Ikaw na Patty!

Okay, so I like Pa++y L@urel like she's my Audrey Hepburn, but being a fan is not why affected ako when I learned that she and A+0m have broken up. Long term relationship and they seemed so happy. It was just so unlikely and unbelievable, I found myself asking "what happened?"

Sumuko ako sa sumunod kong nalaman. She's found herself a replacement who is not only cute and talented, but a hardcore Christian too.

Dang. You already!

Lechugas

Warning: Sensitive.

This is an excerpt from my YM conversation with a dear friend. I really shouldn't be sharing this, but I also think it's a shame if I don't.

Je: Kilala mo si John Piper? He advises that whenever someone is attacking us, always default back to God's promises, God's purpose on you. And that thing that's attacking us will be exactly what it is... just a thing, compare to God's promises. Do you wanna try to see the bigger picture together?

Me: Go!

Je: People like that is always a test of character. Or it's a character-making in the process. If ever you choose to be kind or to forgive or whatever, don't make the mistake of doing it just because you're a Christian kasi magbbackfire. So ok lang if I share what I'd do if I were in your place?

Me: Kaya nga tayo andito kasi I'd like to hear ur thoughts.

Je: I would like to pray for my enemies-- hindi to Mother Teresa kind of "bait-ness" but praying for your enemies is your only best defense. It saves you from sinning and it's for me in a way eh "making sumbong to God". Yan una. Sabi nga, "loving your enemies" doesn't mean that you will be fond of them or saying that they're nice even when they're not, it just means that first of all you do not fight bitchiness with another bitchiness, you do not be overcome with bitchiness. Remember that only hurt people hurt. So kung ako sayo ha, being provoked is a human thing. But what you choose to do after yun yung nagmamatter. How you choose to see "it"... how you choose to respond. Everytime "it" hurts you, try to see "it" as a hurt person... whereas you're a happy person with so much blessings to be thankful for. Try to see "it" as the LOST person.. and you're already found. Now when it comes to day-to-day moments, it'll be hard to remember BIG thoughts like this kasi nga napprovoke ka but that's when prayer comes in. We cannot leave God out of this alamo yan. And God, so loving Father that He continues to call us to love and forgive. Ang hirap sobrang hirap to find out HOW THE HECK CAN I BE LOVING DITO SA LECHUGAS NA TAONG 'TO...

Me: Hahaha!

Je: But then again.. it's not gonna be up to you. You just pray lang talaga na Lord I want to honor you but this situation is making it harder to honor you. So you want to see the bigger picture? Yun. You ask God to show you how He sees this little situation from His own eyes. Don't make patol, Raquel.

I saved this so I can read it over and over until it sinks in to my core. As I read this time after time, I came to realize, I'm blessed to have this kind of friend.

Hot Sweaty Crazy Fun Franco Night

Nag file ako ng leave for a Friday with a plan in mind - to watch Franco in the flesh. Kasama sa plano ko na makapunta sa gig nila before the year ends, so when I learned that they are performing in Cainta Rizal, I thought it's only practical to go.

Dahil nakahanap ako ng kasama, tuloy ang plano. Ang daling kausap ni Kars, go agad kahit medyo rock ang lakad. Pagdating namin sa venue ang dami ng tao. Tatayo na rin lang kami, dun na kami sa malapit sa stage. From there I thought I saw some Jejemon's on mosh pit high on pot. Nakipagkulitan din kami sa mga katabi namin na members pala ng isa sa mga performing bands. Nakakatawang isipin na ang tagal namin iningatan ang pwestong 'yun, nung Franco na ang tutugtog, matataboy din pala kami sa area kung saan ang view ko eh kung hindi side, puro likod. Wala eh, rowdy ang crowd at hindi kami lalaban. Sabi ng isa kong kaibigan na nakita ko dun, nakapunta na siya ng ilang gigs ng Franco sa ibang lugar, pero hindi ganun. Nung nagkabasagan ng bote, Franco even had to remind the crowd to take it easy para hindi masira ang show. Nakita ko ang sarili ko bilang isang fan, wa-poise at walang pakiaalam. Ni hindi namin nakuhang magpicture ng sarili namin sa loob, feel na feel kong mukha akong dugyot. Para akong tinotorture pero ayokong ipatigil? Ayoko na kasi ang init sobra, ang dami kong pawis! Inspite of that, I enjoy watching them so ayoko pang matapos. The band was sweating big time too, but they were obviously thriving at the crowd's energy. We don't smoke pero nag-amoy yosi kami. Napaisip pa nga ako, "dapat ba sa 70's Bistro na lang ako nanood para medyo urbanized?" Then I thought, no, this is the way to best experience it: the waiting, the mixed crowd, the init and pawis. These make actually seeing them sweeter.

Thanks Kars for putting up with my Franco craze and for not being maarte. It was crazy and unglamorous, far from a sosyal gimik night or ideal date. But it was quite an experience. And we, church girls, survived!

Haisst....

Saw this from the blog of Ja$mine Curti$, copied it, and underlined the phrases I agree with.

Don't we all feel like this sometimes? That he or she...is just out of our league.

29

I was never really the type of person who cares about having a birthday party. I always go on birthday leave and misses the Sunday church on this week. I was just not comfortable being the center of attention.

But this year is different - I had a bit of a birthday blues. Naplano ko nang icelebrate it with Wellong, Gem, and Team4One, but nearing the date, parang gusto ko andun mga kapatid ko and maybe a few dear friends. I kinda wanted to be surrounded with people dear to me when the clock hits 12.

It was a humble and awkward celebration but what touched me was, they were there not for what's in it for them, but what it meant to me. A few hours later (Sunday afternoon), I also had a little celebration with my churchmates who I also love.

Mamamatay na ba ako, or mag-aasawa (wow, both are scary)? Ewan ko. Basta I felt, there is something to do this for. Or baka kasi it's the last of my twenties? Maybe.

Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanilang lahat na nakasama ko nung araw na ito, and to those who expressed their love for me. God bless you all for your kindness.

Lord Jesus, thank You!

I thought it's romantic

The thought of a group who's into Rastafari, tattoos, and herbs, in a song that is full of hopes and promises...napangiti talaga ako nung una kong marinig 'to.

Seas0ns
by Franc0

On a height of winter
I'm calling you tonight
For the rise and fall
I'm calling you tonight

I'll wait for you
In spite of it all
I'll burn out the sun

You're the warmth of summer
I walk towards your light
For the spring you bring
I'm calling you tonight

I'll wait for you
In spite of it all
I'll burn out the sun
I'll wait for you to be a part of me
And I of you

Let's go around the world
And say you're mine tonight
Let's go around the world and forever spin in love

Let's go fly away tonight
Let's go dreaming
And know that I'll be here tonight waiting

I'll wait for you
In spite of it all
I'll burn out the sun
I'll wait for you to be a part of me
Become a part of me

To Team4One With Love

Warning: Cheesy.

You know how it is sa movies, may turning point na marerealized ng isang character na mahal na niya yung isa? Yeah, that kind of thing happened to me the last time I spent time with these guys. Narealized ko lang...I'm happy for their success, I'm sad for their heartbreaks, I care for them and I miss them. And it hit me..."Oh my gosh, I love these guys".

Team4One-blockmates ko buong buhay ko sa PUP. I've known these guys for 10 years now, and it was love-hate for me. But maybe, time not only heals, it proves.

When Maj casually did a little sales talk about something na partida hindi pa nga niya account, I was left thinking, "Account Executive ka nga." Si Jojo naman ay inuulan ng praises sa devianart na parang rockstar. At nung nakausap ko si Jed about her passion in films, hindi ako makasunod, not because she doesn't make sense, but she knows a lot now. Pero sa parehong paraan na successful sila in their own respective ways, really, we're also just a bunch of losers. Haha. We laughed at the thought that half the night we talked about relationships and even giving advices when in fact we suck in it proven by failed ones, being dumped, and not being in one! Seriously now though, these guys are one of the coolest, smartest, funniest, most talented people I know. They know how to have a good time but deals well in bad times too.

How else do I know I love them aside from this strong feeling inside? Forgiveness. One of them may rub me the wrong way, but my attitude is, "That's not cool, but it's okay now. It doesn't hurt my respect for you. Just don't do it again. I will forever wish you the best and I still want to see you next time." Aaaaw. Isn't that love? :) I can imagine them cringe so I will stop now as this is downright cheesy.

But really, Team4One, I love you like my dogs. I mean...the way I love my dogs. Whatever. You guys know what I mean.