Rumors Have It

I just heard news from the home front in the Batchoy Republic, and rumors have it...

Surprisingly irritating, but amusing.

They say that you should never peek or listen from the keyhole unless you wanna hear about yourself...

But I wanna!

The news from the gossip tree ran the gamut of very creative stories...

From the speculations that I upped and went eloping (WISH!), to the ridiculous statements that I am running away from something/someone (Why would I do that?), to the equally amusing story that I am miserably lonely, hungry and cold, begging on the streets of the Metro ( So very Austen I should say) or the most unimaginative I am dead (Read Gaiman, people!)!

Well, I am sorry to ruin your fantasies people, but I am in fact, alive, well and very much breathing, sorry. You may just have to cut the champagne from flowing, and slowly fold up the party, guys. The Batchoy Boi is hale and healthy, thank you very much!

Thing is, to see is to believe they say, so see for yourselves; and the proof of the pudding is in the eating, too, they say, so here, eat your hearts out suckers!

Alive and Well...
(Insert Evil Laugh Here)

In Full Color!





Does this look Miserable and cold to you?
The last time I checked, it looks rather Hot, I should say!





Well... The truth is out there....

Batchoy is Served!

Well, okay, fine... you can all have one little itty bitty sip of that champagne... Fine! It's true... I'm a bit lonely, but then again... Mwahahahaha!

Photo Credits:

orbitcast.com

Almost!

MEEEEEHNNN!!!


Almost!!!!










I almost forgot one special thing! Oh and by the way, yes, I can not possibly make it a habit to just post one entry every month... oh no! That's a promise I made last time, and I am making good of that promise!





Oh yes! Almost!





I almost fell in love... but no, that's not what I wanna talk about, and that is not what prompted me to make this post, really...





I almost forgot to greet myself, and you Batchoyan Denizens!





The Batchoyan turns one year!!!


One year, 12 months, One big life changing move, 232 posts and counting. Feels like forever guys!




Happy Happy Anniversary to us guys!




Yes! ONE YEAR!





And as some sort of a gift to you guys, let me offer you with a short fiction I have been turning over in my head while I was on the bus on my way home. I know I'm not good with love stories with happy endings, but this will have to do for a celebration. We can't have soggy and torn hearts for an anniversary story can we? Now, let me tell you, guys that, while this one is fiction, it is actually based on something factual.





Yes, I do have amassed a growing collection of 'one earing' from, well, exes, and it actually gets me a bit down at times, because it shows me some sort of an 'inventory' of how many failed relationships I have been through actually. It does depresses me at times, but, well, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do right? The story was actually based on the very glum thoughts I was having and the hopeful wish of finally finding 'THE ONE!' Well, before we get immersed into the 'not-so-pleasant' recollection of past failures, lets get on with the story, shall we?

EARRING

By Luis Batchoy

I know! Technically, it should be always plural, right? It should always be earrings, as they are always a pair; just like pants, scissors, glasses, etcetera... but then again, I am still technically correct, because they are exactly those... earring... one single earring... one stud of a pair. Call it an exception to the exception. I have this growing collection of one earring accumulating in my little box. They were usually my piece of a set that I either buy or was given to me by a long ago 'significant' other. Well, I know it's cheesy but hey, there are those 'broken hearts' key chain that splits up and turns into a complete heart when matched with the other half, right? And I think they are cheesier. Plus, I would rather have these single earrings than have a collection of plain band rings you know! Why keep them when they remind me of such painful things you ask? Well, it is not my practice to return everything when a relationship ends, you see. I find that very immature. What you gave me is mine, and I what I gave you stays yours. That's it! Besides, I have better things to think about, than keeping an inventory of things we gave out to each other, really.

It depresses me at times to see the growing collection. This only means that I have already gone through this much failed relationships already! Plus, their being 'alone' and 'single' thus, incomplete, shouts one very obvious fact: they're like me. Unpaired... and well, practically missing something. I wouldn't say useless, though. I still wear most of them. After all, I am a guy, and I have only my left earlobe pierced. They are still usable. Not entirely useless, I should say. Single, yes, alone, yes, but completely serviceable and very very useful still. As a matter of fact, they can be used, not only as an earring, but pins, button fillers, brooch piece, or tie pins as well. I know I was committing a mistake; a violation of sound dating 'rules' when I wore that aquamarine stud earing as a pin for that date but, really, it looked good with my shirt.
Brendan agreed, really, and he said that it made my smiles brighter, and the sparkle matched the twinkle in my eyes!

Oh, and yes, that was not the only violation I made that night. I stupidly blurted out that the pin/earring was actually an anniversary gift from my ex. He was intently listening and I wasn't able to stop myself from blurting out the lurid details of how that particular earring was a second anniversary gift from him; that the aquamarine was actually my birthstone, and that they were really just synthetic Swarovzki crystals, same with the diamonds surrounding the mounted gem - 24 of them, for each month that we have been together. I also told him that Jonathan and I were together for almost four years, and that, when her Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and somehow, miraculously survived, she had promised God to 'offer' him as thanksgiving. So, he entered priesthood, and that was it for us.

I realized that for a first date, it was very very bad to talk about an ex, with such longing and a sigh capping off the story, but the way Jonathan squeezed my hand made me feel that everything was alright now. That is exactly how I felt with Jonathan from then on. I know there were a lot of other 'violations' I committed, but really, it did not matter anymore. No more rule-keeping for this one. In fact, he would even make it a habit to take me on a date to the places that had special meaning to me, by virtue of a past relationship. He would always take my hand when I feel unsure and sometimes washed off by nostalgia when approaching a specific place. He would tell me how we would erase all those painful memories and replace them with nice, shiny happy new ones. Oh, and yes, I broke that rule too! You know: the 'do not have sex on a first date' rule? Now when you ask me how a perfect date should go, Brendan is my answer - that one date where everything really goes wrong, but the person you are dating makes everything just right! Perhaps, it was that for the both of us: the rule is to break rules. Just like the recent rule we broke together. He started it with breaking the 'do not say I love you while having sex' rule, and me following suit with breaking the ' do not believe the I love you's you hear while having sex' rule by saying I love you too.

Now, I'm wearing the same exact shirt I wore the first time we met. It would already be our fourth year anniversary and he has reserved the penthouse for a dinner for two. Year after year, he keeps topping off the past anniversary dinner with something grander. Balloon-filled car, serenade with a violin piece that he painstakingly practiced for months on end, the sunset beach table for two... the works! I absent-mindedly fiddled with the aquamarine earring and finally used it to secure the cute silk tie he got me for my birthday this year. I checked myself in the mirror, and went out the door to meet him.

The evening was enchanting, and the stars were a magical ceiling for our outdoor table. It was perfect. Brendan was there, wearing exactly the same shirt he wore when I first met him. I laughed when I noticed how he bulged off in places. Four wonderful years! He eyed my pin, and gave me a sweet smile. I swear, I light up every time I see his face. I think, we try to outshine each other every time we do this. The meal was perfect. Everything was just romantic. At the end of the meal, I took out a box I meant to give to him as an anniversary gift. Okay! No more crappy earrings this time. I bought sterling silver rings this time. He was beside himself with joy when he saw my gift. He knows I never bought rings for any of my past relationships. Well, he knows a lot about my past relationships, really, including my earring collection. He then got on his knees, offered a box, and as I opened it, he said "Will you marry me?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing!

I opened the box and was amazed to find a single earring. The exact copy of the pin/earring I was wearing. I looked at him, while trying to hold back the deluge in my eyes. "Please, say yes, so you will never have to be alone anymore." I could not quell the happiness that welled inside me. "Yes, of course, I will marry you!" Never again! Never alone!

EPILOGUE:

We just came from the hospital. Little baby Selene was peacefully sleeping in Brendan's arms. She was a perfect bundle of joy, and Brendan really had that soothing effect with her. Not adopting her was completely impossible when he called me 'dada' the moment I held her for the first time. She was completely at peace and no longer bother by the pain she went through a little while back. Well, she must be a young diva, as she craned her neck, as if almost showing the world her newly pierced ears and the fabulous pair of Aquamarine earrings she was wearing!

-END-

There you go, guys... I hope you'd forgive the 'rough draft' quality of the story, but hey, I already told you I am not good with 'happy-endings' in fiction. Again, happy Anniversary to us. Next time I am online, I promise to read back on all your blogposts. Meanwhile, for a real time celebration over coffee.. contact me.... hehehehe... 09189248460! Tah tah!

Photo Credits:

blebblog.blogspot.com
http://www.jewellrygifts.org/earrings

Like a Kinsella

HAPPY SECOND MONTHSARY IN LE MANILLE!

Now I do not want this to be a habit...

Yes! I know! It's been another month, or close to it, since I last posted, but you see, there are so many things to take care of when you have just moved from a lackadaisically, laid back, semi-charmed and positively scrunching life in the Batchoy Republic, to the mad rush and rumble of the big Metro like Manila. I know it shouldn't be a requisite excuse, and I am making it up for you, by posting three new ones all at once. If you kindly click back, you will find two new poems written fresh from the brush with rush in Manila.

The first one is a Hiligaynon poem with a Filipino translation, which may come in time for Halloween. Not that it's scary but, well, come to think of it, scary, yes! Hehehehe. The second one is another one of my attempts at a love poem. I know its not the 'Hallmark' gushy love poem type, but hey, all my decent love poems come out this way. I can not write a love poem unless they are about love, well, technically, still love all right; love unrequitted and lost love that is.... SO much for Shakespearean where art thou's!

Now there should be prose, shouldn't there be? Man does not live on poerty alone, do they? Then there'd be no need for fictionist, essayist, and novelist, will there be? Oh and yes, indeed dear Batchoy Denizens, on the pains of sounding a bit 'girlish,' why, yes, I think, my life right now, sounds like some 'cameo' subplot, subcharacter, from a Sophie Kinsella novel! Dirty details, you say? Hang in there, sunshine! This is gonna be one long post, and yes, but of course, let me try and make it worth your while! Just like an interrupted foreplay, let's start with where we left off, shall we?

HOUSE SWEET HOUSE

I could remember a promise I made last time, to tell you of my house hunt adventure didn't I? Well here goes. The plan was to look for a charming little place where Charm and I could do the split ups for rent and everything. Something nice and cozy, but none too flashy. Something within affordable but not cheap. I really am not good with 'building living.' I do know that it is the 'in' and bachelor-y way to go, but no, I'd rather not go home to a building, floor and unit number.
Charm is a bit stuck with her current bedspace place. She had been staying there forever. She stayed here when she was still in college, so the most natural thing to do, was go back to it when she came back to work in Manila. I could not possibly steal in a night or two there since it was an 'all-girl' thing, and they had strict visitor rules, although the owner has become 'friends' with Charm, by virtue of her having stayed there forever. Thing is, she cannot just up and leave. She was looking for a 'timing' to break the news. However, I got in the way and I wa as pissed as the owner probably was! I slipped and told him (yes its a him technically... a gay HIM!) that I was so sorry to be taking away a good boarder of his. I know, it shouldn't have come from me, but hey, did he expect Charm to stay there with him forever? And besides, Charm told me that from the get go, he knew that soon, Charm would have to move elsewhere baby friendly, because, for the longest time, she was planning to take baby Cherish here for a vacay! Then the landlord went DIVA on me. I was banned from Charm's place! What the...!!! What did I have to do with anything?

Anyhoot... at first I found a room for rent that allowed for weekly transient arrangements. And so the house hunt began while I had temporary lodgings. God was really really really good to us! We were close to have selected a charming little unit in Pasig. It was near my office (Groan... yes! I work in Ortigas, for my official job at least!) but the thing is, it took three rides. A bus, a jeep and finally a trike. This would hike up the monthly fare budget! There was this other place, somewhere near the area, but thing is, it was recommended by Charm's officemate, and just like me, Charm is not so keen on living with co-workers. We have the same lines... "Araw araw na nga kayo magkasama sa trabaho, pati ba naman sa bahay magkakasama pa din kayo?" And so, the nicely priced unit was chucked. Of course there were cheaper areas... but then again... as I have said, we wanted something affordable, not cheap!

And by miracles, it was just actually behind my current temporary boarding house. I saw a poster about a corner away from my place, one day when I went out, and did not bother giving it a try until at least a month! Finally, we went to a go see... and we instantly fell in love with the place. Such a cozy little hovel, with a nicely sized sala, two bedrooms, oh and this was a big big love: A nicely sized bathroom! YES! I DO! While all the other houses had bathroom deficiency problems in terms of space and size for the room that should be most comfortable, as it is called the Comfort Room, and the most Restfull as the term Restroom connotes, this once just had it at a decent size. Not too big to hold a bathtub, or a jaccuzzi, but not to small as to make your knees hit the walls when you do your 'royal duties!' It was a steal, really. Not a one whom I have invited over ever found it costly. They all think that its either a steal, or reasonably priced! It is still a work in progress but sooner or later, Our little "Den of Evil" will be in full opertation in no time at all. Yes, that's what Charm and I call it for now... I suggested Command Center, but she's no sci-fi freak... and neither am I.

Now the God is Good part, you ask? All the three wondeful prospects aside from the current house we have all went down under during the flood that hit the metro. And I stop at that! I do not wanna talk about the flood!

Oh well... Where exactly, you would wonder? Here's a clue... actually, I was frantically looking for a street name, and fancied living or renting out in that particular street name, should I see or locate it, and should there be any vacancies... Charm agrees... but to no avail... Unfortunately, there are no street name in this area that goes something like... Makapugtonghininga Street, Malibog Street, not even a safe Masarap Street, or even just a Makatas Street. The closest was Maalindog Street, which was quite archaic... not even a Magaling (SA KAMA) Street! Hehehehe... Now you know where I live. Oh and yes, this city is the center of all 'centers'. I was just wondering if they have something like a PHILIPPINE ISLE OF LANGERHANS CENTER here, or a PHILIPPINE DUODENUM CENTER.

JOBJOBJOB

Its not a typo or a repition. Yes I do have three jobs. The first one is Corporate, the second Quasi-Academic and the third one Classified. Hehehehehe. Now that explains why I have a luxury of time to blog... hehehehe... aside from the fact that dear old lappie has not yet been attended to. I am enjoying the account. It is very challenging, and, unfortunately, no, there won't be sneaking computer time on the job as the net is very cloistered in this financial account. Thing is, it feels a bit weird to be applying my College degree on this one. Yes, I took out my Mathematics of Investment books and rehashed a bit, and yes, the attrition rate in this account is sky high. All the more exciting, aint it?Oh, and yes, by the way, I do not work for a call center... I work for a bank!

The job interview felt like Survivor. There were so many 'steps' and I watch awed as one by one, applicants get sent off and on their way home, advised to apply atleast after a month! So I got into the competitive vibe, and readied myself knwing well that my "WORLD PEACE" answer just wouldn't work. Here is actually what I answered that I think snagged me the job!

"Well, I think the paradigms have changed, and to be very exact and specific, let us take the sales world as an example. Long time ago, the selling point and psyche was "You need this, and can not possibly live without this," but as I have said, the paradigm has shifted. From the NEED perspective, it has shifted to the WANT perspective, and the tagline goes something like, "Oh yeah, you do not need this to live, but hey, look around you, you are possibly the last one without it." It's more of a "Yeah, you dont have to own this, but if you don't, you won't possibly be in the loop... Now it's up to you..."

Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen!
HEHEHEHEHE


The second job is Quasi academic and I feel like I have said that in the last post already... I tutor part time. I know I shouldnt get too attached and all, but the kids are such sweeties. In fact, my plan to turn my facebook into some steamy cruising account just flew out the window. My Freshman kid just added me up! Sheesh! That is why I resist opening my blog in his laptop... It is for his own good! Besides, the cache dearies, the cache!

The third job is classified... well yes, I still hold that job from my past life... that of part time writer, part time poet, part time dreamer, and yes... hard core, soaked to the bones and full time hopeless romantic... its a job, and a difficult one at that mind you...! As my motto has always said...

"If others can do it, SO WHAT!"

NOW THE KINSELLA!

What's a Kinsella novel with out the love and dating part, right? Right! So, yes, I feel my life is just like a Kinsella novel. I know its not a very male-ish thing to say, since Kinsella's are all chic lit, bubblegum pop, but they're riots. The Undomesticated Goddess is just so so so fun! YES, its what I am reading now... The latest Amy Tan did not as much as thrill me like her past titles... Saving Fish from Drowning was not that great. Well, yeah... Mostly, Kinsella's are Crash and Burn stories, but then again, do not get me wrong, I have went past the CRASH and the BURN part, and now I'm starting the magnificent 'Transformation' part... with a little crash and burn on the sides, so to speak. So, we here we are... the juicy part... LOVE and DATING. Is the BatchoyBoi, getting some? How is it with him in the Romance Department so you ask? Well... As I have said... this is a Kinsella... mind you... Not a Candice Bushnell, a Harold Robbins, or a... well... Barbara Cartland? Ewwww....

And just like a Kinsella, let me answer your question... Yes, I do get some, but there are nights when it gets cold... and just like a Kinsella... go turn the page... for now!!

Tah tah!!!


PHOTO CREDITS:
http://blog.ning.com/2007/10/happy_2nd_birthday_ning.html
http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-8392730-candy-house.php
http://www.cs.miami.edu/~tptp/Seminars/TPTPetc/TPTPInfrastructure.html
http://booknerves.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/sophie-kinsella-shophaholic-books-free/

When it can

I'm lucky that with the rate my job and life is going here in Manila, inspiration still hits me, and some poem proliferates my brains... Thank the muses! Here's another one I wrote while braving the rush hour traffic! ENJOY!

ENSLAVEMENT
By Luis Batchoy

Amazing how words and phrases
Mutate,
Taking alternate meanings
And perhaps,
Lives,
When enslaved by four
Squiggly little punctuations
Called quotation marks.
How they become
Dramatic,
Emphatic, and even,
Scary, and at times,
Hilarious or even
Hysterical,
Drawing attention to themselves.
More so, when spoken,
With that little twitchy gesture
Of index and middle fingers
Of both hands.
So much like you and me,
When that squiggly word
"Commitment"
Was introduced to the scenario.
Above mentioned word
Enslaved
In quotations,
For emphasis and hysterics,
Poetic device cited as a reason.


Photo Credits:

http://www.copyblogger.com/quotations/

Poetry in Manile, Halloween edition

This is the first poem I wrote when I came to Manila... Oh and its just in time for the Halloween! Enjoy!

PAGPAANDAM SANG ISA KA ASWANG NGA NANGLATAS SA MANILA
PARA SA HIGALA NGA NABILIN SA PROBINSYA
Ni Luis Batchoy

Ayaw na paghanduma, higala,
Nga magpasimpalad diri sa Manila.
Kagab-i pag ugsad kang bulan,
Nagsupog gid akun pagkagabunan.
Gani, sa duro tawo, ako nagpangpanglatas.
Tuya sa Malate naglupad paspas.
Apang ang tuyo sa pagpangyanggaw
Gilayon gid nga naalimunaw
Sa kadulom sang kagab-ihon
Sila ya ang nagakinan-anay sa tunga sang dalanon.
Abaw nasal-an pa takun, patron nga dalangpan,
Kay ginduludamulas kag dayun gin ludhan.
Gani dya na lang kaw sa atun pambiktima,
Hinali ako makauli, binli lang ko, ayaw pag ubusa.
Kay sa matyag ko mas masupog sila diri,
Ako ang nayanggaw, kag daw wala na gani ako atay!

BABALA NG ISANG ASWANG NA NANGLATAS SA MANILA
PARA SA KAIBIGAN NA NAIWAN SA PROBINSYA
Ni Luis Batchoy

Huwag mo nang pangarapin, kaibigan,
Na makipagsapalaran dito sa Manila.
Kagabi, pag bilog ng buwan,
Nagsupog talaga ang aking pagka gabunan.
Kaya't sa maraming tao, alo nanglatas.
Dun sa Malate, lumipad ng mabilis
Upag ang layuning mangyanggaw
Agad namang nagunaw.
Sa dilim ng gabi
Sila sila ang nagkakainan sa gitna ng daan.
Aba't napagkamalan pa akong patron na takbuhan,
Kasi hinapulas ako't dagling niluhuran.
Kaya, dyan ka na lang sa atin mamiktima,
Kung sakaling makauwi ako, tirhan mo na lang ako't wag mong ubusin.
Kasi pakiramdam ko, mas masupog sila dito,
Ako ang nayanggaw, at parang wala na akong atay.

PS: Bakit kaya pag sinabing Aswang, ang automatic na pumapasok sa mga utak ng mga tao ay manananggal? Andami kayang Aswang na iba!


P.S sa P.S: Ang iba sa kanila, nakaupo sa pwesto!


Photo Credits:
http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410887&page=60
http://www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/show_image.php?imageID=7152

NOW SERVING LE MANILE

Thes es et!

The batchoyan has now opened its very first branch outside Iloilo. The batchoyan now serves Le Manile!

Yes, batchoy denizens, and sorry for the long absence... the batchoy boi is now living, walking, breathing, and taking in the sights and sounds of Le Manile and having all that and more in the city of Man! Will there be loving, making love and all that jazz or just swinging it out? Will the hopeless romantic convert to being a commitment phobic cum jaded 'sexophile', or will he be meeting 'Jai Ho' in the big city? It remains to be seen, but definitely, there would be writing, poetry, coffee, smoking, and a whole kaserola loads of stew! So go ahead and ladle up! We're back in biznez!


This would be a longish post as the batchoy boi celebrates moi first monthsary in the big city. As an opener, let me share some updates of life in Manile... so far!

FRIENDSHIP NEVER ENDS

The one true thing that remains strong and reliable for the batchoy boi is the gift of friendship that the Master Scribe has graciously given him. If not for the very good friends that God has skillfully planted for me in 'strategic' locations, the move would have been a very difficult and arduous process.

Thanks to Senyorita Charmita, life has been a breeze by far. Honestly, during those times that I was contemplating on moving over, I did not know how to make heads and tails of things. the only thing I knew is that I wanna move it. I was so lost and depressed. Then a light shone for me. I texted Charm about my situation; I was expecting a good 'processing', but all she replied was... "When are you coming over?" And that was it... Everything is taken care of and no worries... for the moment. I know I can close my eyes in the jungles of the metro and I have someone to trust my life with.

Thanks to Blogger buddies Aris and YJ, Malate has never been the same way for me. The jungles of gay Manile eats up and snares the unwary. Good thing I have Aris the Malate Jungle Amazon Queen and her raucous gang of princesses and princessettes to welcome me to the court of Miracles... sans the jingling tambourines, swishy skirts, golden hoop earrings, scarves, pet goat and Gypsy smoke magic trick! She graciously welcomed me to her Royal Audience on the very night that I landed in Manila, with no less than a night of bumping, grinding and lusting in BED... the bumping grinding part was from me, and the lustuing part from Aris.... Nyehehehehe! On the other hand, YJ the Manila Bitch, raises the ante up as she entertains me with talks of boys, coffee, boys, yosi, boys, good conversation, boys, fashion, boys, pure friendship, boys.... oh and did I say boys?

My Manila based Ilonggo friends have been very welcoming too...

Lit Mistresses and Palanca Awardees Mother John Iremil Teodoro and Mama Felino Garcia have been great bulwarks of strength, encouragement and support. Muchas gracias from the bottom of my bowl... este, heart.

The batchoy boi has more room for new friendships, so there's one slut... I mean slot, for you... yes you!

IT'S A BLUE JOB

God has been so good! The second morning of my Manila Soujourn, Charmita got a call from the Tutorial Center she's part of as a part time racket! Of course, I tagged along, and to make the long story short, I was hired on the spot, courtesy of a good 'talk' with the owner's husband's very makulit Mom. We were in the car, on the way to a client that Charm was supposed to be attending to, and the Mom spurts out whatever's here and there, from the presidential race, to the National Artist Awards, to billboards and large format printing. Everyone seemed to have been 'immunized' to the Mom's antics, and I was the only one who gamely converses with her. As a result, the owner of the center eventually gave me a call the next day, for a tutorial with a client. A week after, I was offered a lecturer job for IELTS, with twice the pay, and conveniently, after 'office hours'! The batchoy boi got instant employment, for sidelines and raket purposes.

The main job of the batchoy boi also when smoothly. The job interview was a breeze and at the end of the day, I was signing my contract for a BPO in Ortigas. Training starts September 25, and yes, the batchoy boi has now two gainful employments... Duncan Sheik sings "I'm on a High" in the background!

So far, so good...

When Charm asks me if I have any regrets with my decision I tell her YES...

Every morning, when I wake up I regret my decision...

I regret that...

I decided to do this just now...

I should have done this a very long time ago...


Now that I am back in the blogosphere, I can not promise to post as regularly as I did before but I will try my very best to update regularly... meanwhile, leave comments, emails, and sex proposals in this blog and I will get to you as soon as I can... Chos with the sex proposals hehehehe! Ay labiah all, oh and befor I forget... where is my welcome back hugs and kisses from you guys....?


Kam on! Show me some lovin... you know you wanna!

Saka na ako mag backtrack sa mga entries nyo... whew... andaming back reading netoh~

UP NEXT... House hunt... The Manila Saga continues...

Meanwhile... here's lolo Duncan!



Phot Credits:

Nyah! Na close ko lahat ng tabs na pinagkunan ko ng pics... next time na meron netoh... hehehehe

Maleta

"It's Official, I just received my court order for the dismissal of the case filed against me. I am now free from the suspicion of being a criminal. Now I can really go there."

Text ko yan kay Charmita.

"Finally! When na? Bukas?"

Reply nya... I snickered... si Charm talaga!

"Gaga! Shempre mag iimpake pa ko ng mga gamit ko... alangan naman mag gagagla ako on one set of clothes... unless ipag sho-shopping mo ko ng isang buong aparador ng mga damit at gamit. Pick a date on the third week of August. I want you to chose so that it would be convenient for you para masundo mo ko."

"22, Saturday. I am off by 4am and will not be back in the office till Sunday 4pm." Mabilis nyang sagot.

"22 it is!"

So there... With the one final obstacle out of the way, this is it! I am finally relocating.. for good!

The next few days were spent on endless 'despedida's' with countless circles that I would be leaving behind. I decided to forgo the big 'despedida' in favor of quiet final meets with small circles for intimate farewells. Besides, I must carefully guard what little is left of my finances to anticipate the tide over period with which I am yet to receive a pay check when I am in the Metro already. At least. job hunting would not be a problem since Charm's company would readily employ me, as if its a shoo-in.

The endless get-togethers and small coffee meet ups continued day in and day out... and nights too. Until one time, we were strolling in a mall and I noticed a sign.

"Luggage Sale, up to 50% Off!"



Then it hit me. Wala pa nga pala akong maleta! The last time I traveled with big packed baggages was when I went to New York i n 2001. This time, since I am moving out for good, I need big luggage. Then, a certain cold feeling swept over me. Melancholia, perhaps.

I looked around, and the assistants were very helpful. When I finally settled on a specific luggage that I liked, the loneliness got mixed with drops and spots of excitement! So this is it!
I ended up postponing buying the luggage as we were still going elsewhere. Alanagan naman bilhin ko na agad at bitbitin ang pagkalaki laking maletang yon, now na!


Yesterday, I finally bought it. It's big, combination of hard and soft case, and dark orange/saffrom. Almost brown. It's sitting right beside my bed.



Now... how do I pack my dreams, longings, laughter, friends, memories and reveries to bring with me to where I am going? I hope my happy thoughts could fit in between the folds and crevices when my clothes are all packed., just in case I need one in the dark, dingy and dangerous streets of the metro. August 22, 2009 and Manila. SO near, yet so far away!

Meanwhile, my mobile is sounding off the batteries and I am late for yet another group farewell. Coffee beckons , and I heed the call. There is much time left to pack. I just hope there is someone out there tonight to make me forget my worries. I know that there is always my ever reliable mug of coffee, but then again, a tight hug from some hot chubby chinito would be nice to buoy me and save me from drowning in my thoughts.

Now where's my lucky "I'm gonna get laid tonight" shirt?

Photo Credits"

http://www.kathystanczak.ca/deathvalley.html
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/travel/2007/08/
http://drzelig.com/2008/07/26/bring-on-the-crazy/