I still can’t understand why I just got interested in watching this series. I love both the Navy and CSI types of shows. I started with Crime Night on Discovery Channel, then jumped to CSI Miami. But because I was too lazy to make time for watching TV, I didn’t get to follow the series beyond season 3.

Anyway, Jette said that I should watch the series because Mark Harmon could pass for one of my characters, Cameron’s dad. Mac’s too actually since their dads are twins. I watched one episode from season 6, and ended up squealing and squeeing. So now, I’m on the hunt for DVDs of season 1 through 6… or whatever is the latest season.

Okay, so the main draw was Mark Harmon, but I love the story lines and the witty dialogue, and I absolutely love Abby. So there.

(1) I hit my head really hard while I was in the bathroom. I think I blacked out for a few seconds, enough for me to think I might have had a concussion. I have a lump on my head and it hurts if I touch it or comb my hair at that part.

(2) Breakfast c/o Jean Mae Oryza (Maan Beltran). She brought mushroom omelet to ransom JC from us.

(3) Went to NBI’s firing range with Edith Joaquin, JM and Ivy! And I learned how to shoot a .45 caliber pistol! I wasn’t very good at it, but I think I ten of fourteen of my shots made it within the human-shaped target. And I was able to deliver a neck shot, several chest shots, stomach shots and one I’m very proud of, a shot (well, two) to the groin area *evil grin* You will have to read Mac’s story to get why. Anyway, I might write a separate entry for the shooting day. When I’m coherent.

(4) Met two new friends, Ivy, who is in a very interesting line of work, and Celine, who is one of the cutest people ever!

(5) Had a small argument with my parents over the phone

(6) Terriyaki Boy’s Cream Dory Tempura, Pancake House’s Roast Beef Special Set, and American Chocolate Ice Cream from Gelatissimo.

(7) I had my copy of “The Perfect Maid of Honor” signed by Maan Beltran. Wheeee! And I also finally bought a copy of the Twilight Graphic Novel Vol.1. and another book by Camilla. Really, I am a fan of hers. I haven’t read all of her books but I love her Task Force Kapayapaan series. I haven’t read Oca and Tibbs yet, but I’ll get to that as soon as I get back to Manila (where I left my copy).

I had a great day Thank you, Lord.

I watched the 2 p.m. show when Ms. Maribel Legarda, PETA’s artistic director, played the title role of Sabel. I would have wanted to see the second show and Melvin Lee’s performance, but I had prior plans. Anyway…

I’ve been saying that watching dancers is like watching art in motion. And watching Sayaw, Sabel is literally just that in more ways than one. The performance is choreographed by artistic director and chief choreographer of Ballet Philippines, Agnes Locsin. It is also based on the work of National Artist, Benedicto Cabrera, or more popularly known as BenCab, called Sabel, which is a series of paintings about a “taong grasa”.

The whole performance digs deep into different situations and emotions which are a little deep, a little funny, a little dark but a whole lot true. It showed how Filipinos go through the hardships and troubles of life.

There was a huge black cloth hanging from the beams above the stage where two figures were painted on, and paper and plastic trash littered the stage. The performance opened with a dance sequence involving all the performers, seven dance artists and the featured theater performer, in this case, Ms. Maribel, before the dance solos.

Judell de Guzman-Sicam performed a solo entitled “Kayod” where she danced with a swivel chair for a prop. I prefer not to look at the program before the performances so I’m free to give my own interpretations. So when this performance came on, my impression was of stress in the workplace. If you have ever been a call center agent, you have several companions: the phone, the headset, the computer and your swivel chair. I think the swivel chair gave away the performance away. The performer also started singing a lullaby to an imaginary baby which Sabel tries to take away near the end of the performance.

Dwight Rodrigazo dances in “Batak”. He used a long cloth, like a scarf, for a prop. I’m going to have to apologize because I didn’t really understand the performance until I read a surface explanation that it was about drugs. Then I understood Mr. Rodrigazo meant addiction when he threw the cloth away only to frantically look for it again. The performance ended with Sabel calling him “adik”.

“Abandonada” was performed by Christine Crame. She had a huge sheet of paper which was wrapped around herself, and she danced to a Visayan song. We laughed out loud when the second part came up, and Aegis’ “Halik” blasted from the speakers. Being the romance writer that I am, I decided that she had been jilted by a boyfriend or fiance, and the paper was her wedding gown. It is, by far, my favorite performance of the day.

Annette Cruz-Mariano used a fishing net to dance in “Sugat” which is a haunting piece as it portrays the fear and pain of abuse, especially with the sinister voice over. According to one write-up, it’s about being in Mindanao.

“Bagong Bayani” is Monique Uy’s performance with a balikbayan box, but it’s not a solo number. It’s a dance about OFWs, their jobs, their responsibilities, the hardships they have to face, the hard work and the loneliness. It also showed that our kababayans depend on each other for support.

Then came this heart-breaking performance by Perry Sevidal. She danced with a newspaper for a prop at first, then she danced while Sabel sang “Hindi Kita Malimot”. It shows the pain of mental illness, not just for the person who’s suffering it but also of the people who love that person. Pam, who was sitting beside me, and I were crying our eyes out before we broke into applause and laughter because Miss Maribel started to rap the song.

The last solo performance, “Ako Una” shows Camille Ordinario-Joson as an over-achiever who was bullied for being competitive and obsessive. This performance was actually funny if you watch it, but if you look beneath the surface, it’s very sad and disturbing. People who are different and who do not conform, whether by choice or by circumstance, are sometimes shunned.

Then, there’s Sabel’s performance. As far as I understood, her background is that she has a child who works as an OFW somewhere in the Middle East. At first I thought “Hindi Kita Malimot” was for her child. Partly, maybe it also is, as much as it’s for the person performing. Sabel holds the whole performance together with her performance and appearance. Miss Maribel gave an amazing performance as Sabel. I’m counting myself lucky for seeing her performance because I’ve been told that it had been a while she had last been on stage, so it was definitely a treat (and an honor) to be able to see her sing and dance.

And that concludes PETA’s very successful East West Danse month. And I’d like to thank PETA and Slenda for the priviledge of watching and blogging about the event. I enjoyed it immensely and I’m looking forward to watching other performances at the theater.

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I just started my three month long vacation to Dumaguete today. And as far as starts to a vacation goes, this one started pretty well.

I called for a cab at around 10. I called Basic Taxi (643 7777) because they knew our area, and I didn’t need to worry about the cabbie getting lost. It”s a flat rate P400 from our subdivision to NAIA Centennial Terminal 2. Plugging ba ito? Anyway, I love the manong cabbie. We passed by C5 to The Fort, and my head was swiveling left and right because I was wondering where I could put my Sentinels Base (fondly called Camp General Joseph Herrera by the boys), then manong proceeded to drive through all the general headquarters of all the branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I squealed in my head when I saw the gate… just the gate… of the headquarters of the Philippine Army. So while the cab passed by the compound, I think I developed a crick in the neck. I was squeeing and texting Edith Joaquin the whole time. We also passed by the HQ of the Philippine Marine Corps. GO NAVY! And before I could recover, I saw the familiar walls and gates of the headquarters of the Philippine Air Force *flutter lashes, happy sigh*

At the airport, I saw this guy who looks really cute. We put out bags on the conveyor belt at the same time, then pulled them off the belt at the same time, too, then we laughed. But I think he was with his wife/girlfriend/significant other, though *sigh*

Then, while checking in, the manong at the check-in counter for Cotabato called to me and waved me forward. He checked my eticket, ID and credit card and asked me where I wanted to sit. “Window seat, kuya!” *G* So I now have a window seat (11A) on the 2:10 p.m flight for Dumaguete.

Also, I just wanted to share. I think I definitely look trust-worthy (or gullible, depending on the situation). I sat at one of the benches, and the guy beside me asked if I could watch his box of Krispy Kreme while he went to the toilet. Then while I was writing this draft, a lady asked me if I could watch her Jollibee take-out while she went to the toilets, too. She was definitely my favorite because she was smiling so hugely when she got out of the toilets, thanked me profusely, and said “God bless you”. How can you not feel light and happy about that? Then, another lady asked me if she could use the power outlets at the laptop stations to charge her phone. I said maybe she could, because there were a lot of outlets anyway. So she put her phone on the table, started charging it, then left her phone and her handbag right there while she went to the other end of the waiting area to get her luggage. Actually… of the three, I would have stolen the Jollibee take-out :p Also, if by any chance any of them were terrorists, I would have died first because I let them leave a bomb with me.

Anyway, since I can’t connect to any of the free public WiFis and I don’t want to edit my manuscript here or play Plants vs Zombies, I’m ending this draft right here, and posting it with the rest of the day’s entry as soon as I get settled at Jette’s house.

Later!

P.S. I took a look outside to the runway and saw a plane taxiing… I know i’ve already said so, but a taxiing (landing/taking off) airplane is one of the sexiest thing I have ever seen in my life. It’s ranked up there, just below the sight of a fighter plane landing/taking off an air craft carrier.

Hmm… I should list down the strange things I find sexy, no?

So last Saturday, we met up, hang out, went food tripping and scoured bookstores. Looks and sounds simple, but we have loads of fun every time.

I got there at a little past 11 a.m. and went to National Bookstore to see if they have Bookware’s new releases. I wanted to get Leira Carlos’ series. And when they didn’t, I looked for something else to buy. I’m impulsive like that. I have to buy something from National Bookstore even if it’s just a box of green staple wire or a pen. I found out that they had a few Pugad Baboy books that I’ve lost, for only P99. So I grabbed three and ran like a loon to the counter. Baka magbago isip nila eh hehe

Then I went to Buy-the-Book which is an awesome secondhand bookstore. They have great stock at low prices, and the books are in good quality too. I just have to say that the manong there is also very helpful. He literally digs for books for me. There are some salespersons who are obstrusive, right? But manong isn’t. Basta, he’s just helpful. I got my hands on a few goodies: Killer Affair by Cindy Dees, Kiss and Tell by Suzanne Brockman, Military Daddy (Mounted Color Guard Series #2) by Patricia Davids. I also got an old Newsweek issue because there was a picture of Jack McCain on it when he was a little boy LOL We also went to Booksale where I got another old issue ia Automobile Magazine because it has an article on the Porshe 911 GT3. I so love my work.

We ate a lot and had frozen yogurt at Pancake House (my second of the day). I love frozen yogurt. I really do! But I liked the plain yogurt with topping rather than their fancy one. I had a Blackest Forest which was good but was a little too rich for my taste.

We also dipped our feet into temptation when we went into stores like Japan Home and Clipper where you can find the cutest things that you don’t really need but you end up buying them anyway. Kat and I bought new gum-shaped earphones only to find out that they have cuter capsule-shaped ones at Swell Stuff one floor below. To console ourselves, we bought magnetic bookmarks instead.

Fairly simple, but Über-fun. I love these moments.

Frozen yogurt at Pancake House, P155
Earphones from Japan Home Center and magnetic bookmarks, P98
An afternoon bonding with friends… say it with me… PRICELESS!

The Pinoy and French Contemporary Dance Week performances were divided into two, one on the 15th and the one I watched, last night. While Kung Fu Dancing is both shows “main event”, I learned that the pre-show performances were different each night. Prior to the show, I was also introduced to Paris-based dancer, choreographer and Eolipile founder, Lin Yuan Shang. It was a bit disorienting because he’s Chinese, but he speaks French.

Kung Fu Commandos
The first performance on the June 17th show was “Kung Fu Commandos”, which is a fusion of kung fu and contemporary dance. There were two dancers and a musician, or should I say sound artist, for that was exactly what Mr. Thierry Madiot is. He does not use conventional musical instruments to accompany the moves on stage, but he used sheet metal and plastics among others to provide the sound effects. The two dancers performed with sharp kung fu moves and twisted themselves in sinuous shapes while surrounded by long balloons to the accompaniment of the sound effects.

For the first five minutes, I sat at my front row, near center seat, wondering if I was so ignorant of the French that I couldn’t understand what was going on on stage. It was like looking at an abstract painting and wondering what the artist wanted the audience to see. As I was currently immersed in writing a book series with characters from the military, I was thinking that maybe, I was projecting on stage what I wanted to see in the performance. I was seeing the balloons as missiles, and the long plastic bag that the musician filled with air in between the two dancers as a border between two countries. And I was acutely embarrassed that I might be the only one who was just.not.getting.it.

I eventually stopped second-guessing myself and just enjoyed the performance.

At the end of the show, my seatmates and I discussed what we thought the show was all about, and I borrowed one of the program fliers. While listening with a half-ear while Gay and Queng discussed conflict, I suddenly blurted out “it was about war!” So. I was right. Point for me!

Which Way?
The next performance was Rhosam Prudenciado, Jr.’s “Which Way?” is a prize-winning solo which shows the confusion of “being” in a world of noise and color. The visuals and colors all help to bring about the character’s inner conflict, as well as his desire to choose for himself rather than helplessly go with what surrounds him. This part I didn’t read the program anymore, so maybe I understood it wrong.

I was also introduced to Rhosam at the end of the performance, and apart from being a talented dancer (he won the French Embassy Prize for Young Choreographers at the Yokohama Dance Collection R09), he also seems like a very nice, unassuming guy. I forgot to ask him how he got to his ripped (and I mean ripped) jeans the way it was on the performance.

It’s my favorite performance of the night, btw.

Kung Fu Dancing
The last performance and main event was Mr. Lin Yuan Shang’s kung fu dancing. Aside from interacting with the film projector showing scenes from kung fu movies and Chinese sayings, he danced so gracefully you think that he IS one with the water being projected behind him. I think I was just in awe half the time, and the other half I was playing name-that-kung-fu-movie in my head which was a lot of fun, too.

After the show, there was a brief open forum where the artists sat on stage to answer questions. They talked about their dance backgrounds, how they get into their roles, and that kung fu and contemporary dance can mesh so well together there was no need to see how much kung fu and how much contemporary dance goes into a performance.

Over all, it was a totally new experience for me. I have never seen anything like it. As a matter of fact, I’ve never been to anything quite like East West Danse so everything has been interesting and new.

I’m definitely looking forward to Sayaw, Sabel which will be shown on June 26, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the PETA Theater Center.

—

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Pre-Show Events
I got to the venue at 3 p.m. and the festivities were well underway. And that was exactly what they were, festivities. There was an explosion of colors and glitters with women of all shapes and sizes donning belly dancing costumes in an Arabian market place with booths and shops. Guests can get a glitter tattoo, fill their bellies with authentic Turkish food from Turkce Yer Restaurant, or browse through colorful dance wear and belly dance accessories that would satisfy a whole sheik’s harem. There were smiles and laughter and fun.

To be honest, I was apprehensive about going there alone but it was hard to stay aloof with everything going on. I didn’t have the guts to move my hands and hips while Bollywood Dance artist, Priya Murugesan gave a mini-workshop on Bollywood belly dancing, but I was doing it in my head. Then, Middle Eastern and World Dance artist, Belynda Azhaar gave a mini-workshop on Belly dance Drum Solo. Shimmy! Can I say mesmerizing? Can I say I-want-to-do-that-too? Still, I was held back by shyness (and a heavy goodie bag which hampers arm movement), so I stood where I was and watched rather than joined in the workshop. I also heard that I missed the martial arts workshop by a few minutes. Tsk.

There were contests in between workshops, too. I wasn’t lucky enough to bag a free belly dancing lesson, but I did win a small bag of mineral make-up from Mineraux. Thank you. In exchange for free eye shadow and blush, you’re probably going to get a whole lot of business from me, too.

As one of the lucky bloggers to be chosen to attend the event and watch the grand evening show, I also received a goody bag from Slenda. That brought about a whole new life plan in a span of ten seconds: Slenda + balanced diet + belly dancing = me, confident enough to be in a sexy bra top and slinky skirt. Soon. So thank you, Slenda I’ll tell you how it goes.

Grand Performance
We were ushered into the theater before 7 p.m. to watch the grand show. The first half was a performance about a young man who was looking for something beautiful to present to the woman he loves. Kinda reminds me of “The Alchemist”, only with a lot of beautiful dancing.

It took the audience on a journey around the world from a Middle Eastern town. Each scene showed various belly dance styles. The performance opened with a market scene, followed by the boy’s journey to South America where he learned Capoeira. A belly dance performance with the flavors of Brazil followed. It was my one of my favorite performances of the night, probably because of the color and the cheerfulness.

The boy, (I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to take note of his name) Issam went to Egypt where the dance costumes were golden and stunning; then off to Africa where Zumre, with heavy eye make-up and black lipstick, did a solo tribal belly dance number entitled “Enigma”.

In Spain, Mr. Batu Yilmaz played a Spanish guitar, followed by a fiery fusion of belly dance and Flamenco. “More Than Medals” kids did a Wushu demonstration when the journey took us to the Orient. I think it has always been at the back of my mind, but I once more realized that martial arts is a beautiful form of dance as any. Belly dance China was hypnotizing with it’s delicacy and beauty.

Recitals
After a 10-minute intermission, performances by senior dancers and their recitalists followed. There were numbers from Peak Performance Dance and Fitness Center (led by the beautiful Jill Ngo), dances choreographed by Arcel Benson, Sundee Vinas, Donna Salubayba, and Zumre. I loved the performances choreographed by Miss Jill. Of course, I’m no expert, but personally, the colors and movement captivated me. And made me want to seriously take up belly dancing. She also joined in a performance by little belly dancers which is just one of the most adorable dances you’ll ever see.

Some of the senior dancers also performed solo performances. Priya Murugesan did a solo performance of an ancient Hindu dance. There was also a Tonette Mendiola solo called “Tribal’s Triumph”. Sundee Vinas’ “Saptak” received the most admiration when she danced with a sword balanced on her head. The grand finale was a solo performance by international belly dancer, Belynda Azhaar.

Along the course of the day while I watched the workshops and was wowed by the performances, surrounded by confident women in sexy costumes, I realized that belly dancing is not just for women who look good in sexy costumes. There were full-figured goddesses, and women who were no longer in their 20′s who performed a hot striptease number, and everyone of them was having the time of their lives. It made me think that a woman who is confident in her own looks and beauty can wear whatever it is she wants to wear and can do whatever it is she sets her mind to. Let’s celebrate our femininity.

I will definitely be at Bellyfest 2011. Now, whether I’ll be watching or already dancing remains to be seen

* Pics courtesy of PETA. Thanks, Meann!

—
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Anyway, earlier today, I woke up at 8:30 a.m. because it’s my sister’s first day of college. My parents’ voices telling her to be friendly and play nice with other kids woke me up. So I took advantage, and got up as well, caught them taking pictures (yes, they actually did that), and went to the bathroom to take a bath before I change my mind. Then off to the mall I went.

Blenz Coffee
I had mango-flavored shaken iced tea and beef lasagna from my “office”, Blenz Coffee. I was going to work but I ended up updating my iTunes and 60+ apps, as well as downloaded a couple… dozen new ones. I also ended up watching videos on YouTube. Lots and lots of very nice, interesting videos, the subject of which I can’t say yet. Basta, they were awesome vids, and I wish I could download them and watch them over and over and over. I ended up staying until about 3 p.m., then I went off to the bank to pay my credit card bill.

Book Hunting
My usual haunt would be National Bookstore, but since it’s the start of the school year, NBS was filled with people buying school supplies so I stirred clear. After all, there was Booksale. So I went down to the lower ground level of SM Megamall, browsed through the shelves, and came up empty. But SM had a book sale of sorts at the place where video games used to be, and I hit the jackpot there. I found a paperback copy of Sen. John McCain’s (auto)biography, Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir. I never expected to find a copy of it that easily so I’ve never actively looked for it, but there it was so yay! I also found a book from Cindy Dees‘ Medusa Project series, The Medusa Affair. I think I’ll complete the series as I love it. Cindy, if you’re reading this, I love you!

Gift Hunting
I also finally bought a gift for my inaanak. I had no idea what gift to give her so I settled on a charm bracelet from Silverworks. It’s pretty and I want it for myself, with a delicate silver chain and butterfly charms. I took the cue from her invitation which is pink and has a butterfly. I bought this little box for the gift too from Tod’s Country Crafts, and found an adorable star bookmark for myself.

I’m a real simple person. New old books + star bookmark = Happiness.

I also went to SM to get a couple of CDs. I’d like to thank the checker, Miss Abigail. She pointed out that I paid for the second CD when it was supposed to be free, and gave me my money back. Thank you for not taking advantage of the flighty, absent-minded writer. That’s great customer service, so yay for SM. I really love SM. SM Megamall is my favorite but I’m happy wherever SM you take me.

Food!
Then I had a late lunch/early dinner at Pancake House. My server was a senior citizen. He was very attentive and diligent, and kept on refilling my glass of iced tea every time he passed by my table. I forgot to check if the restaurant had service charge but I left a huge tip for him because I was impressed, and I have never had a server who was already in his sixties.

I also bought myself black nail polish. I keep buying bottles of black nail polish but I keep forgetting where I put them. I like my toe nails black.

Right now, I’m recovering from motion sickness. The FX and tricycle I rode both had Nascar drivers at the helm, but I felt like I was placed in the dryer and spun around at full speed. I mean I like speed and all, but only if the speeder is an excellent driver. I’m also updating my iPod with all the new apps. I have to delete all the music so I can upload all the new goodies LOL so I only have four audiobooks and several folders of pictures in there. I’m also debating whether to read Sen. McCain’s book or the Medusa. I think I want to read the Medusa first. Sen. McCain’s book needs a special mood. I’m sure I’m going to cry at one point. Go Navy!

So there. That’s my day today. It was tiring, awesome, therapeutic and fun. How did your day go?

One time, one of my friends, a former TL (team leader), and I were chatting over YM. We were both feeling sick of our jobs, sick of our calls, and sick of the reports we had to generate day in and day out. Nothing against my former company. I loved it there. I loved the friends I made, and the experiences I earned. Leaving was a personal choice rather than because I hated everyone’s guts there. I was just feeling like I was climbing the wrong ladder, that’s all.

Anyway, my friend and I were both feeling bummed and suddenly he said, “What if we just drop everything right now? What if we just tell our bosses that we’re sick, and we can get into my car and go to Baguio, just you and me? We can stay there over the weekend, relax, get drunk, have a crazy fun time before we need to come back here on Monday night?”

For five full seconds, I pictured myself doing exactly that. I could see myself pick up my phone, tell me boss that I was sick and was going on half-day. Then I’d shut my computer down and tell my team’s TL that I was going. Then I’d wait for my friend to pick me up. We’d go to his car, travel to Baguio with only the clothes on our backs, and have a crazy fun time. I’m sure I’d feel better afterward.

So what did I tell him?

“I can’t. I have a client call at 2 a.m., and two reports are due EOS (end of shift).”

Then I banged my forehead on the desk.

Oh, we had a lively discussion. He even called to try to convince me. I was thisclose to saying yes, because, Hey! Baguio! And no work! But I was held back because I had to do something for someone else.

My boss needs my report to present to the clients. Without it, he wouldn’t be able to convince our client to go with the company. My agents needed their scores. They wouldn’t be regularized without it. So what’s my comfort and sanity in comparison to the success of our company’s business and the careers of fifteen people? It’s a case of the good of one against the good of the many. Like water ripples, one tiny thing I’d do would send a shock wave in other people’s lives.

Sometimes, I have to give up something I badly want for something someone else needs. So, does that make me a good person? Or should I just stand next to Jose Rizal at Luneta?

Instead of Baguio, TL and I had breakfast instead. We talked about responsibility, both our responsibilities and our sense of responsibility, what we were ready to give up, what we should never give up for our jobs and stuff. And we still made plans to go to Baguio one day. If and when we don’t have reports to do. Ha!

But I still wonder, what if I had dropped everything to go with him that night? …

Saturday was what I call a “notebook moment” when you just want to get a pen and paper, savor what happened minute by minute, and then savor the telling. As I have already written down my thoughts about the day, I just want to make a list of the highlights.

• Terriyaki Boy with Kat and Ching

• Walking to Bonifacio High Street, looking for frozen yogurt, when who do we see? My blockmate, Atty. Donnie, himself whom we had been talking about at Terriyaki Boy, and whom I suddenly missed while digging into Terriyaki Boy Chicken Ju.

• Frozen yogurt! Yay! And talking about politics, job, life, college memories, and basically acting like a little more mature version of our college selves.

• Admitting to Donnie that I wrote Tagalog Romance, seeing him struggling not to laugh, but telling me that he had to see. And then he told me something that just stuck. “Sabagay naman kasi, ikaw ‘yung pinakamagaling talaga magsulat sa klase natin no’n.” I was dumb-struck. Really? I didn’t know I was, and I didn’t know anyone thought I was. So it was ten kinds of wonderful to hear him say that. I didn’t have a comeback to that as I didn’t see it coming.

• Dress shopping, when I realized that not only flat-chested women had problems. There are push-up bras, and wonder bras, and miracle bras and foams! Women like me, who stand at the other side of the spectrum, have “bigger” problems.

• McKinley Hill, where, while eating at Sizzling Pepper Steak, I thought of a better date scene for Mac and Bryce. Sorry, Kat and Ching. You know I always see scene potentials when we go out. Also, I finally relented and told Donnie my pen name. He kept teasing me that it sounded like a “bomba star” then he looked at our server and said, “Miss, writer siya ng Tagalog Romance” sabay turo sa ‘kin. I ended up hitting him. Not hard, of course.

• The hot pink, glittery Honda at the parking lot

• College memories about batchmates and blockmates on the drive back to Market! Market!

• McDonald’s where we discussed everything from jobs, disillusionment, our political views, my books, Ching’s future, the military, plans, etc. over coffee and Coke Float.

So there. That’s a condensed version of my notebook moment Saturday. I hope next Saturday will be as fun. They’re going to help me “research”, so we’re planning to go to Libingan ng mga Bayani. I love my friends. I have the most wonderful friends in the world. Thank you for the invaluable insight, as in. And, thank you for being honest about my stories, what and who you liked and didn’t like. And, thanks for giving me moments like these which invariably make their way into my books.