During the previous years, our Black Friday experiences were a fluke.Like last year, we trekked all the way to Long Island straight after a Thanksgiving dinner party to go shopping at the outlet store. Stupid idea. It was raining, freezing, and there were lines everywhere — lines to get in the stores. Aside from it being crazy, the sales were mediocre. Prices were hiked up and then marked as 50/75% off. We were disappointed. We got home at 4am with just a bag of not-really-cheap clothes.

This year, we decided to forego any formal plans for Black Friday. We all decided, if someone woke up at 5am then we’d go to the mini-mall 4 blocks away from us. By 5:45am we were out the door! The mall looked like a garbage dump, with ads and food wrappers everywhere. It seemed like a lot of people were camping out last night. We got in at Sears with no lines. Payment was pretty quick. The line to get in to Circuit City took us an hour. But we still got lucky! To be able to score an LCD TV, you had to fall in line. My sister who was just walking around, found a TV discarded by someone from his shopping cart.

I love this shopping weekend! It’s the perfect right time to use the coupons I’ve been clipping for the past few weeks. Yes, it’s a new hobby — bargain hunting and couponing! So mommy, I know. Used all together with free after money back stuff at pharmacies, I actually made money. I spent approximately 10 dollars and got 45 dollars money back.

Black Friday 2007 scores!:

• 17″ LCD TV - $199
• Linksys wireless router - $20
• Loads of DVDs 300, Spiderman3, Ocean’s Thirteen, etc. (I don’t remember) - $4-8
•  2GB SD memory card - $7
• Nintendo DS games - $5
• DVD player - $10
• Deep fryer (the one like in french fry stores HAHA!) - $30
• Goose down comforters with down pillows - $30
• Dunkin Donut Lattes - Buy 1, Get 1 free (Hahahahaha!)
• Colgate toothpaste - FREE!
• J&J lotions - FREE!
• Softsoap body washes - FREE!
• Garnier hair color stuff - FREE!
• OTC pain and cough meds - FREE!

There are still sales going on today, but I don’t know if the stores are fully wiped out of stocks. Awesome weekend! Until next year.

This is how crazy it gets at Black Friday in an electronics store. Hee!

“Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

– Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ

It’s not everyday we get an opportunity to be cheesy, being that we are one of the few people who abhor too cutesy cheesy stuff. Today however’s an exception coz you turn 22. (Ha-ha, as old as I am!) To enumerate everything I’m thankful for about you and our relationship would be the same as writing a novel. Though we now have bad days more often than ever, the list of beautiful things ironically gets longer. Yes, you still get my idiosyncratic thinking and my eccentric quirks. But I think you understand and try to understand me more than ever. The stories we share are more personal. Our relationship has gotten more intimate in a non-sexual way. It’s as if we’re two souls together in one. One can’t be without the other.

To my sungit shock absorber, taga kanchaw, favorite patient, sole confidante, y chromosome friend, best friend, and husband-to-be (YOWN).. Happy 22nd birthday! Though there are no birthday cakes and care packages sent today, know that I love you in such a final and absolute way. Always and forever, babycakes.

JAIGDEMASH!!!

I finally got my new phone replacement today — a T-Mobile Shadow. Whee, see I’ve never really been particular about cellphones. Just as long as I could call and text, I was fine. But since last year, I’ve been seriously wanting a Sony Ericsson W800i! Well, I still didn’t get that. I think this phone’s better though. I love the jog wheel design, which of course I couldn’t figure out at first. Haha! I love everything about this phone. Well the QWERTY keypad takes a little getting used to. But I seriously love it already.

 And the best part? I got it for half the usual retail price. Happy happy!

I’m really not good when it comes to book reviews, so don’t expect a lot from me. I chanced upon this book in the public library. It was probably Kal Penn walking out in the cover that did it. Haha, this is an old book. The first edition’s book cover looks totally different from this. Anyway, it’s a typical coming-of-age immigrant story that kept me up way past my bedtime. A Bengali couple move to Boston and tell the story of missing home and dealing with second generation immigrant children and all that. Typical story, but beautifully written. Shame, I haven’t read Interpreter of The Maladies yet.

This is my favorite quote from the book:

For being a foreigner, Ashima is beginning to realize, is a sort of lifelong pregnancy — a perpetual wait, a constant burden, a continuous feeling out of sorts. It is an ongoing responsibility, a parenthesis in what had once been ordinary life, only to discover that that previous life has vanished, replaced by something more complicated and demanding. Like pregnancy, being a foreigner, Ashima believes, is something that elicits the same curiosity from strangers, the same combination of pity and respect.

From Tini’s Multiply.

If you were born before 1993, then this survey should be easy for you to fill out!
If you’re not, dont even bother, you’ll just be confused!

1. What year were you born in?
– 1985

2. What Spice Girl were you when you were young?
– I don’t remember? I think I was at one point Sporty Spice, but EVERYONE knows I am NOT sporty. OMG, I would rather die than play sports. JK. Hahahaha!

3. Backstreet boys or NSYNC?
– Backstreet Boys foreveeeer! Oh, and also 98 Degrees. Haha!

4. Did you watch S Club 7?
– No, by that time I thought S Club 7 was way too kiddie for me. Does anyone remember Atomic Kitten? Hahahahaha!

5. What was your favorite, Sandlot or Little Rascals?
– Little Rascals. Alfalfa was such a cutiiie.

6. Did you ever have light up sneakers?
– Of course, they were pink Barbie ones with fake diamond studs. Omaygad! Tini had the same pair.

7. What was your favorite thing about recess?
– Playing jackstones/Chinese garter/patintero. Hahaha, kesehodang hindi makakain.

8. Cinderella or Snow White?
– Cinderella, coz Prince Charming set out to look for her. Kadiri, bata ko palang ang baduy ko na. May pa cheesy cheesy na kong ganitong alam. =))

9. Did you wake up really early just to watch cartoons on Saturday morning?
– No. I woke up early to play the Family Computer. Hahaha, asar lang hindi pa uso ang memory cards non e. Start from scratch nanaman once you turn off the system. When I got older, I woke up early to surf the Internet.

10. What was your favorite holiday?
– Christmas, definitely! I remember shuttling back and forth between the Raule’s and Bautista’s Christmas parties. And then going home at midnight to find our gifts from Santa. And when we used to play the games with the eggplants and plates, tapos Yo was our money Santa Claus. And of course, dancing with my cousins several times to whatever was the in pop song. Hahahaha, wait! I’m not quite sure I miss the performing part.

11. Did you ever try to stay up on Christmas just so you could see Santa?
– No, I didn’t have to. We were all up when it struck midnight anyway. It was all a matter of what time we could get our presents. Or rather, when the maid was going to put the gifts in our stockings. OMG. When I was a naive little girl, I remember getting jealous when my cousins got their Santa gifts first. Mom or Dad would always tell me, Santa was just on his way. HAHAHAHAHA!!

12. What grade did you like the best?
– I dunno, I guess Grade 4.

13. Ninja Turtles or Power Rangers?
– Power Rangers! It’s morphing tiiime! I watched this religiously every Friday.

14. What Power Ranger were you?
– Yellooooow Ranger.

15. Did you ever own a Chinese jump rope?
– I remember going through so many Chinese garters during elementary school. Haha, but no I wasn’t a pro in Chinese garter. Si Ate Jo ang magaling dito. Haha!

16. What was your favorite thing to eat?
– Seriously? Adobong pusit, especially the tentacles!, delivered from Mommy Norma’s.

17. What was your favorite color?
– At one point it was green. Haha

18. Barney or Sesame street?
– BATIBOT FOREVER!

19. Do you ever miss being a little kid?
– Yes, now that I think about it.

20. Do you wish you were older?
–Not really, but I was in a hurry to get my period. Bwahahaha!

21. What was your first pets name?
– I didn’t have a pet. I remember our first dog though. She was named Suki. The first day I met her she jumped all over me, and that sealed the deal. I was FOREVER afraid of dogs since then.

22. Who was your best friend in kindergarten?
– Kindergarten? I don’t remember. My preschool bestfriend though was Cherry.

23. Are you still friends with the person you were best friends with in the 3rd grade?
– Hahaha, my bestfriend then is my boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. We’re not best friends anymore. No, not because of Ian ha! HAHA.

24. Where did you live when you were 9?
– Sin City AKA Pasay City. I miss that literally crazy place.

25. What was your all time favorite movie?
– Do Re Mi. Omigooood, I would always cry sa ending.

26. Which did you like ‘Are You Afraid Of The Dark’ or ‘AHH! Real Monsters?
– Neither.

27. Did you watch Rockos Modern Life?
– No. I was busy with the Internet that time.=))

28. Who was your favorite Rugrat?
– Chuckie! Because of the way he talks.

29. Do you own a tamagochi?
– Yes, it was the ugly kind but it came from Hongkong. It was red with yellow ears, and it was a puppy. And yeah, I brought it to school everyday. Hahahaha!

Panera’s Mocha Swirl bagel with Honey Walnut cream cheese. Yuum!

Now if only we had Panera nearby.

Things that make me happy:

1. Holding hands
2. Newly changed bedsheets
3. Fluffy Downy-smelling bath towels
4. Sleeping in
5. Cooking for my family
6. “Free” items after rebates/coupons
7. Reading The New York Times’ in peace at the public library
8. Bookstores
9. Cheap signature items at Marshall’s
10. Pinoy Big Brother
11. Pushing Daisies
12. Gossip Girl
13. A seat during my daily commute
14. The smell of brewing coffee
15. Long burning hot showers
16. Love and all that jazz
17. Well-meant compliments
18. Babies and kids
19. Porto’s Goldilock’s cheese rolls
20. Thinking about being in Manila
21. Pho Bang’s #48
22. Bubble teas (extra points if with pudding)
23. Unexpected “I miss you” text messages
24. Halal chicken
25. Driving out
26. Taking pictures
27. Being motherly
28. Breakfast with somebody
29. Fresh air
30. Eating after brushing my teeth
31. Rootbeer
32. Proper grammar
33. Moving sermons during church service
34. Playing music reaaaally loud
35. Mommy blogs
36. Snail mail
37. Real Simple magazine
38. Making up Superlatives at Facebook
39. The thought of moving to sunny California
40. A job as a nurse
41. Downloading songs from Multiply
42. Peaches and cottage cheese
43. Taking pictures
44. Spring-to-summer transition weather
45. The smell of new books
46. Good hair days
47. Family time
48. Dishing out secrets with Tini
49. Having best friend reciprocity with my best friends
50. Movie dates with Ian, together or apart

This is a really old poster a friend of mine made.

Forgive me, it’s just that when I start to feel the cool autumn air I’m always taken back to two years ago when Ian and I finally got to talk again. With no strings attached. Leading to our relationship as we know it.

The beginnings of our relationship wasn’t exactly well chronicled in my journals. I was kind of in-between at that time. I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt and if I really wanted to feel, so I hindered myself from writing about it. I had several misgivings. I wanted to make sure everything was right and taken care of when it happened, yknow.

The funny thing is, all it took was just one song. So we were talking, Ian and I, and I was listening to Matt Wertz’ Red Meets Blue on Myspace. And, I kid you not, this inexplicable feeling rushed into me. Emptiness. Sadness. Happiness. Courage to just go and do it. Weird, but it was this song that made me feel it was okay to feel. That love was such a beautiful thing. And that love embraced imperfections.

I remember almost 4 years ago (EEK! Can’t believe it’s been THAT long.) when I just got here, I discovered the wonder that is the public library and I’d go home with 3 to 5 YA fiction series books in hand. It was Sweet Valley Kids/Twins/High when I was younger, but that time it was Gossip Girl along with Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants for me. I stopped reading after the 6th or 7th book. I think there are now 11 books, right? Anyway, I think I’ve outgrown the GG series.. But when I heard it was coming out on TV? Haha, watch me get hooked!

After watching the 4th episode, I think I’m starting to like Blair even more. Her character seems interesting — can be either the BFF or the worst enemy the next! But it’s her outfits I really love. Simple and sophisticated.

I’m watching way too much TV this season, partially because I’m finally done with nursing school. Here’s how my TV/download schedule looks like.

• Monday
  • 0800 - 0900 - Prison Break
  • 0900 - 1000 - Heroes
  • 1000 - 1030 - The Hills (Haha, I know. Guilty pleasure!)

• Tuesday - a slow night!
  • 0800 - 0900 - Biggest Loser (Haha!)
  • 0900 - 1000 - House MD.
• Wednesday
  • 0800 - 0900 - Kid Nation (CUTE!)
  • 0900 - 1000 - Gossip Girl
• Thursday
  • 0800 - 0900 - Ugly Betty
  • 0900 - 1000 - Grey’s Anatomy
• Friday
  • 0800 - 0900 - Friday Night Lights
  • 0900 - 1000 - Best Week Ever

And then to download!

• Dexter
• Reaper
• Private Practice
• Pushing Daisies
• Bionic Woman
• 30 Rock

To most, Ian and I have quite an eccentric relationship. For one, we officially became when we weren’t really together together. A lot of people ask us if it’s hard and how we make it work. It’s kind of hard to answer that question, coz it’s different for a lot of people. But here’s how we do it:

1. Talk, talk, and talk a lot. Because long distance calls are a b*tch, Skype is our bestfriend. It’s the first thing we open in our computers. The good thing about is that it’s free, and we can spend hours talking or not talking. What do we talk about? Oh, everything under the sun. From a complete rehash of our day or warfreaks in online forums. If anything happens and we can’t come to the computer to talk, there’s always the $4 Hello Asia phone card good for 45 minutes for me. And the P8/min IDD promo Globe has from 10pm to 4am I think for Ian.

2. Text till we can’t text no more. Oh yes, I really deserve this Facebook Superlative. Haha! Ian’s always the first to know about a lot of things in my life. We live for waking up in the middle of the night to numerous messages in our cellphone inboxes. Never mind that it’s only about this funny contestant in Wowowee.

3. Be involved. When we buy something, we show each other what we got. Complete with dress rehearsal over webcam. Before we head out for school/work/wherever, our outfits — mine especially - are screened. Haha, Ian’s pretty strict when it comes to “revealing” outfits when he isn’t here. Sooo.

4. Go on a date. I don’t care if this sounds pathetic. Haha, but from time to time Ian and I want to see a specific movie together. (Yesterday we saw Apocalypto. Nakakaasar yung ending.) Thank God for Bittorrent, we can actually download the same file and watch it together. Complete with popcorn, chocolates, and sodas beside us. Yum. Oh, and we buy cakes for the other’s birthday too. So what if we eat it ourselves? Haha!

5. Plan things together. Especially your future. Of course, our ultimate goal is to be together again. It helps talking about short-term and long-term plans to make it happen. Sometimes, I can’t help but be side-tracked by my fairy-tale dreams – yknow, weddings and kids. Haha!

6. Plan A, not Plan B. We set aside our other activities and reschedule them so that we’re free on certain nights and mornings. (Thank God for the 12 hour time difference of Manila and NY. One reason why I don’t want to move West just yet.) My classes this semester start at noon, which is ideally Ian’s bedtime.

7. Shop! We miss our favorite hobby — online window shopping! But nothing stops us. We scour websites together, and tell each other what we like. Well, more like hint for gifts during the special occasions.

8. Keep the family in the know. We talk to each other’s parents over Skype, e-mail or YM once in a while. Our moms do send e-mails to each other too… He, he, he! We want to make sure our respective families keep in touch and are in the know about our plans in our relationship. The elders really know best. We value their opinions about a lot of our plans.

9. Find a way to patch things up. Probably one of the hardest things in an LDR is fighting. Getting into a fight alone is aggravating; realizing you’re far from each other makes it worse. Ian and I sometimes most of the time, need to sleep it in for a night or sit it out for an hour. Talking rationally if I must add during a heated argument does not do us any good. Might be different for some, but find a way where you fix things and it works best for both of you.

10. Pray together. We always remind each other to pray. And a lot of times we do talk about the things we pray about. (This usually ends up in some crying fest.) More important than trusting your partner is trusting The Provider and that He’ll take you through. Of course, if it’s written in His Grand Plan. Haha!

Don’t know why I’m writing thing, LDRs are not for everyone. But it works for me and Ian Roy.

Halata ba, wala akong magawa? =))