free.hand.

2006-04-24T19:16:00.000+08:00

PICTURESQUE...

I was in Shang Plaza waiting for a friend. This happened more than 3 months ago. I can not remember whom I was waiting for. What time and where we had dinner are distant images to me. The only vivid memory was browsing through some chic hardbound books on interior design. I started to have interest in it just when we had our house built a few years ago. There's this perception I have that where a person lives is part of what defines her. It somehow is a reflecion of someone's personality -not just a snapshot of what art is for her but also a good look at how she takes care of herself.

I brwosed thourgh a big book on Mediterranean art. It has not left my mind since. Lovely. Pictures showcasing good use of space and color were encouraging... it triggered so much imagination of having my own cozy home someday very similar to those in the pictures. Every photo of various rooms of the houses were like puzzle pieces that when put together make a perfect place to go home to.

Thinking about this instance awes me to realize how my interest makes me remember the images as if I saw them only a week ago. I'll just have to hold on to this memory 'til I have the money for my own mediterranean home.

2006-03-23T16:02:00.000+08:00

Can't HELP MYSELF

... I crave for it everyday. When I am at Ninang Beng's, I think of it in the morning. When I went to Quiapo for my sister's ball gown, it occupied my mind the rest of the afternoon.

Pistachio ice cream.
Yess... soothing. I want one now.

Ice cream.
Ice cream!

Ice cream. It is amongst the most amazing man-made discoveries to date. A breakthrough. Perfect for lazy moments on the couch while watching a claptrap show on tv; completes a scrumptuous meal; and delights me and my friends as we do some catching up once in a while.

I have to end this entry. It's crazy. Before I talk more nonsense, I'd say this is only about my craving for the day.

2006-03-21T10:52:00.000+08:00

KRISPY KREME, 5TH AVE, and FAMILY TIES

I miss New York. It's another best place I would love to live in... next to the chaotic Metro Manila I call home. But, when things get too messy around here, NY seems to be ten times better. Hehe... Don't get me wrong though. I love walking along Ayala Ave with my friends from work. I enjoy fishballs with my siblings in UP campus. And, how could I possibly not love the product immitations in Quiapo and Divi! It's life in Manila. Dodgy, crowded, clammy, with people loving idle gossips... On the other hand, it's a place filled with smiling faces amidst crappy situations and where companionship and little jokes are remedie for each day's antics.

It's where family is -where short laughs, comforting hugs, and everyday conversations pat us on the shoulder and asks, 'need one?'. Likewise, we are sometimes bugged by our small family dramas wherein stress takes its light steps, tipping off a 'ready for one? here I go again' sensation. No matter what craziness family brings, it makes me see things around in the pink of perfection!

Sometimes I wish summer will be farther away than it is because when it comes, my sister will have to study in NY to become a Hollywood film maker. Not merely optimism but in all honesty, I see it coming true for her! I'm happy. Yet the thought of not having someone to better talk to at home is nothing but nightmare! We do things together and it's going to be a great deal of adjustment for me.

I love New York... buying Krispy Kreme on my way home from writing class, waiting for Mama in front of the NY public library, eating pizza under the Cherry Blossoms when I find $3 in my pocket, and walking along the busy streets with my sister (with chuckie, or my mom... whoever is available to take with me). Love it. Love it! I don't think I'd fall for the city as much if it weren't for the long walks and the discoveries of interesting shops with people close to me.

I haven't tried going up the Empire State building. Didn't have enough money with me at the time I wanted to see the Big Apple from atop it. For a moment, I wanted to be Annie of Sleepless in Seattle. Yeah, but being $10 short got in the way of my Hollywood daydream. Haha. I'll try it out someday soon and stroll along 5th Avenue again, but not alone. Probably with my sister, mom, the whole family, or with Mr. Sleepless in Seattle.

Home is where the family is. That says all best.

2006-03-20T15:15:00.000+08:00

PAST SALAD DAYS

While waiting for colleagues from a company I used to work at, I fancied a tall glass of coffee jelly from Starbucks. I was deciding between a peppermint tea and a coffee jelly, but suddenly craved for a cold drink that reminded me of a chocolate-box gal who bit me off my optimistic light. A few sips and I kept looking at my watch hoping I'd see through the glass window the people I was meeting. I finished reading the magazine I held on to, and which I was only hoping to read when boredom strikes... and so, the challenge from its dullness was not a challenge anymore. Yup, read the whole thing! Anything you learn even at a glance makes you a bit smarter than you are at present. Maybe a thousand more will make me downright smart as Mr. Steve Jobs!

Taking a short walk to Pancake House for lunch, my friends and I carried an almost senseless conversation, laughing at every small 'kwento' that happened over the months we did not see one another. From watching the mushiest romantic Filipino movie to what pancake to order for Dyan who craved for just a piece -time spent was nothing but refreshing even under the already summer sun. A few chuckles and bits of criticisms here and there were reminiscent of a student's life. Living without much frills and away from serious comlexities are things I miss, and surely does my bunch of comrades miss.

These yuppies I was with are all once idealists like me. Hopefully, a part of each still is. After leaving the shelters of our universities, more of reality bites and tries to steer us from these simple visions we had of life at work... and just life as it is. However this may be true, experiencing things for ourselves does not completely cloud us to think that what we see is how things should be. At least for now it doesn't. Only, we search for something that can help us find it -somewhere we can see ourselves being happy in.

'A nurturing environment where hopes for continuous growth and development are not merely visions;

A culture of respect and relationship-building is visible and felt;

A community that empowers equal opportunities and fosters individuality rather than conformity'

-these are, in our ( youthful =) ) 20s, characteristics of a work environment we endeavor especially having gone through the downhill.

We (my lunch mates and I) do not talk about this matter as we simply want to laugh things out. Maybe not a while ago, but we did many times before when emotions are at their peak. Yet, without a trace of it in our conversations... there are whispers of our feelings toward it.

As time calls for my friends to return to business, we walk back to find me a cab. The sun was really warm, but I felt good.

Some experiences just make us look at life in a different perspective. The important thing is, we do not throw away our ideals. We keep them. In the long run, we will only find ourselves working towards achieveing these ideals.. moreso, giving others the oppotunity to enjoy what's due them. Older people might have gone through more in life... but in some cases, they do not necessarily know everything that's right.