Twenty Eleven

Made my peace with 2010 and now looking forward to an awesome 2011.

New LIFE'S Resolution: Eat (more healthy cooking, less food deliveries), Pray (strengthen faith and continue to build marriage in and around Him), Love (radiate positivity & kindness), Live (truly).

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

I Keep Meaning To...

1. Sometimes, I look up and wait for a shooting star to zoom by and, yes, oddly even in the mornings.

2. It can be difficult, but we have to be mature about the whole thing.

3. Small doesn't necessarily mean "not enough."

4. Loss is very enlightening.

5. I keep meaning to shop for Christmas presents
6. but I haven't...yet.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to unpacking, tidying up around the house, kicking it, tomorrow my plans include attending a college friend's wedding and Sunday, I want to plan the next week!

Elpidio

I knew you were in a lot of pain the day you walked me down the aisle, and still you looked into my eyes and flashed me the biggest smile you could muster before giving me away. So, thank you for that. And thank you for loving us all unconditionally. Now, you will make YOUR grand entrance. Your brothers and sisters in heaven await. We love you. We miss you. Rest in peace, Lolo Peddie...

Wordless: 10-15-10

Photos courtesy of Ava Pecho-Leonardo & Ariel Javelosa

The Sweet And The Sour

Title: Sweet Silver Lining
Artist: Kate Voegele
Dedication: To the bravest coward I know...



I'm going home downhearted and hoping
I'm close to some new beginning
I know there's a reason for everything that comes and goes

Most days I try my best to put on a brave face
But inside my bones are cold and my heart breaks
But all the while something is keeping me safe and alive

But so many people are looking to me to be strong and to fight
But I'm just surviving
I may be weak but I'm never defeated and I'll keep believing
In clouds with that sweet silver lining

The Leap

I must've hit the backspace button a gazillion times. It's been 5 months since I wrote anything on here, I know, but I'm a writer by profession, for Pete's sake. I should be vomiting the words with ease!

It's always been easier for me to write fiction. I don't think writing about reality is "hard," but I guess I can't fuck up non-reality; make it all up as I go, go back and change any part any time and any way I like. I make up an island or a heroine or a 50-lb-lighter version of myself in my stories and I usually end up with a fairly happy ending somehow. But life as it is, well, you just gotta say it as it is. Live it as it is. You know?

I'm getting married in exactly 1 month. I'm thrilled, I'm bloated, I'm doing 100 things at a time, I'm planning to be spontaneous, I registered for stuff I don't even need/like, and I'm scared shitless.

Yeah, I'll admit it, I'm pretty darned scared. Not of certain freedoms unmarried individuals normally enjoy. Not of aprons, spatulas, or other complicated household appliances. Certainly not of being tied down permanently; being faithful and devoted to just one man for the rest of my life. Those are the easy parts.

Keeping the fire alive. Getting pregnant. Motherhood. Balancing all these new roles with or without help. More than anything, I think I'm scared of the possibility that I can still feel lonely even with that ring on my finger. I'm not being pessimistic. I just want to make sure I cover all the bases.

We've had our pre-wedding seminars, sat down with some of our soon-to-be Godparents, each with their own 2 cents, and their takes on marriage are very interesting indeed. I won't enumerate them all, but I will say this...it's a giant leap. Neither of us won't know for sure how deep the ravines go, how long we can stay airborne, or how far it is to the other side, but for as long as we don't let go of the other, then there's nothing to fear.

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/AngeloObias&FritzDorado

On Tapas, Orgasms, and Weird Science

LunaNina says ... and I think ... ?

Philanthropy :: "If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." ~ Booker T. Washington
Said :: Past tense.
Blanks :: What I'm drawing now.
Tapas :: Sure could use some right about now.
Orgasm :: Woah.
Movement :: Not still.
Detention :: The delinquent student that I was back then? Never had to go through detention. Not once. :)
Restaurant :: Aubergine at The Fort. Angelo and I just love the food there.
Weird :: ...Science.
Sniffle :: I always get it in the morning. Allergic rhinitis, what can you do.

Wordless: Manila Sky

A picture I took of the Ortigas skyline as Angelo and I were driving through the stretch of C-5.

Coming or Going

'Open - Closed'

My fiance flashing me a peace sign from behind, err, in between elevator doors.

Good Mood Tunes: Whatcha Say (Acoustic)

I used to think this dude butchered Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek," but I must say, I'm digging the vocal gymnastics on this one. Whatcha Say? Exactly.

Happy 100th Musicology post, Void! This one's for you...

Wordless: One Ring To Rule Them All

Where I'm From, Everyone's a Hero: A Tale of Two Storms

After being hit by two terrible storms, one after the other, parts of the Philippine archipelago have been left submerged in murky flood water...and much sorrow for lives lost, homes destroyed, livelihoods crippled. But, as in any tragedy or calamity, the Filipino spirit remains resilient and unwavering.

This leaves all of us to ask: "Why did this happen?"

There have been many theories, overly complicated analyzations. But the bottom line is that Mother Earth has reached its boiling point and all of these are simply the results of our actions (or inactions). Not just by Filipinos but by the citizens of the world.

It's not too late. Sure, we've got our work cut out for us. But for as long as there are clear skies, air to breathe, water to drink, lives to protect, we should never abandon our cause. Save what needs saving, and save the world. Recycle, reuse, reinforce green policies, and remember that other people rely on this finite Earth, too.

STOP CLIMATE CHANGE.
OPEN YOUR EYES.
AFFECT OTHERS.
MOVE.
NOW.

Many relief operations and donations from within the country and abroad have helped our ailing brothers and sisters, and for this we are very grateful as a nation. But the nightmare is still far from over for most. Many have completely lost their homes and are still taking refuge from evacuation centers, relying on relief assistance for food and water.

If you wish to provide ANY kind of assistance, go to the Google Help Typhoon Victims in the Philippines page.

To read other Blog Action Day posts, go to BlogActionDay.Org

The Age Of Stupid: How More Stupid Can We Get?

Also featuring Moby, Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Gillian Anderson, Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson, Heather Graham, and many others.

Wordless: Uhuh, I'll Take 'Ya

Mabuhay ka, Apl.de.ap!

Time for a Cool Change

10 On Tuesday: Things I Think Are Cool

I'm very easy to please, so you could imagine how challenging it was for me to narrow down the coolest things in the world to only TEN. Phew. OK, here they are...

1. 24-Hour Food Deliveries. If it's late, it's free!

2. Soap and Dental Floss. You should try them out some time! :)

3. Books. I have nothing against eBooks and audiobooks; I've read/listened to a few. But call me old fashioned; I'd much rather read a book I can actually hold. You know, turning the pages, bookmarking, and all that jazz.

4. Live Concerts. Concert DVDs are alright, but nothing beats live.

5. Frankenstein. Not the monster, but my long pillow (and oldest bed buddy). I call it Franky for short. Angelo has always wanted me to get rid of it. I say to him, "Not yet, Baby. Not yet." lol

6. Anything and Everything Touch-Screen. Swish and slide!

7. The Beach.

8. TV/Computer/Movie Theater/Radio/iPod/Cellphones. Any and all portals of media and communication really.

9. Couch Surfing. Would love to do this someday.

10. Airconditioning. In its most literal sense. If you live in these parts, you'd think it was very cool, too.

On Podcasts, Magic Spells, And Barcelona

LunaNina says ... and I think ... ?

Delayed :: ...reaction.
Irresponsible :: Reckless.
Stupendous :: Could pass off as a spell by Harry Potter or one of his friends.
Barcelona :: Would love to go there someday.
Solution :: My favorite part of the problem.
Simplify :: ...your life. This afternoon, Angelo and I were like, "if you don't need it, don't buy/keep it."
Crumble :: Cookie!
Podcast :: I used to subscribe to some, but I never find the time to listen to them anymore.
Conversation :: Communication.
Homepage :: http://frenchkys.blogspot.com

Saturday 9: The Longest Time

1. What's the longest time that you've waited to meet your date? Oh wow. Hmmm. I've always been the punctual type; I'm either early or on the dot. So let's just say I've had my decent share of "waiting" moments. Never a good feeling, waiting. But what do you do.

2. What's the longest time that you've waited for a job interview? It was in 2007. I had applied for a PR job and I got there on time (surprise). The interviewer wasn't around, but the receptionist assured me she was on her way. Ended up waiting for over 2 hours.

3. What's the longest time that you've waited to have sex the first time with someone? My lips are sealed on this one. ;)

4. What's the longest time that you've not gone out on the town? Two weeks maybe. There's always something going on, which is good, and I'm REALLY thankful for that.

5. What's the longest time that you've worked without a break. Never for too long. lol I ALWAYS take my breaks, are you kidding? It's the LAW! LOL

6. What's the longest time that you've not posted on your blog? There've been gaps in my blog, I don't deny it. I mean, the proof's right there on the archive widget. I only blogged once in April. I just got back from the States and I was busy reconnecting with friends and family.

7. What's the longest time that you've been on the computer? It was probably back in late 90's or early 00's, and I would chat with an old friend for hours on end. Camping out in front of the PC was like a regular thing, only getting up to go to the bathroom or to get snackage. I'd say right now, too, because my job involves exactly THIS. I sleep with my laptop most nights, how's that.

8. What's the longest time that you've waited for a friend? Uh, Giselle, care to expound on this? Hahaha Or you can pass the mic to Cynthia, too. lol I love you girls.

9. What's the longest time that you've gone without food? I should probably say NEVER lol but I remember deliberately starving myself back in high school, you know, one of those teenage angsty dark moments. I ended up pigging out at a buffet later that week.

Wordless: For Corazon

This is my favorite Gospel song. I dedicate it to a woman who I've never met...but love nonetheless. Rest in peace, Tita Cory Aquino. Give my Gramps and Grandma a big hug for me...

"Ipagpapatuloy ko." ~ Corazon Aquino

After death, there is REBIRTH. Sometimes it DOES take a great loss to realize an even greater purpose. It may dwindle, but it will never die. Never again.

Beautifully Imperfect

What can I say. Family + Friends + Better Halves + Love + Comedy + Tragedy + Life + Death...

This is imperfection at its finest.

This goes out to my crazy family, even crazier friends, and Angelo (I will miss your snores the most).

Thank you ALL for being so beautifully imperfect...