because writing is the new talking

A Trip Back to Childhood

So, turns out that Hanson will be having a concert in Manila today and in Cebu tomorrow. And because I am the queen of all things late (I don’t watch TV and I rarely pay attention to Twitter, except for what my friends tweet) so I didn’t really know. And even if I did - I didn’t have enough funds to watch their concert anyway.

But just to remind me of how things once were, I watched several of their videos in Youtube (Weird, Penny and Me, I will come to you). And cried.

AND NO - before you snicker - THIS IS NOT ME BEING A FAN GIRL or going with the trend because well, they are trending. And this isn’t about my unrequited love with the hot Taylor (haha!)

It’s just that, after years and years of trying to hastily grow up, after years of chasing time, years of running after so many dreams, being a slave to work and money and worrying about so many things, listening to their songs just reminded me of my childhood and how things were so simple back then.

When the only enemy was the yaya who would force us to sleep in the afternoon. When life was fine even if we didn’t have money in our pockets. When only bruises and cuts could make us cry. When emotional pain was unheard of. When heartbreak was over a broken cassette tape. When sworn enemies became friends in a matter of minutes. When life was easier and simpler. And what made me sad is the realization that time flew so fast. And you can’t help but ask yourself, where the hell did it all go?

And no matter how much you want to bring back the innocence and simplicity of childhood, there is never any going back.

That today, I am an adult and I will always continue to chase dreams, be a slave to work (and money) and I will have to constantly worry about the future, cry about a lot of things and meet a lot of complications in life. But that’s life, and that’s perfectly fine with me.

It just felt like a breather to listen to something that brings back memories of how easy and simple things were back in the past (and no it’s not just Hanson. I also cry when I listen to Sigur Ros’ Hoppipolla, among many others) and I was glad I took the time to watch their Youtube videos today.

Hats off to the king of surprises!

SORRY LONG BREATHLESS RANT HERE. :)

So I hated you yesterday and the other day, and yes even if it was our 6th anniversary I wanted to hit your head with a mallet because you are in some way my very best enemy. But I still went out and bought that watch for you and put it inside a green box, which I filled with paper and chocolates in order to hide the watch underneath so you’d think all I got you were chocolates. But you were happy with your gift anyhow and even wore it all night inside the room, but still things weren’t over and you told me we had to talk because I was acting like the big ~~bitch~~ witch that I usually am.

And then today you were out the whole day because you had to run some errands and I even raised my voice to you over the phone because you kept on forgetting what you had to remember and I was annoyed and you probably were annoyed at my raised voice. And then you stubbed your toe, which bled all over the place when you were walking to your uncle’s office and that hurt like hell.

And the fact that I wanted to go out on a date tonight because I wanted to try that Blueberry Clafouti Nadine’s been raving about on her blog, and because I just wanted to dress up and look nice and go out on an actual date instead of walking around at the mall. But you had other plans and had your toe dressed at XU, took Lali and your mom to the mall and I opted to stay home because 1) we couldn’t eat at Bourbon and 2) I had so much work to doooo.

I remember you telling me this afternoon that you’d get me a washing machine which I thought was the worst anniversary gift idea ever and I suggested you get me that infinity platinum ring with diamonds (HAHAHA!) instead - as a joke. We could never afford that.

Then yes, fast forward to 8 PM you guys arrived and the nanny handed me a Havaianas paper bag, and I was soooo happy because I thought those were my slippers only to turn out it was Lali’s so I jokingly kicked the box and the bag (a bit disappointed coz you didn’t get me anything) only to find out that downstairs a huge TV box was waiting for meeeeeee!

And that made me cry because you know - we’ve been looking at that TV since last week and I really, really wanted to buy it. And although I had the money I still couldn’t afford it because all thatI had was set to pay for a whole lot of things.

And I know you didn’t have money because you also had to pay for a lot of things, too. I was resigned to the fact that I couldn’t get that TV on sale so I just asked tatay to apply for that appliance loan so I could pay the downpayment and pay the TV on a monthly basis but NOOOOOOOOO - you just had to get it for me and that’s the most unexpected thing ever!

I’m not whining and going crazy because you got me something material but YES I AM whining and going crazy because you are so generousssss sometimes you leave me profound because I am generous but I’m not that generous! But waaaaah. You already!

And of course, I remember posting a Twitpic yesterday of my new TV stand, saying “TV nalang kulang” and you just had to go buy that teeeeveeeeee! You, you, you!

I know you’re not fond of letters (I have stopped demanding for around four years already) and you’re not even a bouquet person although I do get some surprises on occassions. But YOU - YOU always have a way of finding out what I really, really love at a specific moment in time and looking for ways to give them to me. And you present your presents in the most unlikely way - you don’t just hand them over. You think of presentations!

Like when you picked a fight on my birthday and waited for me at home with that lovely bag in the closet. Or when you pretended to go somewhere on Christmas only to find out that you got me that wonderful pink shirt. There’s no stopping you when it comes to surprises and that’s what’s more amazing than the material things.

But yes, I still love my new TV! Thank youuu! Waaaaah. :’D

A Reblog - On Not Being Able To Graduate On Time →

Sometimes I think about how life would have been if I graduated on time on March 2008. I would have finished school at 19 years old!

But I’m still here. Well, not really since I have finished all my subjects in Xavier University and I am finally free. I just didn’t apply for graduation (some reasons here and there). But suffice to say, I have finished my education after eight long years.

I did not graduate on time, in fact, I extended my welcome for four more years. Slow and steady - sometimes trudging under the weight of too much work and too much school work - I crossed the finish line. Let’s just say I decided to slip out quietly this time.

It is painful for many not to be able to graduate on time, but it is never the end-all and be-all of things. Not being able to finish school within the allotted three or four or five years does not make you any less than you are. It doesn’t make you dumber and if you feel everyone else loses their respect for you - don’t follow suit and lose respect for yourself, too. Because after all the disappointment, all the hurt and the pain the world will still continue and time will simply move - your choice to go along with it or wallow in despair and stay where you are.

Even if it takes longer, you will still go places. You will still do good things. You will still shine. I have - even without graduation. And I will continue to. :,)

apriiilrosales:

japsendaydiego:

I am not graduating this month. I have a couple of subjects left to finish. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to finish everything by summer since one isn’t going to be offered come enrollment this April. If I get to pass all that is left for me to take, I’ll be able to finish college by October….

THIS.

Senday’s post just elucidated my current alexithymic self nearing the 24th of this month. Needless to say, with all the wrong turns and dead-ends that led me to where I’m standing now, I still believe that it’s never too late for me to become who I might have been.

I am April Marie Allexes Rosales.

I am not graduating this 24th of March.

I ~~can still~~ WILL go places.

I love shoes - especially closed flats and wedges and I have been looking everywhere for cheap shoes in Cagayan de Oro. I understand that they can be expensive, but I try to look for the cheapest ones available without compromising the look and style. I really don’t buy expensive brands - although E tells me to invest and spend on a few good items. I’m the type who wants to get the most of my buck so I usually go happy-hunting for good stuff. And besides, getting a lot of flats mean that I can wear them alternately, prolonging their lifespans.

In my quest for cheap stuff, I’ve done my share of online shopping but I still think that spending 500 to 1000 plus shipping for flats is quite expensive (I usually reserve that kind of money - and more - for wedges and heels). Little did I know that I could find excellent and affordable stuff right within the city! Anyway, my endless quest for cheap flats has brought me to three places in the city:

1) Gaisano City (Gaisano Cogon and Carmen, too) - They have cheap flats ranging from 199 to 500 PHP. They usually also have ‘last size’ sales, and these are usually size 9s or 10s which fit me just fine.

2) Ororama Cogon and Carmen - Most decent looking flats start at 200 PHP. What’s great is they also have chunky heels, wedges and pumps starting at 600 PHP. If you like stuff from Primadonna, Ororama’s shoe department is worth a visit.

3) Savemore - I just discovered this last week and I was amazed. All their flats are only 299 PHP. I got two pairs (one photographed above) and four medium Gap plain tees like the one I wore on the previous post’s photo (overruns, I guess because they only cost 179 PHP but I loooove them). I am definitely coming back to Savemore for red, purple, leopard print and brown flats.

SM’s department store also has a lot of good stuff but that’s for another day. So if you’re looking for cheap flats or cheap shoes in Cagayan de Oro City you might just want to consider these options.

I’ve been buying lots of plain tees lately. Well I have always been a fan of plain tees, and these Gap tees from Savemore (and the surplus shop, too) have the best fit. They aren’t too tight and they’re just the right length. Pairing them with regular jeans (Lee), silver flats (Savemore, too - a steal at 299php), Nine West pink handbag and minimal jewelry (mesh watch from Skagen, earrings from Aizyln) and the outfit is good to go for school. Basic. Fresh.

An Ode To The Dress

Warning: This post will all about be a dress. Because I never really wear dresses, and this was my first time to enjoy it. So allow me to indulge.

I have never really been one to dress up because I usually prefer to wear jeans, plain tees and my trusty bejeweled Sanuk Ibiza Monacos or Ibiza Gem. Heck, I even go out and about in gym clothes or tracksuits because they’re more comfortable. But when I was invited to host a Valentine pageant at our barangay (Filipino for village), I figured out I needed to get a good dress, which I found courtesy of the Facebook online shop She Shops. Unfortunately, I had to take a rain check from the hosting gig because we needed to do some thesis work, but I was still invited to present an award for the Best in Casual Attire minor award (because I sponsored the casual dresses - I have a thing for local pageants just like that.)

Since I already had the dress, I figured out that it might as well get some attention on stage, so I decided to wear it that night.

I have always been a fan of bandage dresses, and being on the ~~fat and stuffy~~ voluptuous side, I thought it would accentuate my curves (butt specifically). So, yes, I got my hands on a lovely one shoulder body hugging dress, which looks like this: