Watching SPIT's Improv Thursdays at the Hexagon Lounge at the RCBC plaza made me laugh out loud! Catch them at the Hexagon Lounge every Thursdays (except on Jan 27) until the end of February. Tickets are 200 but inclues 2 drinks.

The following posters have made me laugh:

 

Seeing old friends make me smile too. Raf, my bro. We have to see each other more often.

What made you smile today?

Sometimes I find it amusing how people think that actors and actresses have it going. The big stars, yes...or maybe. But we who fall under the "support" or "minor" roles live as normally as you guys. Take for example last night: It was the 4th annual Star Magic Ball and all those who are under Star Magic were invited. I looked like this:

I had my make up, false lashes, and hair done. I was wearing a gown that the generous Julius Tarog lent me for the event. I wined, dined and chatted with some of the other stars in the industry and was indulged in some photographs.

And then, I went home and looked like this, surrounded by my captured fans who can't live without me - my children.

It's back to trying to stop world war 3 from erupting (which mostly involves me shouting at the boys to stop hitting each other even in jest, preventing a little brother from chopping the hair off his sister's favorite barbie and more), working on my website, trying to market myself and my website, checking the kids' homework, signing diaries and everything else in between.

Trust me, my life isn't glamorous but I'm still grateful. I'm grateful that I can attend these kinds of parties and be welcomed by friends and co-workers. I'm grateful that I have friends in the industry who'd lend me stuff. I'm grateful that I have some sort of anonymity that allows me to ride a trike or go to the palengke without being mobbed. I'm grateful that I have a job that allows me to do other things that I love.

So, I may not be a big star. I don't aspire to be. I'm happy where I am but I do welcome more projects and more shows. As long as I have my family right here at the crook of my arm or right beside me, I'm good.

It was a crazy week for me. Hell, it's been a crazy ass couple of months. But the cherry on top of the entire crazy frozen dessert of a week was when I realized I do have a reputation and that it does precede me.

I decided to have a drink after work, just something to get the edge off. I met up with an old colleague and we just hung out and shot the breeze. A woman came up to our table and asked "Hi! Are you (my name)?" I have never met this woman before nor have I ever seen her in my entire life. I figured, my friend was here and if this woman turned out to be violent or crazy, I got back up. So, I said the affirmative and she spewed out a couple of names of people that I used to work with and I nodded and smiled. Here's the kick in the pants - she goes:

"Oh goodness! So you are THE (my name)!"

The? I've got an article attached to my name now? I'm confused though, does that objectify or stereotype me?

How do you react to that? I did the best I could and gave an awkward chuckle, a lopsided half smile and a facial reaction similar to that of someone tasting something funky.

Of course, with my luck, I get the best kind of audience. My friend chuckled and said "Well, look at you and your reputation. You're your own PR!"

Crap...so apparently, I do have one. This scares the holy bejesus out of me...

This weekend was a little tiring for me.

I had to take care of mom and miss one day at work (which was a Friday, and that means I have to come in early today just to make sure I catch up on what I left behind.). I was supposed to go out Saturday night to relax but I had a call for a shoot for a film. Was filming until 5:30 in the morning and had to go back to Las Pinas to just literally shower and dress up for another event over at Quezon City at 9 in the morning. Got back home at about 9 in the evening and had to take care of some other personal stuff until about midnight.

Now, tired as I may be (and sleep deprived - yes, I can hear all of you screaming, especially Malou, Dean B and Japs) I still can't shake this feeling of immense gratitude. True, I may not be at the pink of my health nor am I out of my financial and emotional burdens but there are a lot of things that I am still grateful for and these things make me happy day in and day out.

I've got beautiful, smart and polite children who greet me every day with a smile, a sloppy kiss and sticky hugs. They make me laugh with thier antics and make me feel like I've done something right in this world. There's no better word in this lifetime than the word "Mommy".

I've got a wonderful and loyal mother who'll always mean well and want the best for me and my children. She raised me to be the best that I can be and to be who I wanted to be. She may have a weird way of showing her support and affection but I wouldn't want it any other way.

I've got my Nanie who'll always treat me as her "Baby". I will always find comfort in her arms and in her phone calls (albeit weird meteors attacking the earth ones...hehehe)

I've got a few true friends (Virtual and RL - you know who you are. *wink*) that will never ever steer me wrong and will always want to hear about my day even if it's pointless and whiny.

I've got a job that lets me help those that need and want it, it pays the bills and it also lets me do other things that I love (such as shoot for shows and films) It's really a godsend.

I'm filled with love and affection and genuine concern. What more could I ever want? (Although Jared Padalecki is still on the top of that list. hehehe) The universe has been generous. I want to be able to share those blessings as well, in any way I could.

Thank you.

Obviously my life is a circus. Proof? Just look at these clowns...
;-)

The following is an excerpt from a true to life conversation:

Her: I got the tingle

Me: Like a bad kind of vibe?

Her: *shakes head* Someone's masturbating to my thought and image.

Me: *looks at her in half shock and half disgust* How do you even know that?

Her: It's a gift.

Me: That's not a gift! It's gas! Or at the very least, hunger!

So, we had a meeting last Monday and the Bossman came up to me with something to say but it somehow died in his lips.

"Were you about to say something?" I asked.

"Yeah...I forgot."

"You were about to say that I'm your bestest friend in the entire world and that you pledge your undying love to me."

Pause. "No, that wasn't it."

"I'm not your best friend?"

"Not in the whole world, but maybe in the circle of lesbian friends that I've got."

Brows furrowed I retorted "I'm not a lesbian."

He patted my arm condescendingly. "There's still time."

***

"You honestly believe that I've got all my buttons out on display?"

"Yeah..." I snorted. "You make it easy for a blind woman to push all your buttons without even trying."

"I don't have buttons all in a row."

"Please... you're like a freaking accordion!"

***

"Mommy, am I going to get presents this year for my birthday?"

I pursed my lips and pretended to mull this over. "Hmm... I'm not sure..."

She rolled her eyes and said " Never mind. I'll get Grandma to give me presents. She's got more money than you anyway..."

***

My life is a comedy. I love it.

I'm nursing a bad headache right now but I'm still happy and drowning in gratitude. Lemme tell you why:

1.I've got a great job right now that lets me meet the most interesting people ever. I have opportunities to talk to some local legends, like Jazz Goddess Jacqui Magno. It's the bomb! My job rocks!

2. I have the sweetest set of best friends. I have these people to talk me down into not doing stupid things, encourage me when I need it and just love me for who and what I am - nuttiness and partial psychosis and all. I wouldn't trade them for anything else in the world.


3. I have beautiful kids who are smart, polite (most of the time) and happy. They keep me sane and grounded every single day.


4. I've got a wonderful Mother and Aunt who keep in the straight and narrow. A family that will always be there for me and will always look out for me.

5. I've got opportunities to travel the world! Meet new people, see new sights, enjoy new things.

So, in perspective, a headache is nothing to be grumpy about.

"Let's play I'm not touching you"

"What now?"

He looks at me like I'm clearly joking. "You've got a lousy childhood"

"Yeah? Apparently yours hasn't ended yet."

"Seriously, you've got to loosen up."

"And you've got to grow up. You're almost pushing forty dude."

He grins, the enviable grin I want to smack right off his face because it's too bright that it can light up a small island in the Pacific. "Forty is the new ten, didn't you get the memo?"

If there were a desk right in front of me, my head would be meeting it with such astounding force.

Adela and I were texting this afternoon and I just found it so hilarious.

Adela: Why is it that almost everyone wants to go to heaven but no one dares to go first?

Me: Hahaha! That is so true! Not for me though, I don't want to go to heaven. I'm ruling hell!

Adela: I'll come by and visit once in a while when things in heaven get boring.

Me: We'll meet halfway so you won't have to make that long trip. I heard purgatory is nice tihs time of year.

Adela: True, true. I mean, with gas prices and all, I think it's a great idea to meet somewhere in the middle.

Me: Gas? Did they ground your wings again?

Adela: I got wings??

Me: Yup. Whisper with wings. Hahaha!!!

***

I know it's quite idiotic but I had a hell of a laugh trip.

Thanks Adela, aka Mrs Dean Winchester. :)

It seems that reconnecting is this year's theme. Saturday night found me alone in a KTV bar in Makati, waiting for my childhood friends and relatives. Technically, they're my aunts and uncles but we're pretty much about the same age so we tell people we're cousins.

I was actually nervous about seeing all of them again. I had no problems with T since she is the closest thing I'll ever have to a biological sister but it was seeing the rest that made me feel so antsy.

I was never so happy to be wrong.

I never realized how much I've missed these guys. We were laughing so hard, reminiscing about the past that I've literally lost my voice. Seeing all of us together again in one place made me happy, melancholic and guilty. I was happy to see that we still are the same crazy people who cared so much for each other - 20 years have not changed that. I feel guilty and melancholic that I didn't try to keep in touch. I guess now is the time to change that.

I looked at all of us and I was proud of what we've become: husbands, wives, parents and friends. We now have entrepreneurs, a nurse, a lawyer, a corporate executive and a professional host in the mix. We've grown up and matured. But just for that one night, we let ourselves be kids again, just like how we were back in 1989.


We bantered, we retaliated, we laughed, we screamed, we teased and we all went home at 6 in the morning with a promise that we will do this again next week.

I'm making good on that promise. I can't let them slip away again.

Jaytea, I love you!

Thank you for letting me verbally abuse you.
Thank you for letting me have my way even when it didn't make any sense to anyone at first.
Thank you for having my back.
Thank you for protecting me.
Thank you for taking me to lunches and dinners.
Thank you for taking me to smoking breaks when I needed it.
Thank you for making me part of this insanity.
Thank you for making me your friend.

Bakla, you have a friend in me - remember that.

I learned recently that friendships can be restored with beautiful cakes, a couple of ciggies and a hot summer day.

Em, Moi and Carla

Party!!!! (Carla and the devil in red shoes)

Crazy, Sexy and Cool

My Baby J , D, Em and Carla

Too much beauty in one place, it's almost unfair!

The girls and I went out last Saturday and what a relief it is to just be able to go out without any pretense.

It used to be that going out meant going to war. War paint is put on (make up), war gear suit up (fancy clothes that may reveal nothing to the imagination) and war strategy on. The true test of your victory was the amount of free alcohol you've ingested.

It's just refreshing that we can go out, drink, talk about life and boys and come home to a nice alcohol induced buzz.

We had a lovely day yesterday. We went to Fort Santiago, saw San Agustin Church, saw the Rizal shrine and had a lovely meal at Harbor View where the onaks had a feast of Filipino dishes and feasted on the view.

Then came dessert. We ordered halo halo for them. I spent a fair amount of time explaining what halo halo is. Some brave souls went to try to and it was hilarious watching them eat it!

"Wow...it's like a surprise in every scoop."

"You guys really like your vegetables. You even have it in your dessert." (talking about the beans and the corn in the halo halo)

"It kinda pops in your mouth like a stringy gummi bear" (describing the kaong)

It was fun - they were willing to try something new and they liked it so far.

These guys... I like.

2007 was great: I got to travel to the US to see my cousins, my former boss and I was able to meet new people.

My 2 foundlings came into our lives in 2007 as well and we're very happy that they are here with us.

There were no major health issues for all of us - nobody got hospitalized, nobody was injured, nobody was majorly ill.

My little chick started school last year and is doing very well. She's getting to be more sociable and is more exposed to the world now, albeit some weird and annoying questions.

I got hired by a great company near where I live and right next door to hubby's building. Hubby has been working really hard and is getting recognized for all that he's done.

I still get to work creatively now and then, hosting events, writing scripts and the like. I have my hobbies that my family indulges me in (jewelry making and scrapbooking), we go to wonderful and exciting places with the kids.

We've got a little money in the bank, we have a roof over our heads, we have food in the fridge, we have family, we have laughs, we have love. That's all that we asked for (ok and maybe $85 million)

2008 looks like an even better year.

2007 was great: I got to travel to the US to see my cousins, my former boss and I was able to meet new people.

My 2 foundlings came into our lives in 2007 as well and we're very happy that they are here with us.

There were no major health issues for all of us - nobody got hospitalized, nobody was injured, nobody was majorly ill.

My little chick started school last year and is doing very well. She's getting to be more sociable and is more exposed to the world now, albeit some weird and annoying questions.

I got hired by a great company near where I live and right next door to hubby's building. Hubby has been working really hard and is getting recognized for all that he's done.

I still get to work creatively now and then, hosting events, writing scripts and the like. I have my hobbies that my family indulges me in (jewelry making and scrapbooking), we go to wonderful and exciting places with the kids.

We've got a little money in the bank, we have a roof over our heads, we have food in the fridge, we have family, we have laughs, we have love. That's all that we asked for (ok and maybe $85 million)

2008 looks like an even better year.

I'm going to be another year older on Tuesday. I thought it was going to be such a lonely birthday since I'm so far away from family. Turns out, someone up there seems to like me.

***

The guys from work gave me an asalto (pre birthday party) and it was so much fun! They gave me a nice dinner (granted, I had to cook something, but that's such a small price to pay for all the fun we had) and gave me a birthday cake. Fiona, it was yummy!! Thank you so much.

Shout outs to Jason and Fiona Key, their kids, Sierra and Tucker for making my Stateside birthday in Charlotte so memorable. Thank you to Kitchie, Marshall, Kathy, Charlene, Jason, Sly, Don and Roxy for being there and for providing entertainment. Thank you so much to Kris who gave me wonderful gifts for my birthday. (Where's your birthday party at, biatch? Hahaha!)

***

My cousins are also here in Jacksonville to celebrate with me. They flew all the way from NYC and Allentown, PA just to be with me.

Kuya Mark and Kuya Dave, you are the BEST! THE BEST!!!

***

I think with age, I'm becoming older, bolder, wiser and fiercer.

I know that when I come back home, I'll have a wonderful post birthday celebration with my family - the kids and mom and especially my hubby.

I can't wait.

There are no pedestrian crossings in Charlotte. If ever there was, the sign blinks so fast that you'd be better off as roadkill. Shet. Ayokong mauwi katawan ko na may tire marks!


This is an OFW moment with Kitchie over at the pond area of the Hilton University Hotel. Shala! Hilton! Nothing spectacular but it's alright. Notice the warm clothing upon me. Trust me, it's cold.

Sly and I stepping on the grass across One University Place. Wala akong matinong picture.

Me and Kitchie at the same spot.

Right in front of our hotel.

Gasp!

At Detroit, waiting for our connecting flight to Charlotte

Same place, with Sly