Slow And Fun, Movie And Food, Truly A Fun Afternoon.

- May 17, 2010, Monday

- Grace and the usual people invited me to spend an afternoon in Shangri-La. That bonding session was a convenient way to give Venus and me our "pasalubongs" from Korea and Beijing, since Mary Grace recently went on a tour to Korea, and went to Beijing to watch the Suju Concert (with Margerette) earlier this year.

- Venus, Marga and I met at the 5th Avenue LRT Station, and waited for Grace to pick us up. We listened to Grace's kpop filled iPod, as Mary and Venus had a little playful fight about who gets to get which pasalubong. Haha.

- After we arrived at Shangri-La around an hour later, we bought tickets to Miley's movie "The Last Song." Since we had about an hour to spare, we ate a rather late lunch at Claw Daddy. God. The food can kill. HAHA. Especially the big oily crab. :| :| :| :| ANYWAY....Haha.

- We rolled towards the theater, and passed on the popcorn....though we would have wanted to if we weren't so full from the Claw-Daddy lunch. Miley's movie was surprisingly not as bad or cheesy as I thought it would. Miley's role suited her, though I could see that the movie had a lot of resemblances from Miley's 2009 film, "Hannah Montana The Movie." (Rebellious girl, goes somewhere else with brother, meets this Caucasian guy, something about Miley's role and her music, something about Miley and her dad in the film, Miley's change of heart, etc.) -> I got to say though, "When I Look At You" did catch my attention, just like "The Climb." Dont' get me wrong though, I still am not a Miley fan. Haha.

- After the rather moving movie, we walked around and ate some yoghurt. We walked around again afterwards, and decided to go home instead of having an early dinner. Indeed, we made the right decision. Venus wanted Mary Grace to drive her to her house, which is more or less near mine. I was OK with Grace dropping me off at the 5th Avenue Station, but Venus insisted on Grace driving her home. Grace agreed, and thus started the 2-hour-long-or-so drive.

- Like earlier, we listened to Grace's threshold of Korean songs in her iPod, while the four of us talked about random stuff on the way home. Grace dropped us off at Ersao, somewhere along the midpoint of my house and Venus' house.

- It was a really really short afternoon, but it's nice to go out once in a while, as I try as much as I can to make the most out of my last REAL summer before "going out into the real world." I guess a lot of people wouldn't know how important this summer is, or how much it means to me, except for people who're going to graduate next year....or even later this year. Sigh. Good luck senior year.

Time Flies....Kinder Was Just Like Yesterday: Hello -after a few centuries- Eleazar!! :D:D:D:D

- May 14, 2010, Friday

- Miracles happen. Yes, it does. A lot of people may or may not believe in miracles, usually based on how their lives go. As for me, miracles do happen. The funniest miracle in life is called coincidence. Yes, things that happen seemingly without reason, but they may or may not bring smiles to people.

- I've recently had one of these little coincidences. A few years ago, Jessica asked me about an "Eleazar Gomendoza" since this person added her on Facebook. I immediately replied, "he was our classmate in kinder." After that, I searched for him in facebook and added him as a friend. I even added him in my YM. I always wondered what happened to him after he transferred to Grace with his cousin after the second grade. I couldn't find him in Friendster ages ago. Yes, I more or less remember the people encounter in my life.

- Flash Forward: Eleazar decided to meet up with Jessica again, and Jessica asked me and Cristina if we would like to accompany her. It was a sure yes for me. It had been ages since the last time I saw Eleazar. Grade 2 I think. I can't even connect the pictures I see on Facebook with the plump white kid I remember. (I even used to pinch his cheeks so hard....and he would get mad at me. Haha)

- Today, I met up with Jessica in Shakey's Masangkay after my first day of driving school (again....,) and waited for Eleazar to arrive. Cristina wasn't able to make it since it was her dad's birthday. I didn't wanna bother her too since she's having her finals for her summer class.

- I was a bit nervous to meet Eleazar again, naturally, but I knew it would be a great evening. He arrived shortly, and yes, it was a new beginning for us. Hopefully I'd be able to encounter him again in the future.

- We ordered a lot of food, and had a lot of catching up to do. Sure, there were awkward moments, since it was hard to find things to talk about, except for our kinder years, and college life. As for me, I only know a few people from his alma mater, which also made conversations more difficult. Nevertheless, we managed to talk about a lot of things, from the past, present, and the future.

- After dinner, we decided to have coffee at Metropolitan Hospital's Seattle's Best. Luckily it was still opened. We met Oliver along the way, and Oliver told us that he'd just leave his bag at home, and would meet us in a jiffy. Yey Oliver for brining his discount card. Even better, he treated us. :) :) :) :)

- After talking about more stuff, Jessica and Oliver asked me to call neighbor Bless if she's at home, so she could meet us, and so we could introduce her to Eleazar.

- Bless agreed to meet with us, and promptly changed clothes, and walked across our building to Metro. Since Seattle's was closing, Oliver and I chose a drink for Bless. Well, Oliver had more knowledge about the drinks, so I let him choose for Bless. Haha.

- I guess it's a bit weird and awkward for Eleazar, since he couldn't relate to a lot of the CKSC-stuff we talked about, but I tried my best to at least acquaint him with what was happening in his supposed alma mater.

- The night ended sooner than we thought, and sadly, it was time for us to go our own ways. It was a blessing to have met/seen/talked to Eleazar again, and hopefully, we'd have more things to talk about in the future. Time flies by quickly, but not so quick that memories will not be cherished and remembered -at least that's how things go for me. Sure, people might forget stuff that had happened in the past, but a lot of tiny random memories, like how Eleazar got mad every time I pinched his cheeks, or how I used to have suspenders when I was young, still remained stored in my weird and quirky head.

- Kudos to memories, to old friends, present friends, new friends, real friends, and friendships that will (hopefully) last forever. :D:D:D:D

After Months In The Merlion Nation....Welcome Back John Eric Sy!!!!

- May 12, 2010, Wednesday

- Even during Eric's around-4-month stay in Singapore as an exchange student, I've been telling him, and a few good friends that we should go out once Eric returns. Well, Eric returned just the other day, and gladly, we were able to schedule our mini-welcome-back-Eric thing as early as possible.

- I met Eric this morning at the Gil Puyat LRT station and rode the shuttle together to MOA. We found Kim Carmela in Fully Booked, and walked towards Joey Pepperoni, which was just somewhere across Fully Booked. Chabert, another companion, notified me that Erlyn would be accompanying us too, if we wanted. Well, Erlyn was already in MOA with Chabert, and I haven't seen Erlyn in a while too. Well, as they say, the more the merrier. :) :) :) :)

- We ate lunch at Joey Pepperoni, courtesy of me, since I promised Eric that I would treat him once he arrives. Since I was feeling generous (doesn't happen too often though, since I don't really have much cash on hand normally,) I treated everyone.

- We planned to eat dessert at Icebergs, but it was full. While looking for some stuff to do during the afternoon, I just dragged my companions to Razon's for another dose of their halo-halo. Seriously, I like their halo-halo because it doesn't have ube, nuts, and beans. Haha.

- We decided to go to the arcade to play around a bit, and sing songs in the karaoke booth. This time, I was glad that I wasn't the only one hogging the mic and losing my voice graciously like the last time we went there. That was around October last year, I think. This time, Carmela and Erlyn also sang, and Chabert sang his "trademark" song: My Heart Will Go On.

- After our visit to Timezone, we ate at Subway, since there was a buy-1-take-1 promo that lasted from the election day until today. To avail the free sandwich, all we had to do was show our indelible-ink-marked finger. Hurray for being a good citizen. Haha.

- I figured that Eric hadn't been in Manila for so long, so I invited the group to take a walk at the Manila Bay area and wait for the ever-so-famous Manila Bay sunset. While waiting, some of them ate some more (yes, I didn't eat more because I was full...a rare event.) They bought corn, fries, ice cream, etc. I on the other hand was busy taking pictures of the about-to-set sun. Haha.

- We went home shortly after the almost-fail sunset (clouds in the way.) Eric, Erlyn and I rode the shuttle to the station, since the other two were a bit off the way. Eric and Erlyn were half-asleep in the shuttle, which obviously showed how tired they were. The only thing that mattered to me was that Eric was pampered even just today, and that everyone else had fun as well :D:D:D:D

CHRISTMAS IN SUMMER....Well Not Really, :) :) :) :)

- May 8, 2010, Saturday

- As an annual tradition, Mel and I celebrated our off-the-date birthdays. I celebrated my almost 8-month-belated birthday, and Mel will celebrate her real birthday next week. This year, we chose to go to MOA, hang out, eat, and watch a movie

- As for the title, both of us looked liked Santa's little elves because of our coincidental green and red scheme. Then again, we both received gifts from each other, so yey. Haha. .

- Melissa and I rode the train to MOA and bought tickets for the 3:40pm screening of Furry Vengeance. Since we had more than an hour to spare, I decided to have halohalo in Razon's with Mel. Since I was also craving for sisig, I ordered one. Haha. Well, to be honest, I didn't like Razon's sisig one bit mainy because it was dry. The best sisig I have eaten so far was at Dell's in UN Avenue. Haha.

- We strolled a bit, looking for a new bag for myself and Melissa a present for her mom tomorrow, before going to the theater.

- In fairness, I enjoyed Furry Vengeance, despite some of its somewhat corny antics. I also liked its environmentalist-themed message, a serious message, despite the movie's comedic genre. I guess that the movie also fit Melissa's environmental advocacy.

- After the movie, Melisa proposed to have an early dinner at Gerry's Grill since she was craving for some fish. Oh well. :D:D:D:D It was nice to see the sunset while having dinner....but we didn't enjoy it as much since the rays directly hit us. BV. Haha. Coincidentally, our drinks matched our clothes, and therefore matched our "Christmas in Summer"-themed attires. Haha. :D:D:D:D

- It was a short but definitely a relaxing afternoon. I do hope that we'd be able to celebrate our future birthdays!! :D:D:D:D (By the way, Mel did manage to buy her mom a gift for tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day to all moms :) :) :) :) )

Finally: La Despedida de mi y Drei, y mi Dia Final en Nivel 6!!

- May 7, 2010, Friday, the most-awaited day

- The 4 photos were actually from yesterday when the first group had their first oral exam. All the other photos were taken today. Our oral exam in level 6 under Sra. Fatima was supposed to be a form of an interview, whether with a politician or a famous celebrity. All the other groups, including ours, had their oral exams after the dreaded and looks-easy-but-you-know-it's-hard final exam. (It's the same feeling I had after I took my UP Diliman entrance exam back in August 2007.)

- After the exam, Karla and I went back to Instituto and found out that Drei and company weren't there. Since most of us were hungry, we just had a light lunch while waiting for Drei and company. Surprisingly, Martin came as well.

- Drei, Enzo and Ito came in the middle of our lunch at Casino Espanol, and talked a bit while we finished our lunches. At around 1 something, we ordered 4 pizzas at Angel's Pizza. (No, that's not the Angel's buy-1-take-1 Burger.) Angel's pizza is actually the old Domino's Pizza. The contract between Domino's in the Philippines has ended, so all the outlets of Domino's had to change its name. Coincidentally, their name is the same as the but-1-take-1 burger outlets found nationwide, and that the pizzas, like the previous Domino's system, is also buy-1-take-1 (again, like the burgers.)

- While eating, Martin got a message from his brother-in-law that Martin's sister gave birth to a daughter around 2:30pm today. Congrats Martin, you're an uncle!! :D:D:D:D

- Well, it's OFFICIALLY my last day - as a student and as a becario (though my becario days ended last Dia del Libro,) but the people in ICM (Instituto Cervantes de Manila) will be seeing my again next week when I pass by to pay my debt to Karla, and when I'll be distributing Instituto stuff in the LRT stations, along with the other becarios. :D:D:D:D

It's a SIGN of Love: Jennel's Sister's Wedding :) :) :) :)

- May 2, 2010, Sunday

- Century Hotel (the restaurant at the back,) 7pm-11pm

- Tonight was a special night, not only because Jennel's sister got married, but it was also Cinq's mini mini reunion. I was glad to see some of my old chums from way back whenever, and of course, Jennel in her nice geometric gown.

- The couple rented the WHOLE restaurant because of the large number of guests. That was why a lot of screens were put up in a lot of areas in the restaurant. The projector flashed 4 cameras' points of view at once, and one including a person doing sign language. The lady who did sign language struck me the most, since it was the first time I've seen such during a wedding. I later found out that a person who knew sign language was needed since Jennel's sister's husband was deaf, along with some of his friends. Then again, I think Jennel's sister and her husband really deserve each other, since they both looked very happy, contented, and full of amor, despite the groom's disability. I found it cute and amusing to see them communicate in sign language. It actually reminded me of my baby thesis, along with my two other groupmates, for my Communications Research class. (We studied how deaf people consumed television media.)

- As for our little world, we all obviously had some catching up to do. It was a pity that Mel and Lady had to sit somewhere else for the mean time since they chairs were not enough for all of us. At least they went to see us after they had eaten.

- Honestly, I missed everyone a lot, even though I do communicate with them with the power of technology. Like what I always tell people, there's nothing that can beat being with people you love personally. And yes, The Limits Does Not Exist with CINQ. :) :) :) :)

Let's Fly to CHICAGO for the Ultimate Korean Experience!!!! :D:D:D:D

- May 1, 2010, Saturday

- Ok ok, you caught me. I didn't really fly to Chicago, USA, but I really went to a place named Chicago, with a few friends, for the ultimate Korean experience: NORAEBANG (karaoke. :D:D:D:D)

- The trip started after I picked up Charmaine from her house around 11am. We rode the LRT to Gateway, and ate a BIG lunch at Burgoo. After around an hour, we went ahead to the MRT station, and rode off to Ortigas.

- Meeting Sang at Ortigas was a bit of a challenge. Honestly, it wasn't a good day to NOT bring my trusted map, and as expected, it was a bit hard to find Sang. It was a good thing he gave us directions. They helped, but somehow, Charmaine and I ended up somewhere near, but not exactly the place where Sang expected us to be.

- During our wait, 2 foreigners approached me to ask for directions and other places of interest in Manila. It was honestly a bit difficult to bombard them with information, especially how to commute to those places, but the conversation ended when I talked to the Korean girl in Korean and the Argentinian guy in Spanish. Right now, I just hope that the two foreigners found their way around Manila. Damn, if only Lala made my Itch Toes Walking Tours calling card, I could've given them my calling card. Oh well.

- Well, as for Charmaine and I, we finally managed to find our way by asking guard after guard after guard. We met Sang near Poveda, and rode off to Chicago. Chicago is just beside Metrowalk, and is opened 24 hours. Promo times are during 5am to 5am. Each hour during promo hour is 180 per room (though I think 180 is the minimum payment per hour for each room, and that the price increases after a certain number/range of people.)

- We started choosing and singing songs while waiting for another friend - Margarette!! Sang also told me beforehand about his two surprises: he'll do a rap, and a Chinese song. Well, I must say, Sang is a great rapper!! Aside from that, he does know his Chinese. As for Charmaine and I, we both printed romanized lyrics of Korean songs we liked, so we could still sing them while the screen flashed Korean words. I can read Korean, but not as fast. :D:D:D:D

- Marga arrived after nearly an hour. It was the first time she'd be meeting Charmaine personally after I introduced them to each other online several months ago (in 2009 I think.) Also, it was the first time that Margarette would be meeting and talking to Sang, though I have mentioned Sang to Margarette quite a few times after our Chinatown trip.

- Everyone got along well. Even if some of them have met each other for the first time, shyness didn't exist. As for me, shyness never existed at all. HAHAHAHA. I think I didn't even run out of energy, and matched my songs with choreography, or endless ADHD-like jumping and screeching.

- After 3 hours of nonstop singing, we headed somewhere near UA&P for dinner. The restaurant was named MH2 Korean restaurant. It was our first time there, even Sang, though he told us that people recommended that place based on his research. I must say, I think the people were right. The interior of MH2 was that of a Koreanovela set brought to life. The place was cozy, but at the same time spacey. The food was undoubtedly amazing (and spicy,) and the free, cold, and bottomless rice tea (barley actually, according to Sang,) made my night. The friendly owner also made friends quickly with Sang. Hahahaha.

- No wonder we couldn't after eating. I think we doubled our body sizes, and if we didn't have a choice, I think we would've rolled to the small Korean grocery behind MH2. Haha. (Marga bought a Melonia popsicle. As much as I would like to buy one, I was full.)

- Sang drove off after pointing out some directions to Marga. (Yes Sang, if you're reading this, we are looking forward to our next fun-filled Korean adventure. :D:D:D:D) Marga was on her way home, but was also kind enough to drive Charmaine and I to the 5th Avenue LRT1 station. Along the way, we talked about stuff while listened to SNSD's Oh! CD.

- At the LRT, I noticed that my whole body smelled like Korean food. Well it's not really the best scent to have in a closed and air-conditioned public transportation vehicle. Then again, I like the smell of Korean food, or I guess food in general. Charmaine and I rode a trike from the Bambang LRT Station to our building. If I know better, Charmaine and I would have chosen to roll all the way to our house, given that the road is clean, it isn't round 9 in the evening, and that no one was watching. :D:D:D:D