On Being "Nakama" ^ ^

I just love the anime One Piece. It's my favorite next to Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X), Naruto, Fairy Tale, and History's Strongest Disciple - Kenichi. Not only because of the comedy factor (although I can't really explain the reason why I love it so much lol) but also because it values friendship so much; which for me is a really important thing. I have this strong connection with the said anime series, especially to the main character--Luffy. I can remember how my co-worker described the feeling that this anime brought to him "It's like love at first sight." lol

I encountered a lot of issues this year, particularly when it comes to relationships, or Friendship to be precised. Since 2011 is a year of the rabbit, they said this year's going to be peaceful seeing as how peace-loving rabbits are. But I guess peace has not been applicable to Tiger-borns like me. Maybe the rabbits took this opportunity as a way to serve revenge to their predators. They gave me hell. I've gone through a lot of heartaches. But hey, I'm still alive and kicking! lol It's as if I'd back down because of those trials :P

I learned a lot of lessons this year; and yeah, I learned them the hard way. I had cried several times, and felt pathetic mainly because I was too friendly or something. Yeah, that sucks. And I now realized that some people are just not worthy of your trust and affection. I should have listened to some real friends when they told me not to give chances easily (to random people). but hey, this is me. It won't make me feel any better to drive away or ignore people who seemed nice and all. Anyway, I may have been hurt; but it's not my lost. Karma is a bitch. So, good luck to those who know nothing but to mess with people's feelings.

The bottomline is that I now know how to refrain and control myself from being attached (so emotionally-attached) to those people who come into my life (old and new). I won't put up an unbreakable wall nor would be too meticulous in choosing whom to hang out with. Instead, I will accept them for what they are, give them chances but won't take things seriously. I;ll enjoy every moment, but won't be anticipating for more. Got to learn to be contented with the kinds of friends I already have--as they are more than enough, way better than any new acquaintances.

Holiday Rants & Ramblings

Well, Christmas is already in the air. And the Holiday Rush is just so stressful. It's a good thing I'm working at home now; spares me from the traffic and the sight of busy people all over the place. Although I'm excited for this Yuletide Season, I just can't help but feel so sorry about those people who lost their families and properties because of the flood.

This would be the first time, after many years, that my siblings and I are going to celebrate Christmas together. But still, my family's not complete. Dad won't be around. Too bad you can't have the best of both worlds. But I sure understand that things happen for a reason. Especially all the bad things that happened this year. I bet they made me stronger and wiser.

I've engaged myself in a lot of foolishness this year; so I guess I don't have the right to ask Santa for some special gifts. But all I really want is to end this year right and well. It's really too bad if you plan a lot of things for the future. Fate really has its way of testing your limits. Nevertheless, I'm still up for some challenges. I'll keep on moving on whatever comes my way. And though some people would still try to bring me down, I'll make sure they learn the essence of "piss off!"

And The Curtain Falls

Well, this is actually a continuation of the "To Win or Lose" post.

I can't actually remember all the challenges I've accepted, accomplished and failed. So I'm just going to end my dare-related posts with this...

"You Lose!"

The first dare that I got and started was also the one that I ridiculously messed up. I thought it was the simplest; but it seems I just underestimated the dare, and my friend who gave it. I have forgotten how sinister he is, of how good... of a jinx... he is... always... to me.

The dare was to text "someone" with cheesy, love-related quotes for 3 consecutive days. Sounds easy, right? But yeah, I failed. And I will never forgot how that "friend" of mine rejoiced. Of course, he had so much fun pestering me about my failure. I failed because on the 2nd day, I ran out of cellphone load just when I was about to send the message. And since it was already late at night, I wasn't able to do anything.

Well, it was actually because I wasn't that motivated to complete the dare. It's not that I wanted to lose either. But maybe because of the lack of thrill and motivation that I didn't do my best to accomplish it. Hey, I'm not trying to make excuses; I'm just explaining myself of why I stupidly let myself lose on that very simple dare. I expected so much from that witch!!! And yet he gave me something that did not even tickle my senses! x_x  

Another dare that gave me that "I-so-hate-people-who-know-nothing-but-to-bring-you-down" feeling was the "dress-up" dare. It was meant for 3 days, but I sort of screwed on the 2nd. Well, partly because some annoying people stood in my way. But yeah, all is well even some things didn't end well. I'm just happy that even for a day, my co-workers were able to see me in a different light. lol They were so persistent about it; you know, to see me wearing a dress while on high heels.

On the 2nd day, my accomplices and I were reprimanded for being loiterers. lol. It was because of the makeup and hairdo session. Since I don't know how to put a makeup on or curl my hair all on my own, I asked two of my office friends to help me out. Obviously, I got them in trouble. But it's okay; we were somehow able to make some memories out of it. ;)

Of course, I don't want to end this "documentary" with just negative stuff. Two of my other dares, which I successfully completed, became somewhat "controversial" and very fulfilling.

The very funny and controversial one was the "update your relationship status on facebook." I had to ask a friend (that many people like to pair me with) to connive with me in changing my relationship status. Of course, that friend has to pretend that he was in relationship with me. lol. Fortunately, only on facebook, and just for a week. But we don't have to explain things or really act out us couple. It was really a good thing that I was allowed to ask that person's permission and cooperation. If I had to do it without his knowledge, I'd die of humiliation! lol That dare made me realize that most of the people I know wanted me so much to have a boyfriend that they were so happy upon 'knowing' that, finally, I'm in a relationship. Well, enough of the details; getting tired already lol

One of the most fulfilling dare, and one that I'm so proud I accomplished, was a test of my self-control (and yeah, resistance to my addiction lol). Indeed, I had to say no to manga and anime for almost a month or so; a month and some days before my birthday!!! Imagine the torture! lol But yeah, I succeeded on that dare. It was one of those dares that strengthened my patience, persistence and self-discipline. Thanks to "lalake" for that awesome challenge.

At last! I'm done documenting!!! lol Now, I can go back to posting other crazy stuff. :P

"A-pic-w/a-stranger-a-day" ^_^

"Strangers are just friends who haven't met yet!"

One of my best-friends, Eaves, gave me the most challenging dare of all. A dare that is pretty fun but kind of bold in nature. I accepted the dare not because I know I could accomplish it, but because it could really teach me a lot. It's also one of the dares with the longest time frame.

The dare was to take a picture 'with' a stranger or anyone I get to meet at a certain place- my call; a picture a day until my birthday. Actually, I only needed 25 pictures. Well, you know the drift. But I wasn't allowed to tell the 'strangers' that the pics are for "dare purposes".

“That way, you get to meet 25 strangers before and on the day of your birthday; that would either change your life or theirs...” as my friend told me. She’s really something, right? Hehe
 

And thus, I took the challenge; even though I thought I don’t have enough guts to do it. I guess that's also the reason why I got really pumped up to do the challenge; it could really help me build up my guts to approach strangers. And believe me, there were times that I had to deal with reporter-like people; you know, those people who'd like to know the whole story. There were also those who take things negatively and simply ran away from me as if I was some kind of scum. Haha. I bet that those who said yes were left wondering what the heck I was going to do with their pictures. Haha. Well, that was fun and really memorable.

I haven't lost faith in human nature and I haven't decided to be less compassionate to strangers. Armistead Maupin

And without further ado, here are the pictures I've taken with those people who became the subjects of this dare...

* As I mentioned in my previous post, some pictures got “accidentally” deleted…

- pic1/thumbnail1

 > the guy I'm with is the kind-of-snobbish and intimidating guard of the building where I worked before. He wasn't really a stranger, right? But since we did not interact even once before that pic was taken, I considered him a stranger. Guess what... After what I did, "Manong" became really friendly; he always smiles whenever he sees me (even after I resigned). *winks and smugs

- pic2/thumbnail2

 > the second guy was a police officer who was supervising the traffic (I think) that day. I had to muster a lot of guts and confidence because maybe, the officer would find me suspicious. lol. It turned out I made him feel shy; he even considered himself a "star/celebrity" after the pic was taken. I left him with a big grin on his face. Good thing he didn't ask for my mobile#. hahaha

- pic3/thumbnail3

 > taken with a salesman on the grocery department of a mall near our office. He's the first, and the most hard-to-get, so-called reporter. He kept on asking things that forced me to tell him it was for project's sake. I decided to look for another subject but I was too shy to make the move as I saw other men looking at us with that malicious grin. When the interrogation ended and the pic was taken, I was approached by other salesmen hoping that they too can become "stars" of my project. Of course, I left with a dark blush on my face.

- pic4/thumbnail4

  > with the corn vendor? nothing special happened; except for the fact that there were many eyes because we were on a busy street.

- pic5/thumbnail5

  > the kids playing on the street near our apartment. When my mom randomly checked the images in my mobile phone, she asked me why I had a picture taken with her students. Small world? :D

- pic6/thumbnail6

  > a kind of "chaotic" image as the ladyguard (of Sm Delgado's grocery department) was trying to stop the saleslady from becoming an accomplice. lol

- pic7/thumbnail7

> inside the grocery, with athletes (swimmers) from Aklan. I almost burst out laughing when I saw their reaction as I approached them. They were roughhousing on that side of the store so they thought I came to reprimand their behavior. hahaahaha *evil grin

- pic8/thumbnail8

  > Aha! She is perhaps the only person in this dare that I got to make friends with after. Well, she wasn't really a total stranger as she was a schoolmate (younger than I). And one more thing, we were kind of "connected". Let's just say, she's the present of my past? lol

- pic9/thumbnail9

 > hmm.. the new guard? taken when I went home late from the office. I thought he was only a temporary substitute. and yes, he was blushing :))

- pic10/thumbnail10

 > pic from a public toilet. I initially intended to have the pic taken with her mom; but she refused and asked her little daughter to pose instead.

- pic11/thumbnail11

 > with the bored saleslady

- pic12/thumbnail12

> the fruit vendor was really funny and flirtatious

- pic13/thumbnail13

 > the girl that bought a waffle before me

- pic14/thumbnail14

 > at mcDonald's

- pic15/thumbnail15

 > at the church

- pic16/thumbnail16

> at Shakey's; where we had lunch before the videoshoot. Indeed, my friends witnessed this picture taking with one of the smirking managers. haha

- pic17/thumbnail17

 > at the laundry shop

- pic18/thumbnail18

 > with two Koreans at the Mall of Asia, Manila

- pic19/thumbnail19

 > with a street kid. Guess what... he asked me to pay for him, even just 5 pesos lol

- pic20/thumbnail20

 > with a worker from Moostbrand

- pic21/thumbnail21

 > kids (siblings) I "cornered" in front of my Aunt's house in Manila

- pic22/thumbnail22

 > saleslady at Sm City. Geesh, I really had trouble taking this pic. Lots of "drama" x_x

At last, I'm done! Now, I'm dead tired. ciao! :P

To Win or Lose ^_^

note: this is an old post :P

Hi! I'm back! Lol. Anyway, let's go straight to the point. For this post, I'm going to list down all the dares that I was able to successfully finish. And then on the succeeding posts you will read the other dares to which, of course, I failed. I will also create a separate post for my very special friend's dare--one of the hardest I guess...

(in no particular order... simply because, I forgot the “order” haha. Oh yeah, the dates. :P)

1. The Serenade

Well, obviously, I was challenged to serenade someone who is so shy and reserved. Fortunately, we're kind of "friends" and so the dare turned out to be something fun, and gave my office mates something to laugh at and tease me for. Videos were recorded ad laughters echoed that day. Of course, I blushed to death. It was my first time to serenade someone in front of "monstrous" people. It was kind of embarrassing, but fun as well.

2. The Strawberry Indulgence

Indeed, this was a real challenge for I don't fancy anything strawberry. I can bear the thought of eating strawberry-filled donuts but not strawberry ice cream, cake, candies and the like. I always feel like vomiting. It's something that weakens me--that strong candy-like scent, it's just so girly. Come to think of it, maybe that's one of the reasons why I don't like stawberries. In fact, it's because of this dare that I ate real strawberries for the first time. Lucky for me that I passed this dare without having to puke or feel dizzy.

3. The No Talking/Interacting To Guys Dare

It wasn't easy to ignore the guys because they were so persistent. I could even consider myself a fail for this dare because there were a couple of instances wherein I forgot about its limits. It always makes me smile every time I remember the efforts of the guys to interrupt me. I even got mad when they somehow used some "dirty" tricks just to see me fail. But my friend who gave this dare considered it a success.

4. The Manicure/Pedicure

hahaha... Just how funny could this get? If not for this dare, I will never consider the idea of getting my nails done. I am so contented with the simple, clean look of my finger/toe nails. Even so, I thought it's the best time to take some steps to becoming a woman.. hahaha And yes, it's the simplest form of manicure/pedicure.

5. One-picture-a-day-to-strangers dare

I'm not really sure about the status of this dare. I completed this dare, but something bad happened to the 'evidence'. Since I was turning 25, my friend asked me to approach 25 strangers and have a photo taken with them. Sad thing is that some pictures got deleted as we were transferring them from camera to pc. But only 3 of them got deleted; I still have 22 photos to share. And yes, my friend was happy to know that I did not neglect her dare.

6. Video-shoot, music video dare

My friends and I shot some videos for this dare. However, it's still not complete; needs some editing and stuff. Hopefully, someone can get this done before the year ends. This dare was so much fun although the gang was not complete that time. I just can't imagine the kind of riot we could've triggered. Well, thanks for this.

7. Mawe's Adobo dare

This was simple yet excruciating. I had to eat the famous adobo dish of my friend without rice!!! And another sad thing is that I wasn't allowed to take the dish home because it was a pork dish. Well yeah, pork is not allowed in our home although my mom's not a certified adventist. Eventhough, such practice has many benefits. And it was really painful not to be able to enjoy that dish to my heart's content. Maybe next time?! :D

And oh, by the way. Don't be too confused about the number. I mean, I said there were 25 dares, right? But I'm only going to post those that have been given by my friends. The rest of the dares are “confidential.” hehe You know, the whole world don't have to know what the heck I've been doing just to create more memories. Besides, I bet they don't really care about those very personal dares – the dares to myself. Ehehe. But hopefully, this could inspire or give ideas to other people. ;)

Open Happiness ^_^

Many people think that happiness is out of reach--something that we can't achieve all on our own. But for me, happiness is a state of mind. What you entertain inside your head will try to manifest in your words and actions. So if you think you're no good or you're being desperate, chances are, you really are or will be. So the same goes with the achievement of any sort of happiness. It's impossible for anyone not to feel any kind of happiness, especially that you can always be happy even with the simplest and smallest of things.

I realized that you don't have to be rich just to be able to help the poor, the sick or those who are in trouble. You can always help other people, make them smile and make them feel loved through many simple but sincere ways. And one of these days, I'll try to make lots of strangers smile. :) After all, Christmas is in the air.

As I was browsing facebook and youtube, I found several videos about Coca-cola; their advertisements and other forms of promotion that really captured my heart. Here's one that's very relevant for this season, and one that many people can relate to:

Opening Happiness for Lonely, Yearning Hearts

The forbidden food of the gods x_x

I hate chocolates--well, I wish I really do. But chocolates are amongst my weaknesses. I know I can live without it; but it's just too difficult for me not to have a bite of my favorite "comfort food". It has become a necessity, especially during my red tide. hahaha

I just love anything chocolatey. Who could blame me? Our entire family are chocolate-lovers; we all have a sweet tooth. But of course, I know that eating too much is no longer acceptable. And although I've been trying so hard to resist its temptations, I just can't say no to it when it's so available in the fridge.

Eating chocolates, or dark chocolates, has its own pros and cons. Many studies have proven its positive effects to our bodies. Moderate intake of dark chocolates or those that contain cocoa, and not sugar, offers a lot of benefits to the heart. As they say, dark chocolates have anti-oxidants and other properties that could help enhance the performance of our cardiovascular system. I even found a kind of diet that relies on the moderate intake of "real" chocolates. But it seems that such diet is not that effective.

Well, the reason why I'm writing about chocolates is that because we (my siblings and I) have been digging for sweets these days. But I'm really, really doing my best to ignore chocolates; especially now that I'm back to my jogging routines. :) Besides, I no longer want to experience that excruciating pain I get whenever my teeth hurts. And I'm really hoping that I will no longer lose a tooth this year and the next years to come.