CLOUD 9

Ok I think majority of my friends knows that I'm a granny's girl.

Though she's a bit strict and all, she still and always has been one of my inspirations.She's caring, loving, shares wisdom and best of all, she never stops encouraging me to learn how to cook (evil smirk). FYI, She's a great cook and that leaves the idea of some of us having plus size or horizantally enhanced bodies. haha. Now as I've mentioned from one of my blogs (Delaying Gratification), I had this problem in achieving something. The thing is my lola (Filipino term for grandmother) kept on saying that I shouldn't stop, I should pray I should work harder for it. I followed her advice and somehow, it worked.

When I told her the news, she was all so happy and I guess proud of her granddaughter. The best part is she bought ice cream for the whole gang. EVERYBODY screams for ice cream. haha.. That double dutch-flavored dessert was so good but seeing her smile as I told her the result was the most heartwarming part, the feeling was more fulfilling than passing the CSE.

Thank yu to those who prayed for me, it was a huge help and thank yu Lola Luming for the ayskrim. :) <3

I could barely remember when I was still in high school, before my aunt died of pneumonia; I opened up something to her about my problem in few of my classmates’ backstabbing. She told me that if a certain person does that, the best thing to do is to divert my attention to something else and should never put any attention on what that person said. What she said to me absorbed in my head until I entered the real world. Now that Ive grown up, my mum kinda repeated what she said coz I was having problems again but she said it in another perspective. She said that in every organization, there’s always a person or even a group of people who will pull you down or make you feel bad. and the same thing that my late aunt said to me, my um said that I should never be affected of what they say. She added that I should focus more on my job and should not let them bring me down.

They’re right. Sometimes life gives you challenges or problems that will test your patience and skills. Challenges that will mold you to be a better person. Challenges that either you will make or break. In my case, il definitely be more patient and be more optimistic…I will surpass this and make it.

few days from now i'll be doing something that my mum disagrees. why? becoz she thinks that when i go there, i would not be the same tina or the lil' girl she has. and if i don't do this, another person will get mad. its hard to be in that place when someone so dear to you stops you from doing it. now i believe in the maxim that mothers can be overprotective. i love my mom but i just have to do this. im growing up and soon, ill be on my own. i know how she worries about me, hey, she's my bestfriend. but i just have to do it. Oh Lord, what a dilemma.. pls. help me. :(

It’s heartbreaking when you find out that you did not pass on a certain exam. In my case, that CS exam would have helped my life to be easier and helped me help my family more. But hey, I guess you just can’t have everything you want in this world or better yet, maybe He has bigger plans or just challenging me. When my folks found out that I wasn’t able to pass the said exam, they were both in dismay.. I was in dismay. But that failure did not stop them from being my supporters or my cheerleaders. Instead of scolding me for not passing it, they still kept on encouraging me to study harder and focus more on the exam. My mum gave me the hardest tip that I have to do to pass it: forget about my usual routine for 4 months (watching too much tv, surfing the net, hanging out with friends and even going out of towns) and burn the midnight candle (that is, to study more). I really don’t know how to do that, oh man im addicted to my routine (duh.. that’s why I call my routine as tina’s simple pleasures in life) . But if that will make me pass the exam, then I guess 4 months without those pleasures is not so bad *gulp*. Help me Lord.

A week ago, I was tasked to be a host for a program in our city. The first thing that popped in my head was, what will I wear? I guess a lot of people can relate with this. Its very important to be in a proper and decent outfit especially during these events. You know the feeling of being nervous at the same time, worried of what people may say about your clothes. So what I did was I called my mum, told her about the event and asked for her help. My mum, as always, my savior took me to a boutique this morning to look for a blouse and I paired it with brown pants (not fitting and not jeans). Honestly, I don’t really have the thing for fashion. I mean to look for clothes and stuff. I can say that my mum is my stylist and I still depend on her fashion taste. I tried to be on my own but all the clothes that I chose sucked! Haha I mean they are good for hanging or chilling out with friends but now that I am in an office, formality is very much needed. I must say Im blessed to have a fashionista mum. :) The host thing was not that bad, I was able to deliver the lines (though I was freakin’ scared). Thank yu LORD, AMDG! :)

Memories, for me, are priceless. I guess I can assume that each one of us has memories that can make us smile. I do, as a matter of fact, I have a lot of beautiful memories and just loves to reminisce. These little things may not be that great to others but I prefer to dwell with these memories.here are some moments in my life that cant seem to erase from my head.

When I was younger, I remember how my dad took me to another town for my 6th birthday and bought me a new watch. I remember how he held my hand as we crossed the street. Years later , I entered college and surprised how he still held my hand in crossing the street as we went to my new school for my psychological exam.

There was also a time when my lil brother and I laughed so hard while heading home after a day of playing tennis. I remember how we used to buy snacks on the money that is supposedly for our rela fare.
I could still remember how my cousins and I would go to our farm and go fishing. I remember the bonfire, the “puyo” fish and singing of rivermaya’s himala. During summer, I remember how we would race around the capitol grounds using our bicycles.

I remember how my grandpapa comforted me after losing from an election. I remember how he smiled at me, and how he let me understood in terms of accepting failures in life and to move on.

I remember how my mom would teach us to pray the rosary. I remember my sibling and I would bicker because all of us wants to lead the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I remember how my grandmamma would baby sit and sing to us a lullaby when my parents are not yet home from work.

Times may have passed but these good times will forever be cherished

Yup, those were good times.. good times indeed..

for a moment i thought he could stay longer
for a moment i tried to tell him i love him so much
for a moment i wished i could turn back time
for a moment i lied that i was ok
for a moment i smiled for all the wonderful memories
for a moment i cried because i miss him so much
for a moment i looked for him in his room
for a moment i remembered how he comforted me when i was down
for a moment i though it was just a dream seeing him in his casket
for a moment i realized that he is gone...


my grandfather's death anniversary is fast approaching and all i could think of is what to do on that day. i just miss him. may your soul rest in peace grandpapa..

Smile: a facial expression characterized by an upward curving of the corners of the mouth and indicating pleasure, amusement, or derision. In layman’s term, it’s a facial expression that shows happiness. Smiling also makes a person more beautiful.

As I do my routine everyday, waking up, eating my breakfast, take a bath.. blahblah, I see a lot of people smile. I read once on a magazine that it’s great to start your day with a smile. Before thinking of the load ahead, it’s nice to just smile as it motivates the system to the tasks. I love it when I see my mum and dad smile. I love it more when I see all my love ones smile, I love it most when I see him smile, it simply makes my heart melt. Ehh I say enough with the cheesy part ey. There are some moments in our lives that we could just say that its so hard to put on smiles on our faces. I, for one, had that experience especially when I had a bad day. You know what I do when that happens? I think of good or nice things like remembering Christmas gatherings with my family. Maybe you should try that, just think of nice things then show me a smile..:)

From playing table tennis (ping pong), cuddling my nephew to playing with puppies , watching piglets. Now tell me, was that a great weekend or what? =)

Whew..weekends are usually the time for me to rest and goof around as long as I want. This weekend was a different one. Well first, playing table tennis. Most people know this sport as “ping pong” . Moving on, much to my excitement in playing for this year’s sports fest in our city government, I did what usually players would do before game time – practice, practice, practice!. I played with my older brother and my 2 cousins since there was a table in my grandmama’s house..=) For 2 straight days, I practiced and practiced and too much practicing led to body pains especially on my right arm. It was a pain-bearing experience but it was cool. I get to bond with my family and all.


Next is cuddling my nephew. We all have our favorite nephews or nieces. Last Saturday, my favorite nephew (his name is Carl) was admitted on a hospital due to diarrhea. He’s just 2 years old and I felt sorry for the litte boy. For his age to have dextrose in his little left hand is very painful. I was so worried that I asked my dad to accompany me on visiting him yesterday. He was a bit surprised to see us but I could feel the uncomfortable feeling.. poor baby..

The good thing is he’s ok now. My cousin said (father of my nephew) that water was the reason for the diarrhea. Well the important part is he’s going to be fine (thank goodness) I just cuddled him and stayed on his side until me and my dad went home.

Moving on (again), last week, my sister’s dog gave birth to 3 puppies.

Such cutties and what’s cooler is, my grandmama’s pig also gave birth to 12 piglets! i really love animals, except for snakes.. 0_o They’re so cute!=) I will upload the photos later (I didn’t bring my memory card reader).

All the things I did over the weekend boils down to one thing, I totally had a blast! =)

“I suppose if you've never bitten your nails, there isn't any way to explain the habit. It's not enjoyable,really, but there is a certain satisfaction-pride in a job welldone. ~Anderson Cooper, Details Magazine 2003

“Cooper!” That’s what I would always say when I see Anderson Cooper on TV. Not to be biased but he’s really good in his field. Last night, I watched his program on CNN (Anderson Cooper 360°) and I was just in awe. My dad said that I was only watching it because he was the news anchor. I just laugh because it’s not true. The topics of his program are so substantial (e.g.climate change) and the way he tackles them are so vivid but cool.

A month ago, me and my folks watched him and Larry king as they covered the Burial rites of Micheal Jackson (another idol of mine) and later on, I found out that he was also a fan of the late King of Pop. So cool..=)



I first saw Anderson Hays Cooper (his real name) when I was 17 years old ; he totally got my attention with his gray white hair. I said, “mum, who is this white-hair dude? (kinsa ng puti ug buhok na lalaki ma?)”, and my mum said he’s Anderson Cooper, the son of a famous fashion designer (Victoria Vanderbilt) but he worked his way to become a news anchor. Knowing that he didn’t care about his status in society and he strived really hard to be where he is now, I just adore him.


Last Christmas, my Aunt gave me a Cooper book entitled “Dispatches from the Edge” and I love it! Million thanks to auntie linds! =) Its actually a story of his life and at the same time the problems and challenges he had undergone (death of his brother,covering wars in Iraq and Johannesburg, etc..). I recommend it to all bookworms in the planet.
From reading his autobiography, I learned that not all rich people rely on their wealth. On Cooper’s case, he chose to be simple in life and help people to be informative on what his happening around the globe rather than wasting his money on going to clubs. Talk about being a person for others (atenean principle).
He’s just a role model..whew… two thumbs up for you Andie!, Keep up the good work=)

Here are some of the sites that you could surf or visit if you want to know more about this guy..=)

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0177846/bio
http://usliberals.about.com/od/peopleinthenews/p/AndersonCooper.htm