LA California Escapade

I was in LA last 6th of Jan after enjoying my trip in the Eastcoast. My friends, Gabby, Ginger and my new found friend, Lea brought me to uphill looking over the city of LA. We were freezing from the coldness of the weather when this picture was taken, hence I just projected it wasn't just to have a nice picture. We didn't stay long there because it was drizzling and we're freezing to death already.


Oh I love this place, this is the famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I was hoping I would meet a hollywood star. Apparently, very few people were there. Tourists like me were there also to see this famous place which we normally view in movies only. Hence, here I am so alive in the heart of Beverly Hills.

Oops, so sorry for the size of this picture. Can't do anything to make it big as the other pictures. Well, I just want to share that I was also in Hollywood and saw the different star names on the street of the place. I'm with Robin Williams' star and mind you, it was raining so hard when this picture was taken. Gabby was my photographer and we really looked stupid when we were in Hollywood since we're the only one who were walking under the rain without umbrellas and taking pictures... my my my...

Nevertheless, such experience is something money can't buy. Should I have the chance to experience the same scenario, I would do the same thing without a blink of an eye.

Jheng, My Padmate

Jheng, My Padmate
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

Jennifer or simply called Jheng is my padmate since February 2004. We used to work together in Datacraft-Phils. I was with Sales while she's with the Services Group. We had the chance to work together in a project of one of my clients. We'll never forget that because we did meet heaven and hell to make everything possible. Through that project, both of us became closer like sisters and it was not difficult for us to live in one roof. So far everything sails smoothly. We never argue because we seldom see each other for the reason we are so busy with our respective works. Most of the time, she's the one who goes home very late where I am already asleep dreaming for wonderful things I want to see and likely to achieve.

My padmate is a good cook. She's the one in-charge of the kitchen stuff from preparing the food until serving them. Once we're done finishing the food, it's my time to clean everything. In other words, I'm the dishwasher. Well, I can say I'm a good cleaner as well as organizing the place. Just don't force me to cook if you want to keep the kitchen unburned. Everything else in the pad, we share the chores. Oh, another talent she has which i recently discovered, she's a dress maker too. Her mr. right will be very fortunate to have this lass. She got lots of talents which most of the ladies don't have.

Sometimes, I feel guilty because I always go out of town or country for couple of days sometimes a month and leave her alone in the pad. However, I'm sure she's very busy too with her work and doesn't notice I'm not with her.

To have Jheng as my padmate, friend, and most of all, second to my sister, I am so fortunate. Even my family loves her dearly and consider her to be part of our circle. Hence, according to Mommy, she's one of her adopted daughters.

Thanks for everything, Jheng. No words can describe how happy I am to have you in my life.

Havaianas Slippers

Havaianas Slippers
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

My officemate, Jason introduced these slippers when we had a training in Singapore. They were just like the local spartan slippers with the rubber straps yet they are very expensive. Roughly, they cost Php700 and goes up depending on the printed design. Initally, I reacted "Wow that's very expensive! I could get lots of pair of slippers with that price." However, that changed when I tried them. Slippers are so comfy and the rubber stap is so soft where you wouldn't feel it's there.

To end the story short, I was convinced to get a pair and whola, I'm wearing them wherever I go (well, except when I sleep).

Ballet Dancer

Ballet Dancer
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

I used to be a professional ballet dancer. I started at the early age of 7 in my hometown, Davao City. I used to wear sky blue or back sleeveless leotards with pink tights and tutu skirts. When I started using pointe shoes, I developed lousy looking feet and in order for me to stand on my toes, I should have lots of callous. I remembered my feet was so ugly because of "patay na kuku at kalyo". But everything was ok for me then.

I went to Manila at the age of 12 for the ballet scholarship sponsored by Dance Theatre Philippines. Such ballet company was the place were the famous ballet dancers such as Lisa Macuja and Anna Villadolid bloomed to be great ballerinas of our time.

Ballet was my life then and never thought I would stop. Until I one day on my sophomore year in college, my schedules were mixed up. That was the most difficult time for me to decide which road I should choose, engineering diploma or pursue my ballet career. Hence, I opted the first one and immediately stopped dancing ballet and never looked back.

I do not want to use the word "regret" but the decision I did before still bothers me once in a while. Ballet was my life then. It was my top priority and did not mind if I had sacrificed a lot of good times which a teenager should experience. I just love ballet so much. For me that time it was my first love.

I may be successful to the path I chose but deep in my heart I would be more fulfilled if I pursue my love for ballet.

Bellyring

Bellyring
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

OUCH!! Bellyring is a crazy fad to teenagers nowadays. My niece, Nics has this and she even has a video clip when the ring was put on her belly . You could just imagine our facial expressions when she showed it to us and we couldn't bear to finish the whole video clip from her mobile phone.

I can't say it's nice because it's kinda painful for me but to teenagers, it's the in-thing. I wouldn't be surprised if one of these days, my niece will have tongue and nose rings...hehehe..would you do them Nics? I hope not..

P.S. Attached picture is my niece's bellyring. Isn't she sexy like me? ;)

The Five People We Meet In Heaven

fivepeoplecov_new[1]
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

I have always admired Mitch Albom's works and this book is one of my all time favorites. Thanks to my Daddy who taught me the love to read.

I read this book one of the early mornings that I cannot sleep and before I knew it, I finished the book already before the sun rose with all the wet tissues beside me. It hitted me at the center of my heart and remembered my Daddy who passed away last 7/11/2003. Like Eddie in the book, my Daddy was a hardworking person and rather sacrifice for the benefits of others.

After reading this book, I become more conscious to the people I meet and sensitive to the people around me. Who knows these will be the same people I will meet once I go to heaven. In fact, I'm not afraid to die and I'm ready to leave anytime.

To Mitch Albom, more books to come and I'll always be your avid fan..

An Affair to Remember

An Affair to Remember
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

To give an overview, it is a story of a man and woman who met in a cruise and developed a whirlwind romance. They want to make sure what they are feeling is real so they agree to separate for a period of six months to try to decide if this is true love or not. They will meet again on top of the Empire State Building if they decide it is. Tragedy kept them apart. Hence, they reunite tearfully at the end of the final reel.

This is my all time favorite movie. I was still in my grade school days when I first watched this movie with my mommy. She borrowed a betamax tape of this and the film was in black and white. By the time we finished the movie, both of us were crying and wet tissues were scattered around us. Since then, it's my favorite. There may be some remake but this 1957 film version is still the best since it is the original.

The actor, Cary Grant was so talented, witty, handsome and one hell of a debonair. I bet most of the ladies during his times loved to be with this gentleman. Even mommy was an avid fan of him. She watched most of his movies.

Since it's my favorite, I have copies of dvd and vcd of this. But nobody can borrow since these are part of my precious collections.

King of the Jungle

1LionPi1
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

Lion has been my favorite animal since memorial time. It's not only that my zodiaz sign is a leo but I have always loved lions. Of all the animals, they are the well respected by all creatures on earth, royal, quiet and leader. That's why they are called the King of the jungle.

If you were able to watch Lion King, it was one of the most beautiful cartoon movie I've ever seen. It shows how lions live and protect their kingdom as well as the creatures around them. Some may think they are the most feared animals but like humans, they also have good heart. They may have a face with a devilish look and feared by anyone but in reality, they have the most unique look which I admired most because for me they seem to be wearing a crown that represents their position as the greatest creature of jungle.

To Simba, salute to you. May you always have the good heart for all the creatures of jungle.

Gorgeous Sisters

Ate&Em_2002
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

My sister, Tel is my one and only sister who got all the nice physical features. Sho got nice nose, lips, chinky eyes and tanned skin.

When we were teenagers, she has lots of admirers and mine became hers...but it's ok with me, no issue at all coz I love her dearly. I know I have traits that she does not have like I'm cute, got nice smile with dimples on the sides and most especially, I'm sexy...hehehe..

Well, my sister and I may be different in so many ways but one thing we have in common, we're strong willed people and have big heart to love everyone around us..

Teena & Jo

Teena&Jo
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

Teena Racaza and Jo Videna were my 2 bestfriends when I was working with Datacraft-Phils. We were like 3 stoogies with different personalities but same likes and dislikes in life. We've enjoyed so much our each other's gimmicks. Through laughters and crying moments we were together.

This picture was taken during DC's Christmas 2002 party. My friends won the best in costumes category (Teena as Mary while Jo as Joseph). Teena that time was 3 months pregnant (I think). Jo's crown was the wire used to connect cisco ports...wow that's very resourceful.

I missed my best friends. I may have lots of best friends but they're one of the best...

Principe Sandrito

Mar282005 019
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

This is my nephew who controls everyone in the family. If only my dad sees him growing up, he would be proud of this boy because he's exactly like him...impatient, strong willed, strong personality, no fears, survivor but very malambing if he's in the mood.

He speaks German language coz no one can understand him except his parents. He calls his kuya migs as Wawi, his cousin gabbi as aboy. Of course mwah is Em...thank God, it's not a foreign name.

When I took this picture, he made sure he has the sunglasses first or else he got mad at me.. Well, that's my nephew, Principe Sandrito...

Family Break

nics_em_tel
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

We were in Samal Island in Davao on the latter part of holyweek. This was during Maundy Thursday. Almost everyone in the family went home and have a break. Mommy was so happy to see all of us. Early morning of Maundy Thursday, we went to a beach near the house and had ourselves get tanned. The resort's name is Paradise Island and alot of tourists visit this place since it's very near, just a 10-minute drive from our place. Everything's cheap and nice to have a cool sleep.

My niece, Nicole has a very nice sunburn while my sister, Tel and I are still white as raddish. What can I do, I just arrived that time from Manila. You should see me after 2 days after this picture taken...we're all exotic looking gals.

It's nice to be back home even for a short period of time only. Everybody cherished this moment especially the kids who were enjoying each other's company. Mommy was busy the whole time I was there, preparing all the stuff needed by everyone and honestly, I missed it and I felt good having my mom looking after me again.