Christmas Hang Over

This was written few weeks ago. Started just before Christmas day, but everytime I had the chance to post, I dont know what stops me. Maybe now, I am ready. :)

Questions and Answers:

What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Live and work in this country far from family and loved ones. Cook my own food. Wash my own clothes. Tidy up things and clean up my bed.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I barely can remember my new year’s resolutions. but maybe, I was able to keep them in one way or another.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
yup. Dami ko na inaanak!

Did anyone close to you die?
not that close. But yes.

What countries did you visit?
China! Oh, what a long visit…

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Direction. More responsibility. Peace of Mind. Calmness of heart.

What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Days before I left Philippines. One moving experience for me. One big leap. Saying goodbye to my old routine and familiar faces and just waking up in a new world has been a roller coaster ride.

My first ever Disneyland day!  it’s every child’s dream you know…

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Work and live on my own.  Added to that, in a foreign land.

And I was able to give my sister the opportunity to ride her first plane, to set foot in a foreign land, and see Mickey and Minnie Mouse live!

A successful Toy Show/Exhibit in Hong Kong last October. I’ve got so many projects that were showcased. 

What was your biggest failure?


Did you suffer illness or injury?
had a black eye because it was hit by something.

What was the best thing you bought?
I bought myself a mobile phone from my own hardship and perspiration.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Me. 

and my good friend pau chavez.  di ko man siya napanood sa Philippine idol, and I felt sorry she was voted out, I’m still so proud of her. I remember kinantahan niya pa lang ako last year nung birthday ko sa Panay Kalipay, ngayon, star na siya.  Pau, I am so proud of you.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?


Where did most of your money go?
Family, travel, and savings for the FUTURE 

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
February is nearly is coming  Finally, I’ll be able to breathe manila pollution again.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2006?


Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Must be happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? FATTER!
iii. richer or poorer? FATTER! Ahahaha!

What do you wish you'd done more?
Focus. Sense of Purpose.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
staying up too late. buying things that are unnecessary.

How many one-night stands?
nada.

What was your favorite TV program?
oh I so miss pinoy teleserye! And pinoy big brother!

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes. But I had to let go of the feeling very soon. This is bad.

What was the best book you read?
Have read a lot of books this 2006. Number one pa din ang itim na aklat ni Bob Ong.

What was your greatest musical discovery?


What did you want and get?
inner sense of happiness.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Sorry haven’t watched films lately. But I’ve seen a great Japanese film on DVD, entitled, “Shinobi.” And Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

And oh, I love trans-america.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I celebrated my 23rd birthday at Bao Li Hotel, here in China, with my new found family. I had a dimsum and dumplings party, with orange custard and I blew an orange cake! Haven’t done that for years!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More places to go to.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
well, have experienced winter…  this summer-lovin’ gal has finally loved wearing boots and scarves. :P

What kept you sane?
My oh-so-very-good friend, MIN. 

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?


What political issue stirred you the most?
same old GMA and corruption issues

Who did you miss?
Everyone and everything I left back in the Philippines.

Who was the best new person you met?
I’ve met a lot of people this year. But I can say that the family I’ve known here are the best people in 2006.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
I’ve learned it the hard way.

“nobody REALLY has anybody”

and that LOVE is actually a BIG word.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
I’ve matured a lot.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
Watching fireworks display with a special person in Disneyland while all the Disney songs were being played.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I’m becoming more independent and responsible each passing day.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
too crybaby.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:


Was 2006 a good year for you?
yeah, I think so.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Too special to tell you dear reader.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?


Where were you when 2006 began?
in the Philippines.

Who were you with?
At home with my family. Lighting up fireworks with my sisters and cousins.

Where will you be when 2006 ends?
We plan to have a New year’s countdown in Hongkong. And be at World Carnival.

Who will you be with when 2006 ends?
with my new found family. 

Do you have a new years resolution for 2007?
be a better person. With more purpose. And more direction.

What was your favorite month of 2005?
late October and early November.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2005?


Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Everyone I left back home.

What was your favorite record from 2006?


How many concerts did you see in 2006?
none.

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2006?
Yeah. Too much.

Do a lot of drugs in 2005?
no.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
yeah.

How much money did you spend in 2006?
I don’t want to know.

What was your proudest moment of 2006?
When I’ve finally decided to work and live on my own.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2006?


If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
I should have been a good person.

What are your plans for 2007?
work really hard. And save.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I may say that for a few months I have stayed in here in China, I have changed a lot. I’ve had so many realizations and re-learnings and re-discoveries that happens to be necessary on my journey.

What are your wishes for the new year?
Good health for me and my family and loved ones.
More opportunities to be able to make a mark in the world.
Love. And inner peace.


Christmas 2006

Maligayang Pasko.
Maligaya ang Pasko.

No simbang gabi.
No caroling.
No puto bumbong.
No bibingka.
No Christmas Tree.
No Kare kare.
No lechon.
No family.
No relatives.
No friends & loved ones.
No scent of Filipino Christmas.

This was my first ever. Yes, my dear reader, this is my first Christmas far different from all Christmases I’ve spent for 22 years of my life. This was my first time to celebrate Christmas away from my home, my family and loved ones. This was my first time to celebrate with my new found family here in China. This was my first winter Christmas.

I’ve had mixed emotions. I’ve felt excitement and happiness and eagerness to spend Christmas in a foreign land, with people I’ve only known for a few months but have made my life here in China worthwhile and fulfilling. On the 24th, I couldn’t count how many times I cried, or how many minutes every crying moment have lasted, some of them, with audiences, most of them, without. Yes, this is what they call, Christmas blues. I’ve realized it wasn’t really a nice feeling at all. But still Christmas has to pass. And it has to be a memorable one.

Just before lunch time, Karla and I went off to the grocery to buy ingredients for our share for “Noche Buena.” Then we cooked and prepared. It was almost 12 midnight when we finished. And finally, Noche Buena with my new family has begun. I prepared kaldereta, fried chicken, and coffee jelly for dessert. Others have prepared spaghetti, binagoongan, crispy pata, chopsuey, macaroni salad…and the list goes on… The table was so full of all these dishes we used to prepare during Christmas in the Philippines. It was a sumptuous Noche Buena. And then it was followed by our kris kringle. It was a whole lot of fun. I got the name, “Push the button to eject teacher,” which I knew eventually was Hera. The ceiling for our gifts is 100RMB (roughly about Php 600+). Whoever she was, I thought, I need to give something that would make her Christmas memorable. I started on with a speech before finally giving Hera the gift.

I know you really would want to know what I gave her. To readers below 18, beep beep. I bought her a vibrator. (A friend, after telling the story, told me in exact words, “it’s nice you encourage exploration”) yes. exploration. haha.

Malen picked my name. The whole time that she was telling me how funny the name of whom she has picked, she didn’t know it was me. Who would have thought I will choose a name as funny as “LUNINGNING?” Funny as it may seem, I have reasons.

I can say it was a memorable Christmas-- a Christmas I am lucky enough to celebrate and feel, and experience. Next year, I don’t know where I would be celebrating Christmas, but for sure, like all Christmases I’ve had and will be having; I have to make sure it should be a memorable one.


A happy JOKE

When you’re feeling low wherever you go,
In your purse is a curse that I bestow.

Hold it right.
Squeeze it tight and hear the laughter break;
It is “I” with my hand that your shoulder I take.

For in this time when you feel
There’s no where else to go,
Silently I pray for you
I laugh with you….

Never again to be blue.

I received this. My first ever and only Christmas gift that I have received across the miles. Not from my family, but from a very good friend. I don’t usually talk about her in most of my entries. Not just because I don’t want to share her with just anybody, but simply because of the thought that, “if I write something about her, it should be something more than the ordinary…” But hey, I caught myself writing about her now. Maybe I just couldn’t contain how happy I am having her.

Min is a friend of more than five years. She has always been my solace, always makes me feel special… always keeps me sane. She just knows the right things to say, the perfect moments to say or do things. We talk about almost everything in this world. She taught me about life’s cruelties and subtleties.

We’ve shared a lot of experiences. We’ve been to a lot of places. We’ve been to a lot of restaurants. We’ve taken almost every minute of our extra time to talk and talk and talk. We’ve used up a lot of tissues for our unending crying moments. We’ve laughed our hearts out to many jokes.

We’ve stayed in the Philippines. She left for Japan. I was still in the Philippines then. She came back to the Philippines. I left for China. She came back to Japan. I have proven with our friendship that distance will never ever be a hindrance to a strong relationship.

I have faith that we will see each other soon. And be able to do the things we’ve used and loved to do.
I love my friend so much. And if there would be only one friend left, I would want it to be her. Just her. And I am safe.