2010's Top 10

Aaaand, I just can't welcome the new year without a recap.

Here are my top 10 favorite experiences and moments of 2010 --  off the top of my head and in no particular order.






1. The Grand Northern Tour
6 days, a coaster full of family, and numerous places up North. The pictures tell it all. The BEST vacation of this year with everyone that I love. :)









2. Be Cool in Bicol
Of course the South needs to be conquered with friendskami. A lot of memorable tidbits from our time being cool in Bicol. Also the worst sunburn I've had in ages.












3. Pasko 2010
I think this is the best Christmas in terms of buying the gifts on time. No last minute shopping this year! And as always, the season was truly filled with joy.


















4. My 26th!
A successful half-expected surprise and meet ups with friends that extended til the end of October. This year I had so, so much of everything. :)












5. Weekends with Family
I know it's not good to live for the weekend, but I do. :P Sunday night Starbucks, Saturday dinners, badminton matches and even lazing in our pajamas. I love weekends with my family :)










6. Tambay with Mabs
For the doctor friend who had to study for the boards and later on, maximize her days of 'freedom,' we went everywhere! BHS, Eastwood, Katipunan, Laiya, MALATE! Everywhere!











7. MBA Madness
Like last year, school was great! :) This year was a memorable collection of profs we hated and loved, a goodbye to our freshman year, a crazy MBA night, and fun, fun groupmates and blockmates :)











8. Team Chubbs
I loved this team so much and I miss you guys :) But we all had to move on and touch more and more lives :)






















9. Weddings, weddings, weddings!
The year of weddings and engagements! I attended a lot this year. :) Tudoy & Hani, Matt & Aileen, John & Tanya, Jensen & Joanna, and King & Dea. Congratulations and Best Wishes!




















10. Out of Town Trips
Aside from the North and Bicol, there were a handful of other out of town trips - kicking the year off in Anilao, Palibhasa Summer at Tali Beach, groupmates in Anawangin, Subic with family, Laiya with the girls and Tagaytay with Flo & Nhiza. This year was filled with fun roadtrips :)



Aside from the ones on the list, there are still people, places and moments that I hold dear in 2010. :) Special thanks to YOU for making this a great, great 2010.

Here's to a totally awesome 2011!!! :) Much love! <3

Maligayang Pasko!!! :)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

- John 1:14



Maligayang Pasko sa iyo at sa mga mahal mo sa buhay! :)

Dream Beams

I sit and take in the view. However common, any beach is still a sight to behold. 

I decide to rest and lie back at our cabana. The sun hasn’t shown its face all day, making the beach dreary. The salt wind is strong, blowing the white curtains against their will. The waves are crashing rhythmically, lulling me in and out of sleep.

The pace has been slow today – nature does that to you. But the stories seem to be exchanged very quickly and to the verge of saturation, like a crazy torrent download. It’s as if we’re craving for something that reminds us of our life in the city instead of escaping to this sleepy world.

I try to absorb everything that’s being said. But part of me wants to leave it as it is – have it carried by the wind or swept by the sea, I don’t care. My mind starts to wander from the conversations to strange ideas and seldom-touched memories. They are hazy like the events of today, but come to life as quickly and as clearly as I think of them.

In a place like this, thoughts and feelings are left unguarded – as if the huge expanse of space can absorb them all. And so I indulge in what-could-have-beens and what-might-bes. I send out crazy dreams to the hiding sun and the vast sea. Never mind practicality, never mind logic, never mind the consequences. Today I let my guard down and indulge in the giddy, passionate, and even ridiculous thoughts.

I send out more dream beams when I finally fall asleep for the night. The waves and the rocks absorb them all. I feel invincible.

~

The same thoughts buzz through my head as we head out to the city the following day. We whiz along the highway and the trees are a blurry sight. As if on cue, a small voice reminds me that I should keep my mind in check – we are going back to the city after all.

And so I try to keep busy and shut my mind, like what I’ve been doing for ages. The concrete of the city brings back the consequences and shows me its harsh realities. It is easy to be busy and lose touch of dreams. There is so much happening that it hurts to keep the pace.

I wear my sunglasses and become a city mouse once again. Sipping my coffee and cursing at bad drivers, I return to the fast-paced life – all along afraid of my own thoughts. Afraid of how they’d make me feel when I think of them. Afraid that the concrete will not absorb them, but send them back to me at full speed.



© Isabel M. Casas, 20101201

At the Manger Mary Sings

O shut your bright eyes that mine must endanger
With their watchfulness; protected by its shade
Escape from my care: what can you discover
From my tender look but how to be afraid?
Love can but confirm the more it would deny.
Close your bright eye.

Sleep. What have you learned from the womb that bore you
But an anxiety your Father cannot feel?
Sleep. What will the flesh that I gave do for you,
Or my mother love, but tempt you from his will?
Why was I chosen to teach his Son to weep?
Little One, sleep.

Dream. In human dreams earth ascends to Heaven
Where no one need pray nor ever feel alone.
In your first few hours of life here, O have you
Chosen already what death must be your own?
How soon will you start on the Sorrowful Way?
Dream while you may.

W.H. Auden



====================

Beautiful. This was shared by Father Arevalo during a recollection held at the Gesu yesterday. I just love how it portrays Mary as the mother of Jesus. Mary as a human, someone exactly like us. Indeed, how will one feel if you know that the only thing you can give the Son of God is your humanity?

It's nearing Advent and my heart awaits Jesus with hope and joy. :)

Let It Rain

Again, I am a month late in creating a birthday post. I admit that I’m pressured to write something as inspired as last year’s or even the year before that, in the same way that I was afraid that this birthday will pale in comparison to my 25th. But I was proven wrong.

I feel that my birthday this year was so full. Not to cover up something that is missing, but to show me just how much I have.

































I’ve spent time with a lot of friends whom I love dearly. High school, college, work and grad school friends -- I’ve spent time with everyone. I know that I am blessed to have so many for this long.  I am thankful, because life will be less interesting and unbearable without all of you. Thank you especially for making me feel so loved this year.

















Of course, celebrating my special day with my family has been the tradition. I am thankful for another year with them. Our strong foundation of love and support is something that I am very proud of. At the end of the day, they are the people I come home to -- the ones that I know will always be there. And again, I am more thankful than I am proud to be a part of this family. We are truly blessed.

There are certain people in my life that I know will be there til the end. It touches and overwhelms me that I am blessed with so much to last a lifetime. And at 26, I hope there’s still a long way to go. The journey ahead is unknown but I do have a big support group behind me. And of course, He who has been there from the start will never leave my side.

As with every year, I offer up everything to Him -- 26 years up to a whole lifetime. Every day, every task, every relationship I work on -- I offer up to You. It’s the least I can do in return. Just as how the clouds portend of what is to come, I can see that You have so much more in store for me. And like the heavy downpours that I love -- the blessings, the love, the people, the experiences -- I hope that You continue to let it rain. <3

A Gift From God

He sits eating a cracker, making a mess of everything. Cracker bits are on his face as he continues to eat with both of his hands, making a larger mess of everything. He makes a mess of my hair too, shows me his cars, and then almost immediately has his eyes glued to the TV. He chuckles at something funny and speaks in broken Tagalog. I call his name and like a miracle, he actually notices me. His eyes are already smiling before he shows his teeth in a perfect smile. 

There are mornings when I am thankful even before I open my eyes. Those are the ones when I awake with his voice calling my name. He who is the most organized, the MOST talkative and the one with the highest energy. He is our survivor, our little big boy, and our constant source of happiness. His names both mean a gift from God. It is only fitting that it is expressed twice, because we are truly blessed to have him: Sean Matthew.


© Isabel M. Casas 20100704

***For Sean, on his 4th birthday :)

Beautiful Bicol

For most of us, the Bicol trip was the event to look forward to. Having purchased the tickets in early March, September was quite a long wait. That meant a lot things happened in between, including the cancellation of the Donsol stopover because the whale sharks were just not there at this time of the year (fail). But we all still made it just in the nick of time for our Legaspi-bound flight. It was a Friday and we were finally off to beautiful Bicol!

The beauty that welcomed us once we landed was, of course, Mayon volcano. If I remember it right, the Bicolano word for beautiful is magayon and I think 'Mayon' is just so fitting. Like any other landmark, there was that shortest moment when I was struck with awe. I like landmarks because they're like pictures and postcards coming to life, only at the middle of your moment, you realize that it's not anything like the photo in your mind -- it's even better and more beautiful.

Caramoan had its own charm as well. White sand beaches, starfishes, beautiful landscape and even more beautiful sunsets made the long boat rides well worth it. We were blessed with little rain. And we did soak up the sun and live the beach life with an excess of sunblock and early mornings. The best lunch I've had in recent memory was at a Caramoan island that we had all to ourselves. We had liempo, pusit, different kinds of fish and fruits. These are the simple things in life made even simpler by eating with our bare hands under our makeshift tents. On that day, simple was just so good.

We weren't up to just chillaxing, we also had our share of adventure. I don't know how most people would define adventure, but for a group of IT professionals, I think it's anything physically taxing. On our first day of island hopping, we climbed a 15-foot rock to get to the hidden lagoon in our swimsuits and Havaianas. Also, at the end of the trip, we tried out knee boarding and wake boarding at CWC. Both are reasons behind our tired muscles, but it was well worth the experience. It goes without saying that going through it with fun friends makes the jitters go away.

For me, the funniest and most memorable things in this Bicol trip are in the details. To be honest, I've started a draft with funny quotes from everyone to remember the trip by. But the list is just so crazy and I can't imagine anyone aside from us reading it and being able to relate. So, suffice it to say that it was a trip of time checks, head butts, fish fights, comic underwear, trampoline jumps, birthday greetings and flirty laughs. It was also an adventure of being carried to the boat, waiting a long time for our ride to CWC, getting stranded in Naga City, and looking for a certain Kapitana. And our OST? Kahit maputi na ang buhok ko, the Survivor theme song, Merry Moe (who is actually Mary Moon and who is a vegetarian) and really, really bad Pinoy rap.

As always, there is just so much to say.  It was a great and well-deserved vacation. After all the trips up North, traveling to south Luzon is a refreshing change. I'm also glad I got to share this vacation with my friends. We haven't been together too much as a complete group in the last few years, but it was quick to pick up with the old humor, jokes, and quirks -- a proud sign of good friendship.

Pips, ang tatag natin. :) We'd do our emo college selves proud. Coron next? :)


*Photos by Kyaps

The Middle of the Road

Sometimes it’s hard to know just who you want to be.

When I was a kid full of dreams, it was easy to answer. Maybe because I was too young to know exactly what is needed to actually be someone. Or maybe I was young enough to have the strongest hold of my dreams.

Over the years, I somehow convinced myself of things I cannot be. “I’m too lazy to study, I can’t become a doctor.” “I can’t become rich if I write for a living.” Call it growing up. Call it being practical. Call it knowing my abilities and the world better.

Now, I set practical targets for myself and my dreams. But doesn’t it take away a lot from childhood dreams? Aren’t we all supposed to reach for them, no holds barred? But what if we really can’t -- does that qualify to be a life less lived? Are we meant to live lives of compromises -- of passing up big dreams for more practical ones?

There are some people who know exactly what they want and never ask these questions. There are others who don’t ask at all, because they’d rather just ride with the flow of life. I’m asking, because I guess like most of us, I’m at the middle of the road. Not knowing exactly where to go and not just letting it be.

More (or maybe Less) of Ilocos

I admit it. I’ve written too much about Ilocos. During my past 3 trips and on a bout of nostalgia, I’ve churned out a lot of words for the region – about its beauty, its simplicity, and how it feels so much like home.

It seems like my 2006 promise to come back has been taken to an extreme. My latest trip was my fourth one and I can’t promise that it was my last. From the bottom of my heart, I love the place. And there’s no stopping me from coming back to experience it again.

There are still a lot of words to be said, though a lot of things stayed the same. I can go saying that Vigan has retained its charm with the old houses and the calesas. Or that I finally learned that it was FPJ and not Jericho Rosales that shot Panday at the Bell Tower. Or that Playa is like mini Bali and that Thunderbird is like mini Santorini. I can go saying that Paoay Church is still a sight to see and that it took my breath away for the second time. I can verify and re-verify that Blue Lagoon is still my favorite beach in the world, even with the huge waves. I can say that Saud beach is a beauty of gentle waves this time of the year. Or that the Bangui windmills still blew me away. I can say that the long ride sucked, but made it all worth it.

As I said, there is still so much to say. But for now I forgo the imagery, as nothing stood out more than the people I was with.

There are very few words to be said, but there is a lot more that is felt when I’m with my family. Vigan, the bell tower, Playa, Thunderbird, Paoay Church, Blue Lagoon, Saud beach, and Bangui windmills – they all stand for something to me, but nothing more than how my parents, sisters, cousins, nephew, niece and relatives mean to me.

For the fourth time, Ilocos was beautiful. But the true beauty of this trip was that we all traveled together. What stood out to me were Sean’s and Shay’s smiles in the water, the long talk with Ate Mitzi in Saud beach, and Mama’s effort in documenting everything with more than a thousand photos. I can clearly remember Shay singing “lalalala” so loudly in the morning, Papa super loving Thunderbird, and the thousand pictures Kris and Ate Mai posed for. What stood out to me were Kuya Sonny's superb organization skills, Paula being called by Sean as ‘sexy’ in Blue Lagoon, and Ate Cel’s freak sunburn because she’s mestiza. During the trip I remember Kuya Paul and Paula bickering like siblings, Uncle Ed conquering the huge waves, and Mommy Luz finding her missing shades.

Yes, I can go on talking about the beauty of the places we’ve been to. But much as I try, this post is not about Ilocos, but about my family. If we went anywhere else, it would have been just as special and just as memorable. Ilocos was just a beautiful backdrop for us third generation Ilocanos to discover our roots and strengthen our relationships.

Yes, for the nth time, the North was beautiful. But more importantly, nothing is more beautiful than being with the whole family that I love.

Here’s to more road trips and plane rides! :) I miss you all so much! :)

5 Years Ago...

I recently thought of this entry that I posted roughly 4 years ago. Five years after graduation (technically, it's not until the end of the month) is a small milestone. It feels right to create a similar post again.



Five years ago year I was...
- Defending e-NoDeS at the Undergraduate Research Competition in Eng'g. Meeting some new people.
- Donning my sablay during graduation. Taking pictures with Oble and the pretty sunflowers.
- Driving around the campus, crying, and saying goodbye to UP.
- Attending our Graduation Ball. In pink, loveless, dreamy-eyed, and contemplative.
- Looking forward to Ate Cel and Kuya Sonny's wedding and hoping that by then, a prince will already be by my side.
- Looking for a job. Going to a ton of interviews. Walking in high heels in Makati, Libis, Ortigas and everywhere else.
- Having the very first summer outing with friendskami. An unforgettable Labor Day weekend.
- Preparing for our 3-week-long US vacation. Literally packing all our wearable clothes.




This year I am...
- Still considering e-NodeS as my last programming stint to date. I don't remember too much of Java and of AI now. The "friend" I met back then, I haven't heard from in years. Let's just say it was a crush that ended with a big fail. :))
- Still looking forward to wearing my hablon sablay in 2012. :) I pass by the University Ave almost every night and anxiously wait for the sunflowers to grow. I hope they make it in time for graduation.
- Back in school after years. Was welcomed by another college and a new mode of teaching. I'm glad I'm back. :) I never should have said goodbye.
- Have attended other formal events after the Gradball -- a lot of weddings! I've toned down with pink, still dreamy-eyed and contemplative, but full of love.
- Looking forward to a lot of my friends' weddings (shoutouts: Hani, Aileen, Jensen :) I don't feel a prince is necessary, but still a nice-to-have. :)
- Still at the same job. Finally learned work-life balance. Is still in love with heels. :) And there will be a final office move to Taguig.
- Already planned a trip with friendskami. Now, the in thing with us is to travel off-peak. If June was late for us 4 years ago, wait til you hear our September Bicol plans.
- Not missing business travel too much. Visited 6 different countries and feels that's enough for now. I haven't packed my bags for an international trip since Bangkok last year and my trusty Voyager already has cobwebs. Also, I've grown to hate plane rides.

Life is getting better and better everyday. I guess I've grown out the angst of the early 20s and hopefully (hopefully!) I'm over the quarter life crisis. Late 20s, here I come. :)


So. Where were you 5 years ago?

We Remember

We remember how You loved us to Your death
And still we celebrate for You are with us here
And we believe that we will see You when you come
In Your glory, Lord, we remember, we celebrate, we believe

Christ, the Father's great Amen to all the hopes and dreams of every heart
Peace beyond all telling, and freedom from all fear

See the face of Christ revealed in every person standing by your side
Gift to one another and temples of your love

Christ is risen! Happy Easter!

Nick Sparks

Have you ever felt that you're trying to "break in" an author? When you read his first book, you find yourself going over the lines and understanding the dictionary words. And then gradually, you feel that you get a hang of it, it's full speed ahead and you read a hundred pages in one sitting.

When I started reading Harry Potter, I had to get used to Rowling's English writing. With Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, I got used to his never ending sentences and stories that tended to loop within themselves. And with Nicholas Sparks, it's all about the simplicity, the details and the romance.

If there's one author that I feel obliged to collect all books he's written, it'd be Nicholas Sparks. I broke into his writing years and years before. And right now, his books feel like weekend reading, something light, something very familiar to me.

There are a lot of similarities in his books -- countless moonlight walks along the shore, a handful of steak-and-salad dinners, and to a point the characters seem to follow the same line of thinking. But however similar, Nick Sparks somehow crafts these different love stories that stand independently from each other. And I do hope that there are a lot more to come.

For his style of writing, for retaining the romantic within me, and mostly for his familiarity, Nick Sparks stays as my favorite author. :)

Help Find Allen

http://helpfindallen.blogspot.com/
Any kind of help will be greatly appreciated!

:x

<3 Cheesy.
Pagbigyan, please lang.

*Secret from Postsecret

Rainbow

I unexpectedly heard this song on the radio tonight. It's funny how it brought back a simple memory, a simple email on encouragement, care, and looking out for a person you love. This is a very optimistic song. So let's take it as it comes and not forget that we are never alone. :)

Rainbow

 

Fallin out, Fallin in
Nothing's sure in this world no no
Breaking down, breaking in
Never knowing what lies ahead
We can really never tell it all

Say goodbye, say hello
To a lover or friend
Sometimes we could never understand
Why some things begin with just love
We can never have it all

But oh, cant you see
That no matter what happens
Life goes on and on
And so baby just smile
Coz I'm always around you
And I'll make you see
How beautiful life is for you and me

Take a little time, baby
See the butterfly's colors
Listen to the birds that sent to sing for me and you
Can you feel me
This is such a wonderful place to be

Even if there is pain now
Everything will be alright
For as long as the world still turns
There will be night and day
Can you hear me
There's a rainbow always after the rain

Hittin high, hittin low
Win or lose you should go
Getting warm, getting cold
Weather can be so good or bad
But baby this is life so don't get mad

Life's full of challenges
Not all the time we get what we want
But don't despair my dear
You'll take it each trial
And you'll make it through the storm
Coz youre strong
My faith in you is clear
So i say once again
This world's beautiful
Let us celebrate life that is so beautiful
So beautiful...