The Telai Show

Take Off

2012-02-09T01:53:00.001+08:00

I'm flying to Hong Kong later this evening. But I'll be spending the whole day in Manila first. My flight is in 4 hours - I should really sleep. Anyway, I'm so excited to leave! I've been wanting to get away from things for a while, and I'm glad I could go now.

Xi Nian Kuai Le

2012-01-24T00:14:00.003+08:00

It's never too late to make resolutions. One should not only make them during the new year - any day will do as long as one is really decided to make a change.

But sue me. I like auspicious things so I am making my resolution now - the end of the first day of the year in the lunar calendar. Xi nian kuai le everyone! Welcome to the year of the water dragon! I was actually born in the year of the dragon 23 years ago (my birthday is on December). According to the many pages I found on google, I am a fire dragon.

The Dragon personality The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. A symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power, the Oriental Dragon is regarded as a divine beast - the reverse of the malicious monster that Westerners felt necessary to find and slay. In Eastern philosophy, the Dragon is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, those people born in Dragon years are to be honored and respected.

I'd like to think that since I am a dragon personality, this is going to be a better year for me. Moving on to my resolutions, this year I'd like...

...to travel more. I've officially been bitten by the travel bug a few years ago, and there's no stopping me in my quest to explore more of the world. I'm starting with Hong Kong next month with a couple of my grade school friends, and then I'll be going to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia in September with my friends from college. I am hoping to visit Bangkok and Cambodia this year too, but let's hope for the best, yes?
...to read more. Not those sorry romance books that I like to read when I feel like resting my brain, but the more serious and more socially relevant ones. I don't like them, but I'll make an effort anyway. I'll start with magazines. Baby steps, right?
...to work harder. I hope to work harder than ever at this new job. I got really lazy at my old one - but now it's going to be a big change to what I'm used to. I now have to wake up early, and I really have to learn how to manage my time better so I could be the best worker I can be at this new job. Let's face it, I need the money. How do I finance all the traveling I do if I don't get paid well?
...to study smarter. I won't let laziness get to me. The amount of workload I have to face this semester is just crazy, but I will not let it beat me. I will study smarter - not harder coz that never worked for me - but smarter. How to do that? Prioritize. Wish me luck on this. I think this is going to be the hardest part of my resolution this year.
...to be more optimistic. The world has been through so many sad things these past few months, and we don't need another negatron spreading the hate. I have always been a more happier person than many others, and this year I hope to be a brighter light for friends and family.
...to start saving. This is supposed to be a given when I started work. But oh well, there's no better time to start than now. Pay off them credit card bills, and then start saving seriously!

x,

telai

Focus

2012-01-23T20:38:00.001+08:00

I decided to go out and spend the night in a coffee shop - all in the hope of concentrating on things I need to read for school. 2 hours into my study mode, I've put down the pen and markers, closed my books and turned to the computer. I CAN'T CONCENTRATE. What the heck is wrong with me?!

Expansion

2012-01-22T19:16:00.001+08:00

I bought myself a portable closet last night. Say hello to my new clothes hanger!

I swear my built in closet is already bursting with clothes I've accumulated over the last few years! I've sort of decluttered though and got rid of some of the things that were originally in my room. I found a new home for my shoes and bags by the way!

Since mom was just using the bookcase in hall as a display area for our old barbie dolls, I decided to pack them all up and use the space for my shoes instead! And placed a bag holder beside them to make my life easier (and my door lighter - coz that's where i used to hang all my bags before).

And because I apparently have too many things, I've also converted the hallway bathroom that no one uses into my very own walk in closet. I placed all my other shoes there, as well as some of the bags that I don't use often, and then papers and all that - since I'm a pack rat. But weeee for my personal space expansion!

baboosh!

New Year, New Me

2012-01-15T01:04:00.002+08:00

First Day High

This week has been one hell of a roller coaster ride - the Shrek version, not the Battlestar Galactica (you'll get what I mean if you've already been to Universal Studio's Singapore.).

But I digress. I honestly, I still don't know how I feel. If you're a friend in twitter, I'm sure you know I quit my job with Unilever several weeks ago and jumped ship to Maersk Line. That's a totally different industry with a slew of totally different people. I started last Monday. Unlike with my first job at ULP, I do not know anybody here! Which actually makes it more daunting, or more exciting, or both! But while I'm scared about the whole fitting in thing, I'm actually quite happy to be meeting new people and gaining a few more friends in the process.

First things first though. I'm sure a lot of you would ask why I left. It's as simple as the pastures are greener on the other side. After more than two years with Unilever, and being stuck with the same job, you get to realize that at the end of the day it's not the money, nor the flexible time that really matters. To tell you the truth, while the pay was good, I was already very bored with my job. Yes, I was happy that I'm earning well without doing much, but I could not live feeling like my growth potential has been stunted. At a certain point, it seemed to me that there was no way up. So I jumped.

Now, Maersk. Where do I start? I have always been intrigued about this company. I was already familiar with Maersk since college because one of my best friends is working for the company. And for the past couple of job fairs in Ateneo, I have tried applying for them - but I never got around to go to the appointments for exams and such. In hindsight, I realized that I wasn't ready to transfer then. But when they gave me the opportunity to join them last year, I knew it was time. I have done all that I could with my former company - although I have to apologize because I know I haven't been doing my best - and it was the right time for me to explore other possibilities for growth. Yeah yeah. I'm really big about the growth thing. I wasn't raised and educated to settle to be a stagnant and mediocre person. And while I don't always seem like it - I crave for new adventures.

There is soooooo much to learn and understand at my new job! And I am hoping that all my sacrifices will be worth it. Being with Maersk is forcing me to face a whole new lifestyle. I have to wake up extra early, and manage my time better since I can't get off work any time I want, or insert a few hours a day to do my homework. And I have a desk, for goodness' sake! That's new! Plus I have one of the nicest views from my desk - so lovely!

I am taking this challenge to heart. I'm sure I'll be extra busy - not to mention CRAZY this next few months - but I'm most definitely looking forward to it.

x,

telai

Ready, Set, GO!!!

2012-01-11T00:56:00.002+08:00

2012 is the year of the Dragon. For us 1988 babies, that means it's gonna be OUR YEAR. If there's the perfect time to renew ourselves, it's NOW. Although we can really do it any time we want to, there's a certain charm in doing it when a new year starts. Here's something I found online that I really enjoyed. We can do this. We can take charge of our lives in 2012!

Take Charge of Your Own Happiness

For 2012, take charge of your own happiness. As Maria Robinson said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

But before you can begin this process of transformation, you must stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. Life is too short to spend with people who suck the happiness out of you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist yourself with someone who continuously overlooks your worth. And remember, it’s not the people who stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst, who are your true friends.

2. Stop running from your problems. Face them head-on. It won’t be easy. There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems. That’s not how we’re made. In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall. Because that’s the whole purpose of living—to face problems, learn, adapt and solve them over time. This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.

3. Stop lying to yourself. You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself. Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves. Read “The Road Less Traveled.”

4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special, too. Yes, help others; but help yourself, too. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else. Someone will always be prettier, smarter, younger, but they will never be you. Don’t change just so that people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.

6. Stop trying to hold on to the past. You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading your last one.

7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. Doing something and getting it wrong is, at least, 10 times more productive than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading toward success. You end up regretting the things you did not do far more than the things you did.

8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us. We all make mistakes, have struggles and even regret things. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here now with the power to shape your day and your future. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.

9. Stop trying to buy happiness. Many of the things we desire are expensive. But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free—love, laughter and working on our passions.

10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else, either. You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.

11. Stop being idle. Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place. Evaluate situations and take decisive action. Making progress involves risk. Period!

12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. Nobody ever feels 100-percent ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.

13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. Relationships must be chosen wisely. It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company. There’s no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen—in the right time, with the right person and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.

14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. In life, you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, others will use you and still others will teach you. But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.

15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. Don’t worry that others are doing better than you. Concentrate on beating your own record every day. Success is a battle between you and yourself only.

16. Stop being jealous of others. Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own. Ask yourself this: “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”

17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason—to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you. You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough. But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past. You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind or situation. So smile! Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.

18. Stop holding grudges. Don’t live your life with hate in your heart. You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate. Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.” It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.” Forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you, too. If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.

19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.

20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it, anyway. Just do what you know in your heart is right.

21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Sometimes, you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.

22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things. The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.

23. Stop trying to make things perfect. The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done. Read “Getting Things Done.”

24. Stop following the path of least resistance. Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile. Don’t take the easy way out. Do something extraordinary.

25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. It’s okay to fall apart for a little while. You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well. Cry if you need to—it’s healthy to shed your tears. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.

26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life. When you blame others for what you’re going through, you give others power over that part of your life.

27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out. But making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. So narrow your focus.

28. Stop worrying so much. Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy. One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time? Three years? Five years?” If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.

29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. Focus on what you do want to happen. Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story. If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.

30. Stop being ungrateful. No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

telai

A Year in Poplar

2012-01-08T13:51:00.001+08:00

You know that feeling when you want something really really really bad, and you would do anything just to have it? Well... here it is for me lately:

Yay! I finally got my poplar Starbucks planner last night! Yipee! (sorry, to lazy to take a photo of my actual planner so I got this from Starbucks' facebook instead.)

I had to waste a pretty good cup of brewed coffee for it though. Speaking of which, did you know that Starbucks serve short-sized beverages even if they aren't on the menu? I read about it HERE and tried to ask the store for it. Ho ho ho! Segue: I also tried the iced dirty chai from the secret menu already! Going back on topic, I was able to get the planner because of Starbucks' latest promo:

Back in December, I was gonna give up on this but the double sticker treat got me going again - and 4 sticker contributions from Ian (thank you!)! I had to bribe my friend Zhaun with a coffee treat so he'll go with me the other night - that's 4 stickers for me! And then yesterday, I dropped by Starbucks again in between my classes, and I was only going to buy a Venti Iced Chai Latte. But then they had short (meaning cheaper) glasses, so I decided to get a short brewed coffee I didn't want (the cheapest drink I could find) - and there you have it folks... that's 23 stickers for me and a poplar Starbucks planner!!!

So there you go for added weight on my already heavy bag filled with work and school things. But who cares! I love it! It's my first Starbucks planner by the way, so yeah! Yipeeee! I'm so excited to plan my life with this cute little thing. So many wonderful things to look forward to in 2012, and it'll all be written down here! Honestly, I've already started with the decorations for my planner last night. Airline tickets for my planned trips, some stickers from my recently purchased stuff, and birthday and holiday markers - and anything else that I thought of last night. Sky was the limit - until I got very sleepy and stopped around 3AM. Haha. What is excited?

x,

telai

Flashback 2009

2012-01-08T00:43:00.000+08:00

Don't you just love the internet? More than 2 years ago, I uploaded some videos of the family to my YouTube account. It's certainly nothing grand - just random videos we took at my grandmother's back in 2009. I had so much fun watching these again!

At a time when Julia was still awkward around everybody, we bonded over Wonder Girl's "Nobody". For the record, this was waaaaay before the song became mainstream in the Philippines! Just saying! :)

This video is actually a compilation of burst photos taken from my laptop on Christmas Eve. Here you'll witness how crazy my family is! And OMG look how much less-fatter I am compared to now! Arrgghhh

And finally, these next two videos will prove to you how my siblings and cousins have gone mental. I have to give it to Karl and Lance who really gave the acting their all! And lookie there, Bea and Kim in a dress! We had to force her into wearing it that night. Oh the wonders of puberty!

;

Discoveries like these actually make me appreciate videos more than pictures. They really put a different spin on certain memories! Here's to more videos in 2012 and beyond!

P.S.

Do subscribe to my cousin Chris' YouTube channel. He makes these really cool videos! Thanks!

It's More Fun in the Philippines

2012-01-07T10:31:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, the Department of Tourism launched the newest campaign to gather more tourists in the country.

Presenting the new slogan to attract international tourists:

"Its more fun in the Philippines!"

Personally, I wasn't floored by it. If truth be told, I was disappointed when I first read it. I was like... "it's more fun than..... where?" But many people on twitter seem to be buying it. They even bashed a friend of mine who also said she doesn't like it since the length of the phrase is too hard to recall. And I totally agree with my friend! We can only tweet so much (140 characters only to be exact!), so you'll really have to be creative with a long hash tag! I think their #1forFUN line is more catchy - thank goodness they'll use it for local tourism campaigns!

Anyway, my like or dislike for the slogan is irrelevant. We are after all, one country and one people. So what the hell, I'll just embrace this one for now and hope the rest of the world buys it as well as the Filipinos do!

And since we're on the topic... I made a couple of meme's (or whateveryoucallit) that shows why it's more fun in the lupang sinilangan.

Moving is more fun in the Philippines! Who needs to call the moving trucks to get your things to your new home? Why not just bring your entire home with you? In the Philippines, we call this Bayanihan. A group of people helps out someone from the community to do whatever it is that's needed to be done - moving houses, preparing for feasts, etc etc. Only in the Philippines!

Road trips are more fun in the Philippines! In Mindanao, we call this vehicle the sky lab. It's a modified single motorcycle - they put in place wooden planks so more passengers can ride. I've seen up to 10 passengers at a time! This is a common mode of transportation going up the mountains of Surigao, Agusan and Compostela Valley! They driver needs amazing balancing skills though! Don't you think commuting is more efficient this way?

So there you have it folks. My contribution as a social media enthusiast (aka blogger) to the new Philippine tourism campaign! Just so you know, the bayanihan picture was taken in Agusan del Sur. We just passed them on the road going back to Davao. And the sky lab was taken in Surigao del Sur. It definitely is more fun in the Philippines!

***

Before the good stuff happened though, let me share some thoughts pre-launch.

There was so much hype in the days leading to the launch, but personally, I think they weren't able to manage the expectations of the people looking forward to the campaign. The DOT has mentioned several times prior that they are gearing towards a social media campaign, however, on the day of the launch it was noted that they explicitly disallowed taking photos or videos. What happened to engaging the social networking world?! Also, they did not invite travel bloggers to the launch. They're obviously doing a social media campaign using traditional media. What a disappointment.

From Me to You

2012-01-07T02:26:00.001+08:00

I mentioned in my previous post that I've attempted to clean my room for the new year. The truth is, I haven't really done anything productive - except maybe affirm how much of a pack rat I am for keeping papers and clothes and whatnot from 10 years ago!

But lo and behold -- I have found a hidden treasure from among the junk I've accumulated over the years.

I have to admit, it's embarrassing to read through some of the letters I wrote before. Especially when a lot of them are in the same page as what you've read! I almost died from shame - and laughter! - while reading through it! I'm pretty sure people who know me from high school would know who this letter is addressed to. I removed the name to protect him from embarrassment I am going through. But what the heck - past is past! I'm sharing this to you right now to show you the joys of my high school life. Ahhhh, I was a happy kid growing up. And quite funny too. I mean dedicating a song titled "Kung Ako Na Lang Sana" to a high school super mega kaduper infatuation is just the bomb!

I must say I was pretty malandi even before. Just read through the letter and tell me otherwise! I swear I covered my books and even bags with doodles of his name all through high school! So no, it's not true I'm not in crush with him anymore while writing this. I was just trying to make an awkward situation more awkward.

But oh my gosh - the business cards! I completely forgot that I used to send him business cards saying "I Love You", "I Miss You" blah blah blah. Phones back then can't find out who sends business cards to them so that's what I sent him to convey my feelings! And unfortunately, I've already lost the crosstich I was referring to in the letter - I must have accidentally thrown it out while emptying out my boxes yearssss ago!

Ahhhh. High School life. What a bliss! I can't believe I was in a hurry to leave, go to college and then get a job so you can go shopping-to-sawa! Good times!

Letters

2011-12-31T18:09:00.001+08:00

I was cleaning my room the other day (it's new year, that's why!), and I found these letters from high school in one of they many many many envelopes hidden in my drawer.

Here some of the funnier ones I found:

This retreat letter from Jude is one of the few that wasn't like a testimonial for Friendster. :)

A letter from RB that touched my heart!

This one is from Donna. What is effort?

I find this funny because of the "walang limutan ha!!!" part. C'mon. As if that would happen!

Lady has always tried to be funny. Oh well. LOL

Another very very very very creative letter from Telaw. I had a hard time reading the message because it was written circularly all over the page!

Nakakalurky. WRONG SPELLING IS WRONG! haha

What is creative? Hidden mickey!

I like this one because it was filled with foolishness, but I appreciated the effort to fill the whole page about how nerdy I am. Haha

And here's another contender for Best in Creativity! My friend Mikhai wrote me 4 different letters for our retreat and I had a fun time putting them all together to read her message! :)

While I was reading through them, I realized how nice it is to receive letters and notes and small things like that. Personally, I believe they're more meaningful than just sending text messages or emails during special occasions. Sadly, only a few people still write on cards. I hope to write more cards this year!

x,

telai

Sendong

2011-12-31T03:46:00.000+08:00

My heart is breaking for the people whose lives have been irrevocably damaged by Typhoon Sendong.

I wouldn't know where to begin picking up the pieces had this happened to me. It makes me feel bittersweet that despite this devastation, many Cagayanons are still able to smile and be grateful for another day.

Many thanks to Coca-Cola for providing drinking water to the residents who lost not only property, but for some, even their loved ones.

Confessions of a Partyphile Goes To Bed

2011-12-31T03:40:00.001+08:00

What happens when you mix my friends and alcohol? Total CHAOS.

Chaos. That's exactly what we were during the party in Marco Polo a couple of weeks ago. Most of my closest friends who live in Cebu and Manila were in town for that weekend so we took the opportunity to party it out at Eagle's Bar!

It was definitely a wild night! At some point, I found myself accidentally sprawling on the driveway of Marco Polo while tending to a person who can't control his alcohol intake. [ehem noted] Love that we ended up having post-drinking binging at Bangkerohan. I needed that hot bowl of hinalang to get me sobered up! Although I still ended up missing the company fun run at 5AM that morning. Oh well. It was quite a way to start the season's parties! In bed!

x,

telai

Dominating Davao

2011-12-31T03:14:00.004+08:00

My friend from work, Doy, and his friend Nathan was in town for the annual Christmas party of the company's sales push girls. Of course we took the opportunity to explore the city - especially since Nathan was a first timer in Davao!

Post-Christmas party. We were getting ready to explore what the city has to offer after 12MN.

I brought them to Bangkeron Public Market for some oh-so-yummy lechon kawali and balbacua! Talk about roughing it in our formal wear!

And a visit to Davao wouldn't be complete without a taste of our exotic Durian! For the record, love for durian is an acquired taste! :)

The next day, I had a few errands to run in the morning so I wasn't able to go with them to Samal. I went to pick them up at Crocodile Park instead.

And then we went to Jack's Ridge afterwards to see the view of the city at night.

We ended the evening with dinner at Ranch and Reef. Unlimited steaks, baby!

I wasn't able to see them off the next day though, because I left for the province early. But I heard they're going back in March. Perhaps we can visit Eden then? Or maybe even travel farther north to Surigao del Sur? Hmmm. So many possibilities! I can't wait!

[Photos from Doy and Nathan]

x,

telai

Costume Party

2011-12-22T03:28:00.000+08:00

I just got back from the Christmas Party with high school friends. Although there weren't a lot of people, we still had so much fun especially since we wore costumes! Here's a sneak peak to what we've been up to!

Can you guess which characters we wore?

I'll be posting more pictures here once Lady uploaded from her camera. Merry Christmas everyone!

x,

telai

That Feeling

2011-12-19T01:48:00.001+08:00

"I love that feeling. You know, the one you get when you take a deep breath and suddenly everything feels like it’s going to be okay. When you’re hopeless as can be, and life is going nowhere, there’s those moments we have every now and then where we just stop, and we get this feeling, that can’t be described, but you just.. you just feel like everything really is going to be okay. Like the world stopped spinning for a second, and everything was clear. I need more of those moments."

Wish me luck!

JV is in the Building!

2011-12-19T01:40:00.003+08:00

We finally convinced our friend JV to spend a long weekend here in Davao. Ever since he moved to Manila to study, he's never been back for a long-ish period of time. So yay. Again, another spontaneous trip made possible!

We had lunch at Abreeza on his first day in town. Nothing like good ol' Ranchero's food for welcome!

The next evening, we had dinner at the Adle home before heading to Caffe Firenzo for some mochi and coffee. Sleepover part 1 started!

And then we partied on Saturday night at Marco Polo's Eagle's Bar. Hello there high school friends!

Hangover the morning after the party was crazy. But we still decided to push through with swimming. We all woke up late, so it was already past 3 when we started towards Villa de Mercedes.

We ended things with dinner and videoke at the Fontilla mansion, for some good vibes and old school music.

We had a pretty packed long weekend of eating and partying! I love my best friends! <3

x,

telai

P.S.

It's back to the gym for me tomorrow. Have to lose all the excess fat I gained these past few days!

Happy Lemon

2011-12-16T00:44:00.003+08:00

Davao is finally getting the attention (and establishments) we deserve! I'm glad that imperial Manila entrepreneurs have finally realized the potential of the Davao market. I can't wait to try out stores such as Happy Lemon and Red Mango when they finally open here next year. And I'm crossing my fingers on a Zara or Top Shop store opening in Abreeza soon!

Thank You!

2011-12-14T02:56:00.001+08:00

I have the most awesome friends in the world!

Louie, Nikki, Joel, Karla, Genedel and Leonard surprised me this evening as a belated celebration of my birthday! How thoughtful! I really wasn't expecting anything since we usually get together when the Don's are in town and have free time to spare. I thought it would be our usual chill night. Little did I know that they'd come with flowers and cake and their presence of course to make my evening super special!

I know I'm insufferable at times, but thanks for sticking with me through thick and thin (literally). Haha. A very very very very very big thank you for tonight!

Can't wait for our year-end party!

x,

telai

11 Things To Know at 25(ish)

2011-12-11T01:53:00.001+08:00

I just turned 23 a couple of days ago. That's only a couple more years before I get to the big 2-5! But I can feel that these things from Relevant Magazine are already relevant to me right now.

11 Things to Know at 25 (ish)
Shauna Niequist

What you need to know to be a real adult.

When you’re 25-ish, you’re old enough to know what kind of music you love, regardless of what your last boyfriend or roommate always used to play. You know how to walk in heels, how to tie a necktie, how to give a good toast at a wedding and how to make something for dinner. You don’t have to think much about skin care, home ownership or your retirement plan. Your life can look a lot of different ways when you’re 25: single, dating, engaged, married. You are working in dream jobs, pay-the-bills jobs and downright horrible jobs. You are young enough to believe that anything is possible, and you are old enough to make that belief a reality.

1. You Have Time to Find a Job You Love

Now is the time to figure out what kind of work you love to do. What are you good at? What makes you feel alive? What do you dream about? You can go back to school now, switch directions entirely. You can work for almost nothing, or live in another country or volunteer long hours for something that moves you. There will be a time when finances and schedules make this a little trickier, so do it now. Try it, apply for it, get up and do it.

When I was 25, I was in my third job in as many years—all in the same area at a church, but the responsibilities were different each time. I was frustrated at the end of the third year because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do next. I didn’t feel like I’d found my place yet. I met with my boss, who was in his 50s. I told him how anxious I was about finding the one perfect job for me, and quick. He asked me how old I was, and when I told him I was 25, he told me I couldn’t complain to him about finding the right job until I was 32. In his opinion, it takes about 10 years after college to find the right fit, and anyone who finds it earlier than that is just plain lucky. So use every bit of your 10 years: try things, take classes, start over.

2. Get Out of Debt and Stay Out of Debt

Part of being a healthy, mature adult is learning to live within your means all the time, even if that means going without things you think you need, or doing work you don’t love for a while to be responsible financially. The ability to adjust your spending according to your income is a skill that will serve you your whole life.

There will be times when you have more money than you need. In those seasons, tithe as always, save like crazy, and then let yourself buy fancy shampoo or an iPad or whatever it is you really get a kick out of. When the money’s not rolling in, buy your shampoo from the grocery store and eat eggs instead of steak—a much cheaper way to get protein. If you can get the hang of living within your means all the time—always tithing, never going into debt—you’ll be ahead of the game when life surprises you with bad financial news.

I know a lot of people who have bright, passionate dreams but who can’t give their lives to those dreams because of the debt they carry. Don’t miss out on a great adventure God calls you to because you’ve been careless about debt.

3. Don’t Rush Dating and Marriage

Now is also the time to get serious about relationships. And “serious” might mean walking away from a dating relationship that’s good but not great. Some of the most life-shaping decisions you’ll make during this time will be about walking away from good-enough, in search of can’t-live-without. One of the only truly devastating mistakes you can make in this season is staying with the wrong person even though you know he or she is the wrong person. It’s not fair to that person, and it’s not fair to you.

“Who are you dating?” “Do you think he’s the one?” “Have you looked at rings?” It’s easy to be seduced by the romance-dating-marriage narrative. We confer a lot of status and respect on people who are getting married—we buy them presents and consider them as more adult and more responsible.

But there’s nothing inherently more responsible or more admirable about being married. I’m thankful to be celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary this summer, but at the same time, I have a fair amount of friends whose marriages are ending—friends whose weddings we danced at, whose wedding cake we ate, whose rings we oohed-and-aahed over but that have been taken off fingers a long time ago.

Some people view marriage as the next step to happiness or grown-up life or some kind of legitimacy, and in their mad desire to be married, they overlook significant issues in the relationship.

Ask your friends, family members and mentors what they think of the person you’re dating and your relationship. Go through premarital counseling before you are engaged, because, really, engagement is largely about wedding planning, and it’s tough to see the flaws in a relationship clearly when you’re wearing a diamond and you have a deposit on an event space.

I’m kind of a broken record on this. My younger friends will tell you I say the same things over and over when they talk to me about love, things like, “He seems great—what’s the rush?” and, “Yes, I like her—give it a year.” And they’ve heard this one a million times: “Time is on your side.” Really, it is.

4. Give Your Best to Friends and Family

While twentysomethings can sometimes spend a little too much energy on dating and marriage, they probably spend too little energy on friendships and family. That girl you just met and now text 76 times a day probably won’t be a part of your life in 10 years, but the guys you lived with in college, if you keep investing in them, will be friends for a lifetime. Lots of people move around in their 20s, but even across the distance, make an effort to invest in the friendships that are important to you. Loyalty is no small thing, especially in a season during which so many other things are shifting.

Family is a tricky thing in your 20s—to learn how to be an adult out on your own but to also maintain a healthy relationship with your parents—but those relationships are really, really worth investing in. I have a new vantage point on this now that I’m a parent. When my parents momentarily forget I’m an adult, I remind myself that someday this little boy of ours will drive a car, get a job and buy a home. I know that even then it will be hard not to scrape his hair across his forehead or tell him his eyes are looking sleepy, and I give my parents a break for still seeing me as their little girl every once in a while.

5. Get Some Counseling

Twenty-five is also a great time to get into counseling if you haven’t already, or begin round two of counseling if it’s been a while. You might have just enough space from your parents to start digging around your childhood a little bit. Unravel the knots that keep you from living a healthy, whole life, and do it now, before any more time passes.

Some people believe emotional and psychological issues should be solved through traditional spiritual means—that prayer and pastoral guidance are all that’s necessary when facing issues of mental health. I disagree. We generally trust medical doctors to help us heal from physical ailments. We can and should trust counselors and therapists to help us resolve emotional and psychological issues. Many pastors have no training in counseling, and while they care deeply about what you’re facing, sometimes the best gift they can give you is a referral to a therapist who does have the education to help you.

Faith and counseling aren’t at odds with one another. Spiritual growth and emotional health are both part of God’s desire for us. Counseling—like time with a mentor, personal scriptural study, a small group experience and outside reading—can help you grow, and can help you connect more deeply with God.

So let your pastor do his or her thing, and let the person who has an advanced degree in mental health help you with yours.

6. Seek Out a Mentor

One of the most valuable relationships you can cultivate in your 20s is a mentoring relationship with someone who’s a little older, a little wiser, someone who can be a listening ear and sounding board during a high change season. When I look back on my life from 22 to 26, some of the most significant growth occurred as a direct result of the time I spent with my mentor, Nancy.

The best way to find a mentor is to ask, and then to work with the parameters they give you. If someone does agree to meet with you, let it be on their terms. Nancy and I met on Wednesdays at 7 in the morning. I guarantee that was not my preference. But it was what worked for her life, so once a month I dragged myself out of the house in what felt to me like the dead of night. It also helps to keep it to a limited-time period. It’s a lot to ask of someone to meet once a month until the end of time. But a one-year commitment feels pretty manageable for most people, and you can both decide to sign on for another year or not, depending on the connection you’ve made.

7. Be a Part of a Church

Twenty-five is the perfect time to get involved in a church you love, no matter how different it is from the one you were a part of growing up. Be patient and prayerful, and decide that you’re going to be a person who grows, who seeks your own faith, who lives with intention. Set your alarm on Sunday mornings, no matter how late you were out on Saturday night. It will be dreadful at first, and then after a few weeks, you’ll find that you like it, that the pattern of it fills up something inside you.

8. Find a Rhythm for Spiritual Disciplines

Going out into “the real world” after high school or college affects more than just your professional life. Where once you had free time, a flexible schedule and built-in community, now you have one hour for lunch, 10 days max to “skip” work and co-workers who are all over the place in age, stage of life and religion.

In those first few years of work-life, it’s easy to get too busy, too stressed and too disconnected to keep up spiritual habits you may have built in school. Figuring out how to stay close to God and to grow that relationship through activities and disciplines that complement your new schedule is critical for life now—and those habits will serve you for years to come.

One of the best routines I adopted in my 20s was a monthly solitude day. In addition to my daily prayer time, I found I lived better if once a month I took the time to pray, read, rest and write, to ask myself about the choices I’d made in the past month and to ask for God’s guidance in the month to come. Some of the most important decisions I made in that season of life became clear as a result of that monthly commitment.

9. Volunteer

Give of your time and energy to make the world better in a way that doesn’t benefit you directly. Teach Sunday school, build houses with Habitat for Humanity, serve at a food pantry or clean up beaches on Saturdays.

It’s easy to get caught up in your own big life and big plan in your 20s—you’re building a career, building an identity, building for a future. Find some place in your life where you’re building for a purpose that’s bigger than your own life or plan.

When you’re serving on behalf of a cause you’re passionate about, you’ll also connect in a deep way with the people you’re serving with, and those connections can yield some of your most significant friendships.

When you serve as a volunteer, you can gain experience for future careers. Instead of, for example, quitting your banking job to pursue full-time ministry, volunteer to lead a small group, and see where it goes from there. Use volunteer experiences to learn about causes and fields you’re interested in, and consider using your vacation time to serve globally.

10. Feed Yourself and the People You Love

If you can master these things, you’re off to a really great start: eggs, soup, a fantastic sandwich or burger, guacamole and some killer cookies. A few hints: The secret to great eggs is really low heat, and the trick to guacamole is lime juice—loads of it. Almost every soup starts the same way: onion, garlic, carrot, celery, stock.

People used to know how to make this list and more, but for all sorts of reasons, sometime in the last 60 or so years, convenience became more important than cooking and people began resorting to fake food (ever had GU?), fast food and frozen food. I literally had to call my mom from my first apartment because I didn’t know if you baked a potato for five minutes or two hours.

The act of feeding oneself is a skill every person can benefit from, and some of the most sacred moments in life happen when we gather around the table. The time we spend around the table, sharing meals and sharing stories, is significant, transforming time.

Learn to cook. Invite new and old friends to dinner. Practice hospitality and generosity. No one cares if they have to sit on lawn furniture, bring their own forks or drink out of a Mayor McCheese glass from 1982. What people want is to be heard and fed and nourished, physically and otherwise—to stop for just a little bit and have someone look them in the eye and listen to their stories and dreams. Make time for the table, and you’ll find it to be more than worth it every time.

11. Don’t Get Stuck

This is the thing: When you hit 28 or 30, everything begins to divide. You can see very clearly two kinds of people. On one side, people who have used their 20s to learn and grow, to find God and themselves and their dreams, people who know what works and what doesn’t, who have pushed through to become real live adults. Then there’s the other kind, who are hanging onto college, or high school even, with all their might. They’ve stayed in jobs they hate, because they’re too scared to get another one. They’ve stayed with men or women who are good but not great, because they don’t want to be lonely. They mean to find a church, they mean to develop intimate friendships, they mean to stop drinking like life is one big frat party. But they don’t do those things, so they live in an extended adolescence, no closer to adulthood than when they graduated.

Don’t be like that. Don’t get stuck. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk. There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. This season is about becoming. Don’t lose yourself at happy hour, but don’t lose yourself on the corporate ladder either. Stop every once in a while and go out to coffee or climb in bed with your journal.

Ask yourself some good questions like: “Am I proud of the life I’m living? What have I tried this month? What have I learned about God this year? What parts of my childhood faith am I leaving behind, and what parts am I choosing to keep? Do the people I’m spending time with give me life, or make me feel small? Is there any brokenness in my life that’s keeping me from moving forward?”

Now is your time. Walk closely with people you love, and with people who believe God is good and life is a grand adventure. Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned.
Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path.

***

x,

telai

Twenty Three

2011-12-11T00:35:00.001+08:00

"...when there’s so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once and it’s too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can’t feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life."

Just Like Christmas

2011-12-08T04:48:00.001+08:00

Just like it's Christmas.

The decorations in the Marco Polo lobby was beyond adorable! Lots of cute teddy bears and cuddly pillows around, so even if it was supposed to be bawal, we couldn't help but take pictures! Looks like a family gathering on Christmas morning! I love it! And oh - hello new friends! :)

x,

telai

Road Trip

2011-12-05T11:38:00.001+08:00

It was one of the rare times our not-so-impromptu trips really happened. We were all free on Sunday, and so we decided to head up the mountains for late lunch and some bonding moments. And because Frank just finished a 42KM suicidal run, we used my mom's car instead of Joey. Poor Frank was without sleep and his legs were aching like hell! RB didn't have enough sleep either. And Donna almost almost bailed out on us! But still we had a great time! We had a yummy steak lunch in Seagull! And Donna and RB kept stopping along the way back so they could take pictures. I just waited in the car with Frank since he can't move much. And then we ended the day getting an outdoor massage at the lively Rizal Park, and then burgers and milkshakes at Al's Diner!

What an awesome Sunday!

telai

Mochi Creme in Davao

2011-12-04T01:32:00.001+08:00

You know how much I love Japanese food... and now the best part of it has finally arrived in Davao! Japanese Ice Cream called Mochi Creme is oishi indeed! I have this craving for strawberry mochi for the longest time and I'm glad I could finally indulge.

I'm dying to try the other flavors though as I've only had strawberry!

Check them out at the 2nd floor of SM City Davao - near the food court!

telai

Side Trip

2011-12-04T01:25:00.001+08:00

7 Falls, Lake Sebu

South Cotabato

Hope for the Best

2011-12-03T20:41:00.001+08:00

I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

MARILYN MONROE

Star Sightings

2011-12-03T19:59:00.001+08:00

These past couple of months, I was lucky enough to be able to meet and greet with Venus Raj and the Younghusband siblings.

I must say, Venus has a really nice body! Jealous much. And among the Younghusband siblings, I find James more attractive!

ktnxbye

Work + Play

2011-12-03T14:18:00.001+08:00

A supposedly wild idea turned into a spontaneous adventure for Chic, Frank and I. Thank you SOCSKSARGEN region for welcoming us! :)

telai

Turkey Lurkey

2011-11-27T01:21:00.001+08:00

Two words: BOTTOMLESS DRINKS.

It was Confessions of a Partyphile and Jack Daniel's thanksgiving party at Marco Polo's Eagle's Bar last night. The crowd turnout wasn't as good as the previous party - but it was all the better for us because of the free flowing Jack Daniels!

I had a killer hang over the next morning, but what the heck, I had so much fun meeting and drinking with new people!

telai

I'm supposed to be on a diet but...

2011-11-23T23:37:00.001+08:00

I know. I know. I'm supposed to be losing weight, but it'll be Christmas soon and the non-stop eating is starting!

Case in point: dinner at Kuya Andre's birthday party on Saturday night, and then desserts with Team 4Play afterwards. And earlier this evening - friends and I availed of Bangkok Wok's Wok-All-You-Can dinner!

And because it was sort of a buffet, we decided to order everything on the menu. UHMMMM. Spell BUSOG. Haha.

I love the good food + good company combination. Perfect for a random Wednesday night in town.

Also, thank God I ran more than usual at cardio training this afternoon. Will work double time at the gym tomorrow so I can lose all those extra calories at dinner!

x,

telai

Boys Night Out

2011-11-22T21:55:00.001+08:00

You know how I've always prided myself with being one of the boys and here's another proof:

The boys and I were in Abreeza last Saturday evening for dinner. We opted to go to Bigby's because they were having their first trivia night (the first one in Davao, I think!). I was a bit late actually. I came from class, and then had to go attend a friend's birthday celebration for a while. I missed dinner (boo) and the first set of the trivia night (boo-er).

But it was all good. We were having soooo much fun doing the trivia. When I got there past 9 (Abreeza was having a midnight sale! woohoo!), the boys were already in 2nd place! Wooohoo! And the first category I played was about geography - talk about FATE! haha. It's one of my favorite subjects ever!

Anyway, we ended up winning second place -- that means a gift certificate for us! Another one for our barkada coupons. Haha. (I blame the PLATYPUS why we didn't win first! Haha)

Team 4Play + 1 (that's me coz I'm late haha)

We went around the mall afterwards. After window shopping for a while, we ended up hanging out at the newly opened The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for some drinks and a lot of talk. We were the last ones to leave the premises - the last cars out of the parking lot even! Haha. It was a really good night! Until the next outing!

x,

Telai

Fine Dinner

2011-11-20T03:00:00.001+08:00

A couple of weeks ago, Frank, RB and I had a random dinner at Mamu's. The place was cozy, and the food was really good!

And then later on, we went to The Peak - the newest attraction in Gaisano Mall. The place was fairly deserted, especially since it was raining and it was already after 9PM.

We had coffee at Figaro, the only open establishment at the time.

It was a good night. Cheers to the good life!

Happy

2011-11-13T22:41:00.001+08:00

I guess, more than anything else... I need to start counting my blessings. There are lots of them, and it would do me a lot of good if I focus on them instead.

Happy
Natasha Bedingfield

Landlords Knocking at my door cussing me out
Got laid off my job the night before
Can’t figure how
I’m gonna fix tomorrow when Yesterday's still a mess
Can you tell me what’s the point man
It all seems meaningless
I wish that I could step away and breathe
This world’s trying to swallow me
Clear away the clouds inside my head

[Chorus:]
Someone just tell me
That it’s ok now
What are you worrying about

Got my dreams, got my life, got my love
Got my friends, got the sunshine above
Why am I making this hard on myself
When there’s so many beautiful reasons I have to be happy

People lie, people hide, people cry, people fight

And they don’t know why
If fear is all that we should fear
Then what are we so afraid of
'Cause fear is only in our heads

Someone please say...

[Chorus]

Any day I'll go bad thinking bad
Everyone is against me and the world wants to fight me
Preparing to battle an enemy unseen
During my stressing I’m blinded to the lessons
That could be a blessing if Id be confessing that the enemy
I’m trying to beat is hiding inside of me

But it’s ok now...what are you worrying about...

[Chorus]

Keep your grind on girl...it’s your love, it’s your world... [Repeat 2x]

[Chorus]

Undas

2011-11-13T20:49:00.001+08:00

The long undas weekend has always been for family. This year wasn't any different.

We usually divide our time between Davao and San Francisco during the celebrations. And of course, the whole family gets together at the cemetery. To tell you the truth, these are a couple of my favorite places. It's a reminder that somewhere out there, my grandfathers are looking down on the families.

These family reunions have started a talk between my dad and myself - about how different the Bleza's and the Jarabelo's were brought up. I won't go into details, but I'm glad to have a different perspective on how life is lived through my family situation.

x,

telai

Family Day

2011-11-13T20:35:00.001+08:00

Sharing with you some pictures with my family when they were in town last month.

I took this photo. Very tourist-y lang in Abreeza. That's my uncle, aunt, cousins and sibs right there. I remember taking a photo with my grandma. I wonder whose camera I used that time?

Like what I said over at Facebook, "dili ko dapat mag-strong kay ma-struggle akong face."

This was a dream come true! I've always wanted to ride one of these animals around the malls, but I figured out I was too chicken and my friends weren't interested as well. Thankfully, my cousin Clem forced me to let him ride. Being the caring ate that I was, of course I had to ride with him! Hehe.

We had a big lunch at Chikaan before they left for San Francisco.

I love family days like these.

telai

I Need A Hug

2011-11-12T23:24:00.001+08:00

Everything hasn't been great lately.

And I really just want a friend right now.

There's nothing to say - but my emotions are just out of control.

I don't want to talk about it though.

I just need a very tight hug.

And a shoulder to cry on.

And I need to get away. Just for a while.

Maybe then everything will be okay again.

I Killed Halloween

2011-10-31T08:21:00.001+08:00

I almost got drunk at the "I Killed Halloween" party... which is the whole point of going there in the first place.

With friends of friends. x

I Killed Halloween Party

October 28, 2011

Eagle's Bar, Marco Polo Davao

Realizations

2011-10-28T06:07:00.002+08:00

So apparently, life as an MBA student isn't as easy as I originally thought it was. It doesn't mean that since I was such as busy-body in college, I could be that person again in grad school. Believe me when I say juggling a full time work with a full load school schedule isn't a walk in the park!

Case in point: it's 6AM, and I got home only an hour ago from our study group for the Financial Accounting take home exams. We've been working on it since 8PM last night, and it almost drove me crazy! I can't even ask for an extension because the professor gave this to us 2 weeks ago, but crammers that we are, we left it to the last minute to work it out. I'm still recovering from a really bad cold, but I haven't even rested today yet. Plus I was indulging in sweets and coffee nonstop since yesterday afternoon just to keep me awake! My gosh!

Anyway, we have a deadline in 6 hours, We are almost done with our problem sets, except for a couple of chapters we were too lazy to do ourselves. And we did some clever adjustments to our final exam answers just to finish it! Woohoo!

Hope that I'll wake up in time for the deadline!

Ciao!

How To Start A Movement

2011-10-20T01:23:00.000+08:00

It takes two.

I must start watching more TED videos. The talks are actually really nice!

Dogs and Management

2011-10-20T00:58:00.000+08:00

This is really funny! Haha

Adventurous Spirit

2011-10-20T00:03:00.000+08:00

According to NY Times, I am an ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT.

You have got a fresh, positive attitude to life that means you are naturally drawn to anything that is modern and original. Your cool sense of style and sharp mind allow you to maintain that perfect blend of work and play, which means you are generally a fun person to be around. You are an emotional spirit and you make really strong connections. Good friends and lots of laughs are the recipe for really happy days. And nights!

You're a fast-mover and feel energized about anything that gets your pulse racing! You're enthusiastic about life and an upbeat spirit who knows how to have fun and tends to value all which is fresh and new in the world. You tire quickly of old conventions and outdated ideas, wishing to experience new methods with youthful innocence and vigor. It's all about big thrills and exciting antics that take you out of your comfort zone. You want to feel connected to the world around you and actively seek out opportunities to get closer to nature. For you, it is all about broadening your horizons and living life to the fullest!

Nice, huh? :) It's really true, by the way. Or so I like to think. :)

Finals, Finally!

2011-10-19T23:45:00.001+08:00

The week is only half done but I'm really feeling the pressure!

See, the past couple of weeks had been really hectic what with work, with school, and all those other social commitments in my diary. One of these days, don't be surprised to see me sniffing some elastoseal on some side street just to get through the day. Alright, bad joke. Anyway, what is supposed to be like finals week seems to be like finals weeks at school. And just when school is really hectic, here comes work coming in with gazillions more problems for me to stress about. Plus, I haven't been to the gym in a week and I am dying here!!! I've gained all the weight that I've lost in the past month because of all these associating stress with food psychobabble.

But well, I'm not really complaining. I do love challenges. The more, the manier! And the past couple of weeks hasn't been really bad. I mean, I've spent a really nice weekend hanging out with my family, and I got to catch up with a couple of friends on Tuesday night; my mate Princess is in town for a while. She just squeezed us in on her full schedule before going back to Adelaide, Australia. How weird is it that we've only been together for like, a year and a half TOPS before she left, and it's like.... we're still friends even if we're continents away! That's like really cool, right? So yeah, aside from Princess, I've been seeing a lot of my old friends lately as well. Kuya Andre is in town, and so is Kuya Caloy and we've already gone out twice lately so yay for bonding moments. Yay!

Anyway, Twitter distracted my train of thoughts so I'll just stop here for now. But I think I was really going to share how happy and relieved I am that we've already gotten our marketing finals out of the way. We've submitted the final paper and did the revalida this evening and that's a really big thorn out of the way. Now, 3 more finals to go through, and some other extra stuffs that I had left too long to do. Finally, it's the finals! And it's almost over!!!

Ciao bella!

The Perfect Day

2011-10-13T12:37:00.001+08:00

This is how I imagine a perfect day would be like...

To Dreams and Back

2011-10-12T00:10:00.001+08:00

Light emerged from my window
Bathing me with curious looks
Why so sad, lonely maiden? It asked
It's gonna be a beautiful day.

I smile. Glad of the sunny cheer
Though how can a day be beautiful
When I had lost love to the night
Who knows if it'll ever come back.

I look out across the clearing
To gaze at the chirping birds
How can they sing about happily
When my life's dreams had already burst

Though light and song brought life about
I'm looking at the lingering darkness for answers
Maybe if I close my eyes again for a while
I'll be granted one more wish and find my dreams there.

***

P.S. I've officially activated my Facebook account this evening. :)

Now Playing: Natasha Bedingfield "Weightless"

A Little Too Much

2011-10-07T01:12:00.000+08:00

How wonderful is it to have friends with amazing taste in music?! My friend Chic shared this song on plurk this evening - I love it!

A Little Too Much

Natasha Bedingfield

Sometimes it hits like car crash

And it's too late to reverse

Sometimes you make me a better person

Sometimes you bring out the worst

Sometimes we get on like fire

Sometimes we're stubborn like rain

Just when I think that it's over, over

You wave a white flag again

Ah, ah, we fall out then we fall back in

Ah, ah, we're always back where we begin

Everybody hurts just a little too much

Everybody hurts but it's never enough

It's wonderful to fall, let's love and risk it all

I'd rather love just a little too much

Sometimes we're trapped ina circle

'Til we're digging holes in the ground

We try but nothing is working

But still I want you around

'Cause if I'm lost in the desert

I know somehow you'll find me

And if I drown in the ocean

You'll be the first to rescue me

Everybody hurts just a little too much

Everybody hurts but it's never enough

It's wonderful to fall, let's love and risk it all

I'd rather love just a little too much

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa

Everybody hurts just a little too much

Everybody hurts but it's never enough

Ah, ah, we fall out then we fall back in

Ah, ah, we're alwasy back where we begin

Everybody hurts just a little too much

Everybody hurts but it's never enough

It's wonderful to fall, let's love and risk it all

Even if it hurts just a little too much

I'd rather love just a little too much

[REVIEW] No Other Woman

2011-09-30T00:54:00.003+08:00

In my honest opinion, this has to be one of Star Cinema's best movies ever. It's relevant, it's relatable, it's well-written, and it was definitely well-delivered! It's right up there with One More Chance!

First of all, I love how the pairings of the actors in this movie are so fresh. Who would've expected Derek, Anne and Christine to be in a movie together? Did anyone actually see this coming? I definitely didn't!

Acting-wise, Anne and Christine stole the spotlight for this movie - and Carmi Martin was definitely noticed. Derek's acting was so-so, but he only needs to be a hot cheating bastard (which he actually is in real life), so that's okay. Aside from the interesting choice of actors, the controversial plot of slutty-girl-cheating-husband-martyr-wife was also a hit among movie goers because many people can relate to it. Although if I've been through what Charmaine (Christine) has been through, I don't know how I could watch a movie that might open up all the wounds from the past. But oh well, I can't relate to a love-triangle, so whatever.

However, what really makes this movie one of the best are the lines. There definitely weren't any dull moment because everyone is anticipating the next moves made and the next lines thrown in the movie. There were really funny moments, then there's excitement, and then there are these really emotional and dramatic scenes. From time to time, I also couldn't help but get angry at the characters, or pity them at some point. Overall, it made me feel a lot of different emotions and made me ask a lot of questions about relationships.

THE LINES.

There might be some spoilers, but I'm not really explaining them so read at your own risk. :)

"I don't need your research report because I know the market. I am the market." - Cara
Spoken like a true hotel heiress. I'd give anything to be able to afford luxury hotels and vacations.

"I'm not a mistress. I never was and I never will be one....... I'm not a mistress." - Cara
It's hard to know what's right or wrong when you deny the facts.

"Naku. Huwag na. Baka makita mo pang nilalagyan ko ng lason ang pagkain mo. Joke lang. Medyo off yung humor ko lately eh." -Charmaine
I loved how subtle this was delivered.

"May party ba si Barney na di ko nalalaman?" -Kitkat's Character
This one was epic. This was when Charmaine and Cara saw each other at the department store and they were both wearing purple!

"Alam mo, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Pero sa ganda mong yan, siguradong marami kang alam na shortcuts." -Charmaine
Talk about awkward. This was uttered during the dinner with the husband and the mistress.

Charmaine: "Ano bang mas madaling kalaban? Yung putang mayaman o putang mahirap?"
Charmaine's Mom: "Pare-pareho lang yan silang mga puta! Ang pagkakaiba lang, ang putang mayaman, original and Hermes samantalang ang putang mahirap, sa Greenhills lang binili."
What can I say but... WOW.

"Ang pag-ibig ay isang malaking Quiapo. Maraming snatcher. Maagawan ka. Lumaban ka!" -Charmaine's Mom
True.

"Kapag ang lalaki, maya't maya nagpapalit ng babae, ok lang yun! Basta sayo lang umuuwi. Pero pag ang lalaki may suki nang kabit, dun ka na makipaglaban!" -Charmaine's Mom
This really wasn't it, but it was something to this effect.

"Ganyan talaga pag galing sa makating dikya, nagmamarka." -Charmaine's Mom
This was after Christine saw a hickey on Derek, but he claimed he got it from the resort.

"Ano bang kulang? May mali ba sa niluto ko? Pangit ba ako? -Charmaine
The eternal question.

"Mali pala ako na baka mahalin niya ako but at the end of the day, ikaw pa rin ang mahal niya; ikaw pa rin ang uuwin niya. Ikaw pa rin ang pinili niya." -Cara
We should all learn from our mistakes.

"Having fun? Ngayon yes fun, pero pano pag iniwan ka na nya, pano pag pinili na niya asawa niya? Pano pag naiskandalo na pamilya mo, fun pa rin ba?" -Cara's Friend
Really, the world does not only revolve around us. I hate how we make love and having fun an excuse for being irresponsible and for hurting other people.

I'm definitely recommending this movie. Watch it, people!

THOUGHTS
Spoiler alert!!!

I don't get how women could forget cheating husbands or boyfriends. Is being men and not being able to resist temptation a valid excuse for cheating? Personally, it's one of the things that I abhor because I value trust and respect a lot. In a situation like this, who is to be blamed, really? The bastard husband? The slut husband-stealer? Or the passive wife?

If this happens to wives or girlfriends, should they put up a fight and confront the mistress? For who? For what? Or should they just endure and wait for their husbands to leave the mistress and come home to them? On the side of the mistress, do they really have a right to demand more from the husbands? Or confront the wives and make them feel more inadequate? Or should they just stay in one side and wait for whatever attention that the cheating, lying, asshole would give them? As for the husband, is it right as long as they're only having fun and they don't get caught? And what if they eventually get caught and the wife walks away, and he suddenly realizes he can't live without her - is it enough that he acknowledge his mistakes, ask for forgiveness, grovel at the wife and tell her he can't live without her? Is it right for him to just throw the mistress to the side just because she's no use to him anymore?

Personally, I'd like to blame the husband and the mistress. No loving wife, especially a mother, should be disrespected that way. While I immensely enjoyed the lines, I did not like the character of Anne Curtis one bit. For me, even if she fell in love, she had no right to confront or even get jealous of Charmaine, especially since she knew from the beginning that Rob is already married. And I agreed with Charmaine, Cara had no right to demand forgiveness for both Rob and her - not at that moment. Maybe in time, as what actually happened.

The movie also made me think about characters and psychological backgrounds. What would drive people to cheat? Especially those people who claim that they love their partner? I think I won't have what it takes to be a mistress. I'm a big believer of the saying: "don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you." Karma is definitely a bitch, and I don't want it bitching my way. If I were the wife though, I don't think I can go to the other woman and make a scene. I'm the kind of person who closes up when I'm emotionally affected, especially in a negative way. Although I think I'd breakdown, like what she did at the resort.

THE CONCLUSION

Overall, I'd give the movie an 8 our of 10. While it gave us a balance insight from different perspective, I did not really appreciate the ending... that everything will turn out okay for everybody, so maybe it's okay to try out new things (like being a mistress, or cheating) once in a while. Indulge my inner monster, but I think something bad should happen to those assholes who deliberately hurt people just for fun. There's just no excuse for that. Although, as a Christian, I'm quite aware that it is important to love, to forgive, and to give and be given second chances. Anyway, there's always karma.

x,

telai

Guy Friends

2011-09-23T03:49:00.002+08:00

There's a lot to be said about crazy guy friends!

So I went out to have dinner with my friends Leonard and Dan. From my home in the 'burbs, I braved the rain and the flooded streets of Davao (the flood was really high in some places!), just to hang out with them! I had to bail out on them early though because I still had things to do at some mall.

The Embarrassment / The Harassment
After work, I met them at Bo's, but we eventually decided to explore more food options around the city. And while our main objective was to find a place to eat, we ended up going around downtown Davao in search of the perfect man for me - it was completely their idea! Our first major stop was in front of Fame along San Pedro St. I was really sure what we were trying to do was a bad idea - but the guys are really decided to break me in into the world of male prostitution - at least I should just talk with guys, they said. At the end, I couldn't and I wouldn't do it, and neither one of the guys are willing to embarrass their selves that way either, so we left Fame without even talking to anybody. Further along San Pedro St., we were stopped by a pimp asking if we were looking for "chix" (her term, not mine!). I was seated behind the driver seat, and I opted to stay as quiet and as invisible as I could - I was happy just listening in on how Genedel negotiated with the pimp. She couldn't show us girls though, and according to her, there were no guys around the area so that was that. We scoured the length of Quirino and then Uyanguren, but the streets were deserted of any call boys.

The Humiliation
Right before going back to Bo's to retrieve our cars, the guys decided to pass by Central Bank one last time, and that was were the fun really began! He really checked the car to see who the passengers were, and when he saw me, he was kind of dismayed to rent out his girls. My friend was insisting we'll get girls, and that it would be so much better if we can get a guy for me as well so that everyone can supposedly have fun together. I was already really speechless that time, it was kind of humiliating for me to talk to pimps about getting guys like that - as if I was just asking for the specialty lechon kawali in Bankerohan. Crazy! While the girls are crowding at the window, the pimp paraded a couple of guys for me to choose from and I really want to vomit from embarrassment! At the end, we had to give him excuses and then we left. WILD!

The Judgement
Leonard dropped Dan, Genedel and me at Bo's. That's were we left our cars earlier. On my way to my car, the crazy ass Genedel shouted "Hey. You're walking funny! Are you okay?" The ladies seated near my car suddenly looked up at us, and they were really looking at me weird! That's what I get for friends publicly insinuating we had some sort of crazy gangbang! As I was the only rose among the thorns, the two ladies really stared at me as I was riding my car and getting ready to leave the place! And the look they were giving me was a mixture of shock, disbelief and possibly disgust - it was really funny! Especially since they were judging me just like that, as if I was really into orgies or something! HAHA. I could just imagine the kind of conversation that transpired between them after we left the parking lot! CRAZYYYY! That's what I get for responding to Gene's taunts "I'm okay. Next time ulit ha!" HAHA. WILD!

So yes. I had quite an eventful night! It's so nice hanging out with the guys again - it was something that I think I really need for my sanity. Plus we made plans for next month! I'm already excited! Watch out for it! :)

Who needs boyfriends when you have awesome guy friends?!

x,

telai

On Boys and Relationships

2011-09-21T23:35:00.001+08:00

It bothers me a lot that many of my closest friends have issues that are related to love and things like that. It makes me wonder if I'm super weird for not being bothered by it. After my super lengthy Carlo infatuation (which was sooooooo high school), I haven't really liked anyone else. Not for the lack of looking and trying I tell you, but maybe I have learned my lesson? I have to admit thought that my standards are rather high. And I've decided I won't settle for anything less. Maybe that's the reason why I'm not really into looking for intimate relationships and such. Well yes, I do get lonely and envious of people who have boyfriends. For the record, I really really really really want someone who I could hold hands with in the mall, and who I could force to join me for meals when all my friends aren't available. But at this point, please, spare me the commitment. I still can't imagine being tied down to a certain place or lifestyle just because of some guy (or girl, who knows, I might turn out to be a lesbian someday - a very hot lesbian at that. haha). Call me selfish, or just uncaring, but I want to travel the world unencumbered. As much as possible, even my parents stay out of the decisions I make - and I don't want anyone to manipulate me in any way. And besides, I don't think I'm mature enough to handle relationships. Emotionally, I kinda have an idea, but I'm refusing to grow up and start thinking about getting serious and stuff. And well, playing around... hmmmm... I might consider that if Mr. Right Now comes along. That's more like me, I guess... playing around and stuff. I really think that getting too serious about someone - anyone! - at this age (I'm only 22, hello!) is a waste of time. There are sooooo many other more exciting things to do and explore, getting depressed and bothered by some guy is really not worth it!

So yeah. That's it for my rants tonight. I just had to let that out, not that anyone asked. :)

x,

Telai

A Royal Weekend

2011-09-19T17:30:00.000+08:00

It was another one of our impromptu events - so yeah, it did happen! Omay finally turned 23 (yes! only 3 of us in Eleat are 22 and below ~ arghh Jude! haha) After minutes of cunning and ruthlessness on our parts, we've decided to buy drinks, balloons, birthday cakes and tarpaulins to make a mini-party during our sleepover! It was supposed to be a surprise, but Omay didn't look very surprised - as usual!

Last year, our celebration was a bit tamed. This year though, the birthday girl is "down" as RB would put it. Ayyyeeee!

Here are photos taken during our drinking session:

Tanduay Ice all gone, first Tanduay long neck down, and starting on the next one!

Us convincing Omay to move and get to bed.

RB and the birthday girl

And look, I have videos too! :)

And for RB's best moment of the night. HAHA

We had a really fun weekend! Hopefully, we'll do this again for RB's birthday next month! :)

Happy Birthday Moy!

x,

telai

Together Again

2011-09-08T08:31:00.000+08:00

Before Chic's flight to Manila, a few of us (but for Donna) got together for coffee. Hurray for impromptu dates!

The ever busy Doc Omay was finally able to join us. I only get to see her as often as I see Chic and Lady -- not often at all! Haha.

Speaking of which, it's Omay birthday today! Happy birthday bru! :)

telai

Step!

2011-09-06T15:51:00.000+08:00

Kara is back and they are cuter than ever!

Goo Hara is definitely one of my ultimate girl crushes. <3

telai

Dreams are Forever

2011-09-02T22:41:00.002+08:00

I used to know exactly where I want to go. I wish I could go back to how it used to be. But it's true what they say, people change - sometimes for the better, other times for the worse. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I've turned into the latter. But I'm still hoping this is going to be a blessing in disguise. Please let it be a blessing in disguise. I'm not sure how I'll handle it if it's otherwise.

telai

Surigao, Let's Go!

2011-08-30T21:39:00.001+08:00

4-day long weekends are few and far between, so we definitely tried to make the most of it. Finally, *drum roll please* Surigao happened!

After years and years of wanting to go to Surigao del Sur, we finally made it! Well, I practically almost grew up on the place seeing as I used to live a mere 30 minutes away, but my 4 companions are definitely virgins! A lot has happened - things lost, bodies injured, and the never-ending eating - all of these contributed to a well-deserved break from the city life!

It was a great change not to go online for the whole weekend, and I barely even got to check my phone! We were so far-removed from civilization it was really exciting. It became even more exciting when Joey suddenly decided to show us that she needed a break from the shock we gave her. But Joey's uncooperation aside, I really had the time of my life going back to nature.

You really have to give it to my family for being too hospitable to my unworthy friends. HAHA. My grandmother had really outdone herself and fed us really good food! Thank you Nanay! My aunt Jenny and uncle Toto allowed us to stay in their hotel for free for 3 days and 3 nights! And my uncle Jerry fed and entertained us - I had a hard time keeping myself from laughing actually. I love how supportive the family is despite me hardly ever being there. Sometimes, I feel like a tourist in my own hometown!

I really wish my friends had a great time though! It was my first time hosting friends in San Francisco - I honestly didn't have any clear ideas where to bring them because, as I've said, I feel like a stranger there ever since I left 10 years ago. Honestly, I was as excited as the virgins to tour around the region.

I've achieved so many of my goals during the trip - I was able to climb up the highest layer of Tinuy-an Falls, take the boat around the neighboring places of the Enchanted River, drive long distance using an MT vehicle, sunbathe til the sun disappears, and take nice pictures!

Color Coding: Team Blue and Team Gray

Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a minimal-expense trip turned into a cash flow nightmare! We spent our mornings shopping for food in Mercury Drug, and then we bought most of our meals at Jollibee! I had originally suggested to go to the market, but who wakes up very early on vacation right? So yep. That's 50% of our budget gone for food.

with the famous Kuya Arnel of Jollibee San Francisco

Our days spent on the road were memorable. We just plan and change them spontaneously along the way. Nothing really predictable for us really! I guess more trips should be done that way so it'll be more exciting! But well, only if I've already been to most of those places. I get jittery when things are not planned out well during trips. sue me.

Tinuyan Falls

Survivor: Surigao Edition

One of the highlights of this trip would have to be Frank's numerous injuries! He fell down 8 steps while we were descending from Tinuy-an falls! Later that evening, he got this really big bruise on his left leg. Thank God there weren't any other injuries from that fall! However, he got injured again the next day - he swam right above some sharp rocks in the beach that gave him some very nasty scratches / wound on his tummy!

Frank's Injury Number 1. Caused by a bad fall in Tinuy-an.

With Nanay Ester

On this trip, I also got to go back to our farm. My grandmother suggested we go there to pick some balimbing or star fruit - and to take pictures with the carabaos as Lloyd had requested. I haven't eaten balimbing for a long time, and I almost forgot what they taste like! Thankfully, this year's harvest had been very sweet and juicy! The boys sure looked like they had fun climbing the tree and picking the fruits themselves!

Post-balimbing Picking

The famous SKY LAB

Another trip highlight would have to be getting stuck in the middle of nowhere because Joey's battery couldn't take it anymore. Talk about a nightmare ~ especially since I was driving! We stopped right in the middle of the road while I was halfway doing a U-turn. The boys had to go down to push the car! Hurray for M/T transmissions! We looked for a local mechanic, and was stuck in Lianga for a couple of hours at noon!

The "DISTRESS CALL"

1-2-3 push!

the stranded tourists...

Thank goodness the place we went to was worth it! Talk about having family connections. We got to use a family friend's private beach house - an enormous place just for the 5 of us! Of course we availed of the rocks, the trees, the sands and the beach - PHOTO SHOOT GALORE! And well, I just had to lie in the sand and sleep while trying to get tanned from the setting sun. AHHHHHHH ~ relaxation!

the perfect vacation setting....

Jump!

Some sun, sand and boozing was really a great way to cap off the long weekend. I was the only one who wasn't drunk - but seeing my friends so out of it got me throwing my inhibitions to the wind as well!

Cheers to things we never did, to things we've done, to things we want to do, and to things that we will be doing! Cheers to revelations, and keeping secrets, and having a good laugh! Cheers to humongous smiles, and sunburnt skins and sticky bodies! Cheers to exclusive islands and beaches! Cheers to chocolates and other happy food! And cheers to a vacation well spent!

I'm looking forward to the next road trip!

telai

CREDITS:
Photos by Lloyd Fontilla

Mixed Emotions

2011-08-20T07:29:00.002+08:00

There's been a lot going on with me lately. I started my MBA last June. While I'm juggling both my acads and a double-work load, I have also decided to take up Mandarin classes on my spare days. I must be crazy for doing all these things, but a girl's gotta do what she's gotta do right? I have to make a lot of sacrifices though - in terms of my time mostly. Hopefully, all's well that ends well.

***

I am excited for my next scheduled trip abroad. It won't be for another 6 months, but I'm going back to Hong Kong! I'll be going with friends from grade school - how exciting! I originally wanted to go back there for my birthday, but I'll have to pick another country instead ~ Malaysia? Bangkok? Taiwan? It would be cool if I travel alone, yes? I'm still mustering up the courage to do that though. Anyway, I'm really just excited!

***

Lesson of the day...
"Clear up your debts first before you start saving."

Lady Gaga's "You and I"

2011-08-18T12:41:00.005+08:00

When it first came out, I was almost afraid to like the songs in Lady Gaga's most recent album. While I don't discriminate between religions, I can't help but think that her new songs are blasphemous. But well, Lady Gaga and a lot of her fans claim that she's just being a good Christian, her ways to express them are not in line with what I believe in. You read the lyrics and some of them are really good, but the music videos can be a bit too much. And while we are in the case of her music videos, I really don't find anything about her fashionable anymore! It ended after Bad Romance, I think. But that's not the point here really. I digress.

I would just like to share this one song that I really took a liking in her album: You and I. I love the more mellow music, and the lyrics are nice too. I really appreciate Stefani's song writing skills. And the music video just came out. I have to say, this is way better than her most recent MV releases. My favorite parts would have to be from 1:30 - 2:10 of the MV - it's a different side to Lady Gaga. I can feel her as an "artist" there for some reasons. Anyway, I'll stop ranting here. The music video:

"You And I"

It’s been a long time since I came around

Been a long time but I’m back in town

This time I’m not leaving without you

You taste like whiskey when you kiss me, oooh

I’ll give anything again to be your baby doll

This time I’m not leaving without you

He said sit back down where you belong

In the corner of my bar with your high heels on

Sit back down on the couch where we

made love for first time and you said to me

Something, something about this place

Something ‘bout lonely nights and my lipstick on your face

Something, something about my cool Nebraska guy

Yeah something about

Baby yoü and I

It`s been two years since I let you go,

I couldn’t listen to a joke or rock `n roll

Muscle cars drove a truck right through my heart

On my birthday you sing me a heart of gold

With a guitar humming and no clothes

This time I'm not leaving without you

Ooh-oh ooh-oh

Sit back down where you belong

In the corner of my bar with your high heels on

Sit back down on the couch where we

made love for first time and you said to me

Something, something about this place

Something ‘bout lonely nights and my lipstick on your face

Something, something about my cool Nebraska guy

Yeah something about

Baby yoü and I

Yoü and I

You, yoü and I

You, yoü and I, I

Yoü and I

You, yoü and I

Oh yeah! I'd rather die

Without yoü and I

C’mon!

Put your drinks up!

We got a whole lot of money, but we still pay rent

‘Cause you can’t buy a house in Heaven

There’s only three men that Imma serve my whole life

It’s my daddy and Nebraska and Jesus Christ

Something, something about the chase

Six whole years

I'm a New York woman, born to run you down

So have my lipstick all over your face

Something, something about just knowing when it's right

So put your drinks up, for Nebraska

For Nebraska, Nebraska, I love you

Yoü and I

You, yoü and I

Baby! I rather die!

Without yoü and I

Yoü and I

You, yoü and I

Nebraska! I rather die

Without yoü and I

It’s been a long time since I came around

Been a long time but I’m back in town

This time I’m not leaving without you.

Stop Coddling the Super-Rich

2011-08-15T12:50:00.000+08:00

Copied this post here. Great essay! Very insightful!

New York Times

Op-Ed Contributor

Stop Coddling the Super-Rich

By WARREN E. BUFFETT

Published: August 14, 2011

OUR leaders have asked for “shared sacrifice.” But when they did the asking, they spared me. I checked with my mega-rich friends to learn what pain they were expecting. They, too, were left untouched.

While the poor and middle class fight for us in Afghanistan, and while most Americans struggle to make ends meet, we mega-rich continue to get our extraordinary tax breaks. Some of us are investment managers who earn billions from our daily labors but are allowed to classify our income as “carried interest,” thereby getting a bargain 15 percent tax rate. Others own stock index futures for 10 minutes and have 60 percent of their gain taxed at 15 percent, as if they’d been long-term investors.

These and other blessings are showered upon us by legislators in Washington who feel compelled to protect us, much as if we were spotted owls or some other endangered species. It’s nice to have friends in high places.

Last year my federal tax bill — the income tax I paid, as well as payroll taxes paid by me and on my behalf — was $6,938,744. That sounds like a lot of money. But what I paid was only 17.4 percent of my taxable income — and that’s actually a lower percentage than was paid by any of the other 20 people in our office. Their tax burdens ranged from 33 percent to 41 percent and averaged 36 percent.

If you make money with money, as some of my super-rich friends do, your percentage may be a bit lower than mine. But if you earn money from a job, your percentage will surely exceed mine — most likely by a lot.

To understand why, you need to examine the sources of government revenue. Last year about 80 percent of these revenues came from personal income taxes and payroll taxes. The mega-rich pay income taxes at a rate of 15 percent on most of their earnings but pay practically nothing in payroll taxes. It’s a different story for the middle class: typically, they fall into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets, and then are hit with heavy payroll taxes to boot.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, tax rates for the rich were far higher, and my percentage rate was in the middle of the pack. According to a theory I sometimes hear, I should have thrown a fit and refused to invest because of the elevated tax rates on capital gains and dividends.

I didn’t refuse, nor did others. I have worked with investors for 60 years and I have yet to see anyone — not even when capital gains rates were 39.9 percent in 1976-77 — shy away from a sensible investment because of the tax rate on the potential gain. People invest to make money, and potential taxes have never scared them off. And to those who argue that higher rates hurt job creation, I would note that a net of nearly 40 million jobs were added between 1980 and 2000. You know what’s happened since then: lower tax rates and far lower job creation.

Since 1992, the I.R.S. has compiled data from the returns of the 400 Americans reporting the largest income. In 1992, the top 400 had aggregate taxable income of $16.9 billion and paid federal taxes of 29.2 percent on that sum. In 2008, the aggregate income of the highest 400 had soared to $90.9 billion — a staggering $227.4 million on average — but the rate paid had fallen to 21.5 percent.

The taxes I refer to here include only federal income tax, but you can be sure that any payroll tax for the 400 was inconsequential compared to income. In fact, 88 of the 400 in 2008 reported no wages at all, though every one of them reported capital gains. Some of my brethren may shun work but they all like to invest. (I can relate to that.)

I know well many of the mega-rich and, by and large, they are very decent people. They love America and appreciate the opportunity this country has given them. Many have joined the Giving Pledge, promising to give most of their wealth to philanthropy. Most wouldn’t mind being told to pay more in taxes as well, particularly when so many of their fellow citizens are truly suffering.

Twelve members of Congress will soon take on the crucial job of rearranging our country’s finances. They’ve been instructed to devise a plan that reduces the 10-year deficit by at least $1.5 trillion. It’s vital, however, that they achieve far more than that. Americans are rapidly losing faith in the ability of Congress to deal with our country’s fiscal problems. Only action that is immediate, real and very substantial will prevent that doubt from morphing into hopelessness. That feeling can create its own reality.

Job one for the 12 is to pare down some future promises that even a rich America can’t fulfill. Big money must be saved here. The 12 should then turn to the issue of revenues. I would leave rates for 99.7 percent of taxpayers unchanged and continue the current 2-percentage-point reduction in the employee contribution to the payroll tax. This cut helps the poor and the middle class, who need every break they can get.

But for those making more than $1 million — there were 236,883 such households in 2009 — I would raise rates immediately on taxable income in excess of $1 million, including, of course, dividends and capital gains. And for those who make $10 million or more — there were 8,274 in 2009 — I would suggest an additional increase in rate.

My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice.

Warren E. Buffett is the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway.

I'm Your Super Girl

2011-08-09T01:59:00.001+08:00

Allow me to indulge my inner fan girl. You have been warned.

***

Everyone was hyping the newest album released by Super Junior so it got me curious. I watched their Mr. Simple video and decided it wasn't as addicting as Sorry Sorry so I wasn't really very into it. But for some reasons, I did watch their comeback stage and heard their intro song Superman. BAM! WHOOSH! BLAGSH! I fell in love instantly ~ Heechul and Kyuhyun oppa! (The boys were dressed better for Superman than for Mr. Simple, IMHO). And the last part was really catchy!

Plus I cried a lot when I read the translation for this song and it said:

Should I pluck the stars for you, count them
One, two, three
With the stars we’ve lost
We are thirteen stars

That part right there really broke my heart. :(

You just wait for me SS4. I definitely won't miss you for the world! Super Junior, the last man standing!

x,

Telai

Sundays and Friends

2011-08-01T02:51:00.004+08:00

It's nice to spend Sunday night with a few friends, just talking about the most random stuffs in the world.

A couple of years ago, it would have never crossed my mind that I'll be hanging out with the three of them from time to time. But it's nice to spend time with new friends. It makes one less stranger in the world.

***
Update 08/09/11

I suddenly realized how short and squat I really am. Just like a teapot. FML.

Life Without Apologies

2011-08-01T01:30:00.001+08:00

I ready somewhere that we shouldn't apologize for anything - especially about our feelings. We could do that by not doing anything that needs apologizing in the first place. It's so easy to say, yet so hard to do, right? Well, here are some baby steps you can take to get you to that direction.

***
SOURCE

I do it, you do it, I think it’s a very Filipino thing – We like saying “sorry”. A LOT. You accidentally bump someone in a crowded place, the response is “sorry!” You can’t hear someone too well, you go “I’m sorry?” You’re not even sure if you’ve done anything wrong, yet automatically, you say it! Sorry, sorry, sorry! It’s a cultural thing mostly, but here is something I would like to share with all of you ghels, bhoys, and gheys that would make you realize that stopping this simple habit can empower you beyond expectations. Read on, it’s life changing!

“What You Think of Me Is None of My Business”
How To Be More Powerfully In Control Of Your Choices By Living Without Apology
BY JOSHUA WAYNE

“If you’re feel like you’re living apologetically, then it’s useful to understand that in all likelihood this is something you learned to do a long time ago. There’s no reason to dwell on the fact, but it is often helpful to understand that the belief system behind feeling this way originated a long time ago, in a childhood far, far away….”

The title of this article is one of my favorite sayings, and it’s the perfect introduction to answer a great question I received the other day. Here’s the question:

“In module 9 of the Point of No Return Program on food and relationships, you speak about “living without apology”. This resonated with me because I feel like I’m always apologizing for everything. I apologize when I order a salad instead of a cheeseburger by always saying, well I have a big event coming up, so I really need to watch what I’m eating”.

I see other people do this as well. They “apologize” for their order with this: “I’m ordering a salad with grilled chicken because you should see what I ate last night! Margaritas, chips and salsa – I must have eaten three bowls of chips alone!” Why say anything?

It’s everyone’s dream to live without apology but no matter how many quotes we see, we take a step in that direction and we get hit so hard with a snarky comment that we go back to making excuses and “living with apology”. How do you start to have the confidence – what is the first step to living life without apology?”

This is a great question, and a book could easily be written on the subject. So while I’m not going to write a book on the topic (here and now anyway), I do want to give you a substantial answer because this question gives rise to a number of important things to think about.

Before I get into the specific steps you want to take to begin living without apology, here are three background ideas I want to point out that will first help us understand this issue more deeply.

1) Own Your Power. First and foremost, living with apology is the result of not owning your power. What do I mean here by power? It’s a few things really.

• It’s your sense and belief that you are okay just as you are, for who you are; in other words, it’s your self-worth. It’s also knowing that your self-worth originates inside and isn’t dependent on how others are responding to you.

• It’s your “knowingness” that you CAN get and create what you want in your life; and that you deserve to have those things. (This is a big issue for many people – they do not really believe that they deserve what they want).

• It’s your ability to trust your instincts and be confident in your decisions.

The Key Concept Of This Article:

Living with apology is the opposite of owning your power.

Instead, you’re giving it away; you’re leaving it out on the curb for others to pick up and cart away. Most people are used to giving away their power like they’re Skittles on Halloween.

So the first step to living without apology is learning how to own your power, instead of incessantly giving it away to others. More on that shortly.

2) Whose Approval Are You Looking For Anyhow? At the core of living with apology is needing others approval. It’s as if you’re saying “Approve of me! Please, approve of me! Like me! I don’t want you to think poorly of me. I’ll be the person who you need and want me to be, just approve of me so I can relax and feel like I’m okay and feel that I’m going to be okay.”

This need for the approval of others is driven by fear, so the question to ask here is, “If others don’t approve of me, what am I afraid would happen?”

Would you be ostracized? Exiled? Left alone to wither and die? Would you be somehow not okay?

I know these things sound extreme and irrational, but it’s important to remember that most of our fears are irrational as well. If you really dissect the fears you walk around with on a daily basis, they start to seem very absurd. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t eat up the lion’s share of energy in our lives. So really ask yourself what you’re afraid of.

3) Who Are You Apologizing To, Anyhow? If you’re feel like you’re living apologetically, then it’s useful to understand that in all likelihood this is something you learned to do a long time ago. There’s no reason to dwell on the fact, but it is often helpful to understand that the belief system behind feeling this way originated a long time ago, in a childhood far, far away….

Somewhere along the way you made the decision, based on the feedback from the people around you (maybe your parents, maybe the other kids in your 5th grade class, maybe your teachers or neighbors), not to trust your feelings, thoughts and instincts.

Maybe you were outright told things that made you doubt yourself and want to seek approval like:

• “You have no right to speak to me that way”
• “Don’t raise your voice at me”
• “Don’t be a crybaby.”
• “Stop being so selfish.” “It’s always about you, isn’t it?”

Maybe you just felt smaller/less athletic/poorer/less intelligent/fatter/less attractive/etc than the other kids in the class and that somehow gave you the idea that you were “less than”, less important, or overall not as good as others.

Either way, what probably got affected was your – I’m about to invent a word here, so bear with me – “okayness.”

Your okayness is your simple, basic fundamental sense that there is nothing wrong with you. That you’re not fundamentally screwed up or damaged goods; that your feelings, thoughts and emotional responses to things are okay and not “wrong”.

When you lack a solid, consistent sense of okayness, you often feel like you need the approval of others, because it’s through that approval that you find at least a temporary sense of okayness. You feel okay, safe and on solid ground as long as the people around you are happy with you. One more thought on this: if your parents didn’t have that sense of “okayness” for themselves, there’s virtually no way they could have passed it onto you. Though not intentional, it’s almost certain that the communication in your home and the emotional modeling you received from them was 100% set-up to assure that you don’t have it as well.

So regardless of your specific story, understand that the seeds of this come from the past, and you truly can start to let it go and leave it there.

So How Then Do We Learn to Live Without Apology?

So this all sounds fine and dandy, but how do I start making things different in my life?

Here are 4 specific tools to begin working with:

1) Internalize this core idea: What You Think of Me Is None of My Business. Other people’s hang-ups and judgments about you really have very little to do with you to begin with. It’s ALWAYS way more about them than it is about you.

Assuming you’re being a good person and trying to do the right thing, judgments from others are typically about them and their own need to make themselves feel better by being critical of others. Get in the habit of making it about them. Remind yourself that other people’s negativity is not about you; it’s about them. This should become your mantra.

While we’re on the subject, even if it was about you, so what? Even if somebody did think you were a jerk, so what? What they think of you is none of your business! It’s their negativity and nonsense to deal with. If they want to waste their time finding fault in others, let them. You have better things to do with your life.

The more important question to ask here is “am I okay with myself and my reasons for doing the things I do?” If not, then you obviously need to take an inventory about the kinds of choices you’re making. But if you’re trying to be the nicest, best person you can be, then let other people’s hang-ups be their own. Let go of it! Literally see yourself letting go of all the threads of anxiety you hold in connection to other’s evaluation of you.

Imagine you’re literally on a beach, holding those threads of anxiety. Now just let them go and watch them get carried out to sea…disappearing for good.

2) “No” Is A Complete Sentence. This is a very important principle to remember: “No” is a complete sentence. You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to, and you don’t have to offer an explanation for it. You can say “No” to cheesecake or a glass of wine for no other reason than you don’t want it.

You can order whatever the heck you want from a menu without an explanation. You don’t owe anybody an explanation. If they seem annoyed, just take a deep breath, smile and relax into yourself and the choice you want to make; and remember what I said in #1 above: don’t take their issues on! It’s not about you anyhow.

While you’re at it, you can also eliminate “because” from your vocabulary in these situations too. You don’t need any other “because” in your life other than “because it’s what I want.”

3) Take Risks. Also understand that when you start doing the things you want without apology, it might feel a bit uncomfortable at first. You may desperately feel like you need to explain yourself so others won’t think you’re and idiot/screwed-up/selfish/annoying/insert word of your choice here that describes the fear scenario you create in your head.

This is no reason not to do it. In fact, it’s exactly why you should do it. Get comfortable with a bit of discomfort. That’s how we grow as individuals. That’s how we build new, healthy habits.

So just start living without apology. Step into it. Own your power. Stop giving a crap what others think of you.

If you find yourself paralyzed by fear of what others might think you then – and I mean this with the utmost care and respect- GET OVER IT!

Take the risk and speak your mind. Order what you want. Say “no” when you feel “no”. Own it. Let it go and get over it. It’s time to move on in life.

4) Forgive Others For Their Imperfections. Owning your power and living without apology does not necessarily mean taking an aggressive position towards others. Sure, there may be times when you need to set boundaries with others and put them in their place, but owning your power is really much more about YOU and how YOU approach things from the inside.

In fact, it’s actually important that you forgive others for their imperfections. It does nothing but harm YOU to carry around anger and resentment towards others. In fact, you should always strive to have harmonious thoughts and feelings towards others. You’ll be a much happier person as a result.

So remember that just as their thoughts and judgments have nothing to do with you, your own need for approval really has nothing to do with them. So forgive others for their imperfections – because we all have them – and be compassionate, positive and nice, and move on with things.

Last thought on this: if you do have genuinely toxic people in your life, get rid of them. Stop calling them. Stop emailing them. They’ll get the point. Get them out of your life. Don’t walk around carrying anger and negativity towards them. It just poisons your own mind and harms you, so just remove them from your life. If you see them in public, be cordial and move on. Again, they’ll get the point.

So in closing, there are a lot of ideas and things to think about in this article. If I had to sum up the most essential take-away message if you find yourself struggling with this issue, it would be this: just start making different choices. Start doing and saying what you want and forget what others might think in response. Break through whatever wall of fear may be holding you back. Feel the fear and proceed anyhow.

Fear is a great indication that you’re on the threshold of growth.

So push through it, and realize that you’ll still be standing and you’ll still be breathing on the other side of it. Remember: what others think about you is none of your business, so stop holding yourself back or editing what you want for fear of how others will perceive you. Find your own okayness. Claim it. Own it. It’s about time.

-Joshua

Live without apology. Own your power, and own your life. We all make choices and we should stand for them! I say, instead of muttering “sorry” every five minutes, we should learn how to say “excuse me” instead. Isn’t that far better than apologizing? They say old habits are hard to change, but it’s NEVER impossible! Let’s all start today, shall we?

EXCUSE ME, I have to go.

***

Excuse me!

The Anti-Stress Kit

2011-08-01T01:21:00.004+08:00

The Twenty-Something Crisis

2011-08-01T01:20:00.000+08:00

I'm reposting this again because it's always almost perfectly describes my situation.

***

The Quarter Life Crisis
Anonymous

It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are a lot of things about yourself that you didn’t know and may or may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren’t exactly the greatest people you have ever met and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you do not realize is that they are realizing that too and are not really cold or catty or mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.

You look at your job. It is not even close to what you thought you would be doing or maybe you are looking for one and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and are scared.

You miss the comforts of college, of groups, of socializing with the same people on a constant basis. But then you realize that maybe they weren’t so great after all.

You are beginning to understand yourself and what you want and do not want. Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging a bit more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and add things to your list of what is acceptable and what is not. You are insecure and then secure. You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.

You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you or you lay in bed and wonder why you can’t meet anyone decent enough to get to know better. You love someone but maybe love someone else too and cannot figure out why you are doing this because you are not a bad person.

One night stands and random hook ups start to look cheap and getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision.

You worry about loans and money and the future and making a life for yourself and while wining the race would be great, right now you’d just like to be a contender!

What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.

***

Stressful!

Too Tired For Words

2011-07-29T23:33:00.002+08:00

There are no words to describe how I feel right now...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Bang Bang Bangs!

2011-07-25T02:22:00.000+08:00

I have always wanted to get full bangs, but I've never had the courage to get one - until yesterday that is!

I was always afraid it'll make my face larger. But the hair stylist, Davon of Mary Pauline Salon, decided to get me some full bangs. What can I do? I just sat there and closed my eyes and when I opened them... BANG! I have full bangs!

I think my reaction then was priceless - I even screamed a little. HAHA. My God. I really finally got some bangs! WATDAEFF. HAHA.

I'm really enjoying it so far though. I think everyone agreed that I looked younger. My face has become rounder, but it's a new look for me so whatever. My face has always been round anyway! HAHA.

I love how the bangs make me look so K-Pop! With the glasses on, I can try to pretend I look like a Korean! So kyoooot!

I'm gonna have my hair colored very soon! I'll get lighter tresses this time!

Thank you to my ever supportive friends for screaming and laughing with/at me!

Photo by Lloyd Fontilla

Visit...

Mary Pauline Salon

2nd Floor LDL Building

Bonifacio St. (near UIC), Davao City

See you there!

Telai

Nanay's Birthday

2011-07-22T00:21:00.003+08:00

What a super late post! But I only saw the photos recently so I have my excuse right there.

These are some of the photos I took from my grandma's birthday last May. We went to San Francisco and stayed overnight to surprise Nanay. Sorry, the pictures are blurred though ~ and I took them in black and white (what was I thinking?!)

It was a really fun gathering for all!

Telai

iLust

2011-07-22T00:09:00.002+08:00

For some reasons, I've stopped wanting an iPod Touch lately. Instead, I'm lusting for the Samsung Galaxy Tab!

I wasn't sold on the idea when it first came out. But I really really really want one now. I was told to wait for the newer tab, but I prefer this one - smaller and with a phone connection.

Can somebody please get me this as an advance birthday / Christmas gift?

x,

Telai

Random

2011-07-11T13:19:00.001+08:00

Because I feel like I haven't been posting pictures lately, allow me to share some photos from the past few months that I've only just uploaded.

Sometime last March

The bosses and Aris with Aiza Seguerra in Mati

Finally! Red Mango in Davao! And oh, Tricia Gosingtian sighting!

Me and Cams

Salon-ized

Cams, Me and Lady

Dear Farty, sleeping soundly.

Sometime in March or April, I think. Pure randomness.

That's all folks!

x,

Telai

We Need...

2011-07-11T03:57:00.001+08:00

Why didn't anyone tell me about this song before?!

You're welcome!

Telai

Last Friday Night

2011-07-11T03:46:00.001+08:00

After class last Friday night, I decided to drop by Zhaun's Twitter Party at Route 88. I saw a lot of familiar places there, but no one really close. Except perhaps Adrian and Zhaun who I've been friends with since college, and Duane and my brother. I didn't stay for long though, coz I still have a school activity for early the next day. I heard they had a blast past midnight though - after I left! Oh well. Here are a couple of my so-few pictures from the party.

I don't know why, but lately, my eyes have been squinting a lot in pictures!

So yeah. I just had a couple of drinks and then I was out. I still ended up being super late for school the next day though. FAIL. I should've just stayed longer at the party!

x,

Telai

Greetings!

2011-07-09T12:05:00.001+08:00

Whoah. I've only been gone AWOL from blogging for a couple of weeks, and suddenly, the layout's changed again!

Anyway, this is me killing time while waiting for my lunch buddies. I'm actually leeching wifi from an unknown source here in Somang Kimchi Restaurant. Yes! Korean food for lunch! I've been craving for a while now. Happiness that Cha and the girls (yes, including you, Leonard) are into this as well! Weeee.

So what's up people? One of these days, I'll blog again. I'm kinda really busy watching drama, attending classes and going to work these days so I'm not really spending a lot of time in the world wide web (not unless it's youtube) haha.

This is actually pretty useless, so I'll stop here.

Annyeong!

Road Trips (Part Une)

2011-07-03T02:38:00.002+08:00

My family has gone on countless road trips for the past 10 years (and more!) The longest we tried was a 3-day trip from Agusan del Sur to Metro Manila. But that's for another story really. I'm doing this blog to share a shorter road trip from Davao. Just to give you a background, I'm doing this because my friends and I recently watched KC and Sam's newest movie: Forever and a Day. I love that I've been to many of the places they've visited in movie. And as a proud wanderer, I'd like to share my knowledge about things to do for a weekend road trip to Cagayan.

Starting Point: Davao City.
Destination: Cagayan de Oro City.

Stop Overs:

Seagull Mountain Resort - a lot of my friends have actually recommended an overnight stay at this resort. But if you're on a road trip, you can just drop by the place for some pictures - and maybe to get an idea for your next outing!
Overlooking - somewhere down the road in Bukidnon, you'll see some signs of places that promises to give you great view. If it's your first time on this road, I suggest you take the bait and see why it's really called Bukidnon.
Carabao Products Store - I always ask my parents to stop over here whenever we travel, but unfortunately I could not remember what the store is called. It's a not-so-little white building very near a popular school in Bukidnon (which I also forgot the name - but I think it's Central Mindanao University). Their chocolate milk bars are OZZZOM. I could devour 5 when on the road. Their other products are really good as well! When you're lactose intolerant though, avoid drinking milk while traveling!
Del Monte Plantation - Just pineapples as far as the eyes can see! Great spot for Photo Ops!
Camp Philips - This serves as one of the communities inside the plantation. The gateway to Dahilayan!
Dahilayan Adventure Park - As the name implies, Dahilayan is an adventure. It is the location of Asia's longest dual zipline, 2000++ above sea level! Aside from the zipline, there are lots of other activities there too like the ATV Course Ride, Zorb, Mini-Zip Lines, and the obstacle courses! The view is pretty cool as well! Make sure you bring a jacket though as it can get cold up there! And if possible, do bring a 4x4 vehicle as the roads leading to the park aren't concrete.
Cagayan de Oro City - What is there not to like about the City of Golden Friendship? Shop at Divisoria's night market every Friday and Saturday! Remember to say "CHADA" when you find something nice or pretty! Explore more of their night life at the compound right next to Lim Ket Kai Mall, The Site.I'd personally recommend Bourbon Street for dinner and then Candies for some desserts! Or if you want a quieter evening, you can drive right outside the city limits to nearby Misamis for some seaside dining. If you have a day to spare, remember not to miss out White Water Rafting! They have beginner and advanced courses to keep your adrenaline rush going!
Tinago Falls - This is farther west of Cagayan, but it's worth the visit! One of natures hidden wonders indeed! Don't forget to jump from the waterfalls!
Maria Cristina Falls - Since you're already in Iligan (where Tinago Falls is located), do drop by Mindanao's largest water reservoir (and the main source of our energy). The plant usually controls how much water that goes down the falls depending on the weather/season.

And since we're already discussing northern Mindanao, I'd like to suggest a couple more detours from our original itinerary.

Ginoog - I believe this is farther south, but really I just had to share this. If you want to see Cherry Blossoms (one of Japan's most famous symbols for Spring - correct me if I'm wrong), for some reasons they grow them in Gingoog! That is despite our tropical climate!
Camiguin - The ultimate island getaway is to Camiguin. Take a ferry from the mainland (in Misamis particularly) to take you to this small small small island of Camiguin. They are most famous for their lanzones, beaches and even the dormant (?) Hibok Hibok volcano. Take a boat to take you to the vanishing island, and enjoy a 360 degrees beach experience!

I guess this is it for now. Next time, I'll be making road trip suggestions, this time going to Surigao / Siargao!

telai

July Playlist

2011-07-03T02:02:00.004+08:00

Half the year has come to pass, and to start the journey for the rest of 2011, allow me to share my playlist for the next few days.

Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan
Lighters - Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars
Hands Up - 2PM
Super Bass - Nikki Minaj
Collection of Stamps - I am from Barcelona
Make You Feel My Love - Adele
Who Run The World - Beyonce
Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
TGIF - Katy Perry
Fuck You - Lily Allen
Love Girl - C.N. Blue
Pangarap Lang Kita - Parokya ni Edgar
Hair - Lady Gaga
New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
High High - GD and TOP

These are basically the songs I'm planning to play over and over again in the next few days. I especially love Moves Like Jagger, Mr. Saxobeat, Pangarap Lang Kita and Hair. And oh... do check out 2ne1's I am the Best. I'm still thinking if I should put it in my playlist though. :) Lemme know what you think after you listen to it!

telai

Gunn Laws

2011-07-03T01:43:00.002+08:00

I came across this magazine clipping of an excerpt for Tim Gunn's newest book. I love how it's simple and straightforward.

x,

telai

Moves Like Jagger

2011-06-30T21:10:00.001+08:00

I've only just heard about the show "The Voice" from Jude recently, although I haven't really seen an episode. But I came across this song from Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera which they performed in the show! I love it!

Enjoy!

x,

telai

An Inspiration

2011-06-23T11:43:00.002+08:00

Singapura on Video

2011-06-20T19:05:00.001+08:00

I can't believe it's only been more than a month since my trip to Singapore! It feels like ages! I feel like traveling again!

But since I am academically and financially not suited for travel, allow me to reminisce on my most recent trip.

Read all about Day 1 in Singapore here.

Read about Day 2 here and here.

And *drum rolls* watch this video to see my latest "life-threatening" adventure with Lady! HAHA

I really don't know where the rest of the videos from Days 3-5 are! I'm sure I took a lot during the trip! Must find them soon so I could share them with you. I sooooo wanna go back already!

telai

T-Shirt Jungle

2011-06-19T07:32:00.007+08:00

I love T-Shirts! And I specially want these babies:

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel

Zoe Karssen

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel

Markus Lupfer

Roberto Cavalli

Very effortless statement tees are must haves!

x,

Telai

The Edge of Glory

2011-06-19T06:43:00.002+08:00

I'm on the edge of glory...

The hair is very Cruella de Ville. I expected more from the video coz I like the song. But oh well, it seems like Lady Gaga is less interesting when she's just standing there and dancing.

x,

Telai

I Think I Need a New Life

2011-06-17T21:36:00.001+08:00

Most of the time, I like to do the tough "I-don't-care-about-the-world-I'm-happy-as-I-am" act. But sometimes, it's hard to keep it up. Sometimes -- like now -- I just want to be mad at the world, and be negative about all the shitness of life and all that crap. Much as I want to gather all the positivity in the world, reality just loves slapping me in the face with a big bad bunch of bad vibes.

I blame it on myself though. I really want to blame the world, but I know everything that's been happening is because of me. But it would be nice to have to blame this on some other people. Once in a while, I really don't like feeling responsible and accountable for what's happening. My screwed up priorities, for example; my lack of discipline, my lack of self-motivation, my slowly diminishing drive for life. It's like the events of the past two years have lead me to become much like a void -- WHAT IS MY VALUE?!

I used to be really good at whatever I do. I used to impress the heck out of a lot of people. I used to be the first one to participate, or even initiate activities. Right now, I'm just going with the flow. Most of the time I hope no one notices I exist. Where's the Telai everyone's been raving about back then? The bubbly, highly energetic, super busy, and always happy person that I was seems to be MIA. It doesn't help that all the stress of the past 2 years have gone into my system and conveniently turned themselves into adipose tissues. Maybe to always remind me that they exist, every time I stand in front of a mirror.

UGH. I really hate the feeling of being insecure, of being so unsure of myself and my capabilities. I keep trying to look for ways to escape, but it's always my fears and my hesitation that's blocking me. I feel locked up in this place of underperforming, of low self esteem -- it's starting to suffocate me. I don't like this. I've never liked not feeling good enough -- especially since I know I can do more.

We only get what we deserve though. I have to agree that ever since I started feeling disappointed towards my job, I haven't been at my best to say the least. Heck, I wasn't even good enough. I like to blame the lack of incentives, the lack of motivation -- but what's it gonna do for me? Blaming gets me nowhere. I might get high for one moment, but eventually it will just weigh me down. But then again, what else is there to do for me?

I've been contemplating about getting another job, or going back to school. But what good will the latter bring me? I'll still be in the same hated job, with the same hated environment. Most of the time, I believe that a complete change of environment would be good for me. A clean slate. A blank canvass. Whatever you call it. I want a change of pace, a routine, an effective grasp on things. I want it all. If only I had the chutzpah to go for what I want...

***

UPDATE

If you must know, I hate sharing my negative emotions to my friends - much less to the world. Well, I do rant online, but anonymously. I guess this is a testament to how crappy I feel that I've shared this with you guys tonight. I think I really need prayers and guidance. Help!

Once Upon A Time

2011-06-17T11:31:00.001+08:00

Here, my friends, is a proof of how sexy I had always been since birth:

Don't you just love to pinch all those layers of fat?! HAHAHA

This was taken when I was 10 years old! That's 12 years ago! I haven't changed at all! Well, I have -- I don't wear flower shorts anymore! HAHA

This is just epic! Too good not to post! Thanks to my Aunt Minnie for unearthing this from the baul!

Telai

Day 24: For Mum and Dad

2011-06-15T00:02:00.016+08:00

It's Day 24 of The 30 Day Blog Challenge and here's something for my parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,
Hiiiiiyyyyaaaaaa!!!
If you're reading this now, Y U STALKING ME?!?!
Hahaha

x,

telai

Day 23: Craving

2011-06-14T01:16:00.007+08:00

It's Day 23 of The 30-Day Blog Challenge!

Today I was tasked to post a photo of something that I am craving for. Well, here it is:

I am craving for Apple products. I guess it's pretty self explanatory.

x,

telai

Day 22: It's Me!

2011-06-14T00:59:00.034+08:00

It's already Day 22 of The 30 Day Blog Challenge! Although I've been super duper late, I'm doing my best right now to finish this project. So for this one, the question is: what makes you different from everyone else?

I guess I'm different than everyone else because well, I'm not everyone else. I'm not really sure what's the best way to answer this, but allow me to share some of my quirky traits that seems cute and annoying at the same time.

I can laugh at myself. I don't take myself too seriously most of the time. And unlike most people I know, I actually have enough sense of humor to even make fun of my bloopers and failures.
I'm a cowboy. Well, I'm really a princess, but I can be cowboy too! I grew up with boys in the family so I've learned how to cope well in a man-eats-man world. I can clean up pretty well, and don't get confused with which silverware to use in a 9-course meal ~ but I can also grill well and sit on the grass if I had to just to feed myself. I do admit that I enjoy the more comfortable trappings of life -- sometimes I can be too maarte about it even. But I do know how to rough it. And that surprises a lot of other people!
Me? A geek?! I'm in denial. While I can pinpoint which collection and designer is which, I also know my math, history, geography, economics, and sometimes even (gasp!) biology! Blame it to my super inquisitive nature, and my geeky friends! I can actually finish a thick book in a day, if I really like the story. And I usually catch up to tests easily, which, given that I cut class a lot back in college, has given me a great advantage!
And lastly -- and the most important, I guess -- I talk a lot! There are only a handful of people I know that can talk a mile a minute! I'm usually reprimanded for being to straightforward and overly friendly, but I love it. I especially love making friends - that's why I talk and talk and talk.

So, there you have it. I guess those are some of the reasons why I am different that anybody else!

telai

Day 21: Happiness in a Snap

2011-06-12T23:22:00.048+08:00

I like the mission for Day 21 of The 30 Day Blog Challenge! It says: Post a picture of something that makes you happy!

I'd like to share 3 things for this challenge:

I am happiest when... I travel!

I love traveling! I could never get enough of it really. There's just something about witnessing how other people of other countries interact with each other. I love seeing the different cultures of the nations around the world. I also love comparing notes about my own country and the rest of the world. Traveling allows me to explore and learn a lot of things that I would never get being stuck in the Philippines forever.

Whenever I schedule a travel abroad, or even just locally, I get really high and excited! At last, another chance for me to get out of my comfort zone again, and attempt to immerse myself in a completely new environment. The weather, the climate, the shops, the language, everything amuses me! And I am definitely happiest when I am exploring the world.

For me, traveling is definitely a food for my soul.

I am happiest when... I'm with family and friends!

I guess this is pretty self explanatory. I'd be bored to death without my family and my best friends!

And well, I just had to add this to the pile of happy pills!

Isn't he the most gorgeous, adorable man in the planet?! I just want to shower him with hugs and kisses every time I see this picture!

x,

telai

Day 20: Think "Marriage"

2011-06-12T22:41:00.073+08:00

Fast forward to the future, so I can answer the today's mission for The 30-Day Blog Challenge!

Mission: Someone you see yourself marrying / being with in the future.

Truthfully, I haven't really put much thought about that "certain someone" who's going to be my future husband. I'm not planning to marry in the next 10 years, and there's no one special in my life right now (Darn it! Not even a crush! My life sucks.) so this is pretty complicated. Let me just give you an image of who I want to be in the future -- Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cornwall. Yep. I want my own Prince William one day. That said, allow me to share instead my image of the "ideal man":

My ideal husband should be a prince, or someone with similar historically significant position or higher. That is to say, he should be filthy rich and famous. The financial aspect clarified, let me now move on to his physical values. My ideal husband should be drop-dead gorgeous. Of course he should be since he is going to be my most obvious accessory in every event we will attend as royalty in the future, so he must be a real eye candy! Tall, a must. Long hair, optional. Body modification and tattoos are prohibited. Piercing, limited to the ears. His body must be perfect - six pack abs, muscular arms, perfect butt (see Cristiano Ronaldo for reference, or that guy from Thor). He should be this "bad boy"esque guy, but actually he is the epitome of a perfect gentleman. In Tagalog: "Maginoo pero medyo bastos." HAHA. Needless to say, my ideal husband should be awesome in bed! And he should drive fast cars, dress in designer gear, travel in a private plane, and has tons and tons of money. You might say I'm pretty shallow thinking this way, but never fear. I also put credence to personality as well. My future husband should be very smart. He must be able to hold conversations that run from intelligent to mundane to borderline stupid. (Of course this is a very important trait since he'll be married to me.) He must also be a very considerate and romantic husband who remembers all the small details - every birthday, anniversary, monthsary, song, movie, etc that we've experienced together. My ideal husband should never cheat. He looks yes, but no he doesn't touch. He must also have a healthy sperm count, and awesome genes. (I want only the best for my offsprings!) He should be a good, loving and generous father who will be there in every game, recital and graduation of our future children. My ideal husband should be so perfect that all the other women will be jealous of me for having him, and all the other men will want to be him. For other details, please see this description.

But kidding aside, of course there's no such thing as a "perfect person." So sue me for only wanting the best qualities in my ideal man. Realistically though, I just want a kind and loving husband and father to my children. And while I don't really need a filthy rich husband (but much better if he is. heehee), he must also be a good provider for his family. Ultimately, I just want a husband who I love and and who loves me back unconditionally.

telai

Day 19: What's In A Name?

2011-06-12T22:12:00.063+08:00

For Day 19 of The 30-Day Blog Challenge, allow me to share a few things about the names I am called.

I have several nicknames. When I was a kid, they simply call me by my given name: "Kristelle". Most would shorten it to Kris, although there were those who like to call me Tel. When I first moved to Davao in High School, I had retained my childhood nickname. Although it was confusing for my new friends in the beginning because we also had a classmate named "Krystelle". Eventually though, everyone kinda figured out how to not be confused.

For some forgotten reasons, my freshman class gave each one of us out own personal nicknames. I'm not sure if it's obvious to you why, but they started calling me Bola by then. It lasted for the rest of the year, I think - but it has long been unused. Well, except for my friend Ann, who still fondly calls me that! (That's in retaliation for me calling her Ann instead of her preferred "Jen" Haha.

And then in my sophomore year, I hanged out with this group of friends and one day, we were talking about the other nicknames we had. I told them an aunt of mine and this neighbor we had in the province calls me "Telai." I told them I like the nickname. We decided to immortalize our favored nicknames in a sticker photo by then. And then my friend Janna gave me this pin with the name "Telai" engraved on it. By then, only they were the ones who call me that. When we got to our Junior year, we were of course asked about our nicknames and I decided to use "Telai" for a change. For some reasons, the name stuck and I've been known that way ever since! Well, not unless you are family, a childhood friend, or anyone from my province. They still call me by my given name 'til now. But my siblings call me Telai most of the time.

That's the history of my nickname. For a while, some people had called me "Krissy" or "Kring-Kring". And for a while, in 6th grade, I thought changing my very long name to the shortened "Kribianne Brile" was cool. Sucks that some friends still remember that phase of my life. UGH. Haha.

So anyway, "Telai" can still be shortened. My high school friends call me: "Tels" or "Tel", and my college friends and the people are work with - most of them - call me "Te" or "Lai". If you can remember this, it's easy to figure out which people are which!

x,

telai

Travel Bug

2011-06-12T00:58:00.000+08:00

I love traveling. I think it's one of the healthiest addictions ever - although an expensive one at that. There is something liberating about seeing the world through your naked eyes. The sights, sound, smell and even the taste can never be perfectly described by any book! You just wait, world. I'm going to go out there and experience all that you can offer!

x,

Telai