2005 - The Year That Was

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

A litttle less than 4 hours and it's ----2006!----

The best and the worst of 2005...

This year's summer saw me going off to Subic 3 times with various sets of friends. A community outing at Laguna. A sheepfold weekend at Canyon Woods and Cawayan Beach Cove in Tagaytay and Batangas. A praise and worship ministry retreat in Baguio. Sadly though, I didn't realize my dream trip to Korea.

Unni-chingu Louise was here though in September. I played host for one night, and we went out for dinner and coffee and a lot of chika at Cubao's newest hangout, Gateway.

Almost committed the biggest tragedy of my life -- falling in love -- during the third quarter of the year. Lucky me, I was able to bounce back, hmmm, bruised but none the worse for wear. Hmm, actually loving the single life. Here's a soju for that!

Cheers!

Got a crush on someone who turned out to be a good friend.

Got a female lovebird named after me -- er, Flame.

Playing "flirt" games with a shy boy who is mum upfront but very expressive (read: forward) thru SMS and phone calls. Was advised by several 'elders' that, for a woman, it is better to commit to a man who loves you more but who you don't really love, than to force your love to a man who doesn't give a fig for you...eventually, they say, a woman is more easily won over by love, sweetness, thoughtfulness, gentleness (and all the "ness" there is pa) and wooing of a man. A woman can kill for a man, but he'll never appreciate it really if he doesn't like her. --am I making sense here???

Anyway, was also busy attending dance practice for the weekend open retreat by Mo. Nadine of Omaha, USA held in November at the Meralco Theatre. Weekends since September, I picked up another ball to juggle - a masteral course in MPA. Good thing here - my classmates are fellow BSPers. My boss is also my groupmate.

Was also active in the BS Singers and was able to participate in our concert held in September. Earned a reputation for being "hyper". Earned the respect of SOME of my colleagues. This doesn't mean, however, that I can really sing. I just give a pretty good imatation of it. hahaha.

Missed my hubby, Jerry Yan's visit to Cebu in May. No, it was not because I've found replacements (my Oppas) but because I was too busy at the office to take a day off.

Took up baking again. And writing blogs.

An old, beloved friend texted me again, after 5 long years of "nothingness".

Earned my target savings!!!

Bought tech toys - a laptop (that proved to be my undoing when I broke the LCD) and a 4-Gig MP3 player.

Hmmm...now, what could my new year's resolutions be???

Santa Was Here

Ho Ho Ho!
It's Christmas! It's Christmas! Wake up everybody, it's Christmas!

This year, I was the one in need of waking up. The whole Tabamo clan was here some few hours ago for the annual Christmas reunion. And of course, what Tabamo clan reunion is complete without the FOOD, CHILDREN, NOISE, TONG-ITS and VIDEOKE? Sorry, no pictures...my cell phone is still with Semicon for repair.

Anyway, stayed hidden in my room most of the time due to allergies, headache and fear of being nagged about my lovelife. Some brat mouthed something about the possibility of me having an "it", but of course, aside from MSG and fans club and someone I refuse to talk about now, Lovelife is like the HARRY POTTER series - it's slow to unfold, keeps you in suspense and it's all make-believe. The rumors are actually somewhat correct, they got an existent guy. Correct name. But that's as far as everything goes. Yes, I like him. Yes, we did go out sometime. But no, we're not IT, and no, I don't think he'll ever pursue me. End of story.

On the MSG front, I pity the poor guy, but what's a girl to do? I've told him subtly before that we should be friends first and I don't think he's in love with me when he doesn't even know me that well. I've tolerated (!!) his text messages because they were innocent enough, forwarded messages that inspire and sometimes makes me laugh. The past couple of nights I began to wonder if he's into rugby or something...

"I love you, love you so very much!", "It's a sin to love you, forgive me!"...frightens me a lot...I dunno. I asked him "hoy, anong tinitira mo? Nakainom ka ba?" - joking, but it's half meant. Instead, he said he was serious and relieved that he, at last, was able to say it. He asked if he should stop feeling the way he does - short of asking me if he stood a chance. He implored me not to joke around. I told him, in the nicest way, that I don't think he knows me that well to love me, and I can't entertain him when I don't know him as well. I don't know if he gets my drift, but for now, ignoring his messages is all I can do to save us both the hassle.

Back to the Christmas front, I opened up all my presents. This time, I got a whole lotta kikay stuff...make-up case, make-up, vanity sets, lotion and manicure sets...and a very pink pink Elle-would-have-been-envious-of-me bath towel set. I can't imagine!

Ten Things I Learned While Mending a Broken Heart

10. You know there was a spark, and now it's gone, when all of a sudden you make it a point to ignore each other.

9. You know it's game over when all of a sudden, the most minute detail of his get-up irritates you.

8. You know the chemistry is gone when you can't catch the drift of his thoughts...you're already drifting asleep when he's talking.

7. You know you've lost the lovin' feeling when you don't even notice his presence...or absence.

6. You know there's no more rhyme when when he leaves you alone in a crowded place and you don't even mind...in fact, you go and find another date. (*evil laugh)

5. You know you are over him when you sit beside him and wish you're sitting next to somebody else.

4. You know it's a closed chapter when you see him with some other girl and think she's good for him.

3. You know you're done when you don't anymore stare at your cell phone willing it to ring/give you a message alert. You can even leave it behind.

2. You know the waltz is over when you don't dress up to impress him anymore.

1. I know it's a failure when I can't even begin to imagine what attracted me to him.

So...on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being totally over him, I can say I'm on my way to 9! Yebbbbaaahhhhh!

Let's Partyyyy!

Saturday. MMPA class cancelled. Yehey, I can now attend the dancers' practice for that evening's Christmas presentation. Unfortunately, Con2 didn't come early and I was feeling too sick to wait. She arrived 30 minutes after I left, and there was only Rose waiting. So, dance for the program was scrapped.

Or so I thought. During the program, we were told that we had to present something - cha cha, boogie, tango, whattever. It was Ballroom Dancing after all. So, to make life easier, Iyos, Rose and I agreed on - what else! The famouse PBB theme song Pinoy Big Brother. Seems like half the Filipino population is dancing it anyway. We just fused in some 60's steps and we were ready. We paired with the Liturgical boys Jowin, Ian Salvador (Ha ha ha, what ever happened to Jun Flores???) , Rhandy (si Aga daw???) and Tenpaul (Sam Melby in tight-fitting shirt). At least I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who felt silly.

It was really a blast, that party. For one, everyone got a prize, coz there were just so many! Santa came in a van and handed out packages...Randy and Paul each got a ham. Wahhh! And the much sought after package of Lace potato chips was won by Con.

Since my birthday (has been and gone) was last week, I was "forced" to give a blow out. At the end of the long discussion of where and how to get there, we ended up at Jowin and Kuchee's place. We bought beers and chips, gin and pizza and soda. Of course, inupakan namin ang ham ni Paul. We watched TV and talked showbiz. Expression for the week: Yuck. Say it with feelings, ala Jun. Hahaha. Iyos and Ella, Dennis and Myke went home at around 2 am, and Paul missed his stuff toys and went home after them. We who were left behind decided to call it a day and went to bed, share share sa kwarto boys and girls. Ang ingay ni Jun. All I can say is: Rhandy, you're evicted! Talo ka na ni Jun!

Woke up early, only to find that Con, Marc, Jun and Rhandy are all too flaked out to even flinch at all my noise. They woke up at around 9 am while I'm playing with Chino, Kuch's and Jowin's adorable baby (and my godchild). We said our goodbyes after breakfast and I got to go home by 11. Hay naku. I tried to catch some shut eye but I was too hyper so I went and bought baking ingredients and spent the whole day baking cookies. Yay, sana pagkakitaan ko ito no???

Anyway, I'm again babbling, mostly to take my mind off my gigantic headache. My body is still fighting flu and I'm worried about tomorrow's Christmas party. ..=(

Christmases Memories

Memorable Christmases/Holidays:

1. Spent in Saudi when I was 13 years old. Memorable because it was a Christmas I spent abroad. Instead of the noche buena of ham and pork dishes, we had chicken embutido (c/o Tita Loi), veal, beef and all sorts of fruits. We also got a generous allowance. Yey!! After that, I was almost kicked out of school because of the absences!

2. Christmas 1998. I was with Capitol Development Bank then, and the whole bank had a party sa Sound Stage, Cainta (??). For production number, we danced "Manila" and "Annie Batongbakal". Went to "The Zoo" afterwards where I tested the camaraderie of the AMG people.

3. Christmas 1999. From CBD, was transfered to RCBC Savings, Recto when RCBC acquired CBD. We had a party sa Coconut Palace and for production number, we did an interpretative dance reminiscing the Edsa Revolution. It was the corniest thing I ever participated in.

4. Christmas 2000. Was employed with MRT Edsa Line. Party at a parish church in Frisco. And for production number, I sang "Is It Okay If I Call You Mine" Fortunately, it was brown-out. Was also trying to impress a certain someone who thought I was in love with somebody else.

5. Christmas 2001. First Christmas at BSP...aside from having to sing solo, newbies had to dance. We did an N'Sync number...where during practices, I lost my temper...and earned my reputation.

"I'll be missing you come Christmas, missing hard my dear. Missing you come Christmas, wishing you were here"... NKOTB Song

Taym Awt!

Timeline Tag

10 years ago
A struggling math student...trying to make it din sa college newsletter and finally joining Thomasian Volunteer. Was also trying to get over a crush who got booted out of school. Regretted also having said a lightning-fast "no" to the first ever marriage proposal I got (from the crush I was trying to get over).

5 years ago
First christmas at BSP. Yay, was requested to sing solo. Sang "Ikaw", Sharon Cuneta version, in front of the Governor. Auditioned, and was accepted sa BSP Chorale, but had to back out at the last minute. First time in my life I gave out Guess for christmas gifts (sosi? I bought stuff because I liked the Guess paper bags...how silly can you get?)

A year ago
Wondering if this Christmas will be the same as all other christmases. Preparing for the SGS Christmas party. Hmm, practicing "H'wag na H'wag Mong Sasabihin" for the DER Christmas party.

Yesterday
Received a surprise text from someone in the past...someone I missed terribly. Set a future gimik. Sneezing my nose off. Lying on the couch having a massage while watching TV and waiting for mom to come home. Contemplating if I am hungry enough to merit a slice of chocolate cake.

Tomorrow
Office again. Hopefully, it won't smell of varnish and wood. Have also a chorale practice, so I have to remember to memorize lyrics and notes.

Today
Got excited about the upcoming office Christmas party. The group practice Papa Mon's newest "composition". Got dizzy updating two websites. Played as somebody's "angel". I do like being able to lift somebody's spirits up.

Tag, you're it: Anna, Eve, Irish and Beige.

Timeline Tag Preview

Was tagged by Ivy. And because I time to get my brain cells working, I'll post my stuff tomorrow...Hopefully.

Another Year Older

Birthday's been and gone, and I'm a year older, wiser and prettier (ha ha ha!) So much for birthday celebrations, the birthday entourage consisted of5 people and 2 dogs and 2 cats. Since I didn't want a party, I asked my mom if we could go and hear Holy Mass in the morning at an Immaculate Conception church. First choice was Project 8, but I went there two years ago. Last year, we visited IC in Malabon. So for this year, we went to IC in Tondo, but we got there a tad late and the next mass would be at 7 pm. So off we went to Tutuban. Moolah or none, there was still a shopping list to complete.

Anyway, spent the better part of the afternoon dozing around the house. Ordered for a big big 18" Yellow Cab pizza with the works, two side orders of chicken and sodas...Mom bought me a big Red Ribbon Black Forest cake and we had ourselves a grand dinner! Simpleng tao lang naman ako...masaya na ako dun! Yum.

The day was also spent answering birthday greetings. My cellphone got dizzy. However, of all the people who would miss greeting me...guess???!!! MSG. Hay naku. He did send me an SMS, but just an ordinary forwarded stuff. I finally texted him "Di mo ba ko babatiin? Birthday ko ngayon." Can just imagine how red he turned. Hahaha. Bad ko.

So, the next day, dun na ako naghanda for my officemates...I was still on official leave, but since we had classes in the evening, sabay reporting pa ng group namin with special guests from CHED...sinabay ko na. We had a Seaside party (shrimps, squid, fish, green mangoes and liempo) Yum. Sana laging ganito ang buhay...yun lang, magastos.

Up to now, I can't believe I'm this old. Golly, parang ancient! Nung prep ako, feeling ko, pag High school ka na, old ka na. Pag college mo, sobrang mature ka na. Pag nag wo-work ka na, pede ka na mag-asawa. Had I met Me then, I'd consider myself ancient. I therefore conclude, age is respective...it depends on where you're standing.

Early Birthday Gifts

Two days before THE DAY, I got to take home a whole Goldilocks' egg pie, c/o Richel. The whole group tormented him for a week to treat us to egg pie, and he obliged yesterday, and bought two. I know from experience that he would have taken home the other one, but the others were merciless and "forced" him to give it to me as birthday gift...actually, "panuhol" (bribe) for my mom. Errrr...

Today, the V ladies, Michelle, Jed and Cherrie, with Angel girl Raquel in tow, dropped by to give me a present. =) It was a pleasant albeit awkward surprise as I haven't been on friendly talking terms with some of them. But to make a long long story short, all's forgiven and forgotten (and here I was thinking I am not so forgiving and have a memory like a camel's). Richel took pictures, and here we are...

Striking a pose...

And the winner gift? Mother Nature sent me colds and a mild fever today. Mother Nature has a sense of humor...on a one-day leave, and I have to spend it resting!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Last Sunday, Mom and I trooped to famous Divisoria so I can start my Christmas shopping. This is about the first time in my entire gift-giving career (I started when I got a job) that I am cramming for Christmas. Usually, I start buying gifts as early as September and by first week of December, the gifts are all wrapped up and ready to go.

Well, six hours (two of which were spent in hideous traffic) , four muddy feet and a migraine later, I have at least partially completed my shopping.

Fortunately, I didn't bring a whole lotta moolah because I would've spent it buying MY stuff. As it is, the first purchases were a skirt, belt and accessories - for me! Needed some self-control there to look away when something I like comes to view...

Anyway, the whole evening was spent wrapping up the gifts. I helped out with my parent's stuff since dad, who is the gift-wrapping pro, can't do it anymor with his bad back. So there, all nice and ready for delivery...Still have to drop by the malls to get presents for my godchildren!

The Problem with Shy Guy

So okay. Nagpilit akong pumunta sa first Friday mass because I told Mr. Shy Guy that rather than going to mass on Sunday, I'd prefer we get to meet formally during the fellowship. Plus, since it's also my birthmonth, Randy and I agreed to share sa "blow-out" para mas tipid.

The turn-out of events were nothing close to my expectations. I dressed up pa man din (naks, sa wakas, I got the nerve to wear a bright yellow bolero!) for the occassion...First, wala ang school bus namin. No Jowin and Kuchee = No transportation.

And because it was fellowship Friday, people get to mill around and chat. So I chatted around with the guys. Mr. Shy Guy (MSG) stuck to his corner like it was his salvation. I waited for him to at least come nearer our group, but when Marc called him, ayun. He turned tail (again!) and ran away. Marc was laughing, kasi sobrang nervous na daw nung tao, nanginginig na siguro ang tuhod. Yikes. Do I look like Lord Voldemort??? I thought he'd gone home, but when I got into the car, he was standing outside, sa isang sulok ng mundo. I rolled down the window to wave to some people, and when we passed by him, he rubbed his face, and looked like he was giving me a little goodbye wave. The guy needs a big dose of confidence. Unfortunately, I am not one to give it. Tsk tsk.

Today was also the BSP Idol Finals. Sorry kay Laurence...He was good, kaya lang, di talaga inabot. In fairness to the winner, she really delivered. She aimed to win. She prepared long and hard (it's her second time to join-last year di sya nakapasok sa finals). She deserved to win. Hay, ako kaya, ever, magkaka guts mag-join? Hmm, thinking of my pang-o-o-cry kanina...di na lang. Baka gantihan ako. Hehehe.

I missed going out with the TEC babes. Mom wanted me to go home early because I've been complaining of exhaustion, palpitation and lack of appetite. My annual medical exam results were not very good. I think my body recognizes it's not anymore that of a teen's. Its's telling me to STOP. But then, I have school tomorrow, and a major report to prepare. I can't afford to rest.

Birthday blues

Lanie gave birth yesterday to her second child, Zach. So, naturally, those of us who are available, trooped to the UST Hospital to make uzi. Zach, is of course, a beautiful baby! Big brother Zoie was singing "sunshine, you are my sunshine/You make me happy when skies are gray..." while we were viewing Zach. Made us go "ayyy, ang sweet naman ni Zoie."

Made me think of the "cloudy" future. Well, am still in doubt whether I want to get married, but I'm pretty sure I want to have kids-natural or adopted. Jing is pretty much against adoption, but Weng and I are for it. Quite natural for Weng, she's a pediatrician. I told them marriage is not a guarantee for companionship, since companionship just sums up the reason why I wanna get married anyway. However, I stressed that even if I don't achieve Marital Bliss, I would, at least, like to experience The One Great Passion. You know, the stuff cheesy, corny, tear-jerker movies are made of. Think Wuthering Heights, A Moment to Remember, and Jude Deveraux novels.

It must be because in a week's time, I'll be turning a year older and not in the least bit in a hurry to exit Singledom. Wedding bells aren't ringing yet, to the disappointment of my family, relatives and friends.