THE CHRONICLES OF AN AGUINALDO BRAT: The 3 B's of Summer

Iin the summer, apart from the long vacation from school, the children at Camp Aguinaldo await the basketball season. The guys love it cus its the "guy" thing to do, and us girls await these days because it's a perfect opportunity to swoon and scream over the guys we like, without being too obvious (well, we try). Clad in blue and yellow, our handsome CARA boys, always stood among the crowd. most of the time, we came home victorious, but there were bad games with sad endings --- of course.

Ridiculous taunting is part of a spectator's job; and there were times when we didn't have any choice but to fight the other girls who support the other teams. These immature displays involved eye rolling, low blow cheers and flying middle fingers; and although we always regretted making fools out of ourselves, you have to realize that when you're faced with the situation, there really is no room to think about manners and poise anymore. The fight is ON when it is ON --- and this is what's magnificent about basketball games --- IT'S DIRTY and COMPETITIVE (even from the bleachers).

Winning was always fun, but after a game: win or lose, we would head somewhere to drink and celebrate. Booze --- the third thing we look forward to during the summer vacations. These drunken nights made me what I am now --- so satisfied with my youth. These summers were the summers when I would sneak out of the house once my parents have gone to bed. Every night, I would quietly sneak out and then crawl back in, before they get up in the morning.

Anyway, here are some of the CARA BOYS
(I love you and miss you all)

ohhhhhh... memories of the summers in camp. 

BASKETBALL, BOYS, BOOZE!!!

Okay, The Drama Queen Is Suddenly Motivated

There is one thing that you have to know about me... I am clueless about make-up and beauty products. My make-up kit is composed of basics (foundation: one liquid, one powder; concealer, cheek tint, blush on, mascara, eye-liner, curl lash) and my everyday make-up is just powder and blush (or just powder --- sometimes none at all). I glam up only when I go out or attend parties and that means I put all the other stuff plus some eyeshadow.

I also do not have a regular skin regimen... I wash my face with water and occasionally moisturize at night, and  hardly remember to apply lotion at all. I know I have to be more disciplined AND I BET I WILL PAY FOR THIS IN THE FUTURE... but anyway, if there is one thing that you should know about me: although I truly love pink and love to dress up, I AM NOT COMPLETELY GIRLY. 

However, if I'm lucky enough to win this from Katie, then I think I'll be more motivated to paint my face. 

I mean, who wouldn't be? Look at all the pretty colors...
I can already picture myself wearing a different shade of eye-shadow every day

This palette is sold at $18.85, but Katie is giving out for FREE!!! That's eighty-eight pretty colors and all you have to do is to:

a. follow her blog (1 entry)

b. follow her on twitter (1 entry)

c. retweet her entry (1 entry)

d. blog about this contest in your blog (2 entries)

So go ahead and visit Katie's site now, to find out more about it. Once again, good luck but I HOPE I WIN!!!

The Good and The Bad of Blogging

I have been blogging for quite some time now but it wasn't until 2008 that I explored "this kind" of blogging, where you entertain people, meet friends and other bloggers, and write as if you are talking to them. In my first blog, I used it mainly to rant and hate, and I didn't think that blogging could be something like this --- so I just wrote to entertain myself. I had no readers (just occasional strangers who pass by), but I didn't know what I was missing so I didn't care. 

When I began "the drama queen can tell stories" in Oct 2008, I didn't expect for my blog to turn out the way it is now. During that time, I just really wanted to be able to write again, and so I did. After a few months I got my first "real" comment from a stranger who found my post interesting and I was thrilled. I didn't think that anything I wrote was worth reading, so when more comments came, I was even more inspired to write. Anyway, in less than two years, I have learned a lot about "this kind" of blogging and have gained some insight about it.

THE GOOD

• Although I've never really won anything yet, blog contests are really awesome. Some bloggers are really generous and they give out so much to their readers. I did this last year for my first year blog anniversary and I gave away Free teeth whitening procedure to Crystal (the lucky girl who won).
• You can meet lots of new people when you blog; and in the short time that I had been writing, I have become friends with a lot of awesome bloggers out there (yes, you know who you are... you're all amazing!) 
• Having people comment about your post, is heartwarming... You get different comments (negative and positive) nonetheless, they mean so much to me because it makes me smile when I know that people really read what I write. Actually, it makes my day to see "__ comments" on the dashboard (pure bliss)
• Blogging also opened a lot of opportunities for me: (like my recent inclusion in the TNS FORUM and the occasional reviews that I write for sponsored reviews and payperpost)
• Blog advertising is so much fun now, too. I love it when I get a new nuffnang ad campaign because I feel that they brighten up my page (with the moving graphics --- sorry I dunno how you call them), and not to mention you earn a little
• I actually really learn so much from fellow bloggers who share a thing or two
• It is, of course, the best venue to vent your emotions. Writing, for me, is a form of self-expression, and blogging opened a great opportunity for me to just really show who I am as a writer and as a person
• Sometimes you write a post that touches other people, like this one, and then you suddenly find it in DICK GORDON's official facebook page; or when I wrote my entry about this one, and someone in TWITTER re-tweeted it to her followers. It makes u feel quite special, as a writer, and it is truly overwhelming and rewarding. 

THE BAD

• Sometimes, when you vent, you offend people and even though you do not mean to do such a thing, you cannot help it (it's part of the all-honesty thing)
• Or you share something personal about your life and then your family calls you in the middle of the night to order you to take it out (you sometimes forget that people actually go through blogs, so you kinda have to be careful what you put in it)
• People who you do not know get to know about you, about your life, about what you do (which is kind of scary when you really think about it --- but that is a given. When you decide to blog, that's part of the deal. You will get people who will come in and out of your blog, and you will not know everyone).
• An anonymous person will leave a weird comment on your blog and then explain that she loves reading it because according to her your blog is "informative". (I guess, my blog is informative --- but I didn't really know that). 

Anyway, this is the price that you have to pay when you publicize your blog. It is fun, true, but then you get some annoying instances. But overall, they're just really all positive!!! In the 19 months that I have been telling stories as a drama queen I have learned so much. So even though there are some downs --- you have to admit that there are more "positive" things about blogging! And speaking of blogging, I discovered the most amazing thing the other day --- my blog, my old blog from 2004, is still ALIVE!!!

I was able to gain access into it, using the same password and the same email address --- Also, the funniest thing about it is that it looks different. It used to be in this really personalized layout (as in with my pictures, etc) but now it's in a normal BLOGGER TEMPLATE --- how did that happen? Plus, there were comments that didn't correlate with the posts --- but they were real comments (weird). Anyway, I plan to go through some of my old posts now, but before I go, let me share this post that I wrote AFTER I PASSED THE BOARD EXAMS

HOW TO PLAN MY FUTURE

january 11, 2006

when i was in predent... i wished so much to be in dentistry cus i hated my uniform intensely. 

when was in dentistry proper i longed so much to be a clinician to be able to wear the pants... 

when i stepped in clinic i wanted for everything to be over...

that was how i was... 

and when i was preparing for the board exams i wanted to start all over again 

so that i could retrace my steps and go back to where things went out of control...

but that cant happen...

 "this is not the movies", 

that's what bon tells me when we're fighting about how dense he sometimes is... 

he tells me "crix this is the real world, your fairy tale fantasies don't come true here"... 

and maybe that's true...

so i guess i really cant turn back time and yes i am now A DENTIST!

what's difficult with all this really is that,

 6 years ago i have wished to be here but now that im here i have no idea what i have to do next... 

i have never been so scared ever in my life.

 more than when i first tried to extract a tooth... 

more than when i first attempted to do a root canal... 

more than when i even took the board exams... 

i am too frightened.

i never imagined this at all...

and there are tons of DVDs i still have to watch 

and more CDs i need to burn...

should i just sit on the couch and wait for the sky to fall on me?

should i retreat into my room until world war 3 starts?

i dunno... 

im so used to taking orders from people 

and now that there are no rules, orders and tasks to follow... im so lost.

maybe ill just sleep again

i have heard of people who encounter epiphanies in their slumbers, 

maybe ill have one of those and find true meaning in my life...

oh well...

i guess things will be better soon...

i hope.

Oh, the "young immature me", I am still so much the same! 

Anyway, how about you, how long have you been blogging and would you care to share anything that you've learned with "this kind" of blogging?

Confession: I Really Enjoy Watching Agua Bendita

Every time I see a new show preview in ABS CBN (the only Filipino channel I watch -- that's not on cable), I always say: "Ooooooh, this is nice --- I will watch this", and I watch the pilot then forget about it after the next few days (or never watch it at all). It happens to almost every "teleserye" they start. I get to watch some episodes whilst I channel surf at night, but I never really religiously watch anything (apart from PBB --- but not the tean edition) until AGUA BENDITA.

Actually, I did not get to start the story. As a matter of fact, I saw the preview below, just today, and realized how much I don't know about it. At first, I wanted to watch it because everyone was saying that ANDI EIGENMANN's AGUA voice is really funny... that was the initial attraction, and then (I don't remember when and how it happened), but I suddenly got addicted to it --- especially now since BENDITA already hates her "wowa", PILAR PILAPIL, who I think is just the very definition of EVIL. Why should there always be some evil relative? Is this really how Filipino families are? I mean, is there really a grandma who is pure evil, that she would push her grandchild off the boat?

Anyway, I know I'm not really authority, but Andi's acting isn't bad at all. I actually find her very very entertaining; and compared to KRIS AQUINO's version of a submissive and sad wife, I believe that VINA MORALES is doing a great job, apart from being really beautiful in it. I also had no idea that JOHN ESTRADA could act (I told you I hardly watch teleseryes regularly), but he's actually very good!

The story has become really interesting now and I wonder what's gonna happen next. From the previews and with way things are turning out, I fear that:

• Pilar Pilapil is going to succeed on getting her revenge on John Estrada via Alessandra Da Rossi and Vina Morales will really hate John forever
• Jason Abalos is going to convince Agua to come with him, and he will take her to Carlos Agassi and Dimples Romano (then they will imprison her like they did when she was young)
• Matteo Guidicelli is going to fall in love with Bendita (tsk tsk tsk)

Oh, how I wish these were the only things I fear in life (things that are going to happen next in the teleserye I watch). But anyway, do you watch AGUA BENDITA also or am I alone on this one? hahaha! Anyway, TV PATROL is almost over, so I have to go now!

Help! I Have A Very Important Question

Actually, the question is not really very important, but I want to ask it anyway:

 "Is it wrong that I have been wearing my contacts for three weeks straight, without taking them out?"

At a young age, I discovered how fun reading books can be and it was so fun, that I read under the blankets, after lights out. As payment for my wrongdoings, at age 9, I was already required to wear prescription eye wear; both for my myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. However, when you're 9 years old, you don't really care much about your health and the loss of visual acuity, so I probably wore my geeky glasses for a month, and it either broke or got lost (I  don't remember anymore). 

Anyway, because of this, I grew up disregarding my eye problems until I got back from London, began school at CEU, and realized that I couldn't read a thing on the blackboard unless I was seated in the front row (so that's what I did --- making myself even more like a geek). 

I survived like that... 6 years of Dentistry school without wearing eyeglasses. I just made sure to sit in front or I would see to it that I befriended the person beside me, so I could copy his/her notes, instead of looking at the blackboard and straining my eyes even more. (NB. this is proof that I never cheated in college, because all I see are dots when I look at my seat mate's paper. Plus, a lot of people depended on me, so I really had to study --- hahaha --- promise, you can ask them). So as I was saying, I survived 6 years of dentistry school, barely seeing, but two months before the DENTAL BOARD EXAMS, I decided to give in to my need. I thought to myself: everyone knew I was a geek anyway,  so the glasses is just a formality.

5 years later, I decided to go back to wearing CONTACT LENSES again. But while I really enjoy the convenience --- the whole process of putting it on and off and on and off again, is quite tiring. Then a few weeks ago, I realized that I didn't have to remove them anymore (well, I more of assumed because my eyes do not hurt at all and they look normal). Therefore, let me go back to my question again:

"Is it wrong that I have been wearing my contacts for three weeks straight, 

without taking them out?"

From FRIENDS to Cougar Town

Despite the bountiful collection of new television shows, I still watch a lot of FRIENDS re-runs on starworld and my FRIENDS dvds, still get occasional playing time. A few years ago,Ii fell in love with Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross and Joey --- that when the show finally ended, i think I cried a little. Also, this is partly the reason why I am a die-hard TEAM ANISTON and always wish the worst of Brangelina (irk). i have this ridiculous "blind love" for each FRIENDS cast, so when "COUGAR TOWN" started showing, I was more than eager to check it out.

You see, I watch a lot of american television series. My favorite metrowalk dvd supplier even texts me updates because although my sisters religiously download episodes of our favorite shows (Chuck, Glee, Ugly Betty, Greys Anatomy --- etc, etc), I try so hard to stop myself from watching because I want to see them in full. My boyfriend and I waste hours in the clinic watching DVDs when we have no patients and when I found out that MINDY is giving away a DVD of Cougar Town's First Season, my eyes twinkled... 

see? that DVD could be mine... or yours (butIi'd love for it to be mine)

isn't it lovely and pink?

I've only seen a couple of episodes of COUGAR TOWN but from the little I have seen, I know I'm gonna enjoy it. Anyway, if you want a chance to win this DVD, head over to Mindy's site and find out what you have to do in order to join. 

Let's keep your fingers crossed,

This Is You

Nothing...

You amount to nothing.

Like a lowly insect

I can crush you

to oblivion

and in the end, you will be gone

So do not pretend like

you can 

because 

I'll be happy to show you

just  how

small

and 

insignificant

you are

Goodbye Old Blog Layout

Do you guys remember when my blog used to look like this?

My old blog in 2004 was soooooo complicated. I labored on it for hours (or maybe even days) and when I started "the drama queen can tell stories", I told myself: "forget the complicated layout and just get a simple design from the blogger menu" --- so I did exactly just that. I picked the pink laout (because I love the color) and then just added widgets from different places. As long as it was pink --- I'm okay --- but I have already gotten so bored with it. 

Anyway, I have this new project going on (which I will reveal soon), and I played around with the layout on that one so I got motivated to tinker with this blog's layout, too. I have been contemplating on this for quite some time now and for two days, I couldn't stop thinking about it. So, today, when I woke up ---I began my quest and searched for a new blog layout. It took me 4 friggin' hours!!! Those who visited this blog from 10am to 2pm (today) will know what I mean. I went through layout after layout and nothing seemed to work at all. I was almost gonna give up on it entirely, but then I said: "Okay Crickette, one last try" and then I arrived at this!!! Do you like it?

Anyway, I kept the heading because I have become accustomed to it already. Also, the content is still the same --- so basically, it's just the look that changed. I think it looks more mature (hahahahaha!) It's still pink, because I love pink, but I have a good feeling about it. I think  NEW BLOG LAYOUT and Crickette will get along very well. 

How about you?

p.s. If you do not like it (please be kind) I worked on this for HOURS

"The One"

Growing up, my mom brainwashed us to yearn for a guy who would treat us like princesses. After somehow failing with my dad, she would always remind us that when we find the guy who we choose to spend forever with, "he should love you more the you love him". With this in mind, I grew up looking for that "one" and ever failing, because the problem with my mom's formula is that guys always love girls more, in the beginning. I remember, I once had a guy who promised to give me the moon; another who promised to never make me cry; and one more who promised to record all episodes of TGIS and send it to London --- not one promise came to being, but what eventually became evident to me is the fact that, by the time that the guy's TRUE  COLORS come out, a girl has already fallen in love. 

In church, we are told to wait for God's "one" for you. Because God has intended a special someone for everyone, you have to pray and hope that he comes; or in my case, hope and pray that whoever it is, that is with you right now, is already the "one" that God intended for you to have. Unfortunately, I also fail in this one because I really believe that nothing is impossible with the Lord and my prayer to him (for almost seven years now), is to make Bon the "right one for me". 

There are many definitions of "the one". Every person has decided on his own criteria, and while some literally go by it (and yes, I know a few), I definitely know more people who eventually discard this insane list. For what reason --- I do not know, but I'm sure one by one, the restrictions get cancelled out... until sometimes, none is left.

This is what I believe: there is really no right or wrong formula, especially when you are looking for a person to love. It's just that some people are lucky and some aren't. Some are fortunate to have found their "one" at an early time and end up spending forever with their one true love; and some hapless ones go on fighting, waiting for "the right one" to come along.

More so, I believe that loving someone sometimes go beyond what's wrong and what's right. Loving someone is more than just the magnificent sensation felt, and definitely more than just the exchange of words. To love someone is to go over boundaries. To love even when it is hard. To love even when it is painful, at times. 

When people get married, they vow to love each other: "for better or for worse, for richer of for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live". Till death do they part --- but not a lot of people take that to heart (he/she is not "the one" --- and so they leave). 

 "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."


1Corinthians 13: 4-7

Have you found "THE ONE"?
well, if you still haven't, I wish that you eventually do...

Terrified - Triple Love (Love Love Love)

I first fell in-love with the song, "Terrified" when American Idol season 9 finalist Didi Benami, sang it for her audition. The words in the song were beautiful (but what do you expect, it's a kara dioguardi song) and she sang it so well. Unfortunately, Didi did not last long in American Idol and so did my other favorite, Tim Urban, so i lost interest in AI altogether... (Is it still ongoing, I wonder?)

Anyway, the second time I heard the song again, was when I found a link of the video with Kara Dioguardi and Jason Reeves. The video made me fall in love with "Terrified" for a second time, and when I saw it, I thought to myself: "This Kara, she's really awesome!" I have heard her sing in idol before but I didn't really take much notice...

this is the acoustic version of "Terrified" with Kara Dioguardi

Anyway, I know my sister would get mad at me for this because I know she has claimed ownership of ZACHARY LEVI, aka CHUCK BARTOWSKI of the television series, CHUCK (you know, the "nerd herd" geek who accidentally uploaded all the CIA intelligence files into his brain and is now a spy?), So I will give credit to her because she made me fall in love with "Terrified" for the third time. "Chuck sings?", was what I first said, but he's actually really good!!! Bon is quite shocked too and this is our new favorite song right now...

Oh yeah, Zachary Levi is only "featuring" in this song --- I suddenly realized that I have been selling it like he's the main singer. He's not, because Katherine McPhee is. Nevertheless, they did an awesome job and I love love love this song...

music video of "Terrified" with Katherine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi

You by the light
Is the greatest find
In a world full wrong you're the thing that's right
Finally made it through the lonely to the other side

You said it again my heart's in motion

Every word feels like a shooting star

I'm at the edge of my emotions

Watching the shadows burning in the dark,

And I'm in love and I'm terrified.

For the first time in the last time

In my only life.

This could be good

It's already better than last

And love is worse than knowing

You're holding back

I could be all that you needed

If you let me try

You said it again my hearts in motion

Every word feels like a shooting star

I'm at the edge of my emotions

Watching the shadows burning in the dark

And I'm in love and I'm terrified

For the first time in the last time

in my only

I only said it cause i mean it

I only mean cause it's true

So don't you doubt what i've been dreaming

Cause it fills me up and holds me close

Whenever i'm without you

You said it again my hearts in motion

Every word feels like a shooting star

Watching the shadows burning in the dark

And I'm in love and I'm terrified

For the first time in the last time

In my only life

------------------------------------------------------

So, who thinks CHUCK is HOT???

me thinks so!

The Fight Is Almost Over... The "Best" Man Has Almost Won

I had a great dream for this country... I wanted to know how it feels like to be proud of being a Filipino and DICK GORDON made me believe in the reality of this dream. For that reason, I fought for the man I believed to be the most deserving for the position. Clad in red, I proudly headed to the precinct to exercise my right to vote.

May 10, 2010 was a great day for every Filipino, regardless of the vote they made. I feel great to have been part of it, most especially since I knew that days before that, the rest world was looking on. CNN was waiting for things to fail. Everyone was certain it would not push through but the automated elections ran as smooth as we could have all hoped for and in just a few hours, new leaders were being proclaimed.

COMELEC reports it to be the biggest voting turn out yet.75-80% of registered voters flocked to their precincts eager to try out the PCOS MACHINES. It is quite ironic, though, because the man who authored the bill that made the automated election possible was forgotten by everyone. Receiving only around 461,802 votes, GORDON placed 6th in the presidential race.

Despite what has happened, despite the turnout, I vowed to respect the people's choice. Yes, my president did not win but I am a citizen of this country and I am bound by law to respect the leader that shall take the highest seat in the government. Do I have doubts of his capabilities? --- Yes. In fact, I have a lot. I have always feared that he has not proven himself worthy yet and many were just blinded by the NAME he was born into. Having served so long in the government (12 years), but being unable to make significant changes... I feared that the demand for the presidency may be too much for him.

Nonetheless, I cannot fight what the majority wants. The votes have been cast. The country has spoken. I can just hope that I was wrong. Wrong to have been too prejudiced. Wrong to have been too cynical. I want to be proven wrong because if I turn out to be right then we have 6 years to suffer under the incompetence of a leader that the majority chose. 

Corruption is not the only problem we have --- although I agree it is a contributing factor. I pray that the next president will do more than to keep his promise not to steal. MR PRESIDENT, you won the vote of the majority because they were convinced of what you could do... so take your seat and I pray, that you do the work that you promised the FILIPINO PEOPLE!

p.s. My allegiance will not change... but I respect the man who shall take over in malacanang (unless he forces me to do otherwise)

p.p.s. This post is based on the partial unofficial tally (88.55%); but I am hoping that this is already reflective of the true results (I'd rather the yellow man --- than the one who used to be behind bars)

Waiting and Hoping

The vote has been made

The counting begins

The day we have waited for

finally came

My ballot was filled

My finger is stained

Today is the day

that the Lord has made

Now we wait...

After months of waiting,

we wait even more

And we hope...

We desperately hope

for a change

Perpetually Single In Networking Sites... Until

A few years ago, before facebook, we were all obsessed about FRIENDSTER. The set-up was far different from what we are used to now but back then, everyone was pretty much preoccupied with it. I totally lost access to my account now, but the memories that friendster left are still quite clear. "Testimonials" kept us preoccupied, and we constructed our profiles brilliantly (well, most of us) because the space labelled "ABOUT ME" was fairly limited. 

In 2007, when Bon and I broke up, the circumstance compelled me to revert my status from previously "in a relationship" back to "single"; and that action magnified my grief even more, when people began to speculate. 

u, single?

why what happened?

when?

And lots of other questions revolving around varying levels of concern, curiosity and man's innate desire to gossip. That experience was quite damaging. So when Bon and I got back together 6 months after, I decided to never put myself back as "in a relationship" again. Everyone who truly matters to me, know the truth anyway, so I find no reason to publicize the status of my relationship. 

Everyone with a facebook account know exactly what I mean. One of the first things you do when you create an account is to fill-out your profile and to register your status:

Yesterday, another friend of mine's relationship ended and just as expected, people began to speculate. One even jokingly asked if it was a delayed "april fool's prank", and I could imagine how devastating comments like that could be to any one of the parties involved. Facebook is much too publicized and everyone you know is constantly online. Small activities get published in the news feed and status changes make very good topics between friends. 

Therefore, I will stick to my decision to stay "single" in all the social networking sites until... (until significant permanence is established)

Hassle-Free Casinos, Wherever and Whenever You Want

On-land casinos tend to be intimidating and it is crowded with elites and the more annoying wannabes. So if you are the type who detest prowlers breathing at the back of your neck while you are playing and if you are finding it difficult to indulge your love for casinos because of the many inconveniences, then you should be trying your luck in online casinos.

Open for everyone with access to the internet it is a multi-lingual site that gives you the same experience and excitement as the actual casino games on-land, minus the hassle of travelling and dressing up. giving as much as $5,000 in bonuses just by simply signing up, you can enjoy over a hundred games that will only take a few moments to download to be able to be played. In just a few clicks you can try your luck at black jack, virtually spin the roulette, see if how much you can win in the slots and challenge players to a poker tournament. It is truly the best thing that has ever happened to casinos, where players can get more chances of getting the most impressive jackpot prize!

Do you need company during the wee hours of the night? Looking to be entertained in the most interesting and challenging way? Visit an online casino now: it might just be what you need.

Providing 24-hour email, telephone and live chat support to all members; be sure to always have someone ready to assist you with any concern you may have. so if you wish to satisfy any of your casino cravings, why would you want to hassle yourself and get dressed to play the same game that you can enjoy right at the comfort of your own bedroom?