When My Green Lantern Lit Up the Night Sky

     On February 24, Carlo and I were set to climb Mt. Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas as our post-Valentine date. I'm not saying that we didn't celebrate Valentine's Day. He actually surprised me with a romantic lunch at 12am on February 14 (don't get confused - we were on the night shift). Our Mt. Maculot adventure would be our main Valentine celebration and the ultimate test of our relationship, so to speak. Anyway, that's another story coming up on this blog soon. We gladly, and without hesitation, agreed to postpone our climb until Sunday, February 26, to experience lighting a sky lantern on the campus of UP Diliman with his equally adventure-loving sister, Marga.

     The event was Light UP: lighting of sky lanterns, organized by the UP Circle of Entrepreneurs. It was the magnificent finale of the Grandevour Food Bazaar that ran from February 23-24 at the AS parking lot. The actual lighting of sky lanterns was set at 10pm on February 24.

     We planned to go to UP earlier, at around 6pm, to take pictures as we roam around the campus. It was a very lazy Friday (Carlo and I were on paid vacation leave that day), so we didn't get there until 8pm. Missing the glorious sunset at UP was a bitter consequence of our laziness.

     When we got there, the Run Burger Run Challenge was over. Contrary to what we're expecting, there were not too many people at the venue. Luckily, the food bazaar was still on-going. We headed straight to the food booths and checked what's available. Our choice: Shawarma rice. While we were happily eating away our dinner, we were entertained by participants in the Pik-a Pik-up Line Battle who threw cheesy pick-up lines at a pretty girl. Though we had a hard time hearing what they were saying, it was fun seeing them looking clueless and "torpe".

     After heartily consuming our Shawarma rice, we took pictures as we strolled towards the Sunken Garden where the sky lantern event took place. We happily spent our waiting time taking pictures of ourselves and of the passing vehicles. When we got tired of it, we just resorted to people-watching.

     Finally, the moment we've been waiting for came. One of the organizers instructed us to go to the Sunken Garden grandstand to claim our sky lanterns, which cost 70 pesos each. Of course, my choice was a green one. It was red for Carlo and yellow for Marga.

     What came next was magical. Amidst the darkness were burning candles planted on the ground facing the grandstand. The candles were to be used to light the lanterns. When everyone was ready, we  were summoned to the open ground. The three of us had to share a single candle. Marga was the first one to light her lantern. Probably because of too much excitement , she forgot to make a wish. So when it was my turn, both of us said our wishes by heart before letting go of my lantern. The moment we let go, the other participants also cheered and clapped their hands with us. Seeing my lantern fly towards the night sky to join the other lanterns was overwhelming. Lanterns of different colors lit up the night sky. Everybody was cheering and clapping and jumping for joy. It was a magical experience for all of us.  


     What did I wish for? I actually had two wishes. My lantern reached the heavens, so I'm positive that my dreams will come true someday. 

Greatest Love of All: Remembering Whitney Houston (Aug 9, 1963 - Feb 11, 2012)

   


     Having no time and effort to watch or read the news, Facebook proved useful in delivering the shocking news of Whitney Houston's sudden death. She died of unknown and undisclosed reason at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on February 11, 2012, just a day before the 54th Grammy Awards. The stage was then set to give tribute to this legendary artist with one of the great voices the world has ever known.

     When I was a little girl, during my elementary days, I remember singing Whitney's Greatest Love of All in front of the class. And I did this more than twice. Those were the days when I still could sing pretty well, I guess. It's my favorite piece at that time.

     This song empowers us, teaches us that all we need is love. It makes us see that in the face of trials, we can survive on our own, that love can really keep us alive. We just have to remember that it all starts with learning to love our self. This may not be as easy as it sounds for some people, but Nothing Is Impossible to the one who BELIEVES.

     Thinking about it now, this song would have helped Whitney in overcoming her self-destructive behavior. It may be too late for her, but for the others who are feeling lost and beaten down, there's still HOPE.

Here's the chorus of this song:

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow

If I fail, if I succeed, at least I'll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can't take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all

Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all inside of me

The greatest love of all

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

Is the greatest love of all

     Whitney, you will not be forgotten. Thank you for your songs that move and empower  today's women. 

a look back at my 2 years at the Y: friends for keeps

February 16, 2010.

Two years ago.

It was my first day at work and I was late. Definitely not my fault. The HR told me to come in at 6pm on that day to attend my orientation. They forgot to tell me that it was also my first day of training and that I should have been there at 8:30am. Sir Ron (who looks like David Archuleta - sooo cute!) interrupted my sleep with his call to ask why I was absent, but ended up apologizing to me for the miscommunication. After our phone conversation, I got up, took a quick shower, slipped into my favorite pair of jeans and black, long-sleeved shirt, and headed to Eastwood --- full of excitement and pride, and with a smile on my face (when was the last time I felt this good going to work?).

Thankfully, I was able to catch up with the day's training, the get-to-know-each-other day. I remember feeling kinda weird as I entered the conference room. On that day, the most important thing happened...I met my very first friends at work:


Ria  - Reserved, sweet, and smart. These were my first impressions of her. She told us she's from Miriam and that she loves poetry and literature. Later on, I found out she's also into outdoor adventures and indie music. Ria is really intelligent. She taught me a lot about indie films, indie music, mountaineering, and many other cool stuff to do and places to go to. The best place she shared with me --- Mogwai! She's a great writer, too. You may visit her blog at www.rushmorebelle.blogspot.com and learn about her cool adventures!

Apple - Outspoken, petite, mataray. At first I wasn't sure if we're gonna hit it off as friends 'coz laging nakataas ang kilay nya. Then I learned that she's already a mom like me, so I felt closer to her instantly. I love her fashion sense - she can be sexy and fierce today and then turn into a rocker chick tomorrow. Apple is definitely a very practical person, smart, funny, sexy, and oozing with confidence. I love her micro dresses and sexy shoes! :)

Pepe - A big guy with a big heart. We all love him dearly. He may look intimidating, but he's really sweet and very thoughtful. He takes care of us like his little sisters. In those days when music players were still allowed, we listened to his playlist: Club / House Music. Pepe is a born leader and a friend to all. If you need some motivation, talk to him. He never fails to lift my spirits up :)  Congrats, Pepe!

So, it was the four of us who became the February 2010 batch of new QAs for the Print Department. Our training days were filled with fun and discovery. We helped each other all throughout, and we passed the training. We were so thrilled after learning that our TL would be Ms. Maren --- the coolest, prettiest, and super bait TL ever!

Wow, how I miss those days when everything was still bright and colorful. Sadly, some good things never last. This time it's painfully true.

Though a bit sad for the battles we lost, I'm still very thankful for the friendships I made here. I learned a lot, the hard way. WE all did.

On my 2nd anniversary, which happened just a few days ago, I wasn't too happy. It was not a time for celebration. After thinking hard about it, those two years could have been better for all of us. Still, I'm thankful for the opportunity, for the new skills I learned, and most especially, for the people who made this journey worthy to treasure as long as I live.

These pictures remind me that, well, there's still a lot of things to be happy about. I love these guys. Some of them we miss so much...

This "Girl From Hell" Needs Help

     I'm having this bad PMS (again!), and believe me, I break someone's heart every month because of this. When this curse takes over me, I turn into a witch bitch and ruin someone's life, and then feel sorry afterwards. To be honest, there were a few very bad decisions that I've made on impulse (courtesy of my raging hormones), which, when I think about it now, caused my life to be a bit messy.

     Imagine this happening every month. If you're the unlucky one who is the object of my outbursts and endless drama, even if you know I'm just having my period, you wouldn't put up with me for long. I wouldn't put up with me, too.


     My diagnosis:

             Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

     According to Mr. Wiki, Women with PMDD suffers from anger, anxiety and depression. Other symptoms, which can be disabling, include:

• feelings of deep sadness or despair
• feelings of intense tension or anxiety
• increased intense sensitivity to rejection or criticism
• rapid and severe mood swings
• bouts of uncontrollable crying
• lasting irritability or anger
• increased interpersonal conflicts (sufferers are unaware of the impact they have on people close to them)
• disinterest in daily activities and relationships
• chronic fatigue
• insomnia or hypersomnia
• increased need for emotional closeness

     It's not that I'm using this to rationalize my regular tendency to ruin my life and those dearest to me. I know what's wrong, but I can't control what I'm feeling, saying, and doing when I'm having my period (this usually happens a week before my period starts).  Little Red Riding Hood turns into the Bad Wolf.


Treatment


     Desperately looking for a cure, I stumbled upon some articles and online forums about women suffering from PMDD. The good news is, there are ways to treat this or alleviate its effects, such as:

• regular exercise
• balanced diet
• vitamin B6
• some SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (a form of antidepressant)
• birth control pills
• acupuncture
• homeopathic treatment

LOVE is Always the Best Cure


     But for me, the best cure is lots of TLC! More love, extra care, and lots and lots of understanding and attention.

     Loving a woman with PMDD may be hard. But if you love her dearly,  then it's no big thing.

Shower her with all the love and attention and understanding she needs. 

Never ignore her. That will just drive her away. 

Hug her and tell her it's okay, it will pass.

Let her cry if she wants to, for whatever reason. 

Buy her favorite ice cream and chocolates (Choco Almond Fudge, Coffee Crumble, Kisses with Almonds).

Don't let her walk out the door. You'll never know what she's capable of doing.

Listen to her outbursts. She's just feeling down at the moment. 

Always forgive her afterwards. She doesn't mean to hurt you. 

Don't let her do anything stupid, something that will ruin her life, or yours.

Ask her out on a date, watch a movie or something.

Sing to her.

Cook her favorite meal. 

Give her lots of kisses.

Tell her you love her every 10 minutes. 

This list is endless! But you know where it's going... this Girl From Hell needs your help.





Images are from Google

Tick Tock

It's time to stop fearing adulthood

and the heavy burdens that come with it.

Time to accept that the person you relied on your whole life 

will be taken away from you one day

And there's nothing you can do to stop it.

The best thing to do now is to not let any more precious time 

and opportunities slip away

Or it will all be too late.

Let go of all fears

and spread out your wings.

You can't stop yourself from growing up

However hard you fight it.

Now is the time to take the reins.

Never disappoint those who rely on you

This will give you the strength and courage you need

To go on and to continue living. 

It's not too late now.

It may be, tomorrow.