6 more to go

First time ko to attend 3 straight ‘Simbang Gabi’ masses, as far as I can remember. Mahirap maglakad ng 4 or 5 in the morning because it’s remarkably chilly outside. However, I’m determined this time to complete the 9 morning masses.
I may be alone but, I care less… Pero sana I have a car na so that I can try different Churches on each mass... I want to feel the ambiance at “Sacred Heart” in Makati and Edsa Shrine in the morning (two of my favorite houses of worship here).
Anyway, I still have to battle six chilly mornings, so wish me luck…
I have some photos here....

I was overwhelmed that there are a lot of people who got up from their precious sleep to celebrate the morning with the Lord...

Me & my Taho (now na lang ulit ako nakapagtaho sa halagang 10 pesos) after the mass...

Dreamer's Manifesto

I, Michy, choose to live a life of adventure, excitement, service, joy, spontaneity and love. I choose to love. And as I love I live, as I live I give, as I give I serve, as I serve I step closer to the reality of my dreams.

I will dream. I will dream of big and amazing and spectacular and awesome dreams. I will live my dreams and not compromise for the sake of security or safety or comfort. I will jump out of my comfort-zone and embrace change.

Change, whom I fear. Change, whom I dread. I will seek to live beyond what I can, believing that the God whom I trust is much, much bigger and greater than any obstacle I may face. I will face my fear. I will stop running away from it and turn around. And when I'm face-to-face and eye-to-eye to it, I will grab the bull by its balls and make it scream surrender.

I surrender. I surrender to my great Destiny. Knowing deep in my heart I am destined for excellence. I am destined for greatness. NOT mediocrity, NOT conformity, NOT in arrogance but with the mantle of humility placed upon me. Because this is not about me. This is about humanity. I will persevere for the sake of humanity, who need men and women inflamed by passion that will ignite the hearts of the timid and fearful souls to push on and soar higher.

And I will do all this not in ten years from now when I'm free. Not five years from now when I have money. Not one year from now when I am ready. Not one week from now when I know how. Not even tomorrow for tomorrow is far from now. I will live my dreams and act NOW!

Last Night I Waved Goodbye

It was just seemed last night when I waved my last goodbye to the place which I learned to love. Leaving wasn't easy for me then, I walked a number of times around Reading’s town centre. I passed by the flat where I stayed for four months. Part of me, didn’t want to go back. Probably, I was just anxious to confront city of normality and oddness...or maybe I really haven’t had enough of England yet that’s why I can’t let go...
It’s over two months now since I moved back but, the bits and pieces of the place is still lingered.
Don’t get me wrong, I did miss my family, friends and everything about my home country however, there is something about England that makes me want to go back. I’m very much sure that it’s not the “Posh-ness” of the place, the weather (but hell-yah I miss the weather), the coats and boots (and these as well)... I’m not even certain if it’s really the place that I pine for. Is it?!
*Sigh* But, I could say in no doubt that I ache for the stillness, the independence and the whole experience that I had when I was there. Simple things that I miss about England:
• Me, my coffee and a nice book everywhere: park; bus; coach; bed; train station; coffee shop but definitely not in a Pub
• the roundabouts: I don’t even know how to call these ‘Circles’ on my first few days but I did find a way to figure it out
• Fish & Chips: Big Servings esp. of chips... hang on I should hate this because this is one of the reasons why I became ‘Ms. Fatsu’
• Unfriendly roads of London: the High Street of course: SHOPPING!
• The long walks, mostly alone but, people around me don’t care
• St. James’ Church – my Church for 5 long (but worthwhile) months
• Ate Malou, Ate Lab, Kuya Philip, Tatay P, the makukulit kids – they’re fantastic people
• The oracle – not as big as our malls here however, just suits my needs
• PRIMARK – good bargain as always!
• My 2-bedroom flat: everything about it
• Costly train ride to London ... oppsss... have to correct that : ....to everywhere in UK – but I love it
• Ryanair: intensifies my hunger for travel
• Sainsburys: crammed my fridge and my stomach
• M&S: I learned to shop here when I get to UK
• Feeding the ducks: how lovely they move towards a piece of bread
• 250 Brookdrive: Logica’s office in Reading, the lakes and the morning breeze just makes you want to stay longer
I can’t stop thinking now but I have to (and I need to sleep as well)... I have to let it go...
Five months may not be enough to learn everything that I have to but, the experiences that I had there were enough for me to say that I have been moulded into a better, mature and independent self – I got to know the real me; I got to conquer my fears and I met lovely people: these are more than enough to never forget the last night when I waved goodbye to England!

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Last Night I

London to Paris to ...

I finally did it!!! the longest holiday since I started working. No worries about work and other not so good stuff, just consecutive days of fun, breaking through and unexpected larks. That’s what HOLIDAY is all about anyway!

17^th of August, we left Victoria Coach Station at around nine pm then arrived at Dover Port at midnight. Yeah, we took a ferry from this Port to I don’t even know where… ferry ride lasted for about 2.5 hours, too bad I didn’t see the view for it was dark outside. Half past six in the morning of the following day…. when we reached PARIS!!! I could still remember the morning breeze and how it ruffled my hair.

My first worry: how to get to the ‘Youth and Happy’ hostel??? I was hoping then that I could find someone (not necessarily a pretty French guy) whom I can ask for the direction. As I was figuring out which way to take, a French guy approached me and asked if I need any help, I replied with ‘YES’ (in my very sweet voice) and voila, there I was walking on the side of the metro! The hostel was just 5 min walk from ‘Placemonge’ metro thus it isn’t hard to find though, I had to ask an old Indian guy’s help for me to get to the hostel.

P-A-R-I-S, I love this city! Yeah, 3 days was quick but, it’s more than enough for me to be mesmerized by this city of lights! Resting in the park (at the back of Notre Dame) with my Crepe and Jambon Fromage Panini had brought an inexplicable sense of tranquility. How can I forget the panorama of the city from the Eiffel Tower and its own vision from an acre of lawn just across from where it stands! Extremely awesome! Chateau de Versailles, located in the suburb of Paris is unquestionably astonishing. It’s one of the most breathtaking piece/place/thing (I don’t even know where to categorize it) I’ve even seen or been (oh yeah, confusing)! Spending the afternoon in the Museu De Louvre park was very comforting. The fountains compose their own music and the pyramids gleams with or without the touch of the sun.

There are so many good things to say about Paris, a million actually. I should've stayed another day though. I met nice people as well, Sarah (Irish), Jessica (Am), Alli (Am), Sean (Can). The late night chat, walk near the hostel and laughter that I shared with them will never be forgetton!

And oh thanks to Sarah for buying me my last beer in Paris... She's generous (Sarah, you know what I mean...) *wink*

Adieu Paris, Barcelone Bonjour, je serai de retour à venir!!!

what do I/you think of my curls...

Being alone will get you to comtemplate on a lot of things, from the most typical to the bizarre ones. It can be about fruits - why orange is orange and strawberry is not red, complexity of life, politics, career, travel and hair... *chuckles*

...which leads me to the most "contentious" argument, whether to curl my hair or not. When I say 'curl', not with the use of any curling irons BUT... a long-term CURL, haha! I don't even know if there's something like that!

Before I become more and more less sensible here, I now present you, ladies and gents -

CURLY MICHY!!!

Not nicely done, yeah... however, good enough to give an impression of how I'd look like with the CURLS, haha *wink*

WHAT A MATCH!!!

I just spent my evening watching tonight’s Wimbledon game (just at home)! Murray vs. Gasquet! I remember last Saturday, I was eager to watch Andy Murray, I searched where court he’s playing but I just missed his game :(

Anyway, tonight’s game was definitely amusing! It was the best game I’ve ever seen so far since last week. These two players just gave the crowd and the viewers a fantastic game! I have to commend Andy Murray though! He just played absolutely well! From a unsatisfactory effort on the first two games to astounding recovery in the 3rd game. The way he struggled to return the ball perfectly and stood in that rostrum really stirred up the crowd’s verve! I was literally cheering for him at home, I shouted and applause as if I was in the Centre Court. Crazy, I know *chuckles* What can I do, it was superb!

Does this mean that I’m into TENNIS now?! COME ON!!! *wink*
Just can't wait to watch Andy and Rafa's match!!!

Centre Court For Less

After a day with my famous friends, I just found myself taking the tube to Wimbledon @ 18:00 yesterday. Yeah, a bit late but I remember that at 9 in the evening, live games are still shown in the tele. At first, plan was to be there at 8 am but, because of dull weather in the morning and my intolerable sleepy head (and Prakash’ as well), it didn’t push through. Sunshine just suddenly smiled which, made me jumped out from bed and head to London. Since, I haven’t had dinner or a cup of tea or coffee with my Mareng Drew, Jen and other prominent friends, I pay a visit to Madame Tussauds.

Anyway, in the afternoon, I finally convinced Prakash to watch Wimbledon. I really wanted to feel the adrenaline in that place. We got there before 19:00 and surprisingly, there was still queue. Mainly because, Nadal is going to play (that was what I heard from this girl who guided us) and tickets are cheaper after 5. We got our ticket for only 14 quid to get inside Wimbledon and managed to get a resale Centre Court ticket for only 5 pounds. Revenues go to the charity by the way. Absolutely, great deal! Because, these tickets normally cost a fortune!!! Well, at least for me, 50-80 pounds. Damn!!! I wonder how much the tickets would cost next weekend for the championship, I bet it would cost an earth!

I’m not really into tennis to be frank. However, I enjoyed every moment of it, the stillness when one player is about to serve and the yelling when one player scored. Nadal vs. Kiefer, the match that I relished the most!!! Being in the centre court is unreservedly one of a heck experience for me! Now, I clearly understand why people don’t mind paying for high-priced tickets.

And uhmmmm... the big wave, I almost forgot. It was a continuous wave with loud noises from the crowd. FUN! FUNN! FUNnnnnnn!