Definitions Change

I found a picture that’s a few years old. I can’t believe that a few years ago, this picture actually defined me as a person. When I started working professionally in 2004, I already knew how to smoke, but I was never got into the habit. Even during my self-destructing, troubled phase, I never really had the urge to start smoking.

That all changed when I came to Cebu. Somehow, the cold nights I endured in the graveyard shift, the short break hours, the company I kept, all these things greatly influenced me. Before long, I was consuming half a pack in a day. I’m still proud of myself because I never went more than ten sticks in a single day.

You see, I enjoy smoking. I like the fact that it gave me time to think about things I liked, to imagine, to plan stories, to daydream. Whether I was thinking, de-stressing or just passing the time, I liked holding a stick in my hand and puffing until it was time to come back to reality. I always had a pack, a lighter, and some candies in my bag. I also never went out without cologne or hand sanitizer.

That was me then.

It is funny how a person can change. I don’t smoke anymore. I don’t know how I quit. All I know is that a day just came when I realized I haven’t been smoking anymore. There are times when I feel like going back. I even go as far as buying a pack and lighting one stick. However, I just couldn’t do it anymore. As I’ve said in my photoblog, I don’t regret getting into the habit, but I also don’t regret quitting it.

On Overrated TV Shows

So I watched the finale episode of Walang Hanggan earlier.

 

I am bit disappointed, although it was expected because the story was based on the movie, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit. That’s why when Katerina died, it wasn’t s surprise when Daniel followed shortly after.

 

I wasn’t disappointed with the story and the ending, really. I was more disappointed with the dialog and some of the actors’ acting. The dialog leaves so much to be desired for. The narration at the end part was unnecessary. Some conversations were unnecessary. Unfortunately, that’s how TV works. The network and producers have fans to satisfy, so even if a lot of things could have been polished, there was no action done because, that’s what the fans prefer. If it was a movie, there’d be a lot of polishing and perfecting. If that approach happened in a movie, critics would probably fill the world-wide web bashing the production.

 

All in all, I think it’s just another typical and predictable Filipino teleserye finale where someone always dies, someone always goes to prison, the villain always dies at the end, and someone who used to be so evil changes ways. There has already been a lot of that on Philippine TV. The problem with Philippine TV is that they give everything away. The put too much stress on the love between Katerina and Daniel, instead of letting the people see that for themselves. They make sure Daniel’s every sentence has “Katerina” on it. They make sure he talks about her and how much he loves her every time he opens his mouth. Please! It’s just annoying and stubborn sometimes. They portray Katerina as this damsel who always needs to be rescued and taken care of. Really, what’s to love in a girl like that? Isn’t it so much believable to love someone who knows exactly where they fit in this world? Someone who knows what they want, get what they want, work and fight for what they want?

 

As much as I love Coco Martin, I have never been happier now that Walang Hanggan is finally over. I personally think the show is overrated and that there are so many other shows better than this. Actually, if this show had different actors, if this show did not have Dawn Zulueta, Richard Gomez, Coco Martin, JoEm Bascon, Noni Buencamino, and the others, this show would be a total train wreck. At long last, I no longer have to see the exaggeration and inconsistent characters that the writers have created. I no longer have to see their extended dialog that was corny and cheesy.

 

I can only hope that the next show the network has scheduled will be much better in characterization, plot, and acting than the one that just ended.

Another Sunday, Another Beach

Sundays are best spent at the beach, lounging around and away from the demands of work and life. That is why we decided to go to the beach on Sunday. After Jeff’s and my experience in Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa, we decided to try out Maribago Bluewaters Resort.

It was no Plantation Bay, but we still had fun. A day tour package included access to their pools and beach, a towel, and a lunch buffet.

The food was great. They actuallu jad more food choices than Plantation Bay. The dessert table had fruits and pastries to choose from, much to my delight.

The pools were big enough to accommodate many people. The water was very clean too.

The beach was also visually tempting.

This is certainly a place I can see myself going back to. There’s just a great combination of fun and serenity which does not dent your wallets too much.

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Sundays Together

Last Sunday, Jeffrey and I spent a whole day in Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

He has always wanted to experience what the place was like. It was so fun. Yes, the package is a bit pricey for most people, but the good thing is that an expensive package meant the place wouldn’t be too crowded.

I’m planning to take my mom there too, as a Christmas gift in December. I’m sure she’d love the place as well.

We started checking out the Savannah Park, where the wall climbing, tennis court, firing range, karaoke, and children’s park were located.

Jeffrey also tried wall climbing and was able to reach the top.

Everywhere you go, you’d find a pool or a lagoon. There are outdoor shops as well like henna tattooing and a couple of restaurants to match your food craving. We had lunch at the Kilimanjaro Cafe, where they served a sumptuous buffet.

I absolutely loved the dessert, although I do wish they had more fresh fruit.

They also let you try kayaking, which Jeffrey also took advantage of.

It was absolutely a perfect Sunday. I’d love to go back there.

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Clashes

There are people in your life you will remember for always. You may never see each other again, but you know that these people have greatly impacted the person you have become.

I have so many people to thank the Lord for. As hard as life has been, I think I’d gladly go through all of the hardships again, if it meant I’d still end up where I am now.

I will always be thankful for the friends I have made along the way. I will also remember those people who have become a huge part of my life, even if it was only for a moment.

To my friends, thank you. To my family, lots of love. To God, you have my life.

Let’s celebrate happiness!!!

On Darker Waters

Sometimes, you have to distance yourself from the things you love and the things that hurt you. This is not because you are giving up. In fact, this is because you want to hold on to it longer.

When you are hurt, it is okay to need some time on your own. You need to find that place in your heart where everything is peaceful. You need to forget what hurts and move on. You need to come back on top from being under.

Do not be pressured to forgive. When you are ready, you can do so. Forgiveness is not a right that any person can demand from someone else. It is a gift. Just because the other person asks for your forgiveness and is sorry about things does not mean you need to be able to forgive. If you need time, then have it. If the person is really sorry, he will understand. If the person really cares, he can wait.

Do not be afraid to be by yourself. This may be the best thing you need, in fact. A person gets hurt because they have feelings, because they care, because they give a part of themselves away. When you get hurt, it is only right to find that part of yourself again, so you can forgive, so you can forget, so you can be happy again.

If you feel that your well is running low, do not hesitate to close your doors for a while. Remember, most people will rather gather water from a deep, drying well than take the time to fill it. Evaluate the people around you, so you would know who runs you dry and who’s worth running dry for.

Everybody knows that love is a gift, but not everybody remembers that fact. Sad as it is, it means that the people in your life will hurt you, repeatedly, for as many times as you can imagine. There is no perfect situation where everybody you love will only make you happy. That is the balance of nature. You will love people, and people will love you too. But some of these people will hurt you as well. The goal is not to find the ones who will not hurt you. The goal is to be strong enough to weather rough winds and storms until the skies clear up, and you can sail the deep blue waters again.

This One’s For You, Teacher Alice…

A couple of days ago, I lost one of my favorite teachers.

Alicia G. Sarmiento

When I was in grade school, she has been a huge influence. I always looked forward to the things I learned from her. I didn’t really like school, but I loved learning, and the things I learned from her have made a huge impact on me. I’ve always looked up to her. For me, she was next to perfect.

I loved her not only because she was so smart and fierce. I loved her mostly because she had a lot of faith in me. She was one of the people who believed in me, believed that I could go places, reach limitless goals. I could look at her then and know that she was a strong-willed person who knows what she wants and works on getting it.

She was someone who wasn’t afraid to be different. She had her own say, had her own style. She wasn’t someone to quietly conform and stand on the sidelines. She was someone who made things happen, someone who took control of things. I like myself, and I like being different from the rest. I like wanting different things from the usual. She has shown me (and hopefully a throng of other students whose lives she has touched) that a teacher is not just someone who teaches you while you are in school, who molds you into the person that society expects you to be. Instead, she has shown that a teacher’s success is measured long after the endless hours they spend in classrooms or the sleepless nights they have while preparing lesson plans. A teacher is successful when she can confidently let go of her students, knowing that wherever they life may lead them, she has instilled in them the things they need to survive the circus of life.

To her family, I offer my deepest condolences. I sympathize and share your grief because I, too, lost a part of my life with her passing. I thank the Lord, though, to have blessed me with amazing teachers like her.

In case I have never been able to say this, I want to thank you, for all the things I learned from you… You will be missed, terribly…

Rest in peace, Teacher Alice.

What’s the Latest?

I’m writing a new story, something I hope I can finish this time.

While it is no secret that I write, I am ashamed to admit that I have started on several stories but have ended up abandoning them after the first few chapters.

There was a time when I’d patiently write down every word I can think about on a notebook. Now that technology has made writing easier, I find it too tedious to even finish a single story.

Please check out my latest project. Feel free to leave a comment or suggestion if there is anything you can think about which can help/improve the story.

http://writingpad.ishabelle.com

I will be waiting for you there. xoxo