Day 296: Closing Time

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

Met up with a friend to talk over dinner and coffee.  We ended up staying late enough to watch the stores close.  I had not intended this to be in response to the theme of the week, but I guess it fits.

Listen to: Closing Time (Semisonic)

Day 268: Conversations Over Coffee at UCC

I spent a humid Sunday afternoon with a friend at UCC, drinking blended coffee while watching the light of the sky change.  We talked about major life changes, quarter-life crisis, living a healthier lifestyle, trying out new things, getting over bad habits and learning new ones.  I told her about getting into boxing and running, and she shared about wanting to take language classes.  There were so many things we wanted to do, and so many places we wanted to see.  I guess, it does prove that this is the age of restlessness.  I do not know why our generation seem to think that we do not have enough time to do everything we want.  It's as if we have somehow projected our mortality to be shorter than the rest, so we have to do everything now.  Which isn't really the case.

There were several things we talked about and some things we decided on.  It was an enriching discussion.  The conversation somehow inspired me to plan for several things.  Things I really want to do, and places I really want to visit.  Overall, it was a satisfying way to spend a laid back Sunday.

Wouldn't it be nice to have more Beautiful Days (Arashi) like this?

Day 198: Husky

This fellow was with the folks in the table next to us.  Ain't he adorable?  He's kind of shy, though.

I had coffee with old friends at CBTL earlier.  There was a couple who sat on the table next to us who had this two adorable Siberian Huskies.  This is probably my favorite among all dog breeds.  They remind me of wolves.  They're very smart, too.  Also, they're right-sized.  Small enough to be house dogs, and can grow big enough to be guard dogs.  I would love to take care of one, however, I have to figure out how to take care of myself first.

Speaking of husky, I've been coughing since yesterday and I can hear my voice getting husky.  I feel a fever coming.  I hope I feel better in the morning.

Day 182: Leftovers of a Good Breakfast

A good breakfast would consist of good food, fine drinks, and conversations with great friends.

I missed having breakfast with some of my friends after Friday shift.  When I moved to the morning shift, we sort of broke the pattern.  When I got back to my regular shift, we got engaged in a whole lot of things on our own.  This time, it feels nice going back to an old habit.

Day 99: Under Yellow Light

My best friend is finally graduating from law school!  After graduation, she will have to focus on reviewing for her bar exams later this year.  Knowing that it's going to be tough to see her in the next few months, we decided to meet up.  The good old barkada.  Under this yellow light at Bugsy's, over beer and chicken tenders, we caught up on each other's lives.

Every time I see my old friends, we somehow end up putting our current lives under microscopic scrutiny.  Things we've done.  Things we didn't do.  Mistakes we've made.  Successes we've achieved.  All these and more.  I take comfort in knowing that over the last two decades, I was blessed enough to have a very strong support group.  If I look back at it, I can say that not everything I planned materialized.  But despite the fact that This Is The Future (Owl City) I did not expect, I'm still blessed to have ended up this way.  In those days when I've probably tested too many risky things, they managed to rail me in and bang my head on a wall while giving me an earful.  My best friend, in particular, is probably worse than my mom.  I still love her, anyway.  These friends, are an extension of my family.  We don't carry the same last name, but they're family to me.

By the way, congratulations is in order for Dianne, too.  I'm happy for you, sis!

Day 69: Frenemy

C: Bibili na ba ng tickets?
B: Hindi ako bibili.
C: Ay mahirap...
B: Hindi ako mahirap, mayaman lang lahat ng nagmamahal sakin.  E sa 'yo?
C: Ang kinis-kinis mo naman...
Faith: Wahahahaha...

I could have taken a better photo.  My subjects, though, were mobile and hungry.  So, I had to make do with this.  Here's a couple of my friends who lash at each other at any given opportunity.  They're friends, don't get me wrong.  They aren't hypocrites, either, who only go behind each other's back.  In fact, they seem to prefer to insult each other up front.  Thing is, every conversation they have comes out really funny.  Hanging out with them for fifteen minutes is enough to make me laugh hard enough to make me cry.  So, imagine hanging out with them for a couple of hours.  Or an entire day.  Laugh trip.  This is why I love my friends.  They sometimes work better than ice cream.

End of day: Funny Little Feeling (Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers)

Day 63: Eating Like the French

A friend told me once that I eat like the French.  This made me curious, since I don't really have any idea how the French eats.  So, I asked and found out that the French eats slowly and savors their food.  Apparently, I do eat like the French.  I love food, you see.  I love to enjoy it.  It feels like wasting food if you eat something and not savor it.  That's why I have always been a slow eater.  I've always been known to spend my entire lunch hour doing just that - lunching.  Eating and drinking is experiential, for me.  I do not even strive to become a food critic.  I mean, I think that salted french fries are one of the most divine things created.  What does that tell you?  You don't really have a food connoisseur here.  There hardly seems to be any bad food for me, to be honest.  Sure, I don't really like green, leafy vegetables.  They make me feel like a horse.  I will eat them, however, if they enhance the flavor of my meal.  Same thought on wine and other beverage.  I like picking out the ones that will make food taste better.

We all have the sense of taste.  I have never really heard of anyone having a taste handicap.  Maybe that's just God's way of saying you all deserve to enjoy your food.

Day 51: Sunday Tea

I caught up with a friend today.  It was a good Sunday to detoxify and have a good conversation over tea.  We've spent countless times at this Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf branch talking about nothing and anything.  We don't get to do that as often as we used to, but we're trying to keep up. 

I personally prefer lounging days like these, when you can enjoy the lazy buzz of the city.  I like watching the world move from church to food to movies, or whatever order is more convenient.  I particularly like long conversations at al fresco tables paired with good food and/or whatever drink suits you.  Add a little soul jazz (currently, Soon We'll Be Found - Sia) or whatever music to compliment it and you have yourself a perfect day to unwind.

Day 39: Breakfast of Champions

I almost did not get to take any picture for today.  I spent most of yesterday and today with the printer (I raped the print button).  It was a good thing that I have good friends who I work with, and who look after my welfare when I'm beginning to forget about it.  Yesterday, they bought me my lunch.  Today, they brought me pan de sal and peanut butter, which I love and miss like Disney movies. 

I appreciate the people I work with.  I would have suffered from the insanity brought by stress if I weren't blessed enough to work with people I enjoy working with.  When things go really crazy, I know that my team is all I need.  Work isn't always fun, even when you enjoy what you do for a living.  But it's easier to get by when you're surrounded by creative and positive people who serve as constant reminders that it all boils down to the choices you make each day.  The choice to find something good everyday.  The choice to be happy.  The choice to believe. The choice to make it right.  The choice to make it work.  The choice to be a champion everyday.

Day 8: Happy Buzz

I went to Salcedo Market with friends today. It was fun returning, since the place is a haven for photo opportunities. I've always thought that markets were wonderful places to find something beautiful to freeze in frame. I seriously had trouble choosing which picture to post. I, obviously, took a lot.

I finally picked this photo of wine bottles. I pretty much decided on this because I love wine. That, and the fact that the time I spent with my friends earlier gave the same kind of buzz. We didn't drink any, mind you. It was really just getting drunk on good food and great laughter. I believe everyone should have that. An opportunity to enjoy the little things that'll give us a happy buzz.

Buzz Beat: Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell