Ladies Day Out

It took a while for me to befriend my flatmates in Boon Lay. I was the youngest in the house and at first I felt alienated. But during my last week there, I've finally warmed up to everybody and now I miss my big sisters, because I don't have any real ones since I'm the eldest among the siblings in the family. Now I know why our youngest never would want to trade places with me.

Ate Imee (my closest roommate) and I

Ate J.Lo, Ate Dolly, and Ate Imee. Whenever Ate J.Lo sings, instead of requesting for a showdown, people want a shutdown.



We went to the Merlion area in Suntec and saw this newlywed couple walking past.



It made me want to jump off the bridge. But I remembered my promise to my father.



My immediate future part 1



My immediate future part 2. This is the construction site of the Marina Bay integrated resort where I'll be working.



Merlion


Other side of the bridge



I love nature. Yup.



Merlion, closer.

Keep Holding On

I will never give up because I love you.

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know
I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
no I won't give in

Keep holdin' on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make
it through
Just, stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm
here for you
There's nothing you can say (nothin' you can say)
Nothing
you can do (nothin' you can do)
there's no other way when it comes to the
truth
So, keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late
This could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side
I will fight and defend
(ah ah)
I'll fight and defend (ah ah) yeah yeah

Keep holdin' on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just,
stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you can say
Nothing you can say
Nothing you can do
nothing you can do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through

We'll
make it through

Hear me when I say
When I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change
Nothing's gonna change trust in me
Whatever's
meant to be
Will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah....

La da da da, la da da da da
La da da da da da da da da

Keep
holdin' on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you can say
nothing you can say
Nothing you can do
nothing you can do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make
it through

Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh
Keep holdin' on
Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh
Keep holdin' on
There's nothing you could say
Nothing
you could say
nothin you could do
nothing you could do
There's no
other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
'Cause you know
we'll make it through
We'll make it through

Photo op

Me: Okay picture, picture!

Me: For the sake of this picture please pretend that you love each other very much.

Sumunod naman haha:)

But the truth is...

Atik lang Pao. :)

Home

This is one of the reasons I miss home, because I could just anyhow do this.

too late

*click image to enlarge*

Ha. This email came 6 months too late! I know I started out my job hunting roughly in January, and it had been a major distraction in my studies. When I replied to the job ad for this company, I was really hoping for them to want me back. I'd often checked my email to see if they'd already contacted me. But no. After months of waiting, I thought my application had plunged to the abyss and resigned myself to the fact that I'll probably never hear from them again.

I emailed them back and told them I've already been hired by another company working on the same project. (I got the job last March).

And most probably, the others on the mailing list have landed themselves jobs in other companies too. Most of the people I know in my cohort (at least those who attend the lectures), are already working now, or waiting for the employment pass to get approved so they could start work (like me). I don't think it was a smart move for this company to start the recruitment process only after graduation, when their rival companies have already been actively hiring since February (during the job fair in NUS) or even before that. And of course, final year students would want to secure a job as soon as possible, even if they plan to maybe travel first, because they usually have the option to defer the start work date.

Well, all the best in their recruitment process.

Everlasting

Thoughts while on the MRT yesterday (yes, I wrote it down on the back page of the booklet Chin gave me for CG):

God is so good. Everything really has a purpose. I'm glad I'm listening to that voice within me that says I don't have to worry, that everything is in control. God has already planned all my life's events even before I came to existence. I had been very anxious about tomorrow and days after that, such that I burden my present with worries that would soon prove themselves to be unfounded. God is so amazing, His timing is always perfect. I was in the Philippines at that time I was there because God knows that's what I needed, and even though I had been complaining about being in Singapore right now without nothing much to do and being lonely, I am here right now so I could attend dance practices for the Youth Day and give glory to Him on the actual day we will be performing.

Probably, my employment pass is taking so long to get approved so that I will decide to finally defer my work start date altogether to be with my family from July 10th-17th and have a fun-filled vacation with them.

****

Only God knows how much I am hurting these past few days, and I don't even know the reason why this is happening. Have I done something wrong? But if this hurt is what it takes to make me fully surrender myself to God, to finally make a decision to give Him my full trust and ignite the desire to serve Him, then I thank God for this pain. This too shall pass, and I know God will never leave me nor forsake me no matter what happens. And I mean, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.

In life, God had gven me victories over my struggles, and I had not been grateful enough to bring back the glory to Him. Now in times of great despair, let my lips praise you Lord, for it is during these times that I feel your presence the most. I love you Lord, and thank you for everything you've done in my life.

***

Though I may not undertsand all the plans you have for me
My life is in your hands
And through the eyes of faith I can clearly see
God is good all the time.

-Don Moen

Chase

I think everybody who knows me or reads my blog or has recently talked to me is aware that my current goal in life is to get that much-coveted US visa and to save for a plane fare to fly there. Since I came back from the US last summer, I've devised schemes and such on how to get back there as soon as possible. I've landed that Florida internship, and I was supposed to start this coming July 20th, but due to circumstances (read: money not enough) I had to decline it. Then came Plan B. And now we (yes, WE) have Plan C.

Sometimes I'd bitterly think of the if-only's. If only my family's one of those affluent ones that could afford US vacations and thus have no problem getting tourist visas for each family member. Or, if only I am a Singaporean citizen then I'd have the privilege of taking advantage of the visa waiver program, which doesn't require a visa to go to the US (terms and conditions apply of course). And if only the fiancee visa wouldn't take so damn long to process.

On the bright side, I am already a graduate (or soon to be, but I'm 100% done with my tertiary education anyway - just waiting for the ceremony itself). I am not bonded in Singapore or anywhere else. I am now free to go wherever I want to. I just need to acquire the resources I need to make my dreams into a realization. I have this main tool - my upcoming job that would let me earn and save money and make it happen.

Even though all this planning and struggling gave me more than enough headaches and frustrations, I still am going for it with more gusto now more than ever. I know every heartache has a purpose, because God is in control of everything and does not waste resources - even my tears. I know every single drop will be worth it, and everything will all come together beautifully in His appointed time.

I really pray for guidance everyday, because I am the type of person who finds herself letting her emotions reign more than her logic, and more often than not it's when it's already too late. And I also pray for wisdom to guide my decisions, and the strength to live with my choices.

I am here, ready to chase after my dreams again; but Lord, let your will be done in my life.

365 and 1/4 days of MKandSandslobness

I know between the two of us, he is the poet. But I'll try okay. :)

One year ago was the beginning of forever
Nothing in this world, I learned, we cannot weather.
Even 9543 miles nor days apart could not tear us
Years only enrich the love that we share.
Each and every moment of my waking hour
And as my heart beats, I always go about
Reminiscing and hoping for us to soon be together.

***

I'm a huge fan of Ala Paredes, her blog, and her artwork. And it just happens I could really relate to this too. I wish I could have the full version of this but I think she's particular about copyright stuff (of course she should be), so I only managed to get this without the watermark. If it's too small, the words read "What does it all mean without you?". I think that's her, looking over Sydney, where her family just migrated. For Valentine's Day, she sent a snail mail to the Philippines.

***

Right now my laptop sits on the same table where my house mate has hers, and she's talking to the other half of their long-distance love affair. Bits and pieces of petty fights, I-miss-you's, and other ingredients that make up a long-distance love chat cannot escape my ears. It'll only be 2 weeks of waiting left, and they will be together. I wish I could say the same thing about me.

But I know it has to be this way for now. I've finally learned to summon that elusive inner peace and surrendered this matter to God, because the more I struggle to have my own way, the deeper I get sucked into the pool of misery I'd almost been drowning in. It's time to trust again, and to keep on believing, because God does make all things beautiful in His time.

***

Bikoy, I know I tell you every day, but I'll tell you again. I love you. I first loved you the day I told myself I didn't. But love works in mysterious ways, and I am very grateful I can freely tell myself and the rest of the world that I love you, John Everett Fisher. I love you now, and I will always love you until my earthly body ceases to be. I will still love you even after that, because surely a love this strong can find a way how.

Happy first year anniversary mahal ko, and I know we will have a gazillion more to come. :)

Stolen Pic

I stole this picture from his mom's Facebook. I couldn't help it.

Let's Go Kayaking

NOTE: BY the way I'm not going anymore. We have dance practice that day for the Youth Day at church this July. So for anybody who's interested na lang. :)

***

I was looking around campus for announcements on summer events, since right now I am a summer bum and I would like to live up the name. Hey who wants to join me on the 28th???:) Actually I half-signed up already and the girl asked me if I'm bringing any friends along. I haven't replied back. So how? KAYAK what, watersports, so fun can??? By the way there's a $25 fee. If nobody comes I'll still go to fix my current anti-social self. But hey having friends around would be tons, tons more fun!!!!

***

The King Edward VII Hall of National University of Singapore presents, Kayaking Orientation Programme! Ever wanted to kayak but did not have the chance to? Come join us at Kallang River on the 28th June 2008 for a one helluva fun kayaking trip!

The journey will be 4 hours long, kayaking from the Kallang Sea Sports Club to the Singapore Flyer! No experience is needed, no 1 Star qualification is needed, just you and your friends!

If you have any questions or are keen to sign up, please contact Shu Yi at 9773 9296, or leave your contact here and we'll get back to you!

So see you there!!

metalmouth no more

Photos taken at my house on the day I had my braces removed after 6 loooooong years.

(My dentist is in the Philippines, and I'm based in Singapore. I'm supposed to visit her every month, but I only get to see her on summer vacations and Christmas holidays, that's why.)

Still, my braces were prematurely removed because we still haven't achieved the desired results - my upper and lower teeth are still not properly aligned. I need to wear a rubber mouthpiece every night for 2 years so I won't be babalu, and maybe when I've saved enough I'll have my teeth fixed again.

Thank you parents for my braces.

I've been begging them for me to have braces since I was 10 (I guess). All the coolest kids in school have braces. It's a status symbol in the Philippines but we couldn't afford it then. I finally had mine when I was 16, because my sister needed them due to some mildly serious jaw problem. If they were going to let my sister have them, they should let me have too coz I was asking them for the longest time. Haha. And of course my teeth really were crooked and crowded plus my canine teeth were protruding, and I always had to cover my mouth when I laughed. I even resorted to going to a cheapo quack dentist who removed two of my upper molars, so when my mother finally brought me to a real orthodontist, she really had a difficult time with my case.

Anyhoo, all that's changed now. Smile!

Tagged

A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs & replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

B) Tag 7 people to do this quiz & those who are tagged cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by & cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by.
Continue this game by sending it to other people.

(I was tagged by Jeslaine.)

If your lover betrayed you, what would ur reaction be?
I think no pain in this world can equal this.

If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
my ever ever after♥ (also Jeslaine's answer)

What will your dream wedding be like?
The set-up doesn't really matter as long as I'm marrying John.

Are you confused of what lies ahead of you?
Yes. There are so many uncertainties. I hate uncertainties. But through this I think God is teaching me to be more patient and to always trust in Him.

What's your ideal lover like?
Last time I've listed out physical characteristics, but when a person comes to your life for that certain purpose, you'd be surprised to find that you don't really care about that list anymore.
(This is only because I never thought I'd ever be with a Caucasian. But now I think my boyfriend is the most good-looking one in the whole universe.)

But anyway, I'd like somebody who has faith and fears God, loves his own family like I do mine, and shares my dream of having a family of our own someday.

And well, the usual stuff - romantic, caring, understanding, can make me laugh, etc.

Do you have a person you wish you will be with now?
John Everett Fisher.

Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Equally blessed.

How long do you intend to wait for someone you love?
Until God says it's time to let go. (same as Missy's answer)

If the person you secretly liked is already attached, what would you do?
Make a gayuma and hope it works. Chaka.

Is there anything that makes you unhappy these days?
Being away from the most important people in my life.

Is being tagged fun?
Ya. I am so bored and free that's why I'm doing this.

Who are currently the most important people to you?
God, my family, my friends, and of course John.

What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
I've never met Jeslaine in person but I've seen her pictures and read her blog and I know she's a beautiful person inside and out.

Would you rather be single and rich, or married but poor?
I've come to realize that having material things would never ever bring you true happiness nor satisfy you if it's not shared with someone who's of utmost importance to you.

I'd rather be married to the right person and be poor than be single and rich.

Would you give all in a relationship?
Yes, I always do. And that's the problem, coz I did that even to people who didn't deserve it. Now I'm very happy I found someone who does.

If you fall in love with two person simultaneously, who would you pick?
The one who truly loves me back.

describe an ideal date.
hiking the grand canyon again. or snorkeling at the bahamas haha. anyway it would have to be outdoors, not in a fancy restaurant. stargazing at night, then retiring to our little tent afterwards.

If given the chance to turn back time, will you?
i always thought i would say yes,
but no.
everything that has happened in my life has led up to this point.
everything has made me who i am today,
and i wouldn't change any of that.
there's a reason why God let it all happen. (same as Jeslaine's answer again :)

What is the last thing you would do before you die?
Hug everybody who's important to me, thank them, and tell them I love them.

I'll tag everyone who wants to do this. ;)

happy parents day

I don't know how God does it. Like, does he have an algorithm for designating which baby would belong to which parents? I guess it's pretty common knowledge that there are around 6 billion people in this planet right now, and it's only tonight I've wondered how many people have been born since the dawn of the ages. Well, according to this website, the answer is roughly 106 billion. Wow. 106 billion Grand Plans for every one of those individuals?

Well, however God does it, I'm glad I was born to these folks I've known all my life as Mama and Papa.

***

Thank you for giving me a chance to live, even though I was unexpected. It must have been tough during those days, and choosing to have me must have entailed a lot of sacrifices that I don't even want to imagine. I hope that when you look at me today and see what I have become, it's all worth it.

Thank you for raising me up the best that you could. Thank you for being there for us your children. Thank you for a family that I am very proud of. Thank you that we all get along. Of course no family is perfect, but thank you for all your efforts to gel us together with a strong sense of familial bond, but at the same time not stifling us to conform into whatever ideals and instead letting us find our own niche in this world as individuals.

Thank you for being cool parents. Thank you because we are a family, but we all are friends too, and we are happy to be around each other. I've taken that for granted when I was just a little kid - I thought it was like that for everybody.

Thank you for asking us whether your shoes match your top, or if what you're wearing looks presentable or cool enough. A gesture as simple as that makes us your kids feel important.

Thank you for food, shelter, and clothing - the basic needs according to my first grade teacher. Thank you for our education. Thank you for the little luxuries of life. Thank you for not succumbing to our whines at the grocery store when we were still very small and we wanted to buy flavored candy juice, but you told us it was "walang kwenta". It prepared us to face the harsh realities of the real world that we can't always have what we want, and not all that looks good are good. Thank you, thank you for not making us spoiled brats. Thank you for disciplining us. Thank you for saying sorry and explaining to us why you had to spank our butts. And thank you for not hurting us elsewhere.

Thank you for drawing the fish pond and the ducks for my assignment in Kinder 2. Thank you for taking the time to type out that encylopedia article about lions for my Reading assignment in third grade, when my little hands were not yet trained to use the now obsolete typewriter. Thank you for making my 6th grade valedictory speech. Haha:)

Oh my. I could just go on and on with this list. I do not know how to thank you enough. You've done such a good job as parents, that I hope when I have kids of my own they'd feel the same way about me as I feel about you.

I hope you both know that you are very special and beautiful individuals, and I'm glad God put you here on earth to be my parents. (Super belated) Happy Mother's Day Mama, and Happy Father's Day Papa. I love you so much!

Flying back to Singapore in half an hour

Unless I change my negative attitude, the default feeling is that I'm going to prison.

Why am I feeling this way? Have I become an ingrate? I know I am blessed with a job in Singapore. A new beginning, a shot at a kind of life that many from where I come from could only dream of. Why am I not happy? Why am I not excited?

Maybe my vacation is too short? I haven't felt I've bummed enough at home to compensate for all the hard work that I've expended for my final year in university, and now I'm plunging into another sort of the same stressful environment once again.

I'm scared. I'm not scared that I'd screw up at my new job. I'm scared of loneliness.

Boarding time.

God please be with me and please talk to me. I'll listen.

the wasted trip at the coffee shop post

there are many things i want to say. i didnt have a christmas 2007 blog post. mother's day post. happy birthday dimple post. happy birthday papa post. congratulations for graduating post. now im at a loss for words again.

wasted trip at the coffee shop. im going back to singapore tomorrow. im supposed to start work next week. people compare themselves to me and they think im fortunate. maybe i am but i still feel there's something lacking, and it's no big deal to be me. maybe i should be more grateful. but maybe this is how other people feel too when i compare myself to them, being them really is no big deal too. they say happiness is a choice.

i really don't like uncertainties. right now i think God is teaching me to be patient. to trust Him. he knows I really hate waiting. I hate waiting. i hate waiting. i hate waiting. i hate waiting.

i think He really wants me to learn how to be more patient.

i love my family so much. paolo's off to college. God please always guide him and be with him. my baby brother is no longer a baby anymore. i have very fond memories of when we were still kids. i think im quite protective of him. i think if i were his mom he'd be a spoiled brat. so thank God i'm not his mom. i couldn't ask for a better brother.

i really needed this break. this vacation. this chance to be with my family once again.

i was given the opportunity to have a shot at having a better life, better future. in exchange for being away from my family. i enjoy my freedom, but at times it gets really, really lonely.

anyway. nobody wants this post to be more emo.

see ya.

Happy Birthday MK :)

Happy Birthday mahal ko:) I celebrate this day because it's a reminder of the day God chose for the world to receive a wonderful gift - you. I just want you to know that you've been and you are a blessing to me, and I'm so grateful that I have you in my life. You bring out the best in me and I feel that I have my whole life ahead of me. I am enthused to wake up each day knowing that I have you with me always, even though we're physically apart right now. I look forward to the future, and I see you with me in it. We have so many dreams and we're gonna make all of them come true. I'm so proud of you John.

May God bless you richly and I hope you'll have many more birthdays to come!:) Hopefully next time I'd be there beside you to celebrate it. I'll always be here for you John.

I love you with every morsel of me, always and forever.

New

I already moved.

It's so lonely here.

I am surrounded by people but I feel alone, uprooted.

I am super glad I'm going back home tomorrow.

I don't want to come back here anymore.

:(

pooh

I can't believe someone would steal my Pooh bear stuffed toy :( It is so heartbreaking. I go to sleep with it and hug it every night, and I just washed it this afternoon coz I'm moving and I figured it needs to be washed already. It was the one John surprised me with when we were at the hospital for my hand surgery. :(

I was on the verge of tears while pasting handwritten notices around my residence.

Man, we are all in university already, why would anyone want to steal a stuffed toy??? Pfffftttt!!!!!! I am so pissed :(

Hopefully somebody would take heart and give me back my pooh bear. Walaue no stuffed toy has ever been so precious :(

I've always taken pride that in this residence none of my clothes have ever been lost or stolen when I do my laundry, but on my very last night here, this happens. What the heck?! I don't care if you steal the clothes I bought for myself, but this....it sucks so much. SOOOO MUCH!!!!

peekchoor

My friend Shirlyn commented on my Facebook that at least something good came out of (my) Work and Travel 2007 Grand Canyon experience. That's a severe understatement.

It's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I can't believe this photo is almost one year old!!!

OH MY GOSH MY FIANCE IS SO HANDSOME!!! haha:)

My NUS Application Essay

I am currently packing my stuff, and I found this little treasure from five years ago. I was a bit more idealistic then. Haha:)

***

I was a blue baby, and I survived. I memorized all the planets making up the solar system even before I reached kindergarten. I graduated at the top of my class in kindergarten, became a consistent honor student the following years, and graduated as valedictorian in elementary. I dared to dream of becoming a Philippine Science High School scholar. And barely four months from now, I'd be a Philippine Science High School graduate.

It's nice to know that according to the Special Theory of Relativity, the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frame of reference and that the speed of light is equal to c, independent of the motion of its source. But I also value the things I learn outside the four corners of our classroom.

I value the lessons experiences teach me. I almost drowned when I was still a kid, and now I'm a good swimmer. I had cuts and bruises the first time I rode a bike, but now I take challenges in bike racing. Eventually, I realized that before I could get the roses, I would first be pricked by thorns. I learned that it doesn't always have to be perfect the first time. But as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. I learned that it's okay to cry, but we should not wallow in self-pity. I learned that there would always be people who are wealthier, more intelligent, more good-looking, poorer, dumber, or uglier than the others. But there would never be anyone who is more human or less human than anybody else. In that way we are all equal.

I also learned that I can do anything. I can act, dance, sing, climb a mountain, cook a four-course meal in thirty minutes, do a cartwheel, scuba dive, bake 300 batches of cookies in one afternoon, fly an airplane, tame a ferocious lion, change a busted light bulb, invent a useful gadget, paint a picturesque view and make it seem so real...anything. If I really want to. And I won't hesitate if help or opportunity comes my way.

I can make my country better. I can alleviate hunger and poverty from my beloved country. I can do something to educate my fellow Filipinos. I can serve my country for the benefit of my fellowmen. And I will.

But I've got to study at the National University of Singapore first.

-Korinna G. Espinosa

***

Whew. And now I'm done with NUS. What a journey it has been. :)

Engin Talk

Random strangers hardly ever guess correctly which faculty I am from. When I went up the kitchen to get water, there is this frequent kitchen user who out of the blue talked to me. People in residences like the one I'm staying in rarely take the effort to get to know other people. Yeah I don't know the names of my neighbors if you want to ask. So anyway, when this frequent kitchen user found out I was from civil engineering, he absorbed the information with eyes wide open and his jaw dropped a bit. He's always thought I was from Arts because of how I dress. In my opinion I dress like any normal girl would. Other people would guess I am from Science fac. Anyhoo. Turns out that this frequent kitchen user is my junior after all.

***

People have different reactions and opinions when they find out that my first job fresh out of school would be as a site engineer. Some have been very encouraging, especially Prof Phoon and Tito Mon (Rovin's dad). But there really are other people in the world who have nothing better to say to me.

I promise this is the LAST time I am ever going to mention about my FYP self-imposed supervisor. I recently went back to the lab for the lab clearance, and to give her the CD with the softcopy of my thesis and raw data in it. When I met her she chit-chatted for a bit, so I thought wow, good, we would have a good closure. But now it appears she asked me things so she could throw some more rubbish at me. She was so discouraging - about my pay (which incidentally is the same thing my friend who's graduating with First Class Honours is getting, and I don't even have credentials like that to boast), about the working conditions, about how unsuitable it is for me, stuff like that. The last thing she told me was that she bets I won't last even one month at my new job. Ha!!!! I'll show this woman.

***

Anyway, I am moving out of NUS campus, my home for five years.

I appreciate more now the perks of being here that I've taken for granted. Do you know that I have classmates who never go out of this campus throughout the school term? The very basic things are provided for within reach. Of course if you're a social butterfly that'd be impossible, but engin people are usually, erm, kindaf timid so just being here's all good already.

Cheers to a new house, new life.

There's a Blue Sky Waiting Tomorrow

When I look at the sky and think of John, this is what I see:

I miss you bikoy.

I love you so much.

(super bangag na) math genius

I caught this on the local news one night a long time ago but I found it again on someone else's Multiply page haha:) Todo na itetch.

Cant sleep

I CAN'T SLEEP!!!!

Why did I have to drink coffee and tea tonight? I was just thirsty and that was the first thing I could get my hands to. The coffee. Then after I ate I drank tea for...I don't know why. I've been tossing and turning for about an hour now. Sh*t!!!!!

I wish I could just sleep. Especially when I'm waiting. I hate waiting. Especially when I am waiting for nothing.

I want to sleep.

David vs David, Sue Ellen, and the pretty girl at the bus

Now it's David vs David on American Idol, as many have predicted.

I am rooting for David Cook!

Out of all the performances in AI that I've watched, David Cook's rendition of Always Be My Baby (originally by Mariah Carey) is the most outstanding one. Not really because of the vocals, but it's more of the fact that he took a risk with that song, put a twist there and made it his own - which I honestly like tons better than Mariah's version. It was totally unexpected for me that this girly pop song could be sung like that. I even heard his version on the radio very recently when I was buying drinks at Cheers.



Maybe I'm a little biased too coz his recent song choices are my favorites! Like those songs he sang for the Top 3 night, Dare You to Move and I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing!!! And the first song he sang, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face...never heard of it before but when I heard him sing it I instantly liked it!

The other David, who they now call 'Archie' I think coz of his last name Archuleta...well...he is too erm, babyface, for my liking. I must admit he has undeniable talent in singing though.

In other news, for Pinoy Idol they've already chosen the Top 24 finalists and I really, really like this petite 16-year-old girl Sue Ellen. She's my favorite so far. She's so cute leh, like I want to put her in my bag and carry her everywhere, and when I want some music I could just tell her, "Sing" and she will. She's soooo cute.

Oh and just recently, I witnessed a very unusual thing while riding the bus. There was this teen school girl eating double cheeseburger inside the bus. As in like wow I was shocked, coz you're not supposed to eat inside public transpo here and there's very heavy fine for that, but there's this girl breaking the law for everyone to see! I searched for the no food and drinks sticker but I couldn't find one at that particular bus though. And she was sitting behind the staircase on that double-decker bus so she was totally out of the driver's view. Oh well. And she looked so innocent. And she's so pretty. Nakakatomboy!!! Haha:) She's of mixed parentage obviously. She has black hair but her facial features and built are Western. And I was thinking maybe my kid would look like her. So chio!!!!

love is like a bubblegum

...pag mupilit, makabuang.

When you are in love, most of the time everything seems rosy and happy and bright, the world is such a wonderful place, and you are a walking epitome of the adage that life is beautiful. It's so easy to say "I love you!" and even append that F-word every girl wants to hear - forever. But like how fairy tales are plagued with wicked stepmothers, witches, and dragons, love in the real world as we know it is also challenged from time to time.

What I hold very dear in my definition of true love is the one written in the Bible that says:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8

But when you claim to believe in something, I've heard that you must be prepared to be tested for it. This weekend I was tested to my limits.

Love is patient. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love always trusts. Love always perseveres.

All of these things look so sensible and pretty as words, but try applying it in situations in your life and see if it doesn't break you. But that is the good thing about it, it breaks what needs to be gotten rid off - just like when people prune plants to maintain the health of the plant, or to increase the yield or quality of flowers and fruits.

This had been the biggest storm yet to come our way, but I am proud of our determination to work it out. There may still be a lot more to come, but I hope this experience of overcoming this obstacle would serve as an inspiration for both of us and give us strength and hope in the future when we need it.

To John, I love you so much. I know our love can conquer anything. Happy 11th monthsary!

:(

Wanted

Mukhang nangangailangan talaga sila.

Thank you God!!!

FYP oral presentation - DONE!!!

WOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!

And you know what??!!!!

It was better than I expected!!!

When I handed out to my examiner and to my supervisor the printed powerpoint slides of my presentation, my examiner said "Wow, you did a lot of work. Very impressive!"

In my head I was like, WOOOOOOOW!!! Really ah???? I think it is the ONLY time that a professor told me such nice words:) But the thing that came out of my mouth was : "Well I hope I could explain the results well." And then I started the presentation.

There were some hiccups here and there. Like, why the organic nitrogen increased in the effluent. I gave an explanation that I really thought made sense, but apparently the concept was wrong. Then my supervisor asked me how to compute the organic nitrogen values. Then I fumbled! I told them to wait for a while as I refer to my notes. Then I muttered: "The equation is in the excel sheets.." (stupid answer). After what seemed like an eternity, I told them, "Wait, let me organize my thoughts first". Then my supervisor said: "What, you still have to refer to your notes for the computation?"

And then...AND THEN!!! Suddenly a miracle happened and it was like there's a ray of sunlight passing through my very clouded thoughts which revealed the answer. Then I said very thoughtfully:

(Ehem, ehem) "TN = TKN + nitrates + nitrites. TKN = ammonia + organic N. From the ion chromatography test, you get the values of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. And then you have the TN value from another test. You just subtract the nitrates+nitrites+ammonia from the TN value then you get the organic nitrogen."

Then the whole time they were staring at me and nodding their heads in agreement.

WHOOOAAAA what a moment in my life. hahahahahhaha:)

And then what else...yeah there were still some more pogi points but the point is, it really was better than I expected! They were kind toooo!!!! No scathing remarks whatsoever!!!! Even from my supervisor.

I really liked the examiner. She's a female professor, so you know...motherly figure and all. I thought she would be tough but she was very kind when asking questions, and I really had to think on my feet while answering her questions. But the thing is, she thought the answers made sense and that's grrrreeeeaaaaaatttt!!!

Wow Lord thank you so much for the miracles today. Even for waking me up! I slept at 6:15 am today to polish the presentation, and I set my alarm to 6:45 am coz my presentation is at 9 am, and I thought of eating breakfast and calling John among other things. But I overslept!!! And the alarm clock didn't work! I woke up in a jolt at 7:45 am, and I heard laughter in my head when I woke up. Don't laugh but I believe the angels woke me up so I won't be late, and I had JUST ENOUGH time to do all the things I had to do...including getting dressed up of course, kneeling down to pray before leaving the room, calling John, eating yoghurt, and printing my powerpoint slides!

I only had 1 1/2 hours of sleep but I am feeling hyper! And I have to work later too 1-5pm. IT'S OKAY!!!!:)

All the glory and honor belongs to you Lord. :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALWAYS BEING WITH ME, really, throughout this whole NUS journey...even when I pushed you away and thought I was all alone carrying all my problems. Thank you for the people you used to bless me too. My family, and of course my John!!! And my friends!!!!

JOSEPH!!! Thank you sooooooooooooo much for EVERYTHING too!!! For lending me your matric card and you computer lab, being my meal buddy, study buddy, and loan shark...hahahhahahahaha joke....NGA PALA I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE VACATION STAY NA as in right now, so I'll have to end this post na.

Yaaaaaaaaayyy!!! Ivy let's go house hunting na!!!!!

Yiheeee.:)

The Final Hurdle

What I feel right now is...

Well you know that time when Jesus was at the Garden of Gethsemane, after the Last Supper, and he was in great distress because he knew the hour had come for him to be arrested by the Roman soldiers, about to be tortured and crucified...and he fervently prayed:

"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)

Well.

I am re-doing my Final Year Project thesis. I am going to submit a better version of the final draft tomorrow. It's so weird that the hardbound version is due AFTER the grades are released, so essentially they will grade me on the draft I submitted before. So, I requested if I could make the changes now and let it be considered for grading. I had major conceptual errors for the previous final draft I submitted and I intend to redeem myself. The final oral presentation is this Monday, 9 am.

Oh God there's no other way to get past this but to get through this. I am scared. God I need your help.

Love

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Wala akong ganang kumain (pero kelangan).

Wala akong ganang mag-aral (pero kelangan).

Gusto ko sanang magmukmok (pero hindi pwede).

Gusto ko sanang manood ng sine (pero walang oras).

Naiinis ako. Talaga.

hilarious baby

Nakakatuwa :D
Baby Gives The Evil Eye - Watch more free videos

An invite! Unwind this Saturday (FREE somemore)

Hi peeps in Singapore,

My mom's friend is inviting me for this event, and she told me I could invite friends too. She told me somebody she invited is also going to bring 20 of her friends, and it's okay because this is actually her husband's project so she can invite anybody!!!

So come, come if you wanna unwind this weekend. It's a treat!

WHAT:

THE SHANGHAI PEKING OPERA
精品折子戏：《青石山》、《遇皇后》、《坐宫》、《挑华车》。
演员介绍：国家一级演员－王小砖、李国静、王珮瑜、奚中路等等。
The Shanghai Peking Opera will be making its way to Singapore for a one night only show on 26th April 2008 at Victoria Theatre. The troupe have won high praise at home and abroad having visited more than 20 countries worldwide including, Japan, the United States, Austria and much more. For this show, key performers include Wang Xiaozhuan, Wang Peiyu, Li Guojin and Xi Zhonglu who be performing the Green Rock Hill, Meeting The Queen, Staying in The Palace and Pick Up The Wheels together with the rest of the cast. Expect a night of intricate costumes, extravagant make-up and jaw-dropping acrobatics.


WHEN: April 26, 2008 - 8pm
2 hrs, 35 min approx duration

WHERE: Victoria Theatre

TICKET PRICE (Exclude Booking Fee)
Standard - S$125, S$95, S$85, S$45 ----> But for us it's FREE lah. I don't know what kind of ticket she will give us, but you will be treated AT LEAST 45 bucks.

I messaged some people but they never replied lor!!! So please if you are interested sms/call me ASAP okay, so my mom's friend can reserve the ticket for you. (I am assuming that if you are my friend you know my number right??)

I have exams too but join me in taking a break ya??? : )

Visit Sistic site for more details.

43 things

Happy 10th monthsary MK!!!;) That's exactly 43.57 weeks or 306 days since we first met. Yep I counted!!!:)

So anyway...since 10 is too little and 306 is a bit too much senti stuff to post here, here are 43 things for the 43 full weeks we've been together. No apologies for those with disinclination to mushy stuff galore. Can't help it!

43 things I love about you:

1. Your being YOU. I love the whole package. Now let’s move on to more specific things, in no particular order:)
2. You call me everyday, and I appreciate your patience and commitment in doing that.
3. You make me feel like I’m the only girl in the whole world.
4. You tell me I’m beautiful.
5. You give me flowers.
6. You are a real man who’s unafraid to show his emotions.
7. You’ve always waited for me and fetched me at work everyday when we were still at the Grand Canyon.
8. You tell me knock-knock jokes when I’m stressed, and they always manage to make me laugh no matter how lame they are haha.
9. You treat waiters, servers, and people at the customer service field with courtesy and respect.
10. You treat ME with respect.
11. You always hold my hand as you say grace before we eat.
12. You gave me a real star on my birthday!!!
13. You talk about me with pride to your parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends :)
14. You are my everyday, personal, one-man cheering squad.
15. You helped me do my laundry and fold my clothes.
16. You bought me cough syrup and Panadol when I was sick.
17. You nursed my bruised knee when I fell while we were hiking.
18. You gave me a piggy back ride when we were out camping so my legs won’t have to touch the tall grass.
19. You taught me that age doesn’t matter.
20. You are smart, hardworking, independent, strong-willed, and determined.
21. You are sweet, loving, caring, romantic, sensitive, thoughtful, and generous.
22. You are an eye candy. (Read: You are the most handsome guy in the universe in my eyes, your muscles make me want to hyperventilate, and I could just ogle at you for hours).
23. You and I want the same things in life:)
24. You traveled halfway across the globe just to be with me.
25. You had to work really hard and make sacrifices to do that.
26. You emailed my parents to tell them..stuff.:)
27. You take me out on dates at the nicest places.
28. You know when and how to say sorry.
29. You always keep your promises.
30. You taught me a lot about persistence, perseverance, and forgiveness.
31. You are confident, yet you are humble.
32. You brush my hair off my face, and you even tried to comb my hair :)
33. You give me warm and sincere bear hugs.
34. When you kiss me, I could hear music.
35. You give me something to look forward to everyday.
36. You composed that song/ rap for me ;) And you rap very well!
37. You prayed for me with your mother over dinner. And she told me about it:)
38. You introduced the Lucksmiths to me. I love them!!!
39. You can stand me. Haha:)
40. You are the best listener and the most honest person I’ve ever met.
41. You saved my life without knowing it.
42. You are somebody I couldn’t live without. Really.
43. What you and I have is real, the kind that lasts forever. I know it.

***

So anyhoo, I would need to blog sparingly from now on and concentrate on the upcoming exams. This is it people! The last semester of my undergraduate career. Haha:) Woohoo:)

At ang bago kong panata sa buhay is that I will go swimming everyday at 8 am to keep me awake for the rest of the day. Any joiners, you know where the SRC pool is. Haha:)

College

Stolen from Katya:

Every New Semester:

After First Week:

After Second Week:

Before the Mid-Term Test:

During the Mid-Term Test:

After the Mid-Term Test:

Before the Final Exams:

Once Get to Know the Final Exam Schedule:

7 Days Before the Final Exam:

6 Days Before the Final Exam:

5 Days Before the Final Exam:

4 Days Before the Final Exam:

3 Days Before the Final Exam:

2 Days Before the Final Exam:

1 Day Before the Final Exam:

The Night Before the Final Exam:

1 Hour Before the Final Exam:

During the Final Exam:

Once Walk Out From the Examination Hall:

After the Final Exam, During the Holiday:

PS.Joseph...wala lang. hahahaha PEACE!!!!!

Happy Saturday Afternoon

I had a date with myself today:) It feels so good 'treating' myself, and I didn't even spend a dime:) I'm so glad too that I twisted a screwed up morning to a..happy and serene Saturday afternoon. I was having problems staying awake. I screwed up this morning because I couldn't even wake up on time and made MK worry so much. I'm sorry. But after sorting everything out and he went to sleep (it's night there when it's morning here)...I went back to sleep too. Like really, I was just feeling so fatigued and my eyes just refused to stay open.

Since I had to get some school stuff done (hello exams), I decided to do something it. I got up, changed to my sporty shorts, tank top, and running shoes; grabbed my iPod; and went jogging. The weather was just perfect, and the moment I stepped out into the outside world, with Third Eye Blind music blaring into my earphones, I just couldn't help but SMILE:) Like, wow. It seemed like the universe conspired to make this event an enjoyable experience. And it was!

And just as I was leaving my residence, I met a man limping and holding on to his dear crutches, and there I was...about to go jogging. It's one of those moments that just would strike you with the realization of things that you're very prone of taking for granted - like the simple fact that I am able to walk, to run, to jog, without any assistance. I have full use of my legs, I could will myself to take me places, and it can be done easily. At that moment, I stopped to thank God for blessing me in that aspect.

So anyway, I jooged from RVR to PGP, and then I walked to the bar behind it. From there, I started my 'exploration'. I've always wondered what it was further up the road from Blooie's, and so I went in that direction instead of the opposite, familiar one towards Pasir Panjang Road. Just a few steps in that direction, and I was already pleasantly surprised by what I discovered. There's actually a pond and a secluded mini-park there leh!!! There were turtles, fishes, and some cascading water thingies, a gazebo, bamboo, and benches there. I wish I could have learned of it sooner when John was still here, because it's so accessible (just a few steps my dear) from PGP and we could have chilled there. I thought it was part of Kent Ridge Park, but I explored some more and it seemed like a separate entity.

After soaking in the euphoria of discovering something new, I headed down the road and went to another street which I'm very curious of where it's headed. Actually somebody told me it was a short cut to Sheare's Hall (the kind guy from that hall who took the all the trouble just to return MK's phone), so I headed in that direction too. It's so nice too, and I relished every moment of feeling like I owned my time, and taking in all the new things my eyes have laid on for the first time. I felt very lucky too to be in this nice and safe place, and that I could afford to go jogging alone in that outfit. It's different back in my hometown, period.

So yeah, it did lead to Sheare's Hall, Kent Ridge Hall, HSS library, and I took the A2 bus from there back to RVR to change. THEN I WENT SWIMMING!!!

Haha:) Well all I can say is that it was so refreshing and overall it was good (if I didn't see that person there, but I couldn't be bothered!!! YAY!!!)

It's nice to go back to the basics, to realize that it doesn't take much really to make myself happy. A simple walk on a Saturday afternoon can be very uplifting, and no matter how busy you think you are, yes you can afford to treat yourself with this too. Try it!!

No wonder

No wonder Joseph was so excited when he was telling me about his last lecture. Last lecture, last lecture, what's the big deal??? I didn't realize until I read Dustin's blog that it was the last lecture of my undergraduate years. Like, the last lecture ever. I forgot there was no more next sem.

I overslept kasi.

OH WELL! *_*

My Favorite Place on Earth

That's us, on "OUR SPOT".

Thank you God for bringing us together in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Thank you kind stranger for taking this picture.

Yay:) This is what we've been up to last summer - literally.

Let's do this again John!!!:)

Or we could go skydiving next:)

Logan, the SkyAngel Cowboy

Michael (Tulod) forwarded this to our Wyldfire yahoogroup. This is really worthwhile to watch. I hope it touches your heart too.

Singapore

nakakalungkot ang balitang ito...kailangan pang idaan sa isang nationwide search ang pinakamasayang tao sa Singapore. sa Pinas, tumingin-tingin ka lang sa paligid mo at makikita mo na ang happiest person- kasambahay, kapitbahay, tricycle driver, tindera sa sari-sari store, o di kaya'y manood ka ng TV para makita mo ang mga contestants sa Wowowee at Eat Bulaga. - from Aldwin

-------------------------------

Stressed-out Singapore set to welcome its ‘happiest person’
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:58:00 04/18/2008

SINGAPORE—Stressed-out Singapore prepared to welcome its “happiest person” on Thursday at a conference that aims to make people feel better.

The aptly named Philip Merry, chief executive of consulting firm Global Leadership Academy, began his search for the most cheery resident last month.

The winner—dubbed “Singapore’s Happiest Person”—was to be announced at the end of the two-day New Science of Happiness and Well-Being Conference, organized by Merry and his wife.

It seemed like a grim task after a poll by advertising firm Grey Group found that nine in 10 people living in the city-state, Southeast Asia’s wealthiest economy, said they were stressed.

The contest called for written nominations, between 300 and 1,000 words, explaining why the candidate is a “model of happiness,” Merry said. Nominees had to be 18 years or older.

A surprising 207 entries were received, Merry said.

“I literally thought when we launched ... ‘are we going to get anybody?’ Not only did we get 207 stories but we’ve got such fantastic stories,” he said. “There is a lot of happy people that we just don’t talk about or recognize.”

Nominees were whittled down to four finalists including Stella Fernandez, 43, a porter at a local women’s and children’s hospital; Ng Chai Lee, 61, a record-keeper at a government polyclinic; and Andy Goh, 35, a manager.

All the finalists had a “common denominator” in that they were comfortable with themselves, said John Bittleston, one of the judges.

The fourth nominee was Zaibun Siraj, 61, a training consultant at a local polytechnic who recently published her own book, “Zany, Zeal, Zest and Zing: The Z way to happiness.”
Her secret?

“It’s the little things in life, such as taking a walk, giving a gift and being with friends, that bring happiness,” Zaibun told reporters.

***

Yeah sometimes the society's being so stressed-out is so contagious. Like, if you're not stressed, you're not doing something worthwhile - so you have to be or at least pretend to be. But it's the same thing I guess for every cosmopolitan city.

I still go with my belief though that for somebody who thrives on the excitement and fast-paced living of a big-city life, Singapore is the best place to be in. It's very clean, no pollution, no traffic (their jams here are nothing compared it to the ones Manila or Indonesia, for example), low crime plus with all the conveniences and pulsating dynamism of other big cities.

After 5 years here though, I realized that I am not one for the big-city lifestyle. That's why I can't live in Manila too, or New York, and yeah...I know I'm not settling in Singapore.

But thank you Singapore, for letting me live what had been my dreams back then. These words are written with genuine gratitude.

Funny Pinoy Signs (from facebook app)

Ha?!

Do you also have sour shirt, bitter shirt,..??

Repairman na, breakdancer pa si Mr Alulod?? woow

Mawawalan tayo ng gana sa mga ganitong klaseng pangalan eh.

True, true.

Hahahahaa! Better not answer nature's call around here.

*Gasp!* What do you need the two mosqitoes for???

The sleaziest carwash service ad I've seen so far haha.

Save the ipis.

Todo na to!

If it's not obvious enough...