New Year resolutions.

Every single year, most of us spend the last few days in the calendar listing the things we want to do on the upcoming year. This is what we call resolutions. Just like a lot of people, I have tons of resolutions but failed to do it. So, this time, I am listing my 2011 New Year Resolutions by making it attainable and realistic. More of a bucket list, if you ask me.

1.       Volunteer more. There’s always something very humbling when you volunteer. It’s like changing someone’s life by being part of the solution.

2.       Save money. I want to save up for something grand by the end of the year. That also means, saying goodbye to buying expensive shoes and bags.

3.       Travel again. Whether it’s in the other islands in the Philippines or abroad.  Experience is always the best teacher.

4.       Learn how to cook.  It’s a step by step process. I’ll start with frying eggs.

5.       Get a new hobby. I’m hoping it would be pole dancing.

6.       No more sodas. If there’s no other choice, I’d rather go thirsty or drink my own saliva (eeww gross!)

7.       Lessen Rice...Increase Veggies.

8.       Exercise even more. I want to attend a marathon.

9.       No more cursing...loudly. I’ll just wish bad things in my mind...kidding!

10.   Spend more time with my family. They are not getting any younger. More memories to keep, the better.

11.   Stay positive. Smile as much as possible.

12.   Never turn down an invite. If the schedule permits, why not.

13.   Get more sleep. No more facebook when I get home.

14.   Never be late, ever.

15.   Pray harder. Pray often.

Happy Holidays!

Bonuses....13^th month pay....Christmas gifts....ahhh, the reasons why we all love this season. We have all the ability and funds to splurge and shop ‘til we drop because we want to give our loved ones something special to open on Christmas day or we want to buy new stuff for ourselves.

But if you live in the Metro, sometimes, this season can turn a “Santa” to a “Grinch”. Why you ask? For example:

1.       Traffic- It’s twice worse and its all throughout the day (and night!).

#TIP: shop really early. Traffic is more tolerable and you can get a nice spot to park.

2.       Crime- yup, it’s twice as much too.

#TIP: don’t bring lots of cash. This is the time that your plastic cards become more convenient. Always make sure you are aware of your surroundings.

3.       People- we all love to shop so understand all the long lines in the cashier and the crowded malls and shopping areas.

#TIP: if you can leave your kids at home, do so. If not, there are play areas in most malls where kids can stay. Stop dragging them inside shops and get angry when they start to throw a tantrum.

4.       Prices- you would notice that more items shoot up, price wise. Like they say in business, the more the demands, the more price increase you would see.

#TIP: Bargain shopping.  If you have the talent, you’ll get awesome stuff in very affordable price.

5.       Places- where oh where will you go this season of giving? Where can you find the things you need and want to buy?

#TIP: always go to shopping centres near your area. Sometimes, the extra P25 is worth it rather than getting very cheap stuff 100kms away from where you live.

6.       Gifts- what to buy for everyone you are giving gifts to.

#TIP: Always give something that the person will likely use. If you know the person well, you

Won’t have this problem. Just in case you are near going insane thinking, food always works.

7.       Attire- it always pays to be comfy all the time.

#TIP: wear clothes that are appropriate for shopping. No high heeled shoes, no leather shoes, no long sleeved polo, no leather jackets and no wearing to-die-for jewelleries.

Here’s my best tip: there’s always online shopping and delivery services. Comfort in your own home.

i heart BORACAY

It was my 13^Th time in Boracay. I don't know what is about this place that makes me come back every single year.  Back in 2003, i remembered how excited i was to finally visit Boracay after hearing so much about it and the instant my feet touched the white, fine, beautiful sand, I was in love. Since then, I went back there every chance I got. It was my ultimate vacation. It was my paradise.

So, why do i love Boracay so much? Well, let me count the ways (so cliche!):

1.       If you are a party person, nights in Bora will surely satisfy your thirst of hard partying.

Perk: no stilettos needed.

Downside: drunk jerks who think touching your ass is cool.

2.       Buffets. Every restaurant in this island has a buffet.

Perk: candle light dinner by the beach.

Downside: weight gain.

3.       A lot of women (and men) are very conscious when it comes to wearing bathing suits and board shorts. Here, people don't care what you look like in a bikini. No matter what size you are.

Perk: a chance to flaunt all the assets you are hiding.

Downside: your partner will always look at someone else.

4.       I love being tan. Specially when its a bora tan.

Perk: Your tan line is extra sexy.

Downside: It takes months before your real skin tone comes back.

5.       Great view of the Sunset and Sunrise.

Perk: Photos that  are magazine worthy.

Downside: When you miss it.

6.       So many activities to do. Water activities that can pump your blood. From diving, to island hopping, to parasailing. You name it, they got it.

Perk: You get to experience everything Bora has to offer.

Downside: It can cost you lots of money.

What to do when you are in Boracay:

1.       Get a henna tattoo. (from Kuya Ian, the tattoo guy in front of Jonas)

2.       Get your hair braided.

3.       Get a massage.

4.       Party at Cocomanggas.

5.       Eat the giant burger at Nigi-Nigi.

6.       Take-out your favorite alcoholic drink from Loco Frio.

7.       Drink your favorite shake at Jonas.

8.       Take pictures at Willy’s Rock.

9.       Buy cheap stuff from Station 3.

10.   Swim at Station 1.

11.   Do at least one major water activity.

12.   Watch fire dancers at night. (Rachel Lobangco if you are lucky)

13.   Take a picture of the sand castles made by kids.

14.   Enjoy the sand and the water.

Tips for the 1^st timers:

1.       Wear your bathing suit. You are in Boracay.T-shirt over your bikini is a no-no. And guys, please don't wear trunks. You are not in the Olympics!

2.       Expect to be tan. You are in the beach. There is sun. Beach + sun = Tan. Just don't forget to put on sunblock.

3.       “whatever happens in boracay, stays in boracay.” Learn that by heart.

4.       Don't wear high heels or boots when you go out at night to party. Its not required.

5.       Buy pasalubong. There are island shirts for only P99.00 and the bracelets, anklets and necklaces are very cheap too. You just need to learn how to bargain.

6.       Walk from station to station. Its a long way but who cares, you are walking on fine, white sand.

7.       Have extra cash.

8.       Take lots of pictures.

9.       The more the merrier. Bring the whole family or the whole barkada.

10.   Enjoy your stay. Its all worth it.

I can go on and on and on about Boracay. I just love this place. I will always go back there.

If I were the Government

So much hatred around us. People would need to get their act together for change. Lets make this a better and safer place to live in for us, for our children and our children's children.

If only I would have the power to make laws, these are some of it:

1. Every crime is punishable by the law. Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. If you commited murder, you should die the way you killed you r victim, If you committed rape, your penis would be cut off. If you stole something, your hands will be cut off too. If you commited adultery, you will be thrown in jail for the rest of your life.naked.

2. The car owner who will hit anyone who doesnt use the right way to cross the street will not be reliable for them.

3. Working hours will be 12 hours but only for 4 days. Employees would be allowed to choose what day they would like to have their off.

4. Holidays that will fall on a Tuesday or Thursday will automatically include Mondays and Fridays. However, malls are required to be closed. I encourage family time.

5. OFW will not be allowed to stay in another country for more than 6 months. They will need to be back in the country or else they will be proclaimed WANTED by all foreign countries.

6. All roads should be 6 lanes. Any establishment that are within the perimeter of the road will be forcibly destroyed.

7. Extra rooms of mansions will be occupied by people without homes. They would need to pay P500 rent a month, including utilities.

8. Everyone who are in jail before my term would be transferred to one of the 7, 101 islands that we have. I prefer the island which is shark-infested.

9. All goverment buildings will be in Visayas. All goverment employees will also need to live there.

10. Soldiers and Policemen will have their training in Mindanao. If they live after a struggle with the Abu Sayaff, they will graduate with honors and serve the country.

11. Garbage cans will be scattred all over the country. Anyone who gets caught littering will be jailed too. Their only bail would be recycling bottles and making them into a house.

12. Free wi-fi all over the philippines. facebook, twitter and chatting will be available for everyone over 18 years old. You need to swipe your ID to confirm your age. Lying would be a serious crime.

Hahahaha! Just kidding!

Signs You are Getting Old-er

I'm in my 30s. Apparently, most of my friends and some members of the family think that I don't look, act, talk or dress like my age. I take it as a compliment. I know that after 2 or more years, I will look my age. Well, thanks to science and sun block, I probably can delay it a day or 2.

Anyhow, this morning, while commuting to work aboard the very fast LRT 3, I got the taste of being the "ATE". From Katipunan to Recto, all I was thinking about were the changes I'm experiencing in my life and I kept asking myself: "ganon na ba ko talaga katanda?"

Here are the other signs:

1. When a person gives up his/her seat and everyone points at you to take it.

2. You sleep early and you wake up early too.

3. You tend to listen to an AM station than FM.

4. You and your friends debate on politics and not how cute the guy from a TV show is.

5. Conversation during social events are either about insurance policies, your health, the latest plastic surgery procedures or death.

6. You hate loud music.

7. Gimik is buffet dinner and coffee.

8. Your "mga bata" age, ranges from 18-25 year olds.

9. You find Eddie Garcia and Richard Gere really hot.

10. You throw away the cartoons part in the newspaper.

11. You always choose songs from the 80s when you do karaoke.

12. You check your diet every single time. Too much of something might bring you to the hospital.

13. You hate being called "ate" or "manang".

14. You deny your age.

15. You can relate to everyone's problem (since you've probably experienced it already).

They say that age is just a number. Well, yeah. Keep telling yourself that.

Things I Hate About You

I hate it when you don't come on time...but i hate you more when you arrive with flowers in your hand....

I hate it when you don't call when you said you would...but i hate you more when you answer my call with "I love you".

I hate it when you are not around...but i hate you more when all those times we are not together, you always tell me how much you miss me.

I hate it when you forget our anniversary....but i hate you more when I get a surprise gift when I get home.

I hate it when we fight over small things...but i hate it more when you're always the first one to say you are sorry.

I hate it when you go to your basketball game instead of watching a movie with me...i hate it more when I see our special day on your jersey.

I hate it when you get mad..i hate it more when you get mad at people being rude to me.

I hate it when you drink...i hate it more when you drink to celebrate my achievement.

I hate it when you go home late...i hate it more when you tell me that you are on your way to where I live.

I hate it when you leave me alone in a party...i hate it more when you tell me that you just want to stare at me from afar.

I hate it when you let me eat so much...i hate it more when you say that no matter how I look, I will always be sexy to you.

I hate it when you lie...i hate it more when you tell me that you just don't want to argue with me.

But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you,

not even close…

not even a little bit…

not even at all. (poem from "10 things I hate About You" movie)

HOW TO HAVE A GUY IN 10 WAYS (a non-expert advice from a girl who’s been dating since she was 15 years old)

Note: this blog was written because of 2 reasons:I was at home on a Saturday night and I got really bored. Just watched " How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days".

1.       Basketball knowledge

Nothing is hotter for a guy than a girl who talks basketball. Guys dig chicks who can understand what the hell is going on in an NBA/PBA/NCAA/UAAP game. So, pick a winning team and don’t hesitate cheering for them.

2.       Action Films

Say goodbye to happily-ever-after movies. If you want to have a fantastic date with a guy, choose a film where men beat up each other and women wear skimpy clothes. Don’t worry; he’ll give in to the chick flick next time.

 

3.       Shopping...for stuff EXCEPT shoes

Men loves shopping too, except, they usually buy from a car, gadget or tools shop. Just go along with him and ask questions about the stuff he’s buying. Taking notice of what he’s interested with will make him more interested with you too.

4.       One of the Boys

Drink beer. Learn Poker. Pig out.

5.       Give your stilettos a rest (for awhile)

Guys love seeing a girl in sneakers or flip-flops as much as they love wearing the same thing too.

6.       Stay away from Britney Spears.

If you and your guy share a music gadget, try downloading more of the alternative-pop-rock genre. Dance music that will make them imagine you dancing would be a good playlist too.

7.       Boys Night Out

Give him 24 hours of just being around his friends. Let him do guy stuff. It will let him miss you more.

8.       Name calling

Although some guys find it sweet that a girl address them as HUN, BABY, SWEETIE, LOVES, DARLING and all that, do not call him anything unless he wants it.

9.       Dress Well

Know what to wear on the right occasion. Guys like to flaunt the girls they are dating. So be worthy of being flaunted.

10.   Smell Good

You want to make him to think of you whenever he smells your scent. So always smell good so that he gets hooked on you.