Maude

In roughly 10 hours from now, my dear friend Maude will be leaving the Philippines to continue her career in Singapore. :(  Although I know that we will be seeing each other again soon (hopefully in June) and although SG, as they say, is "malapit lang naman", knowing that we are not going to be in the same country anymore makes us really sad.  It doesn't even lessen the sadness knowing that we're still gonna be within the same time zone.  Technology might help, but it is not enough replacement for my friend.  We will miss you truly, babes. :(

Yesterday was our "last" dinner date with Em.  Nothing extraordinary because it was a work day, we just watched a movie after dinner and then we split ways.  But during dinner, we were enumerating the changes that might happen once Maude goes out of the country.  Sino na mag aayos ng UBE?  Magkikita-kita pa ba tayo? *because you see, she's almost always the "initiator" of girl's nights out* Wala nang pag-ssleep-over-an. :( And so on and so forth.  Funny, because although we all are aware of the drastic changes that will (or might) happen once she's gone (well, not really gone, ha? haha), we still wouldn't really know the difference until we're really there.  Why are you doing this to us, babes?  Haha :p

But I admire her.. Of course, I have always had.  I know this is really hard for her, especially knowing how emotional she is when thinking about the people she'll leave behind. But because this is also for the best, she set the drama queen in her aside and grabbed the opportunity that might not knock again if she lets go.  You made the right move, babes.  With that, balato sa kikitain mo.. ha? :p

Since our motto is "Once an ISDA, always an ISDA", of course babes, nandito lang kami palagi.  We are one e-mail away, one facebook comment/status/message away, one tweet away, one BBM away (kung jojoin ka sa club, haha) orrrr one Viber away if you decide to go Apple, haha!  We were successful in keeping in touch always with April, kahit nung dati ay Friendster pa lang ang uso.  What more pa today na andami nang means, may mobile internet pa! ;)  You'll always be in our thoughts.  Like Ep was always in ours, alam mo yan.

I know you'll miss your jowa the most, maybe more than us, haha! But that's understandable.  Keep your faith in each other always.  You have beaten the joint-account-jinx, you sure as hell will kick the long-distance-relationship-jinx's ass.  Haha!  Imaginin mo na lang textmates lang kayo ulit, hahaha.  Dinner na pow. ;)

And Haley?  Huhuhu, mamimiss din namin sya. :(  Of course, we'll have less opportunities seeing her, too.  So if you'll miss her, isipin mo na lang, di ka nag-iisa.  We feel your pain. :(

Umiiyak ka na ba?  Ikr?  Hahaha!

Anyways.. Since I have no parting gift for you, eto na lang.  My love letter.  Hihi.  I love you babes.  You always take care.  Keep in touch and see you in June. ;)

Lovingly yours,

The 30 day blog challenge - Day 09

Something/someone you’re proud of

Since day 5 of this 30-day blog challenge, I haven’t been conforming to the supposed tasks of defining ONE something-something.  If you may have noticed, I didn’t post A PICTURE in day 5, I posted pictures.  I also didn’t discuss A HOBBY I have in day 6, instead I enumerated HOBBIES.  Nor did I post A PICTURE of SOMEONE or SOMETHING that has THE BIGGEST impact on me on the 7^th day; I instead exhibited PICTURES of TWO of my most beloved cartoon characters.

Now that I’m on day 9, I am supposed to confer SOMETHING or SOMEONE I am proud of.  I don’t want to break traditions, you know.  So again, I will not dwell on ONE person that makes me proud.  I’ve a lot of lovely people around me and they each deserve someone appreciating them.  I may not be vocal about these things, but the proud-ness I feel towards them is genuine nonetheless. :)

• I’m proud of my Ate Lala for wholeheartedly putting our family’s welfare above all else.  She was my provider all throughout high school and college and though I haven’t been the sweetest sister to her, I know I am her favorite, haha! ;p  Seriously though, I am really proud of her selflessness, that even until today that she’s in Singapore, she still makes sure everything’s alright here by checking on us almost everyday.

• I’m proud of Ate Jeng too, for being the mother figure in our family ever since Ate La left for SG (since Nanay has been in heaven for 5 years now).

• I’m proud of my tropang isda! 

•  I’m proud of Noreen for being a “one-man team” for the company she’s working for, she’s always been a reliable person (and a genius too). No wonder her superiors trusted her of handling huge tasks that easily.  

•  I’m proud of Maude for recently taking on a new challenge in her life.  Though she’s still skeptic if she’d be able to handle it, I know (yes, more than she does, haha) that she’ll be able to overcome her fears and excellently perform each new tasks handed to her.   

• I’m proud of Nhix for being so strong and for not letting scarcity get in the way of her dreams of making it through college.  Now she’s her family’s own version of “Ate Lala” and I’m proud that she’s selfless like that. :)  

•  I’m proud of Jejo for being the only sane person in her family and live to tell about it.  so strong of a daughter, a sister, a friend and a woman.  It wouldn’t be right if I’d narrate the reasons why I see her that way, and maybe she doesn’t know this but I admire her strength in facing trials life throw her way.

• I’m proud of Ep, for being able to handle motherhood with such grace.  I wasn’t sure myself if I’d be a great mother someday, but seeing Ep do it and love it at the same time, inspires me.

• I’m proud of V for being the best boyfriend.  Had I known before that I’d be this happy, I shouldn’t have wasted time and pursued him instead! Haha! ;p  I’m proud of how he’s able to handle me and my rants, of how he’s there to control me when my impulse gets the better of me, of how his life values are slowly becoming mine, of how he loves his mother (boys who love their mother has always been a turn-on for girls and of course for me), of how he’s going panicky when I text him “I’m bored” when I'm at home, of how he’s simply there to make me feel that I’m not alone and that I am loved.

• I’m proud of Ate Suzie, for being not just a team lead, but for being more like a mentor.  For always looking after me and for making sure I’m going the right path.  For giving me new challenges, not in the intent to taunt or mock me, but to sharpen my skills.

• I'm proud of Batch 6 for still keeping intact after 5 years.  I'm happy that everytime I'm with them, I feel like high school all over again.  I'm proud that we're able to keep that friendship. :) 

      Oh wait.

Hey, I’m proud of myself too! ;p

• For being able to put up a blog (with quasi consistent posts) that actually lasted until now ^_^ and for being granted the Blog with Substance and the Versatile Blogger Award although this site has been up for only two months (and 11 days). 
• For being able to buy the first gadget out of the money I’ve worked hard for to earn.

• For this. ;p
• For being disciplined enough to stay away from rice since like two months ago (but dear God, how I miss it >.<)

Ayun. ^^

The Suck it Up Rule

I will not tolerate any feelings of self-inferiority

*****

A few days ago, I was feeling low that it affected my self-esteem. I couldn’t get to writing and I ended up blog-hopping. Whilst doing so, I stumbled upon some well written blogs and it became worse.  I can’t help but compare my way of writing from them and get envious in the process.

With this, I ran to my safety net. I told my friends about this drama, I know they’d understand. Not only did they understood; they even gave me a gentle kick in the butt! Haha!

The gentle kick in the butt: 

(Our conversation thru e-mail, we were all at work that day *wink*)

JAQ: Speaking of blog, nalulungkot ako, wala akong maisip na iblog ngayon.. puro lang ako blog hopping.. at habang nagbblog hop, nalulungkot na naman ako kasi ang gagaling nila.. bakit ako hindi? Lalo tuloy ako nawawalan ng gana.. :(

MAUDE: Been there, jaq.. Hahaha

JAQ: Isa ka din em e.. :( mas worthy ka sa blogosphere.. hahaha.. ang arte ko.. pero ganun nga talaga nararamdaman ko.. emo?! hahahaha

MAUDE: Nako tol, you’ll get over it.. Part yata yan ng initiation tol eh.. Pero in a few months things will get better. :D

Re: HT, that is so not true, ika nga ni jejo, you have a style that’s uniquely yours.. So keep writing labs.. Ako iniisip ko nalang, mas matagal na kasi silang nag-bblog kaya ganun na sila.. At iniisip ko na after a year, ganun narin ako! Haha.. Kaya ganun din isipin mo! :D

JEJO: just imagine tol, sobrang tamad ako magbasa..usually skimming & scanning lng ako then i get the whole idea..pero ang writing mo..i am amused by your style as i have said before..to the point that i read every word of it...that must be something..if not everything...davah? mahirap kaya mapa-stick ang isang tao (like me na mabilis ang attention span) sa isang blog... kaya wag ka na mag-emo jan..arti arti nito..hahahha!

JAQ: Hahaha.. naluha ako sa iyong pangchochorva jo.. baka dahil friend kita?! hahahahaha

JEJO: yes and nope...

nope..kasi sasabihin ko naman kung tinatamad akong basahin eh..hahaha!

yes..kasi dahil friend mo nga ako kaya sinasabi ko lang totoo...hindi ako mageeffort na magreact ng ganito no kung binobola lang kita XD

maraming magaling na writers..that is an obvious fact...but the point is, you dont have to be belittled by them..we all have diff tastes, experiences, opinions etc. to cater diff viewers/readers (blog)...same goes with the writing style/skill..kahit sino pa yang mga nasa epitome in writing (or so-called within the blogosphere)..IBA KA PA DIN! the term "magaling" is relative anyway

for me, hindi kelangang sumabay sa topic trend/level ng ibang bloggers at bumatay sa dame ng followers/blog-roll para masabi mong magaling ang blogger/worth reading ang entries. ang blogging kasi para sa akin ay form of expression eh. there should be no status quo. you write your own life so hindi mo kelangang mapressure sa mga bigating blogs ng iba dyan. you mind your own business db? i believe importante lng tlg hindi offesive/foul blogs mo at you follow the netiquette.

isa pa, you cannot please everyone.

maraming crappy/senseless/shallow topics pero the writer can present it in a different light.

maraming bigating celebs/icons pero puro sosyalan at walang impact naman ang pinagsasabi. kumbaga chika lang!

maraming writers na super gagaling sa english/grammar pero nakakaantok naman basahin para sa iba.

maraming magagaling sa lahat ng aspeto ng pagsusulat pero lahat sila dumating sa sulikng point like your pagdradrama.

ang pinakahuli kong masasbi ay ang pilosopiyang binitiwan ni engr. maniego (maniego ba? yung prof natin sa thermodynamics?!)..."kung nauna lang ako ipinanganak sayo, malamang andyan ako ngayon sa posisyon mo"..kumbaga you will have your time na ikaw naman inspiration ng mga blog starters...

i..thank you..bow.. XD wag ka na ulit maluluha jaq..ginagalit mo ko eh hahahha

And so I decided to drop the drama and toughen up. It’s just sad that I had to delete my first blog along the way but this is my approach to facing a better blogging me. ^_^  And I am now saying no to self-inferiority.

The Tropang Isda Rule

I will keep a promise I made to a friend

*****

Please take note that the "promise" I am talking about, is this: I will repost my first ever blog here. :) (It's important you keep this in mind, because of other promises, I'm not sure I can keep. Haha!)

So, here it is (and some more). Enjoy.

Behind every successful man is a woman. Behind this strong woman are her friends.=)

I wanted to make this first official entry special and ever since I put up this blog site, I kept on looking at things, thinking “I could blog about that” or “Will that be worth my first entry?” and so on and so forth. I must admit it was stressful. I became obsessed with finding the right “debut” blog entry. Dang, was it tiring.

And then while I was taking a bath (I’m serious here), as I was scrubbing my hair with shampoo, I thought of a great idea. I’m gonna introduce my friends to my future readers! *in the background a bulb lights, ting!*

Why not? I’m sure I’ll be speaking of them frequently and I think they deserve a proper introduction.=)

So if you may excuse me while I’m presenting…. The girls of Tropang Isda:

Yeah, we have boys too… but girls’ bonds are deeper =p

Yeah, we have boys too… but girls’ bonds are deeper =p

I used to believe that one won’t find true friends in college. I thought I was okay at the time, having my childhood and high school friends. I thought I never needed more. Well that was before… until I found them. =)

From left to right: me, Maude, Nhix, Jejo, Noreen and Baby (but we call her April now 'cause y'know, she's been in the States for the past 3 years *arte?! haha*). Ep's not been with us since they moved out of the Philippines, but she's still always updated.  So she's still with us alright. Like what we always say, once an isda, always an isda.  I met them 6 years ago at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Tropang Isda is also the same “School of Fish” Maudey is referring to in her blog. *wink*.

Six years of friendship but it felt like we’ve been sisters since birth. We’ve been through so much that if I put every past experiences to writing, I don’t even know how to continue the sentence. We’ve been there for each other through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. For five years we see each other every freakin’ day but the stories to tell and the laughter to share just won’t run out of supply. We’ve faced a lot of hardships but of course, we overpowered them, thus our motto: “God is good all the time.”

Now that we’re done with school days and now that we’re each building a role in the I.T. industry, the days we see each other dropped from 7 times a week to once or twice a month. But that didn’t mean less kwento or less tawanan. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, for us, it made the giggling louder and the talking much longer. Haha!

If I’m going to convert into words how happy I am that I’ve been a part of this strong friendship, well, I can’t. It’s just so overwhelming. I’m glad to have shared the best part of my life with you guys. I really haven’t realized how much of what I know now is because of you, until I’ve actually thought about it (well, you know, to add content to this, haha!)

Looking back we’ve been:

Blooming together.

Thanks Maudey for the pics! :)

Ugly together.

A friend of Nhix's said we were ugly on this pic. Haha!

A friend of Nhix's said we were ugly on this pic. Haha!

  Formal together.

Sporty together.

Sexy in our summer outfit together.

I can't post the ones without these clothes on, they might get angry. Haha!

I can't post the ones without these clothes on, they might get angry. Haha!

 Happy together.

Stressed together.

  
Pink together.

All dressed up together.

 Drunk together.

We're all drunk here, Jejo's just the obvious one as always

A girl band together.

Spice Girls, yeah!

To places together.

Ghosts together. :)

I can still remember the laughter after every shot. :)

As I said on the second sentence of this entry, please look up, I don’t wanna repeat it, =p I am glad that I am a strong woman because when everything else falls apart, I know that I have the Tropang Isda behind me. Oh and by the way, we call ourselves tropang isda cause one thing we have in common is our short span memory (like that of a fish… yeahhh...) Short span of memory we might have for little things, but for a sisterhood like this? Naaaahhh.. we’ll forever reminisce as we create new moments to ponder upon.