Heartbreak from Typhoon Ondoy

I didn’t think it would be this bad. I didn’t think it would happen. Not to us. Those things are seen only in newspapers, in the news. Not to us. We’ve had rough storms before, but it wasn’t so bad, we would be okay. It wouldn’t be so bad. Not to us.

But it did.

It was like watching a train wreck. We watched, in horror, as the flood waters rose. We had already put up some of our stuff, emptied the lower drawers and cupboards, but it still continued to rise — past our shins, past our knees. Our container of medicines and vitamins toppled over, the water threatened to flood the television set, already perched on a much higher table. Our couch, already on top of two chairs, suddenly gave and floated away. We were on the verge of hysteria. The dirty waters were ruining everything my parents worked hard for.

Outside, in our garage, were our cars. We didn’t know where to put them. The waters rose, and rose and rose. Until we looked inside, and the interior was flooded. Everything inside the car was floating in the murky, muddy waters. Our hearts broke. Not the cars. All the others, we could wash, we could leave under the sun to dry, BUT NOT THE CARS. =(

But it happened. Such damage. When the waters subsided, our cabinets were warped, the wood softened by being soaked for two days. The cars are ruined. Outside, it was a wasteland. We were devastated.

But then we saw the news. People were dying. People were stranded on rooftops. And then we realized, we were one of the lucky ones. It is painful to see your belongings ruined so helplessly by the flood, but even more painful to see those in need on TV.

We are the lucky ones. We are alive. We have the means to get back up and move on with life.

And so we will. We will be grateful. And we will give back. I never fail to thank the Lord for sparing us, for sparing Sharkboy’s family who live so near the area of devastation.

So, as a sign of gratitude, I am paying it forward. I am spreading links, ways to help out. There are hundreds of us who were spared. It is time to help out and act like a true Filipino. This is our heritage.

Here are some links, where we can find ways to help out:

Very detailed list of venues, ways to help from blogger Bianca Gonzales

Philippine National Red Cross (you can even send a simple SMS to donate cash! so easy to help)

Tulong, tulong tayo, Pilipinas.
God help us all. God bless us all.

 

Happy Birthday, Sharkboy!

Thank you for
making me giggle,
making me dream,
making me feel,
making me embrace life,
making me love.

I hope you live the life of happiness that you deserve.
Be happy being yourself.
I am and will always be proud of you. <3

I loff joo!

 

Spring has Sprung

I’m in that mindset again. The gloomy skies are gone for now.
Thank God for that.
I think I’d like to pass on anymore rollercoaster rides, thank you very much.
Perhaps it’s that new set of clothes I got. Haha. Loves it.
I’ve stopped trying to diet, ’cause I only end up getting horribly sick. UGH.
Healthy eating it is. I cannot win it all. Haha.
I want to take up badminton again with my family. Please, dear family, let’s move on na! Hihi.
You know what I realized? It’s not cool to be someone you’re not. So, if you’re not who you were before, and are acting all different and shit, then that’s NOT cool. But if you’re comfy in your own skin, and live life according to what you really believe in, then THAT is cool.
In the same manner, do not force other people to be like you. Steady lang, guys.

And finally, please enjoy this blast of Spring Fever. I leave you with this cutiepie. <3

image from: Cuteoverload.com

 

O Hai There

Yes, I’m still alive, and writing more than just random missives in this blog.
Buuut. I’ve been busy.

With writing. Again. I took up another writing job on top of my job, so there are crazy non-stop writing days. I am actually just resting from one of those major writing sprees. I introduced Sharkboy to the world of SEO Writing. Haha. Culture shock for his system, spewing out 500-word articles in 24 hours. Poor guy. :p

Anyway, that’s that. I’m alive. I’m fine. Life is swimming along just fine.

 

Remembering 2008

I figured this is the only free time I’ll have before 2008 comes to a close. As all Holidays are, it’s gonna be busy with all the parties, gatherings, and the super-long vacation we’re having this year.

So I’m handing in my year-end reflections for the year that was.

If there ever was a theme for 2008, I’d have to say it would be a Year of Improvement for me. 2008 was the year I sat up and took stock of who I was, acknowledged that there’s a lot to be improved on, and started taking steps to do something about it.

It was the year I became completely honest to myself, my family, friends and everyone else.

There are some parts of 2008 I’d rather forget, but in perspective, paved the way for the improvements I’m working on right now. So… it’s all good. Every minute of 2008 happened for a reason. Everything worked to make things much, much better for us.

2008 was a year of extremes. Sadness for unexpected goodbyes, and joy at unexpected acceptance. There were a lot of tears, which was made up for by hearty laughter.

My relationship with my family (my parents, mostly) has improved. I’m more open with them now, and I’ve got less angst to deal with. As my little brother is getting older, I’m becoming closer to him (though he’s getting so much taller than me!). My sister and I are the same, we’ve had some violent arguments (not entirely new for us. Haha), but all in all, we’ve got a general understanding of what we’re going through right now, relationship-wise. Hihi.

I don’t exactly know how to define my relationship with Sharkboy these days. It’s matured greatly, while at the same time, we still enjoy an element of new-ness. There are ups and downs. I’ve grown exponentially brattier this year (eep), but we’re working on that. Suffice to say, I’m learning to be more honest with him, especially when it comes to my emotions and my thoughts. This came about from unexpected circumstances this year that brought us much, much closer than we expected.

Above all else, I’ve improved my relationship with myself. I’ve learned to accept that things cannot be what I want it to be. I am not anymore resentful of my weaknesses, and grateful instead for my strengths. I’ve learned to recognize what I want, and strived to learn more about them. I’ve taken up various classes, and read more books to enrich myself. I’m keeping myself occupied with various pursuits.

Some things never change though, I (again!) transferred jobs. I am planning to stick to this, though, since a.) I like what I’m doing. Really. b.) I don’t have the right to be dissatisfied what with the state of our economy these days, and c.) I need to receive a non-pro-rated 13th month pay next year. HAHAHA.

All in all, I’m very grateful for the year 2008. It’s a transitional year for me. I really think that I’ve grown this year, and I’m entirely grateful to the Lord and to my loved ones for helping me reach this state I’m in right now.

I face 2009 with an optimism and an excitement that I haven’t felt in a long while. I feel that I am at a cusp of something big. Maybe 2009 will hold the future for me. Maybe it’s gonna be another transitional year for me, either way, you bet I’m gonna hang on tight and enjoy the ride.

I hope you guys feel the same way about the coming new year. =)

Have a blessed Christmas and a great great New Year!

 

The Many Stories of Love

Love encompasses all.

Today I saw my co-worker bring his 3-year old son to work. Today is his last day at work, and on the 24th he’ll be flying off to Singapore to try his luck at getting a job there. He’ll be leaving behind his son with his family as he pursues his career there. I could see in his eyes how much he’ll miss his son. He looks at his little boy with so much pride and joy and bittersweet nostalgia, too. He tells stories of how his son would follow him around everywhere he went, imitating his every move, every mannerism. Being a single dad, I bet going to the airport on the 24th will be one of the most difficult moments of his entire life. The Love is there, the admiration mutual.

My parents have been together for more than 30 years. They’ve gone through so many hardships and trials together. They’ve been wrongfully judged, but their love remains steadfast. Last Tuesday, they had a big argument. Hurtful words were exchanged, but they worked things out in the end. Yesterday, Daddy bought Mommy three dozen red roses. And tonight, they’ll be having a romantic dinner, just the two of them. Mommy was preparing for today as if it was their first date. =) I couldn’t stop smiling giddily along with her. Love survived after all the years of togetherness.

My sister broke up with her boyfriend last year, after 7 years together. This week, she found out something that was disturbing. Her first thought was to contact and talk to him. Despite the angry words that passed between the two of them, she still found comfort in him. Romantic Love was lost, but Love still exists. A more honest, platonic love, and in some ways, a deeper kind of Love.

Girl meets Boy. Friendship blossoms. Drama complicates things. Boy and Girl drift apart. Boy and Girl fall in love. Drama complicates things. Boy and Girl drift apart. Boy and Girl can’t let go. Boy and Girl get together. Drama complicates things. Boy and Girl hang on to their Love. It’s a new Love that is blossoming, both parties are still trimming, grooming to make it bloom beautifully, but they are getting there. Their Love keeps them strong. Their friendship makes it easy. Their Love is beautiful. Life is beautiful.

Love doesn’t have to be clear-cut and reminiscent of a fairytale. As Sharkboy once told me, sometimes challenges and setbacks make Love all the more worth fighting for. I’m not saying I’m an expert in matters of the heart. But I’m having fun feeling my way through it. And I’m glad I have someone who’s willing to be patiently by my side while I learn to Love selflessly and completely.

So this is for you. =)

 

Sssssh…

Don’t tell wordpress, but I’m kinda missing my LJ blog. Hihihihihihi.

——

Hmmm. Anyway. It’s been a hectic week this week. No wait. It’s been a hectic month. This January, I don’t think we had a weekend without a gathering at home. Our house was the venue for one gathering after another, which ended with Enzo’s 13th (whole-day) bash.

Take note: we don’t have helpers, so daddy and mommy did all the cooking, cleaning and everything! Ate, Enzo and I helped with some of the simple tasks. Hehe. I am really amazed at my mom’s ability to multi-task! Whew!

Work has picked up gradually as the month progressed. I’m really settling into my tasks here. Sometimes, I miss coming up with ad concepts so when I’m asked to do something like that, I get really excited. But I’m generally writing articles, press releases, updates, while scheduling my own interviews, trips, etc. An AE and writer’s job rolled into one. In a weird way, I’m actually enjoying it.

My lomo love has reached new heights! Thanks to Mike’s contacts from work, I get to HOARD film and discover new techniques in taking photos. Woohoo. =) Happy. =)

I can’t wait to go out of town for a photo shoot. I’m terribly disappointed that the Barx didn’t go through with our scheduled Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Trip to Clark. =( Would have been really fun. Oh well, beach nalang tayo, guys!

Found a really cheap underwater camera for Mike. We’re so psyched to use it!

Toy Camera Scoreboard: Mike = 3; Tanya = 2. Hehe.

<sidenote rant>     I hate people who sneer at Lomo and say, “Oh, the Lomo Thing? That’s so uso now, everybody’s doing it na. Why don’t you just use digicam and Photoshop?” Eh. Yes, it’s popular. No, you can’t. Cause the unexpected results of film is part of the fun. And I also hate the Kewl Lomo Guyz who think they’re the shitness n’ stuff just ’cause they carry around a plastic camera. Honestly, some guys just do it for porma and pa-cute. D-U-H. That is so not it.     <end of sidenote rant which didn’t turn out to be a sidenote after all.>

Watched P.S. I Love You last weekend. Gerard Butler is such a hot Irishman! Hihi. I can’t get over his voice. I always expect him to go 300 on us. Haha.

I can’t believe Federer lost to Djokovic and I didn’t even write an entry about it. When I heard the news from daddy, it felt like Heath Ledger all over again. Really. I was that incredulous. Hmm. Good thing Djokovic won the title, and that I like him because of his silly and spot-on impressions of Rafa, Sharapova, and Roddick. Hehe. And, yeah, YEY for Sharapova! I loved watching her match against Ivanovic. Parang beauty pageant. Hahahaha. But seriously, they’re both good. =) Can’t wait for Ivanovic to develop her skills. =)

Notice how I ramble when I’m trying to escape writing a boring real estate news article? *sigh*

Back to work!