Period

I was one who thought that all these "hormones" and "period" excuse was all rubbish. I never really did "crave" anything before during my period, not crave anything out of the usual anyways. But I have lately come to realize that such irrational emotions tend to surface during my time of the month. 

I first noticed it during third year college I believe, or maybe second? I drove to Jollibee from school because I HAD TO have peach mango pie! I ended up eating about 5 zert pies all by myself. 

I love to eat sweets (even more) on my days of the month.

I had lunch earlier with my friend Alynah, and we talked about everything and anything in our lives. She mentioned there was scientific basis for the hormones acting all crazy or whatever during our time of the month. She said we tend to feel hot and easily irritated. She's a nurse by the way.

Since I just recently acknowledged such phenomenon, looking back, I salute my boyfriend for putting up with me during my time of the month. Just last Saturday I made a huge deal of him not showing up at the house, even if he did say he'd be there AFTER the event he went to. And because I could not wait I drove around Cebu city, not knowing exactly where the event was. I wanted to go out, go somewhere, but I really had nowhere to go to. I was all hot and furious on the phone, but boyfriend was calm and understanding. When we finally met up, I was all b*tchy (I admit *eye roll*) and irrational, not thinking straight at all, but he was calm and he did not stoop down to my mood. He even got me a shirt! Just like sweet boyfriends would do when attending an event or concert to remind you that they were thinking of you! We went to my house and walked to the Chowking near my place and ate. Despite my being all bad mood and bad vibes, he stayed with me and fed me. He managed to calm me down and eventually made me smile. 

I might have overlooked this part of our relationship before, me being all hot-headed and him being all calm and bringing me to my place of inner peace. My boyfriend, my zen. Now I fully acknowledge it and dedicate this blog post to it, to remind me of how lucky I am to have you- my Elwin. :) 

Side note: Thanks for accompanying me to my salon sessions (mani, pedi, haircut, and etc.).

2013

And sometimes I myself wonder how I am so crazy in love with you, this is only one of the many million reasons why. :)

To my ever-dearest loving boyfriend who puts up with me when I'm hell to be with,

  I LOVE YOU

to the moon and back times infinity and beyond.

Sinulog 2013

I remember my first Sinulog experience from years ago: hot scorching heat from the sun, streets packed with people, handmade native farmer's hat, car-free roads, and the Sinulog beat. First year college, CWTS requirement to stand as human barricade to keep the people off the Sinulog parade. It was my first time out there since for the past 15 or so years, we've always spent it indoors. My family wasn't one for getting it in with the crowd (on All Soul's day, we usually visit our departed days before or days after, and we've never done the whole overnight at the cemetery thing). I remember being there with my friend Mara and my back then, best friend of a guy Elwin; months after he'd be my boyfriend. 

Every Sinulog since then, I have spent hand-in-hand with my boyfriend. Both of us out in the streets and sticking together, walking through the crowd. I'd be the one who packed the bag and he'd be the one to carry it. He was also in-charge of hydrating us. There was one Sinulog I almost fainted. The flow of people was cut-off because they suddenly closed off a passage way by Fuente area. People were pushing back and forth and the air was hot and I was dizzy, my boyfriend told me to look up and breathe and took me out of the crowd. I believe I was hyperventilating and tearing up, probably all rec in the face. Sinulog festivities reminds me of how this boy can take care of me. :) He usually is in-charge of where we go, how we get there, what route to take, and he'd ask me what I want but I just enjoy watching him taking charge. :) My man.

I wasn't able to spend last year's Sinulog with him because I was in the States. And this year was different from the usual ones we've had. We usually get out early, before lunch and catch a glimpse of the parade, but this time we spent the whole morning, lunch, and after lunch at their place. My boy wasn't feeling it and was tired. He wasn't up for the Sinulog experience. He was also worried about me since I just got my period and that always means menstrual cramps and aching joints. But I was still up for it. So we left at 4pm, stopped by our old school and ate at Silogan ni Gian. Took another Jeepney ride to Ayala mall and we decided to go in. When we were inside I felt like I really needed to go to the restroom or else I might stain my shorts. So we went from restroom to restroom and  find all of them with long lines. At the basement 2, still long lines, I resulted to going in at David's salon. I asked if they had a restroom for their clients and the lady said yes, so I signed myself up for a haircut and went to the restroom. 

After years of saying I'd try to wear my hair short, I never really got around it. I frankly love long hairs but a part of me always wondered how it was wearing it short. The last time I had it really short, as far as I remember, was back in kindergarten.

After the impulse haircut, we went up and grabbed some potato corner. Boyfriend bought 3 bottles of water, which I thought was too much until later I'd be proven wrong. We bumped into Paul and Adine too. After that we made our way through the thick crowd in the mall to the streets by Marriot and City Sports, our usual spot. :) 

Watching the fireworks display was also somewhat a tradition with boyfriend. The fireworks display was quite a recent tradition itself on my first Sinulog. This year I heard Ayala spent 3 million pesos for the fireworks display which lasted for about seven minutes or so.

Sinulog 2013 Fireworks display by Ayala

Just the moon that night.

Some people would think that going through all the walking, all that crowd, and all the waiting to get a good spot at the fireworks display was not worth it, well it is always well worth it to me especially with my boyfriend by my side. :)  Watching the fireworks display this year made me feel like the stars were so close and within reach, and reminded me that there sure are a lot of amazing things in this world. And I look beside me, and get the most amazing feeling of all- love. :) And with a smile I give my boyfriend a kiss on the cheek. 

Not going into the whole religious aspect of the Sinulog, but for the festivities and "personal tradition" aspects of it, that was Sinulog 2013 for me. :) 

And oh, we were walking from the mall to my 7-11 to my house supposedly but boyfriend's cousin spotted us at the old SSS building and we decided to tag along with them to walk to IT park. On the walk a guy in the motorcycle scared me, I thought he was a snatcher (apparently stuck in traffic) but it was Eduard, an old friend. 

Boyfriend and I had dinner at Shakey's bus place on the grass. And after that we caught up with his cousin and his cousin's friends where they had their drinking session. But my boyfriend's new year's resolution, which I love and he's kept so far as the 21 days are concerned, is to not drink soft drinks and beer for this year. He said it was for me, and my heart smiled. :)

We ended up calling it a night at around 12 midnight. With a Starbucks frapp in hand, we hailed for a cab along with all the others who were hailing one as well.

//And oh, usually we get Sinulog shirts togther, but this time we didn't and I was wearing my Sonic Boom shirt which boyfriend got for me from the event he went to the night before, how sweet!

Of Sick Leaves

What I love about my blog is how only my boyfriend and a friend or two knows where to find it. And most people assume I no longer update it, so no one really bothers checking it out. So I am free to write about my life and opinions as I please.

Today my boyfriend woke up 30 minutes before the time he should be at work. It's a Monday, and more so today than other weekdays, it is harder to go to work. So I mentioned "take a sick leave", and he seizes the moment. He played basketball the night before, and so uses the excuse that he has muscle ache or muscle spasm (somewhere along those lines of excuse). Being as this was my one and only day of before I leave, errands and bonding time it is! 

I didn't have to go to work until 11PM and the 3PM meeting, I checked, wasn't compulsory. Why ruin my last day off with a meeting right? So much to do! I asked for a leave on Thursday, day before my flight, I requested last week but still no reply.

At boyfriend's house, after watching my choice of "horror" (yes, in quotes because they say it wasn't scary, although it was a bit scary for me) movie, a Filipino film "The Healing", we had lunch and got ready to head out. 

We stopped by for Starbucks at Oakridge, because I needed 4 more stickers (2 more to go) until I get my sister her planner. And plus I thought it had been a while since we both had Starbucks together. After our early afternoon and for-the-sake-of-stickers coffee fix, we continued down the road to JCentre!

Starbucks Christmas drinks 

and spinning the wheel after groceries.

Not a lot of people easily go to JCentre, especially people who work at IT park, so it was safe to stroll there. We first did errands at the grocery and loaded the cart with canned goods and a few dried mango packs. After that we bought tickets to The Rise of the Guardians and used the free game tickets that came with the movie tickets on the massage chairs. We got a good 4-minute beating on those massage chairs. After that we ordered Giga Fries (barbeque and sour cream) Potatoe Corner. Because one does not watch a movie without a Potatoe Corner at hand! We got drinks from the groceries as well because they are cheaper there, or so we always assume. The movie was great and it would have been nice if we brought the kids (boyfriend's younger siblings) but they were busy with projects. And plus, it is also nice to go out with just me and him. More errands after the movie, drugs this time. All those medicines and stuff. 

Before heading to the car, we stopped by an accessory stall. Boyfriend bought an earring (a pair but he only uses one), and I was eyeing a ring. Boyfriend bought for me the ring and I bought for myself earrings too. It's nothing expensive, just something fancy, sparkly, and shows that "my boyfriend bought me something" and that makes me smile. :) I will always remember how special he makes me feel, each time I look at it sparkle on my hand. :">

We headed to his house and watched a movie again (we are such couch potatoes, almost) Premium Rush. After that, a few episodes of 2 Broke Girls. Dinner time was accompanied with teleserye. After the late dinner and just hanging around, I had to get going to work.

I haven't yet left but I am already missing my boyfriend so badly. I should be gong only for a month, and God-willing I will be back by mid January. 

I bought fries and Starbucks for work (now only one more sticker to go!) and later I have food prepared again by my boyfriend's loving mother. :)

I just wanted to blog this because I want to read back on this on day, reliving the feeling of how very nice it is just to be with my boyfriend whether we're doing errands, movies, or just being home buddies. 

The Simple Things

I am not sure if I already have a post up with that title, but it is a common title and very relevant to me. I am a simple person really, who appreciates simple things.

So a couple of days ago I was sick and I whined to my boyfriend about it. He of course kept apologizing about how he was so busy with work that he could hardly find the time to reply to my messages. I understood him of course, since at the end of the week was the release of their project. Upset as I was, not really at him but at the situation, I went to sleep. I woke up to no message and I text messaged him, letting him know I was awake. He replied with a short and to the point message: "OT". Great, now he's on overtime with work, yet again. I messaged him telling him I hope I'd catch him. I planned on coming to work early so I could maybe catch him for a quick chat or a bite to eat. It really sucks having opposite work schedules with him. He messaged me back not to go out of the house and that he was on his way to see me. I asked him why and he replied a short, sweet, and honest answer: "Mis u man." My boyfriend  :"> So I was all giddy and I tried to cook for him this new corned beef we have not tried yet, and it was actually part of my errand list. If I had to buy 2 dozens of it to bring to the US, it must be that good. Boyfriend arrived with a box full of KFC chicken. My sweet boy. Although my aunt and I burned the onions we sauteed for the corned beef, I am happy to report that my boyfriend still loved it. And I love him.

Earlier today also before my shift at work, boyfriend and I were watching a movie at his place. When I was about to leave for work, he handed me a plastic with 2 containers. Apparently, his mother, on her own, decided to cook me my lunch for work. A really sweet gesture I will look back to even years from now and still appreciate just as much. It is a very nice feeling when your boyfriend's family accepts you and loves you, and you loving them back in return. I just am blessed that my boyfriend and his family both love me, and I love them too.

In a week I'll be seeing my family, finally after 6 months. I cannot wait to give them my hugs. And I cannot wait to snuggle up on our babies Miggy and Phoebe. It will be hard though when I'll have to leave again, because you can't reason or explain to dogs. I wish I could make them understand.

Today is a Sunday and the sun is shining down on my face right now. It will be church in 4 hours but I'm not sure I'll be able to attend. I pulled through the whole shift alone and could not catch a nap like I usually do before church. It will be such a shame if I went and be all sleepy. I just kept watching 2 Broke Girls to pull me through and keep me awake. I'm really sleepy now and cannot wait to go snuggle up in my bed. I have a long and busy week ahead full of errands, Jesus please see me through.

                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                         

The Sun is Up.

Basketball

My boyfriend plays basketball and I have been going to his games with friends or school tournaments every time I am able to. Sometimes I would stay after class just to watch him practice with his teammates, most of whom are my friends as well. 

I went to his game last Sunday, it was scheduled at 8PM but started earlier. Their team was not prepared, some of them were still on their way. For the first quarter it was on and off due to the rain. But even before the game started, my boyfriend and I knew the other team would win. We know this because they have a player on the other team who was our school mate before, and we know how he, along with his current team, take basketball seriously. As for my boyfriend and his team, some of them just met at the practice a few days earlier, and those who were catching up, they just met on that day during the game. I could imagine how awkward it would be playing and teaming up with people you just met. The game finished and I do not remember the score but I remember it was a huge difference between both scores. 

I do not know with guys, but for me, I enjoyed the game. I especially liked how all of them got to play. Maybe I am just one of those "team spirit" kind of person. 

I did not like how one of their teammates left somewhere in the second quarter. He just left with no word to his teammates. I also did not like how his mom was also on trash talking borderline, and how his sister commented they should let his brother play (they already did on the first quarter!). And his girlfriend who said something like "I'm not used to seeing (lame) games like this.", as if to say her boyfriend always played a good game. And that teammate even commented earlier on the game how the other team was not a challenge, well he took those words back later on. 

Another teammate of my boyfriend had his whole family watching too. They came a bit later, because like a said, the game was schedules at 8PM  His father mentioned how his little sister insisted they come because she needs to watch her big brother's game. That was too cute. And this teammate got hit by a player from the other team and he was heating up on the bench saying how rude the other player was and that he will get him back, but his mother answered so kindly that her son should let it go and that it is all part of the game, things like these are part of the game's territory. The mother of the other teammate who left was dressed all classy, but when she talked, she sounded like someone at the dirty market; and compared to this mother dressed so simply, with such good advice, the other mother was a shame. 

Monday, boyfriend's basketball practice, I learned that even a few seconds can make a difference. As a bystander, I was also helpful by being called to be the timer. Once there was only 15-20 seconds left in the game and they called for a substitution, I thought it was useless with only a few second left, but they were able to score. I there I learned that even a few seconds, really does make a difference. 

I enjoyed watching my boyfriend and his team practice and play. One can really see though that they lack the sense of togetherness and they are a bit awkward as a team, but hopefully their practices polish that off and they play a better game next Sunday. 

I wish I knew and understood how to play basketball, it looks like a lot of fun, plus it is always nice to feel like part of the team. And my boyfriend and his 3-point shots: HOT. :)

Home

I am terribly confused where home is right now. They say home is where the heart is, but my heart is both at Seattle WA with my family and here in Cebu with my boyfriend. 

                                      

 

I never thought I'd miss Seattle. It really didn't seem like home at all while I was there. I had my family with me and that was all the home I had there. We lived with our uncle and we don't have our own place. My sister's tuition fee was three times that of the local American's, it was a new place to us to live in, new start, and for the first few months we had to get by with just one income coming in. We are past that and with God's help, we got by fine. Our family is now in a better state, both financially and emotionally speaking. 

I see my sister and mom upload photos, and I also browse through old ones while I was living there with them. And it's weird, I find myself thinking "I miss home". Or how I'm so excited to fly "home" to my family for the Christmas holidays. I never thought that I thought of Seattle as home, but now that I find myself missing my family and the routines I had while I lived there, I guess you could call it my home too. 

The house here doesn't feel like much of a home, apart from the memories of course. I come home to an empty house. I have my aunt who helps manage my dad's business here, and our 2 house help who takes care of the house and me. Our house help doesn't clean as much and work as efficiently as before. Of course it's different that my parents aren't here. Each time I am with my boyfriend, that feels like home.

I just need to be patient and hopefully both my family and boyfriend will be in one place, that would also mean my boyfriend leaving his family though. But that is far ahead so we'll both deal with that when the time comes. 

Currently I plan on going on a one moth offsite work arrangement to spend Christmas holidays with my family. Also, if in a year's time I still find myself in my current situation in terms of career, I'll probably plan on flying off to the US to work there. As for my boyfriend, he'll follow when he's ready.

I guess home is indeed where the heart is, and lucky for me, I have a lot of home to go home to. :)

Thank you, Jesus.

Lechon, Cloud 9, and HON

My yaya (yes, I feel yaya has a more endearing sound to it compared to house help) forgot to pack my viand today. I only had rice and banana. I usually eat lunch after I get to work and have settle everything (i.e., checked my work mail, open all the software and accounts needed to be opened). I have been eating lunch at around 5PM lately. It was raining very hard so I could not very well go out and buy some viand for myself. There might be something on the 3rd floor of this building, but I was not very fond of the food stalls up there, aside from the canteen which was close on weekends. So I messaged boyfriend if he could ask the food stall vendor on their building if they would be so kind as to deliver some food to our building. I wanted to eat some lechon, one of my favorite food and one of the food Cebu is best known for. Boyfriend said he would personally deliver the food himself. :) 

I was on Skype with my mom and boyfriend delivered my food with extra Cloud 9! I love eating sweets to close my appetite. I got that whole habit from my mother. I had free lechon and Cloud 9 from a sweet boyfriend. :)

After an hour or so, boyfriend was done with his job and he came over to my work place with me. I asked permission from my colleagues in advance that he might be coming over. On Saturdays I work alone at the Techbar. And I can not help but feel like a fish in a giant aquarium sometimes. Our office has a big glass window where people outside could see us from in here. So yes, kind of makes me feel like a fish sometimes. 

Currently: Boyfriend is playing HON whilst I am blogging. :)

 HONing

BLOGging

I am usually alone on my Saturday shifts, but I am glad boyfriend is here tonight to keep me company with his game noises and exclaims of frustrations or being excited over the game. Next shift is at 11PM but they usually get here around 10. This is my last night with this shift, last night I am off at midnight. Next week I will be starting my 11PM - 8AM shift, and that shift will run up to 3 months I think, longer than the usual 2 months. 

Current read: Slammed by Colleen Hoover, as recommended by an officemate. Also a high rating on http://www.goodreads.com 

eBooking to save money

Today before I went to bed a little after 6AM, I just finished Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata.

I'm off to contniue munching on my Cloud 9 and reading my eBook,

Allie

So my day off last Sunday was epic. Whole day with boyfriend. :) It was special. It was sad that it was my first birthday away from family, but my boyfriend made it so that I will not feel all depressed. I tried to not plan anything and make it was if it were just any other day, but he insisted otherwise.

Monday was all about cooking. I was preparing for a siomai order. Cooking chicken curry for the first time, for my boyfriend. :) During dinner I was pleased to see my boyfriend eat up. After dinner I made maja for my aunt. I was going to cook fettuccine and have yaya help me with the spaghetti, but I decided to do those the next day. I watched a Thai movie “Hello Stranger” with boyfriend. And I was content. :)

I'm 23 Now

09.16.12 with Lunch (Bigby’s) and Movie (The Mistress) :] (Taken with Instagram at Bo’s Coffee)

He spent the whole day with me from start to finish. :) Thank you boyfriend. I quote my facebook post:

First ever birthday without my family and hopefully the last. Thank you boyfriend Elwinski Managbanag Jr. for making me feel all special the whole day and filling in the emptiness and loneliness I’ve been carrying inside. I love you :) And I miss you family! Maymay Yao Ang Suzanne Sanchez Suzette Ang Jin Ang and Miggy and Phoebe too. :)

my God is faithful and my God is good. :)

Cheers to TWENTY[23]THREE. :)

That night, after my birthday, 09.17.12 around 3AM, I started writing a 4-paged stationary letter to my boyfriend. I really felt special that day. :) 

Today was exquisite. Simple day filled with genuine happiness. :) My heart smiles and is full of warmth. :D Thank you Jesus!

Love is a many splendid things.

Dinner with Me

hard na to imagine life without you babs. at KFC

he eats dinner with me. <3 @kolootski (Taken with Instagram)

So since I’m working a swing shift now, 3PM-12AM, I hardly get to eat lunch with my boyfriend. Plus we only have Sunday as a common day off, so that would mean we won’t see much of each other. But thankfully, he gets off at 7, just in time for my meal break. Even if it means going home later than he supposedly could, and mean spending extra for dinner (plus spending on lunch for the earlier part of the day), the sweet one accompanies me for dinner. :D I love you boyfriend!

Went to the mall unwillingly to do errands of my grandmother who is sulking already because I didn't find time to do her errands right away because I was busy with my life. *rolls eyes*

My babs and I went to buy Potato Corner: Mega Fries (120php). I chose to do half cheese and half barbecue. After that we proceeded to doing the errands, which was to do some grocery shopping for my (physically) grown uncle. My grandmother wanted to send him some sort of care package or the like as a (very) belated birthday gift. A part of my grandmother’s reason for sulking is also because my sister and I forgot to greet her on her birthday. Honest mistake, I really did forget her birthday. Mother didn't remind me either, she’s usually the one to remember and just tells us to give our grandmother a call and to greet her. Anyway, the burdensome errand turned out to be quite alright with my boyfriend around. I’m just happy we got to spend some time together, even in the least ideal places or situations.

We had dinner at Sbarro, although we weren't really hungry after having eaten the fries. Boyfriend didn't mind not eating dinner, but I knew we both had to because if not, we’ll both be starving at night. 

And that was my night. Simple. Wonderful. Enjoyed it. Loved it. Because my boyfriend was with me. :D

CHRISTMAS EVE 2010

My mother woke me up for the occasion, I fell asleep because I was tired from the 23rd's tradition with friends. So we went down, and there was something more homey to this Christmas eve's feel and something sad as well. This will most likely be our last Christmas here in our home, in a long while.

Things I got from group exchanging gifts:

• FORLAN Class: from Paul - native sun/moon necklace
• PSITS Christmas Party at Mang Inasal: from Marnie - a cow stuff toy bat

Presents from other people:

• Tita Dinah - hanky
• Chipstar - a thoughtful Christmas card and a very cute cow memo pad holder :)
• Elwin, the boyfriend - a 4GB flash drive so cute, "crystalized with Swarovski Elements" and it says its waterproof

And after the opening of gifts, we took lots of photos. Dad and mom wanted photos of our living room and dining area in different angles so that when we fly off to America, we remember how home looks like. We ate desserts and enjoyed the evening with our two maids and two aunts. :)

Even though the gifts were fewer (although there are still other gifts on the way from other relatives), Christmas eve was still heartfelt for me. And just a few days ago did a fact hit me; it hit me, I pondered, and later grew grateful for the fact that:

I've never spent a Christmas or New Year 

away from the family or away from home.

Thank you Jesus for that. :) I didn't really think about how common it was for others to spend Christmas away from family and away from home, not because they want to but they have to. My friend Princess is at work now since she has to work, I'm chatting with her a bit to keep her company.

Christmas is a time to bond with family and friends, think and ponder about all our relationships, especially our relationship with our God.

Happy Birthday Jesus Christ! :)

Very thankful,

-allie

//photos to follow

The Little Things

Today was the official first day of school for the 2nd semester of school year 2010-2011. But as expected- NO CLASS yet. So I went out with my boyfriend today. We had late lunch at the mall.

Lunch at the food court turned out to be more expensive then dining in a restaurant, but I wanted to eat lechon. YUM. 

12php rice. 3-5 spoonful. 

Aside from the lechon, we also had humba meal (1 pc. humba meeat, 1 egg, 1 rice, 8 oz. ice-tea drink), Leylam's shawarma rice, large mango shake from thirsty, 2 extra rice (from a different store, it cost 15php).

In the end we placed too much on our plates, more than we could finish so we had to doggy pack and bring home leftovers. 

After stuffing ourselves we went over to CD-R KING, "you one-stop media provider". It's one place to get computer accesories and what-nots at a very cheap price, quality however is compromised most of the time. Anyways, Elwin mentioned he'd buy a mouse pad and he offered to buy me one too. But I told him that I already had one and I didn't need to get one. He said the my mouse pad was "luoy" (pitiful) already and that he could just get me one since it didn't cost that much. True- it didn't cost a lot but I was touched at how he noticed and remembered that my mouse pad was dying a slow and painful death. I love the thoughtfulness! I SUPER LOVED IT! :)

 My old mouse pad. Thank you for the times you served me.

 My new mouse pad from boyfriend's thoughtfulness.

So after that I dropped him off at his OJT place and I was heading home. I was already at the capitol (near our place) when my friend Harrison called, attendance for our DB2 class. So I went back to school and got there almost 4pm, had my attendance taken and I was out of school again. I wanted to head home but it was already 4pm and mom would be out by 5:30pm. So to save my dad the trouble of fetching my mom, I went to her office. I got to make and print out our (Elwin and mine) schedules for this semester. Hooray for productivity!

It really are the little things 

that you take notice on, the little thoughts, 

that sweeps me off my feet.

happy and loved girlfriend, 

-allie

Cheeseburger Deluxe

Today I went to the dentist for my dentist appointment that has been put off for almost 2 weeks now. I have a new wire on my braces now, more pressure on my teeth. I have color green rubbers now. 

Today I was visited by my lovely boyfriend. He brought for me cheezeburger deluxe meal from McDonald's. Thank you for snacks! :) And we streamed The Switch online. But he had to leave early since it's also his father's birthday.

//waiting for boyf to upload photo 

Happy birthday Tito Elwin Sr.! :) God bless you always. I wish you good health, happiness, and a peaceful heart.

-allie

Semester Break: FINALLY!

Blogging from my boyfriend's new laptop! :) Congratulations love! Intel Core i5, it's an ASUS K42J and I love its keypads. :)

Semester break is here! All the final grades aren't in yet but it doesn't stop me from celebrating that the break has arrived! I still have a project to submit this Tuesday though, but pssh. 

Now that was just a quick update. And oh, last night I slept in my room! I'm back! :) After spending weeks at mom's room as punishment for "abusing" my health and sleeping so late. 

I'm off to a reunion dinner with Cherish friends. I'm bringing my boyfriend. Cheers to this break! Can't wait to do more blogging, adventures with my Diana Mini, and going on food trips (oh the pig in me)! 

-allie

21: Birthday Entry

September 16: The day I turned 21

So I was late for my lecture class but I made it in time for our laboratory. My friend Herard was text messaging me that he was outside waiting for me. I went out and thought he had something important in mind, and since it was almost time for lunch, I just got out of class altogether. We bumped into my boyfriend Elwin, he seemed like he was grasping his breath from running around everywhere- that should have given it away, but it didn't. We walked to the office, since I had to drop something off for Kat (photocopy notes I borrowed). And as I entered, SURPRISE!

They were all on one side, cramped together. It seemed like they were anticipating my entrance. There was a lovely chocolate cake on the table, but I was too nervous, I didn't get to read the dedications on it. I was a bit dizzy and shy, blushing from the surprise and the birthday song they sang. 

Red ribbon chocolate cake from boyfriend :)

Friends who were in on it

Later I found out it was my boyfriend who planned the whole thing. Sweet Elwin. He ran from school to Country  Mall more than two times. He spent for the cake, the plate, fork, cups, and sodas. It has got to be the sweetest surprise anyone has ever given me. :) And now you see, one of the many reasons, why I love him. 

I look all messed up and he looks stressed out,

but I love this photo :)

After that, we grabbed lunch at Matia's with our friend Lyndon. We then went to Country Mall, Lyndon decided to go to school ahead. I decided to buy a birthday palabok for some friends to eat. After dropping off the birthday palabok, I got busy with my circuits diagram. I also decided to buy a smaller birthday palabok for my teachers. I'm sure Mrs. Manlosa got to eat it, but I'm not sure with the other teachers I addressed it to since I never heard from them about it. 


Another good news that day, I passed the Data Structures 2 long exam. It's not a high score to boast, but I'm thankful I passed it. It's not the easiest subject in the world.

We had a general meeting for PSITS that night. At around 8pm I looked over to the teachers and Mrs. Manlosa read my mind. I was going to ask to be excused since I had dinner plans with the family, but before they let me off the hook, they once again sang a happy birthday song to me and I was embarrassed. I hid behind a friend sitting on an arm chair. Such a loser move- I know! But I'm thankful of how thoughtful they were. 

We dropped Harrison and Francis off at Ayala then Elwin and I headed to UNO, at Waterfront for my birthday dinner. I celebrated it with my mom, dad, sister, boyfriend, uncle Boyet, and auntie Iris. They were here at Cebu for the week. 


Thank you to my family for the lovely dinner! :)

All of us for my 21st birthday dinner :)

Gifts I got on my birthday: 

2k is from my grandmother

$40 from my uncle Boyet and auntie Iris 

the iPhone that came earlier, I consider it a gift from my aunt and unlce

and a letter that came at 5am, from a stranger

About that letter: 

It was the first gift I got that day.It was a handmade birthday card with a GUI as a front, and when you open it, the Java codes to that GUI is  written in it. My yaya Violy said that someone was at the gate at 5am, she heard the doorbell. But when she got to the gate, no one was there. I'm not sure where the letter was left, I'm guessing at the mail box. Although there was no name, no sign of who it was from, I'm sure it was from my good old buddy Theodore "Choodur" Terdes. :) So much effort making that birthday card, thank you! 

Also, that night Elwin slept over at our place. He slept at the guess room. He stayed over to finish my circuits requirement. <3 Sorry I'm no good with that myself. And thank you for everything. I love you to bits. :)

-allie

Thank you again for the wonderful surprise! :)

Circuits

 IT213: Computer Systems Organization and Microcomputer Technology

** Click on photo to read captions **
Sorry they're hard to read.

Webcam photos of me and my boyfriend. This was yesterday, we were working on my circuits activities. At least it's more fun and interesting with him. Also, thanks to him, I now understand and know how to construct a circuit! Hooray! :D

Thank you to boyfriend and my friend Harrison Chiu for helping me our on my circuits requirement the last time. They stayed over until 5am and didn't stop until they got it right, even after I gave up and slept on them. And because of them, I got a 1.0 in Circuits. Hoorah!

So, now that sir has given out the second requirement, I'll be working on that with their help again. But before all that- INTRAMS WEEK has finally arrived! Too bad it was scheduled from Sept. 8 - 11. It's supposedly a holiday on Thursday and Friday, but we have Intrams. I hope they reimburse us our 2-day holiday next week.

8am tomorrow. I'm partenered with Karen Poligrates on the documentation of the chess and scrabble games. We're taking photos for PSITS. And I'm also partnered with Paul. I'm to assist him with whatever concerns the CCS basketball team have in the whole duration of the Intrams.

I hope this Intrams won't be such a handful. And I sincerely wish we all get to enjoy it.


I still have my SAD requirements, which I'm so behind with. There's also the Visual Basic final project which I have to partially finish by pre-finals' week. SEMBREAK COME ALREADY!

-allie

Double DY Night

credits to Ingrid for the post title.

After doing their time in college, University of Washington (Seattle), they are finally back! Brent took up Business Administration and Blanche took up Bio-Chem, I think I got that right. So it turns out they were American citizens too!

The DY twins, Blanche and Brent, finally have set foot on Cebu again! (I think they came home for a vacation a couple years back but we weren't able to meet.) We met up with them at 7:30PM at Golden Cowrie, Lahug. It was nice seeing all of us somehow grown-up, dining together on a long table, each with his and her own stories to tell and news from over the years. There's just that certain warm feeling to it, being gathered together after years of not seeing each other.

Everyone was busy chatting with each other and catching up on one another. There was a lot of conversation to go around. My boyfriend also came by from his company's basketball game.

photos of me and boyfriend for that night

The DY twins were also really sweet. They paid for our dinner and they also gave each of us gifts. For girls they gave out make-up kits, to boys they gave out tiny shoe converse keychains, and to both boys and girls they gave out mint chocolates. ^^,

After dinner, others had to leave while some of us decided to continue the hang-out elsewhere. We first went to K1, but as expected- it was full. My boyfriend decided to head home since he was tired from his basketball game and was coming up with colds.

group photos after dinner

here are some photos of John trying 

to show his "love" for Blanche

We went off and transferred to ATF Grill at Banilad near my school. All Time Favorite Grill, they wanted to go there for the yogurt. I tasted Timmy's order of yogurt, but apparently, I wasn't a fan. So I got the brownie cup or choco lava as they call it, with Ingrid. I almost always never finish any dessert order on my own! It's just too sweet for my throat.

After a lot more teasing, talking, laughing, and remember-whens we decided to call it a night. We parted at ATF. Janelle and Carla went home together in Janelle's car. Alyssa and Ingrid each got their own cab. The DY twins were picked up. And in Timmy's car, which I offered to drive since Timmy was clearly beat (I think he had a long day), were Timmy, John and Charles.

ATF Grill, Banilad for Yogus and Brownie Cups :>

More group shots

Home bound at around 12AM++. After dropping Charles off, we were headed to my place. Timmy and I managed to squeeze in a joke for John. We got him really confused as to who owns the car. He thought it was my car and I was kidding him about having to take the jeepney home. He thought we were serious and he was about to actually hail a jeepney. Funny Homer.

It was really nice seeing everyone and catching up. Seriously, a month off is just not enough! Plus, they won't be at Cebu most of the time since the Dy twins will be off to Davao and Hong Kong.

After about 10 years

See you guys next time, September 26th!

-allie

Embarrassing shots of me that night.

Last few group shots before we say goodbye