I'm in love.

I've never been a pet-lover. Actually, I'm petrified of all kinds of animals. But I wasn't this loony back then. I remember how I used to pick up stray kittens whenever I'd see one. My mom found it ghastly but she let me be (one of the perks of being an only child -- then). I also, always asked her to buy me those little chicks or ducks sold outside Sto. Domingo whenever we'd go to church or when I'd get picked up from school at St. Mary's. I'd let those little feathered cuties run around the house while the nanny tried to scramble away from them. All I remember is that they wouldn't live long enough to grow their beaks. Heheheh.. I thought then that they really only lived for a week without their parents. Those were the days.

Anyway, I can't really tell for sure when or how or what made me very scared of animals. I've never been bitten or hurt by one. I know the feeling I get somewhere in my throat when I'm around hairy ones, or how gross and monstrous the reptiles look and how slimy and eekie the amphibians seem to the touch. Last Friday though, when we arrived at the salon, I knew it wasn't going to be a fun visit. There was a dog at the entrance.
A Shi Tzu named Coco.

I guess they really smell fear because when we walked towards the shampoo station, so did he. Guess where he sat his little bum? By the foot of the empty seat at the shampooing area. Hateful dog. He just sat there, watching. By the time the main man (Gian Carlo) came out to do his job, I was already seated in front of the huge mirror. The dog came over to his master (GC). Very chic dog with a collar that was "eternally" rhinestoned. Cuteness! Gian Carlo started petting him and I told him I was scared of pets. The dog had really kind eyes and had a disinterested demeanor, except for the fact that he walked to where I was all the time. I tried petting him while GC did. He had really soft hair and he didn't mind me doing so. He was so calm, something most dogs are not blessed with. At least those that I encounter. I just realized I was sitting next to him, rubbing his belly. After a while, he stood up and walked away. The little brat. GC was so amused because I walked around the salon trying to get Coco to stay so I could pet him some more. He did, at his favorite spot, the entrance hall. I again sat there with him and played with his hair. John was on his way but I called him to make sure he would see me with Coco. It's one of his missions to get me to liking pets, dogs specifically. He didn't have to lose a limb on this one. Coco had me wrapped around his hairy paws, and he was enjoying it. Heheheh..

When he got up again and this time, found GC's wife (Coco's adoptive mommy), I had to respect the space he needed. HAHAHAH! Can you believe I'm saying this? I'm giving a dog his space! Loony old me. By the time we were done, Coco was asleep, snuggled by Sharon, GC's wife. I wanted to kiss him goodbye. I kid you not. I actually almost did, all I know is that I'm smitten with Coco.

I will get a shi tzu.

Last night, after dinner, I had the pleasure to see "The Shamrogues". They are a non-profit group of people who have the passion to cultivate and share Irish music. They played the tin whistle, bodhran, Uilleann bagpipe, concertina, violin, guitar, flute and the fiddle. It was very enjoyable. There were happy tunes and sad ones and I enjoyed the performance very much. I especially loved the Danny Boy rendition of the founder of the group, name I forget, with the tin whistle (a.k.a. the penny whistle) accompanied by the guitar. It almost made me cry. A lot of people from the audience knew the words too and they sang along softly. It was really nice, like I knew everyone in the room and we were attending the thing together. Unity and harmony is always beautiful, I concur.

One of the musicians sang acapella in Irish language a sad Irish song. 'Couldn't make out a single word and whenever she did the high notes, her voice was on the verge of breaking to a croak. She's an obstetrician, not that it has anything to do with her performance, but it was an information the band manager shared with the audience. Heheheh... I was enthralled by the voice of this other lady who played the flute though. She's the director of the Stamford Philharmonic Orchestra here in Connecticut. She sang from the gut and really well too. I could listen to her all day if she had a record! Even the band manager sang beautifully. I think he looked and sounded a tad like Kenny Rogers. =P

It was a fantastic night and the hall was packed. We sometimes sang with the band, which was cool. Each member got to play their instrument too - solo, a recognition far better than $$$ can get for you. And so the night was mystical because music always brings about a certain magic to things.. I love it.

I can't wait, because tonight we're going to listen to Bob Rissolo play the piano. This is me, making the best of what life hands me and living my life to the fullest. Cheers to talent and life's small blessings!

Women will always be salon-goers. My mom just emailed me about her trip to Tagaytay this weekend with my aunt who's visiting her. She said she's taking them both to a weekend of pampering - body spa, massage and hairdressing for 2 whole days. Good on yah mom! 'Bout time, I think.

Anyway, today, I was back at Gian Carlo's and we got to chat for a bit, longer than the last time amidst the roaring of the hair dryer. He asked about the Philippines and I asked about his salon. Heheheh.. He didn't have any other branch of it but that one by Greenwich Ave. and Lewis Ct., atop the Anne Klein store. He said he used to have one in Toronto and another in Milano. The one in Toronto kept his name but is in a different management/ownership now. Gian Carlo is a very pleasant man with salt and pepper hair and a gentle demeanor. He's a little shorter than I and you can tell where he's looking from your peripheral vision. His eyes stand out when you look at his face. I think it could be the feature that makes him either endearing or intimidating.

We spoke about the airbuses that flew in today in NY and LA, how he thinks Patricia of Robert is a nut, and the photographs in his salon (one of the models looked like Penelope Cruz but I failed to confirm it). I like Gian Carlo. I've been there only twice but I have taken a liking to the man. Although he charges 25% more than his other stylists, I think he has a huge following because there's a certain calmness and sincerity in his person. I kid you not but he offered to photograph me. Hahaha! That made my day, I tell yah, but we'll see if that's my first sampling of lip service from the gentleman-slash-entreprenuer behind the great name. =)

Joan (well, we have our special song, but here's another one), Kate, Tim, Nitz, Concep, Rheea, Rizza, Chen, Michelle, Mima, Michi, Rina, Anna, Jen, Shiela, Cher, Albert, Jojo, Ron, Allen, Chix, Tere, Joseph, Will, Rom, Butch, George, Boyet, Vince, Edwin, Gino, Faye, Chris, Dave, Jeff, Myk, Debby, Frances (I sooo miss you!), Fay, Donna, Dodgie, Ish, Kathleen (my girrrrrl!), Adrian, Nathan, Andrew, Sha, Marlone, Pebbles, RR, Timmy, Jay, Jake, Abbie, Shesh, Bonch and Marinella..

I got a pleasant surprise when I got home tonight. My college friend Shiela called! She's flying home from Orlando but she will be back in 2 months. We're planning a get-together, I cannot wait!!! I have missed her so much... She's one of the few people I hold dear to my heart from my college years. Being with her or sharing a conversation with her means jaw-locking laughs and crazy lingo. =P

How happy I am for the way things are for her. We've lost touch for so long and how I wondered what have happened to my dear friend. Now, after a wedding and 2 births, we found each other. Wait, I found her. ;o) Thanks friendster! I can't wait for May! I wanna see her already!!!

I've not gotten over my blessing tonight and with this cold, I think I must turn in early. I can't afford to be sick away from home. =P Thanks for making my day, dear girl!

My friend RR and I hungout today. We had great Italian food at Frank's. Loved my Penne Vodka pasta (their specialty). It was in tomato cream sauce, which I am a huge fan of. And we had this super cheesy pizza with just basil and tomatoes. RR requested for extra mozarella cheese pa, coz you know how I'm such a cheese person.

Anyway, the highlight of my day was when we went "shopping". I got this beautiful green box for my trinkets, 2 rolls of lovely gift ribbons and heart-printed paper pads and post-its @ Michael's. AND! I stumbled upon this iFlop froggy!!!!!!!!!! Just when I thought going to BBB meant more towels, I got me a treasure! I so love him! I actually couldn't wait to get home and plug in Touille to try the speakers! It's a really cool addition to my froggy and Apple collection. REALLY! Now, the Orange iPod shuffle will look pretty on Frank too. I named my iFlop Frank, because we ate at Frank's and I enjoyed everything today.

Thanks RR! =)

Lent officially started today. Went to church to hear mass and partake on the Ash Wednesday Catholic tradition. I can't believe the season's here already. Didn't we just celebrate Christmas?

I got a daily reflections book from church. Here's the scripture for today:

Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. (Joel 2:12-13)

Just like Christ's life, ours has a purpose. We are all on a journey, and lent particularly takes us 40 days around what our life's supposed to be for. Like salmons in the stream, we're meant to swim against the tide to get to where the Lord wants us to go -- which is home with Him... =) Blessed be!

Winter's almost over. No, it's not a relief because I love winter. I guess it's okay............... Even if it snowed only like 6 times. Pssh! And maybe I'm not complaining because somebody does the shovelling over here, and none of the ladies. But I love getting bundled up and "talking with steam" and my ear muffs and my fluffy robe and the wistfulness of the weather. I like it. No, I love it. Of course it looks a little bit creepy at night and you're driving past "hibernating trees" (that's what I call those lifeless looking trees, it's patented *wink) but it is, at the same time, romantic like that. =P

The wind chill is getting tolerable lately. I can go out in my flip flops at times, unlike before. Also, my head doesn't feel like cracking open when I go hatless outdoors. Oh winter...

For months now, Greenwich held its breath for snow. Usually, Christmas is white around here. For some reason, this year was different, or should I say, last year was different. Since I moved, there's only been one white morning until today. I woke up to a tractor's noise (of sorts). I went downstairs to find a man clearing the walkway with a huge shovel. It was snowing, but not that hard... It was pretty, and romantic but gloomy at the same time. How bout that for Valentine's? Heheheh...

I have to return a few books to the library. It's due tomorrow. But I'm afraid I can't go out because it's really windy and it's raining and snowing at the same time. Hello hypothermia! Hahaha! So I renewed all of 'em online for another week. I miss the library...

So it's Valentine's and there's practically nothing we can do today or tonight because of the weather. Of all the days, huh? But being snowed in shouldn't be that bad. I've spent the last couple of hours writing and reading, I still have a few DVDs to watch too. So I guess I'm good until tonight. And the loner in me loves the idea of snow on a movie night. Can't complain! *wink

*Thanks John for the Hershey's and Peanut Butter Hearts. =)
My dear friend J, for the lovely song.
Kuya Jerome for the DVD.
(Parang Christmas! Heheh)

And everyone who sent me their love through ecards and SMS!!! Thank you, thank you! MMMMMMMMMMWAH!

I hope you all get the ecards I made a month ago. Heheheh!
Happy Valentine's Y'all!