snazzy new shoes

I asked Con to buy football shoes for me (thats soccer shoes, depending on what part of the world you reside in) and this morning he handed it over to me...with an extra surprise...
I wont be paying for those shoes! Its a belated Birthday gift from Con, Pads, Don and William. Thanks guys!!!!! I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
Here's how my snazzy, ultra-jazzy, uber-nice shoes look like:

Thank you Con! Thank you Pads! Thank you Don! Thank you William!
You guys are the best. I will dedicate every kick and pass to you all (hahaha exagg na ba?).

Thank you.

For those who asked and to whoever is curious, my mom is at home and is doing well. The tumor was benign, and there was no need to remove surrounding tissues (and potentially, facial nerves).

Thank you to everyone who uttered a quick prayer who sent me messages this past weekend. I don't want to be a drama queen, but to be honest, Saturday (the day of her operation) was tense. I was waiting to hear from the surgeon or from anyone, and believe me, 4 hours of waiting inside the hospital room alone was not easy.

Thank you thank you thank you.

I wouldnt write this if I didnt need the extra favor...

I have just confirmed early this evening that my mom's surgery will push through this weekend. Initially, I didn't have any fear. Even though its a major surgery (a parotidectomy or something like that), there have been other patients who went through a similar procedure under the same doctor. Plus, we all know that it has to be done in order to minimize further risks.

But for as long as I can remember, it has been my mom's prayers that got us all through everything -- school exams, problems and illnesses. Now that the prayers are for her, I don't think mine and my siblings' prayers will be enough.

We are all confident though that all will be well. But still, I have a bit of fear, I am human after all.

So, if you have time, I would appreciate it if you can include my mom and her surgeon in your prayers. Surgery is scheduled on Saturday.

You know when...

...your friends are thinking too much of your "single-hood" when
they dream of marrying you off under the most absurd circumstances.
Renee's dream about me and my wedding is posted here. hahahaha!

my sister's kids

I am my brother's kids occassional playmate and yaya since I live with them, but my pamangkins from my sister's side, I rarely get to see. So I'm sharing their cutest and latest photo:

From left to right: Bea, Sammie and Paul

I included a phrase in my pbase travel gallery which I found saved in one of my cellphone's folders "...not all who wander are aimless."
I knew that I picked up in some movie, but couldnt quite remember which. Yesterday, HBO provided the answer. It was from Mona Lisa Smile, the last editorial written by Kirsten Dunst's character:

"I've heard her called a quitter for leaving and aimless wanderer. But not all who wander are aimless, especially those who seek truth beyond traditions, beyond definition, beyond the image."

who would've thought?

Bart, Grache and myself in Cebu..January of this year.

One week after I left them in Boracay, we found each other in Cebu.

Now Grache is in Michigan. Grache's B is back in Holland. And I'm still home, on the verge of yet another trip.

Wow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACHE!!! In which part of the world are we meeting next?

Written September 14, 2005 9PM Delifrance, SM Makati

At Delifrance, SM Makati, debating on whether or not I should...

Two things strike me almost simultaneously. One, why am I considering it? Two, why does it matter that I AM considering it?
I take a few bites of my food and toy with the idea while I chew --- breaking down both food and thoughts at the same time....
...My phone rings suddenly, and my rhythm is interrupted.

And just like that, fate decides for me. Spared momentarily, I exhale...from relief? Or from disappointment?

To cap off a really crappy, non productive day at work, I am heading off to SM Makati. To buy a school bag for my niece.
Hey, I like shopping. Even if its for school supplies. I just can't shrug off the terrible, terrible feeling of not being something.

*****

Last night, on the way home after watching the office basketball game, I had that feeling again. The feeling of restlessness. Everyone who knows me well, knows that I've always been prone to bouts of restiveness. Hence, my constant questions of "san gimik?" over and over again. Hence, my constant coming-home-late episodes.

I have a theory on why I had that again. But I will keep that to myself. Too personal? Too pathetic? A little bit of both I think.

*****

Headed over to the other office this afternoon to pay a quick visit to Mommy Maine. She's really showing! A few more months and she'll be giving birth to her firstborn boy. Lette gave her his name suggestions...needless to say, none of them are being considered :p

*****

A press of a single button and the words come out.."Erased." Just like that. Deleted. No other proof that it ever existed. None whatsoever.
It was a temporary thing. It was not a slip-up nor a momentary lapse in judgment. It had to be done. Because I needed something. I needed to feel the power of being able to control. Of being able to invoke you at will. And delete you at will.

There is a sweet exhilirating feeling that comes with being able to do things this way. Having always viewed everything form the other end of the spectrum, this is not something I'm familiar with. Yet it feels right. Like it is how it was always supposed to be. Now I know, now I feel differently.

I feel a witch cackle bubbling up to the surface. But no, I cannot rejoice so outwardly. A dignified and gracious demeanor is the true measure of inner control and the real trait of a true winner.
So I supress the laughter and smile instead.

the birthdays continue

My brother turns 32 today...and the weird thing is, my sister who is older than both of us, is also 32 today! Only for today though...because tomorrow she's turning 33. Yeah, they're only 364 days apart in terms of age. Yes, my parents have this weird knack for getting the timing right. With me though, I suppose 5 years of not having a kid made them off for a few days...but see, we all have our birthdays on the same month!
Thats the fun thing with me and my siblings. All Virgos.
Happy Birthday Kuya! Happy Birthday Ate!
I know they may never read this, since they're not online...but its still nice to put it out there in the great big internet unknown.
I hope to post photos of all three virgos (me, kuya and ate) next week :)

photo essay

I've posted some shots I took while in the office last week. I originally wanted to create a photo essay of some sort, adding captions to the photos that forms an entire thought when viewed as a group.

But, my creative juices aren't flowing.

So...I've posted each separately, and would rather get insights from people who frequent my blog. Feel free to add your captions - er, comments. :)

an entire weekend (and more) 's worth of celebration

I spent an entire weekend having mini celebrations of my birthday. It started last friday when some office friends got 3 boxes of Yellow Cab aka 3M pizza for me (and for them too, I don't eat that much). Some of them were here, taking a break from current onsite assignments and flew out last Sunday and this morning..hence, the advanced celebration.

Saturday, I played futbol with a few officemates and Jaque's officemates and, after getting cramps and experiencing the all-over body pain brought about by months of inactivity, headed home to a night-in with the girls. SATC's last season was on the playlist and it took us all night until early morning, continued til midday Sunday to finish the entire season.

Sunday afternoon I went to mass with Carl and Ally and then we had dinner at Teriyaki Boy. I was out on a gimik with my pamangkins...and I couldn't help but wonder if we will ever go out on a real gimik when they grow a bit older.

And today, of course is my "official" birthday. I started it late, since I didnt have the strength to get up this morning. I had lunch with my parents when they stopped by Makati and in the afternoon, I was treated to a "siomai" feast by some (other) office friends. Plus may take-home cake pa!

In a few hours I'll be meeting up with my friends again to have dinner (I've been eating non stop!). My official celebration with them. Wow. So many celebrations, so little time!

Thanks to everyone who remembered! I really really appreciate it! :)