Martes, Marso 25, 2014

XO

"I am an island and you're the lone coconut tree that survived the salty waters, the coarse sand, the angry waves, and the unforgiving heat. I am an island and you grew on me." - J. Kuizon/12102012

Jake and I met while he was on his way back to the city after vacationing with his college friends in my hometown. We shared the same ride back to Manila, and due to an amazing twist of fate, got stuck in a situation that led us to engage in a conversation. First thing I noticed: he was funny. We exchanged names not numbers, and parted ways when the bus stopped in Cubao. He found me through the wonders of the Internet and we started dating when he showed up in my workplace carrying a box of six glazed donuts. I like food, he likes spontaneity. (Huwag mo akong daanin sa pagkain, nadadaan ako dyan. -Kuizon, 2012)


It’s been more than a year since Jake and I officially became a couple, and we've done our fair share of adventures and misadventures since then. He is a traveler and has been to a couple of places. I try to do a little traveling here and there as well. We're (almost) polar opposites. He's organized, I'm the hit-and-miss type. He's the let's-try-this-thing-it-might-get-us-killed-but-whatever type and I'm the no-I-don't-want-my-face-to-be-broken-due-to-stupidity kind. He's a Math genius (I'm not even kidding) and I'm, well, let's not talk about Math, okay? (He has offered to teach me Mathematics OMG I'm dying he's so sweet. Lol, no.) He likes kids, me, not so much. The list goes on an on. It's basically like this: I'm the round peg and he's the square hole.

It's a wonder that we were able to stay in this relationship longer than what most people would have expected due to the obvious differences. Maybe it's because we surprise each other. We present a different perspective to each other every time --whether it be about life, work, preferences, everything. It's great when two people have the same inclinations, because there's less conflict, there's less decision-making. But I love our little mismatched team. It makes fighting for what we have harder but worth it, so worth it. 

We get into fights. But it's all part of the deal, I guess, considering the fact that he's my first boyfriend and this is my first ever relationship. I didn't have any practice! We both aren't perfect, but we try to be the best we can be for each other.

I used to be the girl who has her own weird standards. What might be cool for other people may not be cool for me. Meeting him changed that. Who would have thought that once in my life I will be spending an afternoon listening to Gloc9, singing Sirena on top of my lungs? None. Not even myself. But it happened and it was silly. But ultimately it was fun, because he didn't just surprise me, I surprised myself. Word of advice to girls who are looking for their significant other: find someone who will bring out the person in you that you didn't think existed. (Wag lang yung mamamatay tao persona mo, pag ganun, hiwalayan mo na yan, girl.) 

One thing I'm proud of of our relationship is that Jake gets along with my family so well. He met Nanay and she liked him and it meant the world to me because my mother was a hard woman to please. She might not be here anymore but I know that she's looking down on us, shaking her head whenever we're fighting. Hehe. Jake's family has always been so nice and welcoming, and I'm grateful for that. I really am.

We still have a long way to go in this roller coaster ride and who knows what will eventually happen. But I know that if ever I'll be afraid, he'll always hold me tight, and if ever he'll want to vomit, I'll hand him the plastic bag. It'll be always like that, and it gives me the all the comfort that I'll ever need. 

Jake and I met on a rainy day. It was the best rainy day ever.




PS. I don't usually write lovey dovey boyfriend stuff but it's my blog so, yeah. 

Lunes, Marso 24, 2014

Life's a Beach (Yes, I'm Writing Again)

I know, I know. I haven't blogged since the age of the dinosaurs. I got busy with a lot of things, and last year was a tough year. It's just now that I am starting to get back on track. I recently (read: yesterday) got hired for a new job, it's for a nice company in Makati; I'm officially a Makati City girl now. God, I used to hate that place. It's like a maze, always making me feel like I'm Alice trying to get out of Wonderland. How? Via a really pricey cab. Gotta hustle though, and Makati is the ~concrete jungle where dreams are made of~ here in the Philippines. Need to toughen it up and leave behind the geographically-challenged girl in me.

Okay, back to business. A couple of days left and we'll be officially welcoming Summer 2014. April and May -- the months beach lovers and sun worshipers like me look forward to every year. Tan lines 4ever. Weather in Manila is going bipolar lately. It rained yesterday and I heard that it's also pouring in Aurora. What is up with that, gods of sunshine, soft breeze, and halo-halo? Beach trips are already planned, flights already booked, road trips are in the works, summer outfits have been purchased, and fats have been shed. We need our dose of sun, stat! 

I consider myself lucky because I live in a country where every corner has a pristine seaside gem waiting to be visited. Even my own province has its fair share of amazing spots, and I dream to visit each and every one of them. On the other hand, I consider myself unlucky because I live in a country where the price of visiting some of the said gems is worth a month's rent. Sometimes, more expensive. So many destinations, so little time (and money.) 

I usually daydream of becoming a travel writer, jumping from place to place, experiencing cultures and learning the definition of beauty through people, food, and life. Earning money while doing what majority of my age group want to do. Documenting how spectacular a place is through words. Ahhhh, I want to be a travel writer when I grow up. It's like living summer every day, every freaking day. (Sorry, I'm a big fan of the season, here are the reasons why.)

I went to the beach last weekend with Neng. She's one of my favorite people in this planet and it's always fun trying new adventures with her. We left Manila at dawn and came back to the city just around dinner time. It was spontaneous, it was fun. I can't remember the last time we went beaching together but it was funny seeing that we still have the same travel staples: a pair of sunnies, comfy bikinis, a book, and a sarong which is very useful for random shenanigans under the sun. 


To never losing our wild streak.

She's busy with her own stuff and I'm busy with mine but a getaway like this makes me thankful that I have a friend like her. A friend who I can send a message in the middle of the night asking to come with me to the beach the following day and comes with me without hesitation. (Even if she's saving up for a bigger adventure the following week.) Thank you, Natalie Jane. 

It's so funny that I have decided to write again. Sorry for the lack of consistency in this entry. It's like a collage of random thoughts. I'm sorry, I haven't blogged in a while. I will try to write a better entry next time. 





Summer forever!!!