kilig-kilig lang.... parang hi-skul!

here i am now in the office...alone.. here in second floor..
everybody's having their vacation leave, while here i am...working...
'coz i  don't have anymore VL and SL left to consume for this year! hehe...

i could still remember, i have a blog  entry last year - December 2010 entitled "ODD NUMBERS...Happy  ODD-lidays."

check --> http://zhandra101.blogspot.com/2010/12/odd-numbershappy-odd-lidays.html 

it's all about how the waiter "discriminates" me in a baby shower  party , 

'coz i was the only one who had  no partner at that time. (read: i was the ODD one!)

as i read that article once again, 

i realize how time really flies!

so, this article is for update on how things have changed in just a matter of  1 year!

couple # 1: "The Host and her Husband"

this couple were the ones who  hosted the baby shower party last year....

but just last week, their baby girl (my ina-anak) has  just celebrated her 1st birthday!

time really flies! the baby girl (who  was still inside her mom's womb) can now run...and can even sweep their floor! so adorable! :)   

**and oh, she's also a  "daddy's girl"

couple # 2: "The Discriminating Woman &  The Funny Guy"
this couple got  married 5 months  ago! 

and they are also expecting their  bundle of joy this first quarter of 2012.

although they have gone through serious trials, they are still blessed,  and still going strong as days go by.

couple # 3: "The Emotional Hang-up Woman and Her New S.O."

she and her S.O. (significant other) are no longer "new" with each other's arms anymore! 

in  fact, this couple are also getting married  this second quarter next year! 

though they  have traveled a lot here and  outside the country, the couple have  finally decided to tie a knot....and be together... forever.

and oh, expect more travels from them  with a baby on their arms! ...the soonest!  :)

couple # 4: "The Present and  Future"

this couple are still as happy as they could be! 

they are not just lovers , but  they  also treat each other as "barkadas", for  their main foundation is FRIENDSHIP-that  is why they have so much fun together.
the house & lot that they have jointly  invested a  couple of years ago, will be fully paid  soon…. 

and they are still thinking and  focusing for some more investments! 
...thinking about the bright future, eh? :)

**** and ME????

oh well.... i'm happy on how my friends’  lives have changed in just a matter of 1 year.

they are so blessed...

although their priorities have now shifted 360 degrees,

i am very much happy that they have finally  settled down with the love of their life...

have their own family and are / will be raising a new life (adorable babies) as God's blessing.

surely, i will be expecting to attend more  weddings, baptismal, children's party next year...

ODD number (as single) or
EVEN number (with a partner)

*** who cares???.... that waiter can EAT MY SPACE DUST! (hehe...)

'coz i've got nothing to worry...

i'm just here in the corner....

KILIG-KILIG lang...
na para paring HI-SKUL....

che!  ;p

chocs and letters

thank you Chiz,

for the chocs and letters that you’ve sent...
feeling *kilig* to wake up in the morning- seeing these stuffs! wahaha! ;p

***now, you’re writing! finally! yey! :)
these 5 LETTERS are for record breaking! hehe...

but, napa-iisip ako dun sa last one ha... hmmm...? 

thanks for the thoughtfulness! mwah!  ♥

why i appreciate letters that much?

although it maybe a bit OLD SCHOOL to write and give letters,
but, i treasure it, because i can read it over and over again every time i miss you.

if i can just laminate all the sweet text messages on my cellphone, i would do it! but my inbox is already full,
so, all of your letters are deeply appreciated.
oh well, you can't  blame me...i'm certified  ♥-S-E-N-T-I- ♥..... :)

BLIND-FOLDED

it's not easy being led by someone especially when you are blind-folded.

why?

you don't know where you are going.
you have no idea where your destination would be.
your sense of sight/ seeing is totally shut-off,
your other senses (such as: smell , hear, and touch) will be amplified...
and you easily assume of things that are far from truth/ reality/ of what really it is.

even in relationships,
you are both blind-folded.
you both don't know what tomorrow may bring.

it just scares the hell out of you when you just think of what worst things/ scenario that could happen.

and since you don't monitor or see each other 27/7, your imagination sharpens, especially when you cannot help but to entertain CRAZY THOUGHTS on you mind...
(even if it has no basis at all)

'The only thing to fear is fear itself'
if nothing isn't there seen to fear.
So what is it that you're fearing, tell me?
If there isn't anything to fear, you're near?

Take the blindfolded from your eyes!
now see the darkness, for what it is!
For light will shine and all fear subside
and your sighted life, will become fear cleared!

THE DANGERS OF THE UNKNOWN ARE AMPLIFIED BY OUR FEARS.

for the first few months or years of relationship, you feel like you both are in cloud 9, invincible , and inseparable...
and you know that as time goes by, these would somehow be shed off.

but, no.
life is good.
as good as it gets.

you will still be both in cloud 9,

and your love will be much stronger...

although you are blind-folded,

all you have to do is TRUST.

TRUST for each other.

...for it's the  Higher Being Who's guiding both of you.

Going The Distance

it's just funny how love can make a person do some crazy stuffs....

yah know...
when you're going extra mile to make things easier for the both of you...


like booking a flight every other week
just to be with your significant other?


why crazy?

because it's not "meet-me-half-way" mode...

it's really  "going-all-the-way!!!"


      ain't no mountain high,
      ain't no valley low,
      ubusan na ng yaman 'to...
      makita ka lang aking Nick Dulfo



hahahaha...


i'm going the distance...
weeeeeeee!!!

FLIGHT STATUS: Confirmed!    ;p

Where Have All The Letters Gone?

When was the last time you gave someone a letter?
I bet it was a long time ago.
Maybe we say that letters are not the "in" thing anymore, and it sounds old-fashioned and outdated.

We say that in the dawn of technology, there are so many alternatives in communications. 

So, why sweat writing a letter to someone when you can choose from various high-tech ways to get in touch with others. There are many options out there such as electronic mail through Internet and text messaging using our cellular phones, which are undeniably faster and more convenient.

Back in the days when writing letters was a popular way of communication, post-offices received tons of letters everyday... and though it seemed to take a thousand years before the letters finally arrived to their destinations, the feeling of receiving one is incomparable!

Especially when it comes from your loved ones, family, or from a long lost friend.
Can you still remember when having a "pen-pal" became a hit?
 SNAIL-MAIL that is!
Yes, that was eon years ago.. but, a lot of relationships were made and kept alive through exchanging letters.

And now at the present time, our modern world has a lot to offer, and ways in communication are more accessible.
You can interact with different kinds of people from all over the world without having to wait for a long time.
Just a click away, and your message is sent and received.

I guess most of you guys out there could not deny the fact that whenever our cell phones beep, we get excited to find out who's sending us a text message.
We read "1 Message Received" and it paints a smile on our lips (especially when it comes from "that" special someone) even if it's just a forwarded quote that has been sent to you a bunch of times already.
So, you still reply to him/ her. Wait for the "Sending Messaging.." but then it appeared "Check Operator Services"... (argh!!!).
Well, this applies when you are on pre-paid! (haha... ;p)

Letters on the other hand are more special.
A plain note or card of "thank you", "take care", "I Love You", "I'm Sorry", etc... brings joy into our hearts.
Even if it's just a simple message on ordinary paper, it becomes extraordinary especially when it is personalized.
Because we can see the effort exerted by the person who made it, we appreciate it even more, and read it over and over again.

But as for now, I ran out of load, my account balance is zero and my cellphone is low bat.
Yet, the sentimental side of me is knocking.
So, I’ll just sit here inside my room, bring out one of my greatest possessions- the letters and some memorabilia that I all keep in a special box.
Time for me to reminisce once again and read all the old letters that I treasure from wonderful people that have been part of my life. It never fails to uplift my spirit.
Let all the memories become alive once again...
It's been quite sometime now since I received a letter.

So, I ask myself  " Where have all the letters gone?".

The Butterfly Effect

It has been said that something as small as the flutter of butterfly's wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world (-Chaos Theory)

i sometimes wonder:

had i not done this,
had you not done that,

had i chosen to do this,
had you chosen to do that,

it could have been this,
and not like that.

or it could have been that,
and not like this.

either one way or another,
it is what it is.
it is what you call : The Butterfly Effect

The point is, we can’t change something without affecting something else in our life.
Every decision we make comes with its downsides and upsides, and it’s our role to make the best out of the outcome, rather than regret and wish we did something else (because it is already in the past). 

Looking backwards prevent us from truly living our life.

The best thing to remember is that "Such minor changes, such huge consequences"
That is why, we should be really careful of the choices that we make, 

for even that smallest one decision could change everything.

Walk On The Ocean

WALK ON THE OCEAN

(by: TOAD THE WET SPROCKET)

We spotted the ocean at the head of the trail
where are we going, so far away
and somebody told me that this is the place
where everything's better, everything's safe

Walk on the ocean
step on the stones
flesh becomes water
wood becomes bone

And half and hour later we packed up our things
we said we'd send letters and all those little things
and they knew we were lying but they smiled just the same
it seemed they'd already forgotten we'd came

Now we're back at the homestead
where the air makes you choke
and people don't know you
and trust is a joke
we don't even have pictures
just memories to hold
that grow sweeter each season
as we slowly grow old

i am Ms. BAKER

they say that "time flies when you're having fun"

finally, i am now doing my long forgotten passion... BAKING.

i am enjoying it! =)

and when im a little expert about it, i'm gonna bake for my friends and my family w/ some cookies and cakes for their birthdays and other occasions.

and it would be just my simple way to say "thank you" and "i love you"

im loving it!!!

and oh,

i don't mind if you now call me as  " MS. BAKER" ,

'coz if you do,

i'll bake some goodies for you too!    ;)

No Reservations

1.) it was on advertisement that a newly pasta place has just opened a few blocks away,

i was about to call the resto for seat reservation,

but then, my beau is not in town

*** no reservations.

2.) it was just declared that Friday would be a Special Holiday,

which means it's perfect to hang-out on the beach for a long week-end.

i was about to inquire my favorite resort

but then again, my beau is not in town

*** no reservations.

3.) a movie that i have been waiting to watch is already showing on cinemas,

i have to call the ticketing office for the last full show schedule

but then over again, my beau's still not in town

*** no reservations.

4.) i just found out that an airline is offering a 50% off on all domestic and international flights... to be traveled next month,

but then again, my beau's vacation/ R&R date is still uncertain

*** no reservations.

i am still struggling...

but, for as long i undoubtedly feel so much for him:

 

>> i would still, imagine to dine at the newly opened restaurant in the city for two

>> i  would still look-forward for a long week-end on a beach with my beau,

even if i would just end-up talking with him on the phone

>> i would still weekly check on the latest showing movies on cinema,

even if i won't be able to buy tickets for two

>> i would still continue to get excited on the airline promos that for sure i won't be able to book for two yet

but then again, for now, there’s still

NO RESERVATIONS.   

Bumpy Road and My CHIZEE Slippers

my old slippers
had been around whenever i needed them.
had pampered my tired feet after a tough day.
had accepted my feet no matter how dirty and ugly they turned out at times.
had comforted my callused feet from walking on a rough road.

but fate has its harsh way of ending things
we stepped on a lethal nail along the way,

that punctured my old slippers.


...it pained my foot as well.
and that's how the voyage had ended.

a couple of years have passed,
and a lot of things have changed.

my redeemed feet are now a size bigger,
and i have found a new pair of slippers that fits me better.

*** that old slippers should not be the basis standard anymore on how slippers should be.

for my new present slippers signifies new beginnings...NEW LIFE.

my present slippers are unique and have its own way 
of matching my delicate feet...PERFECTLY.

they're so special and precious to me…

and this time around,
we might encounter a bumpy road along the way,
but i hope and pray that my feet and these CHIZEE slippers of mine,
would be together for a looooooooong journey to fulfill our shared DREAMS.

.
.
P.S. just like your pair of slippers, there's this ONE person that perfectly fits you.

Sweet Escape

i love places that make you realize
how tiny you and your problems are...

i guess everyone of us deserves a break.

and once in awhile, we need to take a "pause" from the daily routine..'coz it's the only way that keeps us BALANCE & SANE.
when we are so consumed by our personal problems and selfishness...be in a place that makes you realize that  
THERE'S MUCH MORE TO LIFE.
.

   > a place where your thoughts and  visions become clear
   > a place where you get in touch with your forgotten dreams
   > a place where you feel the endless possibilities

and sometimes,

if you are lucky...    (...just like me!)

you get to be in that PLACE with SOMEONE YOU LOVE.

and that is when you can truly say that

you are on your : SWEET ESCAPE.

p.s.

thanks for another unforgettable R&R  vacation with you.   ^_^

Forever 27: on Life, Purpose, and Kurt Cobain

Last Friday night, some of the Bagani fellows hang-out to chill after Kick Boxing class..and it was brought to discussion that some of the most influential rock musicians/ writers/ celebrities died at the age of 27 has created mystery and intrigue. They are called the FOREVER 27 CLUB.

The Forever 27 Club list includes:

Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison (The Doors), Janis Joplin, Brian Jones (Rolling Stones), Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), and many others.

The club now has over thirty members, all of which died for different reasons. The deaths range from suicide, accidental overdose, murder and just plain tragic accidents, and some just mysteriously disappeared.

The strange part is in the number who died at the age of 27 years. Most were at the peak or just on the downside of their fame when fate made sure their fans would never see them grow old.

And why is 27 suddenly an issue for me?

Who's 27? hahaha! geeeeee....

Time flies, and before you knew it, you are already 27, 37, 47, or 57!

Am I in the midst of quarter life crisis?

I wish I can just fly and get-away already.

'coz I NEED A CONCRETE FAT LIST OF SENSE OF PURPOSE.

darn.

Thank You Chiz!

Chiz...
thank you for surprising me on my birthday!!!! weeeee!!!

sarap ng feeling when i saw your face at home early in the morning unexpectedly... 

*sob*...thanks for making me happy! i love you so muchy! mmwah! ;-)

...on PATIENCE and PERFECTION

Who could have thought that a simple baking/ cooking program would teach me about patience and perfection of love and life in general.

I was watching Chef at Home @ Asian Food Channel (hosted by my crush chef: Michael Smith), while he was making cinnamon roll out of yeast dough.

Using yeast on the dough, he said that: as much as you are already tempted to knead and bake it, you need to WAIT and allow the yeast do its job to make the dough rise. And it takes time and patience for you to achieve that perfect height of the dough.

You have to go through this process..before you can turn it into a delicious cinnamon roll.

Most of us don't like WAITING... and I am not an exemption to that. Come on...we'd like to get anything we want in an instant, right?

But then again, come to think of it, a lot of wonderful things are made into perfection because of patience.

They say that "Patience is a Virtue";  "Great things comes to those who WAIT"...and blah, blah, blah.

But yeah. I guess these are all true.
And in relationships:
perhaps, the equation: PATIENCE+ PERSEVERANCE = PERFECTION applies.
Just a thought: Learn to hold-on a little bit longer for that much awaited time.
After all, Mangoes are so much sweeter when they are ripened on tree, rather than artifically ripened.


P.S.
Okay, I'll be patiently waiting for you... ('coz i have no choice! haha... ;p )
nah... seriously, YOU are worth the wait
And we both know that when we are together again, we would be in state of near PERFECTION.

The Time Traveler's Wife

I find this movie romantic...yet, depressing at the same time.
the man:        Henry  (played by: Eric Bana)
the woman:   Clare  (played by: Rachel Mc Adams)


What I loved about The Time Traveler’s Wife is the theme of relationship / marriage.


Two people desperately love and want to be together, but there is one "issue" that keeps them apart…the Henry's time traveling.
But then, come to think of it: in the first place, it was  Henry's time traveling that brought him to Clare.


In real life, the "time traveling" is an analogy.


That, in a relationship, there is this "thing" that's a BLESSING... and eventually becomes a CURSE (?).


Some couples meet and fall in love... because "work" brought them together.  And it's also the same "work" that physically separates them.

(read:  LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS )

Quote from Clare: "Now I wait for Henry. He vanishes unwillingly, without warning. 

I wait for him. Each moment I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is as slow and transparent as glass… Why has he gone where I cannot follow?"

Now, what if Clare and I share the same destiny... would i also WAIT for months...or years...until he comes back?

nah... i doubt it.
'coz for me: TIME and DISTANCE is NON-NEGOTIABLE.

but then, if it's really, really my destiny
...i would drop everything off
... i would NOT just sit and WAIT for him to be back again.
... rather, i would then be willing to move, to travel, and move again

and do all the ways JUST TO BE WITH MY MAN.

 

Blue Bayou

I feel so bad I got a worried mind
I'm so lonesome all the time
Since I left my baby behind
On Blue Bayou

Saving nickles saving dimes
Working til the sun don't shine
Looking forward to happier times
On Blue Bayou


I'm going back someday
Come what may
To Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fine
And the world is mine
On Blue Bayou
Where those fishing boats
With their sails afloat
If I could only see
That familiar sunrise
Through sleepy eyes
How happy I'd be

Gonna see my baby again
Gonna be with some of my friends
Maybe I'll feel better again
On Blue Bayou

Oh that boy of mine
By my side
The silver moon
And the evening tide
Oh some sweet day
Gonna take away
This hurting inside
Well I'll never be blue
My dreams come true
On Blue Bayou

7 Things I Thank You For This Week

#1.) for flying a thousand miles to spend your vacation with your "lunatic girl"

#2.) for driving my motorcycle for Samal trip

#3.) for the Family Guy dvd marathon

#4.) for the zorb, and zip line (so fun!)

#5.) for the HHWW with PSSP (pa sway-sway pa?)

#6.) for eating my fried chicken, spaghetti, and sandwiches

#7.) for the on-the-spot letter writing (which you had no choice?) hehe

*** by the way, congrats for being on top 7......you are my 7th Heaven Chiz..... mwah! ;p

Here, There, and Everywhere

To lead a better life I need my love to be here...

Here, making each day of the year
Changing my life with a wave of his hand
Nobody can deny that there's something there

There, running my hands through his hair
Both of us thinking how good it can be
Someone is speaking but he doesn't know she's there

I want him everywhere and if he's beside me
I know I need never care
But to love him is to need him everywhere
Knowing that love is to share

Each one believing that love never dies
Watching his eyes and hoping I'm always there

I want him everywhere and if he's beside me
I know I need never care
But to love him is to need him everywhere
Knowing that love is to share

Each one believing that love never dies
Watching his eyes and hoping I'm always therer

To be there and everywhere
Here, there and everywhere

my 2011 Indulgence List

Zhandra's 2011 To Do List:


1.) master the art of driving a motorcycle (~ it's my suppressed passion, i guess)

2.) go aero-dancing/ exercise (~~~ fire dancing too! perhaps?)

3.) engage to sports again: back to taekwondo and/or biking (~ freesbie looks interesting too! hehe)

4.) teach algebra or literature (.....can I? puhleezzz???)

5.) enroll a formal baking/ cooking class

6.) more travels (...hopefully)

7.) meet interesting and inspiring people

8.) more bottoms-up! (~~~ syempre! ;p)

Zhandra's New Year's Resolution:

Well.... we all know: LIFE IS TOO SHORT.

So, for 2011...

I won't be holding myself back anymore...

so, go.... and I-N-D-U-L-G-E. ;)

the Cavite experience

i never thought my stay at Cavite would be so much memorable.

i did not expect that those people there could be so warm.
though i only stayed there for days, i had a glimpse of their lifestyle...

it was inspiring to see:

~~ a tight family knit...a family full of asaran and kulitan. (so much fun!)

~~ an ongoing friendship since childhood... together with the mistahs.

~~ a grandmother who is sweet, has sense of humor and a groovy lola at 75 years old...who also likes to cook yummy food.

~~ playful and spoiled doggies who are adorable. (baky, tandy, empy...etc.)

ahmmmm...pwede magpa adopt narin 'dun? hehehe...

C - chizee chizeedoodle
A - amazingly adorable
V - vacation vavavoom
I - intensely inviting
T - top of the toppestworld
E - exhillirating experience   : )