Finding the light

"Get excited about the little things. About wearing a new outfit for the first time. About Sunday brunches with your best friends. About the new cute guy in your class. About finding an extra dollar in your pocket. About anything that even remotely makes you happy because as you grow up, passions fade and enthusiasm gets mistaken for foolishness. So don't let the grey world stop you from shining."

The thing about reunions

September swung by the same way I flew to and from home: quick and easy, but still worth the while. All of a sudden, the airport felt like jeepney terminals and train stations leading me to my sisters on any given weekend. It was nice. My calendar was filled with many a reunion, all of which long overdue. An insightful and encouraging time with our spiritual/life coach at our favorite American diner. To keep tradition, the better-late-than-never coming together of graduates from our high school, those who braved to thrive at the nation's capital. Welcoming our youngest America-based uncles who returned to the nest for a month-long holiday. Refreshing afternoon coffee dates with our best girls. And finally, two years of our little angels, Shiloh Tristelle and Summer Veronique. Life could not get any better than that.

Chill pills and heartwarmers

I've been meaning to go back to Baguio for the longest time. And that's such a shame for someone who claims it well may be her favorite place in the Philippines, granted her undeniable love for the great outdoors and the perennial sweater weather the city offers. That said, each trip up the mountains remains unforgettable.

Wolf in proudly-Pinoy clothing

August also saw me amongst the sea of squealing Twihards when Jacob Black came stomping in onstage for a rather overwhelming fan meet and greet in the arena thanks to his endorsement deal with Bench. Don't get me wrong, I like Taylor Lautner. I adore him as a little tot playing the fiesty Sharkboy with all his wonderful adventures and can never forget how he sneaked his arms over young Alyson Stoner's shoulder on their cute movie date in the second installment of Cheaper by the Dozen. If I had to choose, I was on Team Jacob too. Plus I also commend the heartthrob hottie for his choice in women, dating my girl Selena Gomez and later her best friend, whom Lautner had the same first name with which made it confusing yet easy for fans do their thing, Taylor Swift. But I wouldn't go out of my way just to see him the size of a Ken doll in a place crowded with loud teenage girls. He has no Zac Efron effect on me that way (Sorry for missing your visit back in 2012, babe, America was calling).

Stairways to the clouds

The Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao had us lost for words. And its very sight last August was quite enough for us to forgive and forget the horrible weather which cancelled the forum we sucked up the ten-hour trip from the metro for, the one we have been preparing for weeks.