A Valentine Story

As I write this paragraph, there are only six days until Valentine’s Day. I’m curious how Valentine is to some people so I asked my friends to share their Valentine story. Majority of them responded that they have no story to tell but I was fortunate that I never stop asking until I received a confirmation that a story will be sent to me.

Here are the stories of pancakes, black valentine, and an almost accident. May these inspire you to live life in the moment, especially on important occasions. 

PANCAKES by Hazel Asoy

Valentine's day, though not an official holiday, is still celebrated by many. I love Valentine's day because it's the day when most of our high school teachers will task us to create Valentine's cards we can give to our friends. I do love receiving Valentine's cards and reading mushy messages from my friends and classmates.

However, it all changed when I experienced being in a relationship. Valentine's day became a not-so-good day for me because I always end up being single before Valentine's.

So, when I had an (ex) boyfriend whom I can celebrate Valentine's day with, I got pretty excited. Maybe, too excited I stressed myself thinking what should I do or prepare for my (ex) boyfriend. But the day before Valentine's, I settled for a pancake.

That day, I saved my allowance so I can buy pancake ingredients. It's my first time to make pancakes and I'm not good when it comes to following directions. In the midst of cooking, I end up burning a piece while the other pancakes end up crumbled. Knowing that I only have a few hours before my next class and to give it to him, panic starts to sink in. It' a total disaster but I have to carry on and prepare something for him.

Instead of whining over a pancake of failure, I got a small plastic tub and arranged the crumbled pancakes at the bottom, drizzled with chocolate syrup and top it with the perfectly shaped yet burned pancake. At the end, it looks like a mango graham cake.

Prepping the pancake isn't really the highlight of that day. The taste test with the unlucky subject is. When we met in my favorite tambayan, I hesitantly offered the pancake. I know that it's not an Instagram-worthy pancake but I hoped that, at the very least, he would appreciate the effort I exerted. Well, he's nice enough to act that he liked it. He ends up eating everything and telling me that it tastes good though he looks like he will puke everything he ate that day.

Hazel is a Registered Criminologist, working as a full – time Technical Support Associate. She also runs a blog called Wannderzel.

A LOOK BACK IN CALICOAN SURF CAMP

            Calicoan Surf Camp is located in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Its name obviously stand on what it is for, surfing. Its location is perfect for riding the waves to surf since the resort faces the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its well-known for its well-furnished cottages and villas that takes inspiration from the culture of Thai, Balinese, Indonesia, and, of course, Filipino.

WAYBACK WEDNESDAY: F2F PRODUCTIONS

            When I was in college I had experienced many things that sometimes I forget if it is part of the curriculum. It was those days that I become a believer of the saying, “Everything happens for a reason.”

WAYBACK WEDNESDAY: GUIUAN AND ITS DANCE

 

I danced even though I did not know what would be the next step. Lucky for me, my  dance partner guided me.

            It had been years since I visited my hometown Guiuan. The last vacation I had was with my cousins on July 2012 to remember the date anniversary of my grandmother. Many firsts happened during that trip: 1. I finance my own travel. 2. I rode in an airplane for the first time and 3. I met with my high school friends.

IF YOU ONLY ASK

        One time when I was applying for a job I noticed that my resume was not stapled correctly. 

ONCE I’VE ATTENDED PRECIOUS HEARTS ROMANCES’ WRITING WORKSHOP

Last May 2012, (Yup! You read it right.) I have attended a seminar/workshop that was organized by one of the leading publisher of Tagalog pocketbooks – Precious Hearts Romances (PHR). It’s office is located at Sgt. Rivera, Quezon City. It is a long way from home but definitely worth it.

I WAS AT THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Scene from The Sound of Music

This photo is a proof that once in my life I been in a musical. Well sort of. J

ICCT COLLEGES INTRAMURAL YEAR 2011

  

   I think it is fair and high time that I tell you stories of my college days. I don't know if you can tell the difference but college days is real stories. By real stories - I mean of experiencing the moment with characters or witnesses. Unlike high school anecdotes, sometimes it was just me and the scenario or it was just them and my poetry. There are few highlights in my entire year in college that they strike my heart directly. They were life lessons in which I think, we all went through.Let me start  with the last Intramural that I have attended. 

   Intramural is an event highly anticipated of the whole school. Teams from other school branch, and different colleges gathers to prove and compete with each other. 

     When the Special Project Division launched a Photo Journalism competition I joined, that is why I had accessed with all the venue where some students are not allowed. Oh, the joy of acting like a professional Photojournalist!

Mr. Abut was my P.E. teacher making sure all things are set.

HELLO, FEBRUARY!

Poster created by me .

Hello, February year 2007! I was sixteen years old. It was that time of the year again. Everyone is anxious. A school dance is being organized – JS prom as what they call it.  Do I get a date with someone or not? Honestly, not my major concern. I am sure glad that the dress code for the dance is our school uniform. Yup, school uniform on a prom; it is how it is when you are bound to comply with the rules of a very conservative campus ruled by nuns. Besides, I have many things going on in my mind:

One, there was this final dance in our P.E. class wherein I have no choice but dance, worst is it was a paired dance. With my history in dancing, I prayed that my partner would not back out on me. That final dance was significant; it is to determine my good chance in passing high school. If I remember it correctly the dance that was picked for us is called Paso doble. Imagine how I motivate myself, a rejected dancer during elementary who does not even know how to perfect a simple Square Dance. Lucky for me I had known confidence – confidence in myself and in my dance partner that he would not drop me as we twirl. Aside from knowing confidence I had this mantra, “Get it done. They won’t remember a thing of your mishaps when you see each other after ten years. Get it done.”

DISCOVERY OF A CIGARETTE VENDOR

The right hand threw the empty cup, a cup where he enjoyed summer’s refreshment a while ago. But the cup did not rolled far from him the reason why he kicked it like a soccer ball. The empty cup reached to the cigarette vendor. At first, the man in his middle age ignored it but after he entertained a customer he picked it up. His left hand turned it around. He inspected it like a scientist that had discovered a new specimen.

MY FIRST VIVA!

Yesterday, January 19, 2014 I acted like a kid. Yesterday I had fun. The nation celebrated the feast of Senior Santo Niño. Yesterday we shout, VIVA! VIVA SENIOR STO. NIÑO! It was my first VIVA. Lucky for me, our parish patron saint is Senior Santo Niño de Praga.

BRAVE

        On my way home I saw a kitten in the middle of the road, a road full of speeding cars and busy people. The kitten was trying to cross the lane but cars won’t let him. He was wet and trembling a sign that he struggle the heavy rain this day. I knew he is afraid but still he pursue to cross the lane. When he saw a car approaching he stop and bent his head. Probably, drivers do not notice this little fellow because they just speed up to catch the green light. When the car is gone the kitten he would rise his head slowly – slowly, and take a hurried walk.

I witnessed him make it into the middle of the road after surviving with the four cars. Unfortunately, I was not able to know if that little fellow manages to survive. The jeepney that I am riding was being called for illegal parking. That fellow must been very hungry. He must been aiming for the leftover foods at my side of the road.

Whenever I passed by the street I still remember that incident. I wonder if he survives. Knowing that he make it in to the middle without being hit if he continue being brave and determined. I know he would live. 

Outbox: Outside Her Purple Box

Soon she will be twenty three. But she still have the box that she purchased back  when she was fifteen. It is for her souvenirs, her secrets, her ideas and her enjoyment and pain. A purple box where she hides some of herself. Because she believes that some things are bound for keeps.

Yesterday was the end of the cold season so my girl decides to see her purple box. Turned out that it was loaded.

Little by little she realized that life must have been different if she did  not do some hiding.. Will she still be a  hopeless romantic if she go for her guy? Will she still be a  sweet angel if she let go of her hatred? Who will be her inspiration if she rushed in love?

Knowing  the answer to her own query.  My girl prepares for some upgrading  and disposing  of what is in her box. Later this year she will buy another purple box. She is at age to be aware on what is supposed to be a secret and shared.

Suurely, she will grab the most durable and bigger purple box at sale. But she will let it be (the things, moments, failures, etc.) as they are suppose to be. Go on living  with the flow of God's decision. Accept every stuff that will come, and do what it takes to protect her box because surprises come in a  jiffy.