Great advice for staying in love (Happy one month to us tomorrow!)

Reposted from my Facebook:

On this day of your life, we believe God wants you to know...that a successful relationship requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Always with the same person, but deeper and deeper every time. Each time on a whole new level you together open in love and discover the truth of your beloved anew. There is no limit to the beauty of your beloved. If you think you've reached the end, stop generalizing.

- - - - -

Andrew and I will be celebrating our first month as husband and wife tomorrow :) It's just the very beginning of our married life, what they call the honeymoon stage. But I guess if you want that stage to last, or to at least happen more often than once, the advice above is perfect :)

Songs for Andrew: "Mornings and Airports" by Sugarfree

It's been said that once you promise to spend forever with someone, you can't seem to wait for forever to start.

Andrew and I only see each other on weekends. He teaches in Xavier School (HS Department) in San Juan and lives in Kamuning, QC, while I teach in Philippine Science High School in QC and live in Las Pinas/Paranaque (medyo nasa border kami hehe). So during the school week, there really aren't much chances to meet up.

Which makes me look forward very much to weekends because that's when we get to spend time with each other.

This song was written by Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree (who recently also just got hitched :) ), no doubt to describe how his work as a performing and touring musician takes him away from his lady. But even though Ebe and I are in different lines of work, I can't help but feel what he's singing about in this song.

Mornings and Airports
from the album Mornings and Airports (2009)

Oh honey, I know you're still asleep
It's 7:30, you won't even hear your phone ring
Mornings and airports drive me crazy
And hungry, sleepy, oh so lonely to wake up to

By the time you get up, I'm far away
As the plane warms up

I wish that I could stay
Because I belong with you
Oh a day away is just too far
And this shirt I have on is too big for me
But your arms they fit me perfectly

The TV's on but no one's really watching
This hotel room is the last place I wanna be in
I wanna sleep and wake up next to you
And drown in how you make me feel like love is something new

Home is where you are
It's just too far away right now

I wanna stay
Because I belong with you
Oh a day away is just too far
And this shirt I have on is too big for me
But your arms they fit me perfectly

Take me home because I belong with you
Oh a day away is just too far
And this shirt I have on is too big for me
But your arms they fit me perfectly

Take me home
Take me home
Take me home

(Sorry for any error in the lyrics; kinapa ko lang kasi)

If you're on Multiply, you can listen to the song HERE.

Our story is about 12 years in the making...

...and we're very much looking forward to the new chapter that we will be beginning on January 3, 2010.

Check out our wedsite - dacsanddrew.multiply.com - which I decided to launch after celebrating a year of being engaged to the guy I will be spending the rest of my life with :)

I just posted some of the moments we've had so far, those that mark some of the milestones of our couplehood.

The rest of the site is bare yet, but Andrew and I hope to fill it up eventually as we gear up for the biggest gig of our lives :)

"Breaking a habit starts with courage, ends with discipline, and is fueled by desire."

For someone who just committed herself to the love of her life earlier this year, I must admit I'm actually pretty afraid of commitment - at least as far as new year's resolutions go. I've never made new year's resolutions, because I was always sure that I'd be breaking them anyway. My mindset was always, "If I do better this year, then good. If I don't, then I'll just try again." There wasn't any real, solid resolve to be a better person once the new year kicked in.

But now, I realize I am slowly changing. I am coming to terms with this new phase in my life - pretty soon, I will be someone's wife, and a bit later on, a mother to my very own children. It's not like my job at Pisay wherein if I fail at my job of teaching the Philippines' best, I can try to do better next school year (if I get another chance at the job), or I can just look for somewhere else to teach.

By the end of this year, I'll be accountable not just to my superiors or students, but to my husband, to my very own family. Much will be expected of me, and, truth be told, it scares me a whole lot. This new life that awaits me is not like some job I can keep or change at will or by force. I realize now that this new life demands a new me.

I know there is a lot about me that I need to change if I am soon to be a wife and mother. Making a list would probably help, but I'm pretty sure it'll scare me more than encourage me...at least at first. So I'll keep that list in my head in the meantime; maybe soon I'll find the courage to put down in black and white (whether it'll see itself in print here, though, isn't a sure shot). All I know is that if I want to better myself, there are some bad habits I've got to let go of.

I guess this whole post was set off by this tidbit from my subscription to www.simpletruths.com:

Breaking bad habits is [hard work]. The physical and mental pain can be grueling, whether you're trying to exercise more, smoke less, drink less, eat healthier, or work less...it's never easy. But the benefits to your health and to your attitude can be priceless. Breaking a habit starts with courage, ends with discipline, and is fueled by desire.

If you make good habits, they in turn will make you. But like the weeds in the garden, bad habits can take over your life. Make a decision today to pull those weeds.

Here's something to kickstart your 2009: a 3-minute inspirational video about "The Power of Attitude" Let's throw in some Robbie Williams too.

This is "Better Man", from the 2000 album "Sing When You're Winning".

Once you've found that lover you're homeward bound. Love is all around. ...Lord I'm doing all I can to be a better man.

Things that keep me sane

My previous entry talked about the things that are driving me crazy these days.

Now these are the things that keep me sane:

My guy.

My band.

My friends.

And of course - music. Such as this one, which is perfect for this sleepless Sunday morning: Sungha Jung's "Angel's Sunday" (originally by Kotaro Oshio):

And the news that this guy's coming to town:

Impromptu sembreak - online aftermath of the Pisay fire

Biglang nagka-'bakasyon' ang mga bata. Hehehe.

Yes, the fire is a VERY sad thing. I can't imagine how depressed and angry I would be if it were our area that was affected.

On the other hand, I couldn't help but notice - biglang nabuhay ang Multiply, hahaha. I guess since the kids just had their one-day holiday stretched to six days, they suddenly found time to blog/post (more) again, and their posts are about events that happened weeks before, hehehe.

Nakakatawa pa mga title the blog entries about the fire - kung may bonfire daw ang Ateneo, meron din sa Pisay; masyado raw hot ang (taga)Pisay kaya nagkasunog, etc etc. Again, I do recognize the severity of the situation, and so do the kids, and I'm sure they don't mean to offend, so I hope no offense will be taken.

As for me, yes I have tons to check (and my students know that, too, hehehe - sorry na, will definitely get that done this week!), but for now, I'm taking the night off to also catch up on posting.

For one, I haven't even properly blogged about my engagement (yihee), though I think I don't need to do that anymore

Also, I've still got tons of pics from Humanities Week and other events that I haven't posted yet.

One at at time, one at a time.

But for now, what I'd really like to celebrate (and I'm sorry it came with this post, which started out talking about a sad event) is my tenth year with Andrew! More on that later

EDIT 10.01.08 - Ayan. Ten years of Andrew

Happy birthday Thomas Andrew Varias Pinlac! :*

He may not be bald and tattooed like Chris Daughtry, but he still rocks my world!

Happy birthday, baby!

Batiin niyo rin siya!

I am sooo in love right now

Isn't he beautiful? And he's mine...all mine!!! Mwahahahaha! *thunder and lightning*

Thank you Andrew!!! *huuug*

Yup, I have a new camera, and I've christened it Tomi. Andrew helped me purchase it; it's actually his Christmas gift to me.

I've posted some of Tomi's first pics, taken just a few hours after we bought him. More pics to come!!! *jumping*

Crammed Christmas

Would you believe, I only finished my Christmas shopping TODAY, 26 December 2007. Actually I still have to shop for my friends. They're usually not on my list anymore, but since we were able to set up some Christmas gimiks, now I'm obliged to give them gifts. Hahaha, joke, gusto ko naman talaga sila bigyan ng regalo.

So there, I was only able to give SOME gifts yesterday, while the rest, including those of my parents, remain unwrapped and 'ungiven'. So before I resume gift-wrapping, I decided to blog a bit about this crammed Christmas.

Every year, my life seems to get busier than ever, and this Christmas season is no exception. Christmas is the time balikbayans usually come home, so of course it's important to spend time with them while they're here, which calls for more than the usual malling or eat-outs.

Andrew's mom came home from the States a month ago, so I got to spend some time with Andrew's family lately. I'm so happy for Drew, too, because he really misses his mom, so it really is a special treat for him when she's home. Aside from that, he also adores his 2-month-old nephew Toby (and so do I!), so family time with the Pinlacs was really a nice experience.

My kuya came home from Singapore too with his family, so I finally got to meet my 6-month-old niece Roxy, who is such a cutie! It's only during Christmas that my immediate family becomes complete, so the holidays were really fun family time with my kuya and two ates at home with their respective partners and kids. Too bad my kuya could only stay two days because his boss wouldn't let him take a long leave. Still looking forward to the 30th anyway when Roxy will formally be part of the Christian world. And, surprise surprise, Andrew is a ninong! Hehehe, even I didn't know that. So all in all, Andrew became godfather to three children this year - Roxy, and kids of his Xavier colleagues.

Other balikbayans in my circle of friends are DJ, Cathy, and Coco. Tomorrow night, I'll be having dinner with the girls and Coco at 77cafe. As for meeting up with DJ and Cathy, it's still all up in the air, but definitely I have to see these folks. DJ's who I consider my big little brother and one of my most favorite people in the world, is visiting from New York state, where he has been living for over 5 years already (I think). And Cathy, my best friend back in 3rd grade at San Agustin, is visiting from Canada. It may seem trivial to have her as a best friend for only a year, but she's part of some of my most treasured grade school memories. She's been living in Canada for almost two decades now, and it was only maybe two years ago that we got to see each other again. When we go out for dinner this year (or maybe next year?), we'll also be celebrating the engagement of another of our barkada, Stephen :)

My ZS (UP Zoological Society) friends aren't balikbayans, but I rarely get to see them as well. So Saturday night is dedicated to them. These folks made the last of my college days so much fun, what with countless hours of tambay at the Owl's Nest, or inebriated nights (or afternoons :P) at Sarah's or Ara and Lisa (did I get that right? basta yung sa may Maginhawa sa UP Village).

The Christmas break isn't only for family and friend meet-ups. There are weddings to attend, too! Too bad, though, because I had to miss Faye and Herbie's wedding last December 22, because that's when my kuya and his family flew in. This January 2, however, I will get to attend Dawn and Leo's wedding. Thing is, I haven't tried on the dress I plan to wear...good luck :))

So AAALL of this, plus SCHOOLWORK. Yikes. Wish I could split myself into 50 so each of me could take on a task that needs to be done. Hay. Oh well :P

Happy holidays!

For Andrew, on our Ninth Year

For my Andrew. HAPPY NINE YEARS, BABY :)


...You poured all this love in my heart
and now there's no way that I can lose
And when I have no faith in myself
you're the one who makes me strong...

You are the one who makes me whole
in my heart and in my soul
and just like the sun you show me the light
I'm amazed and you're the reason why.


YOU ARE THE ONE
Elliott Yamin

Sometimes I sit and I wonder
and I just can't seem to believe
What a blessing it's been to be loved
you're an angel sent to me
you're the star who lights up my sky
you're the one who made me see
that you don't need wings to fly
your love has set me free

Cause you are the one who makes me whole
in my heart and in my soul
and just like the sun you show me the light
I'm amazed and you're the reason why

Before you I was so blind
I didn't know which path to choose
You poured all this love in my heart
and now there's no way that I can lose
And when I have no faith in myself
you're the one who makes me strong
I wouldn't have a story to tell
or an ending to my song

Cause you are the one who makes me whole
in my heart and in my soul
and just like the sun you show me the light
I'm amazed and you're the reason why
You're the reason why

You are the one who makes me whole
in my heart and in my soul
and just like the sun you show me the light
I'm amazed and you're the reason why

Cause you are the one who makes me whole
in my heart and in my soul
and just like the sun you show me the light
I'm amazed and you're the reason why

You are the one who makes me whole
in my heart and in my soul
And just like the sun you show me the light
I'm amazed and you're the reason why

On being gorgeous

Was waiting by the fountain at the Glorietta Activity Center one afternoon. Right across the nonfunctional fountain was a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome Caucasian guy with nice dreadlocks. He seemed to be waiting for someone, anxiously looking around every now and then. May ka-date ata. So everytime he'd come into view (he was kinda walking around, I was just sitting beside the fountain), sisilip ako.

Finally, my sis arrived, and I pointed out the Gorgeous Glorietta Guy to her, and to my dismay, his date apparently had already arrived. And hello...napaisip ako kung date ba niya yun or friend lang niya? Hehehe.

Um, let's just put it this way. Nasayang ang beauty ni Gorgeous Glorietta Guy sa girlfriend niya. Malamang Filipina yung girl, kinda on the chubby side, and, I'm sorry to say this, not pretty at all.

I know this sounds (and it really is) judgemental. But it's just that...ang gwapo nung guy eh! Hehehe. Wala lang, feeling lang namin ng sis ko mang-lait :D Kapal namin, kala mo kung sinong mga beauty queens :D

Sige na, aminin, haven't you ever asked the question "How did a gorgeous specimen like that end up with a girl like her?" Promise, nakapagtataka. Yun na siguro yung tinatawag na "true love" o di kaya yung hilig ng mga dayuhan sa "exotic beauty" :P

- - - - -

So anyway, I naisip ko tuloy, ang hirap maging girlfriend (o asawa) ng napagwapong lalaki. Because people would always expect you to be on the same level of beauty as that of your partner (and of course, vice versa). Kung hindi, lalait-laitin ka lang parati, just like what my sis and I did this afternoon :D

Napepressure tuloy ako kay Drew (Naks kabig hehehe. Baka magselos eh, kasi tumitingin ako sa ibang lalaki ). But yeah, I do feel the extra pressure of having to look good beside my good-looking boyfriend, because I know very well that people might see us and say "Yun yung girlfriend ni Andrew?!" (sabay they shake their heads, tsk tsk).

Though I must say I felt extra proud of Drew today. Haha, a past student of mine, asked me if the guy who picked me up from school last Wednesday was my boyfriend. Ang gwapo daw kasi. Hehehe. Palakpak tenga naman ako para sa mahal ko diba.

- - - - -

So di bale nang hindi kagandahan ang girlfriend ni Gorgeous Glorietta Guy, wala na tayong magagawa dun. Besides, di ko na rin siya makikita.

- - - - -

Also, I'd just like to announce that Drew and I...















...will be celebrating our 9th year together this coming September 28

Ay wait, hehe, wrong guy

My Basti

Of prom nights and quitting bands

Last night was the 3rd prom I've been to in my life. Finally, Andrew was my prom date*. Back in 3rd year, I was with my batchmate Marc, while I went stag (stag din ba tawag sa babaeng walang date?) during the 4th year prom and the gradball.
*Thanks very much to the Prom Committee for allowing us to bring guests (else wala akong way papuntang prom!).

Well, I realized one thing. Rather, I remembered one thing last night - I DON'T FRIGGIN' DANCE. I don't. Period.

So why the hell did I make my way to the dance floor with Drew? Well, I didn't want to be a bad date. So after a long while of sitting by ourselves at the table (everyone else was dancing), I mustered the courage to invite Andrew to dance. F*%*, big mistake. I just felt like I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

C-R-I-N-G-E.

But because I love my guy, I TRIED. Too bad it didn't work out.

Which is sad, because Andrew loves to dance. In fact, he's a great dancer. High school palang, pansin ko na na ok galaw ni Drew. Sorry nalang but he ended up with a girl who'd rather headbang to the music than dance to it \m/

- - - - -

Speaking of headbanging to the music - there's one band whose music we won't be headbanging to anymore, at least not live.

Chris Cornell, formerly of Soundgarden, is also now known as the former vocalist of Audioslave.

Yup, the guy quit the band, citing personality conflicts as well as musical differences.

Not a totally bad thing, because along with his quitting Audioslave comes the release (on May 1, 2007) of his 2nd solo effort "Carry On". Also, his Audioslave bandmates have reunited with former vocalist Zack dela Rocha - Rage Against the Machine will be performing at the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 29. Not sure though what the RATM's future is beyond Coachella.

- - - - -

Last night's sounds were great. Though I think it was more of the faculty that enjoyed it rather than the students. The band was The Bloomfields, a band I got to know in 2005 during the BIOTA Convention at La Salle Greenhills, which is the band's alma mater.

They play rock and roll from the 60's, so that's the Beatles, the Beach Boys, etc. Last night they also previewed a song from their upcoming album (to be launched in March - it's about time!) - a revival of a Marco Sison song, I think. I really dunno the singer or the title, but the lyrics go "Ale, nasa langit na ba ako...". I remember singing that song when I was a kid.

I hope this band goes far. They're really good and fun to watch (sorry, as I said, I DON'T DANCE). And prolly the younger gals will fall for their moptops and suits, too. Check them out at www.thebloomfieldsband.com. Or join their mailing list at launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/thebloomfields

Haberdibebi

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DREW!!!


My Andrew, circa 2001

Kakasenti naman 'tong pic na 'to! Nakaka-miss ang UP! Nakaka-miss ang Sarah's! Hehehe...

Ayaaan, magka-age na ulit kami ni Andrew...for, like, 30 days.

Drew, you're a quarter of a century old na!

Summer Kwento # 3: Honestly, this distance is what's killing me

[Title: from Urbandub's "Safety In Numbers"]
[Subtitle: Umuwi ka na baby...]

Been spending the past few weeks with Drew a lot. Quite nice 'cause we only get to see each other on weekends during the schoolyear. (Sarap maging teacher - bakasyon din pag summer! Bwahahaha!)

In the span of about a week, we've attended one wedding, one baptism reception, and one kiddie party.

And I've been helping him learn how to drive, hehehe. Ngayong summer lang kasi siya nagka-oras magasikaso ng license at magpractice magdrive.

But for the weekend, he's in Sagada with our high school friends, thus the title of this entry. Haha andrama.

So...anyone free for the weekend? I'm guy-less. Hehehe. Oh, but that would mean no one would take me home after the gimik either. Hahaha, labo ko.

Oh, and FINALLY, I realized that it's been three years since I graduated from college but I've never claimed my diploma yet (nauna pa sa akin si Drew magclaim!) *toink* So Drew and I drove to UP and I got my 2003 college diploma hahaha :D




Anyways, some pics from the summer...



Ang bago kong driver



Being kiddie at a kiddie party



Home...



Be Happy. Be Responsible.



Remember Bubba? That mischievous smile isn't just a pa-cute look. It's a LIFESTYLE! He is KULIT personified...er, doggified? :D

Constantine and marriage

Just finishin Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" before I start this post. Hehehe, I definitely dig that vid. Sabi nga ni Andrew, kala niya some cheapipay novelty group yung kumanta - BEP pala. Only they could get away with sumthin like that :P

- - - - -

Ok, so I'm devoting a bit more time for longer posts. Btw, did I catch yer attention with this entry's title? Hehehe...

- - - - -

A long time ago (hehe), I got to watch Constantine at the Alabang Town Center. I'm no Connie fan, but I do admit it was entertaining to watch the guy - he does know how to work the crowd. I situated myself at the 3rd floor since I arrived late so wala nang space sa 1st and 2nd floors. Buti nalang kasi sa 3rd floor service elevator siya dumaan before going to the Activity Center downstairs so I got to take a good pic of him arriving at ATC.



He performed a good lot of songs, most of which he performed on AI. He even danced with a gal onstage during one of the songs - turns out it was Arnee Hidalgo. Hehehe, di ko nakilala from the 3rd floor. No wonder Jeffrey Hidalgo was there during the autograph signing session.

That evening Stalker Mode was definitely on. Just before Constantine was about to leave ATC, I thought about where his exit point would be, and so I headed for the mall entrance near Philux. Right enough, Constantine's van was already waiting there. So I positioned myself to get another good pic just a few seconds before I saw him walking towards the exit, followed by a crowd of security folks and giggling gals.

As Constantine passed by, he flashed a peace sign and posed for my waiting camera. Alas, my finger didn't get to push the shutter button, so no pic for me. Dang. Nagpose pa man din siya. Pffft.

- - - - -

Wow, this is the first time a wedding invite is actually addressed to ME (and Andrew), and not to my family tapos tag-along lang ako.

My friends and batchmates Ramil and Andrea (congrats, you two!!!) are getting married on December 17 (the 4th Pisay '98 couple to tie the knot, tama ba?), so Drew and I went to Rustan's ATC to check out their Bridal Registry.

Along the way, we bump into Faye, who has a little surprise of her own for us. Hoy bruha, I am so very happy for you *hug*

When Drew and I get to Rustan's, we see another surprise. Lying there on one of the tables was the Bridal Registry of Manuel Legarda and his wife (they just got married over the weekend)! Hehe, yep, nakakakalat lang dun yung printout ng registry nila. Drew and I had half the mind to just pocket the darn paper hahaha. Big Wolfgang fans, you see.

Oh man...there goes that line again - "Oh my gosh, tumatanda na tayo!" It was kinda surreal for Drew and I to check out a bridal registry, LOL :P

And, although I know it's bad, I always get kinda jealous when couples who have been together for a shorter time compared to Drew and I get married. Hehehe. Kung hindi lang siguro mahal magpakasal...

The sembreak that was

Ngayon palang ako magbblog about my sembreak :P

Monday
Watched The Legend of Zorro with Andrew. Ang cuuute nung little kid!!!

Tuesday
Bummed at home.

Wednesday
Visited the cemetery with the extended family. Got to visit Lolo, Uncle Dickie, and Wolfmann. Even saw Wolf's parents when we arrived, pero la na sila dun nung pinuntahan ko na mismo yung grave.

The view from Lolo's grave. Wolf's is somewhere just beyond those trees.

Thursday, Friday
Spent some time with the Bio Unit peeps for some planning sessions in Los Baños. Stayed in this medyo old house with some sort of balcony sa second floor. Was up at 3am Friday, couldn't sleep anymore. By 4:30am, tumambay nalang ko sa balcony listening to my CDs.

Ngayon tuloy, the vision in my head everytime I listen to Cynthia Alexander's Comet's Tail CD is that of the dawn sky slowly getting lighter as the day approached. Sayang nga di ko nakita sunrise kasi umulan at around 5:30am hehe. Nevertheless, the view plus Cynthia's music was something so beautiful I don't think I'll forget that ever.

Diyan ako sa ilalim ng arch na yan nagsenti on a Friday morning.

Friday
Left Los Banos with the Bio peeps at around 11:30am, only to return to the South (Tagaytay this time) a few hours after to have a late lunch at Viewsite with my family.

Ang view sa Viewsite, Tagaytay.

Saturday
Attended Andrew's oathtaking as a Licensure Exam for Teachers passer. And since he was Top8, may awarding chuva pa onstage hehe. Nakita pa namin si Manuel Legarda (Wolfgang) before we entered the Cuneta Astrodome! Turns out his sis was also a LET passer.

My guy in the peach polo.

Sunday
Back in Tagaytay to spend time with my family and my sister's family. Tinulugan ko lang sila hehehe.

The view on the way home.

- - - - -

So now, balik-eskwela na naman. Most of the remaining Saturdays my 2005 are taken, either by Pisay or by Ateneo :(

Sana maka-gig naman ako kahit papaano. Admit One's celebrating its 4th Anniv! Part 1 sa Racks, El Pueblo on Nov19, Part 2 sa saGuijo on Nov26. Party na 'to!

- - - - -

Some sites to check out:

A Day in the Life of Ms. McDonald
The Miss McDonald project began as a Halloween costume created on October 30, 2004. Pictures of Miss McDonald in various mundane situations were taken, with the idea of posting them in an online journal. The very first post went up on November 6, 2004. Since then, the Miss McDonald LiveJournal has been visited thousands of times by people all over the world.

Jessica Zafra's Twisted
Pumping irony since 1994.

Postsecret
PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail-in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

My Drew

Results of Licensure Examination for Teachers:
http://www.manilatimes.net/others/results/teacher.html

- - - - -

Yiheee!!! Top 8 overall si THOMAS ANDREW VARIAS PINLAC, aka My Guy :D
He also topped all exam-takers from UP Diliman (for the Secondary Level) ;)
*huuuuuuuuuug*

- - - - -

Dacs = proud girlfriend