lanterns

cutie: nay, ang ganda ng lanterns o, bagay dun sa balak nyong bahay kubo
nanay: oo nga noh? sige nga, kunan mo ng picture

wednesday moon

peggy

meet peggy, nemo's new friend :-)

prospective venue

went to our prospective venue for louraine's 18 birthday party. here are some shots -

day off at Quiapo

It was my day off yesterday, so I tagged along with Nanay to buy a pair of speakers for our TV.

Backtrack:
Lola was in panic mode the other night upon discovering that the TV emits no sound, pano na ang mga telenovela??? We called up Mang Nato, our friendly neighborhood technician, and found out the the speakers were already busted.

So off we go to Manila. We only commuted since Nanay had anticipated heavy traffic along the south super hi way. We left the house at minutes past 2 PM. We took the Lawton bound bus and got off at Buendia. Then we took the LRT and got off at Carriedo. Travel time from pacita to carriedo: a little over an hour.

When we got down from the LRT Carredo station, we asked for directions on going to Raon from a lady in a nearby store. She gave out instructions to turn left on the next corner and so and so forth. Before reaching our destination, which is Raon, a few steps away from where we were, we chanced upon a hardware store that sells speakers of all sizes. We found what we were looking for on that store and was able to buy two speakers fro 500 pesos. The saleslady gave us a 20 pesos discount, so it was down to 480.

Since Quiapo was just nearby, we decided to go there. We passed along through a congested pathway. The trail was crowded with stalls mostly selling fake VCDs. Nanay stopped at one stall that is playing a part of the Stairway to Heaven on a TV. Ang Nanay, wala talagang patawad, natiis ang init ng araw sa ilalim ng Quiapo just to watch an excerpt of the said chinovela. At the end of the trail is the Quiapo church. Nanay was particularly hunting for a shawl (cotton fabric that could substitute for a jacket) so we went to where the muslim stuffs are sold. We didn't find any, but we bought a few items along the way;

Lanzones - nanay's ultimate favorite
Strawberries - pasalubong for louraine
Lola's medicine - bought at the mercury drugstore, the one with the giant screen along Quiapo
Baby talong - the smallest talong I've seen, masarap daw igulay yun, sabi ni nanay.
Another vegetable - green leafy vegetable which name I don't know
Curtains - 6 pieces, each one sells for 50 pesos
Cassava cake - 1 slice only
Hair Doctor comb - the fake one that sells for 20 pesos

See? All the while I thought it was only the speakers, but we ended up having bought some "few" items.

After the shopping spree at Quiapo, we looked for a placed to eat. I suggested SM Manila. Nanay lead the way to SM Manila, but it was not the SM Manila I meant. It was the SM Manila at Sta. Cruz. Some blooper. So off we head to the LRT and got down at the Central Station. That time, my shoulders are aching with the weight of our "few" items, all contained in a red and white striped plastic bag.

We had our dinner at Kitaro. It was my first time to eat there. The menu was more like of Tokyo Tokyo. Dinner was on me, since Nanay had already spent her money on the "few" items.

We deposited our "few" items at the baggage counter and headed to department store to buy another "few" items. Nanay bought her usual toiletries; shampoo, lotion, etc. I bought three pairs of foot sack. We then went to Girbaud to buy Jaene a wallet.

Backtrack:
Jaene: Ate, balita ko ibinili mo daw ng wallet si big brother a.
Cutie: Oo, at ang mahal ng bili ko dun, sana ingatan nya
Jaene: (pulled out her wallet) ito ngang wallet ko o, luma na nga e
Cutie: (got the cue) e di ibibili din kita

Nanay chose the design. I saw a brown sling bag, tried it on, looked at my reflection at the mirror, and liked what I saw. Another 2 items added to our "few" items.

Imagine what we looked like on our way home. We were like Christmas trees, the "few" items dangling left and right.

Walked our way to the bus terminal; it was in Park and Ride, a few meters away from SM.

We reached home at past 8PM.

sleepy sleepy sunday

sleepy
lazy
reached out
got irritated
a few minutes after...
doing okay
back to being sleepy

mahal

Mahal,

Umiiyak ka daw nung huli kang dumalaw.

Hindi na natapos ang mga pagluha natin. Kung makikita mo lamang sana ang aming paghihinagpis.

Nagsimba kami nina toyang at menggay nung isang linggo. Bulong sa akin ni menggay, banggitin ko daw palagi ang pangalan mo sa tuwing ako ay magdadasal. Iyon naman ang lagi kong ginagawa. Kung makikita mo lamang sana ang mga mata nina menggay at toyang, namumula sa pagpatak ng luha.

Bakit kailangan ka pang makipagtikisan? Alam mo naman na bukas palad kang tatanggapin.

Hanggang kailang tayo iiyak?

Sana ay bumalik ka na.

on valentine's day

I spent the day at Dodan's house. No, not because today's Valentine's Day, it's his birthday, that's why I came. I was actually half hearted at first, since he might have some visitors. But when he texted me that no one's in the house, I decided to go anyway. I did not bring anything except for the CD he requested and the sheep (the one from McDo). We've had spaghetti and fried chicken for lunch. Watched two VCDs, Along Came Polly and The Incredibles. His mom ordered for pizzas from Yellow Cab. That was our dinner. We left at 7:30, and caught a bus at EDSA.

While on the bus, his cell phone rang, it was his Kuya. Later, after their conversation, he told me that there had been 3 buses that exploded at EDSA below the MRT Ayala station. We were almost at Pasay Road that time, a few meters away from where the explosion happened. I asked him, "pag namatay ba ako, iiyak ka"-sort-of-questions, and he asked the same.

We got down at Pasay Road since the traffic was moving slowly. There were lots of people in the streets, mga usisero at usisera. I told Dodan if we could take a peek, just to see what it's like. He refused, "baka biglang sumabog ulit, mapahamak pa tayo, ano ka ba!".

Just when we were walking along the ayala center premises, nanay texted saying she'd see me in front of SM. I texted her immediately that that part of EDSA is impassable because of the explosions. After a few minutes, she replied back saying that she'd meet me at Park Square 1 instead. Ang lakas talaga ng radar ng Nanay ko, I thought. She was able to avoid the horrible traffic in an instant!

While on our way to Park Square 1, we chanced upon a rose vendor. I thought I'd buy Nanay and Lola since it was Valentine's Day. Just when I learned that a stem costs 30 pesos, I instantly changed my mind. Sobrang laki ng patong, ha! Dodan paid for the roses instead.

Nanay was already there when I reached the terminal at the Park Square 1, and then, Dodan and I parted ways.

While on our way home, I was trying to reflect on what just happened. What if's came in my mind. What if Nanay did not bring the car that day? She could have been one of those who got stuck in traffic, or heaven forbid, one of those who got injured. What if Dodan and I did not wait for the pizza, what if we decided to leave their house earlier? Here's another confirmation that God is really good. I really have a lot of things to be thankful of, and too little to complain about.

Lots of Hugs and Kisses

What's in a name

Inside the church, sitted down, waiting for our turn for the "healing" (where the Priest dabs oil in the forehead and the hands), while looking at the image of OUr Lady of Immaculate Concepcion, Nanay once again mentioned that my name should have been "Nerissa Lourdes" or "Maria Lourdes", since my birthday fell on the feast of Our Lady Of Lourdes. And that my nickname, Ricci, was given to me by Tita Aida, my father's youngest sister. Ricci, as if like in Ritchie Rich, para daw maging "rich" kami, Nanay recalled. But the spelling was from the perfume Nina Ricci, para daw sosyal.

Until now, I still don't feel my name. I don't know, I still feel weird when people call me Nerissa. Most of my friends call me ricci, my officemates neri, to some chi. Nerissa, people calling me by such were my teachers, professors, bosses, new acquaintances. Maybe I haven't gotten used to it. Or maybe, it's the weirdness in me...

NOTE: I got these at http://typogenerator.net, © 2004 by ladyK

Silver

It's my birthday today. I'm now a quarter of a century. Silver girl, so to speak.

I attended a "healing mass" this morning. It was my first time to attend such mass. I was with Nanay and Lola. After the mass, Nanay and I fetched Louraine at her dormitory. Lourain bought me a cake - my favorite, chocolate mouse. Awww.. ang sweet ng sister ko. We we're back in less than two hours. Nanay gave me money to buy ice cream.

That's it, nothing special, really. Aside from the fact that I still can't grasp that I'm 25 years old already. I don't feel like one.

Kuya Jun and Ate Sheila's Wedding

I went to Ate Sheila's (my cousin) wedding yesterday. I was not able to witness the wedding rites since the only people allowed are the ones who are "endowed". Nevertheless, I still had a great time with them.

Congratulations to the newly weds, Ate sheila and Kuya Jun!

well-Wisher

the very first birthday message I received through txt:

LUALHATI
ADVANCE HAPPY
B DAY WE LOVE U
WE R PROUND
WHAT U R NOW
JUST KEP T UP
MORE POWER
BLEESED U
ALWAYS TANX 4
EVERY THING U
CARE 4 US WE
LOV U ALWAYS @

Sender:
MyQueen
+63910.......

Sent:
06:19:16
10-02-2005

pengs

on a sleepy lazy monday afternoon

penguins

i spent the day yesterday with the penguins. the day before, dodan asked me thru YM if i wanted to see real penguins. i replied yes. i love to watch the penguins on the national geographic channel. they always fascinate me, especially the way they walk :) just watching the penguins on tv really amuses me, and what more to see a real one face to face!

dodan and i met at robinson's place first and had lunch. afterwards, we took a jeepney going to harisson plaza. the penguins are located at the annex building. the entrance fee costs 120, 80 pesos for children 4 feet and below. the venue is not what we expected. according to dodan, parang perya ang ambiance. i was expecting to see many penguins, like 50. but when we reached inside, there were only 6 of them. they were smaller than i expected; a little over 1 and half feet only. i can't tell if they're happy or sad, well-fed or under nourished, but i think they're not having a bad time, though. we stood there for almost 3 hours, just watched them walk, swim, paddle and eat.

after seeing the penguins, i suggested we go to the intramuros, in the wow philippines area. the place was not as festive compared to the last time nanay and i went there. it was a year ago. no live bands, less people hanging around (i expected lots of people since it was a saturday), less noise...

i got home at past 8pm, tired but happy.

forbidden indulgence

it's been a week already, but I still feel like it's just been a while...

it's as if I could still feel the sand under my feet, the cool morning breeze bathing us, the pale blue sky above, the sound of the sea, your warm body next to mine. How I love to recall the way we slow danced in the sea that morning, the sound of your voice singing as we danced. i savored the moment.

I wish I could keep everything in a box, in a treasure box. I'd like to keep everything in tact, the sea, the sky, the sand, you.

I may not have a good memory, but this treasure will always remain entirely complete in my heart.

kezra

i met someone new today. her name is kezra. it's actually longer, something like kezra iliana marie, im not sure of the spelling, though.

congratulations to mommy greysi and papa kim for another cutee baby gurl!