. hehehe

Moving on to a much depressing note, I wasn't able to attend the ACIL Senior's Night last March 4 due to obligations & duty. Honestly, I don't regret having stayed throughout the whole SOA Elections/Delibs. I stayed because it was for ACIL, primarily for SOA, but essentially for ACIL because it's part of SOA. Pero oo, sobra akong nalulungkot hanggang ngayon at hindi ko nakasama ang mga minamahal kong ACILista sa huling activity for the year, to think na especially for the seniors pa yung activity. Alam ng mga kasama ko sa elections kung gaano ako nag-struggle sa pag-stay ko doon instead of going to the party. Napuri pa ako nina Makaw (Speed) at Reg (ACMG) when they said, "Grabe talaga ang dedication mo [for staying here instead of going to the party]! Kakaiba!" Hay. Humagulgol ako pag-uwi ko sa bahay kasi na-guilty ako for choosing to do my job over going to the party. I feared that my friends got mad at me for not showing up & seeing everything they had prepared especially for me. Buti na lang nag-text back si Rica kahit na 1:30AM na nun. Kung hindi, baka hindi ako nakatulog talaga. Thanks Rica, for your reassurance. Ay lab yu!

Pinakamasaklap pa sa lahat, hindi na ako nakapagpaalam sa mga kids ko sa area. Ano ba yan, ang ACIL na pinakamamahal ko, hindi ako nakapagpaalam. Naiinis ako, nagagalit, nalulungkot.

Hay.

Still have to finish ACIL documents for submission. Plus clearance. Plus pack my bag for my retreat in Baguio.

Till next post.

Johari Yllana

http://kevan.org/johari?name=Chinky+Ü

The Guru

"How do I find true love? By doing it, as 1st Reading from James: what is faith without work. If you say you love another person, but you do not show it, it is useless. If you say you care about workers and their plight, but do not concretely act on it, you are then a liar. Love is about doing and expressing it in action. St. Ignatius said that love ought to find expression more in deeds than in words. It means that love should be spent to save it." ~ Fr. Jboy Gonzales, SJ

Oo na, adik na 'ko!

Your Five Variable Love Profile

Propensity for Monogamy: Your propensity for monogamy is high. You find it easy to be devoted and loyal to one person. And in return, you expect the same from who you love. Any sign of straying, and you'll end things. Experience Level: Your experience level is high. You've loved, lost, and loved again. You have had a wide range of love experiences. And when the real thing comes along, you know it! Dominance: Your dominance is medium. You tend to be the one with more power. You aren't a total control freak in relationships.. But of course you don't mind getting you way! Cynicism: Your cynicism is low. You are an eternal optimist when it comes to love and romance. No matter how many times you've been hurt - you're never bitter. You believe in one true love, your perfect soulmate. And if you haven't found true love yet, you know you will soon. Independence: Your independence is medium. In relationships, you need both "me time" and "we time." You usually find it easy to be part of a couple. But occasionally you start to feel a little smothered.

The Five Variable Love Test

Usapang Pag-ibig

How You Are In Love

You take a while to fall in love with someone. Trust takes time. You tend to give more than take in relationships. You tend to get very attached when you're with someone. You want to see your love all the time. You love your partner unconditionally and don't try to make them change. You stay in love for a long time, even if you aren't loved back. When you fall, you fall hard.

How Are You In Love?

Tulog na, Mahal ko...

What Your Sleeping Position Says

You are secretly sensitive, but you often put up a front. Shy and private, you yearn for security. You take relationships slowly. You need lots of reassurances before you can trust.

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

I am a dreamer.

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all... But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you. Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses. Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others. Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life. Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Bulaga!

Your Inner Child Is Surprised

You see many things through the eyes of a child. Meaning, you're rarely cynical or jaded. You cherish all of the details in life. Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things.

How Is Your Inner Child?

I am not scary.

You Are Not Scary

Everyone loves you. Isn't that sweet?

How Scary Are You?

How reassuring. hahahaha lintik benta!

I Believe!

You are a Believer

You believe in God and your chosen religion. Whether you're Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or Hindu.. Your convictions are strong and unwavering. You think your religion is the one true way, for everyone.

What's Your Religious Philosophy?

Affection is Air

Your Birthdate: February 2

You're so intuitive, it's like you have a sixth, seventh, and eighth sense. You connect with others freely and easily - and you tend to have many best friends. Warm and caring, it's hard for you to close your heart to anyone. Affection is like air for you - you need to give and receive it to survive. Your strength: Your universal compassion Your weakness: Your unpredictable mood swings Your power color: Mauve Your power symbol: Butterfly Your power month: February

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Flashback

An excerpt from my entry posted last September 4, 2005:

"It's been a long time since I felt peace within me. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever felt peace within me. There's always something to worry about, something to be angry about, something to be sad about. Maybe it's impossible for a person to find absolute peace within himself until he actually dies. (Don't worry, I won't kill myself over this. hahaha) I think the closest any person would ever get to inner peace is the feeling of relief, which is sadly, fleeting. Still, I am thankful for the fleeting feeling of relief, because its absence teaches me how to hope."

I can't believe I'm quoting myself. VANITY!

Eunuch Ako?!? *faints*

You Are 40% Boyish and 60% Girlish

You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch. Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes. You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them. You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be.

How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

Para Kay Bodi

Sa palagay ko, kaya tayo naguguluhan sa mga tanong na ganyan (i.e. figuring out women/men) dahil may inaasahan tayo mula sa kanila (expectations, ba?). You like someone, and you cannot help but picutre an ideal situation for the two of you. That's probably why we get disappointed or confused when they 'act weird' because of these hopes and fantasies we create in our minds.

To put it in an objective point of view, take a look at our friends of the opposite sex. Do you find yourself asking those questions whenever you are with your girl-friends? Hindi, 'di ba? That's because you don't expect or hope for anything more than that genuine friendship that you have.

I guess that is the beauty of falling in love with your best friend, because you don't really have to go through the guessing game. You already know what makes her laugh, what makes her cry, and how she wants to be loved.

Am I making sense to you? I hope I am. hehe But don't think that what you're doing is wrong, or perverted or whatever. Normal lang 'yan. It's a phase that we all go through. :)

Trial Tests Before My Actual Tests

You are a Black Coffee

At your best, you are: low maintenance, friendly, and adaptable At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you can get your hands on it Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

You Are Karamel Sutra

Plain on the outside, but once someone gets in, they're stuck

What Flavor Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Are You?

Cheese Pizza

Traditional and comforting. You focus on living a quality life. You're not easily impressed with novelty. Yet, you easily impress others.

What's Your Pizza Personality?

Your Hidden Talent

Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people. You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together. Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly. People crave your praise and complements.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Your Kissing Purity Score: 66% Pure

For you, kissing isn't a casual thing Lip to lip action makes your heart sing

Kissing Purity Test

Your Seduction Style: Fantasy Lover

You know that ideal love that each of us dreams of from childhood? That's you! Not because you posess all of the ideal characteristics, but because you are a savvy shape shifter. You have the uncanny ability to detect someone's particular fantasy... and make it you. You inspire each person to be an idealist and passionate, and you make each moment memorable Even a simple coffee date with you can be the most romantic moment of someone's life By giving your date exactly what he or she desires, you quickly become the ideal lover. Your abilities to make dreams come true is so strong, that you are often the love of many people's lives. Your ex's (and even people you have simply met or been friends with) long to be yours. No doubt you are the one others have dreamed of... your biggest challenge is finding *your* dream lover.

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

Career Option Revision?

You scored as Theater. You should be a Theater major! Like a bohemian actress, you are seasoned and confident and not afraid to express yourself! Linguistics 100% Theater 100% Anthropology 100% Sociology 100% Philosophy 92% Psychology 83% Dance 75% Journalism 75% English 67% Engineering 58% Art 50% Mathematics 50% Biology 50% Chemistry 17% What is your Perfect Major? created with QuizFarm.com

Did I?

Your 2005 Song Is

Since You've Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson "But since you've been gone I can breathe for the first time I'm so moving on" In 2005, you moved on.

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?