Unpleasant Birthday Turned Superb!

Both the worst and best moments in my life usually happen during my birthday. To think here I thought today's going to be a bad day.

Now, I couldn't ask for anything more desirable.

Thank you Louie-pyon, everyone, for making my birthday today really special! Thank you, thank you, thank you, I love you!

My morning was alloted to my animal friends, of course. I celebrated my birthday with Mario and Doggy celebrated by giving them bits of puto. They looked like they were enjoying it. I didn't even realize that I fell asleep on the wooden sofa. When I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing, Mario and Doggy were sprawled on the floor taking a snooze. Their ears perked with the slightest movement, their eyes moved across the lounge watching what I'll do next.

Louie and Istrolled in SM North Edsa. First stop was Fully Booked! Purchased some amazing finds in Fully Booked, particularly to avail the 40% annual discount exclusively for members.

I'm so happy and contented with the new books!

The budget allowed me to buy at most 15 fictional books but after giving it some thought, I decided to use the discount on the more expensive ones, specifically those that cost over a thousand pesos, that I've been eyeing on for a long time now. What can I say? Reading is my passion.

I could easily afford the usual P359.00 books (with 10% discount) on a weekly basis, but it'll take me a while to buy the others.

Here are the individual pictures of the new additions to my book collection:

1) An Inconvenient Truth By Al Gore

Costs P1198.00 at Companion to the Academy Award Winning - Best Documentary Feature. I loved the documentary! It's knowledgeable and helps me distinguish the people overshadowed by knowledge from people overshadowed by their absurd self-proclaimed intelligence. Here's a segment of what's written on the back cover:

Our climate crisis may at times appear to be happening slowly, but in fact it is happening very quickly --- and has become a true planetary emergency.

2) Getting Started in Forensic Psychology Practice By Eric G. Mart

How to Create a Forensic Specialty in Your Mental Health Practice. It costs P1,498.00, and I think it's worth it. This comprehensive resource includes information on: the difference between clinical and forensic practice, advantanges and disadvantages of forensic practice, preparing and planning for forensic practice, how to market, what lawyers look for in foresnic psychologists as exprety witnesses, performing evaluations, and testifying in court and depositions.

3) Stardust By Neil Gaiman

What happens when you make a promise to bring back a fallen star? I love Neil Gaiman's works, alongside David Sedaris, Mitch Albom, Chuk Palahniuk, and other talented authors.

I still lack DS's Barrel Fever and Naked. Plus the only book I lack made by Mitch Albom is The Five People I Meet In Heaven. I've read all three, but I want my own copy.

Carrying the fruits of my birthday, Louie-pyon and I proceeded to the main building. On our way there, he saw an acquaintance who we haven't seen in a long time, T'Wolf. Beside him was a familiar looking girl. I lingered. T'Wolf's girl companion and I locked gazes and I suddenly recognized her! It was Da, or Agnus Dei as she likes to be called, a friend from school! WHAT A SMALL WORLD! We screeched and hugged each other, and went our separate ways.

While Louie played his favorite arcade game, I killed time by shopping in Under The Sea. I bought hamster food from Delikate and a few grooming materials for the dogs.

I rarely wear make-up these days. Too much application could ruin the skin. Recently, I've been bathing my face with fresh milk as advised by my former gay supervisor in my practicum. so I used this, as recommended by the dermatologist:

It's a moisturizer and foundation in one, and it's fabulous!

Louie requested to take off the belt I purchased at YRYS in Trinoma a week ago. He said he couldn't wrap his arms around my waist properly because of it. Awww. usually, I prefer sticking to my fashion taste but I made an exception today.

We stopped by some shops and toured the main shopping area, and then we ate lunch at Kimono Ken, one of my favorite Japanese restaurants. It's not the first time we dined in Kimono Ken, it has become one ofour favorites. I don't know about everyone else's taste buds, but mine prefers this restaurant for everyday Japanese cuisine. Louie knows I don't like food hopping, or trying different dishes, unless I'm familiar with the recipe.

We also watched Transformers at Cinema 1!

It was awesome!!! I was literally jumping off my seat whenever an Autobot, and especially a Decepticon, makes an appearance. As all my friend know, I'm so into the 1980 cartoons. Those were the films I grew up with --- the stories partly responsible for giving me my wild imagination --- and they bring back good memories.

I remember when I was a little girl, my favorite Autobot was Optimus Prime (because he's level-headed, wise, and cool) and my favorite Decepticon was Megatron (because he's intelligent and is a great leader).

MEGATRON ROCKS! I like him better in the 1980s cartoon where he transforms into this gigantic gun, but oh well, I really don't mind what they did. I usually leaned towards the side of the Decepticons, and like everybody else in my class, I had a kiddie crush on Optimus Prime. But I remember telling my friends I wanted to be just like Megatron. "I'll tell Optimus Prime I love him, and will continue to love him even after I end his life!" That childhood memory never fails to crack me up. My preferences were quite...different...compared to other little girls my age. For example, in Jem and the Holograms (1980s equivalent of Totally Spies), my favorite were The Misfits (you could tell from the name they're the supposed villains).

I like the Decepticons because their battle tactics were more effective than the Autobots...plus their designs are way cooler. The only thing I dislike is Megatron's bad habit of retreating too early when he senses the Autobots were gaining advantage on their little dispute. Hehehehe.

There are some unforgettable moments in the movie. I could name ten favorites (the tenth one being my ultimate favorite part of the movie): 1) when the autobots arrived and everyone went into a frenzy; 2) when the decepticons assembled; 3) when the autobots parked in Sam's backyard (that was really funny); 4) when the autobots tried to hide from being seen by Sam's parents; 5) when Megatron tore an Autobot apart; 6) when megatron and Optimus Prime faced each other with Optimus saying, "It's just you and me, Megatron." and Megatron answered, "No, it's just ME!"; 7) when Megatron kicked a human sounding disgusted (hahaha); 8) when Megatron told Sam while he was about to fall of the ledge and bribed Sam if he gave him the cube, he'll make sam his pet (that was rich); 9) when Megatron reprimanded Starscream; and of course...10) when the anorexic socialite whined in the middle of chaos, "That jerk just stepped on my car!" and as it turned out....her car was a DECEPTICON, transforming right there, clawing into her face with all its fantastic advanced technology, ending her life, and contributing to world peace. (I clapped with joy in this part. I know, I could be morbid.)

Afterwards, Louie-pyon and I strolled some more and engaged in a wonderful conversation before parting ways. So here I am, typing this all up. Now, I'm going home. I'm beginning to love my birthday.

Doggy's Long Awaited Picture

The internet cafe owner agreed to let me take a picture of Doggy Black~!

Whoopeee!

Here's my baby beauty:

Isn't she just adorable?

I told you she and Mario look almost the same. Hehehe.

SQUEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!

This...is...such...a BEAUTIFUL picture of Mario! Dang! Oh my gulay!

Holy moly, when was this taken??

It makes me want to get Doggy and take lots of pictures of her, and then more pictures with Mario!
It makes me want to go home right away and huggle them!

............okay, logging out now! Babayooooo!

Welcome Home Mario!

Losing Whitie last year, my furry best friend since childhood, was one of the many devastating events I've ever had in my life. My friends sent their condolences and sympathies, a few online enemies (a.k.a insecure people who are either as bitchy as I am or just plain jealous of something I don't know about) criticized my method of mourning, and my family moved on thinking I was doing okay. Truth of the matter was, I could hardly function normally for two weeks.

Rant Alert
(highlight the text below)

I realized how much I missed my dog after a shocking accident, when I got out of a cab and the door hit a motorcycle that was trying to squeeze through the traffic with space that could only be filled by one person (he rode over the elongated island so he could overtake the other vehicles) at an illegal speed, sending the driver off his stupid vehicle and sprawled on the ground. If you know physics and had he been moving the motorcycle slowly, he would have enough time to stop it. The motorcycle came out of nowhere! (I'm not surprised why there are so many vehicular "accidents". Feh. There are a lot of irresponsible drivers here in my country. The only hope these accidents could bring is that there will be less idiots in the world if they die.)

Anyway, what was that motorcycle doing in a narrow space like that in the first place? It's an obvious violation of the traffic laws such as overtaking at an unsafe distance and illegal overtaking. Motorcycles should stick to their own lanes. Plus there's a maximum width where motorcycles could pass through. Coming from a country where motorist violations occur frequently and law enforcement is poor, I should have seen it coming. But my heart was too heavy to even carry the shock of what happened that day.

The bastard cab driver hissed and started droning about who would pay for the damages to the motorcycle, and started saying things like, "Nako, paano kung nasira yan ha? Anong gagawin mo?" He's a fucker. I hope he contracts HIV and die toothless, money-less, homeless, and penis-less, which is a pretty good possibility considering his way of thinking. Har.

The best empty reply I could come up with was, "Fine. Let's go to my school's guards so I could contact the office. They can help." Afterwards, I sought the counselor's advice who told me, "Alam ng driver ng morcycle siya ang mali kaya di na niya tinuloy pumunta sa pulis. Siya mapapagalitan. At naka-ID ka pa non kaya involved ang school. Sa ganyan, unahan lang sino ang unang magsasalita. Nagkataon lang you're undergoing through an intense period."

Had I been my normal self that day, I would have demanded to seek the authorities and prove to the policemen (with a little emo for better results) that the driver of the motorcycle violated the law.

This incident had me shaken and guilty, which eventually turned to disappointment for allowing myself to act like a weakling and be treated like a doormat by lesser demons.

Moving on to the good news...

I thought I'll never get over the loss. Even Doggy Black looked like she was undergoing her own canine mourning. She kept visiting the cemetery area in our garden, where my baby for exactly 17 years (akala 12, 17 pala, naabutan pa ni Whitie si Lady. It's been so long na kasi. I regret not taking down the exact date I got her. -.- ) has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Thinking about her until now brings tears to my eyes.

Rainbow Bridge

Doggy and I bonded and became closer. We went through
the loss together, and I gave her all my attention. People said I could get a
new dog if I wanted to, but I wasn't ready yet. I convinced myself that no dog
could ever replace Whitie, and it will be unfair for the

new dog if he or she becomes some sort of a canine equivalent of a "rebound".

Little did I know my life will change the following year, when I stumbled on a website for homeless animals and saw this picture.

Love at first sight does happen, because if it doesn't, the dog you see in this picture wouldn't be spending his time creating memories with us at home today.

WELCOME HOME MARIO SWEETIE!

One big smile.

Mario and his dinner.

Mario walking beside the cobbles.

The best thing about this? I was able to get to know him while he was still in the shelter. This dog's not my Whitie, but he's my Mario (my new best friend, besides Doggy and my hamsters); and there will only be one Mario in the world and he's the dog you see in that picture right there y'hear?

The same logic applies to Doggy and my hammies. Mommy loves all of you cupcakes munchkins sweetie pies baby-kins!

Like all the other animals in the shelter, he's got his own tragic story, and he's been staying in the shelter for three years too. I wanted to reach out and build his self-esteem before he goes home with me. (Knowing Doggy, she's got enough self-confidence to rival a feline's. She'd boss Mario around and if Mario didn't trust me enough, I figured there might be a disaster. I didn't want to risk it.)

Some people told me I did a good thing, that I gave Mario a home and a chance at a better life, but I think - this I emphasize to every potential adopters out there - the benefits are mutual.

Adopting a dog, especially an older one, is one of the greatest experience you'll ever have. The dog's love for you, depending on how you accept it, will make a mark in your life history; the love you share will be like an ENERGIZER battery, it goes on and on and on....and until death do you part. (Honestly, I'd rather not think of the death part. Live life to the fullest!)

Mario, together with Doggy and the hamsters, gave me two special and irreplaceable gifts: love and devotion. They turned me to a more resilient, and even more strong-willed person.

Oh! And Mario already knows the "UP" command! (He's picky with his dog biscuits, but he goes CRAZY over CHEWY SNACKS!)

To think it took him less than one week to settle down AND learn a trick. Wooohoo! I'm so proud of you baby! (It's amusing to see Doggy and Mario go "up" at the same time too. :3 )

Shelter Animal's Theme Song

This is for all cat lovers out there!
It would nice if someone could make a flash animation based on true adoption stories for the shelter dogs and cats, don't you think? I wonder if the animals back in the shelter are singing this same song deep within their hearts, dreaming of that day when they'll finally find a home and the star of their lives, a human companion who would return their unconditional love...

Shii's Song
By: Mr. No Name / Posted by Branda 199 in ABS
Song Origin: Lunar Silver Star Story (Winds Nocturne)
Vocals: Jenny Stigile (altered to sound kitty-like)

---

LYRICS

Wishing on a dream that seems far off
Hoping it will come today
Into the starlit night
Foolish dreamers turn their gaze

Waiting on a shooting star

But
What if that star is not to come?
Will their dreams fade to nothing?
When the horizons darkens most
We all need to believe there is hope

Is an angel watching closely over me?
Can there be a guiding light I've yet to see
I know my heart should guide me but
There's a hole within my soul

What will fill this emptiness inside of me?
Am I to be satisfied without knowing?
I wish is then for a chance to see
Now all I need
Is my star to come...

---

What will fill this emptiness inside of me?

Adopt a cat / kitty and gain a friend for life. :)

Visit MeFindHome for more information.

Only In Kenya

Kenya - giving novelty songs a new name.
The cuteness!!!

Kenya

By: J. Picking

Home Is Where the Biscuit Is

In less than ten days, we're going to have a new family member.

He's got a beautiful, short black mane with sleek orange and white highlights, a pair of loving eyes, perky ears, a smile to die for, and he walks on four slim legs models on the cat-walk would envy.

Weeks of regular visits to the shelter, building rapport and increasing his confidence, have paid off. Mario and I became more and more attached.

His pictures are all over my room next to the photos of Louie, Doggy Black, Whitie (my dog who died a year ago), my goldfish, and my frisky little hamsters. More pictures of Mario could also be found on my desktop and among my files is a whole folder filled with collected photos of him that I've managed to dig up from the blogs of other volunteers (sorry guys...XD), except for that photo with Heart Evangelista. Ms. Karizma told me she'll send the photo via email one of these days. (Really looking forward to it! Anything with Mario in it would send me to blissful oblivion!) Presently, I'm doing the necessary preparations for his arrival. :)

A shy Mario with PARC's veterinarian, Dra. Ami :)

I would like to thank my hunny for making it all possible. I'm so excited! Imagine in a few days I could finally bring Mario home! I don't have to wait until October after all. Hohoho!

(Can't wait, darn it! ) Above is a picture of Mario and I together!

I guess you could say we're seeing stars. ;)

This will sound crazy, but oh to heck with it. While strolling around in a mall, I'd usually be found be gazing at the racks of lovely clothes and fascinating books thinking to myself, "Oh wow! I've GOT to have that!" and then the next thing I know I'm already admiring a pack of delicious-looking dog biscuits wondering if Doggy and Mario would like those.

The funny thing is I couldn't even remember how I got there!

Right after gaining the sensibility to retrace my footsteps, I'd then be distracted again and dash over to the accessories portion of the petshop --- walking back and forth as if in a sugar rush ---- to appreciate the matching collars and leashes. I'd examine one of the more gorgeous collars and imagine Mario wearing it.

I'd think out loud, Oh my god! This color matches Mario's coat! Hmmm...oh! That one looks good too! Aieeeeeeeee! Eeeeeeeeeeek! Aaaaaaaaaaah! Sheeeeeeeet!

If it weren't for my better self, particularly the more logical part of my brain, I would have gone broke in a split second. "Mario would be happy with whatever you give him, you idiot" I'd hear it sigh.

But it's sooo cuuute! I'd come to my defense. "Moron! It's being with you that counts!" it would point out. My own brain would outsmart me.

I would deliberate with myself until Louie has finished playing the Drummania and he would carefully lure me out of the store, laughing at me as if I've just committed the world's most humiliating blooper.

"Baby naman! You can buy those next time! You've just bought new stuff recently, remember?" he'd chuckle, playfully flicking a finger at my forehead.

That's the only time I'd remember I've indeed bought things for Mario he hasn't even used yet. "But...but...just a few biscuits, pretty please??"

He'd laugh and drag me out of the shop --- after buying the biscuits, that is. Conversations with myself have become more frequent as the time of adoption draws near.

I've already signed the adoption papers.

Now I have all the right to be possessive.

*insert death glare here*

Calm down, Laiah. Calm down.

.......

HOLY HOTDOG!

I'M SO HAPPPYYYYYYY!

Anyway, the pictures below is taken in the main garden which my grandmother maintains. She's got a green thumb in the same way I've got a way with hamsters. We also have a garden outside the gate, a small garden-like lane full of plants and flowers at the front of the house, our very own pet cemetery which I'd like to call the mortal gateway to the Rainbow Bridge, and of course, a grassy area where we place the lines for our laundry. (The dogs love to sniff around that area for reasons I know not of.) I wasn't able to take a picture of the rest of the garden because I ran out of battery. Hahahaha.

Anyway, this is the main garden where Doggy and I usually play, and where Mario will eventually join us. It's also their training area. I love hanging out here to feed & watch the wild birds, sky gaze, and stargaze. You see those pots containing the plants with pink flowers? To its left is the smaller garden lounge where I stay. Whitie used to stay in that area while Doggy would run around barking and chasing the cats passing by our garden. (The cats would resort to jumping on top of the high fence. XD) ^_^


This is half of the main garden lounge, or should I say the outdoor living room. There's another table and set of chairs on the other half, where my grandma and mom would conduct their Bible Study sessions with neighbors. This is also where my Lola would conduct a ballroom dancing session with her friends, one of her hobbies, and she'd usually hire a dancing instructor or two to teach us how to dance.

I wasn't able to take a picture of the side where the mirrors are, where one whole area of the wall is covered with mirrors. The small aquarium and a book tracing our family roots could also be found here.

You see the bushy part behind the white bars, to the right of the pathway? That's Doggy's doghouse, personally decorated by my grandma with some of her plants to help cool her little home from the hot weather. This is where Doggy learned the "sit" and "stay" commands. That big wooden sofa you see is where I stay, and Doggy would usually hide underneath it if it's raining, or if she's trying to get away from the squeaker toy I bought her. -_-; (We're trying to learn the "fetch" command now.)

This is the poop area. Need I say more?

For those interested in adopting, please consider adopting cats and kittens! They urgently need your love since most people who come to the shelter are looking for dogs. :(

Here are a few pictures of the cattery I took when I was in PARC.

Shopping With Love

Bah! What a corny title. (Someone eat my calloused feet now.)

On the bright side, it only goes to show how indescribable this day was. It was exciting yet also simple enough to be called a normal day. The best way I could put it was the unbelievable connection I've rekindled with someone who's important to me, saying goodbye to those summer days when we barely had any conversation; perhaps it's for the best, because in the end I'll never really know what awaits us sometime in the future. The only future depends on what we do now, and that includes purchasing stuff destined for our wardrobe. Correct people. The best way to spend these precious moments together is to go shopping! (Yeah, baby!)


We spent the whole day seeking good finds in Trinoma, a new mall owned by the Ayala groups beside SM North Edsa. The activity center looked like a replica of Glorietta, with a bit of Shangri-la from the way the escalators were placed, and approximately as big as Robinson's Galleria. Some shops were still closed, but the best thing about visiting a relatively new mall is the absence of overpopulation.



We roamed around and checked out the shops that were vying for the attention of potential customers. Louie-pyon spotted a TimeZone Amusement Center at the top floor, naturally we gravitated towards it.


We rode the escalator and to our surprise, there was some kind of ruckus going on. Funny how these things usually happen when we're around.



After briefly glancing at each other, Louie-pyon and I realized there was a pile of boxes and a pushcart blocking the exit of the escalator! A child being carried by his father was crying at the side, and a woman was lying on her butt among the boxes. Take note that the woman wasn't hurt in any way, and was lying a distance away from the boxes making herself a hindrance to what would have been a perfect landing for me. She wasn't hurt, and only seemed to be frozen in place because she was panicking.

Prompt and alert in my high-heeled shoes, I leapt over the lowest portion of the heap and landed carefully on small space beside the woman's legs. "Please move." I told her politely. I was so busy concentrating on where I could safely land that I didn't notice how Louie managed to get out himself.

Everybody turned to watch the rumble as shoppers one by one panicked at the sight of the boxes. The woman tried to back away from the heap and finally ceased screeching like she was being murdered in public, and the security rushed over to help clear the boxes. I noticed the security guard and the janitors pushing the carts looked nervous. (I assumed they were afraid to be reprimanded.)



Everybody turned around to look until a small crowd gathered around the area of disaster. They just stood there and watched. Louie-pyon looked at me, knowing what I was thinking. Without wasting another second, I asked him to hold my bag which he received without question.


"Help me out, hun. I'll help put away the boxes." I said, springing into action and helping the janitors carry the heavy boxes out of the way to prevent any more accidents. I think Louie-pyon placed some of the boxes we moved aside to a safer distance.



The woman who had her butt on the floor a while ago now had her tongue lashing out at the security guard. "Stop the escalator dammit!" she screamed, not realizing the security guard was also busy trying to clear the blockage. Give me a break. I thought, assuming she was too hysterical to think clearly. I found it careless of her to stand around trying to look for the switch, looking at all the wrong places. I can't blame her though, you know how people go in a frenzy when they're too overwhelmed with emotions.


"He can't stop the escalator, miss." I hissed, voice as low and stern as possible. I picked up the guard's white batuta (miniature baseball bat-like thingee) and handed it over to him. For a second there, I imagined shoving it inside her blubbering mouth but I restrained myself. "The boxes are blocking the switch, can't you see?"



When we finally placed the boxes away from the escalator, the father began shouting angrily at the security guard. "Sige po! Tuloy na po kami! (We're going ahead, sir!)" I told the guard and the janitors. I went back to Louie-pyon and we slowly left the scene. People stopped and stared, seemingly contented where they are. I reached for Louie-pyon's hand and blurted out, "God hun, I don't like staring without doing anything. I can't just stand around doing nothing," snorting loud enough so bystanders would be able to hear. "As if the situation will get any better if people just stand around."


Those people could call me anything they please, insult me or whatever, why should I care about what they'll say anyway? They didn't care about the situation, so there's no point caring about what they say. Bato bato sa langit, tamaan wag magagalit. It doesn't change the fact that they didn't get their asses moving. I guess their asses are only good in bed and defecating on the toilet.


Louie-pyon frowned and shook his head. "Let's get out of here. I don't like hanging around fuckers." "You betcha."

Then we proceeded to TimeZone, where I outscored and kicked the ass of a group of men way taller than me in the basketball game. I also won all arounds in the Quiz Game (although I wasn't able to win the jackpot, bummer).

Afterwards, we splurged on food, shopped and purchased the following:

1) Chuk Palahniuk's A Diary in Powerbooks (YEEEEES! FINAAALLY!!!)

2) Brush (Broadway Gems)

3) Headband (Broadway Gems)

4) Penshoppe Raspberry Perfume (courtesy of Penshoppe)

5) Eyeshadow Set (courtesy of Penshoppe)

6) New Shirt for Louie-pyon (courtesy of Penshoppe)

....and this absolutely drop-dead gorgeous shirt....

(MY DOG IS CUTER THAN YOUR FACE)

Louie-pyon was the one who picked it out for me. He said, "I know you love shirts with witty remarks written on them." He's right! It's so me! Hahaha! XD

Memories will be memories, but nothing can beat reminiscing the feeling of being together on a normal summer day. ^_^