Looking Back

It was a bumpy ride for 2008. I can say it’s one of the best years of my life so far. It was also my last year of teen age fun – a year that was well spent. I have no regrets. 2008 gave me a great deal of memories that will forever be cherished. I thank everyone who became part of my amazing year. My family, my friends (both hs and college), orgmates, the acquaintances and all the people I’ve met along the way. I think it’s best for the pictures to do all the talking.

JANUARY

Birthdays as usual. I celebrated my 19^th birthday and Me Ann celebrated her 18^th. It was really great.

CWTS was harsh but I’m glad I met great people. We went to Anawim, somewhere in Rizal. (January 20, 2008)

My group :)

Our batch had a visit to ABS-CBN and DZRH. I was tasked by our professor to arrange our transportation needs – so there, I was exhausted but it was worth it. (January 28, 2008)

Wowowee!

Last look at my long hair. I miss it.

FEBRUARY

It was a moment of truth. I was challenged to run for CASA’s Executive Board. I didn’t win though; it was the experience I was after. I met extraordinary people. My inner CASAN was awakened.

After 6 years, it was this month that I had the courage to let my long locks go. I knew it was time for change, a time for new challenges.

Sulong Tomasino with my CWTS groupmates

MARCH

Nothing much. I never thought this could be the last month with my original CA1 block mates. This month was spent cramming for that Philo paper and that instructional video.

I met up with my high school buddies (Miguel and Ces). It was nice to see them again. (March 29, 2008)

The Block OT moments

APRIL

It was my first time to go to Puerto Galera. It was okay, but I had fun riding that sickening ferry boat all the way from Batangas port to Galera proper. Haha! (April 6-8, 2008)

Ate and Me sunbathing on the sands of Galera

FUN! With Tita Macel and the kiddos

April was basically the time to relax and unwind. It became a tradition, since Grace left for Japan, to celebrate her birthday even if she’s not here with us.

Hanging out at Bubble tea

Ariz, Me and Miguel

MAY

Kuya Ian (my cousin) got married. It was one of the best weddings I’ve attended so far (not that I attended a lot of weddings Haha!). The place was cool and I got to serenade the happy couple during the reception.

Ate, Mama and Me

Lumen Family

And since it’s the month of May, I get to meet up with my high school barkada. I just wish Grace was here though.

HAHA.

TimeZone

We miss you Grace!

JUNE

It was then by this month that we learned that the reshuffling issue was true. So before we go our separate ways, we decided to have a back-to-school party at Ron’s place.

Goofing off

Vanie, the butterfly princess

Awww.

It was a new environment. A new dare. My new CA1. At first it was awkward, of course. It was like placing us all the way back into our freshman year.

Psych Class

TV Prod, Edtech

JULY

Still weird. So another party at Ron’s took place to shake things off.

Still at school

It's fun to know your destiny through cards

One of the Boys?

But things we’re already getting a lot better inside the class room.

Ed tech Fun

Spanish Class

Sociocomm days

Photoshoots popped out just everywhere.

The Dance Siren?

My batchmates in Dance Synergy

My ABDS Family

Of course, will I forget my very own MusiCASA?
*photo by: Jan Ylagan*

AUGUST

Calatagan, Batangas here we come! One of the greatest things about TV Production is having fun while you work. I simply loved directing our travel show. I love Locohan Productions.

Locohan Productions invades Calatagan

*photo by: Nicole Melicor*

Golden Sunset Resort

Lunch at Picnic Grove, Tagaytay

After Live Taping at Ed Tech studio

SEPTEMBER

This month was basically for my Scarlet family. Though it’s my first year in the organization, they treated me like I was part of the organization for years.

The Scorer

Moon Cake Festival with Kuya Andie and Ate Mel

OCTOBER

End of the first semester. Wheew. It was that fast. Can’t believe it was over. New schedule. I was able to spend time with my friends – my Mangkujiwo society.

TimeZone madness

WOOO

Pacific

We also had our mini-outing somewhere in Calabarzon, before the second semester began.

YEAH

The Girls

Splash of water

Miguel also spent his 19th with us. Trinoma, Videoke and Teriyaki Boy combination.

High School Never Ends

Go go Power Rangers!

NOVEMBER

The highlight of this month is Pacific’s birthday. Burgoo + Gateway + Twilight + Mangkujiwo family = Best Day ever (so far)

Mangkujiwo at its finest!

DECEMBER

This month, is the busiest month of my 2008. RCB was born. AB Benefit Concert and Jingle Fest.

Photo by: Pacific Ong


AB Benefit Concert at the Medicine Auditorium


Decode


Doublemint Account of 3CA1 *photo by: JJ Nuñez*

RCB *photo by: JJ Nuñez*

3CA1 is becoming a family. Our block Christmas party happened here at my place.

This is L-O-V-E. 3CA1.

Our very own Mangkujiwo Christmas Party at Ron’s place again

I'm very happy here. :)

But what made my '08 complete is the love and care from my family.

It was indeed one heck of a year. I can’t believe that 365 days has come to an end. For all the people who made me smile, laugh, cry and made me feel all the emotions there is, thank you; For without you – my 2008 won’t be that much fun.

Good bye 2008. Leave all the negativity behind and bring positivity towards 2009. Happy New Year everyone!

-Charmaine Sales

Up Dharma Fans

Yeah. FANSSSS talaga kami ng Up Dharma Down ;) Super cool performance, superb vocals, fantastic effects. What more can I ask for? HAHA! I'm so happy they played Oo, Hiwaga, Maybe and Pag-agos :) I miss hanging out with Me Ann and Nico. More bonding meeeen. Haha. We also celebrated our Friendship - anniversary? Haha. I'm not sure what to call it. Fun Fun Fun day! Please bear with the photos, these are just from my phone :)

Armi :)

YEAH :D

Me Ann, Nico and Me :)


Nico and his autographed Shirt.
(Di talaga siya fan noh? Pati shirt Up Dharma)

Priceless :D

It's One of those Insomniac Nights
*Originally written on paper, December 28, 2008 @ 4:16am*

As I lie on my bed wondering and thinking about the things that has constantly been bugging me, I can't help but write this down. The computer's already turned off and I am too lazy to open it again. Soi settled for old school pen and my literature journal that didn't really fulfilled it's main purpose during the first semester of the year.

I can't count the number of times I've tossed and turned just to find that perfect and comfortable position. So many questions are running through my head at this late, or should I say, early hour. The clock says it's 5 minutes before 4am. I don't even mind this lame G-tech being unreasonable on me.

At this point, I've grown so many questions that were always answered with uncertainty. So far, I've been seeing and observing a lot of people already decided what to do with their lives. They know what they're actually good at. ME? I really don't know. I still don't even know why I chose this competitive world. This scares me, really. What will happen to me after college? Am I really doing this? Did I choose the right path? Or am I just being pessimistic? I'm only a year and 3 months away from graduating (hopefully) and I'm not sure if I am really right for this. I know it's kinda late for second thoughts. Ngayon pa ko nagtaka. I'm practically getting ready for thesis already. It's pretty late to back out now. After all the hardships, competitions and sleepless nights I've gone through, ngayon pa ba ako aayaw? Hello Meng. Wake up you foolish girl.

The insecurities are unravelling one by one. I should just be thankful for what I have and what I am and get on with life. It's not everyday that someone could be so blessed, with great friends, supportive family and a good life surrounding her. Is this the feeling I get from dreaming on so many things and so many people and careers available out there? You can't do all that in just one click or just a snap. Maybe right now, all I need to do is try to breath and reflect with all the blessings I've received for the past 2 decades of my life. I should not be overpowered with doubts, insecurities and all those negative vibes.

WHEEEW. The things I see on TV. It makes me think. Now I definitely say I'm an active audience. I'm not one of those passive-spoon-fed-viewers. All this coffee and insomniac nights is making me rant or should I say release all the buried thoughts from deep within. I've been too preoccupied with school works and I'm glad that this week was do-nothing-week-and-eat-and-sleep-and-play week. It really help flush bad neurons from my brain.

In less that 3 days, a new year will unfold and I'm pretty sure that there are more challenges waiting for me. I don't want to bring my negativity all the way to 2009. I sure hope I'm equipped for the year ahead. Now I can finally sleep. I'll blog this when I wake up.

COFFEE + late nights = GOT MY BRAIN WORKING :)

Suckish handwriting during wee hours of the morning.
This is the original transcript. I've edited some lines though. :D

The Effects of PSP

I was suppose to go to the mall with my sister (technically) yesterday, I agreed already when I answered her call around 11:30 in the morning. But I went back to sleep. So my mom told her, I can't come. Haha. So much for agreeing. When I woke up super late this afternoon, around 2:30-ish, I said to myself that I should do something useful. Well, I didn't. That something useful turned out to be playing the PSP all day. I haven't felt so much drive to play in the longest time. For five straight hours, I did not move a muscle (well, except for my fingers and my eyes). The only time I got up was when I needed to go to the bathroom and when the battery died on me. I did not even ate a decent lunch, just some left over cake from Christmas, just for the sake of playing. Haha. Addicted-much? I was playing again after I took a bath and ate dinner until the battery died again 10 minutes ago, so I decided to write perhaps a lengthy entry. So here goes. Bear with me please, I was addicted to Bomberman earlier this day so whatever I write here would be some thoughts kept from the deep portions of my thinking self. This is the effect of playing too much for one day.

***

I wanted to go out of the house, breath some fresh air (if you can still call it fresh here in the city) and walk around a little. It's been one week since I decided to imprison myself here at home (except of course, going out to hear mass with the church just one tryke away). I haven't done this in quite awhile now. I always ended up being at school though my schedule indicates I only have classes thrice a week. Aaaah the wonders of being a super student. I am thinking on quitting one of my orgs because it feels like I haven't done a lot that could possibly make that org a better one. It just feels like I don't belong to that group or maybe because I'm the only Liberal Arts student and the rest came from same colleges? Is quitting really the answer? On the other hand, maybe this is a challenge. Maybe I just have to prove myself that I'm really deserving for the position they gave me. I need to find more time to focus and balance things on my hands.

***

I've realized that there are so much to do in so little time. There are too many school works that needs to be done because apparently, December was a month allotted for too many activities. Lessons were left hanging some place I couldn't remember by now. This makes me nervous for some odd reason. @_@

January 2009 is fast approaching and I still don't feel like it. A lot has happened already. 2008 has been a blast, there were ups and downs but still, I consider it one of the best years of my life so far. I'm thankful that God truly blessed this year for me. I'm thankful that I have great friends that I can always talk to though we are no longer in the same room as before, but we're still on the same building, so I guess that's still great. I'm thankful that I found new faces and I got to know more people that I didn't even notice when I entered St. Raymund's Building in June of 2006. It's nice to know that there are people who can exceed your expectations and first impressions.

***

If there's one thing I would like to change for the year 2009, I want the cramming and procrastination to go away and leave me alone for good. I know, I've been promising myself to remove this ugly "habit" of mine for so many years but I still can't get it out of my system. Is 2009 the year it'll go away for good? I hope so.

I still need to get my thoughts organized. A planner would be of great help. I'm contemplating on whether to buy Belle de Jour or the This-planner-will-change-your-life in Fullybooked. Last week I found out that the yellow one is no longer available (or so I think) at the Block. It broke my heart, really. Hopefully, tomorrow, if I manage to get out of the house, I'll search for that perfect planner. I'm still thinking of my new year's resolutions, that is if I had any. I'll probably write it down on my planner, if the hunt for the perfect planner is done. *Cross Fingers*

***

In less than a month, Ill be saying good bye to my teen age years of fun. I can say that I was able to spent my last year of being a teenager well. Hurray for me. Haha. Ganito pala ang epekto ng paglalaro sa akin. Nakakapag-isip ako ng mga bagay-bagay!

And because it's the Holidays.... Katabaan here I come.

Merry Christmas everyone :)

Photo courtesy of: Pacific Ong
Edited by: Yours truly
Taken during the 3rd yr CA Annual Jingle Fest
At Rizal Conference Hall, AB UST
Intermission: Decode with RCB

TAKIPSILIM?

Pardon me for but I just have to vent this out...

WHAT THE HELL?!
Twilight = Takipsilim???
PLEASE!!!
Huwag naman.

Don't ruin a perfect fiction. Hindi porket "IN" and Twilight, pwede niyo nang gawin ang kahit anong bagay na gusto niyo. Where are your creative juices people? What the hell is happening to the Philippine entertainment industry? Bakit kailangan niyong mag-adapt kahit hindi naman bagay?

Nakakaiyak. Paskong pasko ha. I am angrrrryyyy. Oo, apektado ako. BERIIII mats. Hahahaha! Intayin niyo nga akong gumadruate, ng magkaron ng mga bagong original shows sa network niyo. Haha.

Thesis groupmates: Let's change our topic na. Haha!

It's funny how some people can be so defensive. Or are they just plain guilty?

I didn't know how to react when someone reacted to a quote I group messaged via SMS and it goes like this:

"The best feeling in the world is realizing you can be perfectly happy without the asshole you thought you needed the most."

He said: Galit ka sa akin Meng?
Me: Oh bakit naman?
He said: Wala lang.

Guilty much? Hahaha! Siguro nga natamaan siya. Loser.

How can you know when that someone is the right one for you?
How will you know if you're ready for a relationship?
I really don't know the answers to these stupid questions.
Gawd. Don't mind me. I'm just hungry. Haha!

Short Thoughts

I'm not sad that we didn't win. Seriously. When the judges announced the winners, I eagerly took hold of my camera and filmed them jumping for joy. Congratulations to the winners, they deserve it.

I'm proud of my CA1. Hindi tayo prepared sa mga props ha, hindi talaga. I super loved the bonding we had. SEXY SHIT! Haha! We did our best, we gave our all, we were sooo high when we were on stage. Somehow, I guess the judges were looking for actual jingles, not ideal singles for an album. Well, ganon talaga. Haha! Pang-Single ang mga ginawa natin. I have no regrets, no sad thoughts. I don't know why. I'm happy because I enjoyed the process of rehearsing and jamming with my new blockmates! Thanks to the Jingle Fest, we now have a CA1 dance troupe, band, etc. Name it, we got it. Though we didn't win any award, don't be sad. We have our own awarding 3CA1. 15 awards kaya yun! I'm excited for our Christmas party!

I really enjoyed the new CA1's company, though I still miss the old CA1. Kuddos to us Juniors. We rock!!! It was like our own concert last Tuesday.

ADQUEST, here we come :)

It's in the Air

I can feel Christmas nearing already. Whenever I went out of the house, the air says it all. How I wish Christmas day would come already ;) I'm excited.