the chronicles of rei

episode 4. thoughts from the backseat

2011-05-18T23:34:00.004+08:00

he always knew she was running away from something..or someone. now he knew who. he finally had a chance. he couldn't fight a ghost. but an idiot who was thick as a rock was someone he could win against.

Jake could feel Ryan sizing him up. He hides his smile. "I'm not going to lose this fight.", he thinks to himself. They get in the car, Jordan takes the front seat, and he settles at the back.

"J, have you grown shorter?", Ryan jokes.

"Shut up you jerk. I haven't seen you in months and that's the only thing you notice?!", Jordan replies.

"Oh yeah. You got a tan too."

Jake listens to their banter and thinks to himself, "The poor shmuck doesn't even know."

"So..how'd you guys meet?", Ryan asks. Jake meets his stare at the rear view mirror and replies "She saved my ass".

Jordan laughs at that and takes his hand. Jake sees a small frown marring Ryan's brow. "You bet I did.", Jordan adds teasingly.

"Oh hey Ry. Can you turn right here?"

"What? Why? Your house is five blocks away."

"Duh, I know. I'm staying at Jake's house for tonight. We have early plans tomorrow."

"I thought we'd catch up tomorrow?", Ryan says with a little heat.

"Sorry bro. She's mine tomorrow.", Jake replies. "And the next day, and the next day..he adds to himself. Jake knows he has to be a shark. He won't give Jordan up without a fight. What they lack in history, he'll make up for with tenacity. And as his Nana always said, tenacity will always win out.

Ryan had his chance. Now it was his turn.

lost to the wind

2009-12-30T01:13:00.002+08:00

i'm lost.

in the absence of your touch
i played with the wind.
cool, teasing wind.

in the cover of wide fluorescent lights
i sighed and closed my eyes
the wind teased, and i imagined it was you.

i follow the wind.
it does not compel me the way your words do.
it does not evoke in me longing, the way your name does.
but i follow it, for you are not there to hold me, to keep me.

in the wind, i felt free. courageous even.
but in my heart of hearts, i hoped.

careful, breezy wind.
oh wind, wrap your arms around me and hold me close.
but in my soul of souls, i hoped.

whisper to me and i will fight the wind.
whisper to me and i will abandon the sweet, kind wind.

whisper to me.

whisper, before i am lost to the wind.

the list

2009-08-18T22:02:00.001+08:00

Due to the list-police aka N. Semblante here’s the long awaited list.

Here’s a little background. On the night before my 24th birthday I was kidnapped and forced to eat numerous slices of pizza, plateful of pasta, a cup of coffee thrown it and topped with an oatmeal-raisin cookie. After that horrific incident, I was thrown in a jeepney and driven to a not so secluded area for more torture in the form of a glass of beer. And it was there that it happened. At the stroke of midnight, the culprits pulled out a hypothetical gun and held it to my head. The terrible two forced me to list down 24 things that I must do before my 25th birthday.

The stipulations were as follows:
- I have to complete at least 2/3 of the list
- Complete tasks in no particular order
- Document completed tasks if possible
- In the event that I am unable to follow through, I have to shell out some cash and feed my kidnappers.

Finally, I present the list.

- Learn to cook (at least 1 recipe)
- Clean the dirty mistresses’ room
- Bungee jump ( as if!)
- Get a new hobby
- Participate in a sport
- Change my wardrobe
- Exercise regularly
- Learn to drive (again!)
- Learn first aide
- Change my hairstyle
- Get a promotion
- Go clubbing
- Go on a date
- Get a facial
- Do the deed
- Skinny dip
- Dine at the Marco Polo buffet
- Attend a concert
- Befriend someone I don’t like
- Tell someone I like him / her
- Tell someone I don’t like him / her
- Buy a gadget
- Watch in it’s entirety one HCP movie
- Do volunteer work

Tune back next year to see what I was able to check off on this “24 things to do before I turn 25” countdown.

episode 3. she's back

2009-07-26T19:20:00.004+08:00

he knew he was early, but so what? he hasn't seen her in 3 months. he knew that her job took her to different places all the time but he didn't like how they said goodbye the last time.

his mobile phone rings.

Faith , his screen read.

"hey, what's up?", he says.

"where are you? can you go with me to the mall today? i have to pick up some stuff." she answers.

"babe. i told you yesterday i was gonna be busy. J's set to arrive today. i'm on my way to pick her up".

"oh right. i forgot. but do you have to be with her the WHOLE day? i'm just asking for an hour or two.." she insists.

"well we have a lot of catching up to do, ok? why don't you just ask one of your friends. i don't like shopping anyway"., he replies.

"i guess..so call me when you get home, ok? and tell Jordan i said welcome home."

he gets in the car.all thought focused on seeing Jordan again. he missed his friend. it wasn't just the fact that they were on different continents. when they talked on the phone or sent emails, he'd felt that there was something wrong...but he couldn't put his finger on it. and he was determined to ply her with alcohol to get her talking.

he finds a parking space and waits for her at the gate. her flight was delayed. but he didn't mind. all he could think about was "finally! J's back!".

he sees her and waves. she sees him, a big smile on her face. she runs to him.. give him a big hug. a kiss on the cheek. another hug.

"have you been a good boy?", she teases.

"you know it. you weren't here to get me in trouble",he answers back.

they smile. then she steps back. he frowned at that a little.

then she holds out her hand to the guy behind her, and says "Ryan, this is Jake. Jake, this is Ryan."

he's taken aback. she never mentioned this Jake person.

she then slings her arms around both men and says "Now all my boys are here. This is great!"

she didn't see her boys sizing each other up.

my crazy four day weekend

2009-07-26T19:09:00.002+08:00

crazy sched!!

had a lot of wedding preparations to do..dealt with suppliers, fam members in panic mode, guests from other countries and general wedding-related glitches..but i was glad to do them for my cuz...=)

then from bridesmaid i had to switch to 'tita mode' for my niece's 1st birdthay..all in the span of 12 hours. question, what do you get when you have birthday cake and add on about 2 dozen kids? the answer? BEDLAM! but i was happy to do it for my pamangkin.

then even after the birthday cake had settled in my tummy, had to put on my "supportive cousin gear". drank vodka, rode a bike, took a swim and ate a cheeseburger..did all that at plantation bay..not too shabby eh? i was glad to do that for..well..for me? hahaha

finally, i took a break and settled back at the apartment..

no complaints here..was glad to do all that..they'll do it for me too..that's what family is. we take care of each other.. even when we have to squeeze it all in on 1 weekend.

episode 2. phone calls

2009-01-08T15:06:00.007+08:00

7:20 pm

her machine: hey, i can't or won't come to the phone right now. you know the drill.

him: hey! i'm just checking in. getting ready for THE date. i'll call you later..tell you how things are going.ok.bye.

she takes a deep breath as she listened to his message. here we go again, she thinks to herself.

11:45 pm

her machine: hey, i can't or won't come to the phone right now. you know the drill.

him: hey, where are you? we're on our way to club D&D. you were right. the movie was perfect for this date. i owe you. catch you later!

she turns up the volume of the television to block out the joy in his voice.

the next day
8 am

his machine: This is Ryan. Leave a message.

her: hey it's me. sorry i didn't catch you last night. glad you had fun. listen, i'm gonna be out of town for a week...work thing. dinner when i get back? you can tell me all the details then. i'll call you.

he was running out of the shower, trying to catch her before she hangs up the phone.

"Jordan! hey, don't hang..." *beep, beep* "..up.", he shakes his head.
"didn't even say where she was heading off to...", he mutters.

he goes into the kitchen, grabbed a cup of coffee.

meanwhile, as the plane takes off, she looks out the window and wishes that she could just continue to stay up in the clouds and dream of a better scenario.

battle

2008-11-17T12:28:00.004+08:00

fight or flight
to sink or to swim
a dark desire
an impossible feat

around you it beckons
seductive, undeniable
fight and lose
give in and still lose

no way out, the bars closing in
can't breathe, can't sleep
can't feel, can't see
anything but the dark temptation

and still
fight or flight
sink or swim
stay or go

freedom.
hard-won.
elusive.

a delish serving of banana pancakes

2008-11-06T16:28:00.013+08:00

perfect song for rainy, cozy days like today...

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson

You hardly even notice
when I try to show you
this song is meant to keep ya
from doing what you're supposed to
like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
pretend like it's the weekend now

And we can pretend it all the time, yeah
Can't you see that it's just raining
there ain't no need to go outside

But just maybe,
halaka ukulele
mama made a baby
Really don't mind the practice
cause you're my little lady
lady lady love me
cause I love to lay here lazy
we could close the curtains
pretend like there's no world outside

And we can pretend it all the time
and can't you see that it's just raining
there ain't no need to go outside
ain't no need ain't no need Mmmm MMmmm
Can't you see, can't you see
rain all day
and I don't mind.

The telephone singing ringing it's too early don't pick it up
we don't need to
we got everything we need right here and everything we need is enough
just so easy
when the whole world fits inside of your arms
do we really need to pay attention to the alarm?
wake up slow, mmm mmm wake up slow
But baby You hardly even notice
when I try to show you
this song is meant to keep ya
from doing what you're supposed to
like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
i'll make you banana pancakes
pretend like it's the weekend now

And we can pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
ain't no need to go outside
ain't no need ain't no need
rain all day I really really really don't mind
Can't you see, can't you see,
you gotta wake up slow

episode 1. the night, her light

2008-11-04T16:55:00.009+08:00

she looked at him, listening intently. his voice, reminiscent of a smoky blues club, wraps around her like a warm cocoon. god. she could listen to him for hours. he continues to ramble on about his crappy day at work, his ass-kisser of a co-worker and his dumber than dirt boss. it didn't matter that he was cursing a blue streak about that 5 pm traffic or that stale, overpriced meal they just had. his voice was her light. it was her happy place.

then she noticed a small smile slowly forming on his soft lips. she knew what was coming and prepared herself. she knew who he was gonna talk about. her. the one person she could never compare to. a paragon of virtue. she drew in a quiet, deep breath and steadied herself against the coming waves of jealousy.

"she called me last night.", he starts.

"oh yeah?",she replies.

"uh-huh. we spent the entire night talking. she's so great. and her laugh! wow.", he says with a grin.

"you are such a perv!"

and they both laughed aloud.

and he doesn't have an inkling of how much that simple exchange cost her.

he doesn't know that every time, he thinks about that girl, every time he speaks that girl's name, she bleeds a little. and she wonders how much more blood she'll shed tonight. and what she'll do when her light finally goes out.

the power of the dead

2008-11-02T09:54:00.003+08:00

the power of the dead lies not in their ability to strike fear into the hearts of man. it does not come from a place of darkness where the brave dare not go. it does not sprout from horror stories told to children or late night camp fires.

no, the power of the dead lies in their ability to bring people together. it is in the memories of the life they lived, in the life they shared with the living, that their true power comes.

every year, we gather around them to celebrate their lives and to be thankful that they allowed us to be part of it. we come together to bask in the memories of their well-lived lives and reminisce our favorite moments with them.

the power of the dead lies in the love they left with each one of us that nudges us to jump in the throngs of people, carrying our makeshift kitchen and dining table, lighting and guarding the candles especially bought for them. the power of the dead is seen in the people that surrounds their final resting place. the people who forsake the comforts of home just to be near them. it is in the testament of how well the loved and are loved in return.

10.18.08

2008-10-20T14:05:00.004+08:00

at exactly 1:45 we walked inside the USJ-R Coliseum. It was hot as hell! but we all sucked it in and got on with the commencement ceremony.

at exactly 4 pm we walked out of the said Coliseum as graduates. I finally have my Masters degree in Industrial Psychology!! wooot!! lol

here i am, posing after the recessional.

with fellow grads from left to right: rozville ygoña, cyril cabilao, lalaine abasolo, moi and therese dela torre

of course, i had to pose with my fam!!

and then, the rest of the family (with some friends too) attacked fam choice. lol. i feel bad for the cook!!

thanks to everyone for supporting my bum-lifestyle. i am no longer a student. i am now a hopeful applicant (again). hahaha.

purity test

2008-10-16T00:20:00.002+08:00

purity test.
500 questions.
yes or no.

scored 89.4%.

......and i'm not entirely sure how i feel about that.

Impromptu Picnic

2008-10-13T22:12:00.018+08:00

what's a fam to do on a hot, lazy sunday afternoon?

go on a picnic of course.

armed with home-cooked spaghetti (thanks to chef Rommel) and hotdogs, the brood went to Talisay Mini Funland to let the kids run wild and the big kids to run wilder. lol.

below are pictures at the track.

ate Alex with papa Dennis ; ate Yasmine with Todits

we did some racing of our own too! ride 'em cowboys!!
YEE-HAW!

the kids also went on the mini Ferris wheel with no qualms whatsoever! brave 'lil kiddies! the slides, see-saw and swings were not missed of course. and Nesta boy even shot some hoops. (actually, he was literally inside the basketball "cage". hahaha)

and being a family of wannabe-singers, we even managed to sing some karaoke, 2 songs for 5 bucks. Manoy Rommel played games on their PC too. yep! the park had a PC!!

so after all that fun, and after all the food was consumed, we packed our stuff, and headed on home. whew! after all that so called relaxin', we were in dire need of some lay-on-the-bed-and-don't-move RnR. hahaha here's the fam, all lined up. from left to right: Jannette, Yasmine, Sheena, Dennis, Rasheed, JC, Rommel, Mommy with Xamantha and Nestaboy.

the grainy, dim pics courtesy of my sucky-but-better-than-kuya's camera phone.

D-day

2008-09-30T22:04:00.005+08:00

tonight was the night. the culmination of hours upon hours of research, multiple police station runs, hundreds of papers used and mind numbing data analysis.

i finally did it. defense is over and i survived! i was grilled and slammed but i got through it. not without battle scars but intact none the less.

after this hurdle, just a little more work and i'm done.

can you say woo0000oott!!

....now it's back to the world of the unemployed..haha

Mama's Birthday Din-din

2008-09-30T21:16:00.018+08:00

"MommyLa is the Master because it's her birthday!" - yasmine-

that's right. the very next night after Aubree's birthday was my mom's birthday din-din. thanks to the generous pocket of Uncle D, the fam dined at Tara's Cafe where the service is great, the ambiance is spectacular and the food is delectable (not to mention monstrous!!).

here's kuya pretending to be the godfather with mommy's ring. ROFL. what's up with the suspenders Yams?! hahaha. no matter what Jannette and I say, he just won't listen. "old-school" mode. LOL.

undoubtedly,the best part of the night was when the entire crew sang Happy Birthday!! the cake (which i hadn't tasted due to the cake monsters at home) was brought by Ate Ling and Kuya Dennis. i grabbed these pics from them too! lol

Aubree's Day

2008-09-27T15:10:00.006+08:00

today is AUBREE'S birthday, so i'll be off with the other demi-gods and goddesses to celebrate!! weeee!! this means a banquest of food fit for the gods (the mango float is mine!!!) and party music too.

to AUBREE: sis, this one's for ya!! ahlabyoo!!

some things you may not be interested in knowing

2008-09-24T20:12:00.008+08:00

she fights against: monotony, the cruel world and her own personal demons

she fights for: peace, love and self-preservation.

her superpower: normalcy. it messes with the enemies' minds.

her weakness: chocolates, a good book and the boob tube.

her strengths: kick-ass support system

favorite move: the 5 minute panic then do what you gotta do attack!

pseudo-goddess name: REI