The Eagle has Landed...

"The eagle has landed..."

Those we're the exact message I sent my wife when the plane that I boarded landed in DXB airport. I know it should make her smile, and that was my intention. Even I myself was smiling while typing it hehehe.

Being in Dubai was my first international travel. I had a connecting flight in Hongkong, stayed there for 2 hours and off I go to DXB. I had some pictures that I was about to upload (lost it since I sold my phone within a week of being here lol), like Popeyes, where I had lunch (if you remember the film Little Nicky, there was also some stalls in Manila back then but they shut down for some reason), there was also a shop called Free-Duty, it was a store, but reading it now, I'm sure you'd think of something else, hehe. :)


How do I sum up my first month since I don't have pics to show (no pic means it didn't happen for some hehe). Let me try in a few words:


Me and wifey: not too bad, but not too good.
Physically: we're growing, the hot water is causing or shirts to shrink for some reason.
Work (me): is good. Bosses and peers are awesome.
Work (wifey): errr...
Our room: has a bed, dining table, clothes drawer and a spanking new laptop.
Emotionally: some days we're up, some days we're not.
Skills: I could cook a bit now. Wifey is still an awesome cook.
Manila connection: we have a post paid cellphone plan, and an 8MBPS internet connection thanks to our awesome room mate.


I'm sure Dubai will be very good for us financially. If life does not bring us too much of the challenges that he likes to throw our way, we should be able to pay back all of our financial obligations before this year ends while helping a bit back home and hopefully being able to save some in the process. We're still a long way to go, though it feels like I've been here for more than a year with everything that has happened, (seriously, our life here is a good topic while downing cases of SanMig Light, Manila peeps, wait for me) as long as my wife is okay, I'm sure I will be.

Yes, the eagle has landed. It was a smooth trip on the way here, so far a bumpy first month, but hell, even seasons change, then why shouldn't our life not?

I believe that life is what we make it. I'm here to start making our lives a bit better, not that it was bad, but I figured it's time for an upgrade. I hope we all see things that way...

Shalom...

Despedida

I think I had one last night, I think it counts since I bought some of the booze though the food was mainly provided by mom (Thanks Ma!). I searched the net for the meaning of the word to see if I understand it correctly since despedida as far as I know is always a party or get together before someone leaves the country.

- n. an organized expression of goodwill at the start of a trip or new venture (courtesy of lexipedia.com)

- from the spanish verb despedir, despedida is past participle. Goodbye, farewell (from wordmagicsoft.com)

Apparently, the word is Spanish (I did not know that but it does have the por que sound to it). I did not find any longer meaning, well I guess there really is no need for a lengthy description as it can be simply put in a mathematical equation similar to this: Despedida = Goodbye + (Family+Close Friends+Dinner+Well Wishers)

Here's the picture when we started...

Now I had to leave the house at around 11:30 PM to get an alcohol donation courtesy of my good friend Dennis (Thanks DC!). When I got back, 5 of them had already left. We started drinking JD (Jack Daniels) which was like drinking gas at first but eventually tasted like, oh well, still gas but tolerable. After JD, I opened Senior Cuervo (Tequila courtesy of my sister, thanks Ate). This is when it gets tougher since my sister and her husband had to leave since Franc and Detdet are already sleepy. This made finishing the tequila quite a tall order, specially when Joseph said he was gonna pee but ended up sleeping LOL. When we finished the cuervo, my good friend Tatang bought in 12 more bottles of beer but I guess JD and SC has taken its toll since we only drank 6 more and ended the despedida. Some of the ending pics below:

To Jay, thank you for coming in such a short notice. I guess the LIFO (Last In First Out principle) applies to you...

Despedida - a get together with your closest family and friends, wishing you well for your journey. I'm sure I'd be well. After all, my wife is waiting for me, and I will be with her, 3 days from now.

I can't wait.

Impulsive Buyer

It's very rare that I buy something after looking it at it for 15 seconds. In fact, I don't remember buying anything after looking at it for 15 seconds!

My wife wanted to have a bag she can use to go to work. Of course working at a financial institution, it really is very off to wear a powder pink bag (the one I bought her before). I was at the mall a couple of days ago, and I told myself I'd drop by at Rustans and see if there's any bag there since I'd be seeing her this month (yey!). Then I laid my eyes on this:



It was like magic, love at first site, water in the desert - whatever!

My heart was beating fast, not because I have a bag fetish or I was about declare that I'm gay after laying my eyes on the bag, it's just that I knew I've found the perfect bag for my wife. Of course I had to try it out hehe.



I think I can borrow it every once in a while hahaha.

You my friend (referring to the bag), will be meeting your real would-be companion very soon!

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Have you seen the only video that I posted in youtube? Well, to spare you the trouble of looking for it, here it is:

Damn it! I cried just watching it again.

My wife and I planned it for 2 years. Watching the video, I'm sure you're thinking that everything went well until the day of the wedding, but it didn't. Just like any event that's nearing it's date, we had to overcome things that life is throwing at us. Did you know that the following things happened a day before our wedding:

1. Found out that my coat was ruined - thanks but no thanks to dry cleaning!

2. My wife-to-be, who was still in Manila had to buy me an entirely new coat - and we all know how expensive coats could cost, specially during December.

3. My father-in-law and brother-in-law accidentally left their coats and pants back in Manila. Good thing one of our relatives left Manila only on the day of the wedding itself.

4. My aunt who was with us got hit by a jeep in Tagaytay - thank God it was just a really slight bump.

5. A LOT of things happened months prior, but, I will not elaborate on those anymore.

Now, there I was. Waiting at the altar. Waiting for that door to open. I was still calm. But when the choir started singing, when they finally opened the Church's door, that's when it did hit me. This is it. It is finally happening. That after all that we had to go through, here I am, standing and waiting for the woman who I know is worth all the troubles and stayed with me through all those times. That's when I started crying. That's when I silently thanked God for giving my wife to me, for giving me who He thinks is right for me. For giving me my movie buddy, my fellow food critic, my co-couch potato and most of all, my source of strength and happiness.

This is our story - one of the greatest, if not the greatest story ever told.

Poetry in Motion

I think it was 2 days ago while I was browsing through different channels, I chanced upon the season 5 finale of ABDC (America's Best Dance Crew). The battle was between Blueprint Cru and Poreotics. Poreotics won with the slightest margin in ABDC history as Mario Lopez said but what got me thinking was, when the hell was the last time that I danced like that???

The answer - never. LOL.

It also got me thinking as I saw some of the season 1 champs performance - The Jabbawockeez. How are they? Of course I searched for some of their videos online and here's one that should be worth your time:



Don't they make you want to dance? Don't you wish you we're young again and practice dancing again to be soo good at it you'd be one of them? The last dance performance I made to a hip hop tune that I could remember was way back in 1994, Streetboys was the Philippine version of the Jabbawockeez back then. I tried my damn best to imitate their moves but my body was just not cooperating.

This video was from the Blueprint Cru, the second placers from ABDC season 5. The challenge was so difficult since they had to incorporate levitation on their dance routine, but see how well they've executed:



SICK right?!?

I guess some people are really just meant to do something and be somebody while some are just meant to admire. The Jabbawockeez we're destined for greatness the moment the whole world saw them dance. I hope that they do stay healthy and that they keep revolutionizing the hip hop dance scene.

Remembering Paui P

I figured I gotta start putting pics here so that the blog wouldn't be too dull, so I'd start it by remembering my good friend, who calls himself Paui.

I've known Paui since the 5th Grade when I was trying out for volleyball (I also tried softball, journalism, special arts to name a few, but I don't think I mastered any), he was one of those who has the talent but never really grew in length (sorry Paui). We went to the same high school, different colleges but had the same gang intact. Paui is like an import to us in basketball leagues, we'd do good with him, and we would suck without him, though he never grew past 5'9. We'd play basketball and challenge other teams for a bottle of coke during our free time (which back then was like every afternoon). He invented the drink "Chamba" which I think is a combination of Colt 45, Gin and RTO (Royal True Orange). He was the first to have a tattoo. He likes Reebok for his basketball shoes. He introduced me to mountain climbing and counter strike. We both love Grin Department and Eraserheads. We had our share of fun as teenagers. There was even one valentines day that we didn't have a date and got hammered instead which led me to being kicked out of my aunt's place and back into my mom's when I was in college (that tequila was something Pao, I tell you). When he chose not to attend the JS prom, me and Tatang did not attend as well. There was just too many memories, too many laughs. But his life was to be cut short by an accident.

He didn't die on the spot. He went on to live for several more years but he was paralyzed from the hips down. He was still trying to be the cheerful friend that I knew he was, but his eyes was just not cooperating. I couldn't believe how someone so lively, active and sports minded would be tied in a wheel chair for years before finally letting go. I carried his casket, so as the rest of the gang with tears in our eyes, still in disbelief that he's gone. The only consolation is that he wouldn't have to bear with the pain anymore. And that he is going to be with Tita Esther already.

Here's a pic of Paui, me and the gang (minus some who was still on they're way when this pic was taken):



Here was his friendster comment back in 2004:

Paui Pichay Apr 18, 2004 12:28 AM

Wazzup?!
paui p in the place to be..hehehe!
thanks at pati ako naaaddict sa
fuckin FRIENDSTER tsong...kidding
aside, Neneth a.k.a. cyclops is a
man you can always count on..
inuman, bdays and gimmiks always
andyan just a text away..pero minsan
sumisimple ang loko..solo flight! san
kaya nagpu2nta ang kumag? i'll
never 4get the times we had spend
together our Barkada na ngayon ay
ilan nlang..remember the best time
of our life "H.S. days syempre"
hehehe! i always treassure that
moment until now, wala ng tatalo
dun tsong isa na yun sa pundasyon
natin..sa mga repapips nating hindi
nagpa2ramdam...nd2 lang kami sa
friendster mga Syet!
impluwensyahan mo nga sila..ulol!
im runnin out of time my friend,im
gonna catch my flight goin to Vegas
tonight e..maybe i can make another
one full of "pambuibuild-up" for
you..nawala ko kasi ung kodikong
binigay mo sakin.. sure kabang
complete nyun? pano till we meet
again..Shalom

You missed my wedding kups, but I know you're happy where you are, so I'd let that one pass. April and I will always remember you and so as the rest of the group. Shalom.

Excited

Ever opened your email and found something that made you feel excited that you felt goosebumps? I was so excited that I had to make my wife login to skype so I could share it with her. I'm sure she felt excited too.

It happened to me hours ago. It's nothing big, but it is an opportunity. That after all that spamming, at least someone responded. That after all those applications you've passed, someone took notice and replied.

I hope things do get better. I replied and will take it from here.

Please pray with me. :)

My Wife - Thank you

I was blessed with a lot of things. But the one that I was eternally thankful for, was when I met my wife, "again".

My wife and I we're classmates in grade school, in the 4th grade to be exact. I remembered her because during the first week, our teacher asked us to show any kind of talent (unfortunately I have none so I just tried singing to which I failed miserably), while my would-be wife acted in front of the class and ended it with tears in her eyes. I was like WTF! (not the exact words of course), but needless to say, she got my attention.

Years passed, after graduating grade school to which she finished with honors, we've lost any form of communication. It was only during the friendster era that I finally found her again (Thank you Friendster!). Sent her a message, said hi, asked her if she was willing to meet up and the rest, was history.

You'll never really know who you'll end up in life with. It could be that girl who keeps stalking you around (or vice versa), it could be your cousin's-friends-ex etc. Luckily, I landed the best, wonderful, awesome, loving, strong-willed, intelligent, caring, oh and I almost forgot, beautiful woman who, fortunately said "yes" when I asked her to marry me.

I am writing this entry as my way of saying thank you, for everything. For staying with me through the good times and the bad. For being just so damn strong when I was weak and for loving me as I am. I promise to try really hard to be at least at par with what you have given and shown me.

I love you and I am yours, forever.

Thankful, Coming of "Broken Home"

I came from a broken family, and was never ashamed of it.

I was born in the 80's. Where growing up in a broken family was just taboo. Too many people have this idea that complete is better than broken, which is true, I'm not saying it's not. It probably is wonderful having both your mom and dad in the same house, eating in the same dining table, praying, laughing, crying, practically doing everything together. I probably would have envied the great majority, had my step father became someone else.

My stepdad, or as my sister and I fondly call him "Tito", is a man of few words. You can't really say what's going on his mind, until he says it. He smiles only when he feels like it, throws the usual adult tantrums at times, but more often than not, you'd probably just be staring at a blank face. I spent half of my life growing up with my dad and my grand parents. My childhood is something that I'd never forget as it was quite a ride, but that's a different story.

The second half of my life, from college up until before I got married, I spent with my mom and my "Tito" since I lived with them. To cut the story short, my "Tito" picked up where my dad left of. When my father was unable to provide for my college tuition, he was there paying for it, and for my elder sister's too. He didn't have to do that in my opinion, but he did. During my birthdays, he would silently tell my mom to give me those expensive bottle of brandy, or to give me 1 or 2 of his lacoste polo shirt, which by the way is not cheap here in Manila. The most recent one, was when I really need to leave Manila since my wife is working abroad and I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her all alone anymore. I have already asked everyone that I know for help, but just like myself, I couldn't find someone who has a spare to lend me. When all else fails, I should have known, "Tito" luckily had some, and is lending me help again.

Sometimes, no, actually, a lot of times, I wanted to tell him how thankful I was to have him, but I'm just too shy, or I'm probably just afraid to cry in front of him. It's probably because I was never used to being affectionate of other people aside from my wife. I can't even tell my mom and my dad that I both love them in person, I just hope that they know that I do. That whatever it is that happened between them, is not something that I blame them for, up until this point, I am thankful as I grew up to be God-fearing, I finished college, I had a great career, I have great siblings and most of all, I have an awesome "Tito".

So just like my previous post, I took what I could out of life and disregarded the rest. I could have ended up broken had I chose to take those things that I could have discarded. I came from a broken family, but I was never broken. I came out whole, stronger and as a better person. I have 5 siblings, 1 mother and 2 fathers to watch my back.

Now, 1.5 set of parents is definitely better than 1 set right?

Taking what you need

I found this really good article as I was done tweeting my newly created blogs name. Taking what you need, that is really what everyone else should be doing. Whether it is an advise, a disaster or whatever is left in someone else's life. You take what you need, learn, grow and be inspired by it. The rest, just drop them, simply because you don't need them.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/57840168/Father-s-Day-Story-June-2011

Thank you for the great read Justin Halpern. Please do keep them coming.

Blogging

To be honest, I don't even know why I'm doing this. I was hoping that writing about how I feel and what my point of view is on a certain topic should ease up the load on my head and hopefully, I get to release some stress in the process as well.

My life has been full of everything, not to mention that it is currently on a downward trend, career wise. Since there is no reset button or Alt+F4 to just close it and start again, I'll just try and make the most out of what life could give me. Here's to blogging, life, and living it, the way a blue eyed pinoy will.

Cheers!