Archive for November, 2008

30
Nov

“Twilight” Effect

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: Love

Yesterday, two of my best buds and I watched “Twilight” at the Trinoma Mall.  I wasn’t that familiar with its book series that based on the title alone, I thought it was a horror movie.  But when I heard that girls swooned at almost every scene of the movie, I got so interested.  Maybe my kind of movie, after all.  That is, a love story from start to finish.

The plot was quite interesting–  a girl falling in love with a vampire.  As the movie unfolds, I couldn’t help making some quiet giggles everytime Edward the Vampire plays his heroic acts just to save and protect Bella, the Girl he loves so much.  Their love scenes were not of the usual kind that were prevalent in some previous romantic movies I’ve seen. The last scene was nakaka-in love enough.  It wasn’t that cheesy at all but just the same, I got so kilig that I even texted a friend saying, “Kung ako rin naman ‘yong girl dito, mai-in love din ako do’n sa boy kahit bampira siya! Hahaha!”

This morning, I dreamt of someone who swore to high heavens (only in my dream, that is) to protect me from the bad boys around me.  The dream was so vivid that I could still remember every detail of it.  Para ngang totoo.  There was even this scene where he said, “I’ve waited this long to see you and now that I’ve found you, I will not let you go.  Ever.”   Wooow, English!

Then I heard, “Ano kakain ka pa ba? Di ka na nga nag-almusal, di ka pa nanananghalian.  Huwag ka na rin kayang mag-agahan??”  Oh no, I lost my Edward!  I woke up trying so hard to get back to sleep hoping that the dream would somehow continue.  It didn’t.  Grrrrr…

Back to reality, every boy I’ve met so far has a “vampire” in him in a positive way.  But no one has ever come close yet to the endearing qualities that Edward has in the movie.  Every girl has her dreamboy.  And mine would be someone who is also as willing as Edward to risk his life just to save and protect me from harm. But then again, sa pelikula lang nangyayari ‘yon. 

The “vampires” that we encounter in this life are exactly the opposite of Edward’s character.  This is why I’d rather watch “Twilight” over and over again than wait in vain for the right “vampire” to come.  After all, seeing my own Edward in my dreams is a lot better than seeing no Edward at all.

24
Nov

What’s ‘Forever’ For?

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: Love

Days ago, the Office of the Solicitor General was alarmed that the number of annulment cases has dramatically increased for the past few years.  From January to September of this year alone, there were already 7,000+ annulment cases filed in our various courts.

During batch reunions or any other casual meetings among groups of friends, it’s not unusual anymore to hear “Sila pa rin ba?” once the conversation veers toward their married classmates or friends.  It’s as if being together for more than five years has now become the exception, no longer the norm.

There are different reasons why couples choose to go on their separate ways regardless of who is truly at fault.  Actually, this is not a new thing anymore.  It’s just that nowadays, people have become more accepting of this fact that legalizing a separation seems to be no longer a big deal.  Likewise, women have become more assertive of their rights that “suffering in silence” or “making tiis na lang for the sake of the children” are now considered passe. 

Despite these facts, though, I still believe in happy endings.  I think it’s just a matter of being with the right person.  Let’s face it– aside from getting married for the wrong reasons, the basic reason couples separate is because they no longer “connect” at all.  Irreconcilable differences may be cute at first but in the long run, they do bring out the worst in each other.  For some, that could be very fatal.

Thus, having a very good foundation of the relationship before taking the big plunge is very important.  It is this foundation that will keep two people together when the going gets tough.  Marriage is not only all about romance and passion.  It is, in fact, involves a lot of lifetime obligations and big responsibilities.  One should really be physically, emotionally, spiritually,  psychologically, and financially  prepared before having the nerve to say “I do”.

I believe in love.  I’ll always be.  And I guess this time, I knew a lot better.  Despite those sad realities of life, yes, I still believe in “forever”.

As the song goes:

So what’s the glory in living?
Doesn’t anybody ever stay together anymore?
And if love never lasts forever
Tell me, what’s forever for?

19
Nov

On Being Appreciative

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: Values

A good friend  kept on saying “thank you” when I paid our bill one night.  Overly appreciative of that simple thing I did for him, this friend actually made me feel good about myself.

Imagine, magkano lang ba ‘yon and to him, it meant a lot already?  I couldn’t help but compare him tuloy with someone from the past who didn’t even bother to say thanks everytime I did favors for him— favors that were far bigger and more big time. 

I am not really the type who demand or expect so-called returns of favors because for me, the essence of giving or sharing ends the moment someone says, “next time, ako naman.”  Admittedly, I am guilty of this but I am learning my lesson not to say this anymore everytime someone gives me treats.  Really, a simple thank you is much more ethical to say.

I think this ako-naman-next-time syndrome stems from the fact that Filipinos are generally shy by nature. “Nakakahiya naman.”  Or “Sige sa susunod, treat ko naman.”  More often than not, we hear these from people after saying their thank yous.  I really don’t know what I am supposed to say back whenever I hear it.  As a standard of sort, I just say, “Kaw naman, okey lang ‘yon.”

Having a dose of my own medicine, this friend made me realize that being appreciative enough of the smallest things that other people do for us is a worthwhile habit to keep.  And sparing your friends from the discomfort of reacting further to those unnecessary follow-up statements is a lot better. :)

16
Nov

What the ….?!

By lvbauzon1007 2 Comments
Categories: EMOs

For almost two days, Friendster couldn’t be accessed.  Now, I am finally able to get through and horror of horrors! Forty out of my 45 friends are missing! Forty-five na nga lang ang friends ko dito, nadamay pa ang account ko sa pagbabawas daw nila ng number of friends per account.

What’s happening? Napalitan lang ang presidente ng Amerika, nagkagulo na.  It seems that giant online service companies are not also spared from destructive system breakdowns.  Paano na lang kaya ‘yong mga maliliit na kompanya? 

I worry for my former company-employer.  Records of its 1.5 million members and payments of benefits are now totally based on computer data.  To think na marami pa ring hindi naipasok na records of payments online and some hard copies of these remittances are still missing, paano na kaya sila just in case mag-bog down din ang system nila?   Anyway, I am sure that they have already installed preventive or back-up measures to protect the members’ interests at all costs.

This is why I never believe in the idea of a paperless transaction— be it legal, company-related, or purely personal files.  For one, I still print a copy of every entry I post in this blog.  Aside from being stored in my PC’s hard disk or USB, I also keep a master file (hard copy) of all my documents, academic papers, essays, letters, resumes, etc.   I still jot down my payment details whenever I pay my credit card bill online.  I also print important messages from my email account.

Lesson is, we should not completely rely on anything that is computer-related.  It always pays to be prudent and old-school when it comes to important documents which can either make or break us.  After all, printed copies are far more accessible, safer, and cheaper to maintain.  What is a few pesos spent on ink and paper to a lifetime peace of mind?

Not even one computer virus that may erase all your online personal records in a snap could faze you if you knew that you have some back-up copies lurking somewhere in your territory.

12
Nov

Palawan, At Last!

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: Friendship and Journeys

The moment my brod Jeff mentioned the possibility of a Palawan trip a month ago, I was already in my “go-go-goooo!” mode.  Jeff figuratively moved heaven and earth just for this trip to push through as it was.

You see, Zest Air cancelled our flight two days before the scheduled time.  Thus, Jeff and his all-girl pharma team stormed the airline ticketing office in Cubao like hell! “The stakes are high for this trip!  Hindi puwedeng hindi ito matuloy! Gawan n’yo ‘yan ng paraan at hindi kami aalis dito hangga’t hindi n’yo ito naso-solusyonan,”  they chorused!

Luckily, the receptionist was able to transfer us 12 passengers to PAL Express after almost three hours of waiting.  We were completely relieved. So we thought.  On the day of the trip, we arrived at the airport two hours before our boarding time only to find out that our flight would be delayed by two hours.  Pissed off, we killed time by loitering around, taking pics in almost every corner of Terminal 3, having power naps, eating, and exchanging banters.

So, imagine our excitement when the plane that would take us to Coron, Palawan finally arrived.  We hurriedly board PR-33 and when it touched the grounds of Busuanga Airport, we all heaved a sigh of complete relief.  After a 45-minute land trip to the Busuanga town proper, we checked in at Rudy’s Place upon Mang Rey’s suggestion (and hidden agenda?).  We ate lunch at almost 2pm and after wolfing down Mimi’s homecooked adobo, we headed to Maquinit Hotspring.

It was a nice place.  The hot waters was soothing and relaxing that Jeff enjoyed every minute of his dip— still wearing a gold necklace at that!  Then, endless pictorials were undertaken, each one hoping to get a nice “pang-Friendster profile pic” with the clear waters and green mountains serving as backdrop.  I sort of became the official photographer because I was the only one who didn’t take a swim. My goal then was to take pics of God’s wondrous creations around me. Wow.

The next day, we had the much anticipated island hopping at the famous Siete Pecados.  Everyone was laughing on our way to the islands courtesy of Alexis’ funny antics and wisecracks.  To the highest level ang energy at creativity ng taong ito, promise.  He was practically the life of the whole trip.

Upon reaching the Boracay-like island, hala! everyone was taking pics in every corner and on every top of the rocks instead of enjoying the cool and clear green waters of Coron.  Who could blame us?  This trip only happens once in a blue moon so capturing memories and the grandeur of the place was always the priority. Hahaha!

Some of us also had a nice time snorkeling in the hope that they could find a school of “Nemos“.  Unfortunately, we were able to see only Dorys and other multi-colored fishes and amazing coral reefs.  To make those fishes follow our boat’s direction, we threw bits and pieces of Gardenia bread into the water. Sosyal.

Words are not enough to describe how I felt during that two-day trip to Coron, Palawan.  I enjoyed it a lot (Thanks Jeff!).  More than the the trip itself, it strengthened my bond with my brod, SOLAIRIAN-bestfriends (Anto & Gracie) and paved the way for me to meet wonderful and fun-loving people from the pharma industry (Kristanz, Mimi, Myra, Maricel, Zherlynn, Titen, Alexis, Dan).  I just hope that this would not be our first and last trip together.

Being with people who matter during a nice getaway is always worth the trip.

04
Nov

Lessons Learned

By lvbauzon1007 0 Comments
Categories: Life

The year 2008 is about to end and as I look back for the past eleven months, I realize that I’ve made a lot of major decisions in love, work, and my existence which made me learn some more lessons in life.

1.  Take risks.  Never be afraid to do a major revamp of your life, to do what you really wanted to do.  Get out of your comfort zone and make that change happen.  The joy you’ll feel afterwards is endless.

2.  Learn to say ”no” when you really mean it.   Pleasing someone all the time at your expense will eventually make you feel worthless.

3.  Let go.  Holding on to something just because it’s sayang is not worth it.  Emptying our lives with unnecessarry clutter paves the way for new possibilities and opportunities.

4.  Love yourself more.  As what Ayn Rand has said which I quoted in my entry “Saying I Love You”,  to be able to say I love you, one must first be able to say the ‘I’.

5.  Be open.  Don’t close your doors at once to people or things who don’t seem to interest you at first.  You’ll never know what you’ll get until you tried.

6.  Forgive and forget.  Forgiving without forgetting is tantamount to having not forgiven the person at all. 

7.  Fight for what you believe in.  Don’t go with the flow if it contradicts your values and convictions.  If the purpose already defeats itself, it’s time to move out and move on.

8.  Live each day as if it’s your last.  It will save you from a lot of praying and prayers from your family and friends when your time finally comes.

9.  Get angry if you must.  Keeping all your pains, frustrations, and sufferings only to yourself will only give you unwanted stress and heart problems— literally and figuratively.

10.  Express yourself.  Blog, write, and pray no matter what other people will say.  It may be too self-serving but hey, isn’t that the first rule in life?  To seek yourself first (next to the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, of course!) before asking, seeking, or knocking other people’s doors?

Amen!

01
Nov

Thanks! Thanks!

By lvbauzon1007 2 Comments
Categories: About Me and EMOs

“Hi sis, I enjoyed reading your blog… Senti queen.”— a confraternal sis, 10/30/08

“I just read your latest blog and I’d say you rock!” — a former schoolmate, 10/30/08

“Grabe it’s so aliw reading your blogs talaga…“ — a cousin, 10/28/08

“nice blog entries. I am an avid reader!” — a good friend, 10/22/08

“just read your blog, never get tired of reading them.” — an aunt, 10/15/08

“alam mo sis ‘pag down ako, nagbabasa ako ng blog mo… nakakainspire kasi…” — another confraternal sis

Those were the latest messages I received from people who find pleasure from reading my blog entries.  Again, I am more than flattered.  Thanks, guys!  You don’t know how much those words of appreciation mean to me.  Well, what are friends and relatives for??! Hehehe…

I am just so glad that in my own little way, I touch others’ lives thru my Senti Queen blog. Definitely, having the chance to share my thoughts and ideas on certain matters is one of the best things that ever happened to me during my hiatus from work.  Every entry I posted in this blog gives me an adrenaline rush that lingers for hours.  As a result,  I even repeat my beautifully crafted phrases (that’s according to Gladys, another sis) in my sleep.

My blog definitely more than meets the eye.  It is not just an outlet or therapy for me after a long day of doing errands and accomplishing personal undertakings.  More than an online journal, it paves the way for further self-actualization and discovery.

Why?  Because I have always believed that “the act of writing is the act of discovering what you believe in.”