Sunday, February 24, 2008
Immortality
Blogs are written to immortalize something, unlike a diary whose pages you can simply tear off or you can even dunk the whole thing in the trashcan if you feel it only adds to the clutter of your room. Writing about memories certainly freeze them in their freshest state, which you can relive anytime you wish. Blogs are like time capsules that you can forget about for the time being and seek out decades after, when you want to fondly remember how irrational or immature you've been. I admit I've written some things or mentioned some names I'd rather forget but then again, it's those events and encounters with these people that has shaped me for what I am today. When I'm old and gray, I can read it again on my laptop (on my palmtop, thumbprint or whatever technological breakthrough's big at the time) with my grandkids who will be making fun of their lola's hilarious adventures.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo's "He's Just Not That Into You"
Clearly the most liberating book I've read that totally changed my mind about dating and relationships. For years, my girlfriends and I mulled over the complexities of our relationships, pseudo-relationships and other so-called dealings with the opposite sex over coffee, when clearly, most of them just translate to the guys' lack of interest in the women in their lives. So why are we wasting our time?
Yes Gen, it's not as if we women don't know these things. It's just that we like to make things complicated, maybe it's because taken as it is, life is just too boring for us members of the better gender. Guys, on the other hand, tend to oversimplify everything else, primarily because their brains will short-circuit from thinking too much! Hahaha. What you see is what you get, and there's really no underlying reason for their behaviors.
Letters from fictitious women oftentimes in ridiculous situations illustrate Greg's simple yet very sensible arguments; the answers that women would not rather hear hehehe. His in-your-face, brotherly approach will just make you say to yourself, "Have I really gone that crazy tolerating that bastard?" Let these nuggets of wisdom (in verbatim) take you on the road to recovery and self-appreciation (well at least the ones that got me hook, line and sinker):
1. Men would rather lose an arm out to a city bus window than tell you simply "you're not the one".
2. The whole "I don't want to ruin the friendship" excuse works so well because it seems so wise. Sex could mess up a friendship. Unfortunately, in the entire history of mankind, that excuse has never ever been used by someone who actually means it.
3. Men, for the most part, like to pursue women. We like not knowing if we can catch you. We feel rewarded when we do. Especially when the chase is a long one.
4. If you can find him, then he can find you. If he wants to find you, he will.
5. Men are never too busy to get what they want, and they don't forget how much they like you.
6. Women should think: "when I'm picking friends, I like the ones who don't make me cry myself to sleep". (Nice one, Greg!)
7. Don't spend your time on and give your heart to any guy who makes you wonder about anything related to his feelings for you. (Gotcha!)
8. Sometimes you have to get closure by yourself.
9. No answer is your answer.
10. Don't give him a chance to reject you again.
11. If you really love someone, you want to do things to make that person happy.
12. There is no reason to yell at anyone ever, unless you are screaming "LOOK OUT FOR THAT BUS!" (I think naiyak ako sa kakatawa with this one.)
13. Why would you allow him to perform conversational masturbation on you? (Mwahahaha! We definitely know this guy, di ba Kirs?!)
14. When two people are connected, they hunger for information about each other, a sliver of what life is like when you're not together, a glimpse into their past, a peek into their mind, all in the hopes of getting under their skin.
15. You already have one asshole. You don't need another. (Smart! Haha!)
16. You are exceptional, but not the exception.
17. Don't let his personal complications confuse you into waiting around for him. (This guy does exist, alright.)
18. I don't need to know you to know that at the very least you ought to think that way about yourself.
19. Believe that life will turn out well, because you have to other choice but to believe that.
20. The only way you can find out that there's something better out there is to first believe there's something better out there.
Reading the book did not make a pessimist out of me, but rather a more hopeful, happy single girl. There were guys who used to be into me, and there wasn't a need to analyze their actions then, because it was clear that they were. I'm now sure of what I'm looking for and I realized that minutes of confusion and worry only translate to lost opportunities to be happy.
Yes Gen, it's not as if we women don't know these things. It's just that we like to make things complicated, maybe it's because taken as it is, life is just too boring for us members of the better gender. Guys, on the other hand, tend to oversimplify everything else, primarily because their brains will short-circuit from thinking too much! Hahaha. What you see is what you get, and there's really no underlying reason for their behaviors.
Letters from fictitious women oftentimes in ridiculous situations illustrate Greg's simple yet very sensible arguments; the answers that women would not rather hear hehehe. His in-your-face, brotherly approach will just make you say to yourself, "Have I really gone that crazy tolerating that bastard?" Let these nuggets of wisdom (in verbatim) take you on the road to recovery and self-appreciation (well at least the ones that got me hook, line and sinker):
1. Men would rather lose an arm out to a city bus window than tell you simply "you're not the one".
2. The whole "I don't want to ruin the friendship" excuse works so well because it seems so wise. Sex could mess up a friendship. Unfortunately, in the entire history of mankind, that excuse has never ever been used by someone who actually means it.
3. Men, for the most part, like to pursue women. We like not knowing if we can catch you. We feel rewarded when we do. Especially when the chase is a long one.
4. If you can find him, then he can find you. If he wants to find you, he will.
5. Men are never too busy to get what they want, and they don't forget how much they like you.
6. Women should think: "when I'm picking friends, I like the ones who don't make me cry myself to sleep". (Nice one, Greg!)
7. Don't spend your time on and give your heart to any guy who makes you wonder about anything related to his feelings for you. (Gotcha!)
8. Sometimes you have to get closure by yourself.
9. No answer is your answer.
10. Don't give him a chance to reject you again.
11. If you really love someone, you want to do things to make that person happy.
12. There is no reason to yell at anyone ever, unless you are screaming "LOOK OUT FOR THAT BUS!" (I think naiyak ako sa kakatawa with this one.)
13. Why would you allow him to perform conversational masturbation on you? (Mwahahaha! We definitely know this guy, di ba Kirs?!)
14. When two people are connected, they hunger for information about each other, a sliver of what life is like when you're not together, a glimpse into their past, a peek into their mind, all in the hopes of getting under their skin.
15. You already have one asshole. You don't need another. (Smart! Haha!)
16. You are exceptional, but not the exception.
17. Don't let his personal complications confuse you into waiting around for him. (This guy does exist, alright.)
18. I don't need to know you to know that at the very least you ought to think that way about yourself.
19. Believe that life will turn out well, because you have to other choice but to believe that.
20. The only way you can find out that there's something better out there is to first believe there's something better out there.
Reading the book did not make a pessimist out of me, but rather a more hopeful, happy single girl. There were guys who used to be into me, and there wasn't a need to analyze their actions then, because it was clear that they were. I'm now sure of what I'm looking for and I realized that minutes of confusion and worry only translate to lost opportunities to be happy.
Mitch Albom's "For One More Day"
Mitch Albom has done it again with this surefire tearjerker. Divorce, death, and an extra day to feel a mother's unconditional love are more than enough to make your lips quiver and choke back tears. My mom and I are pretty much close, but the chapters that speak of "Times My Mother Stood Up For Me" and "Times I Did Not Stand Up For My Mother" definitely sent me on a big-time guilt trip.
He tells of the story of Charles "Chick" Benetto, a retired baseball player who has the world on his shoulders, and his one-day reunion with his mom who had passed away years before. It runs the way "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" did, and it's just as poignant.
I liked the way the story jumped from one time period to another without confusing me too much, with surprising revelations here and there. One tip though, if you plan to read the book, it would be better to read it in one sweep rather than reading it during breaks, while on transit, etc. as you might get confused with who's who and what's happening... at para na rin mas tagos sa buto! :)
"...there's a story behind everything... but behind your stories is your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin."
He tells of the story of Charles "Chick" Benetto, a retired baseball player who has the world on his shoulders, and his one-day reunion with his mom who had passed away years before. It runs the way "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" did, and it's just as poignant.
I liked the way the story jumped from one time period to another without confusing me too much, with surprising revelations here and there. One tip though, if you plan to read the book, it would be better to read it in one sweep rather than reading it during breaks, while on transit, etc. as you might get confused with who's who and what's happening... at para na rin mas tagos sa buto! :)
"...there's a story behind everything... but behind your stories is your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin."
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Seeing red (and pink)
Chef's Avenue of Festival Mall was lined with so much red and pink balloons that it was almost suffocating. There was even a pink grand piano in the middle. Overkill na pare! The lights of the restos were dimmed and I'm sure the patrons were having a hard time picking on their food on candlelit tables. I myself was stuffed with candy and cake care of Ashley, Aina and Alexi (wow 3 A's!), not so good food from Molokai's (I think the crispy noodles were swimming in a bottle of oyster sauce) and a heavenly big belgian cone of Hazelnut ice cream from Theobroma (super thanks to Gnet). However that didn't stop me from wolfing a piece of chicken wing and rice submerged in sotanghon soup (yummy!) as I turned on the TV for the final leg of The Amazing Race Asia season 2. Dancing to Britney's "Piece of Me" like twenty times over brought about an appetite of a construction worker, I have to say. Just had to restrain myself, sayang naman ang workout kanina hahaha.
Anyhoo I really felt bad lang that Marc and Rovilson ended up in 3rd place. For a while there I hated anything Singaporean but in fairness, they already won so much. What I can't forget was the South African trip! I heard they got free Caltex gas for a year, prize money from Standard Chartered and heaps of Sony products (was a Bravia included?!) from being the first to arrive at the pitstop for how many times.
So how was the supposed dreadful V-Day, you may ask? Well, for one, I was touched that Brennan finally gave in to kissing me on the cheek! Usually he'll just bring his cheek close enough for me to kiss him hahaha. I hope it's not just because it's Valentine's day. I've never received that much hugs and kisses from kids kanina! I almost fell off my chair (I think I really did) when they all wanted to sit on my lap to make lambing. What a riot! Sana they are all mine na lang hahaha!
As for having a date or a boyfriend or whatever... well... if I did have one I wouldn't be telling you about Marc and Rovilson, would I? If I was pathetic enough to prioritize such whims, I could have had someone bring me gifts today. Baka nga 1 month na kami LOL! :) Yun nga lang, I'm not built for that kind, and I don't think I'll ever be. I guess I also feel too old to play any more games. Sadly, those prized catches are engulfed by the volume of those who want to play some more...
Anyhoo I really felt bad lang that Marc and Rovilson ended up in 3rd place. For a while there I hated anything Singaporean but in fairness, they already won so much. What I can't forget was the South African trip! I heard they got free Caltex gas for a year, prize money from Standard Chartered and heaps of Sony products (was a Bravia included?!) from being the first to arrive at the pitstop for how many times.
So how was the supposed dreadful V-Day, you may ask? Well, for one, I was touched that Brennan finally gave in to kissing me on the cheek! Usually he'll just bring his cheek close enough for me to kiss him hahaha. I hope it's not just because it's Valentine's day. I've never received that much hugs and kisses from kids kanina! I almost fell off my chair (I think I really did) when they all wanted to sit on my lap to make lambing. What a riot! Sana they are all mine na lang hahaha!
As for having a date or a boyfriend or whatever... well... if I did have one I wouldn't be telling you about Marc and Rovilson, would I? If I was pathetic enough to prioritize such whims, I could have had someone bring me gifts today. Baka nga 1 month na kami LOL! :) Yun nga lang, I'm not built for that kind, and I don't think I'll ever be. I guess I also feel too old to play any more games. Sadly, those prized catches are engulfed by the volume of those who want to play some more...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Seriously
C'mon be honest... do my blogs sometimes make you cringe with its sappiness bursting at the seams? I do, and I could just imagine how much more for you haha! And I'm sure at one point or another you felt the need to whack me on the head as I dig myself into a deeper hole of humiliation. Sigh. I think a whack from time to time is just what I need to bring myself out of the stupor of a pathetic, boring life.
Pardon my last post, please. It was just a by-product of too much stress from thesis writing, humongous pimples that never seem to go away, and an appetite I can't fully satiate, among others. The kids have become increasingly makulit pa in the last weeks that my patience might not be able to hold it in any longer. Anyway, I can't believe I wrote about that!!! Ewwww gross talaga.
Breathe in, breathe out. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Hmmm... actually, some things still can make me smile. How about another list?
1. Fiorgelatto menthe gelato and After Eight mint thins
2. John Mayer and Alicia Keys performing together at the Grammys
3. piping-hot Quarter Pounder or Double Cheeseburger and Sausage McMuffin meal
4. thinking about my birthday party (hahaha labo ang tagal pa eh)
5. extended weekend to give me more time to make petiks for my thesis proposal (Rinding-rindi na kayo siguro sa thesis ko na parang hindi matapos-tapos. Ako na lalo!!!)
6. Blueskies banana-honey multigrain crackers. It's the best!
7. Limewire and DSL internet and the abundance of really great cover songs as of late (check my Music here on Multiply, more to come!)
8. hilarious blogs like Gelo's phone conversation that left him at a loss for words, and Chesa's deluge of "silly" entries hahaha
9. Brennan's innocent quips. "So Bren, does this bearcat look more like a bear or a cat?" "Uhm.. a seal!" :)) And it indeed looked like a seal! With thick fur!
10. thinking about upcoming beach trips! I can't wait!!!
Pardon my last post, please. It was just a by-product of too much stress from thesis writing, humongous pimples that never seem to go away, and an appetite I can't fully satiate, among others. The kids have become increasingly makulit pa in the last weeks that my patience might not be able to hold it in any longer. Anyway, I can't believe I wrote about that!!! Ewwww gross talaga.
Breathe in, breathe out. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Hmmm... actually, some things still can make me smile. How about another list?
1. Fiorgelatto menthe gelato and After Eight mint thins
2. John Mayer and Alicia Keys performing together at the Grammys
3. piping-hot Quarter Pounder or Double Cheeseburger and Sausage McMuffin meal
4. thinking about my birthday party (hahaha labo ang tagal pa eh)
5. extended weekend to give me more time to make petiks for my thesis proposal (Rinding-rindi na kayo siguro sa thesis ko na parang hindi matapos-tapos. Ako na lalo!!!)
6. Blueskies banana-honey multigrain crackers. It's the best!
7. Limewire and DSL internet and the abundance of really great cover songs as of late (check my Music here on Multiply, more to come!)
8. hilarious blogs like Gelo's phone conversation that left him at a loss for words, and Chesa's deluge of "silly" entries hahaha
9. Brennan's innocent quips. "So Bren, does this bearcat look more like a bear or a cat?" "Uhm.. a seal!" :)) And it indeed looked like a seal! With thick fur!
10. thinking about upcoming beach trips! I can't wait!!!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Throwing it all away
What if I just dump all these papers in the vacant lot across me, pack my bags and hop on the next plane to New Jersey (or San Diego if Jenx permits haha!)? Last day for thesis proposal defense is March 8. I have nothing concrete to speak of as I write this. Sigh. I plan to hole myself up at home for the next 3 weeks just to get this thing going. Double sigh. There's so much to do pa for school!
Share ko lang, natawa ako eh. I was told this afternoon that my ex (the last one) got the boot last week from his job for reasons unknown. Apparently they're not even telling his immediate superior what happened (I think he was out of the country then), basta lang he disappeared daw. But it's actually not surprising that this happened considering there was a sexual harrassment case APPARENTLY against him waaaaay back (months after we broke up) which I think just fizzled out, probably because his dad worked his magic. I wonder how long will it take for him to get another decent job like that? Anyway, funny lang that this guy's getting married in December and it looks like his dad got another mouth to feed by then Now I feel really blessed that things happened the way they did.
Ok back to work na ulit. Time is running out...
Share ko lang, natawa ako eh. I was told this afternoon that my ex (the last one) got the boot last week from his job for reasons unknown. Apparently they're not even telling his immediate superior what happened (I think he was out of the country then), basta lang he disappeared daw. But it's actually not surprising that this happened considering there was a sexual harrassment case APPARENTLY against him waaaaay back (months after we broke up) which I think just fizzled out, probably because his dad worked his magic. I wonder how long will it take for him to get another decent job like that? Anyway, funny lang that this guy's getting married in December and it looks like his dad got another mouth to feed by then Now I feel really blessed that things happened the way they did.
Ok back to work na ulit. Time is running out...
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