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!

Yesterday, I got to pamper myself at the salon, latino style. Love my hair! (Thanks Gloria and Martha).
Had a late lunch at an Italian restaurant, Putnam, at the Avenue (Cajun Chicken sandwich w/ bacon and fries). Love their breaded, crispy fries! Then we went shoe shopping at Shoes n More. I bought 3 pairs of shoes - a pair of Saucony, Keds and Seychelles. Yipee! Then I went bowling with my aunt, not that I played. When I got bored, I checked out the stores along the B. Alley. I did not buy clothes. Have to be a little stingy after all those shoes (I need a job). I splurged a bit at Apple Farm though. Their produce selection was really tempting and because I had time to waste, I was careful in picking my fruits and veggies.

Today, we had pizza, salad and buffalo wings for late lunch (Yum, but what's up with late lunches this weekend, eh?). We had to do some errands that morning, see..? Anyway, we went back to the Avenue. Tita Bonet arrived the previous night and wanted to get some shoes, so we went back to my aunt's fave store (It's also the closest one). Well... err... I ended up buying 2 pairs of Seychelles again. Teehee! What can I do, they were hecka comfy and they looked pretty on me. =P

So yeah, we did a bit of grocery shopping after. My aunts got disappointed to find that the liquor store by Stop n Shop was closed. So much for their red wine-slash-videoke night. Heheheh! I found myself in a sunny mood when we got home I even had the energy to help fix dinner, while everybody just fell into bed or dropped on the sofa. Love weekends. I love how the dining table is packed with beautiful people and how we say a collective prayer before meals. Love it! =)

You think that if you choose to be honest with a person, you're doing him/ her a favor. That instead of leaving them in the dark to wonder, you give them the upperhand -- because they are in the know. After all, information is power. But what kind of people choose to look the other way just because the path turns out to be something they did not anticipate? What kind of people choose to blame you for showing them the light instead of leaving them in the black pit, where all seems to be running according to their plan, because their plan is nothing agreeable anyways? I wonder too.

But here's what I know... I know that if you choose to have a life that's all about you.. that the dot on the clean, white paper is all that matters and nothing else.. that promises and hopes and love is empty.. If you are that kind of person who does only as much as is necessary, a person who never takes an extra step or an extra minute... you don't impress me, and never will. When time comes that you will have a life outside of yourself, "Hurrah!" for you. Life would be more promising, and I shall be one of those people who'd be happy that you saw the light, even when I have been greatly disappointed in the past. Piece of advise: Get over yourself already. It's starting to be disgusting.. Doesn't it get too tiring to be fenced in all the time? Take what you can get, my friend and live with it. You can't have it ALL, after all. And no, don't get me wrong. There is a thin line between taking the risk, and knowing what you want and what you don't want. Don't chastise just because what you want is not what others do.

Yes, I am writing to you. And don't pretend that you haven't been told coz you have been.. many times, in fact. "He who hesitates is lost... loses... or is a big loser." For that I wish to pity you, but I shall refuse to. Because you have a brain. It has been paid for. USE IT.

I am done feeling sorry that you choose to shimmy back into the darkness. It is up to you now to find your way.

People have preferences and it might not be you all the time, or half the time, or never at all. Live with it. Because at the end of the day, it all boils down to accepting that you are not the world. And that the world was here before you. And my life, and many others, don't revolve around your sorry ass.

My cousin finally got his stuffed beanie Mickey Mouse (which I took to loving dearly in an instant!) to me last week. He took care of it for over a year. He got that for me when he visited California in '05, but we never got to see each other 'til now...

It's so cute! He sits on my bed all day and we share my iPod when I hit the sack at night. It's this beanie ball in a Mickey suit. It had ribbons on its ears when I got it ('course I removed them because Mickey is a boy, ya know!). Some friend of my cousin's kinda wanted to adopt my Mickey but since it practically had my name written on its round belly, Mickey remained in my cousin's car's backseat until I came over to claim him. Heheheh.. He's one heck of a companion, eh? (now I sound derailed, hahaha!)

Thanks my sweet Jakey! LOVE you lots.

~~~000~~~

I got 2 mails from my girl friends back in the PI, today. It spoke of conflict yet it ended with so much understanding and love. It is true that written words are most often misunderstood as feelings are hardly imparted in text. They wrote of some unfortunate news that I wish not to take lightly. But there is no issue that cannot be resolved if addressed in good humor. I have always been that kind of person who chooses to talk about things rather than pretend nothing is happening, especially if it is happening to friends I dearly care about. I am glad I have friends who are on the same page as I. I am happy with the relationships that I have now -- deeper, more meaningful friendships and mature mindsets that see past the hurt and the ugly. I guess it pays to surround yourself with people who will help you grow all the time. People who will not sugarcoat things just to avoid conflict. People who genuinely have others' best interest at heart. I "grew up" because I surrounded myself with grown-ups. Sensible grown-ups. And my learnings, I was happy to share with my "younger" friends. And now, wavelength-wise, things are great between everyone in my circle. For that I am GRATEFUL.

~~~000~~~

Libraries will always make me HAPPY. I don't know why. I don't read as if it's all I can do, but the place is in cahoots with my person, I can't complain. I feel as if I belong when I'm in the confines of. This week, I found my new haven. It's up the road, then down the street from where I live. I love it! The first time I went, I was so excited to see it in all its entirety. If it weren't because I was walking back home, and it was freezing when the sun retired, I would've stayed longer. My aunt, of course, wanted to pick me up from the library, but walking means I have more time with myself. The loner in me loves that, so I chose walking in the freezing twilight over the heater of her car, talking to myself (in my mind, of course. hahah!)...

I'LL BE
Edwin McCain

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

Chorus:
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be your love suicide
and I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache, that hang from above

I've been dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on, Remembered the things that you said


Like a star
Corrine Bailey Rae

Just like a star across my sky,
Just like an angel off the page,
You have appeared to my life,
Feel like I’ll never be the same.

Just like a song in my heart,
Just like oil on my hands,
Only to love you…

Still I wonder why it is,
I don’t argue like this,
With anyone but you…

We do it all the time,
Blowin’ out my mind.

You’ve got this look I can’t describe,
You make me feel I’m alive,
When everything else is unfair,
Without a doubt you’re on my side.

Heaven has been way too long,
Gon’ find the words to write this song,
Oh your love…

Still I wonder why it is,
I don’t argue like this,
With anyone but you…

We do it all the time,
Blowin’ out my mind.

Yeah…
(Skit)

I have come to understand the way it is,
It’s not a secret anymore,
‘Cos we’ve been through that before.

From tonight I know that you’re the only one,
I’ve been confused and in the dark,
But now I understand.

.

Tell me why, when I used Eucerin Calming Creme, my face itched??? Non-irritating pala ha? Appropriate for use in children pa! Grrrrrrr....

Ok, vain girl talk. I use a variety of facial creams.. From 'Ponds' to 'Body Shop's Vit. E line' to 'L'oréal'. Never had probs at all, until I tried something that's supposedly hypo-allergenic!

Pssh!

Goodness garospeluz! I tried it because today was really cold. We were below zero this afternoon. I usually itch when I'm cold and my skin's awfully dry (thanks to the heater). So I thought I'd use this dry skin therapy creme I found at the pharmacy. A big WHATEVER.

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten


Unwritten
Natasha Bedingfield

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