This has kept me preoccupied for the Christmas Season.

Thankful to be back in Albay! ;D

OF PROMS & PROMISES.

Love and relationship to be more than just words needs maturity. It needs to start in an avenue where boy meets girl- the JS Prom.

Apart from Valentines, i remember February to be the most-awaited. Talk about the Junior-Senior prom. Where the ladies and gentlemen would be seen with their dates, sporting fashionable finds and couture. Where the school administrators would be roaming around "seemingly unnoticed" to ensure that nobody brings prohibited labels etc etc. Where there is an implied competition to be the best-dressed.

My prom, as i vividly recall was confined within the school's gymnasium. Brought to school just in time for dinner, headed home like a Cinderella. For the generation now, this simple party has evolved into more than fashion, dresses, awards or what-have-you's. It's a festivity for all to see. For the social networking class.  

Growing up in a provincial setting proved to be easier than in Metro Manila. No doubt that the conservative feel of the province will always be embedded on a certain "homegrown" individual. Some may say that one who has lived comfortably in a small town, city (rural or urban) would always go back to where they truly belong. Today the concept of simplicity and contentment has changed.It is a revolution actually.

But what does a Junior-Senior prom promises for the student? I doubt if the picture or idea of a knight-in-shining-armor could still be applicable nowadays. That red soles could really define ones taste for shoes or the sash vouching for being picked as the star of the night can land one a promising career or a long-term relationship someday. 

Hence, my question now, how is the event relevant to the changing fortunes of times other than dress, coats and make-up? Aside from it teaches you to dress up neatly, what is its impact on the consciousness of the growing teens? As society becomes more and more upbeat, the need to re-enforce the concept of a prom should be done taking into consideration responsible adulthood. 

The culture now has become more sophisticated. The need for society's approval is a quest seen even in student's respective J-S proms. 

Coldplay - Clocks ( With Lyrics )

A GROWN UP CHRISTMAS WISH

It is pretty interesting to note that while adults with capacity to earn would want something brand new this season, say the newest IPAD, an IPHONE 4g, an LCD PLASMA TV, a WII, a trip abroad or anything fascinating in this generation, mine is slightly different.

A wide array of choices has left me in the most crucial decision so far, and i must stay calm. Thoughts about 2011 come rushing in like light travelling faster than sound. 

While there is not a single reason to be afraid of in the coming year, there has to be changes, and those should definitely be for the better. I have come to see better opportunities as the days pass by.

But as always, dreams and goals should guide ourselves and focus should never be set aside in answering the question "what do you really want?"

As for Christmas frankly speaking, i want peace of mind as top in my list. A secured future and a tightly knit family. Kind of abstract but the mechanics is mine to keep. (Wanting to have an IPAD could be an icing on the cake or a dive watch perhaps should do the trick though.)

Funny that my wish list has not been overhauled in the past 4 years, still those essentials that money cannot buy are written using an embedded ink by a grown and matured woman. The usual goals like to tutor Svetlana, write more, maintain blog, travel, swim, dive, surf, cook, read novels, etc. are still to be done. 

I am excited for this season. And i would like to believe that we better watch out because it is still better, way better to be nice! 

A BETTER EDSA?

If bus drivers were paid standardized salaries instead of commission of fares, they would not speed drive or stall for passengers at stops. Much, to be so eager to get passengers at unwarranted pick up points.

In any other case, one stress contributor to a day in the life of an ordinary man is Manila's poor traffic condition and at Edsa, buses are the kings of the road. A huge amount or volume of productivity has been slashed because of a bumper to bumper traffic and it is getting worse by the day.

The debatable reimplementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program better known as the number coding scheme among public utility buses and its operators is aimed at decongesting Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other streets of Metro Manila.

If that could be Metro Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) new scheme to actually curb the unexplainable situation of vehicle congestion along the streets of Edsa, then as a person who frequents major thorough fares of Manila, I support it.

This support to MMDA's devise goes with the idea of revising a new wage scheme for bus drivers. Number coding or not they will earn reputable sums of money to tide them over the next day.

Thank God I have not yet developed any road rage so far.

Filipinos Victory on a Sunday!

A Pacquiao win tomorrow (as per my fervent prayer) would be a tremendous feat for the country. After which, he must RETIRE GRACEFULLY to fully serve his stint as the honorable congressman.

(Ill be watching the replay. One two punch!!!)

MUCH ADO ABOUT 10.10.10.

Numerous events are lined up today, Sunday,10/10/10. There's a Run For Pasig River, An Adam Lambert Concert at the Mall of Asia, A No Plastic Day Scheme in the markets of Caloocan, Sale in select malls, Feng Shui best practices, Party Pilipinas "Sigaw" theme and many others. To be more specific about it, part of the marketing aspect of "profiteering" companies and establishments is to give consumers a different feel of the same triple digit we all superstitiously believe to be the luckiest of all . They ride on the novelty of the date today with less effort and more gains.

After cooking the usual sweet blend spaghetti recipe i am all proud of, i got a message from my phone which read "Hello Birthday Girl, Its a 10-10-10!!! Aren't you the luckiest? Happy Birthday!" It was from that moment i felt, why not? I must carve this day in some historical artifact. Suddenly, talks about how people should celebrate a once in a lifetime birthday-date with history, more importantly, a question of what will a birthday girl do started pouring in. All because of that message.

Honestly, I STOPPED ANTICIPATING, foreseeing what a special day would be like for me. After all, i am 4 or 5 digits away from the 30th or 31st in a calendar and a learning mother to a growing four year old toddler. All these "party-like-its-the-end-of-the-world" statements are put to a halt.

Why i chose to stop? Because i felt like i needed "sustenance." I need to stop and re-think. Like we all must do. Changes in the old habits must be identified with eyes still very much focused on the prize. God knows my most fervent wish that is why, i have to sustain.

Like i said in previous blogs pertaining to a "me, myself and i" theme that i was not born with a silver spoon and every birthday is a year of sacrifice towards a better life. Apart from good health, i need more strength to carry on and exert more effort to understand people who are like rocks- solid, burdensome. But because i always invoke wisdom from the Holy Spirit, i claim that it will be generously given.

We were told, count your blessings and be thankful. Hence, tracing the past, I must say that this year was like October of 2008. Where we won the ANC Debate Championships two days before my birthday and the Second Place in Best in Memorial for the International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition. Got scholarship grant from school, a Lex Libris and my very first laptop. The very same year i got promoted from work. It was an awakening that truly, "with God everything is possible!"

In 2009, Europe and AUSL Student Council was the trend.

This year 2010, i was off to a good start. I got an open-water certification in Scuba Diving with flying colors. Also, Svetlana started her first recital in Unilab. Likewise, Cory Aquino played a very important life changing role for me. I won an Essay Writing Contest through my Mother's contribution as the letter-writer. Then, my recommendation for promotion at work. All these again is a testament that "with God all things are possible!"

I am not superstitious neither am i perfect. While i cannot vouch that i will live longer or breathe a new life each day, i want to serve as a life's testament to God's unconditional love. That in times of chaos and "confinement" to a secular world we call technology, God will use someone or an event to change our direction and guide our path and ultimately for us to realize that HE IS BIGGER than all of us, all of our problems. I am sad for this country.I worry about the future of Svetlana's generations. But since thinking about every problem decreases our energy and "circle of influence." We need to erase the hate to truly move on.

As a birthday girl, I commit to stay true to my goals. Even if i get little support and guidance from people i expect to understand, i am not giving up. It's better to be sharpened, honed and built to perfection. Sometimes, when i feel like figuratively throwing up the toxicity i encounter everyday, i remind myself that the most natural diamonds are formed at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. I am precious- a conclusive presumption i give to myself.


In this life, i am blessed. Positive people are happy seeing people happy. Thank you to friends who never left my side when the "boat" was rocking (not sinking!). Life is a painting, we choose colors and hues and subjects of our masterpiece, it is up for us to put our name on life's canvass. I just signed mine.