Once in 15 years!

Errr... here you go myself once again! Abruptly, I have to make a disclaimer. I've been having quite a few "topics" in mind to write about but this one really triggerred me so much that I crammed and turned out for me to make time in.. oh well.. blogging about it! Well, partially I did it offline while I was on the way to the office this morning and since I was in the shuttle public transportation here in Manila, I blogged! Guess how? Through my mobile as if I'm texting a long message to someone! The art of innovation! lol...

Reason behind, go figure! =P

Nothing beats friendship.

Even the bible itself records a lot of stuff about friendship and truly, it's one gem that if genuine, will truly serve as one of life's greatest treasure... and with that...we shouldn't simply take for granted. Well, there are times that as humans, we tend to "not be able" to express however and whatever we feel personally. I'd say be sure to find an outlet to be able to do so. Release of whatever it is because it's a GREAT feeling for the positive side of it and quite a relief, for the negative of it.

My vacation to Pinas enabled once again our so-called "SOP" (Simply Outrageous Pals) group to have a time of catching up and chillin'. It has been almost 15 years since we have had that "Valentine Picnic" in PUP grounds, hence the official formation of the SOP! Last night was quite not a passe' one or our usual "old-fashioned" way of doing "it". With the normal Len being the organizer (assisted by me :P), I was glad that we have had Digs as our designated driver for the night!

Four of us met up in Glorietta4 and we're all happy that Carol, the only mother in the group was able to join the fun! We drove a bit to the nearest "starred" gas station Caltex to pump gas, then off our exciting road trip without really knowing how to go to our desired destination - Tagaytay!

Well, we managed to reach Tagaytay primarily through the help of the signs! How I wish that "signs" in whatever we desire to have or to do are just as clear and direct as what we have on the road! In about less than an hour time, we started rolling down our windows to savour the cool wind and breeze of Tagaytay as we continue to hit the road!

Upon arrival at the heart of the place, we indulged ourselves to the "sinful" but yummy dinner dishes, famous in towm - Bulalo with matching Crispy Pata plus pinakbet! (Sheesshh.. how am I going to be a bridesmaid at Shirley's wedding then? Grrr... nevermind, I have about 4days before her wedding to at least flatten my tummy! :P)

Hot soup of bulalo in the midst of cold cold and starry starry environment, indeed, 'twas a sumptous and chilled dinner. After a short picture-taking at Leslie's vicinity, off we went to the nearby Starbucks for our "coffee" session =) Upon ordering, we went up at the open-air second floor area of it to continue plunging ourselves with the cool breeze. As we start to literally chill, I took out my laptop as per Len's instruction to bring it and showed her cute-wholeheartedly created AVP surprise (ask me what's AVP :P). Here you go the video:



(It took me the next day though to fully process and absorb that AVP... especially when I heard the background song of it, it's really "kewl".)

It was just 1am but we've decided to cut it out and drove down back to Manila already to be home. We dropped off Carol in Cavite then on the way, I suggested that the 3 of us go straight to Digs' place for an ON (Overnight or sleep over). In about 30mins or so time, we've reached our "homey" home base during our college days. The usual me felt nostalgic and started to blurt out the memories we have had in that room especially during thesis times! lol...

While in nostalgic mode, I paused and really savored everything in that so called friendship! Things started to dive in my heart and in my mind with regard to this certain treasure that helped me lived my life to its fullest....well.. i'm still alive so I should say "living" it to the fullest.

I must admit, our friendship have had its own up and down moments.... conflicts here and there in terms of characters. There was even a time that Digs' literally slapped my face in one of the classroom in our School building (lol), my ex has become Len's now ex already (nyehehehe :P) and a whole lot more.

However, we were all still in that bond of this unbeatable and well.. yeah unbreakable bond of friendship.

SOP - I appreciate each and everyone of you eventhough sometimes, I really can't bare some of your "trips"! Haha! Here's to LOVE! Cheers to the next.. uhmm.. 15 years? :D

Ooopppssie, for my other friends - please don't get jealous ya, you all have a place in my heart ;)

.few stuffs for married couples.

Well.. it's not the end of February yet! And you know what already whenever February comes, although I personally believe that every month should be treated as February also hehe...

Last Sunday, while I've decided to join my Pinoy friends in the other church.. I still thought of my Spiritual family's church service. Earlier, I already knew that there will be renewal of marriage vows for married couples in my church. I bet it was a very sweet and heart-warming event for everyone :) (talk about being a hopelessly romantic person huh! LOL) Well...I'd say sort of an advantage for me not to have attended that also 'coz I might feel enviuos...and that's bad right? lol.. :P:P

Anyways, I have this small laminated card in my wallet in which I kinda stole from my mom's wallet...(well not really since I asked permission first before I got it =P) , in it are some few stuffs written for couples - it basically came from the Couples' Ministry in my home church in Pinas!

Read on and enjoy!

~Things every couple should know~

• The value of a hug
• How to say "I'm sorry"
• Your spouse is priceless
• How to agree more and argue less
• Unexpected gifts can bring pleasure
• The simple intimacy of holding hands
• How to appreciate and accept the differences in your partner
• The importance of courtship after marriage (guys, take note :P)
• The thing that triggers that hurt feelings
• How to make your spouse laugh
• One compliment a day isn't too many
• How to make every anniversary a celebration
• How to give your spouse a visible expression of love

Hope the above will be penetrated to all of you who have read this. For singles - in your future married life. For married - in your everyday marriage journey!

God bless you all :)

***

hubbies & daddies around me...

A few weeks ago I had a short pep talk with my colleague from US, Steven, about how is he doing and how's his wife doing. This is just before our official business meeting agenda. I learned that his wife underwent some surgery few weeks back and that he has shared about some of the few errands he needed to do concerning the kids and ofcourse his wife. He has shared that he has to wake up early to drop the kids off to their school and same at the end of the day to pick them up just so to let the wifey rest and have that complete recovery from surgery. I thought that was admirable =)

I'm glad to hear that everything is fine as he declared.

A couple of days ago, another local colleague of mine happened to mention about what has recently happened to his wifey as well - she had a surgery somewhere in the uterus area. I saw the worries in Charlie's eyes and somehow can sense that he's troubled with what his wife is experiencing even up to this point that I'm writing it. He even complained saying "I cannot even hug her when we sleep because it hurts when she is squeezed because of the surgery". I just bursted out in a bit of laughter but then I thought that's a sweet statement coming from a guy for her wifey. =)

I felt sorry for him as he uttered those words lookin' at his face =(

Sometime last week, I hitched with Tani, a friend, on the way back home. He exclaimed, "I'm hungry! I wonder what's for dinner tonight and what did Ella cook for me?!" Ella, his full time wifey and mommy, is one close friend of mine as well. I've felt that excitement in him looking forward to go home and have that dinner cooked by her and ofcourse to be united with her and Andrei (the son) too. I'd say it's one ideal set-up for a family and Tani's excitement would delight Ella. =)

I thought I would be delighted to know that one as well if I'm in Ella's shoes :)

So what's the point of this blog? In everyday of our lives, one way or another we will encounter or experience a lot of things on the way. How often do we notice those stuffs that are really valuable and not valuable? Which one are we focusing ourselves then? For me, I try to observe, notice, and see things that would be helpful to develop more my character for the present and for the future.

On top of that, while it's a reality that there are hubbies and/or daddies that aren't so good and caring and all that (reality check), great and ideaL things still exist. Talk about being idealistic huh =P

PS: Check out my related blog entry about "Idealism 'n Realism": http://myblog4all.blog.friendster.com/2006/10/idealism-n-realism/

Bye for now! Tata!