~My Free Zone in the Ether~

Oo, hindi ako makatulog eh, at kung hindi ka makatulog, kung anu-ano ang naiisip mo.

So ayun nga, mega internet ako, sound tripping, nadiscover ang bagong youtube sensation na BoyceAvenue, and I love their cover song of "Angel" and "Realize". FAcebook ako, upload lang ng pics, and dinownload ko ang mga old pics ko from my photosharing accounts...

Anyway, sa hindi pagdating ng kaibigang Sandman at antok, napaisip ako... about what? Ai (love) desu. Pano mo ba malalaman na may gusto ka na sa isang tao kasi? Nakapagtataka, na sa tagal nyong magkakasama and lumalabas kayo parati,  ay bigla na lang, BAM! You don't look at him the same way! Haayyy.. nga naman oh.

Sabi ni Sai (Naruto) "I read in a book, people always smile whe they're around the person they like". I smile more...

Kaso, pano kung ang rason kung bakit "you don't look at him the same way" is dahil alam mo na hooked sya sa isang girl, na committed, and tingin nya sa sarili nya, "kabet" and ngayun, break na yung girl and yung bf, and his thinking na Ok na, kaso, he's still giving her some space, kaya naman di masyado kinukulit, pero he thinks na malakas ang pagasa nya, pero he's still thinking "HE'S SINGLE SO HE'LL MINGLE", kaya naman mega sama sya sa group hangouts palagi, and...! Ok, not making sense na siguro ako, sa sarili ko lang!

Sabi ko nga sa sempai ko, ilang araw pa lang naman, tingnan natin if it's a fleeting thing lang or hindi, then dun natin malalaman kung anu ang gagawin. Mahirap yatang maging hero noh! Isave mo, pero at the end ang tanung kung may kapalit! Oo, gusto ko may kapalit! Yes, I'm a selfish being. Not settling for less! Saka main question pa, ay kung gusto nya magpasave! LOL! ^^

Hay, Koi da ne... it's really complicated. Kaya nga sinasabi ko, mas smooth ang takbo ng buhay, kung less nito eh... pero what to do, it adds spice to life!



 

Employee: "It's Christmas!"
Employer:"Due to the current economic situation, I'm afraid this is the decision of the management. I'm sorry. Happy Christmas!"

And the employee walked away, head bowed, clutching his final pay in his hand and putting on a brave front. He wondered how he'll tell his family that he got laid off and it's Christmas!

This is the reality that's happening in the world today, and Dubai is not immune to it. Over the past 3 weeks, an estimate of 50 thousand expatriates has been made redundant in both multinational and local companies. With the real estate market down, companies who banked heavily in the real estate boom are the first one affected. Developers have stopped most of their projects, 6 thousands laborers were sent back to their home countries because construction has stopped, real estate companies downsized their staff because no one is buying, banks are in the dumps with their money supply and profits dwindling, and the layman withdraws his savings just in case!

It makes you pause if you think all of this is happening and it's happening so fast! The UAE government is trying it's hardest not to cause panic in the market,but it's inevitable with the current state of things. Just yesterday, 25 people in our office, including me, withdrew their money and savings from their atm and savings accounts because of talks of a lot of bank branches closing and putting limits in withdrawals.Our office boy was in HSBC to withdraw money and he was number 2704 in the line! It's kinda alarming that things are happening at this rate!

And it's Christmas! I'm just glad to be going home for a 3 weeks respite amidst all this.^_^

Stroke of Luck indeed! I was looking to do some part time job and saw a post in this yahoo groups I'm in for a concert that's going to be held in Dubai Festival City. I didn't  know it was the Queens+ Paul Rodgers concert!

Yay! Backstage Pass Baby!! I applied fo rthe coordinator part time position! So I'm gonna be having that BADGE which is the GOLDEN ticket to the concert site and backstage! LOL! Yay! Can't wait! I'ma Queen fan but not much for Paul Rodgers! And to see them performing Live and FOR FREE! That's a big Plus indeed! ^_^ Can't wait for Friday!

PROCEED WITH CAUTION.....

This seems to be the approach that everyone is doing. May it be the client, the employer or the employee.

The client, because you never know how the market will suddenly turn out, and the have to protect their assets and investments.
The Employer, they don't know when the Client will suddenly bail out and if they have teh sufficient funds to retain the service.
The Employee, because they never know when the boss will suddenly decide to kick them out due to cost cutting, retrenchment, and financial crisis.

Everyone is proceeding with caution, that it's so ridiculous to hear people here in teh Middle East say with confidence that it won't be affected. These are obviouly the ones that open their friendster and facebook accounts first thing once they'e started their PC. Financial woes are palstered in teh paper, it's just that the UAE is not giving it too much hype as comapred to other nations, because once the headlines reads "UAE TO CUT INTEREST RATES" what would a nation who relies heavily on foreign investments and services be? Sa Kangkungan ika nga natin.

They would rather plaster David and Victoria Beckham visiting Dubai (wonder how much they were paid!) than put in page 1 the $100 + billion dollars given by the government to bail out the banks here in UAE. Good thing the arabs have enough assets and money to support the whole middle east even as the whole world plunges into a financial crisis.

But then, EXPATS! Wake up! It's ridiculous how expats here throws awaya their money as if it's still holiday season, while most of job applications are pouring in from everywhere...

With GITEX week comes loads of freebies and great prices on all kinds o gadgets. It's like the techie Festival! My sister bought herself an O2 with a free Coffee maker and Wifi Landline phone along with it (alcatel) Not bad!

I still have to really try it out. But I guess with the wide-range, 10mp, 18x zoom, it's the next best thing to having a semi-pro camera. Not thinking of the convesion rate now (AED =Peso), i guess it's a pretty OK price. (will have to pay for this over the next two months!) Oh well, there are simply a lot of moments in life that you have to take and preserve and looke back on. ^_^ So i reckon, it's a good buy.

Kaibigan, makinig ka sa payo ko
Di man base sa experience
Ibase na lang natin sa Libro

Mahal mo sya,
Mahal ka ba nya?
Alam naman nya eh,
Kaso, si Pogi,
Patay-malisya.
Happy ka parin ba?

Oras mo yan, damdamin mo
Masaya ka man, doble ang sakit sayo.
Ang tanong,
Susubukan mo ba ang tatag mo?

Magdesisyon ka na
At magdidisyembre na.
Nang kay Santa
makawish ka ng bagong "Papa"!

Note: Peace tayo! Makata ako ngayon eh! LOL! Lam mo naman, nasabon ng Namamahalang Director! ^_^

 

 

Ber Months na
Lumipas ang September
Tayo'y asa October
Dalawang linggo pa,
Papaunta na sa November

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next Day
you gave it away

LSS ako sa kantang to
Sa Opinsina, fudcourt o sa banyo man
Bigla akong napapapito

 

Binabasa ko ngayun ang librong "Marely & Me" na pinahiram sakin nung PA nung director namin na si Julia. Bago ko umpisahan, sabihin ko lang na si Julia ang isa sa pinaka BAGETS in their late fourties na nakilala ko! 4 times divorced, pero di parin disillusioned sa lablyf (may bago syang partner ngayun) with a Lesbian daughter and a heterosexual one. Kung pano naging ganun, di rin nya alam!

Anyway highway! so eto nga, habang aking binabasa ang "Marley & Me" na kwentong ng magasawang Grogan at ng asong si Marley, naala ko yung mga naging alaga ko. Nagvary lang naman sa talong uri ng hayop lahat ng naging pets ko. Aso, Pusa, at Daga. Syempre, sa lahat ng toh, the best parin ang aso noh! Walang katulad! Sa mga pagkakataon nag nagshift ako sa daga at pusa, eh kung kinukuha na ni Lord ang alaga ko o kaya naman gawa ng kalamidad na not foreseen. Walking down memory lane, eto ang mga naging aso ko, askal, halfbreed, & no breed:

1. Si Blackie - syempre, kugn musmos ka pa, di pa masyadong "cool" ang name ng pets mo. Color coded ang identification. Simple lang. Kung anu kulay, yun narin pangalan. Regalo sya ng tatay namin sa Kaptid kong si Ninoy. Si Blackie ang pinaka the best na aso namin! Loyal, matalino, protective, game na game, the IDEAL dog kung baga.  Mangapitbahay man toh dun sa kabilang subdivision, nakakabalik magisa! Ang galing noh! Hinabol pa nya minsan yung schoolbus namin papunta ng school! Umabot sya hanggang sa school gate,   NONSTOP! Kinelangan tuloy nung schoolbus driver namin na ihatid sya! Pero, kinailangan namin iwan si Blackie nugn lumipat kami eh, kasi dumating si Tweetie... *sobs
2. Si Tweetie - tama, named after the Looney Tunes. Regalo din si Tweetie samin, kaso di ko na maala kung sino nagbigay eh. yung kapitbahay ata namin. Pinagpalit kay Balckie, mas bata, mas sweet, babae eh. Nabuntis ni Balckie bago sya mawalay samin! Sa kasawiang palad, she died after giving birth...kinalaingan namin i-bottle feed yung mga anak nya, pinamigay din ng tatay ko in the end lahat nung puppies, except for one.
3. Si Cory - anak ni Tweetie na natira samin. wala na ko masyado maalala sa aso na toh, except namatay sya sa akisidente at umiyak kami. Nasagasaan. sabi nila kung ang aso daw ay namatay, ibig sabihin hinarang nya yung aksidente para sa master nya. Salamat Cory...
4. Si ChiChi - magandang aso. Bigay din. Askal man, pero mukang may breed. Kaso, masyadong maarte tong asong toh eh. Although minahal ko rin sya, hindi sya ganun ka attached sakin. Ang balahibo nya, laging may naiiwan sakin pagpasok ko sa skul! ^_^. Binigay ko sya sa cousins ko.
5. Si Marshall - bigay ng ahente ng tatay ko, eto na siguro ang second best kay Blackie! May breed tong si Marshall, di lang namin malaman kung ano. Gray Eyes eh! Imported ibig sabihin! Saka ang built, hindi Askal! Lumaki sya samin 2 years din yun. Kaso, parang Marley si Marshall eh, medyo hyperactive and attention seeker! Seloso din sya, to the point na inaatake na nya kahit mga kaibigan namin na kilala nya pag lumalapit samin... Kinalangan namin syang bitawan.. masama man sa loob namin.
6. Si Onyx - regalo sakin ng kapatid kung bunsong si Oboy nung birthday ko. Ang cute cute na tuta. Puti, tapos black eyes! Kaya naman Onyx! Asteegg di ba? 3rd sa ranking ko. Kaso, she died at after giving birth din... ang saklap pa ng pagkamatay nya... nakita ko syang namatay eh... parang nawalan din ako ng mahal sa buhay. Ako ang nagpalaki sa kanya eh... super iyako ko nun...Miss ko parin si Onyx...
7. Si Ninoy at Evita - 2 anak ni Onyx, named after sa big sis and big bro ko. lol! Kasi nasa college na sila nun eh. kalokohan lang namin ni bunso. Kaso, hindi kinaya ng powdered milk. Namatay din sila agad. Alala ko pa umuuwi kami pag lunchtime ni oboy para i-bottle feed sila...

Sila ang mga naging aso namin. Nakasama, minahamal, kinalinga, trinatong pamilya.

Nagkaroon ako ng mga pusa,kaso iba ang loyalty ng aso sabi nga. Pusa kasi, medyo tamad. Sa interval na wala kaming aso, namumulot kami ng mga kuting na abandonando sa kalye para alagaan at gawing maganda! Nagkalat sila! kaso, anu mang pangalan ang ibansag ko sa mga pusa ko, They only resopond to "Muning"! kasalan ng tatay ko! Pano ba naman, pag kainan na my Dad goes" psstt..Pssstt Muniiinng... Muuniinggg...Kain na Muning"! Syempre, they only answer to that name! Kasi synonymous to food eh!

Sa mga daga naman, series of white rats and hamster. Ilang white rats siguro ang inalagaan ko, kaso, bigla n alang silang nawawala eh... may nakikita na lang ako black and white na daga na tumatakbo sa bahay namin after a few months! Crossbreed!!! Sa hamster, 2 lang naging hamster ko, si Fred & George, binigay ko kay kristia si George nung namatay si Fred. kaso hindi matake ni george ang kawalan ng kapatid, sinundan din nya after a few weeks...


Haayyy.. pasalamat ko sa lahat ng mga naging alaga ko. Pinasaya nyo ang aking childhood. Blackie, Tweetie, Cory, Chichi, Marshall, Onyx, Ninoy & evita, Muning (s), white rats, and Fred & George, maraming salamat for lending you furry hides para panggigilan! ^_^

When 1 pm strikes, my officemates and I go down to the Mall foodcourt to grab a bite to eat. Lunch variety is Marrybrown, Burger King, Fujiyama, Chinese Palace or Subway. Much as foodcourt food is sickening when it's the same thing over and over again, lazy bums who don't wanna cook can't be choosers! ^_^

So over a meal of noodles and chicken teriyaki, Ivy and I together with Sireen (Lebanese officemate) got into conversation about plastic surgery and stuff. Sireen was saving money to try out this laser thing for removing hair. She was going on about her cousin buying a machine in China which costs a lot of money and how it was really effective, and totally ignoring my point about china goods since expensieve for her means quality. LOL.  Anyway highway! We got into talk of how popular it is in Lebanon to do plastic surgery. To quote her "No lebanese woman is natural!" hahaha! They get their butt, nose, breasts and preety much anything that can be altered done in. It's "fashion a la mode".  Then she went on and elaborated on what she'll be doing with her body and how she wants it altered. LOL! Sireen is really the best person to talk to over lunch! She's so honest and hyper about things!

She wants to have new eyebrows. Her eyebrows are tattooed and she' thinking of having that erased to have "straight" eyebrows which is in fashion now, so she says! Where she gets her ideas, I dunno! hahaha! Then she went on and wondered why Filipinas don't shave the hair on their arms, saying that we like to be "more natural" hahaha! Ranting on all things that makes for "female" and "feminine" . Hahaha! So her whip for her long winded debate, is looking at me, and saying "See! You don't do these things because you're not a lady yet! You're still a Girl! Look at that moustache! That's what differentiates a Girl from a Lady!"

I was like "what the Eff! But I couldn't help but laugh out loud! hahahaha! Sireen, you're the BEST! hahaha!

 

You Are Picky When it Counts

Like most sane women, you want a great guy who will treat you well. But you're also willing to put up with a few flaws in your Mr. Right You should congratulate yourself on having a realistic approach to dating. You probably have quite a few great guys you can date!

So yeah, i took the test! hahaha! I know, I'm pretty picky, but at times, i don't even really CARE to look! I mean, the interest simply is not there. Of course, there are times when I find it curious. Like i think to myself "What would it be like to get all corny? Do mushy stuff?" And these thoughts are followed by "I simply can't imagine myself!" 

Sigh... i do enjoy my being single. It has it's benefits. You don't have to bother about the feelings of someone, missing a call, going out on dates when you would much rather just read a book or watch your fave shows, and less compilications and things to think about... I dunno... i mean, yes, i do sometimes think of relations as shackles tying one down. LOL! I guess at this rate, I would never have a boyfriend! As i said before, 23 years and counting! ^____^ or should it be T____T

A lot has been going on lately. In the world and in my world. Time has passed and before I know it, it’s only 5 months to go and the year 2008 would be ending again. Half of the year is gone, and so much has happened in life and with life.
I’m growing old with each day, each month and that also reflects in my being and my manners. God knows how many times I’ve been mistaken in being older than what I really am. The closest age guess that I had was 25 and I always get a surprise look whenever I say my real age. I guess, your experiences do bear down on you and reflect in your manners somehow.
Looking at my life for the past year and a half, what has happened?
· I came to Dubai at the age of 21.
· Managed to find a good job with a god company.
· Went out and estranged myself from my relatives to live on my own
· Learned to fend by myself.
· I learned how to Cook
· Managed to budget my finance
· I now do my laundry and my groceries
· I spent my 22nd birthday with new friends in dubai
· I went home for vacation and realized all things that I missed and the minute things I alwys take for granted back then.
· Mabelle, a good friend, gave birth to a Claidie.
· Gemma died and I felt for the first time how it’s like to lose someone you truly care for
· I spent my 2nd Christmas in Dubai with friends and without my family
· I finally convinced my sister to come here in Dubai, which kinda made me happy
· I resigned from my frist job and managed to get a good position with a good company
All in the span of a year and a half. No wonder I look like I’m in my mid twenties! But all things put aside, I’m truly grateful for all the opportunities that has come my way. I feel truly blessed that I started early on in life on things some people decide to do later on in their lives.
But that being said, with this comes consequences and things that I missed out on. I’m a yuppie, but I didn’t really go through all the things that a yuppie normally do. Like hanging out without a care, my salary is mine to spend and no one else, and the privilege of just living out ideals that you dream of living and fighting for when you were back in college. I guess that what happens with adulthood. Responsibility settles in…

When we were young, we dream of being adults and dream of living on our own. Life's really ironic. Adults wants to be kids, and kids wants to be adults. I guess you never truly know what somethign is like until you're there living it.

OK, there are things in your life that you tend to look back on and think "what if's" and there are moments when you think about it more than most days. Like when you're looking at your friendster page and you see all you old buddies seriously happy and having life of their own. That's when you start asking questions and thinking of things...

... and then you start feeling some things that tend to be awry, and you get confused... and it annoys you coz' you can't pinpoint why you're confused... awww men! Let's see what happens next! T_T 

It's not a matter of being lost and trying to find my way into the light. I've just been struck by sudden curiosity to try out some religion.

So two weeks back, I was invited to attend a reading of the religous sect "Iglesia ni Cristo" by my roomate. So my sister and I attended to try it out and have a feel of their religion. Frankly speaking, I didn't enjoy the experience much. As I pharsed it, I felt like I was listening to a "Horror Stroy" the whole time as the Pastor was talking about Eternal Damnation in the Sea of Hire and such. It was a constant reminder that the Pastor reiterate on all through out the reading session. I couldn't help but think that their faith is borne out of fear....

Then last Friday, I attended a Worship by the religous sect "Born Again", and I must say that I enjoyed it very much and the whole ceremony touched me emotionally and spiritually. It's because the approach that they do is "personal Contact" with God and worshipping him with naked your naked faith and emotions. I'm thinking of attending another one this Friday again. ^_^

Whenever someone asks me what my Religion is, I always tell them, I was baptized Catholic. Yes, I don't really go to church. I go there whenever I feel the need to feel closer to God and going to church helps me achieve that. But then for the past 6 years I haven't gone to church and pray there for real...

This is due to the fact that I myself don't believe in teh Catholic Religion itself. I believe in a God. And I acknowledge His presence in my life and the Universe, but I feel better if I go to Him directly nd worship him in my own ways an dby my own actions....

Oh well.. enough ranting... ^_^ 

After 15 months with ICLP, i finally said goodbye and am now ready to move on and take on another challenge. Something that I'm really looking forward to.

ICLP was my first company here in Dubai. And I couldn't be more thankful that it's the one that initiated me to the Dubai Working environment. Here, your foes when you first arrive are companies with a crappy system and structure and second is the expiration of your VISA, thus the need to find a job before it ends. And because of these foes, some Filipinos are forced to concurr to offers that they wouldn't normally take given a different set of circumstances. I was lucky that I chose a good company to spend my year with.

Despite all the things that happened, both good and bad, I consider my stay with ICLP an experience that I'll always value. I've learned a lot for that short span of time, and it has honed me professionaly and as a person too. And that something that I'm thankful for.

So it was a private goodbye awhile ago. I'm not really into big goodbyes so when Andy asked me what I wanted, I chose the not so hyped up one. I didn't really know personally all the people in the company. Except for the people that I work with, most of the time I'm just courteous and do small talks with the rest of my workmates. But i was really touched that they chipped in to give me a gift.. when i don't normally chip in for all those who have left! GUILTY!!! hahaha! Some came to my cubicle to give me their well wishes and to say goodbye. I'm so touched. ^_^

I'm gonna miss my Cubicle! that was my second home! With the plants and everything else! LOL! I'm gonna miss the Fridays and Saturdays, the late night shifts and most of all, all my Casper friends! ^_^

Sigh... on to the next stage! What to do? Ces't La Vie!

 

Last Monday, a family firiend approached me for help because her brother died back in the Philippines and wanted me to help her look at flights that would be available the next day. Immediately, I took some spare time from work to follow up on our company’s travel agent for flights available to the Philippines from Dubai for her and from Kuwait to Manila for her sister in law, who is also housemaid.

 

Everything was good, and she was all set to go back home. All she was waiting for was word from her sister in law who’s imploring her employer to let her go home.  After a few hours, she called me up to ask for help because her sister in law’s employer refuses to let her go back to the Philippines for her husband.

 

I immediately advised them to call the Philippine Embassy to report the matter, as what the employer is doing is unlawful legally and by rights. So they called up the embassy only to be told, that the “She try to escape from her employer and the embassy will help her from there”. Geeezzz…

 

An hour after midnight my family friend calls me up crying and bawling that her sister in law in Kuwait is dead! Her sister in law Neriza was not answering her phone and was not responding to the texts messages she sent.  Then after hours of attempting, Neriza’s employer answered the Mobile phone and reported to my devastated friend that she’s dead, got hit by a car, and that he’ll send the body back to the Philippines.

 

Our family friend didn’t know what to do. I ask that she stay calm and reassured her that I’ll call or email the Philippines Embassy first thing in the morning. I asked her for the details on Neriza, and all she could provide me was a phone number and a PO BOX from which she sends her letter.

 

Speaking from experience, I didn’t try and call the Embassy, they’’ just keep you hanging fro the next 30 minutes, and time is of the essence here. So I wrote an email, detailing the events that happened, the Name and Contact details of Neriza and just asked for someone from their side to check on her. Of course, Cc’d in this email is the DFA as well.  

 

On the same day, I received a reply, confirming receipt of email. I provided my contact details and my friend’s contact details in the Philippines just in case there are any news for the next days.  But in truth, I was not expecting anything from the side of the Embassy.

 

That’s why, I’m now surprised that after opening my company mail a little while ago, I received word from The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait.

 

Ms. Neriza is Alive and is presently staying at the Accommodations of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. Embassy Attention Officers have advised Ms. Neriza to communicate immediately with her Family in the Philippines. The Embassy is now presently coordinating with her Agency and Employer to facilitate her immediate Repatriation. ---- Approved by Ricardo Endaya (Ambassador)

 

I cannot explain the happiness and relief that I feel as of the moment. Being an OFW myself, I know how helpless some of our fellow Filipinos feel at the face of crisis, especially against people from the country host. And here in the Middle East, it’s a bigger problem for some. And the thing that is most saddening is that, most of the victims are the uneducated and those who don’t know their rights.

 

I don’t want to believe that my email was the one that prompted action for the Embassy to help Ms. Neriza, because if that would be the fact, then no wonder so many OFW’s are victimized in the Middle East and other countries, it is because a simple Phone Call for help from an OFW in crisis obviously does not suffice for these educated people! (*note sarcasm!)

 

 

 

Today, i lost a beautiful person that has been a part of my life for the past 5 years. It hasn't fully sinked in yet... i find it kinda surreal... not to mention that i'm oceans away, and grieving all by myself, which kinda makes it sadder... moments like these, i do wish that i'm back home with my friends and loved ones...

Since i heard the news from Che, my thoughts have all been of our times together. Harry Potter and our love for Anime brought us together. And i remember how i've argued that Harry and Ginny would be the one getting together! Not HArry and Hermione! H/Hr shipper kasi sya eh. hehehee... i remember how gleeful i was when the sixth book came out and when we were watching the 5th film together and all those H/G moments were there.

I never did get to say goodbye properly. The last time i talked to her was last july when i went home. We watched Harry Potter 5 together... and we were still suppose to watch them together until the seventh film... but i guess that won't be happening now.. and watching the upcoming HArry Potter mvoies would never be the same again... we always watch them together....

Gemma... she's a woman that's full of zest for life. And if it wasn't for her disease... she could have lived out her dreams.  And she wanted to live them out... that's why it's kinda hard right now... we were still suppose to go to my grandma's beachhouse when i go for vaction next year. I asked her to get better so that she can come with us... the beach and the sun would do her good... and she even assured us that's she's feeling better as compared to before... that's why i can't really fully grip the fact that she's gone...

She was only 21... i know that they say that "the good die young" and i'm trying to reconcile with the fact that she's already in peace... but remembering the times when Gemma talks of all her "what might have been's" i can't help but think that He took her away to soon... but then who am I to question His ways, we can only accept it... and gradually we will, i will...

Gemma, I'm gonna miss you badly. And to quote what sempai told you before, "No matter where you are... everyone is always connected.." And our memories together would keep you alive for all of us Bakeros,. I thank God that I He gave you to me as my friend in this lifetime... Thank you Gemma...I love you my friend and I miss you already.This is the last song that Gemma told me she's been hooked to.

"Mikazuki" by Ayaka

Romaji Lyrics
Zutto issho ni ita futari de aruita ipponmichi
Futatsu ni wakarete betsubetsu no hou aruiteku
Samishisa de afureta kono mune kakaete
Ima ni mo nakidashisou na sora miagete
Anata wo omotta ah ah...
Kimi ga inai yoru datte
So no more cry mou nakanai yo
Ganbatte iru kara ne tte tsuyoku naru kara ne tte oh
Kimi mo mite iru darouKono kiesou na mikadzuki
Tsunagatte iru kara ne tte ai shiteru kara ne tte oh
Hiekitta te wo hitori de atatameru hibi
Kimi no nukumori koishikute koishikute
Dore dake denwa de suki to iwareta tte
Kimi ni orikakaru koto wa dekinai
Namida wo nugutte... Ah ah...
Kimi ga inai yoru datte
So no more cry mou nakanai yo
Ganbatte iru kara ne tte tsuyoku naru kara ne tte
Kondo itsu aerun darou sore made no denchi wa
Dakishimenagara itta anata no ai shiteru no hitokoto
Kimi ga inai yoru datte
So no more cry mou nakanai yo
Ganbatte iru kara ne tte tsuyoku naru kara ne tte oh
Kimi mo mite iru darou Kono kiesou na mikadzuki
Tsunagatte iru kara ne tte ai shiteru kara ne tte oh
Mikadzuki ni te wo nobashita kimi ni todoke kono omoi

English Translation
The one road we always walked together
Splits in two and we go our separate ways
Clutching at my chest, overwhelmed with loneliness
Looking up at the sky still about to cryI thought of you...
On these nights when you're not here
So no more cry, I won’t cry anymore“I'm trying my best”, “I'm getting stronger”
You're looking at it too
The crescent moon that's about to disappear“
We're connected”, “I love you”
These days when I warm my freezing hands alone
I miss, I miss your warmth
No matter how often we said "I love you" on the phone
I can’t lean on you
I wiped away my tears…
On these nights when you're not here
Yeah, no more cry, I won’t cry anymore
“I'm trying my best”, “I'm getting stronger”
When will we meet again?
Hanging onto the battery of our time up to nowI said one thing: “I love you”
On these nights when you're not here
So no more cry, I won’t cry anymore
“I'm trying my best”, “I'm getting stronger”
You're looking at it too
The crescent moon that's about to disappear
“We're connected”, “I love you”
I reached out my hand

Okay, I was really happy yesterday, because a lot happened. So i met up with my Japanese language Exchange Partner, and her name is Maki Nagao. She's from Shigo, near Kyoto, 27 and married. She was really nice and friendly, and she told me how excited she was for these lessons.

We talked and talked for 3 hours. Just about each other, then Nihongo, English and how we plan our lessons to be from then on. It was really refreshing, because she was really soooo nice!! She went to Japan last week, and even bought a book that she thought could help me out improve my Nihongo! Then she promised that her friend (which would be joining our lessons next year) and she, would buy more books to help me out more.

Super mukha nga kaming tanga sa Strabucks kahapon! We had our notebooks, books and her Electronic dictionary laid out in the table, then we were listening to Japanese music in my player, the lyrics, we read out form my Notebook where i practice for my Kana! hahaha!

I guess it's really best when you're actually talking to a Native itself, because somehow, what little knowledge of nihonggo that i had were drawn out! Maki-chan like saying "Eto.." and "Nani, Nani?" all through out the lesson! And she seems really surprised and excited that I know some Nihongo words ans phrases. ^__^ hahaha! I told her that was the influence of watching too much Jdoramas! ^_^

Can't wait until next Wednesday! ^___^

My Second X Games! It was a major blast as usual! And though i would have been happier if Takeshi and Eito were there, nevertheless, it was still a ROCK ON day! ^^

Met some of the infamous BMX stars in the sport! Simon Tabron, Jay Eggleston, MAtt Hoffman again, and Zack Warden. Had my pictures taken! And Simon Tabron was really a ncie guy! hahaha! Naakbayan ako!! waahhh! Major kilig! At super naka sleeveless kasi ang Lola kaya naman, FLESH TO FLESH ANG CONTACT!! kkyaaaa! ^___^ (fangirl mode===> POINTS DOWN!)Saw some of the best BMX moves Live, and it was just breathtaking! Also, with Moto X! Man! That is one sport that I'll never get tired of watching! Saw a live Superman, Back flips, Whips, No hands, No feet, Candybars, and the likes! More pics here:

Nothing beats the X Games to have a MAJOR weekend! Hopefully, next year, Inline Skating will also be part of the programme. ^_^

More pics in my MULTIPLY ALBUM!^^