Genuine Friendship

   Far as I know, it is better to have few true friends than a handful of frenemies. Maybe by now you should have known who your true friends are. And I don't care if they are just the same number as the fingers in my right hand. At least, I have the best and of course, the real ones.


   Just last saturday, I had a movie and lunch date with one of my Bff's. Maan has always been and will always be a woman whom I will look up to forever, as a friend. She's someone I really can rely on in times of my depression. And I am glad that she never gets tired of my numerous stories. It's even better because she remains to be my confidante since junior years. I can tell her anything and everything. She makes sure that I am becoming a better person everyday. Because if I had done something worse, she doesn't tolerate me at all. Instead, she inspires me to do better and to make things in the most beautiful way. She's an angel to me. I can tell her how someone had hurt me so bad and she'd just tell all the right words on me, and just in an instant I am becoming an angel too. Her pieces of advice never failed. I admire her for having so much love for the Lord. And with that, I am delighted that she and I are real good friends.

   Of course, through the good times of my life too, she is invariably around. I remember when we were telling stories about the future. Like she will be my wedding singer, and she bursted out in laughter telling me, “Ok, but have you found the groom?”. That made my day and I told her, “It's harder to find all the wedding gowns, venue, church, singer than to find a good groom!”. It was those funny moments that I told myself that this friend of mine will be one of the biggest persons in my life.

   We seldom go out and if we do, we make it a point that all the overdue stories in our life will be tackled. And we always have the time to call and text each other. Even if we can't make it to date out, we will still have the communication so we won't get lost.

   Oh yeah, I have lots of friends. But since I realized, that not all people will really care about me. So I might as well keep all the good ones and still be nice to others who are not. I can count on true friends, whenever, wherever and whatever it may take. I won't name names who they are, they know for themselves who they are. They may be less than 10, but it's safer. Genuine friendship lasts long more that you expect it. I'll look back on this writing of mine in few years time, and again, I tell you, those few true friends that I am talking about are the same true friends I'll cling on.

Life Lessons

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you.  All you can do is be someone who can be loved.  The rest is up to them.

I've learned that no matter how much I care some people just don't care back.

I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but whom you have in your life that counts.

I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.  Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.   And, just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I’ve learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt, and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish.  Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.

I've learned that heroes are people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you can’t.

Happy Dad's Day

To the one and only man who:

- picked me up late at night from school after dance rehearsals

- called me up when I was sick

- often asked if I was in a relationship

- told me to take care of mom and my siblings

- requested me to take him to formula one

- got mad when my grades flunk in high school

- is so irritated whenever I sing in the videoke

- told me I don't look good when I am so skinny (he wants me to be fat)

- was stunned when I danced

- has a lot of big dreams for his kids

- would stick with me all through,

I am wishing you happy father's day. I love you Daddy. I promise not to disappoint you. Stay cool and great! Rock and roll! Hahahaha. ♥♥♥ Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown.

"A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again." ~Enid Bagnold

Things Guys Should Know About Girls

1. Whatever you do, don't just show up at their house [without notice]...they run around in their underwear just like we do.

2. DON'T CHEAT ON THEM. It may seem foolproof, but girls tell each other everything about everything. Trust me, they WILL find out and will be mad.

3. Beware of every single male relative and all guy friends. Any of them would kick your ass at the drop of a hat, and a lot of them wouldn't even wait for the hat.

4. NEVER miss an opportunity to tell them they're beautiful.

5. DON'T refuse to kiss in front of your friends. If they laugh at you, it's because they're jealous. .

6. If they slap you hard, you deserved it.

7. Don't be afraid to touch them if you want to. If they're going out with you in the first place, it's because they like being in your arms.

8. If you don't sleep with them, DO NOT tell your friends that you did.

9. If you DO sleep with them, DON'T tell your friends that you did.

10. You can be dirty minded in private, really...most of them are not offended by it...

11. Not all of them eat like birds, a lot of them can eat like whales.

12. Most of them don't mind paying half of everything, but they do discuss these things with their friends. Realize that if you make your girlfriend pay half all the time, everyone will know about it and your friends will know you're a pussy..

13. Every girl should eventually get three things from her boyfriend- a stuffed animal, ONE OF HIS SWEATSHIRTS, and a really PRETTY RING. Even if it's not a serious relationship.

14. Make sure she gets home safely as often as you can. If you're dropping her off, walk her to the door. If you aren't dropping her off, call to be sure she's home safely.

15. If a guy is bothering her, it is your right to beat the shit out of him. --yes

16. If you're talking to a female friend of yours, PULL YOUR GIRLFRIEND CLOSER.(MEN, JUST DO THIS IF YOU LOVE YOUR WOMAN OKAY, YOU KNOW THEY'RE SENSITIVE)

17. NEVER, ever slap her, even if it's just in a joking way. Even if she swats you first, and says, "Oh, you're so dumb" or something, never make any gestures back.

18. Go to a chick flick once in a while. She doesn't care whether you enjoy it or not, it just matters that you went. ...

19. You're dead meat if you can't get along with their pets, parents, and best friends. Be prince charming to their friends, Mr. Polite to their parents, and make sure to be nice to their animals.

20. Don't flirt with their moms...that's just freaky.

21. Don't be freaked out by PMS. It's not gross, and it really does make them feel like shit, so be understanding.

22. If you don't like the way they drive, you do it.

23. Don't stress where you go for every date. They really only want to be with you.

24. If they complain that something hurts, rub it for them WITHOUT being asked.

25. Girls are fragile. Even if you're play fighting/wrestling, be very gentle.

26. Memorize their birthdays. You forget her birthday and you're basically screwed for life.

27. Don't marinade the cologne, but smell good.

28. Don't give her something stupid for her birthday or Christmas or Valentine's day. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it has to be meaningful.

29. If you think the relationship isn't going to last, don't wait to find out. It will only hurt her more if you draw it out.

30. After you've been dating for a while, realize that they really have started to trust you. When you have a girlfriend who truly trusts you, you have a lot more responsibility, privilege and control than you would think. Be careful with it, most guys would kill for that kind of power, and it can be lost in a nanosecond.

31. NEVER, and i mean NEVER make her do anything she doesn't wanna do. Because if you do she'll think that you're only after one thing.

Anniversary

When I was speaking to my boss (who happens to be the chairman of the bank), that he was invited for a dinner party of a law firm tonight, he just told me that " Baka hindi ako pwede, anniversary namin ni Misis." That left my jaw in a deep awe! I just salute this couple so much. I even remembered last year,(same date) when his wife called up in the office and she wanted to speak with her husband, and when my boss had just spoken up, his words were "Happy anniversary." I smiled so wide. I am so astounded of how they have been celebrating their anniversaries together. My boss is a very good man, a good provider to his sons and just as you can see, he is a loyal husband. I know that for sure. And no doubt that I admire this kind of a man.

Love and respect is the root cause of all of these anniversaries. They all had the strength to be standing still even to this point. It is so sweet that both of them never forgot the special date in their lives. Love works stronger even in this world full of infidelity.

I am a fan of their love team, for all time. I'll keep praying for them, forever.

Just for the record, my boss is, I think 72 years old by now. But see, he and Mrs. are so full of romance, as though they're just teenagers for a high school prom.

Minus One Family

I heard the news yesterday that my Tita and my four lovely girl cousins are leaving the country - for good. Patrice, Nicole, Sam and Kass are like my little sisters. Being so candid and giddy, I will surely miss all of them. I do not know exactly the date they're leaving but perhaps, not more than 2 months. As we grow older in the family, we all have different dreams and ambitions. And I guess, this one makes it so hard, that somewhere in time, we all have to make all those dreams come true, regardless of who you are leaving.

Now the family gatherings may be not be as often as before, but we all have to grow as individuals. And I believe too, that my Tita and Tito will have to focus on their family life in Canada. It isn't easy but it's for everyone's good. When they leave, there will be no girls screaming, giggling, running around the house, etc. Gosh , I just can't believe that now is the time. I hope each member of our family will be able to reach the dreams we've been pursuing. One day, we'll all have the bonding time again.

I hope time slows down.

45 Lessons Life Taught Me

   Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written." My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it..

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you, really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone, everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.