Lights Changing Colour

Tadaima!

I'm back in my room-slash-own-world from my Los Banos visit. I must be really happy during my two days and one night stay there (though I often deny and say I don't even miss the place haha) that I can immensely feel today's dullness. 

These days, I associate myself with Flower Boy Next Door's Go Dok Mi, a twenty-ish woman who finds complete solace in the walls of her apartment just by herself. I kind of figured out how get by the days alone, thanks to our speedy internet connection and Asian dramas. However, there are times, often when I'm trying to get myself to sleep, that my mind presents me this dilemma: Should I enjoy my remaining months here in the country and go out as often as I can with my friends or just stay at home and spend time with my grandparents and a nanny? The latter would save me money and spare me a bit from sadness in parting when the time comes, I think. Ahh, I don't know. I must solve this soon.

For the time being, hello, Stars and old school pancakes with sugar and milk.

The Last Lunch

Last Wednesday was the final day of my Nihongo Elementary 1 class in Makati and I'm very glad to tell you all that I passed the short course! *insert confetti here* We were shown our scores from our midterm and final exams after Izah-sensei discussed some points she wasn't able to fully stress-out the previous days and then off we went to eat lunch at Ukkokei Ramen Ron near our school.

Check out the gigantic ramen! :)) That's Izah-sensei in yellow and a classmate which we all fondly call Ate Laine since she's the eldest among us.

Ukkokei Ramen Ron interiors. I saw a lot of Nihon-jins during our stay. I think it's one of the famous Japanese restaurants at Arnaiz Ave. That's why.

Menu of pricey ramens and meal sets haha. :p 

My after-class walking buddy, Lauren.

An example of Japanese calligraphy. I sort of want to try this.

Kare or  Curry Rice. Oishii!

That I think, would be the last lunch I get to have with them (sensei and classmates) since I am one of those E1 passers who opted not to advance to Elementary 2 classes cos ughh. Heaven knows how much I would love to take E2 classes with those people but I am kind of torn. I want to spend my remaining months in the Philippines fruitfully and I was thinking that enrolling in E2 classes would take much of my supposed to be "free" time. Plus it is costly, with the fare to and from Makati and the tuition fee for 68 hours itself. So yeah, it's a bit heartbreaking. I'll surely miss them and our eat-outs and before-and-after-class coffee bondings.

On a lighter note, now I can go to UPLB for my clearance and visit my friends there whenever I want, and also, I can immensely bury myself with Asian dramas and novels and  go on dates with friends. I still have  more or less than four months. :-)

Code Name Blue

Years ago I swore I'll never be into Kpop. But lo and behold, due to my excessive watching of Korean drama, I became lured into their songs as well! Or to CN Blue songs, specifically. Though I can't understand the lyrics, I find their songs' beats catchy and easy to the ears. And most of the time, I end up searching for the romanized and translated lyrics cos I can't bear to just listen! I wanna sing it as well haha! :-)

CN Blue's London shoot ♥

When I was in Tokyo last summer, I was thinking of buying CN Blue's album there since they are also popular in Japan. However I wasn't able to find one so I resorted to the easiest way there is. Oh the magic of world wide web! And I couldn't be more proud of the band when I learned that some of their songs have English and Nihongo versions! *clap clap*

So here are some of their songs which I like. Some of it were also used in the Kdrama entitled Heartstrings where both CN Blue members Jung Yong Hwa and Kang Min Hyuk played roles. I even have some songs saved in my phone haha! Enjoy! :-)

Teardrops in the Rain

Because I Miss You

I'm A Loner

Hey You

The Two of Us

It's been ages since I have written poems. Honestly, I don't even remember which I wrote the last haha. So for the mean time, while I'm still trying to figure out how to replenish my almost-drained creative juices, indulge in this poem entitled The Two of Us by Kotaro Takamura. And if just in case you're reading this future boyfriend, I dedicate this to you. Savor the lines and the in betweens.

Whenever I think of you 

I feel closest to eternity,

I exist and you exist

That’s all that matters,

My life and your life

Merge and melt into one

Return to where they began,

All our differences disappear, 

For us everything is perfectly defined,

There’s no battle of the sexes,

There’s faith and devotion, passion and freedom,

All the facets of human beings in union,

I have faith in the way we live 

As readily as I have faith in nature

So I can look down on the ‘world’

And triumph over all its stupidities

We have risen far above it all,

I feel my pain as your pain,

My pleasure as your pleasure,

I trust you as much as I trust myself,

I see my own growth in your growth,

However fast I travel, I will never leave you behind, 

I am filled with energy

And you are glowing with youth,

You are a burning flame,

You make me feel younger

And you can always surprise me,

You are a solid rock of reality,

Your kisses moisten me,

Your embraces nourish me,

Your cool limbs

Your curvaceous body

Your glowing skin

The power of life coursing through you

This is all I need for an idyllic life, 

You trust me,

You live in me

And this makes you who you are,

We cherish life,

We’re always restless 

Pushing onwards as far as we can go 

Growing

Spreading

Deepening - 

Such radiance, such happiness

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

I've been meaning to check out and try Vanilla Cupcake Bakery for weeks now. Since its Glorietta opening late last year, I always peek into the tempting shelf lined with various sorts of wonderful-looking, mouthwatering cupcakes and cookies. Last Monday, Gen accompanied me to the dainty cupcake store for some dose of Red Velvet (my favorite!!!) after our Nihongo class but it was out of stock. So I ended up just coming home straight. But I think the stars were on my side today. I was able to get one of the four remaining Red Velvet cupcakes! Yay! 

So here's a visual tour of the little cupcake haven I discovered in the busy aisles of Glorietta. I swear the interiors were nicely done and the lightings were so good which makes it an awesome photo op venue! Check out the pastel-colored couches, silhouette chairs, mini tea sets, lamps, wooden spoons and-- just check out everything!  :-)

I ordered Red Velvet (of course!), Masami, another classmate, ordered Banana Cream Cheese Cupcake and Gen picked Mango Panna Cotta. Yuuuum!

Still waiting for Masami to send me the pictures she took so that I can update this post. Wish I brought a better camera along.  I'm definitely going back! <3 <3 <3

A Healing Prayer

Dear Lord, You are the Just judge, Holy and True. You are the Most High God. You give us life. You hold all power in your hands.

You are the Mighty one from God who carries the world, and is ruler over all the earth. You Oh Most Blessed One are the giver of life. In you are only good things. In you is mercy and love. In you is healing of the nations. In you is freedom of worry and freedom of pain.

Lord Almighty, You loved us so much. You were sent from your Father, sent to save us from destruction. We truly can never make it to Heaven without the help of Jesus the Son, who was sent to earth to help us.

You, Lord are full of mercy and grace, please forgive us for our faults. Lord Jesus, in you all healing is performed. You Lord are the miracle worker. In your Spirit, your gift of healing is alive. In you Lord we can put our trust that you can heal us, and protect us from the enemy, and death of our soul.

You, Lord are miracle worker for the sick, and for the lost souls. You, Lord forgive us and save us from condemnation. You cleanse us and make us born again new. You give us a clean heart full of peace. You Lord are the Light.

In You is all truth. Your way Lord is the way to Heavenly Hope. Your hands Lord created the universe. You Lord are the True giver of Life. Every child is a miracle of Life. Life rests in Your Hands.

Wrap us as a close knit family, draw us near to you Lord, and bind us with your Loving Hands. Let us be drawn closer to You. You are the Vine, dear Lord and we are the branches. You carry all knowledge and all power. You Lord are our medicine. Your Words Lord are Truth and Life.

Help us put our trust in You. You Lord are the greatest physician. You heal, You protect, You care, You love, You are kind, You are patient, You are thoughtful, You are strength. You Lord are our Creator.

You know our thoughts, our sighings and our cryings and every hair on our head. You are Wonderful and make all good things for us. Heal us Lord, if it be Your will.

Amen.

The Heart Box: Rikochet

I was a regular Cartoon Network watcher years ago and was fond of iMucha Lucha!. That's the reason I got Rikochet as my code name for you when we're in high school. We were classmates for four solid years. And we were on the same club: CAT Corps of Cadets and Cadettes. I got an eye for you in sophomore year, when we're doing the dummy newspaper project for our English class. However, you and a girl from our class were getting it on, so yeah. Maybe proximity's to be blamed eh?

You broke up and for some reason you sort of diverted your attention towards me- for the remaining years in high school and even the early parts of college, even when I got myself my first boyfriend. I never really understood you and why you did the things you did for me. Or perhaps, I never tried. But seeing the fancy wrapper of the yellow tulip and the Nicholas Sparks book you gave me for Valentines' Day in 2007, the little  sky blue box which housed the silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant on it that you personally gave me for Christmas 2006, the CD you burned for me with my picture on the case, the numerous letters you wrote for me, the cards, some of it handmade that you've sent me.. Seeing those again while rummaging into the heart box I kept all these years.. as what you've told me, you really had a place in your heart for me.

Back then I wasn't able to grasp what you're relaying. I sucked at pass the message games, even until now. But I guess I can connect the dots, however it's blurry. Though it's many years late, a thank you won't hurt, right?

Thank you, Rikochet. May you live well.

Bring It On!

Found this at a friend's Facebook wall and I thought, "Why not?" This year, I'll surround myself with happier people, (new) wonderful experiences and valuable lessons. If 2012 was a good year for me, I'll make 2013 a better one. I'm claiming it! I can't wait! :-)

Glad You Came

The sun goes down

The stars come out

And all that counts

Is here and now

My universe will never be the same

I'm glad you came

I'm glad you came

Cos I'm glad I met wonderful people last 2012 and I miss partying like it's the end of the world. :)

Hey 2013!

Won't make this post long with words. I just want to share how my family and I spent New Year's Eve and welcomed the new year ahead. :)

Of course, some fireworks :)

Fooooood

Skyped with Mama and Masato

My best buds in high school and even til now, Albert and Emman

Friends came over for some drinks yay :))

I had a blast and I hope you did, too! Happy New Year! :)

Fingers Crossed

For the past days, in my head was a battle between doing a recap post of my 2012 or figuring out this year's set of resolutions. But to no avail, I haven't done anything yet. There were attempts, though, however, all of it always end up deleted cos it just doesn't feel right, maybe. But tonight I've made up my mind.

I'll stick to what I've been praying on hard for two years now: INNER PEACE and  LOVE

Continuous inner peace and love. May I not lose those two whatever I may be thrown with, this year.. and  of course, even the years after. May I not lose my love for life.

So here's to luck and good vibes this 2013! Kampai! :)