When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.

— The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Promise yourself. (Repost from Tumblr)

10 Things You Need To Give Up Today (Repost from Tumblr)

1. Give up trying to be perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done. 
2. Give up comparing yourself to others. – The only person you are competing against is yourself.
3. Give up dwelling on the past or worrying too much about the future. – Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you.  Right now is life.  Don’t miss it.
4. Give up complaining. – Do something about it.
5. Give up holding grudges. – Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness.
6. Give up waiting. – What we don’t start today won’t be finished by tomorrow.  Knowledge and intelligence are both useless without action.
7. Give up lying. – In the long-run the truth always reveals itself.  Either you own up to your actions or your actions will ultimately own you.
8. Give up trying to avoid mistakes. – The only mistake that can truly hurt you is choosing to do nothing simply because you’re too scared to make a mistake.
9. Give up saying, “I can’t.” – As Henry Ford put it, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.”
10. Give up trying to be everything to everyone. – Making one person smile can change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  Start small.  Start now.

Affirmation.

(Photo taken from a gadget in iGoogle)

It's not fair at all that people like this exist.

She's so purdy here, I had to post it. :((

Period.

After one year, I finally have my period again. Which kinda suck because now, I have to worry about getting pregnant again not getting tagos all over my bedsheets again.

Yeah. That's just about it.

Not really. I'm just bummed I/we didn't take advantage of those times I/we didn't have to worry about getting me pregnant.

And yes, I need to get me some SOON! I sound desperate, I know, but going on "solo flight" isn't half as good as the real thing.

Note: This is the longest I've gone without it since 2003.

The Newsman's Village

The Fourth Estate Subdivision - formerly called The Newsman's Village - along Sucat Road (now Dr. A. Santos Ave.) has been home to me for 23 years even if the last time I actually lived there was some 2-3 years ago. It witnessed all my firsts: first tooth, first Holy Communion, first heartbreak. I was forever in love with the place even without the knowledge of its (apparently) wonderful history. I just knew that our family was among the first ones to settle in this housing project for the National Press Club employees and that we were pretty popular that side of town. My appreciation for the place and one certain individual grew even more when I read FES' history from the souvenir they handed out during the reunion just this morning.

I will not tell you all of FES' history because it might bore you and I don't think you'd want to know when water became available to the homeowners or who the first Homeowners Association president was. But I will tell you this: The Newsman's Village was the first ever housing project to have ever been approved by Malacanang. President Macapagal wanted to help his countrymen so much then that this project became irresistible to him. Macario Vicencio, then National Press Club president, pitched this project to Pres. Macapagal not only for his fellow journalists but for the whole newspaper production team (writers, photographers, advertisers, even those who delivered newspapers to the stores) to have a chance to get their own house and lot. Long story short, it got approved and this idea of housing projects was then adopted by both government and private companies alike but Lolo Mac didn't get the recognition he deserved for coming up with this idea. Then started the long and proud history of Fourth Estate.

I didn't know 'til now that all the people I mingled with while I was living there were all part of the Philippines' (and Paranque's) history. I've interviewed Rod Reyes for INPRINT in college. I've greeted Mac Vicencio good morning for 3 years (at the very least) before he died. I've been "blessing" (mano) the hands of Dr. Jimena Alegre and Jose Monasterial. Heck, I'm even directly related to the late Emmanuel Tejada and Rodrigo Villa! Seeing their names and reading about their contributions to the society and to Philippine journalism was so surreal, I had to pinch myself to make sure I was awake. I was walking the same streets these wonderful people walked on!

I also have new-found respect for Lolo Mac Vicencio. I used to study in the school he established in the 80s and I admired him not only for building a school that caters to the youth of Fourth Estate but also for personally taking part of our education then. I remembered him as the old guy in our school clinic, forever hooked to the oxygen tank by his bed, asking me how my day went whenever I go there. Now, my respect for Lolo Mac shot up. He was the true pioneer and without him, I wouldn't have lived in the place I love most. I salute him. I still feel the way I did when I first read the history, which was 10 hours ago.

I've said this hundreds of times before and I'll say it again: I am a South girl and I am not afraid to admit that. Being part of a community of journalists - and great ones at that - is something I will forever be proud of.

The Originals Reunion made me admit to myself that I am a South girl.

I guess it's safe to say that I've always been a South girl. Not those connio South girls who speaks annoying Taglish. Not that kind. I'm from the dirty, dirty South.

I used to live in a place where no one would care if you walked outside with just your wifebeaters and a pair of jersey shorts on, no one will judge you by the way your toes look like, and no one will give you deathly stares if you buzzed the doorbell too long.

I used to live in a place where I knew everybody and everybody knew me. I could walk, drunk, in the middle of the night with just my underwear on and no one would touch me. If anything, they'd come to my rescue and carry me to the house, make me wear something comfortable, tuck me in and make me breakfast when I wake up in the morning.

Even if that place looks not a thing like I left it, everything about it is familiar. Even if the people's changed, they are still who I know them to be. It's still home.

I may be living up North now and waaaaay further North in the near future but my heart will still belong to the South.

Tumblr ruined the word "Swag" for me.

SRSLY, these kids should stop using the word "swag". Y'ALL DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT MEANS!

Am I the only person not following the Harry Potter franchise?

I've read one book from the series and I watched the first film but that's it. It was dragging for me, both the movie and the book so I never bothered continue even if the whole world got crazy over it. I got hooked with Twilight only because of the hype. Harry Potter? Even if my family and friends push me to read and watch it, I wouldn't be bothered. The internet, television, radio, print ads, everywhere I see the last of the movie franchise but didn't get the least bit interested in it. I wasn't even curious how it ended.

I feel like something's wrong with me.

Nike Women Make Yourself Fall 2011 Campaign

Last Friday, my grade school friends and I "celebrated" our 10th year anniversary.

Yes, it has been 10 years since we all graduated from grade school and we decided to have a little get together since 2 of our friends flew in from overseas in time for our 10th year. Okay, one of them arrived last year for his OJT.

We decided to meet up in Boni High Street because we all wanted to see what Mercato was all about. Waited at Bo's 'til we're complete. When the last one of us arrived, we hung out a bit to gossip about Piolo Pascual (one of us is related to Piolo) and blame me for not inviting ANYONE from the group to Brianna's binyag.

The gang all caffeine-d up and ready for Mercato.

We then walked all the way to Mercato. Not an option I would've chosen but I don't have a car so...

At the first stoplight we came across.

At another stoplight where the ones who took the photo made the green light.

It wasn't that much a long walk to Mercato or maybe I was just enjoying the walk, I didn't notice how long it was. Mercato was not at all what I expected. It was hot and steamy and tight and not in a good way. The food was good, though. I just wish they added more seats to accommodate everyone. Good thing we found seats.

Yummy food!

Kaycee had to go home after Mercato because she wasn't feeling well. We, on the other hand, went to Kebab! Kebab! for some drinks.

Niko's planking fail.

While waiting for our table in Kebab! Kebab!

Alpo and Apple the balikbayan/bakasyonista.

Apple and Ren

Me with the Vicencios.

Angel and a bored Niko.

I really missed hanging out with these guys. We also missed a lot of people last Friday but this ain't the last. There's one more before August ends because the balikbayans are going back where they came from. Looking forward.

Note: Yes, I drank a couple of bottles because I read somewhere it's okay for breastfeeding moms to drink once in a while, just not to the point of intoxication and breastfeeding doesn't come right after the last bottle. It will be okay to breastfeed after a couple of hours, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed and the mom has sobered up fully.

Photos grabbed from Alfreanne Panganiban and Purple Pascual's Facebook pages.

I hold on to the past like it's Derek Ramsay's friggin leg.

Yes, Derek Ramsay. I don't care what you think.

Anyway, I tried fixing my newly painted room - haven't finished it yet - and naturally, I'd wipe off all the stuff I had on the shelves. I have a lot of things in there that I don't use. Ballpens, notepads, notebooks, planners I don't plan on using, etc. And of course, there are the planners and diaries I've used throughout the years.


These are the planners and diaries I've had. They've been taking too much space in my bedroom but I can't seem to let them go. I saw my gradeschool diaries (not in the picture) too.

Highschool planners and scrapbook

College planners and diaries

Post-college planners and diaries

I've re-read all of my planners and was smiling and laughing like crazy. After reading the last planner/diary, I realized how happy, sad and stressed I was and how I didn't want to let the memories go. But at the same time, I thought that I had to let go of them because there's no point in holding on to them. Physically, anyway.

I'm thinking of scanning all my planners/diaries so I can burn the notebooks already. Yes, I will be having a ceremony/ritual. If you want to come, bring me a live goat for the sacrifice.

The Kets Wedding.

Aristotle Tapay - Marylyn Si Nuptials

July 11, 2011

San Guillermo Church

Club Balai Isabel

Talisay, Batangas

This might just be the wedding of the year for me. Like everyone else, I was waiting for this wedding to happen. My reason being this couple has been an inspiration for me. I wanted to be a witness of their vows of unending love for one another and for the Lord. Being the crybaby that I am I cried almost the whole time. I was so touched and inspired by this wedding. I love these two to bits. I am thankful they invited me to their wedding.

Thank you, Blogger, for listening to my prayer!

The mobile version of my blog now looks like its web version!

Now, work on the blog entries. When I click on the blog entries, they still go back to the template.

But good job, really!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Another HIMYM-related post but this is really, really relevant to my life. Swear.

Toldja it's relevant.

I kinda knew she was gonna come up.

Accurate. Kinda. Because I am not artistic in the way Lily is.

Yes, I am flooding my blog with How I Met Your Mother.

“The great moments in your life may not necessarily be the things you do. They’ll also be the things that happen to you. Now I’m not saying you can’t take action to affect the outcome of your life; you have to take action, and you will. But never forget, on any day, you could step out the front door and your whole life could change forever. You see the universe has a plan, kids. And that plan is always in motion. A butterfly flaps it’s wings; and it starts to rain. It’s a scary thought, but it’s also kind of wonderful. All these little parts of the machine, constantly working. Making sure you end up exactly where you’re suppose to be and exactly when you’re suppose to be there. At the right place… at the right time.”

— Ted, How I Met Your Mother

Saw this photo on Tumblr while looking for a specific HIMYM scene...

WHO ARE YOU, WOMAN?!

Finally, the binyag pictures are here...

...after one month and 6 days.

As I've mentioned before (http://aletotski.blogspot.com/2011/05/binyagan-blues.html), the company I've worked with before volunteered to cover Brianna's christening and the videos and photos came in just now. There are some decent shots here and there but most of them are blurry. I am not complaining, though, they did it for free anyway so I'm grateful.

Them haragan kids...

There are kids around the block - who most probably don't live here - hangout in the store a few houses from us and they have their cellphones on full blast, playing Pinoy hiphop/rap songs. Not that I'm hating but these songs they're playing mostly don't mean anything. I'd understand if they played something by Gloc-9 or Francis M. But no, they've been playing songs that "budding Pinoy hiphop/rappers" sing. I can only remember one song that was featured on TV. It's about how guys hate gays. Beat's all effed up plus their lyrics are derogatory, to say the very least.

That's not the reason why I'm pissed, though. I am pissed because they pass by our house at least once every night and they'd stop for about five minutes in front of it, flirting with one another and talking obnoxiously (Speaking of obnoxious, you should see our light in the garden) loud. They just passed by, the FJs (female jologs) hugging the arms of their men like they're Brad Pitt.

I hope they find another street and store they can hangout in where they don't annoy anyone. Like their place.

First of the many, many Starbucks date with my one and only.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Swagger. What does it really mean?

According to http://www.merriam-webster.com,

²swag·ger

noun \ˈswa-gər\

Definition of SWAGGER

1

a : an arrogantly self-confident way of walking : an act or instance of swaggering

b : arrogant or conceitedly self-assured behavior

c : ostentatious display or bravado

2

: a self-confident outlook : cockiness

I've first encountered that word from a song. It's supposed to be used by maangas people, like those rappers who sing about it. Kids from Tumblr and Twitter seem to be using the word differently, though.

I've seen people in my Twitter timeline write "Just brushed my teeth. #SWAG". How is that swag, right? These kids don't know what the word really means but use it just to look cool. Which kinda sucks.

I'm not annoyed because they're trying to sound cool. I am annoyed because kids nowadays say things without knowing/understanding their real meaning. And since I am a mom now, I am also becoming paranoid because I have a daughter who might sprinkle the F word in her sentences like there's nothing wrong with it (I WAS guilty of this). It's my job to make Brianna understand but whose job is it to make the other kids understand?