Leap of faith

Tomorrow, January 28, is a really big day for me. Not bigger than my birthday, big. But big enough BIG. And LIFE-CHANGING. Exciting days ahead! :)

Hark children of the greaaaat St. Paul!!

Today, January 25, we celebrate the feast of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. Being both a Paulinian and Biguenyo, this has always been really big a day for me, growing up. (Recap: Alumni of St. Paul's are Paulinians; Patron saint of Vigan is St. Paul) So here I am, very busy with work deadlines, but squeezing in 10 minutes of my precious time to dedicate a blog post entirely to St. Paul (secretly trying to win ganda points so he'll help me finish my deliverables on time. Aha!).

So what's cookin' in Vigan right now? A week-long fiesta celebration pegged VIVA VIGAN which showcases a longganisa-themed parade, among others. If you must know, Vigan has the most delicious longganisa (Mexican salami to the culturati) in all of the 7,107 Philippine islands. So if you haven't tasted it yet, boo you to the nth power!!

In St. Paul's, we, as with the other schools in the city, joined in the festivities. Of course, I am sharing my experience from 8 years back when I was a H.S. Senior. My girl pals and I were members of the marching band (which our school called the Drum and Lyre), hence, we were front-runners in the city-wide parade (to be differentiated from the aforementioned longganisa parade) which is the fiesta opener. In short, sikat kami. Or feeling sikat. Whatever. Haha! I was co-majorette with my other 2 friends (Janina and Avon), while the rest of my talented friends were minorettes (Cha, Len, Erika) or with the instruments (Krystel, Nica and Kaye). The Drum and Lyre wasn’t really what you would call exceptional performers (wala kaming sinabi as compared to the public schools in terms of performance) but I would like to believe that our band stood out from the rest because of our impeccable poise and pride, despite the aching feet!! And we definitely had lots of fun! I sure hope we never seriously embarrassed our moderator. Oh well. :) 

To cut my story short, some of the best memories I've had of my childhood were during my formative years in St. Paul which is why this day will always serve as a reminder of the essential values I have learned from my teachers, friends and classmates. Life was really less complicated then. Ahhh... nostalgic!

And so the Paulinian hymn goes:

Sweet are the days of childhood 

when friends we love and care 

Those golden links of childhood 

whose sympathy we share 

Do stay and while the hours away 

With us in work and play 

And when we leave our dear old school 

These mem'ries we'll recall 

These mem'ries we'll recall 

:)

Snippets from highschool:

First year highschool at Jen's house (center) on her birthday. Why isn't Barbie in uniform? And this was supposed to be a serious shot! Ampaaang!!! :)

Sophomores with an attitude! Studio pics were really big then. :D

I think it was Krystel (lower left-most) who collated this. On our senior year! 

At Janina's for dinner with the Streetboys. They were still popular back then and they were filming a movie in Vigan. We look so....mmm....young nalang. haha :))

Kung Hei Fat Choi!!!

Happy New Year, Everyone!!! It is so great that here in the PI we celebrate two New Years! This way, I can still make a pahabol list of my new year's resolutions. I wasn't able to make one last January 1 because I was so bundat from all the eating that I chose to sleep instead of joining the rest of the world in jotting down resolutions. Belat. :P


I have three things on my list:


1. Do NOT procrastinate. From this moment on, I should not be hearing these phrases come out of my cute mouth:

• "Mamaya na ako mag-start to work. I have all day (or all night) naman e."
• "I have so much to do! Matulog na nga lang ako."
• This one's a favorite:

              Me (to usually a friend from work): Watcha doing? Work tayo.

              Friend: I'm going to the mall today e (Or, I have a date today). Tomorrow pa.

              Me: Ahhh. Okay, sige, ako rin, mall nalang.

2. To find LOVE in everything I do. Yep, from the most complicated job there is for one employed in what I do to the simplest day-to-day task imaginable like mixing my morning cuppa joe, I promise (as in cross my heart) to do everything out of love. This seems tough. But I think I can. (Like the choo choo train who thought he can. and he did!) 

3. To be forever THANKFUL for the gift of family and friends. This is the part where you readers should say "Awww..." So go on. Hahaha! :))) Seriously, now. There is not a day that I am thankful for being surrounded by wonderful people who genuinely show concern for me and who always put up with my shortcomings. Uh, yes. I have my moments. As in mataray, moody, and overtly lazy to do anything moments. My prayers are with you everyday and always. 

There. I am positive that I will be keeping all of the above for the entire year (crossing my fingers). I just know and believe that this year of the dragon will be great for Rabbits like myself!!!! :)))

 KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!!!!! :-)