This one's cute -- both the song and the animations

By Chance (You and I) - JR Aquino

Hi
Girl, you just caught my eye
thought I should give it a try
and get your name and your number
go grab some lunch and eat some cucumbers
WHY, DID I SAY THAT?
I don’t know why.
But you’re smilin’ and it’s something’ I like
on your face, yeah it suits you
Girl, we connect like we have bluetooth
I don’t know why
I’m drawn to you
Could you be the other one so we’d equal two?
And this is all based on a lucky chance
that you would rather add then subtract
You and I
could be like Sonny and Cher
honey and bears
You and I
could be like Aladdin and Jasmine
lets make it happen
La La’s
Hey
How’ve you been?
I know that it’s been awhile.
Are you tired ’cause you’ve been on my mind
runnin’ thousand and thousands of miles
Sorry, I know that line’s outta style
but you
you look so beautiful on that starry night
loving the way the moonlight catches your eyes and your smile
I’m captivated
your beauty is timeless never outdated
I don’t know why
I’m drawn to you
Could you be the other one so we’d equal two?
and this is all based on a lucky chance
that you would rather add then subtract
You and I
could be like Sonny and Cher
Honey and bears
you and i could be like Aladdin and Jasmine lets make it happen
la la la
Babe
It’s been 5 years since that special day
when I asked you on our first date
I guess it’s safe to say
You and I
are better than Sonny and Cher
Honey and bears
You and I
Are better than Aladdin and Jasmine
We’ve made it happen
lalalalalala
Let me say
You look so beautiful on our wedding day

turning another leaf

I have been silent here for quite a long time. No Christmas, no holiday, no new year post.

It's not that I've been hiding in a cave or have got nothing going on with my life that I could share here. It's just that, life has been going on and on and on and on... and the sudden breaks which I took the past weeks were dedicated to hibernating errrrrr... re-energizing myself. I do not even update my FB a lot, save for some random quotes or sharing in my status update, as well as approving photo tags by friends.

Now, I stare here again with so much thoughts running through my mind, that I cannot find words to describe. I am excited, delighted, afraid, elated, confused, and all sorts of feelings that I could recognize at the same time. I don't know if this is because of the fast changes (or the lack of it) happening around me. Or it could also be that I am the one who's changing, I mean, growing old, growing up (am not talking here about physically growing up, as in am getting heavier, duh!), or transforming into someone that I'd like myself to be -- hopefully a better one.

Call me whatever you want to describe it, but am not really a TV or movie buff. Sure, I watch movies or TV from time to time, but I can really live my life without those and I would be perfectly fine. But the other night, I find myself watching a circa 2010 movie of Kim Chiu -- and I was just crying my heart out. I literally felt like there is a heavy feeling going out of my system with the stream of tears that fall from my eyes (yep, you read it right -- stream of tears!). Then the other other night (walang paki-alaman ng phraseology rito, blog ko ito no!), I watched another movie which reminded me that indeed, no matter how many times or how hard you find yourself tumbling down the hall, or your head banged on a wall, there will always be something good ahead waiting for you if you are ready to go for it.

I just look forward to positive changes in my life...I don't know what that would be, but I feel like am up to something great soon -- and no, am not thinking anything about PCW matters here! I usually am a fast learner and I can cope quite well in school or business settings -- but I guess am on the other side when it comes to more personal matters. But then again, I am not competing with anyone or anything. I admit, I get offended by people who sort of push me to go in a hurry. I feel that they are violating my own sense of person hood; they are going over the borders which I reserved only for myself. I believe that I should be allowed to go through all these things at my own pace, at my own terms, at my own time.

my Konoka Kimmidoll

And I am sure that this is finally it -- I am already leaving behind that chapter in the book called my life. I looked back at the pages earlier, but the tears no longer poured out; no more heavy feelings inside; no more what ifs or I wish -- the pages are just there. I have outlined the lessons I've learned, and turned it out into a list of things that I will do in the future -- it's all carved in my mind, in my heart -- it's already a part of who I am. I am completely thankful that God never left me all throughout the long journey. I realized that worst things could have happened if He allowed it because of my stubbornness -- I still feel so blessed.

And so, I will live my next days once again as a carefree soul who enjoy the good things that life, and everything that surrounds it, has to offer. Like Konoka, I will embrace life through all my senses...savour every taste, every touch, every smell, sight and sound...linger in the moment.

Kimmidoll Konoka (Sensuality)

My First Kimmidoll: Pasalubong of my Chief from Australia

Good Customer Service, Mega Bloks!

I noticed this brown pack on the glass table near our kitchen last Tuesday. It's addressed to me, so I grabbed the pack and went to my room, wondering who sent it and what it contains.

Upon closer scrutiny (the stamped return address is quite blurred), I realized that the pack is from Mega Bloks, Canada!

  

Snoopy and Woodstock Mega Bloks Set Instruction Book
delivered right at my doorstep

Yehey, it's the instruction booklet for the Snoopy and Woodstock Mega Bloks set which I purchased (from hard earned money as a contractual worker) years back at the Christmas expo of Richwell Trading in Eastwood City, Libis. I was with Janice that time, and I recall the two of us having second, third, fourth, fifth...nth thought if we're going to buy it (we're just yuppies striving to survive back then) BUT, since were yuppies (read: KIDS propelled into adulthood!), we bought two of the last three boxes anyway. Had fun assembling it and my Snoopy and Woodstock Mega Bloks set has been in display at home since then.

Instructions for Snoopy

One day, I came home only to find out that Woodstock has been converted into whatnots of conjoined mega bloks pieces by Daniel, my little nephew! And since a lot of moving has happened around our little home in the past years, Snoopy has turned into several pieces of white (with some black) blocks of plastic. I know that I have to somehow restore these pieces but problem is, I can no longer find the instruction booklet. As I've said, there has been a lot of moving that happened at home. 

I tried searching the internet several times, until I finally learned that it is possible to request for customer support through Mega Blok's website. 

And so I did late last year. Although I am not sure if they can send me a copy, considering that this is a limited edition and long been sold item, I tried anyway. And the company did not fail me! 

Instructions for Woodstock

Close-up shot of my restored Woodstock

Hey, that's some kind of great customer service and after sales support, which I wish every business that sell goods and services should emulate.

Looking forward to restoring Snoopy!

debriefing

NOTE TO SELF: Let it go. May mga tao talaga na ang misyon sa buhay ay humanap ng mali, bumilang ng pagkukulang, at makinig sa sarili lamang na katwiran. Wala kang kapangyarihan na baguhin sila, pero maaari mong piliin kung paano mo sila pakikitunguhan at paano mo haharapin ang paninisi nila sa iyo ng mga bagay na wala ka namang kinalaman. Oh well, actually nadadamay ka lang naman, at hindi mo lalo kasalanan kung bakit ganoon sila kung manisi ng iba.

SELF: Salamat ha. Susubukan ko BUT, I can't promise! Alam mo naman ayaw ko ng pinupulbos ako ng walang kalaban-laban! In fairness sa akin, hindi ko pa naman sila pinapatulan ah!!

NOTE TO SELF: Magtigil ka hija! Tandaan mo, hindi lang sarili mo ang at stake sa mga usaping ito.

SELF: IK-IK!!! Pero sa totoo lang huh, nakakasama talaga ng loob iyang sina Mickey, Minnie at Mimi! Malapit ko na 'yan sabihan ng, "oo na, kayo na nga, kayo na talaga...kayo na ang may alam ng lahat! Sige na, go na, ngat-ngatin niyo na sila. I don't care na 'coz I'm not a care bear!"

NOTE TO SELF: Sinabing huminahon ka eh!

SELF: FINE!

NOTE TO SELF: Aba, aba, aba...tila yata pati ako ay kinaiinisan mo?

SELF: Hindeeeeeh!!!

NOTE TO SELF: Oh, ayan nagsasalubong na ang kilay mo, galit ka na niyan?

SELF: Haller!! Hindi!

NOTE TO SELF: Anong hindi, eh ayan at magkasalubong na kilay mo!

SELF: AAARgh...pinakikita ko lang sa iyo na nagpa-threading ako nun week-end, okey?

NOTE TO SELF: Oh? Hindi ba masakit yun?

SELF: Ambot sa imo! Bala mu cute ka neh? Masakit ka na sa bangs!

NOTE TO SELF: Oh, may bangs ka na? Katulad nun mga pix mo nun little gurlalu ka pa? Yun parang bunot lang ang hair mo!!

SELF: Grrrrr....

NOTE TO SELF: Hehehe...aminin, ganun ang buhok mo nun dekada-80!

SELF: Alam mo kung ano pa meron nun dekada 80?

NOTE TO SELF: Ano?

SELF: Kaya nga kita tinatanong eh, hindi ko alam! Wala pa akong paki-alam sa mundo noon! Ang alam ko lang (in no particular order):

• Batibot
• Superman2
• Si Brownie (yun laruan kong aso na naglalakad, kumakahol, at gumagalaw ang buntot -- ang dahilan kung bakit naglayas si ate noon)
• Pangarap ko pa noon maging astronaut (matapos ko mabasa at makita ang pix ng astronaut sa science textbook ni ate..opo, mahilig pa akong magbasa noon at hindi ako inaantok!)
• Bago ko nabasa yun tungkol sa astronaut, ang gusto ko ay maging firefighter. Napanood ko kasi yun sa Batibot, tingin ko ay cool yun nagsusuot sila ng coat, boots at head gear tapos tatakbo sila, hahawak at magpapadulas sa isang steel pole pababa sa first floor ng building nila kung saan naka-park yun red fire trucks na super duper kintab! Tingin ko talaga noon ay cool ang maging firefighter..later ko na lang na-realize na hindi pala cool kundi mainit (literal na mainit!) ang trabahong iyon; tsaka hindi naman pala kagandahan all the gears, at kakintaban the fire trucks..narealize ko lang iyon nun nauso na at mga balita sa TV.
• Nun mga panahong iyon, ginusto ko rin maging kundoktor ng provincial bus. Amazed na amazed kasi ako sa bilis nilang mag-punch ng hole sa mga tiket eh. Tsaka gusto ko rin yun iniipit yun paper bills sa gitnang daliri ko.
• Umalis si Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos sa palasyo pagkatapos niya magpadala ng gold medal sa akin kasi matalino raw akong bata nun pre-school
• Hindi na ako ang bunso pagdating ng taong 1985
• Dekada-80 ko rin nalaman na ang ginto ay yamang mineral; hindi yamang lupa..at hindi ko na iyon nalimutan pa! Ganun talaga, mas natututo ang tao sa pagkakamali..lalo na sa quiz bee! hahaha...
• Isang araw, nagsimula ang madalas sa pagdaan sa himpapawid ng maraming maingay na eroplano na ang tawag nun matatanda ay tora-tora..ewan kung bakit ganun ang tawag!
• Ah, madalas rin pala wala kaming kuryente noon! Kaya hindi talaga ako mahilig sa TV eh, pwede ako mabuhay ng walang TV.
• Masarap ang Magnolia Chocolait at glass bottle pa ang lalagyan nito.
• Grade 1 ako nun maganap ang isa sa pinaka-embarrassing moments of my life: sa isang jeepney, kalong ako ng ate ko (para tipid, isa lang bayad namin). Papunta na kami sa school noon. Bigla akong na-hatsing -- as in hatsing na nagtalsikan ang aking pinaka-tatagong malapot na sipon!! Lumanding ang iba sa sahig ng jeep, may kaunting lumanding sa mga pasahero sa tapat ko, napuruhan yun babae na katapat ko mismo, at ang malupit sa lahat ay may naiwan pa nakabitin sa ilong ko na parang mga taong mahuhulog sa cliff, clinging on to dear life. GROSSS talaga, may lobo-lobo pa! :(  Buti na lang super mabait si ate (yun babae sa harap ko na napuruhan), hindi niya ako inaway. Kumuha siya ng tissue sa bag niya at inuna pa niya na abutan ako ng isang bungkos na tissue at tulungan akong linisin ang fez ko, bago niya pinunasan ang sarili niya. Inabutan din niya ng tissue yun ibang pasahero. Tapos nun, nagtiklop siya ng ilang pirasong tissue at ini-abot sa akin -- just in case ipahiya na naman ako ng ilong ko. Looking back at that incident, I can't help but throw a lot of thanks onto the air to that lady. Kung sino man siya, at nasaan man siya ngayon, I know si Lord ang bahalang magbalik sa kanya nun kabutihang ginawa niya sa isang batang paslit na sumira sa porma niya papasok sa opisina isang umaga (mukha siyang office girl sa porma niya).
• Grade 2 ako nun madevelop ang pagka-hate ko sa mathematics. Yun teacher ko kasi, sinabihan ako sa harap ng klase na kapag math na ang subject ay doon ako dapat umupo sa row4 :( Simula noon ay hate ko na ang math!
• Grade 3 ako nun isumbong ako ng isang girl (akala ko pa naman friends kami) sa mommy niya na sinira ko raw yun zipper ng bag niya. Actually, sira naman talaga yun, ayaw sumara eh. Tapos nagpatulong siya hilain yun zipper..eh natanggal yun pang-zip..kaya ang kwento niya sa mom niya ako sumira ng bag niya. At pumunta pa talaga sa school yun mom niya..pero nun nakita naman ako eh hindi ako pinatulan. Later on, sinabi sa akin ng isang friend ko (na kapit-bahay nila) na sabi raw nun mom ng classmate namin, mukha naman daw akong mabait na bata kaya siguro raw ay hindi ko naman talaga sinira yun bag ng anak niya. WAHEHEHE...But seriously, goody-good gurl pa talaga ako noon eh!
• Minsan nun grade 4 ako, may program sa school kaya dapat japorms kami. Suot ko yun gold necklace na bigay ng Papa ko sa akin. May lumapit sa akin na isang girl (natatandaan ko pa pangalan niya pero hindi ko na lang ilalagay dito kasi baka naman nagbagong buhay na siya) at bigla na lang ako hinawakan sa kwelyo ng blouse ko; hindi ko na matandaan kung ano yun mga iba niyang sinabi, pero natatandaan ko pa na kinikilatis niya yun necklace ko..sabi niya iyon daw yun nawawala niyang kuwintas, ninakaw ko raw yun. May dalawa siyang alalay na gerlalus rin na nakatingin lang habang inaapi ako nun lider nila. Ewan ko, tahimik pa ako noon eh, wala lang imik, iiyak lang kapag inaway -- in short, madali akong apihin. Anyway, tinigilan din niya ako matapos ang mahaba-habang bullying session niya (she pinned me against a wall pa huh); at mabuti na lang din ay hindi niya kinuha yun necklace na bigay ni Papa sa akin. Anyway, that necklace is no longer with me na rin these days, but that's another story.
• Ah, nauso rin pala noon ang kulay dilaw at polka-dots
• Puro rice fields pa ang matatanaw mo sa NLEX noon; kulay dilaw ang mga taxi; ordinary pa mga bus; at dalawang lanes pa lang ata ang Commonwealth Avenue!

NOTE TO SELF: Nag-memory lane ka naman diyan!

SELF: Masama??

NOTE TO SELF: Hindi naman..hahaha..

SELF: Inaantok na ako.

NOTE TO SELF: Ok ka na?

SELF: Yep, for NOW.

NOTE TO SELF: Remember -- rest if you must, but don't you quit!

SELF: Hay, I really want to rest. It's just that a lot of things are happening..

NOTE TO SELF: Take one step at a time; 'wag ka masyado pa-apekto sa kanila. As long as you believe in your heart that you're on the right side, go lang. I know you, mabilis ka makonsyensiya kapag may hindi tamang nagaganap -- it's one of your virtues but sometimes, it could also be a weakness -- that is when you take all these things personally or blame yourself for bad things that happen which are actually beyond your control.

SELF: Hmm... :( you know me quite well, really.

NOTE TO SELF: Of course dear, I am yourself!

SELF: Oo nga pala ano..ang slow ko!

NOTE TO SELF: Rest dear.