mindless musings: 101 SMALL PLEASURES YOU CAN ENJOY EVERYDAY (FROM YAHOO)

I got this from Yahoo. Those in bold letters are things from the list I enjoy most. Out of the 101 things listed below, I like 61 of them.

1. coloring (yes, grown-ups can do it, too) - I agree!!! I used to do this before at work, with my supervisors!!! wahahahaha

2. crisp cotton sheets

3. soft skin

4. old family recipes - it's always good to have home cooked meals...yumyum

5. the first daffodils of spring - flowers always makes me happy

6. sleeping in - and this one, too!!

7. an exercise endorphin high

8. window boxes

9. a perfect cup of coffee - migraine away!!!

10. a genuine compliment (giving or receiving) - I mean who wouldn't be delighted to hear genuine compliments, right?!!!

11. the way babies smell - babies have that scent/smell that gives us instant happiness, only sweet smelling babies please!!!

12. a handwritten letter - yeah...i agree!!!

13. waking up in a good mood...for no real reason - purely delightful, but this hardly ever happens to me!!

14. singing in the shower - depends on the song

15. finding a couple forgotten dollars in your pocket - this one I find really amusing!!

16. doing something nice for your neighbor

17. a home cooked meal - refer to number 4

18. laughing - ^_________^

19. movie theater popcorn

20. playing hookey - ahahahahha!!!

21. a bubble bath - true true!!!

22. swimming - something VERY REFRESHING, especially now that it's terribly hot!!

23. an afternoon nap - ^___________________^

24. street musicians - well, it really depends

25. your favorite song - ^_____________________^

26. saying thank you

27. helping someone in need

28. old fashioned photo booths

29. fresh whipped cream

30. inspiring blogs - YES!!!

31. a glass of wine

32. rainy afternoons - when you're at home, YES!!

33. the funny things kids say - true!!!

34. a novel you can get lost in - oh, so truly delightful!!!

35. finding the perfect piece of clothing...on sale - this, I have to agree!! then you can gloat on how cheap it costs to friends or family or officemates!!

36. clean laundry

37. the wind in your hair - OH YES!!!

38. treating the person behind you at the drive-thru

39. sharing an umbrella

40. the smell of lavender

41. a long walk that clears your head - yes, especially early morning, a few minutes before the sun rises!!

42. a bear hug - this one I need most!!

43. The Beatles

44. smiling at a stranger

45. eating with chopsticks (Chinese food optional)

46. butterflies - oh, the lovely colors

47. staying in your pj's all day - YISH YISH!!!

48. singing along to the radio and knowing all the words - yes, an achievement, too!!

49. fresh herbs

50. ordering in pizza - oh, pizza!! I miss pizza!!!

51. happy endings...even if they're fictional - yep!!! sure makes life a bit more delightful...

52. flying a kite - the last time I flew a kite over a decade ago!!

53. puppies - my aboo!!! and basti!!! wait, is basti still a puppy??? hehehehe

54. root beer floats - YISH YISH!!!

55. holding open the door...

56. ...or having someone hold the door for you - this one would definitely make me smile!!

57. fountain soda

58. white, fluffy towels

59. sunshine - oh yes, summer, but it's really hot here in Cebu..

60. spending an afternoon at a museum

61. really great advice - ^___________________^

62. green lights all the way home

63. the sound of rain hitting the windows - ^____________^ *yawn!!*

64. sitting in a booth

65. holding hands - depends...hehehehe

66. a great hair day with no effort - hahahaha!!!

67. building a fort with your kids

68. when someone falls asleep with their head on your shoulder - but it's not so delightful if that someone is a stranger!!

69. fireflies - yessssss!! are there fireflies here still??

70. the perfect taco - yumyum

71. geraniums on a windowsill

72. slow dancing - teeeeheeeee

73. the smell of fresh-baked bread - ^__________^

74. cheesy, uplifting musicals - ^_______________________________^

75. great stories - agree!!!

76. the smell of gasoline - agree!! makes me high!!!

77. the cold side of the pillow - ^_____________________^

78. love letters - sappy but sweet love letters...perfect!!!

79. old friends... - yeah...missing someone so badly

80. ...new friends

81. a pull-through parking space

82. a baguette -- crisp on the outside, airy on the inside

83. when a dog licks your hand

84. sitting at the counter at an old-fashioned diner

85. using your favorite dishes

86. reading your child a bedtime story

87. Girl Scout Cookies

88. flossing

89. kissing someone you love - ^____________________^

90. the smell of onions and garlic cooking - delightful

91. hot chocolate - on a rainy day!!!!

92. jumping in puddles - why not?? instead of trying to avoid them!

93. old photographs - TRUE!!!!

94. birds hopping on the sidewalk

95. Ella Fitzgerald

96. a spoonful of peanut butter straight from the jar - oh yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

97. your softest t-shirt - like the one I am wearing now!! thanks mama!!!

98. a new magazine in the mail

99. fireplaces

100. having exact change

101. bacon and pancakes cooking on Saturday morning - or chorizo de cebu and eggs with garlic fried rice and batangas coffee on Sunday morning!!!!

fangirlism:THE JASON CASTRO CHRONICLES

March 20, 2010 was the most awaited date.

An officemate and fellow Jason Castro fangirl told me that he'll be coming to Cebu for a concert, so I was uberly excited and determined to get a ticket, which in the end, I decided not to get since I will be with 3 of my friends. Ever since he joined American Idol, I have been doting on him. He did not have the best voice/vocals then, but he was undeniably and by far, the hottest looking contestant to join AI that season, plus, he had dreadlocks, just how cool is that? Well, sue me, I think sporting dreadlocks and still looking handsome makes me swoon over.

So going back to March 20, my friends and I had a really late lunch over at Spice Fusion-SM which was right across the concert venue. We then strolled around the mall and waited for time to pass. The girls and I started to grow interested in a certain Sauna suit which looked like a huge trash bag. We saw one at some sport shop, and thought maybe there was a cheaper version over at Ayala Center.

After battling other cars for a parking space, we finally found one and went straight inside the mall. My friend, C*****, suggested we go to Chris Sports and look for the sauna suit. We were thinking the sports shop moved to the active zone area. I was amazed at the people swarming over at Speedo. I did not know why, but S*****, another friend, suggested perhaps Jason was there. And, she was 100% right! He was in fact looking at some products and garments.

He was no different than what I saw on TV. Jason Castro was as HOT as the summer sun. His cheeks had that pink blush and his eyes were that of an angel. As expected, he was not that tall, but he was shy as fangirls and fangays started to call him out, perhaps we scared the hell out of him. I took out my cam and took a snapshot of him. My gawd!!! I know a lot of dreadlock haters will not agree, but he was PICTURE PERFECT.

J**, the one who treated us to lunch, said maybe he'll go in to the next shop, which was Nike, but I said, maybe he was done going through the stuffs at Nike. I was so disappointed as I watched him and his posse enter the Nike shop. Oh well, I guess I should just be satisfied with the snapshot or stalker shot as what my friends call it.

The mini-concert.

I had expected a battalion of fangirls, but what I did not expect were the fanboys. WTF?! There were boys around the ages of 13 to 20, and they were actually cheering for my Jason. (my Jason?? LOL)

I was frustrated that I only knew 3 or 4 of the songs he sang. He did not even sing If I Fell, but oh well, I was happy. And that kept me smiling for at least a few days.

More pictures from the sidelines:

021710: February is NOT my FAVORITE MONTH

And so it's mid February. So far and as expected, nothing has gone right. Of the 12 months in a year, I think I may be cursed a trillion and one times on this particular month.

I now declare the first half of February, ANOTHER EPIC FAILURE...

Why? Here are the obvious facts:

1. Paid off my credit card, but had to swipe it again for a tire (YES!!! a friggin' TIRE!!!)

2. More expenditures for the old FX, so basically my savings has gone and currently on a picket (Well, it's not like my papa won't pay it off, it's just really frustrating that nothing is going my way or as planned!!!)

3. My brain is on a major drought for ideas to end what I started. It is getting soooo d.amn frustrating.

4. Still trying to balance the house budget, and it's causing my blood pressure to rise. I hate being troubled by money issues.

5. Still stuck in the same job. When will I ever start loving my job? >>deep breath, huge sigh!! thinking maybe the Gods hate me..<<

6. Too lonely.. Too bored.. In need of a social life..

0110: January 2010 is EPIC FAIL

Now, as I sit near the end of January's tail and hear February banging on the door, I try to recall the things I did to highlight the 1st month of the year. But like every other January of each year that came and went without notice, I realize there was nothing worth blabbing about. It was just another month of another year. It came and went like a blur. Maybe, that's because of my hazy memory. Maybe, because there really was nothing there.

The year and the month started with a mess. It was like a distasteful drama on bad television. Gah! I freakin' cried like a lunatic on New Year's eve because of some petty misunderstanding between my grandmother and my brother. Geeesh, people! And I thought all the while, I was the one with issues. Hmph!! Good grief, gramps just ruined everyone else's New Year's Eve. All the praises goes to Grandma!!

Good thing my brother easily forgets things like those easily. Otherwise, we would be grappling at the tension when they meet on every occasion or celebration we have to attend. Oh, the drama!!

So, what else..what else.. I developed, well, rekindled is more like it, with a not so new bad vice. The smell of nicotine is just too tempting to fore go. Besides, it's not like I've become a chain smoker or something. And oh, I finally let go of coffee when my coffee maker was broken because of the d.amn ants playing house inside the machine.

Hmm, I got a chance to get away from the city this month. I was so proud of my brother who drove all the way to the South of Cebu. Well, we did not go that far, just in San Fernando, but still, it was his first time. So, Hurray! to my brother, I'm a proud sister. We were able to reach our destination safely and came back home in one piece. I guess that would be high-freakin'-light of my month. And, it was my first time to see such adorable, expensive (imported) and high maintenance pitbulls. The place by the way was awesome. I mean super ideal for a family with those kinds of dogs to live in. I would not mind going there again or taking a vacation maybe.

I was able to write at least 9 short fan fictional stories and 6 parts for a long shot this month (still working on the seventh as of this very moment). Yey, giving myself a pat on the back! And I also got to download 2 episodes of WGM with Ssangchu cuts-so I was happy on the last Friday of the month despite the unexpected expenditure because of Basti (Grrrr! Bad dog!). I will continue downloading them until I get all 14 episodes plus the Chuseok special. I know it's been two years since they left the show, but I cannot help it, I am so addicted to them.

Hopefully, February would be a good one since I so truly hate this month. It just keeps on getting worse for me every year. Other than the fact that it keeps slamming the truth (about being NBSB) in my face, nothing just works my way on this freakin' month. Gah!! The sources of my mystical powers seem to hide under the radar during this time of the year.

Still, I'm praying for a good February-crossing fingers!!

my 2 cents: ear cropping for pitbulls

Last Sunday, a pitbull pup died after getting his ears cropped. The veterinarian said the bleeding did not stop. She had to re-open the stitches, but it did not help.

It breaks my heart to hear such news, especially when I saw the pup hours before he died. He was avoiding his brother (our pet) who was trying to play with him. They both got their ears cropped together.

Still, I don't get why dog owners want to get their dog's ears cropped or tails cut off. Do they know that the life of their pets are at risk?

Don't get me wrong, I do not want to blame the vet who performed the operation. I just cannot stomach these things. I had to fight nail and tooth not to get the ears of our pitbulls' cropped, but the men in the family won anyway. What is it with men and wanting their pitbulls' ears cropped?

My brother said it's all for the looks, but I thought our pits looked just fine and just as fierce without getting their ears cropped. It's not like they will catch some illness if they don't get their ears cropped. Seriously, I.D.O.N.O.T.G.E.T.I.T!!!!!!

I hope pitbull owners do not get their dogs' ears cropped.

Another pitbull's life was wasted.

This is for Tiny, who did not get the chance to really enjoy his pitbull years. And, a plea to all pitbull owners, please do not get the ears of your pitbulls cropped. Please save them the misery and pain. Please save their lives.