J: I’ve got to go…AGAIN! + Basic packing tips for long haul flights!

How time flies! It feels like I just came back home (from Qatar) yesterday, and now it's time to leave The Philippines again. But I can't say I am not excited to leave, I am very thrilled, and I cannot wait to get the hell out of here!

Don’t get me wrong, I love coming home to the Philippines, but I am always excited to go back to Doha every time, mainly because my mom is there and it is there where our family can be complete. I have said this before; Doha feels more like my home now. It doesn't matter which country we're in, what's most important is that we're (physically) together. For me, that's all that matters.

We came home December 2012 for the holidays and also for the renewal of vows of my mom and dad. They just celebrated their silver wedding anniversary! That was really exciting not just for me, but for the whole family as well. Valentine’s Day came on a December for us ;)

March is just around the corner, but before that 9-hour flight to Doha, my dilemma is always how to fit my things in my luggage, haha! I’m a lady and travelling light is a huge problem for me! But years of going back and forth from Doha to the Philippines has taught me a thing or two when it comes to packing my stuff properly and these techniques, I am going to share with all of you. Say goodbye to the troubles of packing the wrong way.

For my Clothes:  I never fold my clothes, I roll them. With this, I can fill the space of my luggage more efficiently and then layer them. This means I can fit more clothes in, and then just fold my jeans and delicates then lay it over after.

I normally have tops and dresses that has a sheer and cotton material so it's easier to roll. But this trick does not apply for jeans or sweaters because these are too thick, it might take up more space when rolled, so it's much better to fold them and lay them over the rolled clothings.

After a few layers of rolled clothes, this is how your luggage should look like! Very compact and efficient.

For my Shoes: The last time we went to Doha, I weas literally in tears while I bid adieu to some of my shoes. But then, I am not planning to go through all that this time. I decided to pre-select what shoes to bring and then put them in a hygienic plastic wrap so I can squeeze them in my luggage and then some on my carry-on bag. ;)

I got this vacuum storage bag kit from Avon. I love it because it's super sealed and it allows the shoes to be mixed with my clean clothes.

For my Make-Up and Fragrances: I have a small hard case luggage for my makeup and perfumes, because I am more convinced that nothing bad will happen to my makeup when they’re in a tough luggage, haha! But I don’t just throw them in there, I also wrap them in a bubble wrap, because I am OC like that and to prevent leakages for the liquid and cream ones, it’s also a perfect excuse to play with those bubble wraps. ;)



I have a small luggage for my makeup, brushes, fragrances and some pieces of clothings and delicates

For my Brushes: I’ve got tons of makeup brushes at this point and I pack them a little different. I put brush guards on them to protect their bristles and then put them in a separate pouch to keep them safe because they’re like my babies and quite pricey as well! So better keep them safe, right? ;)

I got the brush guards from Suesh Makeup Toolkit and the pouch came free with the Suesh Smokey Eye Brush Kit.

For my Gadgets: I always try to bring my gadgets in my carry-on luggage but they can be too bulky, like my DSLR or my hair dryer, so I put them in my check-in luggage. I strategically put them in between clothes so they’re quite snuggled in, because we know how rough the luggage handling in the airports could be.

Among my gadgets, My DSLR and my Laptop are the most bulky. I tend to squeeze my DSLR inside my luggage or let someone else carry it for me. As with my other little gadgets, I put them in my shoulder bag :)

For the Pasalubong/Baon: My aunts/uncles and grandmas always make sure that I bring a slice of home as a pasalubong to my inay. This means tons of Goldilocks polvoron, dried mangoes,  pastillas, etc. I usually just let them do the packing for these yummy treats, and how they usually do it is by the "classic" way; wrapping them whole with packaging tape and then squeeze them in our luggage. Believe me, it works all the time! ;) The pasalubong are the last ones to get inside the luggage. :)

The very yummy pastillas

Giving the classic polvoron to anyone we know that's leaving the country is almost like a tradition in our family. It's a staple pasalubong or pabaon.

Banquet of all sorts of native knick knacks

And that is it for now. If you’re travelling anytime soon, I hope this helped and enjoy! :)

-J




Photo Sources:
http://sartoriography.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/04_rolling-clothes.jpg
http://www.prolificliving.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Folding_Clothes_in_Luggage.jpg

A: How I made the most out of my vacay in the Philippines!

If thinking happy thoughts would really make you fly, then am pretty sure I would’ve been up in the air after I booked our flight going to the Philippines. I have gone back home twice since I started working abroad, and the amount of excitement coming home is the same if not even greater this time.

I had everything planned right away. Well, I can say that the "planning"  part is easy; you choose the dates, book flights, buy pasalubong, and pack your bags. It's  making the most out of my limited time back home that gets quite challenging. But having learned many lessons from my first trip back home, I now know the to-dos and not-to-dos when coming home for a vacay. 

So many loved ones, so little time? Not anymore. Here are some tips on how you can maximize your time when visiting home:

Tip #1: Make a schedule

Coordinate with people you want to meet. Create a time table for all the meet-ups you will have, and this should include the place. 

If you are going out with a group of people, make sure everyone is aware of and have agreed to the date and time of meet-up, this way there will be no room for sudden changes in plans.  If you have a group of friends who prefer to chit chat while eating, and another group who prefers to do just the same but over a couple of drinks, then set a lunch date with the former, and a dinner date with the latter. With schedules starting quite late, you can even inject some shopping time in the morning. Find those filipino goods you missed while you were away from home. 


Tip #2: Too much of anything is bad

Unless you are meeting friends over their 1-hour lunch break, then the tendencies are you all would want to stay and chitchat longer and enjoy more food or more drinks. And this is why it is not advisable to schedule a meet-up with three different groups of people in a single day. The last thing you want to do is check on your watch every minute and worry that your other friends might already be waiting for you.


Tip #3: Location location location!

Ask your different sets of friends to meet you in places that are near each other.  This gives you enough time to enjoy every second you have with your first “date” and not worry that there could be heavy traffic on your way to your next meeting place.

Plus, I bet the people you will want to meet are your really close friends, and with that being the case, am sure they’d be willing to compromise. 


Tip #4: Take the level of drunkenness to a 0!

Remember that time when you went out drinking with friends, you had so much fun you downed all the alcoholic drinks you got your hands on? Then the following morning you woke up perfectly fine, all energetic, and ready to go malling? Yeah, neither do I.

We all know how bad hangovers can get after a night of all-out partying. And although letting lose with friends can be a lot of fun, it will not be so entertaining while you try to drag yourself in to the bathroom so that you can start preparing for another day out with friends. It also can be heartbreaking when you know you will not get to leave the house because you're still dizzy from last night's drinkathon and you cannot leave your bed.

Depending on your alcohol tolerance, a couple of bottles should be okay. None of us wants to be that KJ (kill joy) balikbayan who only wanted iced tea, right? Have a good time, but make sure you will still be strong enough, if not sober enough for the following day's agenda. 


Tip #5: Always be on time

It’s simple, if you get to your first schedule on time, then the chances of you becoming late on your next meet-up is very small. If you really want to spend enough time with people you want to see, then you should stick strictly to your schedule.
 
These are the tricks that worked for me on my last trip in the Philippines.We would also love to hear how you make the most out of your time when you go back home or when you visit places. Please feel free to share them with us on the comment box below.

Now this is the part that I'm excited about the most. This is how it all went down during my 7-day vacation in my country.

HELLO PHILIPPINES!

Flight back home: We booked the 1:20AM / February 7, 2013 flight and we were happy that we landed on time. Smooth flight and comfy seats. Thank you, CEBU PACIFIC!


Day 1 / Feb.7.2013 Thursday:

Sunrise!

Our first stop was of course, at that fast food chain with a red-and-yellow-striped bee! :D Popo’s mom and dad had no idea he was coming home, so needless to say, they were both surprised to see us early morning in their house, with Jollibee breakfast meals!

Teatime!

We went to SM Mall Of Asia (MOA) later that afternoon and did a little shopping. Oh I missed looking at that globe. We also finished what needed to be done at BDO. They really find ways! Special thanks to Mr. Ryan Bautista.

All the walking got us tired. How about some merienda? RAZON’s! Ooohh you got to love their halo-halo!

Sunset!

And of course, what better way to end our first day back home but by having dinner with our families at Seaside Dampa! Julie’s Ihaw-ihaw provided a wide variety of grilled meals and all-Pinoy dishes. We savoured their Sinigang na hipon, buttered shrimp, ensaladang mangga, baked tahong, grilled liempo, and calamari. Oooohh just typing these meals makes me hungry. And for dessert? The White Hat Italian fro yo and Chatime milk tea!

Day 2 / Feb.8.2013 Friday:

Sunrise! 

I woke up Friday morning feeling really happy. I'M HOME, B%^#CHES! :D For breakfast, mom bought some creamy pandesal.Yuuuummm! I started to finally unload the things inside my luggage before I prepped for another day of gala.

Teatime!

We made sure we pay our "college mommy" a visit. We stayed for a couple of hours, and just did some catching up over ice cream and juice. Haha! Here's our photo with our mommy Chil in Letran. Love her!


Sunset!

After Letran, I went straight to Greenbelt to meet my drop dead gorgeous high school girl friends. We enjoyed our dinner at Gerry's Grill Greenbelt 3. Our dinner was followed by a few bottles of beer, and then some coffee. I have never, in years, laughed so hard, and had much fun as I had with them. We met around 8PM and were in Greenbelt area until 3AM. I am crazy about these girls!  

(Notice that I changed my outfit? I met my mom at Glorietta first and bought a different top before I went to see my girls. Haha! I can’t help it.)

 
Day 3 / Feb.9.2013 Saturday:

Sunrise!

Usually, I get grumpy when I only get 3 hours of sleep, but not this time. I got home from my Fridate past 4 in the morning, slept around 5:30, and I was up prepping around 8:15.

I visited some some friends from my previous work in Mandaluyong. It felt weird to wear a visitor's ID. Haha! We headed to Hap Chan after some chikahan in the office. :) 

Teatime!

I spent the entire afternoon with another close friend, my ate Tine. I enjoyed this part of the day so much. We had so much catching up to do, and we did that over shopping. Even more fun huh? I got to buy so many items for very reasonable prices, all thanks to Fashion Market at Market! Market! If you live near the mall’s area, you should drop by and visit their four floors of all-affordable goodies; native delicacies, clothes, gift items, house displays, and furniture. You can find many nice items with good quality, and practice your bargaining skills at the same time! 

Sunset!

My amigang Yka would have seriously demanded we go to a bar in Timog had I not explained to her I really have somewhere I need to be early morning the following day. Haha! She loves me! So instead, we enjoyed dinner and a few bottles of beer at Giligans Glorietta 5.

I have one question though, Giligans. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? We had this old metal table that leaned to the side and wobbled. So you can just imagine how careful we tried to be when pouring pork sinigang in our bowls. The place was dead quiet. It was nothing like how it was before. 

Good thing the girls I was with were anything but boring. I love these girls, and I will always have a day/night dedicated to being with them when back home. It's funny how we "attacked" the mangga't bagoong served to us? Hahahaha!

Day 4 / Feb.10.2013 Sunday:

Sunrise / Teatime! 

We were at Jollibee SLEX a few minutes after the sun rose on my 4th day home. After munching in on our breakfast meals, we were back on the road. Next stop: Tiaong, Quezon; home of the Dipasupils!

My lola (grandmother), native chicken, and fruits picked from our trees backyard, are just some of the many reasons why I always visit Tiaong.

 
Sunset!

And as if we haven't had enough Chinese food in Singapore, dinner at Chowking! Well, Popo and I still enjoy Chinese food cooked the Filipino way.

Day 5 / Feb.11.2013 Monday:

Sunrise / Teatime!

Remember our first joint entry? That would fall under this day. Bebi J and I spiced up our Monday.

Photo taken at Conti's Greenbelt 2. Love that Mango Bravo!

 
Sunset!

With my college/org friends that night for some good old peer bonding.

Day 6 / Feb.11.2013 Tuesday:

This day is specially for my mom. I really miss going shopping with her, so this day is for some mother-daughter bonding.   

Sunrise!

Photo not taken in the Philippines. Just wanted to show you my mom! Haha!

We went back to Market! Market! and shopped a little, then waited for my cousin, kuya Joel before going to Max’s for our (late) lunch. 



 
Teatime!

With time still in our control, we went back home first to drop all the things we bought and freshen up before leaving again for Makati.

Sunset!

It was our last night in the Philippines. After buying all we needed at SM Makati, we headed to Conti’s Greenbelt 2 for our family dinner.

Day 7 / Feb.13.2013 Wednesday:

Ensaymada, caramel bars, happy peanuts, dragon sid, Oishi Cracklings, Tomi sweetcorn, sour sampaloc, and some processed goods. Yes, our bags are packed. Bound for Singapore.

- A (02.24.13/11:00PM)

A&J: No valentine? No problem!

It’s not everyday that we get the chance to spend time together and shop. So this month of love, we made sure that we get to set a date for bonding, shopping, and a whole lot of best friend time!

We both love to shop for clothes, hair accessories, shoes, among many other things that shout “I’m pretty!”, but unlike when we were in college, we don’t get to bring along our girl friends anymore to shop with us and judge our choices.  And we know for a fact that having someone on the next fitting room ready to check how the dress fits you is always helpful on deciding whether or not an item is worth losing a few bills in your wallet. So we were both excited to know that we will again get the chance to shop like how we used to do it; together. We didn’t waste any second while we were together. All the chika and all the shopping we did. Legen… wait for it… dary! :D

Before proceeding with the main event of the day, we first filled our sexy bods with some delish dishes from Conti’s, and of course, what else for dessert but MANGO BRAVO.

We visited SM Makati, The Landmark, Greenbelt malls, and Glorietta malls on a Monday. Why Monday? We both do not enjoy shopping in crowded places (this only applies to bigger malls, we both love Divi and Greenhills) so we met on a Monday!

We both didn’t have anything specific we’d want to purchase. We touched and tried everything that caught our eyes. We bought quite a number of small items and of course, some clothes. It’ll be too many (and not to mention too boring) if we share with you, friends, all of the things we bought, so let us show you our top 3 favorite purchases from our best friend Valentine's date.

Bebi A:

AAAWWW:  Bebi J can do her make up really well. She can transform herself from very chic, to rock and roll diva, to “I’m an actress who doesn’t know how to act” (Haha! She did a Kristen Stewart make up before).  Bottom line, she knows how to handle those brushes and palettes. And she sure looked nice when we met at Greenbelt; made me wonder if she forgot it was only ME she’s dating that day.

So since I was with her, I took that chance to have her help me choose the right lipstick for me. She gave me some really nice suggestions on which shade I should use, and which brands I should go for to get good quality lip stick. I went for Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suade in Cotoure shade.

 The stick itself is more pink than red, but once applied gives you a reddish tint. A light dab gave my lips my desired natural-looking reddish/pinkish look. And it really lasts. The sales person didn’t lie to me when she told me it can last up to 16 hours. Lips still reddish after you have brushed your teeth, is that good or bad? You be the judge.

I LIKE: I stopped by at The Landmark a few days before bebi J and I went there. On my first visit, I saw this lacy dress that I fell in love with. I fit it, and it looked good on me (Yeah, you read that right :D ), but I didn’t buy it. But when Bebi J and I saw it again on our visit, I immediately asked for a new stock, and purchased it. Her remark, “Bi, this will look good on you.” gave me THE push.

This corset top dress will go well with a nice earth-color boyfriend jacket and closed heels for a more chic corporate look, and of course, can be worn alone plus some bright pumps for a date with the boyfriend. This baby all for a very cheap price of Php299! And I know a dress like this will cost me around $40-$50 in Singapore. Money well spent!

I SUPER LOVE: There is one difference between Forever 21 Orchard Exchange (Singapore) and Forever 21 SM Makati (Philippines); I have never gone to the former with my best friend. I have found myself wandering around Forever 21 in Orchard way too many times, but never have I purchased a single thing. There was just nothing that enticed me to buy anything, not even the ones I really liked (it happens to me a lot when shopping alone, for added proof, refer to the lacy dress story at The Landmark again). But when we got to Forever 21 SM Makati (Philippines), I just went mad over some shift dresses. And this time, I didn’t just fit dresses, I actually bought the one that I liked.

 And I just love how this shift dress can make me look longer than 5’1”. I also bought some half nude half red pumps (Parisian) to go with the dress. I feel very Audrey Hepburn-ish in the outfit. Oh! And let me just add, I’ve already worn this in the office, and I got compliments from almost everyone, including the big bosses. Made me feel so puhreetey!

Bebi J:

AAAWWW:  I am on the plus side of the fashion spectrum, and though they have a plus size section in The Landmark, the choices are still limited and kind of outdated, so I wasn’t able to buy new clothes from Landmark, but I was more than happy to suggest some cutesy dresses for Bebi A. We also bought some super cute and colourful mini hairclips to hold our fringes! Because every lady with fringes knows that it can get really irritating sometimes. ;D Then we went to the mall’s ground floor and that’s like a slice of heaven for me; MAKE UP counters everywhere!!! I immediately switch my make up sniper vision on and located VMV Hypoallergenics to buy “Skintangible Faintation: Skin Refining Skintelligent Non-Makeup”! I love VMV so much! In fact I am using they’re whole “Re-Everything” skincare line!

 

 
(L-VMV Hypoallergenics' Skintangible)
It is a skin brightener and it’s like a foundation but it’s not. It’s so light on the skin and it already has an SPF! I use this to achieve the dewy skin effect, not oily. It just gives the face that healthy glow!

I LIKE: And then we head on to my favourite high street boutique here in the Philippines; Forever 21! I made my way to the Plus Size section right away and found this very nice blouse top and a Navy-inspired black striped dress.

I purchased both of them, but I really like my new Navy dress. I’ve been looking for a dress like this for quite some time now. I love how its simplicity paired with a colourful skinny belt can remind me of Paris or if you match it with a black belt, you automatically can rock an Adele inspired look!

 
I wore this with a black skinny belt and my Tory Burch Black Jelly Reva Flats, and then Voila! A date night or night-out-of-the-town-with-friends look! Or, exchange the flats with red stilettos for a more vamp and sophisticated look.

I SUPER LOVE: And, then after a long day of shopping in Makati we went to the SM Mall of Asia to meet up with some college friends for dinner. On our way to the resto, we saw this store called Club Princess, a very cute store which has a lot of, well for the lack of a better word, princess things, feather boas, pink and everything cute! I found this zebra print headboard that is shaped like a crown with pink ribbons across it used to hold notes or pictures and it is the cutest thing!

I have been looking for something like this for quite some time now as well. I even tried to DIY this but, obviously, I failed immensely. LOL. I love having pictures or memorabilia of my loved ones by my bed that's why I put so much positivity in this board plus it's really cute so a +1 for my room's aesthetic! ;)

That day couldn’t have gotten any better! Food, Shop, and Chika! What else can two female best friends ask for on an ordinary weekday?! And we cannot even begin to describe the things we will do to get that kind of bonding again. Obviously, one day isn’t enough for all the cute items we can get our hands on. But though it’s just one day, we’re glad we had that chance. Who knows, maybe our next Vday date will not be in the Philippines anymore? ;)

 

A: My boyfriend is my boy friend :)

Now this should be fun.

My laptop is a witness to how many times I have tried to start my first blog entry, and just how many times I failed… miserably.

I guess what makes this first entry difficult to start is because I am trying really hard to dismiss the idea of writing anything about love, but I end up with ideas which suggest I do it. I have wondered, wondered, and wondered some more. And I don’t blame my best friend when she suggested writing about my turning-8-years relationship with my boyfriend. It is, after all, THE love month. But as much fun writing my ‘love story’ would be, I’d rather save that for another entry.

On the other hand, I would like to share with y’all the things I love about loving someone and being loved back. Some of you may have the same experiences as mine, while some may have even nicer ones. Feel free to share with us why you love being in a relationship and what you enjoy most about it at the comment box below. And while you choose which of your many lovely experiences you’d like to share with us, here are mine:

First, I love having a boy best friend. As a lady (I refuse to call myself a girl), it is important to have a steady set of girl friends or a really dependable girl best friend. I don’t know about other ladies, but I will not survive a week without talking to Bebi J and my other closest girl friends. It doesn’t have to be serious talk, gossip will do. :D

While girl best friend/s always come in handy with all the love life, handbags, stilettos, Hollywood chick-flick chit-chats, it’s also very helpful to have insights from someone who thinks a little differently. And I am blessed to have one in the form of my boy friend; Popo.

:)  FYI: Popo is not his real name. I call him Popo, he calls me Koko. It’s our thing. :D

I love how I can talk to him about things I also share with my friends, and hear a totally different opinion compared to what I get from my girls.  See, we can’t blame our girl friends if most of the time they take our side in an issue. They can’t help it. I think it’s the girl friend instinct. I think it is the girl friend god who tells us to stick together, never let the other one feel down. And that is what’s nice about having a boy best friend, he doesn’t always take my side, and he makes me realize when I’m wrong. And when it’s him who does that, I don’t feel offended. I feel his concern, his love.

Second, I love feeling protected. To all my friends out there with a lovey dovey, let’s all admit it. We all feel safe when we’re with them. I know we all pray that nothing ever happens that would put his ass-whooping skills to the test, but we all know deep inside us, that should anything wrong happen, there is going to be someone to protect us.

And our knight in shining armour is not only a hero on those kinds of situations. Let’s not forget, how good it feels when you have someone to wrap his arms around you when you’re crying off of frustration. When you have someone to wipe your tears off your eyes after you just had a big fight with your best friend. It’s nice knowing that when you are feeling really weak, he will be there to make you feel otherwise.

Third, I love being treated like a Princess. Now before you start raising your eyebrows, read first. Princesses in Walt Disney’s stories all had to face challenges of their own; they had to face dragons, witches, evil step moms, among many others. They had to face trials, and then after, they got to rejoice over the victory with their princes.

It’s nice to have someone to celebrate a promotion with. To have someone be genuinely happy for you after a visa application has been approved. Or to have someone text you in the middle of the night just to tell you he’s excited for your new adventures.  The feeling is great.

Fourth, I love the make up moments. My relationship is anything but perfect. If there was anything that frequently happened in the first few years of ‘Popo and Koko’, it’s that we fought. A LOT. I don’t look back on those days with a smile on my face, of course. But, I do smile (even giggle sometimes) whenever I would recall how our bad moments end up with us being even stronger.  

I have lost count as to how many times Popo and I fought, but I remember all the things we learned from every fight that we had, and all the happy memories we have after realizing we both are not willing to risk what we have just to get to prove who’s right.

I grew up understanding that there are relationships that you will value so much, you will be willing to understand everything, and sometimes even swallow your pride just so you can keep it alive. And this is one of those relationships. 

Fifth, I love having somebody to love. It’s priceless. I love knowing that no matter what I go through, there is someone who will celebrate with me if I succeed, or wrap his arms around me when I don’t (yet). I love having someone I pray for, and who prays for me. I love reading text messages making sure I already had my lunch, and reminding me to bring my umbrella. I love having someone who shares with me the same amount of excitement as we count the last few days before our anniversary. I love having someone I share my dreams with.

Writing this entry actually made me realize that there are a lot more I am grateful for. I cannot fit all of them in this entry, but I am holding on to them to keep every day a happy day!

There is never an easy journey. I’d bet a million dollars (even though I don’t have that kind of money :D ) that even relationship experts go through difficult situations with the people they love. It will always take patient and loving hearts to get through relationship storms, may it be friendly or romantic.

Spread the love! Happy heart’s!

-A (021513/7:20PM)

J: BEING NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth)

Well, what about being that NBSB girl?

Oh, how about that?! Being one, myself at 23, it gets kind of sad at times. (READ:  I hate to start on a depressing note right here, but believe me it will get better.) It makes me think of what have I been missing by not having a boyfriend, it also makes me think if I have already missed out on my chance to find the right guy. Hoping and sobbing while watching romantic movies because I still don’t know how that kind of love really feels like. Just sitting, wondering will I ever find one. That John Mayer song—“A Love Song for No One”, that is how it feels sometimes. The feeling of being left behind while almost all of my friends are being pursued by amazing, and sometimes not so amazing, guys and then on to having a relationship of their own makes me want to burst out to this song most of the time;

“I could have met you in a sandbox
I could have passed you on the sidewalk 
could I have missed my chance and watched you walk away?
I'm tired of being alone so hurry up and get here 
I'm so tired of being alone so hurry up and get here”

But then, this feisty woman inside me pulls me back to reality as I drift away to “pittyville” once more. And then I will just realize again how many girls my age would envy whatever I have right now. Just how many girls my age could say that they are so thrilled to know how it feels like to be pursued for the first time? Or how that first date feels like? Or how does a first kiss feel? That certain feeling of not knowing and the excitement of having something to look forward to, these are just some of the things I could still get a hold of to. And, I know I am not alone!

I know I am not the only one in this world who feels like a loser sometimes just because I or she still doesn’t have had any relationship yet at this age. Just realize that maybe we bloom a little later because we’re not supposed to have a BOYfriend, we are meant to have a MANfriend J I always say this to whomever is asking me why I still don’t have a boyfriend, and I don’t intend to offend anyone by saying this, “I don’t have a boyfriend because I am that one time big time girl”, and they will ask me what I meant and to which I will answer defiantly, “I am not the kind of girl who got to have tons of boyfriend to prove my femininity, I am the kind of girl that will be ready for the man I will spend the rest of my life with, wherever he is”

I wish my statements here wouldn’t be taken the wrong way, I really admire ladies my age that’s able to sustain a long-time relationship and I am so happy for all of you! But, just thinking of all the possibilities and adventures yet to unfold in my life, it’s just amazing!

Let me share a little story. Back in college it was my conscious decision to not be involved with anyone or even entertain any kind of woo-ing, that was a pact I made with myself, but I’m just a girl and I’ve had my own share of extreme crushes, platonic friendships and ultimate heartaches. Being heartbroken over a relationship that never really existed is the worst! And, I’ve been through all that. I was never and ever will be perfect, but I have embraced these imperfections and just accepted the fact that it is part of life. I have to be hurt every once in a while for me to be stronger, better and much more prepared for whatever life and love throws my way. I would not go into details; instead I will share how I got through it. And, it was never easy; it took time, sleepless night, bucket of tears and ample time of recharging my self-esteem.

Here it goes:

·         First, acknowledge that what I am trying to get over was never really there. That it was only me and I should be alright for myself.

·         Second, go through the pain, but never for too long.

·         Third, go out with friends and have fun.

·         This may sound cliché but the fourth step is to continue living. I might’ve gotten a haircut or something just to have another fresh beginning but other than that, all I did was, I continued to live. I moved on and nothing feels better than that J

So, to that guy who I am yet to meet in my life, I would just want to let you know that I am here still preparing myself to share my first hello, my first “can we have coffee sometime?”, my first date, my first ride home, my first love with you J I hope to cross paths with you when I am done being a girl and are already an independent lady. I will never lose faith of finding you or you finding me as soon as we both are ready to embark on this wonderful journey called LOVE.

Make everyday a day filled with love, life and laughter!

-J (020113/12:27AM)



P.S. May I suggest that you play this song by Jordin Sparks, it's called "Worth the Wait" and be inspired. This has been my anthem since college an it really helped me get through some stuff and a fool-proof feel good song. I am wishing it will do the same to you ;)