| Welcome 2007! |
[Jan. 7th, 2007|06:10 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  ecstatic | ] |
Happy New Year!
Just got back from New York yesterday where I spent 10 wonderful days. We decided to spend the eve of New Year's and the days thereafter in our favorite City. I'm beginning to think I'm off to a good start this year.
Before New Year’s, I found myself still somewhat attached to things or certain issues that were weighing me down. Unnecessary baggage have somehow accumulated (no thanks to me) and have been clouding my thoughts and vision for quite some time now.
Yet as I greeted the New Year with a toast and a big smile, I realized what the hell. Leave it all in 2006! Time to make a change and start making that walk forward. I need a fresh start.
I will make 2007 MY year. I will give it my all and will definitely add oomph to my usual. I WILL KEEP THE VOLUME UP this year and my momentum going. I will not be weighed down, I will search for strength during my darkest hours. I will look to God for guidance and I will gracefully receive all that He gives me. I will not go down. I will FLY this year, my year. I will grab my goals (small and big) and just run wild with it. That, in effect, is my New Year's resolution.
I feel totally inspired, a certain youthful exuberance adds a spring to my step as I walked around the City. Many thanks to friends who have cheered on as I embraced the beginning of the year with a hearty greet.
One particular friend not only brought hope, that person managed to open doors to new and exciting possibilities. There is nothing like getting a glimpse of the not-so-distant past to give you a refreshing take on your present situation. This is what I realized just a few days ago. Sometimes you need to look at where you've been to know where you're going. Upon realizing that, you also know how far you can push yourself and how far you can go. Looking back has given me confidence in areas I seem to have neglected. It's time to get back on track.
It’s as if this old friend came just for the sole purpose of helping me shape up some of my current perspectives, many of which have been unhealthy. And just in time for the sweet coming of the year ahead. Ah, God's kisses in the form of a friend I admire.
I was able to see the world from someone else’s eyes for once. It seems mine have been half-closed for some time now. Maybe I've been complacent, or just plain lazy. I've been stuck on a rut and no one's to blame but me. It's high time I open my eyes wide and take off the rose colored lenses that have been abstracting my view.
I'm thankful for the year that passed. I'm thankful for each and every day. Things happen for a reason and I would not be who I am if God took away even just one day of my life. Just like how a small peice of the puzzle is important in the grand scheme of things. You cannot omit or exclude anything.
I am Abby's happy voice, looking forward to the year ahead.
Hearts might break, disappointments may accumulate, people will come and go... but the future is there for the taking.
And my hands will always reach out, as hope grows in my heart and dances to the beat of it.
Open doors are countless, stars are bountiful and the possibilites are endless. Smile with me and let's boogie our way through the ups and downs of this year. I welcome 2007 with open arms.
Cheers!
Parea Restaurant - New Year's Eve in NYC
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| Waiting for my toast |
[Nov. 29th, 2006|06:07 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  pensive | ] |
Weird thing occured to me this morning.
I'm usually quite hectic when I get up in the mornings especially when I've got "stuff to do" on my mind. And on this particular morning, my mom and brother had many bilins because they left at the break of dawn for NY and I'm to follow on Saturday. Most of our clients are in NY, which means I had a long list of things to do before I make that trip. The weird thing about me is that my head is usually CLEAR in the mornings and so my list of "to do's" are like on red alert by the time I go downstairs to make myself coffee and put together something to eat.
I do take advantage of this "clarity" because as the day progresses, my attention and energy start to go downhill. So I try to do a lot in the mornings (I said TRY ha, Lord know I'm also a procrastinator). Anyway, as an example of taking advantage of this clarity, back when I was still in University, I'd open my books as soon as I'd wake up (I am a VERY light sleeper, I never have a problem waking up) and I'd read while still in bed. I actually retain information much better this way. That was one way I would procrastinate too, Haha! But nowadays, I wake up and I try to enumerate the stuff I need to do for the day. It helps me to get going in the right direction.
Anyway, even though I had numerous stuff to get on with, for some odd reason as I put bread into the toaster today, I just stood there and stubbornly waited for the toast to pop out. Let me just say it felt like AGES before that damn toast was ready. Since I should have attended to other things, it was pretty lame that I found myself standing there counting seconds as they went by. What do u call this? Mindless waiting is what it is. I wasn't even starving... but I just STOOD THERE and STARED.
As I realized how stupid I was being, a weird thought occurred to me. This is kind of like waiting for your broken heart to heal. Instead of just waiting for it to happen, you've got to go on and do other things. Preoccupy yourself, get busy with stuff TO DO. In other words, just live your life and sooner or later you'd be surprised at how far you've come along.
It's the same with phone calls. Sometimes you hold on to your cellphone and will it to ring. We all know no one ever calls when you do that. You keep checking... and there it is. BLANK.
There are countless things we waste our time on and it does us no good.
Well, this broken heart will mend. On it's own. And at it's own pace.
"Hearts are broken everyday." - JEWEL sings to me.
In the meantime, the world will keep on turning and everybody moves on. There are things yet left to accomplish, appointments to keep, friends to cherish, and other memories to be made. Just grin and bear it, laugh out loud, and sing youself silly to the tunes in your head. Do what makes you happy.
Just as I turned around to get my paperwork in order... the toast pops up!
Go figure. |
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| Say Goodbye... |
[Oct. 20th, 2006|08:04 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  gloomy | ] |
How do you talk about a break up?
I guess I won't.
I'll just go with the lyrics to a song that's been playing in my head. Here's Chris Brown's song...
"Say Goodbye"
There's never a right time to say goodbye...
But I gotta make the first move'
Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
Cause I really don't feel the way I once felt about you
Girl it's not you, it's me
I gotta gotta figure out what I need (oh)
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But we know that we gotta go
Our separate ways
And I know it's hard but I gotta do it,
And it's killing me
Cause there's never a right time
Right time to say goodbye. |
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| after the storm |
[Jul. 15th, 2006|02:10 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | at home | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | jubilant | ] |
And then there was one.
Well, it started out as three. My brother Dru, his friend Aari and Assan (Aari's brother) were all here in NY for a short visit. Aari just left today to go back to Frisco. Assan left yesterday. And Dru will be leaving NY tom to go back to Florida with my mom.
It's been nothing short of madness having everyone here. And though I feel like I'm in an aftermath of a storm, it was a rowdy yet funtabulous bunch.
Mind you, they're the most fashionista guys I know! The first thing they did in the City? They hit Soho to go shopping. Take note, they have day and night outfits, and they came with big maletas for just a week in NY. Aari even brought 5 blazers and it was very unfortunate that it's summer now and not the right time to wear them. These guys are a trip! They're friendly as hell and they'd get along with just about anybody. They chat with complete strangers with ease. I needn't tell you they have no problem meeting girls. And gays love them. Assan was hit on a couple of times in Chelsea and boy, were they aggressive! Also, it was good to see more of Tugas since we've hardly seen him the past few months. I guess the Manila boys just wanted a reunion.
Anyway, just to paint a picture... I stay in a 2-bedroom apartment and it has housed my mom, my brother Dru, Aari and Assan and myself for the past week. Of course, on some nights, some of them do not come home. They've been painting the town maroon (just because red ain't enough) and they've been party hopping... not even passing up the "after hour" parties. They've actually gone to an after-party of an after-party. But heck, boys will be boys.
We've left them to their own devices (Fernand and I joined in for a few nights) just because we can't keep up with them. Its crazy! It's physically draining to be out and about all the time. Not to mention it's like flushing money down the toilet for a few nights of half-fun half-oblivion. NY will suck you out of your nickels and dimes faster than a bolt of lightning. It's like highway robbery when you're paying 12 dollars for a drink (tip not included). Good thing PJ has hook-ups with some clubs and we're able to skip the $40 entrance fees.
But now that the Jethmal brothers have gone, and my mom and Dru are getting ready to leave tom, I will for sure find myself all by my lonesome after what felt like living in a madhouse. You tend to miss the chaos. Dru is asleep right now and my mom stepped out and I'm beginning to get the idea of what it'll be like here until my tita comes back from Manila on the 29th. I'm so glad Fernand is here in NY. What would I do without him.
I know Manila has been having bad weather but I've just survived a storm of my own. Time to get back in gear and assess the damage.
at PLUM: Jay Tugas, Aari, Assan, Dru with Ana Sicat
Assan, Tugas and Aari
L to R: Dru, curly unknown guy, Assan (bottom), Aari (top), PJ Kalbo, Tugas and Fernand
Did I mention? Dru, Aari and Assan are planning on moving to NY sometime this year? Apparently they can't get enough of the City.
My sentiments exactly. |
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| So far so good... |
[Jun. 22nd, 2006|11:08 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | content | ] |
So I've been in NY for about 5 months now. Was in Florida for 8 months before moving here. Was in Manila for 9 months before that. And I was in England for 2 years before going home to Manila. Basically, I find myself moving around quite a bit but NY is my home now. I'll give it a few years.
I've managed to settle in nicely which means I've got a job, I like my place (neighborhood) and there's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be right now. My boyfriend moved to NY as well and he lives in the same neighborhood as me. So what's new? It seems that we've had a good start with June so far and I'm looking forward to the summer months.
Here are some highlights so far this month:
1. Fernand passed the series 7 exam! He will be a certified stockbroker by this month. I am so happy for him. He studied hard and carried those heavy books around for a month. Glad thats over with!
So we celebrated with a dinner at NYONYA that Tuesday
2. Kara finally moved to NY from Miami. And guess what! She moved 2 blocks away from Fernand, which is still within my neighborhood. Her house is like 8 blocks away from me. Hello new neighbor! "May I borrow a cup of sugar?" Hehehe! Oh on second thought... may I borrow make-up instead? Hahaha!
3. So we finally went on that cruise. It was hard to get everybody together for one night to do a "dinner cruise" so we pushed through with it on midday on a Sunday. Personally, I think a brunch cruise is much better than a dinner cruise. It was quite chilly out there today and that was at noon! We were freezing our bums off without jackets & what more had it been at night! And to think, I had my hair curled for the occasion only to realize half the time our hair would be wind-blown and out of control! But as consolation, we were able to take photos with beautiful backgrounds. I hardly think photos at night would be as picturesque. *wink*
Gretchen, Jenn, Sarah, Bads and myself by the front of the yacht
Bads, Aileen (top), me (below), Miki (top), Gretchen (below) and Sarah
Sarah, Jenn, Bads, Me (below), Miki (top), Aileen (top) and Gretchen (below)
Drinks on hand, friends by your side, and beautiful NY all around.
LOVE IT!!
4. Just got back from "South Shore" where we spent the weekend under the sun. We got to stay in Fernand's aunt's beach house for 3 days where we spent time with Fernand's cousin Rod, his wife Shannon, and their baby daughter Kayla. Kayla is the cutest thing on earth! Here, see for yourself.
Kayla, Rod and Shannon
Baby Kayla
It felt so good to be at the beach. To get some sun time and snooze fests while roasting. Though we were in Florida just 2 weeks before, we only hit the beach once and we arrived late in the afternoon so we just had cocktails and hung out. This time around, we had 2 full days to lounge about. I'm so dark my own shadow can't even find me! Haha!
Rehoboth beach with Fernand (Delaware)
Sporting a Tan that night
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