The Tin Can

December 25
It's a Vitasa tradition to share Christmas with the less fortunate people. I had new games for the kids and gave out books as prizes. I hope I'm richer next year because I want each kid to bring home a book. Soon soon, one goal at a time.




Jumpshots, funny faces and pimp poses. Dinner was spent on playing Jam Legend on Jonah's laptop. :))


December 26
If 25 is for Vitasas, then 26 is for the Pitargues. I only get to see ntravelbug once a year and that's during Christmas. Maaaaan, she's taller than me. She's 5'5" and she was wearing heels during our family lunch at MOA. I hate standing beside her. =)) Bimboy and his gang weren't there, because they were still in San Ferndando. We weren't complete. Werk werk werk.




December 27
/jologs flailing starts right now.



Different studio. Hellawaaaay colder. I was shaking while taking photos. =)) We had good seats because we were seated with the staff, meaning we had a lot of space to move and take photos. Manong guard thought I was one of the fans (weeeellll...) because I was holding my bullhorn. Taking photos were forbidden, but blurredlights flashed his ID and said it was for the website. JACE RULES.

Second-to-be-eliminated Rye was at the studio too. I didn't care when he was booted out of the competition, but I developed a soft spot for him last night. Before the show went on air, he went near the fans and shook hands with them. He sat beside some of them, indulged the others for besos and waved to whoever called out his name. He was a sweetheart to everyone, from the camera man to the make up artist to the staff. He even sat beside Jace and engaged us in a light conversation.

He called me a paparazzi. Whutever Rye. :))

( more shameful fangirling )

More photos in my Flickr and my Multiply.
/jologs flailing ends here.

They say you change completely every seven years. I agree. Who I was when I was 19 will be shocked. The people who mattered then are less important, the valuable people today are so much more valuable, and the things I'm into are "way out there".

And yet, here I am. And as my birthday approaches, I do admit one change: I now am learning to ask for what I want. It's not a habit I like. I like getting things myself. But lots of things, well, you just can't have by doing it your way - you gotta hope others give too.

To date, nobody tries to surprise me on my birthday, which is every January 6. I can hardly believe I'll be 26. It's surreal. I don't know how to feel that I've gone up to 26 and I can count maybe only 3 or 4 times people have made the effort to surprise me.

Normally, when people ask what I want to get for Christmas or my birthday, I just nod and say something non-committal. "A scarf," I say, or "A nice book of poems," or the ever-present "Surprise me". I like surprises, and so I tend to ask for things "below the margin" so I don't get disappointed if I ask, and get pleasantly surprised if you go all Magis on me and get me something remarkable.

In that token, I'm writing this: a real wish list. While there are things I really, REALLY would love to have (i.e.: a million dollars, the power of telekinesis, plane tickets to tour Italy, a girlfriend), I know that's not something that you can realistically ask others to just hand you, you know?

So what would I really like? Well, here are 5 ways you can surprise me:

1.) Music! - Get me a CD or a flash disk of music! Save your money from buying CD's - unless that's Bob Marley, Tahiti 80, Daft Punk, Ne-Yo or Everything but the Girl (all of whom I don't own albums to! True story. I'd like them, please, hehe.) then save your money. Know too that I have a certain distaste for prog-rock, metal, emo, and large swathes of happy house, K-Pop and trance music (ugh).

Instead, try getting me a mix tape full of fresh French house, or fun underground hip-hop beats, or fun, memorable tracks from the late 90's! To this day, I still have the CD's friends made for me over the years, and yes, they did mold my musical tastes! So why not you?

2.) Wine! - I just had to use the "Music and Wine" Deep 6 reference, but yes! I'd love it if you buy me a drink. I am likely not to drink it here at home - I'm a proud drunk who likes to share. But no party can start if I don't have anything to start it with, eh?

Clue: I hate beer. I also detest brandy. Tequila is a love I don't turn down, while gin, vodka and lots of other hard drinks are old friends all.

3.) A Makeover! - I'll say it: I'm not great with clothes. Blame my massive frame, but picking clothes ain't fun. And no, I'm not asking people for shirts, or new pants (I'll get that on my own.) Even bigger no is when you try hand me grooming products (because that's...offensively rude).

Instead, I'd love it if people take the time out to help me do my picking. It's not easy. People need to know what I'm like, and how I live before they can really put it all together. But that's what I need! I'm clueless about these things.

4.) Feed My Creative Side! - This is related to #1. Why? Because some of my favorite gifts feed that culture-hungry soul in me. I ask for CD's or books of poems or DVD's of cool movies because, well, I hardly have time. I can't really "discover" new stuff. I like it, however, if people recommend me things, and I end up seeking them out, and then they help shape me somehow.

So. I like it if people spare me the trouble and get me something cool! Or watch a concert with me! Or a play! Or spoil me rotten by taking me to eat at places I've never been to!

5.) Magazine Subscriptions! - Because nothing says "I think you're cool" like buying me a subscription to something good to read.

Seriously! These things aren't as pricey as they used to be. Stocking up on GQ or on FHM for a year is actually a net saving from buying issues every month. And groups like Time tend to send in special bonus issues, or even books, because of longtime loyalty. Also, I tend to always need fresh ideas, and I miss how I could just go to my college library and browse through The New Yorker, or Sports Illustrated like old times. Those things kept my mind renewed and my writing fresh.

There's a LOT more! But I'm being realistic. I can't demand people a PlayStation 3 with Rock Band: The Beatles, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Tekken 6 on it (which is what I really, REALLY want), for example. But I also don't want to go empty-handed, because who does?

It'd just be nice to be surprised for a change,I guess. I like prepping surprises for people. I just wonder if it'll ever happen to me.

Then again, all we really want for our birthdays is a good day, where people remember, say hi, and hopefully the people we love take the time out to spend the day with you. Right? I mean, that's what I'd really love to have. To quote MasterCard, that's priceless.

Just videos.

RENT RENT RENT!






The Master Plan



Spot me, chikaichix and tiang. I can't find your other word, Chikai. :)) Nvm, I saw it already. :))

Because I'm lazy to recall my Christmas dinners with both the Vitasa and the Pitargue families, I'll just look back on my 2009 experience by answering a survey. I nicked this off from autumn_rime.


1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Take the bus by myself. Rode an ordinary bus. Took the bus to Pansol. YEAAH. It's the bus year. :))

( she took the midnight train going anywhere. )

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Let's bee cheesy. =)) Sorry my mind can't think of a better song:

So here I am still holding on.
With every step you climb another mountain
With every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricane
To get to that one thing

Just when you think the road is going nowhere
When you almost gave up on your dream
They'll take you by the hand and show you that you can
THERE ARE NO BOUUNDRAAAAYYYYYSSS!

Background: yes, I do like reading horoscopes and astrology. They're fun. And yes, sometimes they do come true. It's like following a superstition such as wearing your socks backwards - I risk nothing by reading them, after all.



CAPRICORN FORECAST 2010: Your cool sophistication will attract fascinating people and interesting scenarios to you. The trick is to keep learning without becoming jaded. Enjoy your power, but don’t let your responsibilities enslave you. What happens in February puts you on the fast track to a prize you’ve long dreamed about.

Money and Career: The trials of the past have left you resilient and resourceful. You’ll apply what you’ve learned and make things happen. Unreal expectations fall by the wayside. You’ll commit yourself to what is manageable and will profit from doing the job well. A new project nets you a pretty penny in April. Your education takes focus in June.

Love: It’s amazing how one person can open so many doors for you. Someone you click with will be the key to your good fortune in January. Mixing finance and love is not a good idea in February. Take things slowly. May brings certainty to your relationships. You will know exactly how you feel and what to do about it.

Personal Development: Casual interests become passionate. The more you invest in what excites you, the better life gets. You were meant to be joyful.

Ahm proud of my new lappy wallpaper. Now those light trail photos did come in handy. I was trying to keep myself awake when we were stuck in traffic last night at the expressway. New light trail photos + newly posted Fed photos at the tennis comm = YAY NEW WALLPAPER!



Now, I need a new Fed icon.


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Making sure that blurredlights still has the top spot. :))

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I am in love again:



BB has mad piano skills. I have a rip!!! (sendspace)

I was highly amused that when we were in the middle of nowhere with no houses and just trees all around, I was still able to connect to Twitter. Twitter knows no boundaraaaaaays.

( Adventurous day was adventurous )

EVERYBODY NOW!

Rent show buyers:
February 13 3pm - 0917-840-9218 / 0915-621-6512
February 20 3pm - 0917-512-7704 / 0917-843-2252
February 27 3pm - 0906-331-5961 / 0917-842-7511 / 0918-941-4143


We're going for Feb 20, but just in case I posted the two other Saturdays as Plans B and C. Jace and I will contact them, then ready yourselves as to when you're available to give the money for the tickets.

Sana may seats pa. *crosses fingers*

Oh and comment if you're watching with us, so we know how many seats to reserve. Deadline: MONDAY, DECEMBER 21.

Me, Rich, Rica, Barbie, Kaye, Lovie
Sir Totet, Ma'am Amy, T. Portia, Tito Doc, Ms. Zarah

As a year-ender for our EDR 220 class, our teacher took us to Chocolate Kiss and had a dinner discussion with an award-winning children’s book writer, an award-winning illustrator and a story teller/librarian. Dr. Luis Gatmaitan or Tito Doc as kids know him, is my favorite children’s book writer. I’m a big fan — therefore eliciting fangirl moments — because he is able to capture medical problems and make them interesting for the children. During the discussion, I was inspired to start working on that pending story that has been stuck in my head for years. I was there not as a teacher/educator but as a writer.

I have no hope in illustrating, so I just gawked and stood amazed while Sir Totet (or Sir Ruben de Jesus) showed his process of illustrating a children’s book, from receiving the manuscript, to drawing doodles, to rendering the drawings, to coloring them, to publishing, etc etc. Creating a children’s book is never easy because children are both difficult and easy to please.

The dinner ended with Zarah Gagatiga telling a story about Joseph’s coat, using a sheet of paper which she tore as she told the story. Story tellers are performers and every inch of your body should act with the story one is telling. Even if she was seated, her facial expressions told the story. Her hand movements animated the story. Everyone was glued to her. It was fun.

I brought books for them to sign. I wanted to bring all of Tito Doc’s books, but I only brought 3. (Nahiya ang face ko. Tehehehehe.) Sir Totet was amused to see that I had the third edition of the book he illustrated (Ang Mahiyaing Manok/the Shy Rooster) because the book is on its 10th edition. Wooosh, I had a rare edition in mah possession! And yay for Zarah for remembering me. She did a workshop for Galileo months ago and the teachers loved her. :D

When asked about Tito Doc's secret, he simply said "Start writing." I've failed at the first step. I'm too cowardly to start writing my story because I don't know how to attack it. The idea and the concept are there, all I need is the execution. So help me God. :))

broken_shade, diba you're a Scott Pilgrim fan? Look, I saw this on Tumblr:

Batch one of snail mail done and ready for stamps! :) If you want to get a letter too, leave your home address here. :D