A Diamond in the Sky

Lisa Frank Stuff Still Exist!

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 14:35:32 GMT

Remember Lisa Frank stuff? Remember how you were "cool" if you had the Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper with matching pencil case, backpack, pencils, et cetera?

Well, guess what I "found" in Eastwood, thanks to Nica and Jean? Lisa Frank stuff!

So today was supposed to be a normal day of Christmas shopping, but when I ran into Nica and Jean at Eastwood, I wasn't able to get much shopping done. We bought tickets to watch "A Good Year" but while waiting we saw this Candy Corner display near the movie theater. Here's how it works: You have five minutes to fill this tiny paper bag with as much stuff as you can. The bag cost PhP 300 - ANG MAHAL!

We almost walked away but then we saw the Lisa Frank stuff. Cake decorations, Christmas tree ornaments, Easter puzzles.

Thus we planned our strategy. "Nica, kuha ka ng tatlong set ng Christmas hang-ups . . . tapos yung Lifesavers . . . tapos yung Nerds. . . . Kuha ka rin ng gum! . . . Wag na yung cake decoration, 'di kasya yun. . . . Priority natin yung Lisa Frank stuff. . . . Ay, tingnan mo 'yun, friendship rings! Kunin mo yan, tapos share-share tayo!"

NICA: Kasya ba 'yan sa atin?

ME: Oo, nag-eexpand naman 'yan, 'diba?

NICA (to Candy Corner girl dressed as an elf): Miss, miss, patingin ng friendship rings. . . . Kasya ba 'yan sa akin?

We all thought the rings were those plastic ones with the Lisa Frank characters on it . . . you know, the sort of rings you could expand. As it turned out, they were just made of string!

NICA: Sus, kayang-kaya ko gawin 'yan!

JEAN: Okay, Plan B! Plan B! 'Yung Christmas hang-ups na lang.

So we split the PhP 300 among the three of us, and Jean and I cheered Nica on as she got our stuff. "NICA! NICA! 'Wag mo kalimutan 'yung Lifesavers!"

When the five minutes were up and our bag was bursting to the brim, we grabbed a table at the Big Chill and divided our loot among us. For the "extras" or the "butal" ones, we did a sort of raffle. We numbered each item from 1 to 6, and we did "bunutan" to see which item we picked. Hahaha babaw ng kaligayahan!

So anyway, here's our loot. . . .

Boxes of Nerds, packs of gum, mini Lifesavers, this sort of fizzy candy that pops in your mouth, and of course, the Lisa Frank Christmas hang-ups!

So there. At least we used up the time while waiting for the 2:55 screening time!

After we parted ways, I realized how much I missed my old friends. Nica and Jean are still in college . . . ang tanda ko na hahaha! But they told me I don't look twenty-two. I look like I'm eighteen or nineteen! Wahaha!

Still. I miss the good old days when I didn't have to work for my money (hehehe) and all I cared about were school, gimiks, and getting the latest Lisa Frank merchandise. Hahaha!

Now, however, although I have more spending money, I know I still can't afford the luxuries I want. I don't earn as much, although I'm thankful to have a job which, though challenging at times, still has its rewards. :D

Pictures, pictures, pictures!

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 01:27:58 GMT

A-Days Batch 34:

http://twinkysuperstar.multiply.com/photos/album/32

Dinner at Capriciosa in Greenbelt:

http://twinkysuperstar.multiply.com/photos/album/33

MI Teachers on a Friday Night!

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 07:53:48 GMT

Had a videoke/inuman session at my housewith some of my co-teachers. See the pictures by clicking on this link:

http://twinkysuperstar.multiply.com/photos/album/30

Teacher Twinkle!

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 16:14:14 GMT

I've been teaching for two weeks and although there's a lot of work to be done, I find it rewarding. Teaching third grade will take some getting used to, since my undergraduate course prepared me for preschool. But it's really amazing how much I could relate to the kids! Okay, so they all have their own quirks, but so do I! Good thing I watched Cars last weekend - finally, I understood what my students were talking about!

Some memorable lines/anecdotes from kids at school:

"Teacher, why are we as tall as you?"

"Teacher, is that pepper spray?" (referring to my flash drive)

"Teacher, aren't laptops black?" (when they saw the colorful cover I'd placed on the cover of my laptop)

"Oh please oh please oh please, Queen of Reading and Language!" (student begging me to tell her something which I didn't want to tell her)

"Teacher, how many years have you been married? Are you about to have children already?"

"Teacher, you don't look like you're twenty-two. You look like you're . . . fourteen!"

During Language . . .
ME: Okay, who can give me an example of an interrogative sentence?
STUDENT: How old are you?
ME: You're right, that's an example of an interrogative -
STUDENT: No, Teacher, how old are you?

While waiting for her classmates to finish their work . . .
STUDENT: Teacher, are you wearing Converse?
ME: Yes, I am.
STUDENT: Cool! What size are you?
ME: Five, I think.
STUDENT: Really? Me too!

HAHAHAHA.

VIETNAM!

Mon, 15 May 2006 01:02:00 GMT

We're off to Vietnam tomorrow! It's going to be five fun-filled days with my mom, my dad, my sister, and my brother.

Our plane leaves NAIA at 7 am, I think, and for the first two days we'll be shopping and sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh.

On Thrusday, May 18 (MY BIRTHDAY!!!) we're off to Danang and we'll be at the beach until Saturday morning. Then we'll fly back to Ho Chi Minh to attend mass and of course, to go SHOPPING!!!

Back to Manila on Sunday, and after that it's WORK WORK WORK for me!

This is the first time I'll be celebrating my birthday in another country! I better learn how to say "Happy Birthday" in Vietnamese!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!

Mon, 01 May 2006 02:10:07 GMT

Since today, May 1, is Labor Day, I think it's fitting that my post is about LABOR! Hahaha.

Seriously, though, it's official: I HAVE A JOB! Come June, I will be teaching third grade Reading, Language, Writng, and Social Studies at Multiple Intelligence School. It's in Loyola Heights, Katipunan. I'll be the Homeroom adviser for my class of twenty and I'll be teaching Reading, Language, and Writing to the other Grade 3 section.

I was actually torn between this school and Xavier, but I decided to accept Multiple Intelligence's offer. My main consideration wwas whether or not I would be able to take my Masters while I work. And Mutiple Intelligence, aside from being located in the Katipunan area and thus very near UP, actually encourages the pursuit of further studies.

I actually applied for a preschool teaching position since that is what my undergraduate course prepared me for, but there were no preschool teaching positions open. I was, however, offered to teach Grade 5 Reading, Language, and Writing at first, but later on I was given the good news that I would be teaching a younger grade.

I'm a bit nervous because I've never really taught children older than five years of age (save for that one semester when I taught grade 4-5 math at learning Links) and my course did not really equip me with the necessary tools and teaching strategies for teaching elementary. But after learning about the school and its approach to teaching, I realized that hey, maybe I could handle it. And besides, we'll be having training starting tomorrow.

And then I saw the books and stories I would be using and nervousness was replaced by excitement! These were the kinds of stories I read for fun when I was younger! Okay, call me a nerd or bookworkm or whatever, but when I was in sixth grade I won this Library Award for having borrowed the most number of books, I think. Hahaha!

I think I'm really lucky I'll be teaching something that I love!
It's not going to be easy, of course. Aside from working, I also have to prepare for the LET (Licensure Examination for Teachers) which I will be taking in August. And if I get accepted into the Masters Program of the College of Education of UP Diliman (I applied for MA Educational Psychology), I'll be a full-time teacher and a part-time student come November.

Some people say you should take a break first, but I'm really excited to be working and earning my Masters Degree. And once I have that under my belt, my PhD comes next. Then another PhD, then another, then another! Three times PhD!

Hey, it never hurts to dream big and aim far!

HAPPINESS IS . . .

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 04:05:42 GMT

HAPPINESS IS . . .

finishing all my requirements for school
staying up all night to finish our thesis but feeling fulfilled nonetheless
Vodka and Four Seasons in a glass filled with ice while you type your thesis hahaha!
relaxing and waiting for graduation
having probable honors (Cum Laude!)
finding out you could still make it to Magna Cum Laude . . . IF all my grades are 1.25 and 1.0 (which is HIGHLY UNLIEKLY hahaha but I don't care)
getting a call from one of the preschools I applied to last week and finding out I'M ACCEPTED and I HAVE A JOB!!!
having a DEFINITE JOB AFTER GRADUATION and still keeping my options open
FINALLY getting to go out on gimiks and dates and have fun again (after all that school stress)
learning a new language (I'm learning Chinese this summer . . . it's one of my projects!)
having teachers who have SO MUCH CONNECTIONS so it's easy to apply for jobs!
buying a graduation dress (even though we're not allowed to wear sleeveless and it's supposed to be Filipiniana and color ecru, beige, or white . . . SHOPPING is still SHOPPING!)
job interview outfits hehehe
feeling grown-up and professional
EARNING MY OWN MONEY (moolah moolah moolah dinero diner dinero here I come!)
saying good-bye to UP . . . but having the opportunity to say hello again as I'm coming back next semester for MA in Educational Psychology (IF I get accepted into the program)
GRADUATION GIFT FROM MY PARENTS!!! (don't know what I'll ask for yet, though)
being able to finish Hostel . . . and wanting to watch it AGAIN hahaha!!!
knowing that Kuya Jess works in mysterious ways . . . when you're feeling your worst, it's just a matter of time until he gives you a SURPRISE
another Days batch (I can't wait!)

A VERY Accurate Quiz HAHAHA!!!

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:11:03 GMT

<td align="center"> twinkle --
[adjective]:

Visually addictive

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com</td>

HAHAHA!!! So, so, so true!!! Ang KAPAL!!!

Parangal sa Mag-Aaral

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 05:26:39 GMT

This morning I attended the Parangal sa Mag-Aaral, during which the University Scholars for the past two semesters and other student achievers are given recognition. This was my first time to attend, since the other time I didn't even know I was University Scholar. My GWA (General Weighted Average), accoridng to my calculations, was just for College Scholar status. As it turned out, and without my knowledge, I was US. I only found out after the program when a couple of my ROTC Classmates told me my name was on the list.

Hahaha.

Well, this time, I made sure I attended. This is my last semester and my last chance to go up on that stage to receive a rolled-up piece of oslo paper which says something like, "Congratulations. . . . Please claim your certificate of merit from your college secretary ~~after the program~~."

Gotta love UP for its resourcefulness!!!

When I got down from the car before the program, I was surrounded by a couple of people, one saying they were the official photographers and mhow many shots did I like, four or six? Then this guy pressed a corsage of purple orchids into my hand.

Money-making schemes. And I accepted anyway hahaha. Minsan ka lang parangalan, i-todo mo na!

When I entered UP Film Center, where the program was being held, I was surprised at how big a deal this all was. My blockmate was even dressed in some sort of glittery shiny dress. Some of the parents were even there!

I felt a twinge of nostalgia when I saw some cadet officers either in GOA Green as ushers or in Rayadillo as part of the Entrance and Exit of Colors. And when it was my turn to go up on stage to get the rolled-up piece of oslo paper masquerading as a certificate, the head of the Corps of Sponsors (who were also ushering) who knew me form back when I was still a cadet officer, told me, "Twinkle! Ano, gusto mo ng escort?"

(When UP ROTC cadet officers or even former cadet officers receive awards, they have the privelege to be escorted by a uniformed cadet officer.)

It's a cool privelege and hey, who could turn down special treatment? But I told her, "Ay, hindi na po." I mean, it had already been, what, two years since I quit. I was no longer affiliated with them.

Maybe during graduation, I'll consider it hahaha.

So there. I got to shake the hands of our college dean, a chancellor, I think a vice-chancellor. I got my "award", got my pictures taken, got to lsiten to the UP Singing Ambassadors, and listened to Garbage on my iPod during the boring parts hahaha. Good thing I was seated with my friends!

I didn't wear the purple orchid corsage. It didn't go with my outfit hahaha.

I can't believe I'm graduating in about two months!

Congrats to me (for being University Scholar hahaha KAPAL) and to the other University Scholars and to the other student achievers!

GO UP!!!

Valentine's Day

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 23:58:44 GMT

This is what I did on Valentine's Day:

STUDIED
STUDIED
STUDIED

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 09:35:52 GMT

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

BE HAPPY!!!

In A Better Mood

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 13:36:02 GMT

I have a hot date for Valentine's! Actually, with not just one guy, but a couple of guys!

Albert, Thomas, Michael, to name a few.

Too bad they lived over a hundred years ago!

Albert Einstein.

Thomas Young.

Michael Faraday.

HAHAHA!!! They're physicists! And we will be getting to know each other very well tomorrow. All night long, if that's how long it takes.

Here's what I'll be doing on Valentine's Day (tomorrow):

go to class
set up our org's exhibit
study, study, STUDY!!! (I have a Physics exam the next day.)
admire my beautiful new shoes (which I bought as a gift for myself instead of saving the shopping money my mom gave me last Sunday)
listen to heartbreak songs on my iPod while I study

Yup. Best Valentine's Day EVER. I shall be spending it with my classmates, with my family, with myself, and my Physics 10 readings.

Wonderful!

Maybe I should watch a sad movie too, to get in the mood!

Lovely.

Seriously, a week ago I cursed my Physics teacher for giving us an exam the DAY AFTER Valentine's. I mean, who'd want to spend a totally romantic evening STUDYING???

Hahaha, I do!

And I am totally grateful!

Kuya Jess, you really are great! You have the best TIMING ever!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

For those who are in love, may you have a wonderful Valentine's!

For those who are sad, HAKUNA MATATA! No worries! Smile! You're beautiful!

For those who made people sad, well, KARMA will you get you! Hahaha joke!

Best Day EVER . . . NOT

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 07:21:01 GMT

Wow.

Kuya Jess, you're so GREAT. You really know how to make things worse than they already are.

What a 4th day naman talaga.

BASTA IKAW, Kuya Jess!

Tanggap lang nang tanggap! Sige lang!

Tatlo pa talaga!

Strike three!

Happy Valentine's Day?

Pakshet.

BAD TRIP

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 13:09:53 GMT

What a sucky day.

I messed up real bad on an exam for one of my majors, considering it was an easy test!

Ang tanga tanga ko.

I knew it.

Since my pet turtles have been gone, I've experienced a lot of bad luck.

Okay maybe I'm overreacting. It was just an exam. But still! When you're super-OC like me, and even the littlest things matter, and you keep on dwelling on them over and over and over again, it's PURE TORTURE!!!

Thing is, not all people are as grade-conscious or as OC as me, and THEY JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!

Call me paranoid, call me OA, but that's just the way I am. The little things matter.

Speaking of which, just a week to go before Valentine's Day.

LOST!

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 01:23:26 GMT

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!

MY PET TURTLES ARE GONE!!!

When I went to feed them this morning, it was the ULTIMATE SHOCK of my life when I saw the tank EMPTY with a crack at the bottom and the water leaking out and the rocks scattered all over the pocket garden!

AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF MY TURTLES ANYWHERE!!!

Possible culprit?

Our new German Shepherd puppy, Amber!

She's let loose in the pocket garden every night, and it's highly possible that she toppled the turtle tank over!!!

BUT WHERE ARE MY TURTLES?!?

They could've crawled away, but they can't go very far since the dog's cage is one side of the pocket garden and there's a wall at the other end! So they must be there somewhere, except that, THEY AREN'T!!!
AMBER COULD HAVE EATEN THEM!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
A RAT COULD'VE EATEN THEM!!! DOUBLE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

If they were eaten, wouldn't their shells be left lying around?

MY POOR BABIES!!! THEY'RE ONLY TINY TURTLES!!!

Poor Anakin and Padme!

They're probably dehydrated and hungry by now . . . IF they're still alive!!!

And they were both gifts to me!!!

Anakin's been with me for almost four years now, and Padme almost a year! They've grown so big already! And I wanted them to become GIANT TURTLES!!!

They're probably Turtle Mush in some creature's tummy right now, or Turtle Slop if they were stepped on, or maybe they're in Turtle Heaven because they died from dehuydration and hunger!!!

I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK OF THE WORST POSSIBLE SCENARIO!!!

INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS!!! INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS!!!

Oh I do hope I find them!!! Alive and well!!!

What a way to start my day!!!

Eight More Weeks!

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 13:21:33 GMT

Wow, I can really feel my being a senior and leaving the University in less than eight weeks.

Yup, in about eight weeks, everything will be over. And all I'll have to do is wait until graduation in April.

Seems like a long time, but I sure have a lot to keep me occupied. And even though schoolwork is tough, I'm actually having fun doing it. I may sound like a nerd, but I guess if you love what you, it becomes less like a chore. And of course, it helps that I have great groupmates.

Last week, we had a seminar/report on contraceptives. And I didn't want it to be just any boring old report, so I looked for samples. Got an expired IUD from UP Health Service, and the rest I got from Mercury.

Yup, I bought a condom! Hahaha! And I thought it was going to be a HUGE scene or something, but the lady in Mercury didn't look at me weird or anything, and the middle-aged guy at the cash register didn't even seem to care.

I got the cheapest kind there. SENSATION is the brand. HAHAHA. Funny.

Anyway.

And after all that excitement, I didn't sleep until 4:30 AM the next day! Despite our OC nature, we couldn't help but cram! We slept at 4:30 AM!!! I only got 30 minutes of sleep.

Good thing he and I didn't fall asleep while we reported!

Well, my groupmates and I still have our feasibility study to do! And the great thing is, someone's already interested in it! So who knows, maybe we could continue it and we'll be rich!

And when we start working, we're going to start saving up for our post-grad (and very delayed) Singapore trip! Yup, Singapore is OC-land (it's our Heaven hahaha) . . . and I can't wait to go there again!

But as for now, I have to focus on my studies. So far, I could still graduate with honors. Gotta make this last semester a good one!

Got to watch Narnia. It was wonderful. Peter is such a cutie!

And Little Manhattan is like THE BEST MOVIE EVER. I super-cried when I watched it, I didn't stop even when the credits were rolling! For anyone who's ever been in love or never been in love or is just a romantic, this movie is a must. For those who are cynical, well maybe this movie will change your mind!

As the tagline of the movie goes, "Nothing is as big as your first love."

Well! Not always. Hahaha. I guess it's relative.

Payatas Days this weekend! Can't wait!

Goodbye

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 12:51:34 GMT

I did not watch Jason Mraz or the Backstreet Boys in concert this weekend.

Instead, all I saw were tears and flowers and candles and mass cards.

Last Tuesday, January 17, we had to say goodbye to my great-uncle, my lola's brother-in-law. Even though I'm not that close to him, he's still family. And one could only imagine the suffering he went through (three cardiac arrests) before he finally rested in peace.

Last week was a blur of funeral parlor visits until late at night. Although it was a sad occassion, I was happy I was able to bond with my cousins.

During the funeral last Saturday, I didn't expect that I would cry. But when I saw my aunts and my cousins and my lolas with tears streaming down their faces, I just couldn't help it. It was like deja vu, two years ago, when it was my very own lolo (my mom's dad) who was being buried. Right then and there, I missed him so much.

You can only say goodbye once, so better take the chance before it's too late.

Family will always be more important, no matter how distantly related you are.

And besides, Jason Mraz and the Backstreet Boys could always go back here.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but it has to be done, no matter how much it hurts. And it really helps to have family and friends around.

Goodbye as well to Ka Ernie Baron. But congratulations to Manny Pacquiao!

What a sad sad week. Hopefully this week will be happier.

Hmmm . . . Interesting . . .

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 13:01:15 GMT

<td align="center">

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com</td>

Hahaha!

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 12:51:08 GMT

Your arch-nemesis is:	The godfather

Why?	Because they took your iPod without asking
The winner will be...	You will join forces to conquer evil
Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

</td>
</table>

California Here We Come!

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 13:11:57 GMT

Nope, I am not going on a trip abroad anytime soon.

That's what you get from watching too much of The OC.

With absolutely nothing to do Saturday, I started watching the first season of The OC (which we have on DVD) . . . and I couldn't stop! It is so so so so so addicting!

I love it! Good thing we have Season Two as well!!! MARATHON!!!

And the guy who plays Seth, Adam Brody, is so so so so so cute! I like his character's good-boy, shy and somewhat childish image. It's kinda sweet. :)

But I got some schoolwork done too, don't get me wrong!

Now I really want to go to Calfornia. Maybe not Orange County, but LA or someplace. I mean, at least I have relatives there. Maybe this year, who knows? I might even get to work there, if I'm lucky! (Yeah, I could teach the kids of Hollywood stars! Hahaha! Dream on!)

California here we come . . . right back where we started from . . . California (California) . . . here we co-ome!

Oooh, The Chronicles of Narnia opens today! Can't wait to watch it!

Classmates!

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 12:49:00 GMT

There are certain perks to having your sister as your classmate in one of your subjects.

It's funny when the prof calls attendance and he calls you by your last name. This morning, he said, "Caro", and of course, my sister and I both raised our hands! Then when he called "Caro" again after a couple of names, we both raised our hands again! Comedy.
She doodles on my notebook. At least we're both entertained.
Only one of us has to take down notes. One could listen while the other writes so neither of us misses out on anything.
We could share notes!
We could copy homework from each other hehehe.
There is always someone who will save me a seat.
She always tries to treat me, and I her. Today it was her turn. Two orders of fishballs from Manong near the Faculty Center. Next time, it's my turn. One-half order of a footlong hotdog. Yum!
She's fun to be around. Period.

I'm glad we're classmates. Even though she's a freshman and I'm already in fourth year and graduating.

And we didn't fight today! It's a miracle! Hehehe. And I'm thankful for that, among other things. :D Like our Physics quiz today: 3000 divided by 1320. (We were discussing the speed of light.) That was it! he didn't ask us to explain a concept, like he usually does. And even if he did ask that, it would still be easy to answer. And today's question was the easiest of all! What a lucky day!

Today really was a nice day for me. I think it's true that if you start out your day with a positive attitude, nothing can bring you down. :D

Looking Back on 2005!

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 02:52:35 GMT

Click on this link:

http://twinkysuperstar.multiply.com/photos/album/24

Looking Forward to 2006!

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 14:32:59 GMT

2006 is the Year of the Dog, and they say those who were born in the Year of the Dog, the Year of the Rat (like me), among others, will be unlucky this year.

Well, that's according to superstition.

I hope it's not true, though, because this year I need all the luck I can get!

I plan (and hope) to . . .

graduate with honors
get a great job ("great" meaning a job which I enjoy and which pays well too hehehe!)
decide on the Masters degree I want to pursue
go to the gym and maybe take up boxing hahaha! :D
practice driving and eventually drive my own car
play the piano again (no lessons though)
be more organized (as in super-duper OC!)
join World Youth Day 2006 in The Eternal City . . . ROME!!!
visit my relatives in California and hopefully get to visit Disneyland
go to Sydney, Australia to visit our other relatives and look for job opportunitues (THIRD!!! Hope to see you there!!!)

Hmmm. Can't think of anything else right now. . . .

But I really think 2006 is a year for new things, and hopefully better things! I'm looking forward to being part of the work force, although a bit nervous as well. Who wouldn't be? Hopefully, I will finally figure out what I really want to do. Although I plan to teach in preschool, I can't be a preschool teacher forever. Maybe I'll go into Psychology or Counseling, I don't know.

I also want to go to Rome, which is one of my favorite cities in the whole wide world! I always had this dream of meeting the late Pope John Paul II, especially since we share the same birthday (May 18) . . . but I guess that's not possible now. :( My friend Keilah and I even wrote to him back when we were in second grade, something like "Dear Pope John Paul II, We have the same birthday . . . "

Hahaha. I don't think we ever sent it. But we did imagine him writing back . Wishful thinking.

But even with him gone, I'd still want to go to Rome! So if World Youth Day 2006 really is in Rome (as I've heard) . . . GO GO GO!!! Then I'll be able to see the Vatican and the Coloseum and the Trevi Fountain . . . and all the other things I've read about in Angels and Demons. And maybe I'll get to "visit" Pope John Paul II.

Another place I'd like to visit is Disneyland and Universal Studios in California. After hearing stories from my mom (who's been there because of her job) and seeing her pictures, I really wish we'd be able to go! Of course with California comes HOLLYWOOD!!! Although it's highly unlikely, I'd like to be able to go star-sighting and have a picture or two taken!

Of course, I'm also looking forward to starting anew. I don't regret falling in love for the first time, but now it's time to move on.

So much for those! We'll just have to wait and see!

KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM!

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 19:01:12 GMT

Okay so I didn't get to see the World Pyro Olympics last year.

HAHAHA!!! LAST YEAR!!! WAHOO!!! Like it's so long ago!!!

But oh well.

I may not have been able to see the WPO, but we sure had our own little World Pyro Olympics going on right here in good old 25 Examiner, West Triangle, QC!!!

It was a Caro reunion like any other: noisy, fun, lots of singing, dancing, PS2, alcohol . . .

We all had sex . . .

. . . ON THE BEACH!!! HAHAHA!!!

Sex on the beach! My bartender uncle mixed up a batch. Our lips were blue.

It was nearly midnight whe the fireworks and firecrackers started. We all went outside to watch. And me? Nangawit ako!!! I took videos of the fireworks, thanks to my trusty Canon Ixus 30! So not seeing the WPO wasn't so bad after all . . . although I'm so sure that if I see pictures from it, I'll feel really really bad hahaha.

But hey, it's the new year! Gotta end it with a smile on your face!

And me? I'm starting anew!

I'm moving on.

New year, new job (when I graduate!), new love (?) . . . WE'LL SEE!!! HAHAHA!!!

Okay it's 3 am and I'm really sleepy and tired!

I sound really sabog.

SABOG!!!

SABOG=KABOOM!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

KABOOM!!!

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 00:43:57 GMT

I got to go to the World Pyro Olympics last night! It was so so so so so COOL!!! Despite the heavy traffic, it was worth it seeing the different displays from various countries. And sicne last night was, well, the last night hahaha, it was supposedly the best. Had a blast hanging out with a couple of friends from Days, then on to Ponti for a birthday party and free-flowing drinks.

HAHAHA!!!

SUUUUURE.

How I wish that were true!

Well, some of it was. I did see fireworks (from the car and behind unmoving vehicles along EDSA) and I did hang out with my friends and we did go to Ponti.

I may sound sarcastic, but really, right now I'm just trying to think positive. Although last night it was, well, literally and figuratively, ONE BAD TRIP. Hahaha.

It was actually a good experience.

Earlier during the day, we were debating whether or not we would go early so we could buy tickets. Decided not to buy. Besides, I was just hitching a ride so couldn't really dictate the time. My sister and I got picked up at 6:30 pm . . .

. . . and we were in the car until 12:30 am!!!

COULD YOU BELIEVE???

Traffic was THE WORST. WORST EVER.

We were inching our way along Edsa. I won't even say how bad it was except that it what really really bad. We hadn't eaten, none of us had food, and there wasn't any place where we could buy food!

WONDERFUL.

To pass the time, we made kwento, cracked jokes, and listened to some Chinese doctor on AM radio talking about weight-loss medicines and his whole medical history.

Well, they did. I was in a foul mood. I really HATE traffic. I HATE waiting. And I didn't have a right to be, it wasn't my car! But I just couldn't help it. I really really really wanted to see the fireworks.

Actually I didn't mind the trip at all. It was kind of fun, actually. It would have been great, except that . . . well . . .

Can't really say it here, hehehe. I just wish things weren't that way.

Anyway.

The best view of fireworks I got that night was from the Dusit Hotel.

Saw a bit of the World Pyro Olympics fireworks from the car. We were somewhere along Roxas, and all the vehicles were at a standstill. We got out from the car to get a better view.

The fireworks were beautiful.

But it would've been better up close!!!

Oh well, no use crying over spilled milk.

I got some unique shots!

Of unmoving cars along EDSA. Of some fireworks from Dusit Hotel. Of people walking across EDSA, a feat impossible on a regular day. Of a lola sitting on a stool on an island along Roxas.

In short, we didn't even reach the place where the WPO was held. We encountered more traffic as we headed towards Ponti. It was past midnight, we were hungry, and I was not in gimik attire! But my friends were insistent so there I was, in my Divisoria-bought pants and Havaianas slippers in the middle of girls in miniskirts, stilletos, and makeup!

But it was great seeing the people there, like a couple of Days friends and of course, Povedan friends, both my batchmates and a batch higher. It was just really embarrassing cos I felt so so so so so underdressed.

We only stayed for a few minutes because dinner/midnight snack/breakfast beckoned. Ended up in The Valero Grill, which has the BEST FOOD EVER.

Or maybe we were just hungry.

No, really, the food was good.

Arrived home at 2 am!!!

Kudos to Gillie for being able to drive that long!!!

Next year, I'm going early.

Like the night before.