It just happens. You meet someone who’ll turn your world upside-down whether you like it or not. I don’t know what this is, but the thought of you and your absence drives me insane.

It starts and ends with your hands that are cold as the breeze last November. If there’s such a term as awkward yet lovely, then that should tell my favorite memory of you.

Yes, I am excited.

You might think I’m already out of my mind for saying these things. I know some of you might even think about hitting my head on the wall. Come on, who’s excited to lose money?

I’m finally learning to be more selfless. Remember my past blog post about finances? After months of prayers, reflection and all that, I am slowly seeing the joy in giving.

I realized that there is no security in money. This is what I always say to my friends who worry about finances the same way that I do. You can save as much as you want and feel dissatisfied in the end.

I also learned that I always have to know my priorities. Know what you are saving for. Is it for the future? For emergency purposes? But I always have to leave something for myself too. Huwag naman yung magmukha ka nang kawawa and bitter, di ba?

Also, I once thought that financial freedom is so easy to attain. But the truth is, I will never get that freedom unless I stop looking for more things in life (which is so impossible ’cause it’s the way to survive). Well not unless I’m Manny Pacquiao or something. Even the richest businessmen have debts, right? It’s how you use your money that always matter.

So there. I’m excited for this money-saving/money-spending/giving phase that I’m in. It’s just the start of the year but great things are coming my way now. I’m letting God work His way through my finances and let it thrive.

Leap of faith. Kung meron mang eksaktong modelo para dito, ang lolo ko na iyon siguro. Sabi ko nga, mag-80 na siya pero hindi pa siya ever tinakbo sa ospital. Maraming beses nang ikinunsulta siya ng mama ko pero lagi siyang umuuwing talunan. Haha. Kasi ang nangyayari eh pinapangaralan pa ng lolo ko yung doktor. Lagi niyang sinasabing ginagamit talaga niya yung pananampalataya niyang pagagalingin siya ng Panginoon sa kahit anumang karamdamang dumapo sa kanya.

Bilib ako kay lolo. Nung sumakabilang-buhay ang lola ko, akala ko babagsak na nang tuluyan ang mundo niya. Siyempre, hindi naman maiiwasang malungkot talaga siya sa nangyari, pero never kong narinig si lolo na kinuwestyon si Lord. Sa ngayon, hindi ko pa yata kayang gawin iyon.

Ang lolo ko ngayon, nakaka-biyahe pang mag-isa papuntang Trece Martirez o hindi kaya Laguna, o mas malupit eh Maynila. Rockstar. Hebigat. Astig. Nakakapunta pa iyon ng mall kung gusto niyang manood ng sine o hindi kaya kumain sa labas. Ako nga kinatatamaran ko na iyong gawin. Bigla tuloy, what’s my excuse? Haha.

Siguro nga, kung gusto kong may mangyari sa buhay kong kakaiba, kailangan ko rin ng “leap of faith” sa buhay ko. Kailangan ko rin sigurong sumugal at maniwalang kikilos ang Panginoon sa aspetong iyon. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko pa lubos na maintindihan ang lahat ng bagay sa mundong ito, pero naniniwala akong maganda ang kahihinatnan ng desisyon ng lolo at ng nanay ko.

Ika nga ng lola ko noon, “to believe is to see.”

One of the major highways in Metro Manila is Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue or more popularly known as EDSA. Most of the activities during the People Power Revolution happened there in 1986, and now the monument — a paragon of hope, freedom and unity, stands particularly near a popular mall in Ortigas.

Everyday, I brave through EDSA on my way to work as if I have my own revolution. And I never thought that after 4 years of flying to and from the metro, I’m also doing the same commuting discipline being a wanderlust in life.

This post will not teach you a foolproof guide about life, or realizations after the EDSA revolution, but will give you tips on commuting in Manila (particularly in EDSA) so you won’t end up looking like Linda Blair in The Exorcist when you arrive at your destination. You’ll thank me for this. LOLJK.

Here are five:

1. Travel light. Avoid bringing valuables when commuting. Don’t be such a walking billboard for pickpockets by not shoving your gadgets in public. As much as possible, avoid wearing expensive jewelry. People do not expect to see Lady Gaga taking the train during the rush hour, anyway.

2. If you’re traveling from outside of Manila and you have an appointment at 10 AM, make sure to leave the house before 6:30 AM. This tip applies to people who live two hours away from the metro. Commuters who aim for Makati CBD usually flock the terminals and waiting sheds at 7AM, and you wouldn’t want to worry if you’ll make it or not, right?

3. If you need to take a cab, go for the company-owned taxis. They are usually painted yellow, green, red or blue, safer from the typical taxis that you see along EDSA. Also make sure that someone knows the cab you’re in by texting the name, plate and body number. Better be safe.

Traffic can be a bitch.

4. The city train line is your Northern Star. This tip applies to most cities in SEA, too! If you feel like you’re lost, always look for the nearest line and you could practically go anywhere. Plus it’s safer and faster to travel from the LRT and MRT. Shopping malls are good landmarks too! You just need an ounce of patience especially during peak hours. SEE RELATED POST (A MATCH MADE IN THE SKYTRAIN)

5. If you’re an EDSA traffic neophyte, put on an extra swagger. Pretend that you know where you’re going. Walk fast. And if you think you’re really lost, you’re doomed. Nah, just kidding. Don’t just ask directions from anyone. You might want to approach the traffic police (if there’s one, I doubt! Haha!)

So there. Some tips I’d like to share to you. This post was made during my MRT ride this morning. I just feel like writing. I hope this helps!

I’ve heard stories from friends, of their friends who once said hello and goodbye, of good morning and good night, of ”alam mo, cute ka” to “walanghiya ka, huwag ka nang magpapakita sa ‘kin hayup kang wagas”. Everyone has his and her share of ‘The One That Got Away’ even before Katy Perry attempted to immortalize the song.

We have our own Katy Perrys and Diego Lunas — probably someone whom we fell in love with back in high school, whom we first held hands with, whom we didn’t mind skipping classes with, someone whom we thought was our forever.

Awww.

We sacrificed time, money and effort. We didn’t mind flying from here to the edge. We fought for them even though everyone never believed. We loved without expecting anything in return. But after some time, the romance has slowly worn out. Forever lasted for a few months.  You tried to work things out but it never worked at all, until finally it’s time to say goodbye.

Who’s The One That Got Away? Probably he or she is that someone who made us feel happy and hurt at many levels. That someone will teach us life lessons that even experts cannot teach us. The time spent loving and getting to know them will teach us patience, understanding and compromise. It’ll also teach us to weigh our priorities in life and how much are we willing to give up some other things. Or they might teach us to save something for ourselves so that we wouldn’t have any trace of bitterness later on.

I am no expert at love. I’m still young and I know that there’s no guarantee that whoever will make me feel special in the (near) future can finally be dubbed as  The One. Whatever happens, I’m pretty sure I will learn something from it. Anyway, it’s what all this romance thing is about, more than all the flowers and butterflies.

Let me end this random post with this: Love until it hurts no more.

Ahihihihi. So gwapo.

The movie basically tells about the crazy, stupid and clumsy love affair between Mei Li (Cris Horwang), a 30-y/o woman who kinda felt hopeless after all her friends tied up the knot and Loong (Theeradej Wongpuapan), an engineer working for the BTS Skytrain (HE IS SUPER GWAPO TO ME).

I also read somewhere that it was shown in line with the Skytrain’s 10th anniversary, allowing its name to be used for the film’s Thai and English titles. Pretty cool, huh.

Seeing the film reminded me of my short-lived Bangkok love affair (the first one was like 5 days and the other was just a portion of my weekend). The BTS Skytrain is a huge part of my BKK life, it brought me around the city, told me stories of everyday Bangkok life, and spoke to me in English (whenever it stopped by a station. LOL). And recently, I also got the chance to take the train to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Yay.

Who's gonna Bang Sue?

Whenever people ask me tips about traveling, I always tell them to look for the nearest train line and they won’t get easily lost. It practically serves its purpose just about anywhere, plus it’s safer, cheaper and more efficient compared to taking other public transportation.

Here in the Philippines, our version of the BTS are the LRT Lines 1 and 2 and MRT line 3. I’m one of the regular MRT passengers, taking it on my way to the office just about everyday. I’ve experienced the best and the worst of taking a ride at our very own skytrain.  At non-peak hours, you can do somersaults in the aisle, whereas during the rush hour, you might want to take taekwondo lessons or learn your signature tornado move so that you can shoo everyone who’ll get in your way.

But despite the countless taekwondo matches that have happened inside the MRT and all other things, I cannot imagine life without it. I don’t think I can survive going to office from Cavite every waking day. Or I could show up very late for my meet-ups within Manila, or go totally nuts with Manila traffic.

What I wish for is that they’ll somewhat improve the system. LRT 2 is still the OK line for me. I don’t know how they’ll do it, perhaps they could start with passenger control or whatever. I’m not sure with widening the train because of certain restrictions within EDSA line. It would be awesome though if they could extend it soon to Pampanga or Cavite!

The story of Bangkok Traffic Love Story simply illustrates how many lives are changed in the BTS. I’m not saying changes are grand or worthy of doing another movie for it. Just think about the number of people who have been saved from getting fired because they always arrive early for work, or messengers who had to catch the bank on time, or Romeo wants to see Juliet during lunch hour or people who have to chase other people, or hundreds of people who gave up their lives so that the government would wake up and realize that our national security is taken too lightly (The Rizal Day bombing, never forget).

One of these days, you might get a chance to ride the MRT at around lunchtime. You will find me sitting in one of the corners of the car with my earphones plugged in. I never liked interacting with people but you might want to say hi. Promise, I won’t bite.

Photo courtesy of Pau.

After days of celebrating with my family, partying and meeting up with good old friends, I finally took myself out on a date. It wasn’t really planning to do it awhile ago but I was kind of looking forward to it since the new year kicked off. I had salad for dinner. The waitstaff was hesitant to give me soda when I asked him to do so, probably he knew that I ordered food from the more health-conscious part of the menu.

Looking back, the last time I did go out by myself was at Kad Suan Keaw, a pretty little mall somewhere in Thailand. I ate at this newly-opened Thai fast food which name I couldn’t remember (thinking about it makes me feel so good!) and went people watching after. Gaaaah I miss the place.

I always learn something new. It’s important to spend some me-time on a regular basis. Not only that we get reacquainted with our inner self, we also get to pause and look at the scheme of things. For someone like me who loves to jump in on certain life-changing decisions, those few hours spent alone help me think things through and decide on what I wanted to do with my life.

During this last date, I entertained the thought of taking risks, and that’s what I’m planning to write about on my new extry.

Excuse my vanity, ladies and gentlemen.

JANUARY – MARCH 2011: Short and sweet

APRIL – JUNE 2011: The wildflower

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2011: Kind of sophistique

OCTOBER -DECEMBER 2011: Full Bangs

Travel outside of the country by myself (until my friend Rieya said hi to me at the boarding gate. ).

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I’m not so sure about that. I don’t remember making resolutions last year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nah.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Steve Jobs? LOL

5. What countries did you visit?

Been to Thailand twice last year.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Self-control in many aspects of my life and probably a boyfriend.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I’m keeping two dates in mind: August 20, 2011 and November 21, 2011. Both have something to do with my heart.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting accepted in a media workshop in Thailand. It is something I never expected to happen in my life, actually.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Saying goodbye to 2011 not being debt-free. Working on it now.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

None, aside from the common flu.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Wasabi the 2nd, my iPod.

12. Where did most of your money go?

On traveling! Haha! and for my brother’s schooling and some meds for my mom.

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going to a lot of places the past year got me soooooo excited most of the time.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Only if for the night by Florence + the machine

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

Older or wiser?

Wiser

Thinner or fatter?

Fatter. LOL

Richer or poorer?

Richer, I think.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Saving up cash

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eating

18. How did you spend Christmas?

I’ve been cooking and Facebook-ing the whole day.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Game of Thrones. It’s a TV series, actually.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Haha! Some girl named Joana.

23. What was the best book you read?

The Hunger Games trilogy

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The Alphabeat! Their songs are too cute and so appropriate for my age. )

25. What did you want and get?

An acceptance letter

26. What did you want and not get?

Him

27. What was your favorite film of this year?

Hmm… The Deathly Hallows part 2

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

We visited our cousins’ place in Marikina and gave my presents to Keishabear.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

My mom’s full recovery

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Convenient and predictable

31. What kept you sane?

The Internet, vacation leaves and Milk tea

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Colin Firth <3

33. What issue stirred you the most?

Those lawmakers that made nonsense laws

34. Who did you miss?

I don’t really know.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Sweet Pea

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:

Invest in people. Invest in love. It’s better to invest in things that are not tangible but lasts.

คิดว่ารักแท้ต้องเดินผ่านวันและเวลา
Kit wah ruk tae dtong dern pahn wun lae welah
I thought true love must pass time

ยิ่งเนิ่นนาน นานไปเท่าไร ความรักยิ่งมีค่า
Ying nern nahn nahn pbai tao rai kwahm ruk ying mee kah
The longer the time period, however long, love gets more valuable

ที่ฉันรู้ที่เคยฝัน รักที่ฉันเคยเข้าใจ
Tee chun roo tee koey fun ruk tee chun koey kao jai
That I once knew as a dream, love that I once understood

ไม่คิดไม่ฝันเมื่อเธอผ่านเข้ามา
Mai kit mai fun meua tur pahn kao mah
I didn’t think, didn’t dream when you showed up

เหมือนว่าสายตาฉันเองมองไม่เห็นใครๆ
Meuan wah sai dtah chun eng mong mai hen krai krai
Like my eyes couldn’t see anyone else

หยุดที่เธอแค่เพียงสบตา และวินาทีนั้น
Yoot tee tur kae piang sop dtah lae winahtee nun
I stopped when you caught my eye, and that second

โลกทั้งโลกหยุดเคลื่อนไหว ท้องฟ้ากลับสดใส
Lohk tung lohk yoot kleuan wai nong fah glup sot sai
The whole world stopped moving, the sky brightened again

*ลมหายใจ เหมือนหยุดไปในห้วงนาทีนี้
Lom hai jai meuan yoot pbai nai huang nahtee nee
It’s like my breath stopped in that minute

เช่นหัวใจ ลอยหลุดไปทันทีที่สบตา
Chen hua jai loy loot pbai tun tee tee sop dtah
Like my heart floated away as soon as you looked at me

เธอหยุดยั้งวันเวลา แค่เราได้พบกันในวันนี้
Tur yoot yung wun welah kae rao dai pob gun nai wun nee
You stopped the time, just us meeting today

แค่พบเจอกับเธอ..
Kae pop jur gup tur
Just running into you…

ฉันเพิ่งเข้าใจว่ารักเป็นอย่างนี้
Chun perng kao jai wah ruk pben yahng nee
I just understood that love is like this

ฉันเพิ่งเข้าใจเมื่อได้มาเจอด้วยตัวเอง
Chun perng kao jai meua dai mah jur duay dtua eng
I just understood when I got to meet you

เสี้ยวนาทีก็มีความหมาย เปลี่ยนโลกได้ทั้งใบ
Siao natee gor mee kwahm mai pblian lohk dai tung bai
A fraction of a minute that meant so much, that changed the whole world

ฉันเพิ่งรู้ในวันนี้ รักไม่ต้องการเวลา
Chun perng roo nai wun nee ruk mai dtong gahn welah
I just realized today that love doesn’t need time

ลมหายใจ เหมือนหยุดไปในห้วงนาทีนี้
Lom hai jai meuan yoot pbai nai huang natee nee
It’s like my breath stopped in that minute

เช่นหัวใจ ลอยหลุดไปทันทีที่สบตา
Chen huajai loy loot pbai tun tee tee sop dtah
Like my heart floated away as soon as you looked at me

เธอหยุดยั้งวันเวลา แค่เราได้พบกันในวันนี้
Tur yoot yung wun welah kae rao dai pop gun nai wun nee
You stopped the time, just us meeting today

แค่พบเจอกับเธอ ก็รักเธอ.. ฉันรักเธอ..
Kae pob jur gup tur gor ruk tur…chun ruk tur…
Just running into you, I love you… I love you…
เหมือนหัวใจ เหมือนหยุดไปในห้วงเวลานี้
Meuan hua jai meuan yoot pbai nai huang welah nee
It’s like my heart stopped in this moment

เมื่อพบเธอ ความรักที่เคยเข้าใจก็เปลี่ยนไป
Meua pob tur kwahm ruk tee koey kao jai gor pblian pbai
When I met you, love as I understood it changed

ไม่ต้องใช้วันเวลา แค่เราได้พบกันในวันนี้
Mai dtong chai wun welah kae rao dai pob gun nai wun nee
There’s no need to use time, just us meeting together today

แค่พบเจอกับเธอ ก็รักเธอ… ฉันรักเธอ..
Kae pop jur gup tur gor ruk tur… chun ruk tur…
Just running into you, I love you… I love you…