Saigon's Secret Agent

This just really tickles me. Haha!
Guess who's been playing MI5 agent?

Boys will be boys, I guess. But really, I'm so glad you're enjoying my gift! Why am I providing you with the gadgets, though? Isn't that supposed to be your job, now that Malcolm is gone? Haha!

It's MY Turn

Being an extremist, I always give my all. I bend over backwards as much as I can, just to make sure I am being understanding, accepting, supportive, and giving - to the point of sacrificing my own likes, wants, needs, feelings, and happiness.
But too much of this leads to self deprivation, and even depression... And I've been through both.

I think this also has something to do with how passionate a person I am. I don't believe in doing things half-baked; it's either I'm all in, or I'm not in at all.

  But guess what? The program is about to change. My happiness has taken the back seat long enough. No more heavy sighs, no more frowns, no more tears, and no more bending over backwards.
It's MY turn now!

The Spy Who Loved Me

For my friends who are asking, yes, HW did love my Christmas present. I got him high powered binoculars and a spy accessory, so he can carry on being Bear Grylls / James Bond / MI5 agent.

So yes, he thinks I give the coolest presents ever - which I do. Haha!

Haha! True, no?

Just sayin'!

Dream A Little Dream Of Me

Baby, for tonight...

Dream A Little Dream Of Me
- The Mamas and The Papas

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me.

Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you miss me.
While I'm alone, blue as can be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Stars fading but I linger on, dear
Still craving your kiss.
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear,
Just saying this...

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you.
But in your dreams, whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Music Soothes the Soul

As much as I love HW's present, I still can't help but feel really sad that we're not together for Christmas once again. There is this knot in my tummy that simply won't go away. I thought a new pair of shoes - especially Jimmy Choos - could make everything okay. I guess Shoe Therapy doesn't work all the time after all.

In my depressed state, I decided to immerse myself in Christmas tunes. I may not be any happier, but I do feel more at peace; more calm and serene.
Music is probably still the best therapy in the world.
Still... Sigh....

A 'Choo'per-Duper Christmas!

OH
MY
GAWD.
This is pretty much what I looked like when I opened HW's present last night:

Cos guess what my baby got me for Christmas?!?!?!?!?!?!

You sure know how to make up for not being here, my love. Haha!
And yes, you know me so damn well. Gawd, I'm still in shock.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Mmmmmmmwah!!! You'll get the real, big, wet one tomorrow!

Merry Christmas

Growing up, the holiday season was always "the most wonderful time of the year" for me. It was a time for family, true friends, warm hugs, good food, cheerful greetings, and delightful presents. The air just seemed different during this season - full of love, happiness, and warmth. It was perfect.

And then I became an adult. Responsibilities have kept me away from home for years, and instead of spending this time with loved ones, I would find myself working... Working to make Christmas and New Year happy and joyous for everyone else. It's not easy being the epitome of happiness when, deep down, you feel the exact opposite; but I had to do what I had to do.
And so the holiday season, for me, went from being "the most wonderful time of the year" to becoming the bleakest one.

And then along came HW. But HW has his responsibilities as well. Like me, he has to do what he has to do. I do understand all that, but still, this is me upon finding out that I won't be with HW this Christmas:

He still tried to make my night special though, and gave me my Christmas present to open at midnight. Thanks, baby. I do appreciate it, and knowing how you always seem to know what makes me smile, I'm sure I'll be making an update after I've opened my present. Haha!
Also, HW, I will make sure we celebrate Christmas together, though ours will be a bit delayed...

But you have to wear this:

Hahahaha!
But seriously, on the bright side, I will get to start the year off with a bang (and also some of the sweetest hugs and kisses. Hehe) with HW. Hooray for that!

Now I'm off to have Christmas dinner and drinks with my friends. True, I will miss my beloved family, friends back home, and my dear HW - but there will be other Christmases, and they will be happy, merry, and bright!
So to everyone out there, Merry Christmas!!!

When you stop chasing

the wrong things

you give the right things

a chance to catch you.

Cucina di Jenny

I made some Ciambotta for HW last night.

It's an Italian veggie stew which I've never cooked before...
And he said it was really good! Whew.
Grazie, il mio amore!

Cook-A-Doodle-Do

It seems the kitchen was hotter than usual today. Whew! Isn't the weather supposed to be cooler during the Holiday season?

But I do love cooking for my man. His lunches are my favorite.
I know how he works his ass off, and so I want him to have a yummy meal (made with love) to enjoy in the middle of the day. Mwah!

In Washi's Wake

Typhoon Washi hit Mindanao Friday night. Some people were having their respective Christmas parties and were commenting on how it sounded like a washing machine outside, what with the strong winds and heavy rain.
By 2am, Saturday morning, some of these people were to be washed away by a flash flood.

Two days later, the death toll reaches 600+, and it continues to rise - almost as fast as the waters did on that fateful night. Thousands of families are now staying at evacuation centers, their houses and belongings lost to the flood.

They have run out of coffins, so the dead are being placed in plastic bags. A mass burial had to be performed today to prevent the spread of disease coming from the decomposing bodies, which they could not treat as they have run out of formaline. Can you imagine just what these people are going through?

The photos are horrifically reminiscent of the 1991 Ormoc tragedy, with both incidents being blamed on flash floods and landslides due to rampant illegal logging.
The citizens of Ormoc lost 5,000+ lives in 1991; how can the very same incident occur in our country again, 20 years later? Was Ormoc not warning enough? How many lives does it take for us to learn our lesson?

Last weekend, I was feeling a bit sad that I won't be spending Christmas with HardWood again this year. Now I feel shallow and stupid. How can I be sad about that, when there are others out there who are facing the fact that they will never see their loved ones, ever again?

My heart and prayers go out to the poor victims of Typhoon Washi. I have no idea how, but may you find peace and love in the midst of this tragedy.

Cook-A-Doodle-Do

Ah... Yet another day of cooking for HardWood.

I love giving my man a happy tummy (among other things)!

You're Good When You're Bad

The biggest question of the season has come up once again...
Have you been naughty or nice?

People are so quick to judge those who have been "bad". First of all, "bad" means different things to different people. Just because you don't like it, you don't do it, or you don't have the guts to do it (ha!), doesn't make something or someone "bad".

Personally speaking, I would rather be with someone who has a more than colorful past, than with someone who has a squeaky clean history. And why not? "Nice" is mediocre, and a colorful past builds character.

1. Smart VS Intelligent - The intelligent person knows what's right from wrong, and the good from the bad, cos he's read about it. The smart one knows cos he's been through it.
Intelligence is knowing only the basics. Being smart prepares you for the unexpected - and the unexpected, most often than not, always happens in real life. How do you avoid reaching the point of no return? Bankruptcy, divorce, homelessness, etc... Past mistakes teach you these intricate lessons - not books or videos.
So, though an intelligent person may know how to start a fire, it's the smart one who'll know how to keep it burning.

2. Experienced VS Sheltered - Never ever underestimate the power of experience.
How do you make enough money to retire at 40? How do you pick a lock? How do you satisfy your partner's needs? How do you change a flat tire? As with Item #1, reading about something doesn't make one an expert. Get out from behind that book and get your boots wet! You may get dirty, hurt, heartbroken, wounded... So what?!? Remember, practice makes perfect. You gain the know-how when you get down and dirty - when you experience things hands-on.
So, though a sheltered person may be all sugar-and-spice-and-everything-nice, it's the experienced one who will know how to truly satisfy your every craving, your every want and need - mentally, emotionally, physically, and more.

3. Certainty VS Uncertainty - We all know that it's important to know what you want in life - but it's equally as important to know what you don't want.
Every experience you go through ends with you ticking some boxes in your head... Like/Dislike, Add/Subtract, Build/Destroy, Remember/Forget, Share/Shush, Repeat/Avoid, and the like. The more things you go through, the more boxes you mark; the more boxes you mark, the more you know what you want and what you don't want; the more you know what you don't want, the better decisions you make; the better decisions you make, the happier you get.
So how do you know that you won't like something, when you haven't even tried it? How do you know for sure that it won't make you or your partner happy?
Ah, but those who have actually experienced these things... They know.

4. Confidence VS Insecurity - Do you know anyone who keeps raving about the compliments they get? Totally rritating, right? Believe me, they are trying to convince themselves more than anyone else. That's why I like people who have "been there, done that" - they ooze with confidence, without needing to brag, cos they already know what they are capable of.
Bragging is a sign of insecurity. If you need to keep telling the world how awesome you are, then you're probably not. Hehe.

So, yes, I'd rather be with someone who's been there, done that. I'd rather be with someone who's gotten drenched in the rain numerous times. I'd rather be with someone who has already done all the dirty deeds, than one who is just about to do them (this could be detrimental to your relationship as well!).
I'd rather be with someone who knows what he's doing, cos he's done it before; able hands are way better than shaky ones. When a person with all that experience under their belt comes into your life, thank the heavens for finding this wild child, then sit back and enjoy the ride.

NOTE: It's also a bigger accomplishment to tame a wild cat than a house cat. Haha!

Shoe Therapy

Shoeseseses!

Never fails!