Dilemma

Why do your loved ones make it hard for you to love them unconditionally?

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Paraws

I already miss Boracay. Truly a paradise.

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Dead beat

My aunt, cousin and niece is currently on a visit from California. My aunt, specifically, hasn't returned for 10 years. So imagine all the travel and eating we have been doing for the past week. Tagaytay, Lucban, Pansol, Antipolo. I think I have gained three pounds in less than a week. We've been visiting relatives I have never seen for 5 years, and eating out every day. Later in the evening, we are hosting a party at our house for a belated birthday celebration of my sister.

I am so tired right now but I needed to rant about it. Don't get me wrong, I love my relatives (and also their pasalubongs haha).

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Struggle

OMG. This happens to me everytime!

I would turn up the volume of the television, then my family would start talking louder, then I turn up the volume again... Well, you get the drift.

I am such a bad son.

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It was my first time.

It's Election time once again in the land of the Philippines. Hence, election-related shows will must dominate the boob tube. At least on our household. You see, my father is a political maniac. Unfortunately, his political addiction is starting to rub on me.

Yesterday was my first time to vote at the age of 20. I'm a late bloomer, I know. It was really hot but we still made our way to the school in our village. Despite cramping my body on a wooden chair designed for Grade One pupils, I was still eager to vote.

But my being a neophyte showed as I asked a ton of questions, and well, for not being able to know what to do next. When they poured the indelible ink on my finger, I was ready to leave without wiping it with the rag. Sorry, but I did not really know.

Indelible ink Hosted on Zooomr

Voting was sweet (hey, it's my first time) and all, but now how do I remove the ink stain?

We then headed over to Dad's to ruin my diet have a post-Mother's Day celebration.

Sis and mom Hosted on Zooomr

Lunch at Dad's for Mother's Day. How ironic. Nothing like Dad's to keep our tummy happy. Think tempura, maki, kani, rib-eye, turkey, blueberry cheesecake, and lechon, and you're all good.

Now I just have to starve myself for the next few days before hitting the pool with my friends right before the first term.

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The fast few days have been crazy

Well, it's crazy enough for me not to blog for more than a week now. So this entry will be long, and full of random stories.

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April 30, 2007

My professor called off classes today, which left us with a four-day vacation. Great. Just when I was getting the groove of studying again, this had to happen. I hate that.

I woke up late and realize I was alone. My parents must have gone to the mall, leaving me with a few strips of bacon for lunch. I opened up the computer while reading the morning 'paper. The phone rang, and this girl from Citibank was looking for my dad.

Me: Di ko alam kung anung oras sya babalik.
Girl: Sino to?
Me: I'm his son.
Girl: Ilan taon ka na?
Me: 20.
Girl: 20 ka lang? Di nga?
Me: Uhm, oo.
Girl: Meron ka nang credit card?
Me: Yup, HSBC.
Girl: Extension ba yan?
Me: Nope. Ako yung primary.
Girl: Oh. Saan ka nagwowork?
Me: College pa lang ako.
Girl: Talaga? 20?

And then I wondered if I was already that old to be studying. I know I am older than most of my batchmates, but the tone of this girl's voice really left me doubting my studying status.

Girl: Saan ka nagaaral?
Me: Sa La Salle.
Girl: Talaga? Sa Main or sa Benilde?

Ugh. Why does everyone have to ask if I am from DLSU-Manila or from CSB? As in everyone. If I was studying in CSB, I would say so matter-of-factly.

Me: Main.
Girl: Wow. Anung course mo?

And this is when her voice started to sound a bit different.

Me: Engineering.
Girl: Ah. May girlfriend ka na?
Me: Wala pa.
Girl: Talaga? Bakit wala pa?

Now she sounds like a child ready to devour a big fat piece of marshmallow. I gave my usual spiel of why I still do not have a girlfriend, which I have already memorized for convenience.

Our talk shifted from my perpetual single-ness to my bedroom exploits, which is nil, zilch, zero, if you believe me. I would not go into further details so as to salvage the little reputation I have left.

Girl: Anong gusto mong gawin ngayon?

This is the signal for me to hang-up. Even if she sounded pretty AND perky. I still have my dignity.

Feeling weird and bothered and excited, I searched the Internet to find solace. Looks like I am not the only victim of horny sales agents.

Now this experience reminded me of a not-so-nice experience I had only a few weeks ago. I accompanied my mom to Makati, because she does not know how to get there.

As she was being interviewed by sales agents (see any pattern yet?), I stayed in the office's lobby trying to organize my impending beach getaway with my friends.

I was approached by this lanky male who introduced himself. I introduced myself as well and soon, he joined me in the sofa and was asking me questions. When I told him I'm 20, he seems not convinced. Do I not look like 20, I asked myself. And then I delivered my usual spiel about being single and all, heck I just really wanted to be left alone as I have a trip to plan and a non-replying friend who still has not confirmed if he would be joining.

He asked a few more questions, and soon, he was too close for comfort. I am not really a friendly guy and definitely not a touchy-feely person.

Lanky male: May scandal ka ba dyan sa celphone mo?
Me: Wala.
Lanky male: Ow? Patingin nga.
Me: Puro ako lang.
Lanky male: Pwede ko bang makuha ang number mo?

I sat there. Frozen. And shaking. I have never been asked for my number by a fellow male specie in that way. Ten seconds of awkward silence and all I cold mutter was

Me: Secret.

It was stupid. Dumb. Childish. But he left and never looked at me again, obviously embarrassed.

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May 1, 2007

Labor Day. Again, I had no class. But I had to wake up earlier because we're spending the day in Mount Sea Resort together with my relatives from my mom's side. It was a quick hour trip from our house to the resort, which is located in Cavite. Apparently, my relatives did not enjoy our summer trip last year to Virgin Beach Resort. No, not because the place was not nice, but because the trip was long - three and a half hours to be exact - and travelling along rough roads were not their idea of a relaxing summer getaway.

The resort was fairly clean, and best of all cheap. It was not a bad Labor Day trip at all.

I love the sea, and good thing the resort has a nice view of it.

Peaceful Hosted on Zooomr

Being the active family that we are, we played frisbee and volleyball,

Volleyball Hosted on Zooomr

billiards,

Hustler Hosted on Zooomr

rode the slide a few times,

Pose Hosted on Zooomr

and made our way through the obstacle course.

Yeehaa Hosted on Zooomr

I also swam around 20 laps in the pool. I am ecstatic about this, for I have been extremely out of shape lately.

But I made sure I had time to relax, escape from the city, and work on my tan.

Tan Hosted on Zooomr

All the activities and prolonged exposure to the sun left my body beat. Not exactly what I had in mind for a summer getaway. By the time we got back to the city, my brother had this brilliant idea of catching Spiderman 3. How could I resist a free movie?

Despite not being able to walk, my sister, brother, and I went to SM Southmall catch the last full show. I liked the movie, but I hated the ending. It was really underwhelming. It was a really long movie, but I never felt that it was a dragging one. I actually did not feel sleepy, which is unnatural of me, despite the fact that it was already late and my body was screaming to get some rest.

Due to a very bad decision I made, we had to walk to our house after the movie. That was probably the worst torture my body felt. Of course, nothing would ever top my cleaning visits to my dentist, but that is another story. Expectedly, I was a full hour late to my class the next day, which starts at 1030.

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May 4, 2007

We took our second quiz on Engineering Economy today. I was scared of this quiz because a) I did not prepare well, because I was busy looking at my friend's photos from their Puerto Galera trip, which I should have made if I was not taking this stupid summer class, and b) there is this nasty rumor that students who pass this dreaded second quiz can be counted in one hand.

It went well fortunately, but not after I had sweat buckets. The aircon of V501 (or was it V503?) needs to be fixed pronto.

Guilar has linked to my blog and posted this very flattering entry. Thanks for that - it really boosted my confidence. But even better, it reminded me that I still had to submit articles to my organization's newsletter. Check out Guilar's blog.

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May 5, 2007

Jamie left me a comment in my Friendster that she has already received my package. But I already knew that, thanks to Google Checkout's excellent tracking service. That plus the free $10 is great and all, but if only they get more merchants and offer lower standard shipping rates to the Philippines, they would be even better.

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It wasn't crazy at all, was it? It just is a huge relief for me to finally finish this entry I've long wanted to post.

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My dad says the darndest things

Last Thursday, while watching American Idol:

Dad: Ang tagal na palang kumakanta ni Celine.
Me: Bakit?
Dad: Bata pa si Elvis diyan e.

I just love my dad.

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Septal Hematoma

My sister got in a car accident today.

She was riding a jeepney on her way to work today. The jeepney got into a full stop and she was thrown inside. Her nose bleeded.

She was rushed to the Asian Hospital and was diagnosed with Septal Hematoma. But she's okay now, thank God.

Just a reminder guys. Be safe and hold tight while riding any car, be it private or public transportation.

Update: Further examinations showed my sister does not have septal hematoma. She just twisted her nose resulting to the bleeding. She's okay now.

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What A Night

I finally talked to my father again. That means our night ping pong sessions will resume once again.

Oh what joy!

My mouse broke, so I had to get it replaced. I went to Mall of Asia.

I took some pictures.

And some more.

I was supposed to buy my summer shirts today as well. But I found out the store has already moved on to a new collection, and they're all gone. I've been meaning to buy them since last year. Now, I'm paying the price for my procrastination.

Feeling upset, I headed to Chocolat, my favorite cake station, for comfort. I had a slice of NY Cheesecake and the requisite Cookies 'n' Cream milkshake.

It was heavenly.

The cheesecake was thick yet soft and creamy. But by the time I devoured half of it, I was full and sick of it already.

I must confess that I am was under a self-imposed starvation to make my body look decent for the summer.

As I was devouring my cake, the Friday night fireworks started and I totally missed it. The Top Dog was not feeling very top that night so I decided to head home.

I took the shuttle and continuing my mini-run of bad luck, the driver was totally reckless. He was a madman. I can count at least three incidents where we almost got hit/hit someone. This includes almost side-sweeping a poor old man on a bicycle.

But the first one was, uhm, the most memorable. It was less than five minutes after he started the van when he decided it was fun to beat a racing bus to turn a corner.

We were literally a feet from being bumped. The girls, all ten of them, just screamed at the top of their lungs. I think I set a personal record for repetitive cuss-firing that very moment. Pota. Good thing I was on the far side, or I would've been screaming like a rooster for dinner as well.

Imagine the emotional scar the girls on the near side would have to recover from. Bless them.

I looked up, and realized the van's ceiling looked like the interiors of a coffin.

Great. Just great.

While passing the beautiful World Light Expo, we saw their fireworks show. We were just a few meters away from the actual firing spot. It was that amazing I forgot to take photos.

That wonderful moment made me relax for a bit and smile at least.

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Passed Around

I think no one wanted to have me as their Valentine.

Nah. I'm not one of those single people who weep about their single blessedness or feel hatred during Singles Awareness Day Valentine's Day.

But I quite looked like being passed around today. On the 13th, my friend Claudine agreed to have dinner with me. Cathy would have joined us. But alas, that didn't push through.

So I messaged one of my best friends Maricar if she would like to catch a movie or grab a bite. She said yes, and that she was even willing to flee her dad. It was a date. As I was to leave school already, she said she cannot wait for me any longer. Ouch. We agreed to just catch a flick on the 15th. But I warned her she won't be receiving flowers anymore. Hehe.

So I'm stuck at school. Without a Valentine. (Why do I make it sound like this is such a weird thing, when it is actually the norm?) Luckily, the boys were there to save the night.

So there we were at the trusty Engwalk. Hot single young boys waiting for equally hot chicks to pick us up. All nine of us: me, Lex, Baldo, Leo, Wil, Mark, Asia, Patrick, and Renz.

There was a lot of great talk. And a lot of tasty revelations. It was a great appetizer for the coming night. Unfortunately, Patrick had a date to respond to. That traitor! The esteemed Singles Club is thereby revoking your membership.

Hungry from all the yapping and tired of waiting for girls to pick us up, we decided to move and invade McDonald's. Frank joined us, but Asia had to leave. I was not too sure, but he was wearing red and punching the walls minutes before he left. Go figure.

I learned that it was a sort of tradition for them to eat at McDonald's and just pour their hearts out. Leo and I got initiated. Yaahhooo! Woot! Woot!

Okay, seriously now. I had Valentine's dinner with the boys and I did not regret it a bit. We talked about everything. And it was not just trashy useless gibberish, it was an actual conversation. We talked about our frustrations: academics, women, and friendships. It was surprisingly serious but refreshingly funny.

Wil and Baldo had to unfortunately leave earlier, but we carried on til around 2230. Even though we have obvious differences in interests (read: DotA), I never felt out of place with the group. In fact, I really felt that I belong.

I always have fun with these guys. There is something about them that makes the conversation free-flowing, true, and surprisingly meaningful.

Remember the Tropical Hut dinner a year ago? Battered by summer classes, an uncooperating project, and a lunatic professor, we just poured it all out that night. I saw this dimension in them that I did not even think they had.

That was seriously one of the best nights I ever had. And this one too! You see, I'm a sucker for those poignant talks.

Riding the bus home, I saw the World Light Expo in its blinding glory. It was beeyootifool. I am definitely going there!

I actually felt sorry for my dad today. As my mom was still in the province caring for my grandma, my dad was left all alone this Valentine's. I'm guessing my sister had dinner with somebody, my brother was definitely with his girlfriend, and I was, well, with the boys.

My dad had actually prepared a lovely Chinese dinner for us. I got home at midnight, and saw the cold food, still untouched. It actually broke my heart. So I took a few spoonfuls. Still feeling guilty, I actually washed my dishes for the first time. I actually hope that I can make it up to him in some other ways. But that requires a separate post altogether.

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Short Story

Let me tell you a short story.

It was my sister's birthday.

We decided to have dinner at Gumbo, Mall of Asia.

We waited

from sunset

til nightfall.

The food came.

It was okay, but not memorable. Not nasty but not exceptional as well.

We watched the fireworks

which was the exact same shit I saw last week when I had mango crepe at Cafe Breton.

Made our way to Chocolat for dessert. I had the mandatory Bailey's Deep Dark Chocolate cake.

All this left The Topdog a happy and sane man.

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