I managed to find Philpost branches in Dumaguete and Cagayan de Oro, and send postcards from there, but the post office in Cebu still eludes me. And I wasn’t able to send a postcard from Camiguin. But I enjoyed doing it which is why I decided to sign up for a website called Postcrossing. It’s a site where you can sign up to send postcards to a random person anywhere in the world, and receive one back.

The idea of sending a postcard to, and receiving one from, a stranger is pretty fun. You can read the profile of the person you’re sending the postcard to, find out what kind of postcards they like, and then go look for that perfect postcard you can send them. Of course you can just go to the bookstore and get one, but looking for THE perfect postcard is part of the charm. Since I have limited pickings here in Dumaguete, I’ve only sent the usual postcards of Philippine tourist spots and the like.

I’ve sent my first two postcards yesterday, one to Tampa, Florida, USA and one to London. You’re allowed to send 5 postcards at a time, so I asked for more addresses today. I’m going to be sending postcards to the Netherlands, Finland and Estonia. I’m kinda worried because I have no idea if we have postal service to Estonia. I already have the perfect postcard for the guy from the Netherlands, but I still have to look for a couple for the two ladies from Finland and Estonia.

While I love the idea of receiving postcards, I’m more excited about sending them. Of course, I’d be lying if I said I don’t want to receive a postcard from, let’s say, Greece, but still, I enjoy sending them. I’d probably be crazy excited about receiving my first postcard. But for now, I’m crazy exited about sending them.

If you’re interested, you can sign up at Postcrossing.com.

Thanks, Kat and Lorna for influencing me.

Affected ako, sorry. My characters are all ex-military, and some of my future characters are in active duty. A childhood fascination had turned into a passion for me, so I feel very strongly about people who voluntarily put their lives on the line so we remain safe. Writing the Sentinels helped me indulge that interest and that passion.

Anyway, I just want to say that to every one in the military whether our own or in the US (maiintindihan niyo kung bakit kasama sila, soon), God bless you and always be safe.

Thanks for the share, @CynStorm.

This is Katee and Joshua dancing to No Air (Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown).

Another thing about Cindy Dees, aside from the fact that she used to be in the Air Force, she writes mil-rom in a way that even non-military readers would understand. I’m trying to write the way she does so I can get away with using the acronyms that the military is known for. If I’m half as successful as she is, then I’m on the right track.

Anyway, this book is about Major Vanessa Blake who was given the task of forming the first all-female Special Forces team, and their trainer, Lt. Col. Jack Scatalone. I found myself alternately cheering for the women, and worrying myself sick because of Delta Three, and not only did I fall in love with Jack but with Scott Worthington, too, and he’s just sort of a minor character! I wish they all had their own stories. I’d love to find out what happened to them after the mission.

Definitely heart-pounding all-through out, and the story is so smart. There are no damsels-in-distress here. Mostly knights-in-distress and no sappy love story. As I said, it kicks serious butt! And it just made me feel that women do belong in the Special Forces. What they lack in brawn they can more than make up in brains.

When I grow up to be a serious military romance writer, I want to be like Cindy Dees. As I said, she is my new goddess.

Air Force Major Vanessa Blake had been handpicked to lead the first all-female Special Forces team, the Medusas. But there was one bit of classified information the military hadn’t shared with her–their trainer, tough-as-nails Lieutenant Colonel Jake Scatalone, was under orders to prove women had no place in Special Forces. No matter how well Vanessa and her team performed, they would fail.

Then Scatalone disappeared on a crucial mission in hostile territory. And Vanessa made the military a deal it couldn’t refuse: send in the Medusas. If they succeeded, they would become an official team. If they died, no one would ever have to know….

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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Obviously, it’s a military romance story, and I love Brian. He’s the macho, Special Forces guy with a sweet side, and his heroine is definitely no push-over. I think I like it because the story is pretty much like Mac and Bryce’s. Or at least similar. Bryce’s training was originally extensive (just like Sophie’s in this book), except that I had to cut it because I couldn’t fit that along with everything in 96 pages.

I love it! I’m now looking if the other members of the Medusas have their own stories.

Plus, Brian is gorgeous on the cover. Like Freddie Prinze Jr. I imagine Mac could also look like him when he was 1) younger, and 2) at the end of his new-and-improved ms.

The Medusa Seduction by Cindy Dees

“I need you to follow me.”

The tall stranger whispered to her from the shadows. And just like that, Sophie Giovanni was tapped for a top-secret mission with innocent lives at stake. Brian Riley believed she possessed the knowledge to smoke out a deadly terrorist–all she had to do was trust the handsome Special Forces soldier with her life.

Brian needed Sophie. But training her in the art of covert commando warfare was proving more challenging than he’d anticipated. He swore nothing would compromise this operation…until passion caught him by surprise. Now keeping Sophie safe was his only mission–no matter what the cost to his heart or life.

Dahil nasa military romance high ako (up to now naman), bumili ako ng isang Task Force Kapayapaan book ni Camilla as soon as I finished writing Sentinel #6. Bilang si Mac ang Sentinel na nasulat kong last at that time, binili ko ang kapangalan niya, si Mac (Macario Dalupang). Sasabihin ko lang na love ko rin si Mac ni lola Camilla. Ganito naman ako eh. Basta gusto ko, kailangan i-appreciate ko lang talaga Na-entertain kasi ako ng sobra.

“Nakaligtas si Nell sa kidnapping ngunit hindi pinalad ang kaibigang niyang si Arleen. Upang mailigtas ito, nakipag-cooperate siya sa pulisya sa pangunguna ni SPO4 Macario “Mac” Dalupang. Hindi naman niya suka’t akalaing mala – “love at first lust” siya rito.

Pakiramdam niya ay nalulong na siya sa binata. Hindi niya marendahan ang kanyang emosyon. Hanggan sa mahalikan niya ito – at tuluyang nauwi sa pag-ibig ang kanyang pagnanasa. Ngunit nabokya agad ang puso niya ng malaman niyang ang type pala nito ay ang mismong babaeng nagligtas sa kanya mula sa kidnappers.”

Binili ko na rin si Oca pero hindi ko pa nababasa. Hanap ako ng kay Alex Bacani kasi siya raw ‘yong leader nila, eh may fixation ako sa mga leaders. Sana makapunta na ako sa SM Taytay bilang kulang ko pa ang Lovefinder 2 ni Victoria Amor at The Perfect Maid of Honor ni Maan Beltran. Tsk. Excited na ako *kiskis ng palad* May utang na sa ‘king autograph ang dalawang ‘yon eh

Me: (whiney) Punta tayo Baguio.
Kat: (chewing on pizza that doen’t seem to get smaller) Sige.
Me: Kelan?
Kat: Sa weekend.
Me: Nyeh… hindi nga.
Kat: Hindi nga.
Me: Ok.

So I sent an SMS to Ching (Carla and Edith has met her, siya si Richel) asked, told, begged her to come with us since it was a day after her birthday, and since it was our anniversary month… She said she had to think about it, and would just text us mid-week. Two days later, she asks me to call her, and she tells me “Okay, sige. Sasama ako.”

I think I did cartwheels and screamed wheeeeee! for two solid hours (in my head, of course).

So Friday, Kat and I met up at Megamall so we can have dinner and go to her place, so we can go to Victory Liner’s Cubao station. And we were there by 1 a.m. Ching caught up with us at 1:30, and we got the 3:30 trip to Baguio, the City of Pines, the Summer Capital of the Philippines, and to the three of us, the home of our hearts.

We arrived at… was it 9? Or 9:30 a.m. and we never actually stopped moving:

9:30a – 11:00p : Ching’s sibs’ boarding house at Eng. Hill. We dropped off our bags, freshened up; I had a really bad tummy-ache because I drank ice-cold Pepsi on a semi-empty stomach at 3 a.m.

12:00p – 3:00p – Lechon Rice at Cathy’s at Diego Silang Street. They serve good food with big servings. I wasn’t able to go back the last time we were in Baguio (since I was asleep), so I bullied everyone and said “doon tayo kakain”. Then we walked to the new Dane’s, which used to be behind the public market but is now in a much accessible area with a bigger store space, for cream puff. They only had two left at dahil hindi siya sasayad sa lalamunan ko, hindi na lang muna ako bumili. Then we walked to UB to watch Kat’s sister’s performance.

3:00p – 5:00p – The Philippine Military Academy. Yes po. Nagpumilit ako umakyat ng Baguio to go to PMA. After that, pwede na ako umuwi ng Manila. I guess, separate entry ang PMA because… well, because. Basta.

Our only group pic at the Lopez Hall of Leaders (Photo by Kat)

5:00p – 7:00p – SM Baguio so Ching, being a good ate, can buy stuff for her sibs. I stopped myself from getting anything although mero akong nakitang magandang tube dress… maganda lang siya, pero wish kung masuot ko ‘yon di ba?

7:30p – 9:00p – Had dinner at Steaks and Toppings, another college hang-out spot because they serve good food at estudyante prices. We were all tired but I didn’t want to go home yet so when Ching started making noises about Market Encounter (the bazaar that they put up at Burnham Park every FlowerFest) I said puntahan na namin para hindi namin ma-miss since I realized I had to come home earlier on Sunday than our agreed upon time of 4p.m.

9:00p – 10:00p – Market Encounter. Nag-semi shopping si Ching while again, I restrained myself, because everything I wanted to get, I could get the next day at the market.

We went home to Osky’s boarding house soon after where Kat and I were supposed to stay that night. I fell asleep as soon as the lights were out but woke up at midnight and stayed awake until 4a.m.

9:00a – 10:00a – Got ready to go out. Tatlo kaming maliligo, and I think I took the longest kasi lamig ng tubig! Wheee! Lovet!

10:00a – 11:30a – Had brunch at McDonald’s Sunshine, then off to market where I did a whirlwind pasalubong shopping spree.

11:30a – 1:00p – Went to Victory to wait for Ching ulit who got us 2:10p tickets, but since napaka-aga pa, we walked back to her sibs’ place to hang. We decided to go back to town so I can finally buy cream puffs.

1:00p – 2:00p – Bought cream puffs, nakapag-ukay pa kami LOL

2:06p – got on the bus back to Manila.

Hay. I so want to go back na. Maybe this year, pwede na ako tumira ulit sa Baguio.

Angel Bautista (PHR)/Carla Giopaolo (MSV) has become my favorite Tagalog romance writer since I first read Missy’s story. Inalok ako ni Apple, our beloved EA, ng books na pwede ko iuwi ang I saw a copy of  Nagkamali Ba ang Puso?, at hindi ko na pinakawalan. After that, naging fan na niya ako.

Favorite na favorite ko si Judith McNaught. Siya ang writer na nagtransition sa’kin from Sweet Dreams to romance novels, at pareho sila ng talent ni Angel. Hindi ako nagsasawa sa mga novels nila pareho kahit pa ilang beses ko basahin, at kahit ilang beses ko basahin, talagang sasakit at sasakit ang solar plexus ko sa mga parteng masakit sa dibdib ng mga characters. Ang galing niyang mag-develop ng characters at ang galing niyang mag-develop ng plot. At hindi halatang workaholic siyang hanggang leeg ang nakabinbin na trabaho kapag nagpasa siya ng nobela ha! Parang yung nobela lang niya ang tinatrabaho niya!

Hindi ako makapamili ng favorite kong Angel Bautista/Carla Giopaolo book dahil mahal ko silang lahat. Pero special ang To Love Again sa’kin kasi tinulungan ako ng librong ito na mag-iba ang tingin ko sa kapulisan. I swear takot ako sa pulis. Bago ko nabasa ang librong ito, never pa ako tumingin ng diretso sa mukha ng pulis. At kapag may nasasalubong akong isa sa kanila, mabilis ako maglakad palampas, palayo o patawid basta hindi ako lumapit sa kanila. Hindi ko alam pero may “pulis-phobia” ako.

Then, I met Patrick and Jay (ang aking si JC). After ng librong ito naging life’s greatest dream ko na ang makakita ng gwapong pulis kung kaya’t natutuwa na ako sa tuwing dadaan ako sa HQ ng pulis sa Pasig, at kapag may naka-unipormeng pulis akong nakikita, tinitignan ko na sila at ngumingiti na ako imbes na magmukha akong may bagong inisnatch na alahas sa Quiapo dahil sa bilis kong lumayo sa kanila. Hindi na ako takot sa kanila ngayon so dapat magpasalamat kay Angel Bautista ang buong PNP *ahehe*

Ang gusto ko lang naman sabihin ay congratulations, Angel! Here’s to more novels from you Salamat sa pag-she-share ng talents sa’ming mga fans mo. I’m sooooo proud of you.