My 21st Birthday

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that counts. It's the life in your years."
 - Abraham Licoln

Time runs fast. Another year had passed. Everybody is growing old. Whoaaaaaaa!!!


It was like yesterday when I celebrated my 20th birthday. This year, month ago, June 20, Wednesday, I consecrated my 21st birthday. Another year was added to my age. Hmmmmp. Just like last year, I celebrated it with friends, same venue, at Panny's Bakeshop but it was my another group of friends. They were my buddies in school. We think the same most of the time. I never thought of celebrating my birthday. Being alive and able to have this age is enough for me. I just planned to go to church and then went home so I would be with my family during that special dayof mine. It was myfriend who convinced me to celebrate my birthday in Panny's. She convinced me to buy cake, balloon and birthday hats and took pictures. She said it was just once in a year that I should make the most out of it. She said I should do what I want on my birthday. I was convinced. I agreed. She's right. Birthday comes once in a year and who knows I wouldn't be able to celebrate my 22nd anymore. KNOCK ON WOOD. Hehehe. So, I did what she said. We went to Panny's bakeshop, buy cake, have my name written on it, hats and candles. They were the one who bought balloons. And then, we took many pictures. As far as I remember , it was my first time to blow a candle on my birthday. In fact, I never tried children's party on my childhood years. But it's okay, I understand. My parents can't afford that kind of party. What I'm used to is only family dinner which I find fun and enjoyable. Family and relatives with me is enough to consider my celebration of birthday a complete one. With what we did, I find it more fun. Although I was shy with the other customers inside the bakeshop. They were looking at us. I'm acting like a kid as I wear a birthday hat. Hehehe. I just don't mind them. The important is I was able to do what I want to during my birthday. Even if I wasn't able to do all, at least, I did some of it.


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Collapsed for the First Time

Collapsed is what I feared. When I see people in collapsed situation I felt nervous. I can think that she/he will die. This is how my mind runs. I never thought that it would happen to me.

When we went to little baguio, I felt better. I didn't feel something bad. What I think is to be the first to come on top of the mountain. We ran and ran yet I was only the second. It is me and one cousin who got there first since the remaining, they just walked unlike us. When we got there, I told my cousin that I felt something cold. I was catching my breath. I had difficulty in breathing. Whoa. I felt dizzy and I felt cold around my body. I told my cousin to pinch me. He did yet nothing changed. After awhile, I got unconscious. I never noticed the arrival of my sister,cousins and friends. I felt like I wasn't on earth. I felt nothing that time. That was for about 15 minutes. Whoa. Imagined, I was unconscious for that long time. When I gained back my consciousness, I vomit and vomit and still feel cold. That time,they told me what they did to me. My sister called me but I never answer. She slapped and slapped me but I felt nothing. They were really worried. They also said the my skin color changed from tan to blue or violet then pale. They thought that that was my end. Hoooooooooooooo.

With that, I already knew the feeling of dying. It's scary. I can't imagine myself in that situation. Still, I thank God for He still give chance to live. Thank you, Lord. God bless us all!!!

Holy Week

Before the Holy Week came, I had many plans for activities to be done for these days. Unfortunately, I was sick that I wasn't able to make my planned activities. :(

April 4-  In the afternoon, I was lying in bed since I had fever that time when my cousins came around. They brought fruits for me and brought the portable DVD of my uncle. We watched movies which we already watched. Still, we got more fund of that movie. As what I always said, bonding with my cousins is my favorite. Don't know why. I just get enjoyed when I'm with them, talking to them and teasing with them.When I'm with them, I feel younger as them. Hahahaha.

April 5- Morning when my friend (mommy Ritchiele) asked me if  I'll go with them to Hanginan on friday, dawn. Upon receiving that message, I felt excited. I love the idea. It's what I planned. That time,I felt better. I asked my parent's permission and they said yes in one condition, I should not go there if I felt not okay. I assured them that I will follow what they say since it's for my own good. Afternoon,I went to Yhing's house.It is where we will met. Around 6pm, me, Yhing and her boyfriend went to Maasin City Shrine. Upon climbing there, I felt something not good. I felt tired easily unlike before that's why I decided not to go on to the planned activity. I choose to stay. Mommy got sad but she understood. That's the good thing.

April 6- I woke up early since I have to go home. When I got home, foods were ready like dinuldog, landang and biko. It is what filipinos usually prepare for holy week. We gathered at my grandparent's house. Bonding with cousins again. Yahoooo. Also, I met new  friends. They came from Manila. They came here for a vacation with my cousin. They were so nice. Even if I still didn't feeling well, I managed myself  to be okay so I could get bond with them. And yeah, I did. We played games on the laptop, racing for high scores. It was fun, really fun.

April 7- Late morning,I helped my mother preparing food since we will gather again at our grandparent's house for lunch. Then, after lunch, I ate buko with cousins and new friends. At 3pm, we agreed to go to Danao. We saw little crocodiles there. Those were for the Maasin Zoo which will be open soon. We went to the lake. We went to the short hanging bridge and lastly, we went to what we call "little baguio". We were racing for who will get there first. I was the second. Yahooo but something happened. I collapsed that frightens them especially my sister. We have no parents around. It's only us. Whoa. I was unconscious for almost 15 minutes. When I gained back my conscious, I felt shy since I vomit. I felt shy since I made them nervous. Glad my conscious came back. When we got home, I made my parents worry. :( Still at night, I went to Church with them for a mass.

April 8- Sadly, I wasn't able to go to mass at dawn for what we call "salubong". It's easter sunday. On that day, we went to beach. There were  many people went to beach that we found difficulties in getting cottage. And gladly, we found one.Yeheyyy.. I wasn't able to join them swimming yet, I still enjoyed the day. It's so tiring yet fun. I love that day.

Even if I didn't make my planned activities, still, I got enjoyed. Yeheyyyyy.. Take care and GOD bless!!!

My 20th Birthday

Many birthday greeting on my phone. Thanks to all of you!

Birthday is a day or anniversary to celebrate person's date of birth. This is to commemorate the very first day of our existence here on earth. I know that all humans celebrate their birthday, either in a silent way or through a party or dinner.

I remember when I was a kid. I was always excited when my birthday came. I was excited with the gifts and the party. Well, it was not a big party as you may think; it was just a simple party where my family and relatives gathered in our house for dinner and some chats or a videoke (sing-along). Although my family and relatives on maternal side always come together for other reasons as well, gathering because of birthdays is different. I find it more fun and awesome. Maybe because we were celebrating the very special days of our lives!

And now that I'm already 20 years old, no longer a baby, I still had this feeling of excitement when my birthday was coming. It's not because of the gifts. It's just that I was excited to receive greetings from the people who are important in my life. They are the people who did a great part in making me for who I am now. That's why I took a picture of those messages. Upon receiving messages from mommy Ritchiele Gelsano, Jeralden Bolo, mommy Jonilyn Esclamado, ate Margarita Almeda, Mary Grace Badeo, grandfather Georg Sander,  and Donna Rose Espinal, my special day is half-way complete. Half-way since they serve as half of my life. Without them, my life would be meaningless. It was my way of thanking them and I am so proud for they greeted me. To celebrate my birthday this year, I didn't have a party. It was just a dinner with family and relatives but before that, we went to church altogether. For me, parties and gifts are not important as long as those people I love are there for me. It means a lot to me. They are more precious than any gifts. On the day after my birthday, my friends (Yhing and Mommy Ritchiele) treated me on a snacks. I wasn't surprise with this. Lol. It's just, I don't expect anything from them as long as they remember me, it's all I am wanted for.

Yhing, me and Mommy Ritchiele eating cake

I am thankful to them for that kind of effort they have done for me. First of all, I thank God for giving me chance to borrow this life to experience on how to live this world he had created for us. Second is to my parents who take good care of me from the day I was still in my mother's womb until now that I am a older. Hehehe! I thank those people behind this life of mine. And lastly, whether you are haters or lovers, I thank you since you are the reasons why I am stronger now. I can say that I am so lucky since I am well-loved by those people I mentioned and also by many more people that I have not mentioned above.

Each of us is a gift made by God so we should be thankful with it through celebrating it. Before the celebration, it is God we should thank first. Celebrate it with God since if it is not because of him, we couldn't have this wonderful life that we had. All I'm wishing for is good health and long live for me and for those people I love. I hope, this year will become a fruitful one for me. God Bless everyone!

Fight for the cake. Hehehe. But we all got enough cake.

Easter Sunday (Easter Party)

Now let the heavens be joyful,
Let earth her song begin:
Let the round world keep triumph,
And all that is therein;
Invisible and visible,
Their notes let all things blend,
For Christ the Lord is risen
Our joy that hath no end.

Easter is one of the most festive events in Catholic Calendar. It was totally the reversal of the image of Good Friday. During Good Friday, death of Jesus in the cross was being commemorated whereas during Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death was being celebrated. Before it happened, people gathered at the church for Easter Vigil. It takes place late Holy Saturday. There, they reenacted the waiting for Jesus’ return. When it came, Jesus’ reunion with His Blessed Mother Mary was reenacted. There were also angels. After this reunion held outside the church, people marched, lead by the two people who played as Jesus and Mary, inside. Men and women joined the marching separately. Women followed the image of Mary and men to the image of Jesus.

People have different ways in celebrating Easter Sunday. Some have family gathering and have colorful Easter Eggs hunting for their kids. Some just decorate their surroundings with a motif of white and gold. Some churches also decorated the cross with flowers. Some also held Easter party in their house while others went to beach to celebrate it.

Me and my friends had an advance Easter party. We held it on Black Saturday. It’s just that we reserved the Easter Sunday for our family. We planned this kind of party a month before. We were very excited of it. The day before this day, me and my friends were texting each other about the things we were going to do for our plan. Only to know that we had to cancel it since we didn’t have enough budget for the party. We were very disappointed. What else we can do but to just cancel our planned party. We couldn’t ask money from our parents. We just accepted it and thought that there were still many time to do it. On our dismay, Jesus sent an Angel to us which was our German friend. He knew that we didn’t have the budget, so he gave us as his Easter present for us. I can’t explain my feeling that time. From disappointment to unexplainable happiness! We really thought that we couldn’t make our party but through our friend, we made it. The day before, I slept early because I was very excited. When I got in Maasin City, we bought foods and drinks for the party. We held it in Aloha Resort in Brgy. Mantahan, Maasin City. There, we met with friends, chatted, ate and swam. That was unlimited fun on that day for me. We really enjoyed it. Yipee!

That was a great Easter Sunday for me. It was my first time to experience that kind of party during Easter. I really can’t forget it. That memory was being tattooed to my heart and mind. Thanks to my friends who are the most important during the party. Without their presence, it could never be that enjoyable and memorable. Thanks also to our German friend. We owe a lot to you. Unlimited thanks for you. And most especially, thanks to Lord Jesus Christ for saving us from our sins and for giving this colorful life. Without you, we’re nothing. Eternal thanks to you. Even if we had different ways in celebrating it, the importance is Jesus is always in our hearts. God bless all! We love you Jesus.

Moving On: A 3-Step Process

"Baby, I found someone new. Will you set me free?"

"This relationship is not working. It is better to end this."

"Oh, I"m sorry darling, but I'm not inlove with you anymore."

Ouch! It hurts, right? Love feels like heaven and its loss hurts like hell. When a break-up comes, expect tears, pain, sorrow and sleepless nights. It seems like you're carrying the whole world. You would always asked yourself: "Will I be able to move on?" Of course you can, if you are willing to help yourself!

Moving on is not easy. It is a process. It takes time. How will you be able to move on when all those memories keep haunting you? How will be able to go on with your life when you lost someone who is your greatest dream? Your future? Your beloved? Will you just let yourself to be trapped? Or just bless the parting and move on? Choose the latter? How?

You have to accept it! Face the reality, and then detach! Release! Forgive and start a new life.

Acceptance is very important. It is a way that you can make peace with yourself and the other one involved. Understand that almost everything in this world is impermanent, thus always give yourself a room for a change. That's reality! That's the truth. It hurts, yes it does, but it can set you free so just face it.

Next is detachment or release. According to Morrie Swartz, "detachment doesn't mean you don't let the experience or emotion penetrate you, on the contrary, you let it penetrate it fully." That's how you are able to leave it. Don't be a great pretender. It will do you no good. Cry if you want! Feel the pain! Don't run from it because it will go after you. It will hurt you. If you are so afraid to feel the pain, you would not be able to recognize it, and you can't move on then. But once you let the emotion penetrate you, you'll get acquainted with it. So, you don't have to dwell on that emotion forever. Once you feel the pain, you know it's pain. Upon recogniozing it, you can say, "Oh! I know it's pain and I'm through with it. I must put this aside." That was Morrie taught Mitch during that latter's 6th Tuesday visit with Morrie. (From the book "Tuesdays with Morrie").

Lastly, you must forgive and start a new life. Forgive yourself and the person who hurt you. It's not easy but it's worth it. Don't dwell on the past. You can never change it. Instead, focus your energy on the future.

Are you ready? Start moving on now! Don't ruin your life to a person who doesn't deserve your tears, who doesn't see your worth and doesn't love you back. Life is too short and too precious to be wasted on the crap.

This insights above helped me a lot during those times that I am heartbroken. It helped me a little bit. It gave me idea on what to do so I can moved on. That's why, I share it with you especially to those who undergo break ups. I got this insight from the JOSEPHINIAN magazine (Saint Joseph College magazine). To all heartbrokens, good luck in moving on! I'm through with it and I can say that, experiencing pain makes me more stronger. God bless!

Heartbroken

Before I went to Manila, someone courted me and had my YES to be his girlfriend. I don't have any love for him that time but still, I agreed to be his girl. My parents prohibited me to get into a relationship. "Don't get a boyfriend since you are still young for those matters" my parents always say to me. When I was 18 years old, I got boyfriend once. I loved him but still, after 3 months, I think, I broke up with him because of my parents. I felt unfair to them because I disobeyed them. He understood my reasons and promised me that he'll wait for me until I finish my studies. But, it didn't happen, he got new girlfriend 4 months after we broke up. It did hurt me much, but still I managed to move on.


I was single and happy during my being an “out of school” youth until someone courted me. He was a friend of mine. I've known him for almost one year. I met him through my cousin who happens to be his classmate. I didn't feel love for him but I gave him my sweet YES. The time he courted me, I thought that it's about time for me to have a boyfriend since I'm already 19 years old. I'm old enough to get into a relationship and in addition, I already know my limitations. He never promised to not hurt me because for him, relationship wasn't normal without getting any misunderstandings. He just told me that he will always love me. At that time that I was in Manila, we just communicated through cell phone expressing our love. We exchanged sweet words. As time goes by, I can say I was already in love with him. I gave my full trust to him. He told me that he will wait for me for my coming back. But when I got home, he always missed to send text messages to me. He said that he was just very busy with his studies and he couldn't buy load since he had many expenses because of the projects. I understood him since it was about his schooling. After two weeks of being home, we never met. Okay, I remember we met but that was just a short time like saying hi and hello. That was it. Night before we broke up, we had a small fight. It was his fault. There was a time that he bought load but never texted me even once. It hurts. I knew it from a friend of mine. I confronted him that we had misunderstanding. I stopped texted to him that night and just slept. Day after that night, we texted and he felt that I wasn't in the mood for texting. I confirmed to him that I wasn't really in the mood, after that, there, he broke up with me. At first, I was shocked with his words "let's stop this nonsense relationship". He said that he was already tired pretending that our relationship was cool and fine. Then, he admitted that he didn't really love me since from the very start. OUCH! It hurt me as if someone hit a knife into my heart. It really broke my heart into pieces. I didn't cry. Nothing fell down from my eyes even just a drop of tear. I wanted to cry to express the ache I felt inside but I couldn't. I didn't know why. All I know was I was hurt, really hurt as if there's a part of me was taken away from me. Good thing that me and my friends agreed to meet. We did things we always do like roaming around the boutiques in Maasin City. I told them what had happen to me on that day. They helped me a lot. Our activity did a great help to me to stop thinking and feeling the ache and forgot at least for a short time. When the night came, we went to a disco bar. There, I danced non-stop. Through dancing, I was able to express the hurt I felt. Some people, when they break up with their partners, commit suicide or just get themselves drunk. I was different. I didn't drink that time. I just danced and danced with my friends as my dance partners. I felt relieved that time. But when we got home to rest and sleep, there, I felt the pain again. I kept moving and change positions in my bed so i could sleep but I couldn't until the morning came. As far as I remember, I’ve never been like that before. It was my first to be like that. And, I hate to be like that. I was worried if I'd be like that until I moved on. That day, I forced myself to sleep. I kept my eyes close but it wasn't working. Whole day, I didn't have sleep even just for a minute since whenever I close my eyes I could see his text messages running into my mind. With nothing to do, I decided to go to a salon to have my hair treated and also to change my looks. I got a "bangs" hair style. At least, there's something that change in my look. The night came, after dinner, me and my friends strolled around the City proper and just went home when I felt tired and asleep. As I laid down on bed, I didn't slept immediately. It takes for a long time for me to sleep but at least, I fell asleep. Yahooo!

Days passed, I must say I moved on. I felt no pain anymore whenever I think about what had happen. Having no memories with him helped me a lot to move on that fast. Getting hurt was just normal to a person who was in love. But it depends on a person on how to handle it. Me, instead of crying in the corner, I just let myself enjoyed since for me, I should never be miserable because of a male. I just told to myself that he lost a million for breaking up with me. Hehehe! What I had experienced was never easy to me but despite that, I never done things which could show that I'm down. He don't deserve to be cried for. He was never worth my tears. Because of what he did, I became much closer to my friends. I was more open to them about my feelings. And, I also thank them for always being there for me. They never let me feel that I'm alone. Through what my ex-boyfriend did to me, I realized that there's no reason for me to be sad because I'm so loved by many. Despite what he had done, for fooling me, I thank him for some ways. Because of him, I've learned my lesson. He made me stronger by breaking my heart. Now, I'm happy with my life being committed to no one but my friends. Also, I’m ready to get hurt again. I found it very interesting. Hehehe. That was just a joke! God bless you!

Reunited with My Friends

One reason why I wanted to go home were my friends. While in Manila, I missed those times when I was with them, the things we did when we were together, the good and bad memories we've shared. When I was still in Manila, I was planning of surprising them (“mommy” Ritchiele and Yhing). I keep on telling that I'm not sure when would I come home. They always asked me to go home because they already missed me as they said. I planned that on the day I arrived home, I'll make a surprise meeting with them but it didn't happen because I didn't feel well. I was suffering from cough, cold and sore throat. Huhuhu! That's why I didn't make it to meet with them. While resting at our house, I just send them text messages as if I'm still in Manila. Hahaha! I rested for two days and when I felt better, I went to the city proper where Yhing lives in. Perfect timing that “mommy” Ritchiele was also there. On my way to their house, I was very excited and couldn't wait to surprise them. When I got there, hahaha, there were happy but not really surprised. I hugged them both. It made me wonder why they were not surprised. So, I asked them. It never came into my mind, as a matter of fact, it was my aunt who told them when I'll be home since they met her two weeks before I went home. How funny! I thought I'm the one who made up a story in order to surprise them, but it was reverse, they pretended to believe me while in fact they did know everything. It was ridiculous. All those times I told them that I'm not sure when I'd be home, they already knew. I couldn't believe. I was amazed. Big laugh to myself again! All those times I'm pretending, my friends were the real one who were pretending.


I didn't have something to give to them; instead, I just treat them for a drink. On that afternoon, we went to the grocery store to buy junk food and D'bar (alcohol). I felt a bit shy to buy that stuff, so it was Yhing who brought it. After we bought, we gathered at Yhing's sister's house together with our other 3 friends and have the drinking session there. Honestly, it was not my first time to drink alcohol but not that much as of that time. My parents didn't know about it. They were blind by the truth. I drank more than my limits. My friends were worried for I still have to go home since my father was waiting for me. They gave me more water to drink. And while we were on our way to home at night, I was so drunk that I shouted crazy things to my friends asking them to punch my face and so on. They were a little bit mad at me because I didn't listen to them to stop shouting, to think that we were in the streets with many people. They felt embarrassed because of me, because of the way I acted when drunk. What a stupidity of me! I didn't know what I was doing that time. I was sooooo drunk. When we arrived at my father, I was pretending to be alright. And good, my father never noticed that I was drunk. I did a great job. Hehehe. I really forget things I've done during that night. I didn't know what the hell I was doing that time. I was shy. It was not good for a girl like me. It was unpleasant to see and hear. I hated it. It was just my friends who told me all those things. I regret that I got drunk. Hearing those things I've done during that time, I felt small to myself. I felt I lost my dignity. Because of that, I promised to myself not to drink alcohol anymore even one sip. I'll try my best to save myself from embarrassment. And I realized that it's not good for a girl to drink too much alcohol! God bless!

Jamming With My Friends

Being with my friends is one of those things that make me happy. I enjoy every moment with them. They are like a family to me. Because of this, hing-promise ko na before ako pupunta ng Manila, I will spend even just one night with them, jamming, like that.

We agreed to make it on Dec. 8 and I would just sleep at their boarding house, of course with the permission from my parents. I knew my parents would let me, since it is also the boarding house where my elder sister lives. It was around 8pm when we decided to go to the reclaimation area. The two of my friends agreed to buy drinks (redhorse), just for fun, even though me, my sister, and one of my friend didn't drink. Only the two other friends did drink alcohol. All in all, we were five. We talked about lovelifes and family matters. We had so much fun. Since we got more fun, we didn't notice the time, and suddenly it was already 11pm. We remembered that the curfew time for the boarding house is 10:30pm so we run and run the way to the house. As we arrived there, we were catching our every breathe. We just laughed at ourselves for what we had experienced. And good luck, the bording house was still open. If closed, oh no, we would have to sleep outside, which would probably been really interesting but dangerous at the same time. Hehehe! We just continued our talking and having fun inside the room, but of course with soft voices since the other boardmates were already sleeping.

I really had a good time with them. I can never forget every moment with them. They made me enjoy my staying in Maasin. Right now I am in Manila, but I'm looking forward to the activities we will do whenever I'll go home. I miss them very much!

Merry Christmas

From http://allonzoinc.wordpress.com/

Ukay-ukay

Cebuano: Ukay-ukay, kini ang mga gamit sama sa sinina, blaws, syorts, karsones, bag, sapatos, ug uban pa nga ginamit na unya ge-import gikan sa lain-laing nasud. Kusog gayud kini nga negosyo. Daghan ang mamalit. Madato o pobre, Propesyunal o dili, mupalit gayud ane kay durable ug barato pa. Ang uban mupalit para sa ilang kaugalingonsamtang ang uban nag-negosyo ug buy and sell. Mupalit sila ug ilang ibaligya sa barato gihapon nga peresyo sakto lang para makaginansiya. Niadtong una, dili ko ganahan ug ukay, lainan ko musuot, hugawan ko. Ako lang mama ug papa ang mupalit ug ukay-ukay. Akong amigo ang hinungdan ngano ganahan nako ug ukay-ukay karun. Maganahan ko sa iyang mga gesuot, mangutana ko kung asa niya gipalit. "Sa ukay-ukay", mao ni iya kanunay tubag naho. Tungod ani, na-agane ko nga mangukay. Akong tigumon akong alawans niadtong nag-eskwela pa ko para mangukay kada Sabado ug naay oras. Mupalit ko ug para aho pero siyempre, ako pod apilan ug palit sila mama ug papa. Ukay lang akong mapalit para nila kay wala pa man ko igo nga kwarta para pamalit ug mga mahalong butang para nila. Sa akong paghatag nila, nakita naho sa ilang mga mata ang kalipay. Unya, sa pagkakaron, tambay man ko, kami sa akong amiga (yhing ug mommy Ritchiele), kada adto naho sa dakbayan, sa dili pa kami musuroy, muadto gayud kami sa ukay-ukay. Usahay mupalit mi, usahay pod dili. Sa panahon nga wala mi mga kwarta, mangukay lang gihapon mi kay bisan ug dili kami mupalit, ganahan lang kami mangukay. Tungod ane, mas mupili pa ako nga mangukay kaysa mupalit sa mga botik o sa ubang tindahan. Nabantayan naho nga mas nindot pa tan-awon akong mga damit nga pinalit sa ukay-ukay kaysa sa ubang tindahan. Salamat gayud kaayo ni Yhing, sa pag-agne naho nga musod sa Ukay-ukay. Tungod niya, nakatipid ko sa akong kwarta. Kamo diha, ukay na. Hehehe!

English: Ukay-ukay or Bargain: this is how we call used things like dresses, blouses, shorts, pants/jeans, bags, shoes, etc. imported from different countries. It is a strong business here since many people, rich or poor, professionals or not, prefer to buy durable and affordable things. Some people buy bargains for their own, while others do a business by buying cheap and selling bargains with a little gain. At first, I hated to get used clothes. I was worried that it was dirty since it was already used by other people. My mother and father bought it for themselves. It was my friend who inspired me to buy bargains since every time I asked her where she bought her clothes she just answered me "in bargains". Because of this, I started to buy bargains. I just saved my allowance, when I was still studying, to buy it during Saturdays when I had time. I bought for myself, but of course for my parents too. I could only buy bargains for them since I don't have income for me to buy expensive things for them. Still, I could see the happiness in their eyes every time I gave a new gift to them. And now, being an out of school youth, me and my friends first roam around in bargain stores before we visit other clothing stores or boutiques every time we go to Maasin City. We do not always buy stuff, but even when we don’t buy, we love to browse though bargains Today, I prefer buying in bargain stores than in other stores or boutiques. I notice that my bargain clothes are the nicer ones that I have. Thanks to Yhing for introducing me to the world of bargains. Through this, I was able to save money. You out there, start buying to bargains! Hehehe!

My friends Bargain Store is here on facebook: Sam's Treasure.
See in the photo section for the clothes that are offered.

Surprise For a Friend

Preparing a surprise birthday gift for the one who is special to my heart is one of the most exciting things I ever did in my life. I have done it to my family many times but not yet to a friend. And this is what makes it an exciting one for me.

Last August 19, it was Yhing's birthday. The days before this date, we didn't talk about it when we were together, pretending that we forgot her birthday. Whenever we realized that she is going to talk about her birthday, me and Donna tried our best to change the topic. Even when we were exchanging text messages by phone, we didn't mention it, and instead we talked about the usual things what we will do on the coming days. We told her that it would be a busy day for us, we have lots of work to do in our house, and so on. When that day came, Yhing sent a message containing: "Wa jud nang.greet dahhh..:(" to be exact, if only she knew our plans for her, for her special day. Hehehe. I did phone calls to our friends Donna and Rozel and to Yhing's boyfriend Jingle to talk about what to do with the surprise birthday gift. We agreed to contribute money in any amount so we can buy the gift. We never sent text messages to her, also not replying to hers. We did not let her know that we were in the city already. To figure out where she is, we just texted Jingle so that our ways wouldn't crossed while we were buying the surprise gift. That time, Yhing get a little bit mad at poor Jingle because he was always texting so that she (with irritation) always asked him who he was texting to, not knowing that it was us. Getting mad, she decided to go home. Ooooohhh no, that shouldn't be! We haven't finished buying the gift. So, we told Jingle to do anything to please her for her not to go home. And thank to God, Jingle did a good job and she stayed away from home. After we bought the gifts which are cake, balloons, and pansit bihon, we went immediately to her house. When we came there, her family was also surprised as they didn't know our plan. We hide at her room and texted her boyfriend to bring her back into her house. Her older sister commanded her to get her niece out of her room. then, she followed. As she opened her room's door...Surprise! ... "Happy birthday, happy birthday to you!" she could hear us singing. Seeing her face, she was really surprised with tears of joy in her eyes. Yahoooo! ... Our plan was successful!

Even if it was just simple, we know that we make our friend happy on her special day. We did special things to her. We really love her. No one can take this precious moments we had on her birthday.  Friend can't be bought by money that's why we treasured our friendship and this is how we showed our love for her. God bless to all of us!

Food trip...

Since we graduated from our two-year course, not all of us could proceed to Cebu to continue the third and fourth year Nursing course. Most of us stopped our studies for some reasons. Some went to other places to work while others just stayed at their house doing nothing but the household chores. Well, one of us started even blogging as you can read here. 
 Even if we, my former classmates and myself, haven't seen each other regularly anymore, we never missed to text to each other by phone. Sometimes when texting we decided to meet again for a food trip. Food trip is the activity that we always did everytime we met. We just love to eat. Don't get me wrong, no one is fat or chubby among us. We are all perfectly slim. Five of us are always participating in that activity, namely Donna, Yhing, 'Mommy' Ritchiele, Rozel and Yours truly.

August 8, 2010 was the day when we agreed to have a food trip. But suddenly, it seemed that the chance played and tested us. A problem came to us! The problem was the loss of Rozel's cellphone. The time we planed to use for the food trip was used to look for her lost cellphone. We went to places where we strolled but we could never find it. Rozel was quite sad, she cried and us, as a friend, we comforted her telling her to stop crying as we will find that lost cellphone of her. The evening came and to our dismay, we never saw the cellphone. We were so worried that her family would be angry about the loss.

My foreign readers might think this is no big deal. But you have to understand that we are from the Philippines, and cellphones are among the dearest treasures that we have. Not only are cellphones very expensive for us (compared to other things we need to buy, such as food, clothes, and so on), but they are also the most important tool to keep contact with our friends and to socialize. Yes, we love to socialize more than anything else, therefore our cellphones are important.

But let's come back to my food trip story: With these worries about the lost phone inside us, we still continued our food trip. We cooked three packs of Lucky Me Pancit Canton and six dried fishes with drinks of Nestea Iced Tea. While Donna, Yhing and Mommy Ritch prepared the food, me and Rozel prepared the table and chairs. We had our dinner outside Yhing's house. As we pensively nourished ourselves on our dinner, we never missed to talk about the lost cellphone. We also talk about activities while we are at home or the love lives of our friends. We gulped down our food and it satisfied us after fancying it before. We were so full. After the dinner, we continue talking about sensible and nonsense things.

We still did enjoy even if the worries were still in us. It was just simple foods but it's not important. What matters most are our moments together. The loss of the phone should be bearable as eventually Rozel can buy a new one, but the memories of being together is something that money cannot buy. Circumstances or people can take away our material possessions, they can take away our money, they can take away our health. But no one can ever take away our precious memories. So let us not forget to make time and take opportunities to make memories everyday!