26 on 26th

A week ago, I turned 26. It feels weird! I don't look my age, I don't know if it's me or the kids are looking older nowadays. I also don't act my age. Not because I don't want to but I guess since I don't feel like my age, I can't act like a 26 year old. Ten years ago, if anyone asked me what I would be doing when I turn 26, I would've said married and successful... I think I missed my mark by a mile... I'm neither near getting married, nor being successful. Hopefully by next year I will be both. I know I'll get there it's just getting longer than I thought.

Anyway, I blew my cake with the candle 2 and 6 on top. My wish? Just to finish my thesis unscathed. After that, I know I'll be making my grand dreams a reality.

The only good thing about turning 26 is the knowledge that Tini will be turning 30 next year! Hahaha!

Treasure Hunting in Baguio

A few days ago, the whole class of AIM MBA2005 went up to Baguio for a field trip of some sort. Aside from the late night drinking sprees under the pine trees, the girls (most especially the 315 Babes) were in nirvana because of the numerous ukay-ukay shops littered in Session Road. It was like looking for buried treasure under those dusty piles of clothes...some may call it second hand...we call it vintage clothing! I'm in a "girlie" phase right now so I got four skirts for about 300 pesos, a black People Are People type of jacket for 150 pesos, and several blouses for 65 pesos each. One thing I regret is that we left the place to meet up with some people and didn't get to go back. I had so much stuff I was still planning to buy. Great thing about ukay-ukay is that pieces tend to be one of a kind and very unique. Tin-tin got this great skirt you'd only see in fashion mags for 50 bucks!!!

I love the clothes I bought because it fuels my imagination to mix and match it with key items in my wardrobe like a Nine West pumps and a Gucci bag...then it doesn't look like 50 peso outfit at all! It takes a more than a queer eye to spot the jewels in ukay-ukay! It takes a passion for fashion and experience.

In my books...

Our constant male companion here in school, Rahul (a.k.a. "The Petulant Child"), always makes fun of our choices of reading materials. He calls it pornography...we call it romance novels. He has this annoying habit of reading it out loud which actually makes it sound worse than it really is. He laughs at phrases like "heaving breasts" and "straining against her bodice". He claims it gives us a wrong idea about love. But how can it be the wrong idea when the story lines are universal and ageless. It's the usual girl meet boy but either boy can't have girl for some reason or another. Nonetheless, boy faces all adversities to marry the girl. Or, girl and boy are forced to marry against their will. Despite their animosity to each other they can't help but fall in love. Hene, they all live happily ever after. It does sound mushy but admit it, one or two couples out there started out the same way but with a little permutation here and there. And probably not all live happily ever after. Just until they break and find someone else.

In my books, the girl always gets the boy. In my books, the boy is incapable of continuing his life without the girl. In my books, it's not only passion, but love that gives strength to both of them. In my books, I get to escape for awhile and be in some other time and some other life.

Papa's New Harley

Several years ago my father went gaga over big bikes. I forgot which one came first but now he has two: a Honda and Yamaha. One of which he actually bought from Aga Muhlach. He loved motorcycles since his youth but he came from a poor family. Eventually, responsibilities of family life put his dreams of owning one on hold. Thirty years later, he is financially stable and can find time to indulge in his hobby. Along with some buddies, they go off to far off places every sunday morning. My mom lets him because he has worked hard over the years and deserved it. My brother and I are simply amused since he's a little over five feet and not much beef in his body and yet he rides this thousand pound bike like its nothing! He spends a lot of money on the bikes too. Whenever my parents go to the US he'd stuff his baggage with saddle bags and other accessories. He'd buy clothes too...he has one that looks like an astronaut suit complete with boots.

Now, he has another baby. He recently purchased a Harley Davidson. It's just second hand but still in mint condition. My mom said he didn't want to tell my brother he bought the bike because my bro's been bugging my parents for a new car. Oh well...he's a working man anyway, he can save up for his own car. Naks! A million pogi points for you Papa!