CARAMBS

I’ve had insomnia for so long I can’t remember when it first started. Not sure if it was high school or college. It goes away sometimes, but it’s always there, ready to pounce at the next stressful period of my life. It has been really bad the past couple of months – it takes 3-4 hours for me to sleep from the time I turn off the lights and go to bed. Two weeks ago, I made sure I was in bed before 12 midnight because we had to go to Tagaytay early the next day. I was still awake at 4AM. Tonight, I turned off the lights and went to bed before 11PM. Still wide awake so I decided to just blog.

Most of the “remedies” don’t work for me, so that’s a problem. Warm milk – I have a problem with lactose. Exercise – Doesn’t work for me, whether I exercise hours before I go to sleep or right before I go to sleep. Melatonin – I’m scared to try it because it has effects on people with severe allergies (I kinda have a lot of allergies). My next 3 options are taking benadryl (yes, my friend recommended this), taking a sleeping pill, or changing my bedroom habits – I’ve read a lot of articles that say that the bedroom/bed should only be used for sleeping (not reading, watching TV, etc.). The last one will be VERY hard to do, I don’t think I’m ready to try that anytime soon.

Any other suggestions? Help!

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
I travelled so much!!! It was crazy! But I’m really happy!

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t believe in new year’s resolutions. I believe in having plans for the year though. My major one, I was able to achieve – travelling. It was indeed a year of travel for me. The other one, losing weight – shit, no. I even gained weight. Damn.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Bunny!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
I wasn’t able to go out of the country. But still, I was able to go around the Philippines, to places I’ve never been to before.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
I am planning to be more conscious with my weight. I wasn’t careful, and geez I got so much bigger. I would like to have the discipline to exercise – I really need this too. I should do something on the side, aside from work.

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Lots of dates, mostly travels. I know the dates but there’s too many to list down here. Best one was my birthday, 2006 June 11, because I was able to go back to one of my favorite places ever, Mt. Banahaw.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being promoted.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Well, some things I would rather not talk about.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
My gastritis came back, and I didn’t feel well a lot because of stress.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I am such a shopaholic that I don’t know anymore! Here are some items that I love the most – my Nine West shoes, my white Life is Good pebble t-shirt, and my Life is Good backpack. I also bought so much from Dorothy Perkins this year.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I think Fen did a great job and she really deserves to have her own categories.

13. Whose behaviour appalled you and made you depressed?
I guess the politicians will never change. I am so jaded that I really don’t care anymore.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel, travel and travel! So many roadtrips and local flights! The rest went to credit card payments, mostly for Dorothy Perkins items.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My travels! And Cebu Pacific sales! Hehe.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
For some reason, U2 songs.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? same, so-so
ii. thinner or fatter? FATTER (all caps!)
iii. richer or poorer? a bit richer I think

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Definitely exercising!

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Shopping for things I don’t get to use.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas Eve mass was in Gesu, then noche buena, then went to Binan on Christmas day for the clan lunch, then had dinner in Serye Eastwood with the Christmas gang (Sharon, Cathy, Mike O, Jovan, Lester, and Mike T), then took off for Pagudpud!

21. What was your favourite TV program?
Still the same programs, but with new additions. Project Runway was cool, then just a few days ago I started watching Prison Break. Cool show! House, though he annoys me so much, is a really good show, I think. I haven’t gotten into Grey’s Anatomy yet though, unlike my friends.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hmmm, how nice. I don’t think I *hate* anyone right now. Such a nice feeling.

26. What was the best book you read?
I didn’t read a lot this year. Come to think of it, I should read more. I’m still reading “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” by Mark Haddon. I think it’s a really good, unique book.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The album Espresso Espresso, which we discovered through Marco. Wintersong of Sarah McLachlan which I discovered through Mike P.

28. What did you want and get?
I wanted to travel a lot and boy did I get it!

29. What did you want and not get?
Losing weight. Thing is, you can’t just *want* this. You have to do something about it. And I didn’t. So I will, in 2007!

30. Favorite film of this year?
Oh dear, I watched a lot of movies. I really LOVED Happy Feet! A Good Year was surprisingly good too. Let me check first…

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to Mt. Banahaw. Hiked a bit, and went to the caves. Spent the night at Kinabuhayan Cafe, drank the night away with the owner who’s such a cool guy!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I could have travelled to another country…

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Same-same. Problem is that I had to shop for a new wardrobe because I got fatter. And I’m still getting bigger so this really has to stop – I won’t have money for another wardrobe!

34. What kept you sane?
Friends.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I love Wentworth Miller.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Nothing. I really dont care anymore.

37. Who did you miss?
Friends who I didn’t see for a long time.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Can’t think of any…

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
You own your life. Do things that will make you happy, not because of what society dictates to us.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

We finally sold Chai last wednesday. It’s about time that we buy a new car, since Chai was seven years old already. I was sad, because that car brought with it a lot of memories. She had been with Jovan even before we met. But I’m looking forward to our new car! We paid the reservation fee today. Hopefully we’ll get the new car within the week. Looking forward to all the adventures we will have with that car.

Awww! =(

I am so sad.

May sakit na naman ako. This has got to stop.

Another Perfect Weekend

After another shit week at work, I was given another perfect weekend. God’s way of reminding me that I’m blessed…

Yesterday, I went to the doctor with my mom to have myself checked, since my tummy’s condition hasn’t improved the past two weeks. I was told to take Nexium daily for two weeks. I liked the doctor, Dr. Pangilinan of St. Luke’s, and I am now considering him as my main gastro doctor. Hated the one before him, Dra. de Ocampo of St. Luke’s, because she doesn’t connect to the patients and she shows that she is irked. Anyway, Jovan wasn’t able to join me because he had to take care of Chai’s registration and he joined the firefly bike clinic in UP. After lunch, BB (short for Big Brother) Mike invited us to join him in picking up and delivering the Tour of the Fireflies jerseys. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he was working with my former Theo teacher, Rosar Crisostomo. Geez, that was 10 years ago! We delivered the jerseys to the Extreme bikeshop where of course Jovan and Mike seemed like kids in a candy or toy store. Yes Mike, I know you WANT that Merida. We had merienda in A Venetto, and then we went to Footloose for well-deserved foot spas. We met up with Cathy and Mads in Eastwood. We hung out in Fuzion, and planned out THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE. There we LAUGHED and LAUGHED and LAUGHED, courtesy of Clarence, via mobile phone. It was a tiring, but FUN day.

Today, Jovan joined the Marshall ride of the Fireflies, and we were supposed to have lunch in Tiendesitas afterwards. Woke up late though so we had to scrap that plan. We were supposed to join Mads, Cathy and Mel in Greenbelt but we flaked so Jovan, Mike and I had halo-halo at Razon’s instead. After Palm Sunday mass, Mommy, Daddy, Jovan and I had dinner at OJ’s in Eastwood. Surprisingly, they had REALLY GOOD food. (See previous post.)

All in all, it was a great weekend. I am dreading to go back to work tomorrow because I left the office last friday with 100++ emails. But it’s Holy Week, so I have something to look forward to – the long break!

Hope you guys had a great weekend too!

This weekend was just perfect. Perfect. Yesterday, I woke up early so we could go to Glorietta to check out the new Hot Wind shoes. I was with Mommy and Jovan. We made sure we left early because of the midnight madness sale. There were 3 pairs I liked but unfortunately, they didn’t have my size. But at least my mom was able to get a pair. We had lunch in Italiannis, then off we went to Executive Optical in Megamall. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any stock for my right lens. Note to self – try to visit the American Eye Center in Shangri-la, the service in EO is beginning to suck. Anyway, we also got to check out the trade fair at Megatrade Hall. Then we went to St. Luke’s for Jovan’s ultrasound. When we got home, I took a short nap, then we all went to mass. We then had dinner in Fuzion at Eastwood – Daddy’s treat! They have the BEST smoothie!!! Service wasn’t that great but the smoothie was just awesome, I forgot about how late the food was served.

Jovan joined the Globe boys in conquering THE WALL this morning. I woke up a bit early to clean the room and buy food for everybody. Then Sharon, Cathy, and Mads arrived. Lunch was from World Topps (KFC salad for me though). Big brother Michael O arrived shortly after, then we all watched Memoirs of a Geisha. It was a lazy afternoon, especially since the movie started really slow. But we all got into it somehow. After the movie, we went to Ateneo to watch Mads, Cathy and Cookie play football. There were met Clar, who was biking. The afternoon was full of laughter, food from McDo, and “usapang lasing”. It was a lovely afternoon, and I’m glad I spent it with friends. Then we went to Fuzion again (haha) with Cathy and Sharon to have a smoothie.

Being with my hubby, family and good friends, with good food, great stories, and lots of laughter… Just simple joys. But these made it a perfect weekend.

Happy Valentine’s day everyone! I got a really nice gift from my hubby – a cute red Swatch. Flowers are nice, but since they don’t last, I really prefer gadgets. A nice Swatch is good too. Here it is:

Found these questions in April’s blog. I think this is a good way to look back at 2005, and start 2006. Yes, I know it’s already February but better late than never…

1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
I got married, went on a great honeymoon, and went to the US with my new husband! 2005 is one of the most important years of my life!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Unfortunately, I don’t believe in new year’s resolutions. I just make general plans for the year. But I was so busy preparing for the wedding last year that I didn’t even write them down. I made sure that I have a list for 2006.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I had friends who gave birth.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother, father side. I knew that it was going to come anytime because of her old age, but it still devastated me nontheless.

5. What countries did you visit?
Thailand and the US. Stopovers at Singpore and Taiwan.

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Oh dear many things. I would like to travel more, save more, make a difference somehow, and lose weight!

7. What date(s) from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 7, 2005 – Our wedding!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Pulling off a very memorable wedding that was so much fun! It was just what we wanted it to be.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Last year was a blur, it was all about the wedding. I don’t remember doing anything meaningful.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not me, but my husband. It was quite a scare.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our HP laptop, and iPod video.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
There are just too many to mention, honestly. There’s my hubby, Mads, Bunny, Lester, the content management team, Rina…

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one made me appalled. But some people made me sad and annoyed and a bit mad. Someone I mentioned in #12, and someone who has already passed away. I definitely can’t write about that.

14. Where did most of your money go?
The wedding, the first honeymoon, the second honeymoon, gadgets, books, magazines, ETC. ETC. ETC.!!!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Oh definitely the wedding! I am probably boring you already with all of this wedding stuff, but last year was OUR year! Can’t blame me. It was so much fun preparing for the wedding, even if it was stressful! The day itself was so much fun. NO STRESS AT ALL! Just laughter, great company, great memories… Of course I was also very excited to go to the US because it was his first time to go there. Watching and observing him being in awe is just precious.

16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
When You Know and Feels Like Home.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Honestly, just the same.
thinner or fatter? FATTER! Shit.
richer or poorer? Richer. Literally and figuratively.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Do more meaningful stuff such as helping Mads out with her foundation. Sigh. That was one plan I wasn’t able to do at all.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas with the family. We attended the usual Limaco clan reunion in Binan, but this time with Jovan. We had fun lining up for our “aguinaldo” even if it wasn’t a lot. Then at night we went out with Lester, Mads and Cathy. That was fun. And funny.

21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
I was already in love! Ehehe!

22. How many one-night stands?
None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Too many to mention! Will try anyway… American Idol, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Alias, CSI, Pinoy Big Brother (haha!)

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Not really…

25. What was the best book you read?
Last year was all about chick lit books. Got my intellectual fix from Time and Fortune. Harry Potter Book 6 came out… does that count?

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
A lot. Sitti Navarro for one. Last year was all about concerts. Being part of the Jars of Clay concert was awesome. I’ve loved them since college and watching them perform live was just overwhelming. That was the best concert ever.

27. What did you want and get?
A memorable and fun wedding. Going back to the US, but this time with Jovan.

28. What did you want and not get?
Better political situation in the Philippines. I’m startin to lose hope…

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Ooooooh wait. Gotta think about this. Probably Batman. A Lot Like Love was also nice.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Didn’t do anything special on my birthday. I turned 28.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to do something meaningful. Being more active in volunteer work.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Ganun pa rin.

33. What kept you sane?
Jovanni.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lance Armstrong. Truly inspiring. And Sam Milby, haha!

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Honestly, I don’t mind the political issues anymore. I guess I’m already jaded. I just let it be.

36. Who did you miss?
My lola.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmmm…

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
Be yourself. We planned the wedding our way, not following traditions we didn’t believe in. It turned out to be fun, and very memorable.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Okay I gotta research first…