Though it is true that I don’t think of it often, the hope is still there, dancing around my heart and mind. I reckon if I have the time and energy to think about heartaches and heartbreaks, why can’t I spend the same amount (or more even) of time and energy to hope for love?

Is it true that love is the key to my personal happiness?

I’m learning that in how I define love will effectuate the same level of bliss. It is not how I am given love but in how I receive it. Give without asking anything back and trust that with any amount of effort, it will be reciprocated accordingly. Not in the manner how I think I deserve things but as it should be. Believe that I will be loved the way I need to be loved and find happiness and satisfaction in each and every time it is given.

It is a rare gift in itself to be loved at all.

Trusting that God has indeed prepared that special person to be exactly who I need in my life. The right person with the right love at the right time. The PERFECT person with the PERFECT love at the PERFECT time.

I have begun to realise that this IS the sort of life that my God had planned for me. I have found richness in every piece chipped off my heart. He had allowed me to experience things, however extraordinarily good or bad, which helped mold me into the person I am.

I am where I should be. I am who I should be. Said without arrogance but with the knowledge that shit happens with reason and purpose.

Among other things in life, I’m also on the path of someone seeking love and I’m taking it with all its complications and promises of bliss.

How about you folks? Have you found the perfect love? Have you stopped worrying about serious matters, difficult decisions and hard words? Are you with someone who has brought peace to your heart? If your answer is yes then I’m truly happy for you!

P.S. Currently re-reading a Paulo Coelho book, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, hence, the post. LOL.

Photo taken by my baby bro, Arnold Manuel. Also seen here: Let’s Pretend

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

So the things I’d consider trivial like long hours on the road, going to the mall and dining out, and even talking about business stuff have become quite surprisingly more pleasant.

It was M’s idea to try out Pepper Lunch at Power Plant one Friday evening. It was her first time. Even for someone who has a RAV4 at her disposal, she hates driving outside her set perimeter. I guess finding herself spending a lot of time with me lately had caused her to break it more than usual (Ortigas to pick up the NARS Super Orgasm! LOL!)

We decided to splurge on two of the more expensive sets on the menu: the popular Shimofuri Pepper Steak for M..

and I enjoyed the soft and tender Yawaraka Loin Steak.

I have to say mine was a surprisingly great choice. Though both look pretty much the same, I know. It’s just that the Yawaraka Loin meat is indeed much, much tender without losing the quality of taste. Regardless, these two sizzling hot steak plates will still go down the nom nom nom nom books fersher!

The trip to Pepper Lunch was supposedly a group thing but due to uncontrollable circumstances, people failed to make it. But there’s always a next time. Omasake is still on the list!

The night became one of our “dates” instead. LOL. So, a night filled with non-stop conversations while checking out the mall, which we don’t usually go to (we’re both Southerners and hate Makati traffic, pah). And lots and lots of window shopping AND, of course, shopping!

My haul from The Body Shop.

Update: Blogged about it here — Latest Haul from The Body Shop

And a little something from Shu Uemura.

Keeping that one a secret as I have yet to blog about these beauty loots at Beauty Bento Box. I guess you need to stay tuned for that (if you’re really interested in that sort of thing, that is).

Update: My Own Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. Finally.

Capped the night with hot choco and venti soy latte for M and I, respectively, at Starbucks. We then decided to get down to business. But even then, things were still pleasurable. Perhaps having been friends for over a couple of decades has its exclusive perks.

Hands down, it’s one of the best days in my life so far. I reckon everything takes on a more vibrant shade if you’re with someone you know who’d appreciate it they way you would just because you’re friends. It reminded me of the many reasons why M and I have one of the best friendships I’ve ever had.

This is my way of saying thanks for a great day, M. I hope I can return the favour many times over.

What about you guys? Have you gone on a “date” with your best friend lately?

Photos © 2008 Sasha Manuel

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

But you can also use the comment area below to transcribe them words.

Hi, Rico!

Happy Hearts Day, everyone!

Gullible.

Photo by Sophie Uy using my 400D.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I no longer wish to discuss the details but, instead, I’d like to focus on what I’m taking with me out of this experience.

I’ve already told someone — who I must add is no licensed Freud — about it and he somehow helped me understand why I’ve been having dreams of this sort. What truly created an impression on me was when he said that these dreams are product of my reflections. The subconscious is so alive when we sleep, huh?

I felt naked while being psycho-analysed. Have you ever felt that way? I was never really fond of being “looked into” esp since I pride my own discernment. Which was then put into question. But, hey, I reckon we often are blind of our own quirks and eccentricities. Especially on how we perceive certain people and situations. I have to admit that, paradoxically, my suspicious nature help keep my partiality in check to the point of palpability.

Relationships are a tricky thing, I believe. Since each one is built differently, one will have to learn how to adjust to what the other is capable of dishing out. Then when put in the context of love, it made the whole thing all the more interestingly complex and comforting at the same time. Weird, eh? Well, wait till you let yourself experience the different facets of human beings, seeing how evil one can be, you’ll realise that, ironically, you’ll need another human being to purge the evil out.

Anyway, I digress.

Going back, towards the end of our conversation, I merely said, “Call me Thomas from now on.” In reference to my apparent doubtful nature, esp on the sincerity of certain people. Wherein he just responded, “because I’m Hobbes?”

I had to laugh at the wittiness of his response. And because — He. Nailed. It. Brilliant. Simply brilliant, Hobbes!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Okay. I need to highlight 8 things about a guy that I can consider my ideal. Hmmm. Fine. I’m listing them in no particular order.

I simply have to be attracted to him!

Like what my dear friend, Trini, and I were talking about a couple of days ago, it’s basically a given that you’ll get tired of the guy after you’ve been married for a bit so I wouldn’t want to end up with someone I can’t stand looking at when I wake up in the morning! Heh. Don’t ask me for details cuz that’s a whole other list! Hahaha.

He has to be passionate.

May it be about a particular cause, a dream, his work — more importantly about me and our life together. Oh, yea — he acts on it.

He has to be learned and articulate.

I love a good conversation. I love engaging in a good argument for time to time or just bouncing off theories left and right. I have a deep passion for learning. My man should be able to keep up or better yet, he is able to offer more than I am able to. This includes grammar and pronunciation. I find eloquence sexy. Hehehe.

He has to have a great sense of humour and wit.

A guy who takes himself way too seriously is boring and downright selfish. Heh. It’s admirable if I see that he can laugh about things and doesn’t break under pressure. It doesn’t hurt if he can make me laugh and entertain me with stories about what makes life beautiful.

He has to be sophisticated.

I’m heavily attracted to a guy who’s worldly, someone who’s completely aware of what’s out there. This means there’s a sense of adventure. It doesn’t really matter if he’s well-traveled or not, he only has to have that desire to see the world. There’s something about a refined guy that’s so magnetic.

He has to be sensible and affectionate.

I love hugs, cuddles and a thousand sweet kisses everyday. I want a man who’s able to offer them when able and necessary. I’m uber-sweet and I want that to be reciprocated. I’m moody and have irrational expectations on certain occasions so it is “ideal” to be with someone who can deal. Hahaha.

He has to have talent.

It can be that he plays a sport, he writes, he dances, he sings or he plays an instrument. It shows that he’s creative and won’t stand around letting life pass him by. Actually — I’d love to end up with a footballer or a rockstar but I know that’s reaching. Hahaha.

He has to be responsible.

It encompasses the following traits: committed, trustworthy and secure. He knows what his responsibilities are so I will feel secure that my life with him is set and will not be easily shaken.

Now for the fun part! The 8 people I’m tagging:

Ron – because I know underneath the player, lies not a naked woman but a guy looking for an ideal. Well, it’s just me giving you the benefit of the doubt. Heh.

Mel – even if I know you’re married, I’m curious cuz we haven’t had this conversation before.

Matt – oh, you know I’m curious about you, right?

Chris – because I want to know who the lucky girl might be, dear cuz!

Karl – I hear you’re getting married so this must be an easy one for you!

Armi – I know you’re dating Mr. Perfect, sweetie, but still! I want to know your ideal.

Jonas – because I’ve noticed how gorgeous the women in your drawings are, now I’m curious if they epitomise your ideal.

Zoe – because I know the person behind the camera has an eye for beauty, I’d like you now to focus that artistic eye on a guy and tell me what you see.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

It makes me wonder, though. How come it does happen, these random *hopefully* situations that I find myself in, which points out a lack of clear communication that leads to confusion. It suddenly seems funny now.

There’s a possibility that this guy is reading these very words that I’ve written down and he realizes that it’s him I’m referring to. Well, that’d be cool in a way because this time, there wouldn’t be any failure in communicating on my part because I am able to write down my thoughts on the matter… granted that we all can be sure of proper comprehension on his part.

Anyway, moving on.

I ask myself this question a thousand times but it seems like I’m stumped. A perennial mockery, referring to men and directing the action to my intelligence. I’ve mentioned it before but I just wanted to say it again. Ugh. What utter frustration!

It’s also funny because I just read a blog entry of my good friend, Armi, over at 360. And I’m thinking, WTF — she clearly is having the same problems with men as I am! So, it’s beginning to look like it’s us girls getting stupid-er by the minute or perhaps there are a lot of clueless girls out there, who are fast becoming easy preys. [Update: she’s really happy now. She found her needle. Hehehe.]

I know. I know. Learn from mistakes, right? It’s always easier said than done. *What a cliche!* The sad thing about all these is I worry that there’s not one decent guy out there.

Not too long ago, a guy I was seeing told me fervently that all guys are the same; that they simply want to get a girl to bed all the time or at least would go great lengths to get as far as they could, physically, I mean. It seemed that he was telling me, “Good luck in finding a needle in a haystack!” Clearly, he thinks he got his facts right. I reckon that there is a scarcity of good men. Surprisingly, I told him off, though. I wholeheartedly disagreed with what he said. I can still remember what I said that night, “I know that there is that one guy out there who would want to be with me just because he wants to be around me.” Basically saying that I’m not just some girl but the girl to him and he’d see me so he can get to know me, doing it for all the right reasons. Well, I knew then that the guy I was with wasn’t worthy of me. I will never be conquered by just some guy.

It may be arrogant of me to say. It’s only because I am proud of who I am and what I’ve done so far. I would greatly encourage all my friends to do the same. Pride of oneself is not something to be ashamed of. However, be sure not to mistake pride for conceit. I only say this because I’m speaking of what I can offer to the man I would choose to have my heart. This matter in life, I do not take lightly even if the rest of it can be mistaken that I do. This is who I am.

It’s a re-post with updates, by the way. I just wanted to share it again.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Add a generous amount of Snarkasm to make things a lot spicier. Hehehe.

Some people can’t take the heat especially if you try to tell them how they come off to you. Hey — I know how utterly irritating I can get especially when I’m in one of my moods, but I know I’m always open for a bit of critique every now and then. It just has to come from someone whom I know I have dealings with.

The reason why I write this — I know I pissed off someone. I’m starting to feel the guilt and remorse because of that.

But then again, why should I be?

I have every right to form an opinion especially on how I get treated, right? I’ve decided that this thing has gone far enough and I refuse to move any further until this person treats me with respect. I did offer an explanation but was refused a conversation. Bloody hell. I reckon if this person wants to set things straight, the least he could’ve done was listen, right?

I’m still open for us to talk but if this person declines, him and I both can live our lives as if the other didn’t exist. I’m sure it’s not going to be a problem for either parties. Ha.

Gah. I really need a cigarette. I’m way too pissed off to concentrate. Bleh.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

HEART: You should be whipped for thinking the worst of him.

BRAIN: Whipped? That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?

HEART: If he knew what went through your head at that moment, he’d be laughing at you right now.

BRAIN: Oh, shut it. It’s embarrassing enough as it is. I know it’s wrong of me to assume.

HEART: You and your assumptions. Stop jumping into conclusions.

BRAIN: In all my judgments, I rely on past experiences for reference.

HEART: You have to learn how to trust. You know, let me drive sometimes.

BRAIN: I do have a domineering personality.

HEART: So, can we call a truce?

BRAIN: Let me think about it.

HEART: Oh, you can be so heartless sometimes!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.