As promised, here are some of the pics from my..err... coming-of-age ball so to speak. Sorry for the low resolutions, these are images from cellphone cameras only. Not to worry though, I have the rest of the pictures from the photograper with me, I just need to have 'em scanned. Enjoy..? Mwehe.

Christmas came and Christmas went.

I wouldn't say it was the best Christmas ever, but I know it is better than last year's . The family is complete, for one thing. My parents, grandparents and other aunties and uncles who live abroad are here in the Philippines with us and we got to celebrate with them for a while. For another, all my groups of friends now get along so well. We might as well merge into one so we wouldn't confuse ourselves with many group names.

I've been out a couple of times and each of them was a blast. The inuman session for Kat's birthday was a lot of fun too. Got my first taste of Tequila (Jose Cuervo and Don Angel anyone?), and gorged ourselves with scrumptious food that we ourselves made. There's carbonara, fried chicken and gravy, sisig, bopis, chips and dip, chicken lollipops, punch...and of course...a birthday cake. Played Pusoy and Tongits and Charades and suck-and-blow while we were all tipsy from alcohol. It was great.

 

New Year's was pretty much uneventful, but I'm glad there were more fireworks than firecrackers this year. It's more fun to watch people outdo each other with the spectacular fireworks they bought than plug my ears and nostrils because of the way too loud sounds and very smoky effects of noisy Judas' Belts and quitis and all that shit.

We had a lot of good times, packed on so many pounds (I would have to work doubly hard to lose these), watched a lot of movies, drank quite an amount of alcohol, and gave and received a lot of good presents.

But of course all good things must come to an end, and that end for me came in the form of school. I now must go back to my usual life that's devoid of gimmicks and free time and parents.

My dad already flew back to Abu Dhabi this morning. My mom would follow by the end of the month of January.

It's a bit hard for us, this being separated situation of ours. It's so difficult you know, trying not to but not being able to help getting used to something that is good. My parents being home has brought us a sense of wholeness. The time that they spent here are some of the most beautiful times of my life, but it just isn't enough to fill in the void that they would leave. They spend one month of the year with us and the other eleven months away, working. Don't get me wrong; Tita Ging's doing a very good job and I love her dearly, pero iba pa rin ang parents.

I could see for the past few days that my dad's ever jolly and mischievous nature was somewhat diminished. It is the same kind of sadness I see in him everytime his departure draws near. It's contagious you know. All of us in the immediate family were trying very hard not to show how sad we really are. It's funny actually, that we're all crying secretly in our pillows, or suddenly leaving the room with a stupid excuse just to shed a few tears unseen. It's stupid, actually, to be crying this much when we've already done this a million times.

We were snorting at my dad, who couldn't look back after he left us at the airport entrance. Sabi namin, ayaw lang nun ipakitang umiiyak din siya. My mom said that the crying bit is only upon the point of separation, but once you get inside, your mind will be set on what to do and where you're going next.

It made me think a little. Is death going to be like that? You'd feel sad at first but then you'd look forward to your next adventure, while the people you left behind cry and grieve of the loss of a good companion, not knowing that s/he is all right. S/he might miss the place s/he left behind, but s/he'll be busy enough not to feel too bad.

Just a thought.

'Til Later.

As promised...more pics! Check 'em out, see if you can spot yourself. Enjoy!:D

> Getting ready

> What to wear?

> La Familia

> Here comes the debutante

> fabulous dresses

> Cotillion de Honor

> Father-Daughter Dance

> Stunning Performances

> Make a Wish

> Beautiful People

> Chenyl at Eighteen

Let me tell you how my day went.

I woke up the same time I always wake up, got dressed and got to school on time. Went up toour usual room on the 3rd floor, with little time to spare. Hah.

I'd forgotten...we were supposed to go to the Nursing Auditorium on the first floor to watch a documentary.

I didn't know it was Friday the 13th then, do I didn't blame it on my luck...just my rusty memory.

No other mishaps followed that. In fact, I seemed to have a very good day. My Physics professor cancelled out so we didn't have last period. Then my Computer professor (whose class comes before Physics) also said he would be dismissing us early. And on top of all that, Lance (an RLE mate) celebrated his birthday in Max's, and treated the entire class to lunch.

So I laughed. This has got to be the best Friday the 13th, ever.

I went home, smiling because it was still early. And as the merry little jeep made its way, I felt a little twinge in my stomach. I decided to open my bag and...

My phone's gone.

I checked every pocket of my bag, but it wasn't there. Then I remembered placing my phone under the desk in the EdTech Room. Shit. I knew I wanted to get a new phone, but I didn't want to lose the old one. It has too much sentimental value.

I thought of calling Gian or Marj, since they were the class that were supposed to use the room next. I could just ask them to keep the phone for me in the meantime. When I got home, I couldn't find my directory. I had no choice, but to go back to UST.

Met terrible traffic. The jeep I was riding broke down, so I had to catch another one. It rained on me; of course I had no umbrella.

In the end I got my phone back. Thanks to Marj and Marlo, who saw me outside their classroom window.

I could've had worse luck, but thank God I still have my phone. I'd be lost without it.

If that was Friday the 13th's doing or I'm just plain stupid....you decide.

On a happier note, several friends of mine are celebrating their birthdays. Belated happy birthday to Jay (Jan. 8?) and happy birthday to Lance and Maggie(Jan. 14). I'll be attending a big party tomorrow to celbrate Maggie's 18th. Can't wait.

And also, saw a to-die-for dress in Genevieve Gozum. I've been looking for something to wear on Dette's 18th (a formal event), I chanced upon it yesterday and loved it at once. Php 1,100. I didn't buy it yet; I didn't have enough on me and my mom told me to lay off the shopping for a while. But I have to have it! Pakshet, it's so hard to find a good-fitting dress noh! So...to buy or not to buy? Help!

Later!

(This was written last Sunday, January 15, 2006) 

Someone asked me about it again. Or rather, wondered out loud. Last night, during Maggie's debut.

"Bakit kaya walang boyfriend si Chen? Parang imposible eh."

That was Macky, thinking loudly. This question has been asked so many times before, just a little rephrased like "Bakit wala ka pang boyfriend?" or "Wala kang boyfriend? Talaga?". And when I answer that no I don't have one, they'd be like "Baket?" or a more disbelieveng "Weeeeh" or weeeh's expounded version, "Di nga?" Funnily enough, I'm also the only single girl in my classroom barkada. Isn't life so gosh darn funny? And why is my being single so hard to believe?

In truth, I have no idea why. I probably just haven't met my match yet? I mean, I've had my share of suitors, but none of 'em measured up to my standards. Nobody's been able to woo me with all the classic, stupid moves and say all the cheesed pick-up lines and not make me gag.

So I thought it'd be fun if I made up a list of attributes of the person whom I'd like to meet, sooner or later. (Life, if you're listening...better sooner than later, all right?)

Here goes....

Physically, he must:
> be taller than me at all times. I'm only 5'4, but I wear heels (at least 2 inches) most of the time.
> have good skin. (negotiable)
> be chinky-eyed. Chinito. Hahaha. (negotiable, but I just have this weird preference for them)
> be well-groomed. Hair and overall hygiene included. EDIT: Also, preferrably good smelling.
> know how to dress. Doesn't have to have Queer Eye taste (that's just scary), but must at least know which colors match.
> be of moderate build. Not to pudgy, not too skinny (although I've been known to like thin guys). EDIT: Huggable types.

Intellectually, he must:
> cope with his studies, and must take his education seriously enough. I don't like slackers who don't have any direction in life whatsoever. EDIT: Wag naman pala masyadong OC. That'll suck the fun out of everything.
> know how to to make good, sensible conversation.
> have a good sense of humor (good delivery of jokes required).

Emotionally, he must:
> be stable. Obviously.
> be very patient.
> not be easily jealous.
> not be masumpungin. I have no patience for sumpungin guys, na mahilig mag-inarte. Puh-lease.
> not be overly sweet. I've a family history of diabetes.
> be a gentleman.

Others: He must:
> not smoke.
> have a good sense of direction (since I have an abhorrent one.)
> know how to drive. I'm not allowed anywehere past six unless my parents know how I'm getting home safely. (negotiable)
> know my cycle, so he knows when to back off when I start PMSing. (that's just gross, yeah, but it's for his own good.)
> not be too conservative. I like how I dress, thanksverymuch so he can either take it or leave it.
> know how to dance. Doesn't have to be very good at it, but must have a basic sense of rythm.
> preferrably know how to play an instrument...or have a nice singing voice. I'm a sucker for crooners or guitar players, since I love to sing as well.
> be a good friend

And that's about it. Are my standards too high? Tell me.

Here's what's been happening this past week:

1. Maggie's 18th went OK. Amateur bands playing for entertainment, the food ruining my one-week diet, me sitting in the wrong table (i.e. the couples' table)...the works. People asked if I wanted to go party elsewhere after Maggie's thingie, but I couldn't because of damn CWTS. I had to go home early to get some shuteye. Gian was supposed to take me home, along with several other girls. But because Murphy's Law rules my very existence, I didn't get to go home until 3am. One particularly annoying ex-classmate of ours drank too much, and got very drunk. She was fainting and puking all over the place, and Gian didn't want her anywehere near his car until she was sober. He didn't want to risk getting his Mercedes puked on. And for another thing, none of us knew exactly where she lived. So we waited. And waited. And waited. Even Maggie's mom offered to let her stay for the night, but (in her half-conscious state) she kept refusing and said she had to go home. I've never been so annoyed with anyone as much as I had that night.

2. CWTS off-campus shift is over. We'll be doing in-campus things (whatever those are) from now on.

3. My RLE shift from hell has ended, thank God. Pusung's just impossible to like in the clinical area. She's much too full of energy, it's not healthy. She yells every damn command she could think of, making each and every one of us nervous as heck. And when we're nervous, of course we'd forget everything we're supposed to do. So she'd say we're not taking our course seriously enough. Dude, my parents work hard to pay for my tuition, and I work my ass off to keep my grades up, so she's in no position to tell me that I'm not taking my course seriously.

But hey, I survived. For the time being.

4. Played my first ever, full-blown basketball game. Two words: exhausting and humiliating. Two minutes into the game without warm-up and my lungs and legs were ready to collapse. What the heck possessed me to choose basketball as my last PE? What?

5. Watched School of Rock, like, 5 times. Gads, I'm such a pedo. I lurve Freddy Jones and Zack Mooneyham. Hot kids who can kick ass at drums and guitar. (Hey, Freddy's only a year younger than I am, all right?) I'm so obsessed with the movie right now, I'm thinking of doin a fic on it. Freddy/Katie, because of that scene where they were bickering about drummers. (Katie to Freddy: "She's a better drummer than you. At least she's got rythm.") *sings* Baby we were getting straight A's, but we were living the dumb days..

6. Watched Memoirs of a Geisha on DVD. I couldn't resist it; it was right there! Clear copy! The movie's wasn't coming out very soon, and I've been itching to see it. It was very good, go see it for yourself. There were some things that got cut out, but it was OK. Its at least three hours long, but I loved every minute. Michelle Yeoh's look wasn't exactly what I expected for Mameha, but her attitude sure was. Hatsumomo needed a little more bitchiness. Sayuri was perfect. The Chairman...I wish they could've gotten someone a bit younger. Ziyi Zhang looked seventeen next to him (Question: how old is she, really?I don't know eh.) Ah basta. Nagandahan ako, walang kokontra,

7. Finally! Got that Genevieve Gozum dress I've been mooning over for! We went to Tutuban Center yesterday to see if I could find a cheaper alternative. We tried, but I didn't seem to like the dresses for sale there. The colors were bland, the cloth too thin and the fit...well, flubs like mine are a little hard to hide. Casual and gimmick wear in Tutuaban are fabulous, but dresses and shoes, not so much.

And now, I have to log off because I have two quizzes due tomorrow, and I hafta study. Ja.

Mwahahahahaha.

It's about time too, ne? The old one was getting a bit tiresome. This new layout is from Soundless Words. Sakto sa darating na occasion no? No, I'm not talking about Chinese New Year. More like...Valentine's Day.:D There are still a few kinks need to straighten out but basically, it's done. Yay.

Much love!