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One summer day, maybe around two weeks ago, one of my best friends texted me this:
“Deanne, I’m sure one day you’ll finally be a princess and movie star just like what you’ve always wanted. Remember, I’ll always be here when the paparazzi gets too abusive. :)”

When I read the message, I couldn’t help but smile. It was a really random text but a very sweet and thoughtful one. I replied and asked what made her text me that. She said she was reading a book about over achievement and reaching your dreams. I love those kinds of books so I asked if I could borrow it. As of now, I’m almost done with the book. It is so inspiring that I just can’t put it down. It’s entitled Overachievement and it was written by John Eliot. This book is actually so surprising because it’s different. If other books told me to relax, set goals, and focus on the outcome, this one is telling me to do the exact opposite! The author said all the advice we have been given are “utterly, hopelessly wrong.” He said in order to get what we want, we must pressure ourselves, set dreams (not goals), and focus on what we’re doing at hand. Everything he was saying was against what I was taught to do! But you know what, his advice actually makes more sense than any other advice I have ever received. Here are some of his philosophies:

1.    The human body is designed to perform better under stress.
2.    Pressure is what turns coal into diamonds.
3.    Work smarter rather than harder.
4.    If you can see it in your head, you can do it.
5.    Tomorrow you get another shot at it.
6.    Look at every obstacle as an opportunity to succeed.
7.    You can’t control events, but you can control your reactions to events.
8.    It’s “in the cards” if you want it to be.
9.    All I can do is the best I can do.
10.  It’s about finding out what you are capable of doing, not a checklist of accomplishments.

Since I have so many things to do this summer, I’ve been putting his advice into practice. And I’m glad to say that it HAS been working! John Eliot was SO right about everything he said! Relaxing won’t do you any good nor will thinking all the time get you anywhere. It sounds so wrong at first but believe me, it’s much more effective and promising. So, if you have the time, try to read this book! It will really get you places and it will make you the person you want to be! Guess what? Because of this, I’m on my way there.

Posted in Etcetera, Reflections | 3 Comments »

Ricardo Garcia Mostrales Sr. September 23, 1927 – April 17, 2009

I was stunned when I heard the bad news when my Lolo died. I can’t help but cry, reminiscing our happy memories together. Until now, I still can’t believe that he’s gone.

His youth was a time of heroes and martyrs. Yes, my Lolo was a proud soldier and serving the country is the very air he breathed. One of the biggest lessons he taught us is to lead by example.

He’s more than a grandfather to me – he’s my friend. I remember when I was a little kid, he would always play toys with me. He never gets tired doing silly stuff just to make me smile. I would also never forget whenever he tries to light up the room with his endless jokes and impressing languages he knew. Lolo saw me grew up. He would laugh at so many things, especially when telling funny stories. He has always been there too to support and encourage me to reach beyond the stars, to never lose hope and to always have faith in God.

He’ll continue to be alive and well in my memories. I will surely miss him…

‘Till we meet again, Lolo.. I love you! :’(

Posted in Reflections, Relationships | 8 Comments »

It’s officially been a month since summer started, and I’m proud to say that I have spent a great portion of it being productive. Aside from being busy with Candy and college (and okay, Facebook), I have also dedicated a few days to my once-a-year, start-of-summer-only personal thing: Operation Room Clean-Up.

Wait, don’t think that my bedroom only gets touched by a broom once a year. I’ve actually come home to it newly mopped and waxed a couple of times. I can say it’s clean, just not that neat. It’s just that all my things can get so unorganized over time, and I could never find the time or motivation to just fix it. But since I have nothing better to do, I finally did. Section by section, every single object was put out of its containers and drawers and comfort zones. It’s Judgment Day and they can’t hide from it. All occupants of the pretty green and pink room had to face their next destination – Store, Stash or Sell. And so the sorting began. My Grey’s Anatomy marathon was put on hold, my hair was put up in a ponytail and my room got literally dismantled.

I ended up storing some things that are obliged to bring back memories in the future like letters, costumes, pictures, journals and toys. The ones I had to stash were the old cosmetics, test papers, trinkets and useless computer files. But the ones we’re going to sell are my old clothes, shoes, textbooks, stuffed toys and magazines. If only my dad would agree to hold a garage sale.

Looking at it at a deeper perspective though, I guess all of us have our own ways of dealing with what life has to offer. Some of us like to accept anything and everything that comes our way, may it be physical or emotional. New makeup, new shoes, new friends, and new job – we say yes to it today, and before you know it, it’s just a part of yesterday. In some cases, this is good. You know, dealing with things one at a time and making the most out of the present. But some of us move on, not knowing (or minding) if we actually have room for some more. Not even sure if what we’re leaving behind is actually ready to be left behind or if it’s going to come back one day to haunt you.

So if you are as bored as I am, be productive too. Lay everything down before you, and decide what you’re going to do with it. Is it worth keeping? What if you get rid of it? Does anybody else need it or deserve it?

This is exactly what I did, and not just with my room. Out with the old and in with the new.

Aura

PS. Look at that. I just really wanted to brag about how tidy my room is now. I didn’t know this entry would end up in the Reflections category. Haha

Posted in Reflections | No Comments »

How to be a good girl friend—the five easy steps:

1. Be patient. I’m sure that you and your boyfriend are quite alike in numberless ways but you will never be completely identical. Sometimes he might not understand you right away. The stresses of PMS, the menstrual cycle, and simple mood swings are too complicated for guys to understand. Likewise, learn that guys need their private boy time. Don’t try to nag them all the time. Yes, yes, I know you miss him and I’m sure he misses you terribly but there are just moments where he just needs to be on his own, to reflect on the sometimes overwhelming feeling of having a girlfriend.
2. It takes two. It’s difficult to make decisions now. For one, you don’t make decisions for yourself; you have to think of your significant other. Guys especially do this. It’s understandable that they don’t do things rashly. They think things through and there you were assuming that he doesn’t care when he really really does. Also, and this is vital when you’re students, learn to pay or go Dutch every now and then. His wallet can be only be full for so long. Plus, he’ll really appreciate it.
3. Trust. There is no need to waste your cellphone credits by texting him every hour where he is and what he’s doing. If what’s he’s doing is anything important, trust that he’ll tell you. Don’t always make him explain himself. Relish the fact that your man loves you and that’s that. He would never try to hurt you. Love is a two-way street. It would be completely useless if he puts his complete faith in you and you try to sneak behind him and hire a spy to oversee his every activity.
4. Big and little. Unlike girls who appreciate the extra-little things, guys aren’t that observant. Sometimes they don’t notice that you’re wearing a headband or that you have a new piercing. They like the big picture, and people say that all men care about is appearance. So don’t get mad if they don’t easy notice things or do the little things like open the door all the time or text you 24/7. They have their own way of showing their emotions.
5. Hug. It can do wonders. Don’t treat your boyfriend simply as such. First and foremost, he’s one of your best friends; one of the few persons you can actually confide to and vice versa. Hugging reassures your love, care, and affection for him.

Posted in Etcetera, Lists, Relationships | 2 Comments »

Who is Ate Fai (pronounced as “Faye”), you may ask? Well, she’s my older sister, who’s about to get married next week, and I want to dedicate this blog entry solely to her.

Her full name’s Maria Fatima D. Chiong, but most people call her Patty, and I’m the only one who calls her (Ate) Fai, which has a long story that goes back to when I was still a child! Haha!

Patty and Mika :)

Anyway, I have three older sisters (yes, we’re all GIRLS and I’m the youngest), and we have a really wide age gap. Ate Fai’s the second to the youngest and she’s 11 years older than me. But despite our age difference, my sisters and I have a really strong bond, that sometimes, people even mistake us as one happy barkada!

during Ate Fai

And since I was the one who came after Ate Fai, we’re the ones who have the royalties to spend more time together—hangout at malls and coffee shops, watch movies, go to the gym, and even share our “one true love,” DAVID COOK! (Seriously!)

Don’t get me wrong. Just like any girl who has a sister (or “sisters” in my case), we also had our own fair share of dramas and fights (especially when we were much, much younger). But of course, that’s “water under the bridge” already (if I may say) and we’re just happy and sad at the same time that finally, Ate Fai has found her ONE TRUE LOVE (and no, I’m not referring to DC!)

Ate Fai with her fiancé and my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Kuya Mon :)

…HAPPY because Kuya Mon is a fine gentleman, who share the same profession as Ate Fai (they’re both medical doctors) and most importantly, who truly makes Ate Fai happy, which in return, makes us happy as well! (And oh, I’ll get to have DC all to myself! LOL. Just kidding.)

…SAD because I won’t get to spend time with Ate Fai like before (she’s my gym buddy and more!) and I’ll miss our petty but funny arguments about, none other than, DC again! ;D But of course, I know that I’ll still get to see her from time to time but I still have to adjust and all that.

Sigh. I guess now, I just have to be happy for Ate Fai and Kuya Mon (I truly am!) as they start a new chapter in their lives, and just cherish my two remaining “bonding” moments with Ate Fai:

-Boracay Trip on April 28-May 1

AND

-the David and David Concert on May 16! (And yes, I owe it all to Ate Fai! Hahaha!)

my prized possession (DC, here I come! :D)

Always a bridesmaid but still not YET looking forward to being a bride,

Mika

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