5 Reasons Why

It's true. I'm in love with the boyfriend. Sometimes there's nothing more I'd like to do but gush over him all day. He's the only one who makes me giggle and blush like someone's choking the oxygen supply out of me. Miguel and I totally apply to the rule of "opposites attract". We're like Tom and Jerry, Ren and Stimpy, Winnie and Pooh...Ha! You fell for the last one, didn't you? Back in college, I used to itch into going out every weekend..it was like the end of the world for me if I didn't get the chance to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle on the dance floor and my nerdy boyfriend used to try to talk me into having a grand time with dvd's and popcorn instead..okay fine, I'm lying, it wasn't popcorn...more of "chicharon" (pork rind) sans vinegar and crushed red chili peppers..BOO!

Anyway, before I get hungry thinking about chicharon...I decided to compile a short list of why I truly adore the BF.

Reason #1 He taught me what an aurora is. The only limited knowledge that I had back then of an "Aurora" was of a local notebook brand back in the Philippines. (Any of my Filipino friends out there remember this brand or am I totally making stuff up?) Without him, I would have gone to Alaska and pointed out to the magical lights in the sky as "magical rainbow thingies".

via celestronimages.com

Reason #2 He divides his love between me and a guy named Frank aka Franky Boy, and I don't mind at all. Okay before you start singing It's Raining Men, I'm referring to a genius architect named Frank Lloyd Wright. There's really nothing better than a man who's so passionate about his craft/profession. Dudes, it is fascinating though.. the Robie House, designed by Architect Wright (shown below with a foxy couple on the side) was built in 1910. 19 freakin' 10. This was made a whole entire century ago.

Reason #3 I can't cook nor bake and he's grown accustomed to my usual mantra of "One day, I will make enough money to pay for someone to cook for you, if not, you get to pick on take-outs" It's either take-outs or he can eat charred stuff of what was once edible. Exhibit A down below: Me burning sliced hotdogs...

Reason #4 He randomly hums a tune like "Me and you, and you and me..so happy togetherrrr.." and tries to aim that high note with his deep voice.

The Turtles- Happy Together

 

Reason #5 He lets me hide underneath his heavy arm while watching scary movies but ends up getting scared as well so we both jump from our seats at the same time. Sadakkooooooo....

There are so many little things that I can talk about when it comes to how adorable the boyfriend is but I don't want to bore you or make you lose your sanity. I just like to frequently talk about him because I think that if we truly like someone, we should just show it and say it. You know, it would be nice to keep something like this in mind about your significant other so one day when you're upset with each other, you can go back to that thought on why you're with that person in the first place. I've seen so many broken homes and broken relationships just because couples tend to forget about the good things in their relationship. I, myself am guilty of it at times but one should remember to never let petty fights nor pride get the best of you and make you forsake your partner and your relationship in the process.

Don't forget to appreciate the small, mundane things because they may end up being the most unforgettable.

Toodles! =)

The Fur Will Fly

It was quite a decent evening as I strolled around the outdoor mall to finish some last-minute shopping before my mom and sister went back to the Philippines. While we were about to leave the mall, my brother suggested to pass by the pet store and check out the puppies, so I obliged. As we came into the store, we saw cute furry little things lined up one after another. I remember there were a lot of Chihuahuas available at that time and I thought to myself, I can't have a dog like that. It's too small for me... One day, being the klutz that I am, I'm going to end up stepping on it and that'll be the end of a sad, short story.

Image by www.freedigitalphotos.net

So I kept walking down the aisle until I finally reached the back of the store and looked up at the last two puppies that were displayed in their own separate cages. There he was, second to the last cage... It was a huge puppy which at first glance seemed to look like a Husky or German Shepherd mix but on the label it said BREED: AKITA. I've never seen an Akita before nor have I ever heard about them so I got really curious. Black mask, white boots, pink paws and whoa... his face looked like a mix of a bear and a wolf!

The store had booths where you can interact and play with a puppy, maybe to give you that final push so you can say the magic words, "Swipe that card!" The Akita was still okay to play with, so I said, Hey why not? Let's get him in the booth! Boy were we in for a treat... right when they placed him on the floor inside the booth, he started running around and tugging at my brother's jeans (this was I think one of the reasons why I wanted to have him, so he could annoy the crap outta my brother and tear his designer jeans! Ha!). This Akita puppy just wouldn't hold still... he wanted to play and nibble and run around. He was cute, but so what? Every puppy always looks cute,right? And then it happened... he let me hold him and I placed him on my lap... he didn't move nor fickle around. He just stayed there, perfectly still.

Skyler almost 2 months old at the pet shop

All I remember after that was me telling my mom, I don't think I can leave this store tonight without him. I don't know why but I cannot let him go.  As romantic as it sounded, I did leave the store without him. I could have taken him home right then and there but my siblings and mother convinced me otherwise so I can think it over, at least overnight. They argued that being a large breed dog, it will be very difficult and expensive to maintain it and most especially, we have to check the temperament. I don't want to wake up one day with my pet dog chewing on my thighs with a side of barbecue sauce and have him go murder every other dog we see at the park.

Pretty much most of the common descriptions that I found for the Akita were loyal, highly intelligent, aggressive (especially with food), strong-willed, dominant and stubborn. In short, this cute bear-faced puppy can well be a terrorist if I don't train him properly. But despite all odds, I called back the shop the next day, signed the blank slot for the pet's name as "Skyler" and took this Akita home. Sadly, just two days after we got him from the shop, we found out that Sky had in fact, pneumonia and only had a 50/50 chance of survival. I was stressed out and devastated... so I went under my blanket and cried my eyes out just like this guy... er girl... unknown specie...

Luckily, Sky's vet is awesome and was able to nurse him back into excellent health! The first two years with this dog was the most challenging part as I had to constantly watch over him, get him potty-trained (I think I covered my whole entire apartment with training pads) and made sure he wasn't destroying anything. To date, Skyler almost set the apartment on fire twice (he turned on the stove on two separate occasions), he has dug the carpet, ruined the blinds countless times, chewed on the walls, dug on the floor and the wall, chewed on the door, chewed on my designer shoes (Kate Spade, Guiseppe Zanotti, Stella McCartney R.I.P. *tear*) and sunglasses, chewed on USB cables, chewed on PS3 controllers, you name it... HE CHEWED IT!

My toe is not an exception!

Skyler wearing my sunglasses at 3 years old with his Auntie Kiwi.  He eventually chewed on it too.

Then there's the expenses. *Gulp* Big dog equals big appetite. I have to buy him the biggest bag of dry food available, treats (lots of them), rawhide, toys (he LOVES squeeky toys but none of them could last him longer than a week and he decapitates all his stuffed toys), have him groomed and have his regular clinic visits. One time, he chewed on a bone and it didn't sit well with him so I ended up rushing him to his vet. I left that clinic $350 dollars poorer, to think at that time I only pay $15 for my own doctor's visit. During the summer season, I have to leave the air conditioning on almost 24/7 as well as the TV (preferably HBO) so he doesn't  fry with his double layer of fur.

Bored out of his mind watching HBO

When one has too much time on their hands, one gets bored. And sometimes, Sky has to pay for it. The best part of it all is, he plays along 'coz he somehow knows that I enjoy kidding around.

Sorry Auntie Kiwi, I think we stretched out your headband!

Skyler pretending to be my "lechon" (roasted pig) Yep, he plays dead like that

You know how experts say that dogs can't really understand what humans are saying? Maybe they can't, but they sure can feel how you're feeling. One day, I was feeling down and stressed out and out of nowhere, this big bear of a dog comes to me, reaches out with one of his long arms and lands his huge paw on my lap, as if trying to comfort me. That's the thing about dogs... they never judge you nor hold grudges against you.

Skyler giving me a paw shake

My boyfriend once told me that I saved Skyler because if I didn't take him that day from the shop, he would have surely died from pneumonia. I actually think it's the other way around... I think Skyler saved me. He really taught me to be patient and to know how it's like to care for something invaluable as well as appreciate the small things in life. If you respect animals, they will respect you. Treat animals with care and dignity, as they have feelings just like we do.

Forever paws-in-crime...

My big monster giving me a big kiss

Oh and by the way, mess with me and I'll sick my dog on ya. Just kidding! =)

Toodles!

It's Amore!

♫ When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore..when the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine, that's Amore! ♫

Eleven years. That's a decade plus one. That's the age of a typical fifth grader *faint*...I did try to convince Miguel that we should just stop counting 'til ten 'coz continuing it makes us seem OLDER than we really are, well at least I'm speaking for myself 'coz he's already becoming an old fart. Ha!

Eleven years and we're still discovering something new about each other every day, whether it be good or bad. With that in mind,  I really appreciate the opportunity of the fun travels and misadventures that we've had over the years. They say that you'll really get to know a person's true colors when you get to live with them day in and day out, or when you TRAVEL together. As for me, I can truly say that every adventure has brought the both of us closer in our relationship, even if it had to involve occasionally storming back into the hotel room due to crankiness and total exhaustion. (He usually indicates the former and I, the latter..ofcourse, someone always begs to differ hehehe)

I always relish on the memories we've made and cannot wait to make some more... =)

In Chicago, where Frank Lloyd Wright used to reside in. I was happy to see the sparkle in my one and only nerdy architect's eyes as he was taking in the history and sights of one of the greatest architects of all time, whom he casually calls "Frankie boy". I'm hoping this boy crush is just a phase.

Our trip to Singapore..where we had to run for our lives due to unpredictable rain showers. Had to take the tourist-y Merlion shot and  it's the only city where you can get awesome chilli crabs at 1 AM  in the morning! Yum! Yum!

On our little getaway to Vegas. Must re-think wearing sky high stilettos while walking all throughout the strip. We went to watch the Phantom of the Opera and there were two white ladies behind us who told us before the show that they thought we were so adorable. What? I hope they didn't think we were teenagers who were eloping hahaha. We had loads of fun dancing the night away, despite the fact that Miguel was born with two left feet. Oh and Wynn buffet is the bomb diggity!

On our date night in Hong Kong. Once in awhile, the fairy god mother turns me into a girlie girl and then I turn back into a fruit at around 3 AM. This place must be the most adventurous city I have ever been to. There are too many things to do and places to explore. We went to Macau as well where our driver was kind enough to call me Miguel's "beautifooo" wife. Aww..too bad I'm his mistress. Ha!

 

At Lake Arrowhead, California. Enjoying the cold weather and finally putting my little raccoon's fur into good use. I realize that I get even hungrier when it's cold. Where is my fried rice?

At the Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA. This was taken at the Japanese Gardens, I wish I could be in one of the real ones in Japan.. *hint hint* *cough cough* *more cough cough*

As much as I enjoy going around the globe (just a teenie part for now) with him, I've come to realize that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter where the destination is but rather the company that you keep.

I luv ya, hunny! Thanks for holding my hand whenever we get lost in an unfamiliar place =)

*Sorry but it's gonna take some real hard metal rock to get the mushiness, fluffiness out of your system after reading this blog* 

Toodles!

13 Channels

During the pre-cable/ satellite TV era, growing up with having only 13 options of local channels was already enough for me. I remember watching what we call in the Philippines, "noon-time shows" which pretty much showcases a bunch of lovely people (mostly celebrities) dancing and singing to current hit songs, wearing the latest trends. Although, I didn't realize 'til I was a little bit older that a lot of these people couldn't actually sing nor dance to save their lives, if they ever depended on it. I had to secretly watch the "noon-shows" with my nannies and siblings because my Dad didn't allow us to watch any of them nor any Filipino movies for that matter. It was not about the language, it was more about the content. It really does fry your brain. It's like MTV but on speed and acid.

Let's now move on to cartoons. Man, cartoons back then were awesome. Southpark and Family Guy got nothing on Thunder Cats, Voltes V, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Transformers, X-Men, etc.

Remember the songs to these cartoons? Thundahhhh, Thundahhhh, Thundahhhh, Thundahhhh CATS!

Or that Voltes V Japanese theme song which I'm sure my brother still knows how to imitate the words, as if we really understood what they were singing about. It still sounded bad ass, nonetheless. 

And then there's the iconic Filipino horror show that up to this day terrorizes the little child in me. Even the song itself was terrifying enough back then. *shiver*

"Regal Shocker"

 Don't let the cheesy old 80's bloody font fool you. Some stories they used to show in this series still linger on even in this rather fearless society.

Last but never the least...my favorite show on Sunday Mornings! Chinese martial arts shows which had no English sub-titles but I happily watched them anyway! Those Chinese really know how to kick some serious butt. I really thought it was cool when they had those fans with concealed metal stars in it. 

Or when they would fight in mid-air and flee from one tree branch to another...

These shows make me really miss those 13 channels that we once had on the old tube.

How about you folks out there? What were your favorite shows? Don't be shy. I don't bite hard.