Of Kerygma Conference 2012, Chicosci/Parokya Ni Edgar and the Not-So-Distant-Past

Another eventful weekend has passed, and so far it is the most life-changing experience that has happened to me in a very long while.

The Cab: Through the Eyes of a Candid Fan Girl

I have been listening to their songs for months now so I thought I might as well dedicate a post that is solely for them. It doesn't matter if it gets read, but just like the main purpose of putting up this online journal of sort (which is to express)... And if ever any of them would go creeping and reading (which is way too cool)... And because 2013 is going to be a bigger year for them (new record on a huge label, more opportunities, bigger audience).. I cannot see the perfect timing but now for my The Cab appreciation post.

Disclaimer: This is another lengthy entry by yours truly taking into full account from where this Cab madness has started up to this date so read at your own risk. I just hope that through this, you'd get to see them through my own eyes... and then you'll know why.

Lights and Sounds

To start my The Walking Dead Season 1 marathon. To finish reading The Mark of Athena. That is my plan for the past weekend.  But whatever happened to planning things, they never work out anyway, or at least the way we planned it; because most of the times, things work out even more awesome than the things we had in mind. 

I have never been to a Lights and Sound show before and from what I have heard, Ayala Triangle has some of the best that we had in the place and so when my best friend of whom I have not really get to talked with in a very long while told me that she's coming with her sisters, and my schedule is not so tight during Saturdays, I immediately said yes. Part of me wants to see the lights. The other half wants to see her again

Eleven.

I just felt like trying this one out, too, (as tagged by Ate Pet) but this time I won't be tagging anyone. But I will still be posting my eleven questions just for fun. ;)

1. If you were given the chance to live again, would you take it?

Yes. It is fun to be alive. :) Only, my family and  friends would not be there with me so I think it would be better if I'll have no memories of my past life and would get to live a different life from what I am living now. 

2. Do you believe in God?

Yes. Definitely.

3. What is your favorite show of all time?

"Of all time" is quite tricky. This is hard for I don't get to watch anything religiously on TV. Can I do my top three for this? Since I almost grew up with it, I'd say Eat Bulaga tops it, Pepito Manaloto because of its unique concept, and Nandito Ako, just because. For the international shows, it has to be One Tree Hill, Charmed and recently, New Girl.

4. James McAvoy or Michael Fassbender?

I have not heard of both (Yes, I live in a rock for ages). Thank heavens there's Google, and judging from the looks (sorry!!) I'd have to pick James McAvoy. Yes, I like him more.

5. Who is your favorite athlete of all time?

Anthony Helterbrand (Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel, PBA)  from the locals because he is such an awesome man, definitely, then there's Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs, NBA) and Lin Dan (former No.1 badminton player).

6. Are you enjoying your course/job/career right now?

Yes. So far. hahah I love my chosen path/career, and that's where the enjoyment came from. Although I would love to try some other stuff, too, but not in the near future.

7. If there is one place you could visit before you die, where would you go?

Somewhere in Europe. London? Picadilly Street? Leavesden Studio? I am fascinated with everything British.

8. If there is one person you would like to meet (athlete, actor, actress, musician or anyone), who would that be?

Athlete: David Beckham. Hug him, too. Would that be alright?

Actor: Rupert Grint. Love the guy.

Actress: Jennifer Lawrence. This girl's got the best attitude and outlook in life, ever! Loved her interviews. Getting to talk with her would be nice.

Musician: Joseph Thunder, just because I haven't gotten the chance when they came here the last time. And the ever talented Andy Skib, because he is way too cool.

Anyone: John Green. We'll talk about anything under the sun and nerdy stuff.

9. Favorite new show?

New Girl. Zooey Deschanel is so quirky and beautiful I love her! I want to try watching The Walking Dead, too, and maybe Touch, if I'd get to have the time.

10. Have you seen or watched The X-Files? If you have, what's your favorite episode? If you have not, would you ever consider watching this amazing show?

I haven't. hahahah maybe, yeah, given all the resources and the time.

11. Who are you?

I am who I am. April Ann De Guzman Y Contrata

As for the questions:

1. What is your favourite song of all time?

2.  Which line from a song would best describe your feeling at the moment?

3. Do you prefer coffee over milk tea?

4. Do you love animals? What is the story behind the name of your first pet?

5. What is that book that you have read but is least liked?

6. Name that movie that you have seen at least more than 5 times.

7. In high school, do you belong to the nerdy, bully, jock or the mean girls group?

8. What is your favourite Dairy Queen ice cream Blizzard flavour?

9. Sea or forest?

10. Are you into reality shows? Why or why not?

11. Basketball or Football?

Not really related but I just felt like posting this
cat looking up at my answers from Tumblr. Isn't it adorbs?

For The Gryffs: Christmas Wishlist 2012

Or rather Things I Can Afford In Time But It Would Delight Me More If It'll Come From You. 

 1) Ticket to The Script Live in Manila 2013 (March 31st). Any seat will do, but if you're being too generous, VIP is for 7420PHP.

 2) Anything Fender. I already have a Fender guitar capo. Guitar strings, guitar strap or if you really want to make me very very happy (because I have been wanting to own one since high school), a bass guitar. Hahahahah 

 3) Incoherent With Desire To Move On by MWK is not probable since the physical CD is not available in CD Baby anymore so a To Have Heroes EP will do. If I were you I'll pre-order this from the moment that I have read this list, for it takes usually 2 to 3 months to ship that up to our humble home (Hagonoy). Remember what happened to my The Other Side Of Down Deluxe Edition from the U.S.? Sad, but yes.

4) A Slytherin and a Ravenclaw shirt. Yes, if you are to choose this option, it should be both. 

5) A Totoro jacket, to match my Totoro bag. hahah 

6) A red bag, because you know how much I love red stuff. I appreciate anything that's red. Hahahahah 

7) And lastly, books!! You can choose from Jodie Picoult, John Green, David Baldacci, Mitch Albom and David Levithan. I'm still not closing doors for a J.K. Rowling, if not The Casual Vacancy then preferably The Tales of Beedle The Bard. But if you happen to find Fantastic Beast And Where To Find Them then cool. :)

8) I want to finally own a skirt to be worn on our next trip to the beach but I would not reveal my waist line so forget it. 

There you go, my wishlist for this year, posted as a part of our Yule ball (Christmas party) tradition. Well.. these are just to guide you, as always. You can always choose to follow your free will. And I am someone who's very easy to please and is very appreciative, anyway so... See you, my dearies, on our December party. :)

 Note: This is as addressed to my CE Gryffs friends. If you happen to know me and read this too and you have no idea on what to give me for Christmas yet then this may also apply to you. ;)

From The Serious... To The Not-So-Sirius Stuff.

So, I have been tagged on a blog, apparently, and have decided to try this one out which is very timely, I must say, because I haven't really posted a note in a while. I know, it should be on my blog account (Multiply) but things are just not pretty lately. Multiply, my sanctuary, will be closing in a few months time. I'm deeply saddened by that news 'cause basically it has been my go-to site whenever I feel like speaking what's in my mind back then. But maybe some good things never really last. 

Uhm... okay. I posted this as a note on my Facebook before but because I have a Blogger account now, too and the one who's tagged me is from Blogger so I decided to do this in here, too. If you'd get to read some Facebook note/Multiply references just like on the paragraph above then it explains why. I am too lazy that I have just copy-pasted most of the original contents but I made a few changes that I doubt you would even notice haha, the most remarkable would be the fact that I now followed  most of the rules. Anyway, let's go back to business before I bore you, hopefully not, with this not-so-related lame introduction. haha

I want to thank Ate Pet for tagging me. I had fun reading yours I hope I won't bore you with mine. *wink* And hopefully with this, you (and the others that I have tagged) will get to know me better.

I am supposed to do six, as was listed in the rules, but I am doing seven instead (it being "the" number of all the numbers, if that even make any sense).

Below you will find random facts about me. Some funny, some serious, some.. Er, let's start, shall we?

Oh, quick reminders. I am a very contradicting person. I tend, though not intentionally, contradict my own thoughts, my own self. Sometimes I tend to think a lot (Charlie-ish?). Sometimes I am talking nonsense. I also am very random with my thoughts that whenever I am speaking it out,  blurted something out then after a few seconds I was like, "Did I really just say that?" I even get surprised meself with the words coming out of my mouth, or the words that I am writing rather sometimes. Magulo talaga kong tao. Hahaha! Also, this post is long. Really long. Well, at least you are warned.

Just Those Things That You Do When You Are Bored.

Found this survey (No? Uhm... List?) on my good ol’ Multiply site, and felt like re-posting it so here you go. This was as tagged by my friend Clarice before and somehow, going back to those Multiply-ing days still makes me smile.  I retained some of my previous answers and decided to alter some for reasons I don't really know. (I italicized the altered ones)

The rule is simple. You just have to answer every entry using the first letter of your first answer. Sounds easy, but it is kind of hard, too, honestly.

1. What is your name: April.

2. Four letter word: Arts.

3. A boy's name: Alexander.

Pretty famous, huh?

4. A girl's name: Apple.

A college professor used to "unconsciously" call me Apple before. I swear he knew what my real name was, but he's kept calling me that. Maybe because of its alliterative nature? I don't know. It is annoying at first but I learned to just laugh it off after a while.

5. An occupation: Accountant.

6. A color: AMARANTH. 

Okay, wordnerdy haha. Reddish-rose, in layman's term.

7. Something you wear: Anklet. (Thanks Joe!)

8. A food: Adobo.

9. Something found in the bathroom: Albatross. :D

I cannot think of any, even up to now. Hahahaha. Can you?

10. A place: Armenia.

Amsterdam. Austria. Australia. Antartica.

11. A reason for being late: "Antok pa." Huh? Hahaha

Now that I have thought of it, Accident could be a more sensible answer but I am trying not to deal with the negatives. Okay, and I am trying to be funny as well. Though it is probably not funny at all haha.

12. Something you shout: Awwwwwwwwh yeah!

13. A movie title: August Rush.

A Walk To Remember is my initial answer to this. Oh, and there's Alvin and the Chipmunks. I enjoyed seeing that too a lot.

14. Something you drink: Aysti. (Iced Tea. haha) Apple Juice.

Pretty desperate haha, desperately humorous.

15. A musical group: All American Rejects.

If I am to answer this now, I'd say Air Supply because I have recently rediscovered my fondness of them. I used to sing a lot of their stuff (and Michael Learns to Rock) when I was 3 or 4 years old. Hey, don't give me that look. I am just 21.

16. An animal: Armadillo.

17. A street name: Angel Street.

18. A type of car: (Ford) Anglia.

The flying one.

19. The title of a song: MWK's Anodyne.

It, being the inspiration for my page's header. ;)

PS: There is nothing too special with today, maybe except for Obama winning in the election. I wish him luck on the next four bloody years. I'd rather America have him than that Romney guy, anyway. #FORWARD

Another PS: I just remembered, there is something special that has happened today. But sorry, I won't elaborate. This smile on my face that's probably going to be etched 'til I close my eyes to sleep tonight... is all. ;)

Song playing on backgrounds as of this post: Vegas - Sara Bareilles

"No fame, no money, I'm nobody

The way I'm running has sure got me down on my knees.

But next stop, Vegas please."

Temporary Bliss @ Anawangin Cove

It is my first time to be actually going on places with my mates that is not school-related, because technically, our first beach experience together, the Hundred Islands, and the farthest that we have been before, Hongkong-Macau escapade, are both part of the school's field trip curriculum. We have been wanting to go off somewhere for the longest time but could not just find the right time. We cannot just squeeze it in on our busy working schedule. It is very true how old people says that when you're younger you have the guts and the time and yet you don't have the resources. And now that you have (quite a bit of financial) resources (just a bit), work is taking much of your time... And it saddened me a bit thinking how some of my best buds couldn't join us for they have to work over the long holiday weekend. Me myself just got lucky to have the time off. And although I had *hint* the best days of my life in there, it could have been more if they were able to come with me.

Back to the planning stage, it was so hap-hazardly made we have not decided on which place to spend the long weekend off not until the week itself. An officemate of one of my chums even called us "easy-go-lucky". And yes, I bet we are and we don't intend to change that. For now.

We actually thought about going to Vigan, Batangas... Pansol.. until we ended up with Anawangin (which is a cove in Zambales. I'd like to call it heaven).

My long weekend started, November 1st, of which I spent with my loving family, where we usually go to the cemetery to visit the graves of our deceased loved ones. It is also the first time that we get to visit our dearest aunt's (she died fighting the big C just this June) and it is quite surreal because maybe her memories stored in our hearts is very much alive. You know they have parted physically and yet they never really left, you never want them to be gone so you keep them safely inside where it cannot be tampered by anyone if you get what I mean. I also noticed how my cousins have grown, physically and emotionally. They are taller than me now, haha, and being the eldest, well, not that it bothers me much, really, but it's amazing how time really flies. The day ended with us walking our way home around 6pm, which is like our annual "panata".

Because our call time is initially 2am of November 2nd, me and my girls spent the night at Abby's for easy travel in the middle of the night. I remember sleeping for only 30 minutes because we missed each other haha, oh, and so we talked and talked over dinner, stoked for the next two days and one night in the island and everything. Abby's been there with her family before so she's been giving us "tips".

We shaved off our legs, the first time for me, and it felt quite...  liberating. My legs are... okay, hairy. Theirs are, too.  And I don't know if I can maintain it, though because I am too... lazy haha. Nonetheless, we did it.

And so we are off to Anawangin.

Missed my son, Dominic. Hahaha. We all do and we all know why and let's just leave it with that.

It was a well-deserved temporary bliss at a piece of heaven. Anawangin is indeed, heaven on Earth. No electricity. No phone signal for two days and surprisingly I did not even miss my phone nor the access to the world wide web (wifi). It was one heck of a break that I badly needed. I just wish I brought Rue with me (my little guitar) to complete the relaxing experience and brought a rubber shoes for trekking instead of only a flipflop, but I enjoyed the whole experience.

Food is never an issue because we have packed more than enough.. Minus the usual junk foods haha. And of course, I would not forget to bring my favourite handy canned food, Maling with me. Boys cook, we girls usually do the cleaning. Every trip to the table was a feast. Although I must say from then on, everytime I'd get to see an eggplant (torta, in particular) I would go, "Yuck yuck yuck!!" as was inspired by the famous "Yum yum yum".

The lake reminded me of camouflaging Peeta, and I was telling them I was a bit worried I'd step on him in there. *wink*

The mountain and the lighthouse trekking is a bit stressful, to be honest, mainly because we aren't prepared. With no stretching and warm-up at all. But the view when you have reached the top is priceless. Every muscle pain and wounds... forgotten. It was also a reminder that I should take into full consideration, to manage to exercise despite being busy, for my own sake. Not just because I'm becoming fat, but because it is better to stay fit and healthy.

I love the beach. I love sleeping, laying down in the sand while staring at the beautiful sky. The sunset. I can't even. God, Your creation is soooo perfect. And I am very blessed to be able to see it with my friends.

Time in the island is incredibly slow that I have rested pretty well, sleeping in the tent, if we aren't gallivanting around the place.

The bonfire and Gangnam. Who would've thought it could even go hand in hand?

I didn't bring any camera with me (well, except for my phone) because based on experience, if you want to have more photos taken, you shouldn't haha. Each of the boys brought theirs, anyway. Kidding aside, I felt like at that particular moment, I am more of the "living in the moment" than the "capture the moment" type. And believe me, it was even more fun.

I would not want to go back in Anawangin. Not because I did not enjoy the trip but because I want to experience more and go to other islands in our very own country. Next stop? Palawan or Bora, hopefully. ;)