Day 17. A picture of the cast of your favorite movie.

Alex Kendrick from Facing the Giants.

The 'discovery' of this movie was rather an accident. Little did I know this movie will change my life, will help me get through when i faced one of my life's greatest challenges. I was looking for a movie I could not recall the title. What I only remembered was it's a movie about American football. Swear I was really about to change the disc since the first part of the movie was really boring (I have no clue what the movie was all about except that it's also about football). I guess it was a divine intervention that I just got tired getting up and turning my player off. I ended up reluctantly watching the film--only during the first 15mins or so though.

Later, I haven't realized my tears have been flowing down my cheeks. It's as if my tear ducts have their own life whose existence is only dedicated to flowing and crying.

I felt that I was of the students in the film who are living just for themselves. I was thankful because I came to believe it has been a tool for me to overcome the challenge that was yet to come.

I was expecting to graduate as com laude. I was so confident about it that when I have discovered my grades went short, I thought my world shattered. (I know it's a bit exaggerated but what does a graduating college student worry about? It's really more about graduating with honor). I just got 1.77. I was so disappointed, so upset, so discouraged about how things went.

Then I recalled one of the lines from the movie, I began crying I thought for a moment would never stop.

Revelations 3:7

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of Him who is holy and true. What He opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

I don't know if I just used this verse as a scapegoat for my failure to do the best that I can--I know I could have done better should I had been more diligent.

I don't know if you see sense in what I am sharing but this has really helped me get through that time. Indeed, for the times of despair and disappointment it's God's strength which keeps us standing.

Day 16. A picture of your favorite food.

It's rather weird I had hard time thinking/recalling what my favorite food is. I think since they're soooo plenty I could not think of one--very ironic. So this is the first that came to my mind after 5 minutes, PORK STEAK.

I asked help from Philip and his answers amused me:

Nilaga
Bulad + suka
Not pizza
Rice, lots of rice
KFC


Super true.♥♥♥

Day 15. A picture of the cast of your favorite show.

It's Nina Dobrev.

She's the lead actress in the TV series The Vampire Diaries. Obviously it's my favorite series. I can't wait for the next episode this February. :)

Day 14. A picture of a flower.

Even before I already like white roses. For me it symbolizes purity. Now, I have more reasons to like it even more as it brings sweet thoughts. I don't think there's a need to elaborate this. Should there be any, I leave it to your imagination. :)


(This is not the actual picture--too bad I didn't have the chance to take a shot of it, but since this photo is from the same shop, I think it'll do.)


Love.  ♥♥♥

Day 13. A picture of your oldest friend.

Was really undecided whose picture to post for today, not to mention I am confused about the title. It can either be my oldest friend like a friend that has lived in the earth for the longest period or my friend for the longest time. If it's gonna be the first, who shall I consider? My mom? My dad? My grannies? My friends I consider ates and kuyas? If it's gonna be the latter, then it will be my elementary or even kindergarten classmates--I cannot post a whole class here, can I? 

Then I realized the best One who will qualify both as an oldest friend for the longest time will always gonna be Him.

Been there even before I was born, been always there guiding and planning the best for me, has always been the best Provider, has always been the very reason that makes me enjoy life more and be grateful about my existence.

Thank You for not just being a great Father but for being a wonderful Friend, for the unconditional love, for the gift of salvation.  :)

Day 12. A picture of your long-time crush.

Aside from celebrity crushes, I do not have any crushes right now. Ahem, it’s a given since my love life is doing really well (thank God for this). But just for the sake of completing this challenge, and since this task was included, I am left with no choice but to do a quick flash back.

I seldom consider guys as my crush, I am not sure if I am ‘hard to please’ or just in denial. LOL. So it wasn’t really hard for me to identify who among those few was my crush for the longest time—well, he has been my crush for almost 5 years. :p

He was my ‘major’ crush all my high school life. Witty, gentleman, neat, plays guitar—stuff that will surely attract any high school girl whose penchant is more on the brainy side.

My apologies ***** for distorting your picture. This is a preventive measure to, well, uhmm, limit the ‘publicity’ of this. Hahaha.

Day 11. A picture of your celebrity idol

I really had hard time choosing who among these three hotties and rather than causing myself headache, I have decided to just post their pictures all together. This is actually more on celebrity crush than celebrity idol.

Paul Walker was the lead in the Fast and Furious movie series. His blue eyes makes me lost in his them. Haha. Richard Gere, who starred in Pretty Woman—a  movie that I can watch over and over again, was not marred as he aged. He’s still hot I wonder how he’s keeping it up. And of course, Ryan Reynolds. Uhmm, yeah, my super crush among the three of them. He first caught my attention in the movie The Proposal together with Sandra Bullock. Since then, I began looking for movies where he played roles—be it a minor or a major role. He’s so cute and charming. And sexy! No wonder he was announced Sexiest Man Alive in 2010.

Acting-wise they’re all good. They have proven their worth. No arguments about it. Gorgeous aren’t they? :)

Day 10. A picture of a car you love

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo


Isn't this wonderful? This is how I want it--sleek black. 

Since Cayenne is considered one of the most expensive SUVs (no wonder it is tagged For The Rich and Famous), I am eyeing for other SUVs. I actually like SUVs in general. So a KIA Sorento or Santa Fe, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuner or Mazda CX-7 will do. They're still beyond my fortune but I dream of having one. 

In time, wait and see. :)

Day 9. A picture of your favorite vacation.

Since I am away, my favorite vacation will always be those times when I am with my family. Regardless of the location as long as with them, it's always gonna be the best. :)

Day 8. A picture of your dream bedroom, or your real bedroom.

It's still 11:10pm so I am still on the schedule. :)


This is the concept of my dream bedroom. I want a house that is conquered by black and white. I don't want to fill it with things that aren't useful. A decoration or two will be fine--nothing extra or something overly done.


Of course, this also applies to my dream bedroom. What should be in it are just the things needed. I love the color combination. It speaks simplicity but with elegance. 


Dream of it. Work for it. :)

Day 7. A picture of a close relative

I know it's not obvious but believe me we are 100% siblings. Even if she's tall I am petite; she's on the bigger side, me in the smaller; she's chinky-eyed, I'm, uhmmm, well, errrr; actually we have numerous differences so we would understand comments of disbelief.

Mary Luz Magnaye.

She's the youngest among the three of us, me being the eldest and Jun comes next to me. Born December 24, 1994 (that's where the MARY came from, from "Merry" and the Luz was derived from my mom's name, Lucy).

She's the closest person related to me by blood. Even if our age gap is 6 years, we still agree in most of the things (I am confused if the reason why we fit is because she's mature or it's me who's child-like. I hate to admit it's the latter). 


They say I'm snobbish and not approachable--wait 'til you meet her. Haha. Kidding aside, she thinks and acts older than her age, I salute her for that. Even if she gets vain at times, she's practical. She's pretty, maybe prettier. And I won't look for any other sister but her. :)

Day 6. A picture of someone you miss

Things Checking today's task, automatically my father's image crossed my mind. As i looked for his picture, i can't help but cry again. So please understand that I can't write a whole new entry regarding this topic. I'll be posting a blog that was composed May this year instead (this was once accessible in my facebook account). I still feel the same so I don't think writing a new one will create much difference.

Lord, I'm feeling weepy again.

[My roommate reminded me the song that I love but scared of playing. I did my best not to sing the song in my mind. Fate wasn't helpful. The song was played by the neighbor a minute after. Why do I feel there's a conspiracy here?]

There's no getting over when losing someone. We just get use to feeling of their absence and the pain it causes but we're still at loss and we're still in pain.

This is why much as possible I don't want to be reminded how painful it is to lose a father. Each time I am reminded that I could no longer hear any wise words from him, I become scared and unsure of whatever decision I'm making. If only I could ask for his opinion and hear his support, I'll be good to go.

We weren't close. He was so strict I felt I have been imprisoned since birth. As the saying goes "His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand". Back in college I was dying to get a life of my own---away from his shadow and authority. Now that I have it for the rest of my life, I wish I had just savored those times when he can still direct the things I do. At least I know I was guided. It's hard to lose a pillar where you get most of the confidence and strength from. I never thought he was one of my best source of strength, never noticed it until he's gone.

He wasn't the best father but I don't detest him. I wasn't the best daughter either. I just regret I haven't told him how great his contribution was in the foundation of my values and personality as a whole. I couldn't have been any better if it wasn't for him. I never said 'thank you' for all he's done. I failed to tell him he was forgiven. There were so many things I wish I did, so many things I wish I said out loud.

Lord, I know my Papa's with YOU. Please let him know how sorry I was for being a pain in the neck at times, please tell him how grateful I am for all he has done especially for me, please tell him how much I love him. And most of all, please tell him I have forgiven him and give him the assurance that I do not wear any stain of hatred. These are the things I'll always regret for not telling him, do it for me Lord.

"I thank you for the music and your stories of the road. I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go. I thank you for the kindness and times when you got tough. And Papa I don't think I said I love you near enough" (LEADER OF THE BAND)

"If I could get another chance, another walk, another dance with him, I'd play a song that would never ever end. How I'd love, love, love to dance with my father again" (DANCE WITH MY FATHER AGAIN--the culprit of my crying mood tonight!)

Things are no longer the same. Thins will never be the same again. I am still convincing myself that change is a friend, as I always do. We cannot keep the people we love beside us until forever runs out. Indeed we should make most of the time while we still have the chance.

Day 5. A picture of you doing something wacky.

Upon reading all of the daily tasks within the 30-day photo challenge, I knew right then that I will have a hard time on Day 5. To be honest, maybe because I always want to look, uhmm, pretty(specially I know I am not photogenic----MY GREATEST FRUSTRATION! LOL :p). Hahaha.

So to begin today's task let us define first what wacky means: It is funny or amusing in a slightly odd or peculiar way. Given this description I think this picture will pass.

(It’s also part of the instructions to post one picture a day. Well, they are actually four but since I’ll be sharing these silly pictures, might as well share as much. I don’t know how to do photoshop or do basic picture editing so I apologize for the primitive and untidy ‘putting together’ of the pictures.)

This was just one of those lazy morning when instead of getting ready to go out somewhere, I was stuck in front of my ancient laptop and went picture taking—well, not the usual pa-cute thingie.

This was funny. I was reminded how it made me laugh with all my heart’s content. I never thought I’ll have reason to have this posted. I have even forgotten this day took place if I haven’t scanned my saved pictures. It’s funny and amusing at times when we go crazy---well, figuratively.

Does this one qualify to "making fool out of one's self"? Definitely yes. But it's something I don't mind given this happens once in a blue moon. And no one's asked me to do so. :p

Fun. Happy. Light-hearted. :)

Day 4. A picture of what you ate for breakfast this morning.

This is not really the picture of the hotdog I ate this morning. I have forgotten to take a picture of it and there's no extra food to take picture so I think this will do.

Hmmm. What is there to say about hotdogs? Haha. Nothing really much but for some reasons hotdogs reminds me of the child I was before. Blame this to the ads intended for kids. I can still remember how I drooled over the hotdog's ads on TV. Those red, tender, juicy yum yum hotdogs. I'm afraid I even whined if mom don't buy me one (I could no longer recall). I don't know if this is also true to you but I have doubts too about eating them. I happen to also hear about the rumors that hotdogs are made of dog meat. Ewww. Whoever spread the gossip, he's successful but has failed as well---succeeded in disseminating the story but failed to discourage eaters. :p

Hotdog for this morning. Hotdog for today. :)

Day 3. A picture of your pet(s), if you dont have one, a picture of your dream pet.

These are my pets. They're guppies and platties. If you have read the 2nd fact about me in my Day 1 post you'll know the reason why of all animals it is fish that I keep.

I also have Tiger and Rosy Barbs but they are plant eaters. I fear they will eat all of the leaves even before they can grow more. I decided to switch to guppies and platties since they do not feed on leaves. That's aside from the fact that Philip is a guppy-lover. Needless to say he had some major influence here. My barbs should blame him. :p

I dream to set up a tank that has 'thick' vegetation. It has to be big, well-lighted and well-regulated. I want to place guppies and tetras. But as of now, I still can't do it. Primarily it's very impractical to have one now since I still don't know where I'll live in the long run.

For now I'll just take care of the tank given to me by Chebuen as a birthday gift (along with the pebbles), plants given by Philip, platties given by Mika and the guppies that I bought.

Thank you sponsors. I love you all. :)

Day 2. A picture of you and your bestfriend/s

Ma. Erica Jamero Gonzaga. 

She's my highschool bestfriend. I don't know exactly how we went well. It's like one day I realized she's already one of my closest buddies without really noticing and knowing when, why, how. Well, these were the questions I didn't bother looking answers for.

She knows a lot about me--including my darkest secrets. (Fear not though, I haven't killed anyone.......yet. Hahaha.) She probably knew all of the stupid things I did in high school, the stories of the love life I thought I had (Ahem.. My infatuation way back then and the silly and cute moments with my crushes--so high school). We had a lot of moments together---cried together, laughed together, copied assignments together, played together, gone mad together. These were just among the things I missed when I went to college. She went to IIT. I went to CSU.

For almost four years we haven't really had constant contact. We haven't seen each other for years. haven't heard anything from her for some time.

Time has made us busy but it has failed to cut the bond we already have. When we have seen each other again last 2009, it seemed like we were back in high school and it really amazed me. Things went as if there was no loooooooooooooong time of no communication. This made me realize that indeed friendship does not require constant communication and proximity. 

I don't know with her but for me she's the one I consider my best. And she definitely defines 'best' to its every description (though she might not be aware of it). She gives me a reason to thank God more.

Hmmm.. When I get married, and she's still single, she might be my maid of honor. Yeah. :)

Day 1. A picture of yourself, stating 15 facts about YOU, not your friends

Some 15 truths about me:

1. I eat a lot. Most of the people get envy because despite my voracious appetite, the worst I can get is just being chubby.
2. I fear animals. It's the very reason why I only had pets when I reached 22. And take note, they're fishes. They do not require caress or any physical contact so it makes possible for me to take care of them in my tank.
3. I want to travel around the world. Who doesn't dream of it?
4. I love sleeping in the couch. I am most likely to be seen sleeping in the couch rather than in my bed. Sofas are so inviting. It also helps me get up easily. I really have troubles in getting out of bed.
5. I daydream.....a lot. That's why I have to be careful especially when taking some jeepney rides. You could only imagine the mess this can cause me. Hmmmmm. Yesssss.
6. I am so into sour and salty foods. In fact I drink vinegar and I also let rock salt melt in my mouth. A food becomes so enticing if it has vinegar. No wonder I love paksiw and salads with vinegar. Oh my. 
7. I rarely watch horror films. I'm a scared cat so why will I find reasons to be scared. Come on.
8. I can't live without flipflops. High heels and stilettos just simply don't work for me. I would never trade flat flipflops over some heeled footwears. NEVER!
9. I cry a lot. I cry when I am happy. I cry when I am sad. I cry when I despair. I cry when I am scared. I don't know what's wrong with my tear ducts.
10. I dream to be a singer. Unfortunately I know it'll keep that way.
11. I hate Hello Kitty in PINK. As per Philip, Hello Kitty should really be in pink. (A side comment here... This actually amused me. He knew Hello Kitty better than I do. A proof that I really don't like her or, ahem, a fact about my boyfie that I should worry about?) Haha.
    
    Sorry mylord. Just fooling around. Good thing he won't be reading this. Or so I thought?
12. I don't really like to receive material stuff (all the more 'monetary gifts'). Not that I turn my back from the 'grace' but I just don't feel comfortable receiving material things. Don't get me wrong though, I love accepting when there's occasion (i.e Christmas and birthdays).
13. I am possessive. Haha. Ask my boyfriend and close friends. They can attest to that. ;)
14. I am nature-lover. City tours or exploration in the wild---I'd definitely choose the latter. For me nothing beats nature-engineered 'structures'.
15. I have hard times dealing with newly met people and mere acquaintances. I don't even consider myself friendly but I am sweet to those I consider friends.

Now you know me 15 facts more. :)