It felt like my street-smart meter went up ten notches after my spontaneous afternoon stroll to The Walled City. It just had to because I took down the directions in a piece of paper, placed it in my shorts’ pocket and then I did a last minute change to another pair of shorts. And you can guess what happened next.  It could have been a whole lot easier had I ridden the cab but my serious issues with cab drivers in general left me with the cheaper-pollution-ridden alternative, the jeepney.

Since I went there for the sheer heck of not wasting a holiday in bed, I have no plans and no idea where to start, so I just wandered about, with the mindset of merely scouting the place and the intention of going back for a more systematic stroll to cover the entire city.

As I trudged along, it really is more fun in the Philippines. The people are just kinder (I don’t think it was just a stroke of luck as luck seems to have eluded me for some time now ). I reached Intramuros by merely asking for directions from security guards at the LRT 3, vendors and jeepney drivers. And it’s strange that I felt no security threat at all given that I’m wandering on my own and rode the jeep too. Maybe because I did pester The Almighty yet again to protect me in my little adventure.  O:)

Tips: Going to Intramuros from Marikina City

1. Take the LRT3 Katipunan and alight at Recto Station.
2. Follow the direction to Doroteo Jose Station.
3. Go down the flight of stairs; it will lead you to rows of stalls selling just about anything.
4. Go down the escalator and exit through the right door.
5. Cross the small street and ride the jeep with the Mabini or Pier signage. Tell the driver to drop you off at Intramuros. 

Walk a short distance and head towards the arched stone and that will be one of the many entrances to Intramuros.

How we have so many friends yet only a mere fraction of them actually know us or what we truly feel or think.

We have so many friends yet it is only with a few that we allow ourselves to be so vulnerable, we’re almost naked, in front of them. We  handed them bullets that they can use against us when we have a falling out, yet we know that they will never use it no matter what.

We have hundreds (some even have thousands) of friends in our social network yet we can count in one hand those that we have entrusted the deepest and arcane desires of our hearts.

There are so many people who have their hands outstretched because they think we need them (which may be true) yet we turn them down because, well, we just like to be left alone.

We know we need someone yet we don’t want to be with anyone.

And as cryptic as we try to be, we wish that someone can actually understand what we are trying to say.

We successfully build a wall around ourselves yet part of us desire for someone to scale that wall and appreciate the person behind it. And then it gets more complex. See next.

When finally someone bravely climbs that wall, we shun them away and retreat further to build another wall because in our dysfunctional minds, they are all after the same thing. Or they are just not good enough for us.

Which brings out the question, what is it that we really want?  Ironically, we don’t have an answer to that, or even if we do, it’s so incoherent that it left us in an even more confused state.

As happy as we are on the outside, we hope that someone can actually see the sadness behind it and try to cheer us up in a non-obvious way because we don’t want to feel we’re unsuccessful at putting up a brave front.

Yes, I may have used ‘we’ but essentially, it’s just me. Or maybe not.

So here’s a list of what I love about Sweden:

1. Alexander Skarsgård

This guy is not only a walking feast for the eyes; he’s smart, he’s generally nice to his fans, he’s got humor, he knows how to act that I’m actually convinced he is a vampire. Hahaha. On the other hand, he is a real Swedish Marine that’s why the role Brad “The Iceman” Colbert in Generation Kill fitted him so well. Damn! That face plus those arms are enough to make any sane woman drool like a crazed puppy. Arf! Arf!

2. ABBA

Who can forget these legends? Dancing Queen can make everyone stand up and sing in videoke sessions but my favorite is Thank You For The Music. Really, thank you.

That’s why when the movie version came out, I just had to watch it.  The movie was a good watch, especially loved that part where Colin Firth sang, “♪♫♪♫ I can still recall our last summer… ♪♫♪♫”. Such sweet voice! But that part where Pierce Brosnan sang, I just found it a tad weird. Maybe because it was like watching James Bond sing Abba.

3. Work of Art

L-R: Robert Säll, Lars Säfsund, and Herman Furin

This Swedish melodic rock band released their first album, Artwork in 2008. The geniuses behind this rather low key (at least here in the Philippines) but brilliant group are Robert Säll, Herman Furin and Lars Säfsund. These guys are amazing and nice too! They actually respond if you message them on Facebook. (Fangirl moment). It will be a surreal treat to see and hear them play here. **Shouting this out to the great cosmic void… this might actually reach them **

Second album 'In Progress' under Frontier Records

Their second album In Progress was released in 2011 and as with their first, it was well-received by the critics in the AOR scene.

My brother and his (rather rough-mouthed ) friend introduced several Swedish AOR bands to us and I have to say, the Swedes have a knack for producing such melodic rock tunes with heart-shattering lyrics that make their power ballads one wicked companion when you’re in that laslas-pulso (wrist-slashing) moment.

4. IKEA

The first time I saw this store in Singapore, I was positively overwhelmed by its size and design; I had to tour the whole store before I can exit the place and I have no complains. Their pieces are so practical and such eye candies too! I can stay here for hours just looking and drooling.

A little side story. My friend resides in Singapore and he recently moved to a new apartment, thus needed a new bed. So he went to IKEA and purchased six square center tables. I’m like, “What?!” His explanation? He can’t find the perfect bed frame size, then he saw these center tables in black and red; did some brilliant math calculations (he’s really good at this!) and thought it was just what he wanted, plus it will conveniently fit the cab’s trunk. So he got six, tied it securely together, placed the mattress, and voila! He got himself a nifty, versatile bed frame. Ingeniously crazy fella!

5. Swedish Meatballs

No, this is not a reference to Alex Skarsgård’s stuff. You dirty women! (^_^)

These are  probably the best treat you can give yourself after touring the IKEA store. I can wolf down three orders of this if I want to let myself go. Forget saturated fat. Forget calories. And just be fat-happy like Garfield.

Confessions of a Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Draanen

I went out to have lunch but found myself in a bookstore instead. And I must say, the title was enough to elicit a silly grin and fish out some bucks.

Maybe this is not such an awful crime to commit, no? (^_^)

Now I just have to find the time to read and see if it’s worth dishing out P60 (around US$1.36) for. Oh yeah, I got this hardbound at a second-hand bookstore.

And if there IS anything I have learned in the past year (and I have repeated it several times over already), “what if” are two seemingly non-threatening words when used separately but potentially lethal when used collectively. It has the power to occupy your waking hours and give you sleepless nights.

What if I sent that message? What if I made that call? What if all you have is now? What if you missed that chance because you were too shy? What if you took that leap of faith?

Tomorrow is promised to NO ONE. Not even to the young. You can pray to the highest heavens and even do your bargaining in the process but even that doesn’t guarantee you that one more day.

Today is all we have, maybe that’s why it’s called present. It’s a gift. A gift that we take for granted because we foolishly think we’ll still wake up tomorrow. WHAT IF you don’t?

So I say this. And this is regardless of age and gender. Send that text. Make that call. Ask that date. Take those lessons. Book that flight. Read that book. Capture those moments. Eat that cake.

WARNING: Doing these does not guarantee happiness and ecstasy; it may actually send you into fits of sadness and depression. But if you ask me, I rather experience those than live my life not knowing the equally dreaded what-might-have-been.

Take responsibility for your actions. Or to put it bluntly, GROW UP.

And so I look back. In all honesty, it was an exciting-crappy-disillusioning-scary-happy 2011. Surprisingly, with the range of emotions I felt that year, I still manage to be sane. Though I’m pretty sure those who know me have their eyebrows up on the roof already. You shameless lot! Kidding! (^_^)

But the love for having the planner is not commensurate as to diligently writing on it. I tend to leave it at home because it’s heavy or it just won’t fit in my bag or I’m just plain lazy to do so.

And since 2011 is one of the best years I’ve had in a while, I converted it into a photo diary of sorts. I carefully selected photos I took that year; had it printed in 2R; pasted it on the pages of the planner; and scribbled some text to help me remember the story behind the photo. I used post-its and color pens to jazz it up a bit, too.

Try it! It’s a fun way to make better use of your planner and even more fun way to look back in the year that was

First project for 2012

The past year has brought lots of blessings in small and big packages; loads of  excitement (~~ sigh! ~~) and more life thoughts and realizations.

The most wonderful gift: time.

As a kid, I’ve always loved presents (who doesn’t?) but as I got older, while material gifts are appreciated, I find time that people spend to write on my wall, send a PM or SMS or call even for just a minute, just about as touching.

Time spent with friends, families and all the others in between is something that you can never take back. Everything that happened in that span of time is already etched in the brain and even when you have a falling out and you want to be immature about it, you cannot return it nor take it away. Unless you get amnesia, of course.

Life is meant to be lived.

There are no guarantees for the choices we make, but it is better to have made that choice than to live in a lifetime of regret.

I would love to say, “Throw cautions to the wind” but the sane part of me says “Keep something for yourself”.

Never let biases and other’s preconceived notions deter you from getting to know a person. 

It is so easy to believe what others say about a person; but if we do that, we are robbing ourselves the chance of having a possible friend in that person.

Desperation is so unappealing.

Especially for girls, there is that fine line between letting a guy know that you like them or crushing on them and desperately chasing them. There should still be an ounce of  self-restraint and a pound of self-respect. Operative word: self-preservation.

Never let self-respect go. Learn when to let go, hang on and just let things run their own course.

Have the guts and ask.

I used to believe that if you won’t like the answer, don’t ask the question. But I’ve learned to ask and brace myself for the answer.

It was probably the most stomach-wrenching, nerve-wracking moment this year. While it took all of the guts that God supplied me with for the year, putting it out there surely put things in a better, clearer perspective.

Blunt honesty is more refreshing than carefully phrased words that is ultimately full of useless crap anyway.

Compliment and not patronize.

Appreciating people for what they did, how they look, what they say is easy for some and hard for most.

A sincere compliment is heart-warming and makes the person feel appreciated but too much of it makes one  feel uncomfortable and patronized.

The art of complimenting is a skill that can be learned so we don’t spook people when we appreciate them for whatever.

Pray not to ask but to thank.

I have learned to thank first before asking. If we feel slighted when He doesn’t answer our prayers, what do you think does He feel when we only pray because we want something? Prayer is not the like those delivery hotlines, where you go rattle off your order and expect it in half an hour.

Prayer is thanking that He didn’t give us what we deserve for our shortcomings, arrogance and remembering Him only when we need something.

As 2011 ended, I chose this photo to symbolize the new life that each of us will embark on in 2012.

Thank you to everyone who dropped by and followed this humble blog. It was a joy interacting with people from around the globe. God bless you and your family.

Photo #12

Found these dewdrops on the moss

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Take nothing but pictures.

 Leave nothing but footprints.

Kill nothing but time.

Break nothing, especially hearts.

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