the non-romantic but sweet J

It has been established between J and I that he is not particularly romantic, neither is he skilled at surprises. Ever since I got that straight, I have let go of expectations of being swept off my feet with candlelit dinners and serenades. There have been a few attempts but it ends up either found out or in amused laughter from the object of the surprise (me!).

Attempt 1:
We got together 2005 before Valentine's Day. I have stopped being a firm believer in the day ever since I began studying in an all girl's school. Even when I was in a relationship, V-day celebrations are no biggie to me, but of course efforts from my partner's part are always highly appreciated. Anyway, since J and I were bound to celebrate February 14 apart, he gave me a three-week advanced gift -- a plastic long-stemmed rose from Designer Blooms. I was really surprised and touched by the gesture. But I had to smile to myself upon receiving it. It was only when we were really quite comfortable to each other that I got back at him with that gesture.

"J, the gesture is very sweet and all... but don't give me plastic flowers anymore. Make them real next time." All this being said both serious and jesting. Of course, he had all these corny spiel that he intentionally gave plastic so it will bloom until Valentine's Day and forever afterwards. And I go, "yeah, right!" The conversation interjected by silly laughter and quick hugs. It was no issue really, but that's when you get when you are someone's first official girlfriend when they're 29 years old. LOL.

To this day, the plastic rose is still in my room eternally abloom (rhyming!), with dew drops still as wet (and dry) as the first day I got it. Except it's a little bit dusty and I think an itty bitty spider lives somewhere in the inner petals.

Attempt 2:
2006 was his first long stay in Davao. He was going to stay from late July until November, which meant that we would get to spend my birthday together. I'm not really a fan of celebrating my birthday, but I was hoping against hope that he would surprise me with something. But like I said, it has been established that he is not romantic and while I hoped hard, I believe I wasn't going to get any.

Come my birthday, I receive a phone call from one of my dear friends. The conversation went something like this:
Friend: Blah-blah-blah! So how was J's surprise?
Me: Surprise? J doesn't do surprises. He doesn't know how to. No surprise dear.
Friend: But he was... no, no, he has a surprise.
Me: Nge. I don't think so. Di nga siya marunong.
Friend: Ah... I was just assuming.
Me: Nah

Then I received another phone call the next day from my dear friend, Fr. M.
Fr. M: Kamusta surprise ni J?
Me: Nge, noh. Di kaya marunong mag-surprise yun.
Fr. M: Ay, baka mali lang ako.
Me: Malamang. Asa pa ako.

Talk about faith in my boy, huh? LOL. The funnier thing about it was, I really didn't take any of it seriously. I didn't suspect that there was really a surprise at all. It ended up that he had to fess up to the surprise. LOL.

We were at Netopia in SM and he was checking his email. He was actually asking me to read one of his messages. When he went to the inbox, there was a subject title "a surprise for angie's birthday." And I laughed. "May sorpresa ka pala talaga?"

So he had to come clean. He did have a surprise but it just wasn't ready yet. He was still making it and I will be receiving it the next day. I was just laughing and laughing. I had to tell him that the effort for the surprise was enough to make me happy because I really wasn't expecting anything of the sort from him.

It helped the non-romantic J was established before hand because efforts like that become extra special. Tee-hee!

What was the surprise? It was a specially designed birthday card with my greetings from my friends in Manila. Most of the messages were lauding J for being sweet.

I just had to agree. Hehe!

horton hears a who

J, S and I trooped to the SM City movie theater to catch the 7PM showing of the movie version of the dr. seuss classic. before the actual movie was the teaser trailer for ice age 3. ]gotta admit, scrat never fails to crack me up. though it feels a bit evil to laugh at his quest for the acorn. tee-hee!

anyhoo... horton showed right after. i was already fascinated with the animation, though quite modern in interpretation, it remained faithful to the original illustrations. and of course that is a good thing because dr. seuss stories are made more special because of the distinct illustrations.

from start to finish, we were just laughing our heads off. ang kulit! and it's always amazing how writers can put so much personality in an obscure character. say, hhhaah. tee-hee.

but while it was a fun, rambunctious romp, it was also quite a philosophical journey. i even went as far as thinking... horton is trying a Jesus. there are the issues of faith, of believing in something that is unseen. the small world in the speck that could not see that too enormous entity and that ginormous elephant who can not see the world he protects. and yet, they both believe in each other. horton also shows what it is like to keep a promise, no matter at what cost. i'd probably given up at the 50th clover. but not horton! he loves those little Who whom he never ever saw.

for those who have not seen it, watch it! take your kids, take your classmates, take your teachers. or go on your own. basta it's so much fun!

go dr. seuss! go horton! go mayor! go jojo! :)

the beginning of the waiting

march 17. 2G0 delivers my important package to the NFP clerk. barring murphy's law, i hope the documents reach the right hands.

march 20. FedEx delivers my other important package to Washington, DC. barring murphy's law, i hope the documents reach the right hands.

(let me just say that 2Go was quite efficient in informing me regarding the delivery. FedEx tracking, on the other hand, is quite superb with its up to the minute delivery information. Their tracker showed when it left Paranaque, when it arrived at the different drop points in the US. Astig. Love it.)

*kaba-kaba* july is just too far away. argh. *kaba-kaba*

while friday the 13th seems too close already. *kaba grin kaba grin*

dear Lord, let my desires be Your Will.

first 2008 milestone

I love to travel.

There is just so much to learn from going to new places and meeting new people. I could now say that a large part of my reason for joining JVP and working for social development is the opportunity to travel. Locally, anyway. The Philippines is simply a wonder to behold as it can boast pristine beaches, lush mountains, colorful cultures and many other natural resources. I can never get enough of this country! And my ultimate goal is to get to Palawan, Batanes and Siargao. Siquijor and Tawi-Tawi have already been ticked off that list.

However, my thirst for travel has escalated to new heights. Despite still having a long list of places I want to go to or go back to in the Philippines, I REALLY wanted to go out-of-the-country this year. Before I turn 30 and before I take the big plunge.

Honestly, I have been jealous of my friends who have found ways to go to other countries, either to live, work, study or merely to visit. Of course, I am happy for them, but I want it so much for myself as well.

I couldn't wait for opportunity for international travel to come knocking at my door. I had to do something. Thank God, the universe conspired to let me take my first trip out of the Philippine soil. Last 2007, we had an extra month bonus because of the organization's very good PCNC rating. Then a JVP friend, Dondi, is working in Singapore and had room to accommodate guests, not to mention having given out that invite to visit when he was still new there. When I mentioned my plans to Eiza, she has indicated her interest to join me.

In retrospect, the timing was actually perfect. All the things and people I needed were there. God and the universe wanted this for me as much as I wanted it for myself. And that is always a good feeling.

From January 31 to February 5, I was finally out of the Philippines and in Singapore. And boy, did I have so much fun! There is so much to learn from a culture that is as diverse as Singapore's.

And I hope to God, that that out of the country travel won't be the last. I will make sure it won't be ;P

roads go ever on and on

This first of the "Roads go ever on and on" verses written by JRR Tolkien can be found in "The Hobbit." Bilbo Baggins recites the poem at the end of the book as he was ready to go home. This particular one I really like was taken from "The Lord of the Rings," also recited by Bilbo as he goes off to another adventure and leaves my precious to his nephew, Frodo Baggins.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
Whither then? I cannot say.

I can strongly relate as the second decade of my life is about to close. Knowing who I am and what my values are, I can say with conviction that the past twenty-nine years were wonderful, exciting and blessed. It has been an exciting journey so far -- a roller coaster experiences. Emotional joys and sorrows, intellectual failures and enlightenment, spiritual desolations and consolations. I have gone through all of them and have survived. I LIVED those 29 years.

Strangely, I am quite excited to face my 30's... to journey towards the future. The third decade feels like it holds a lot of promise. Just as I knew 2008 would by my year. It's only been the first quarter and already I have felt myself evolving. It seems that the universe has conspired, as Paolo Coelho claims in "The Alchemist," to lead me to my desires. In certain aspects of my life, I have relished the journey and have returned where it all began. In others, I am still looking for the treasure in the Pyramids. For some, I am still a naive shepherd trying to understand his destiny and itching to move forward.

After near thirty years, I've come to realize that it IS all about the journey. It is about putting one foot in front of the other since roads go ever on and on. After the pit stop, detour, or road block (aba, amazing race naman!), there is always something beyond. Another fork in the road, another door to open, another map to follow. The North Star is there to point, not to be reached.

I am excited. I am restless. Where many paths and errands meet, whither then? I can not say.

There is already a bend in the road. I can see it. What is beyond, I have to take the steps to get there. Fast or slow, it doesn't matter. I will get there. Patience is something I have to learn.

With eager feet, I go. As roads go ever on and on.