There will always come a time when I will reach that fork in the road.
Whether I take the road less -- or perhaps even the one NEVER travelled -- I won't be scared. I know that all roads lead to somewhere. And once I reach that somewhere, I can claim it my own.
Then again, if one path doesn't kill me, at least I still have a chance to trek another;
There is a reason why I want to give up.
But there is an even bigger reason why I choose not to.
Happy birthday to my dearest and most favorite sister, Justine :)
Remember that you are one of my answered prayers. As a kid, I prayed with all my faith to have a sister. :)
I know that you have a good head on your shoulders and you have a very good heart. Sana lang, bawas bawasan mo ang katarayan mo. :P
Ate will always be here for you. I love you!
It's easy to love someone when everything is going smoothly and all that feeling of being in love is simply overwhelming. It becomes natural to love someone when things are manageable. But you also love me even when loving me is difficult. Despite my out of this world peevishness and stubornness, you've never -- EVER -- given up on me, and that says a lot about you and our relationship.
Before I left for SG, I was against keeping a long distance relationship. But I have to admit that you made me realize that we could be different. Yes, it's hard and I rant about it, but we deal with it. We defy the distance.
I know that things will not always be perfect, but our love is enough to make me believe that the happy days will always outnumber the sad ones.
In case I haven't shown you enough, or said it warmly enough...
I love you.
Happy anniversary, Love. :)
This was the headline in Saturday's Straits Times.
And this is in Singapore alone. Recession is a global concern and Singapore is definitely not saved from it.
Whenever I'm pissed about work, perhaps I should remember that I am still lucky. This doesn't mean that I will do my work half baked. I have learned that even if you don't exactly have the job of your dreams, you must still do your best.
Here's to doing our best. :) And I truly wish that we can all survive this crisis.
-- Chinese New Year at River Hong Bao with Bes --
Singaporeans may not celebrate Christmas and New Year's as grand as Pinoys do, but they surely make up for it during Chinese New Year. I've never seen Singapore so lively.
Happy Year of the Ox!
Cheers to my first Chinese New Year in a country that truly celebrates it. :)
Between now and June, I have to make a very big decision on a very important aspect of my life.
June seems quite far away, but there are just so many factors to consider.
I have options A and B, but both options seem to be of equal value and it makes the decision making part harder for me.
My friend told me, "You'll know you've made the right decision when you pick out the most difficult choice but your heart is at peace."
I hope my heart will be at peace.
In less than an hour, I will say goodbye to the 20's life. It's been...awesome.
Bukas na ang ma-emote na entry :)
Wow. This is my very last post as a 20 something haha! Bukas, ibang age bracket na ako. :P
...and nothing can really beat the Christmas spirit in the Philippines.
Christmas this year will be very interesting and challenging for me. Pipilitin kong hindi umiyak.
It's bad enough that I am away from my loved ones, now my housemates are also going some place else on Christmas day.
Home alone. :( How does anyone spend Christmas alone??
Got this from Tianne.
When you're having PMS and you read this, you'd really hate being a girl :P
Men Are Just Happier People -- What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too sicky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. !
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks.. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes!
No wonder men are happier.
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!!!! You bring so much joy to me and my family. Despite all the drama when I first got you, my family eventually fell in love you. Who wouldn't? :) (Mahal, thanks again for Ashley. Miss ka na ren nya :P)
Hehehe...parang kelan lang, I could carry her in one hand. Ngayon ang laki laki na!
Astig sya dito ha :P
*photos and notes courtesy of my sister, Justine :)
An email from my brother:
----
"Good morning Ate.
Narinig kitang umiyak last night. Wag ka na malungkot ha. Malapit lang naman Singapore.
And I'm sorry hindi kita nabisita diyan. Pagtumagal ako dito, maaayos ko din yung pag renew ng passport ko. I love you!"
----
My family is not used to saying I love you to each other. But things changed since I got here.
On my mom's birthday, I called to greet her and I'm pretty sure it was the first time I ever told her I miss her.
Before coming here, I knew that homesickness will be part of working overseas. But I never thought it could be so unbearable. There are moments when I just feel like getting on the next plane out to Manila and not caring what's in store for me there. Yes, perhaps going back there will be harder. But the truth is, living anywhere in the world away from your loved ones is the hardest.
Everything I've heard about working overseas and the hardships that come with it, I now understand. I absolutely understand.
And I go through it every single day.
But then again, I should remember that coming here was an adventure. And it still is. No matter what happens, I'll survive. And I still feel so blessed. :)
There were many factors that helped me slowly recover -- mostly prayers and constant support from my best friend, and this line which really caught my attention:
"when the real world around us makes so little sense, hope is the most beautiful of all irrationalities..."
I will keep praying...and believing.
"It is only when you let go that life starts to grab you."
-- from Starworld's preview of Because I Said So
You remain my inspiration when it comes to independent living and being strong. If people knew what you went through, they'd know what I'm talking about. Perhaps God really made you strong so you can also give support to your best friend when she's in pain :) Hehe. It's true what Carrie said in SATC.. “No matter who broke your heart, or how long it takes to heal, you’ll never get through it without your friends."
Bes, thank you for reminding me that life is indeed worth living...and that I am worth loving. :) No matter where life leads me now, I'll definitely get by because of your support.
I am so lucky and thankful to have you as my best friend. Happy happy birthday!
I can't believe I am now here in SG and we can celebrate your birthday later :D Weee!!!! Sabi mo nga, 5 years (?) in the making ang pagiging housemates naten. :P
Love you bes ko!
