[K&M] Kelvin's Message circa 2009

Another thoughtful message from the boyfriend in 2009.

This was the time when I was busy being a new trainer that we no longer had the time to spend a lot of time together.

Isn't he amaze-balls?! :)

[Kelvin's & Mine] An Old Love Letter

It's 7:10PM in Makati; and here I am, waiting for my next meeting to start. I was browsing through my personal folders when came across a message that I wrote to Kelvin about three or four years ago.

What's amazing about the letter is that even up until this day, every single line in the letter is still true. I have been very fortunate to find a love that is so rare and so precious, I thank the Lord everyday.

Please allow me to share that letter with you.

For the hopeless romantics, read on!

For the man who can never say no to me...
For my man who likes it when i pick a fight...
For my man finds it cute when I make act up...
For my man who apologizes even if I'm the one who is wrong...
For my man who still picks me up even when he's tired...
For my man who's willing to make silly faces just to make me laugh...
For my man who dances even if he can't just to see me smile...
For my man who tells me everyday how pretty I am...
For my man who always tells me to fix my hair...
For my man who calls me his PLINSESS....
For my man who surpises me even on ordinary days...
For my man who calls me in the middle of the day just to say, "I love you, honey."...
For my man who travels an hour just to see me for minutes...
For my man who waits for three hours just so we can talk for an hour...
For my man who gives me a bottle of antiseptics whenever he sees a booboo on me...
For my man who kisses my boo boo...
For my man who babytalks...
For my man who makes sure I'm always within his reach...
For my man who unconsciously reaches for my hand when I let go of his...
For my man who gives me a back and foot massage even when he's tired...
For my man who's willing to face my father's wrath just to be with me...
For my man who has introduced my not only to his family but to his friends, aunts, cousins, uncles, colleagues, relatives, nephews, grandmother...
For my man who will go on leave just to spend a day with me...
For my man who just keeps quiet and sighs whenever I scream at him...
For my man who doesn't fight back...
For a man who no longer just refers to 'himself' but now refers to 'us'...
For my man who'll sing me a lullaby so I can sleep...
For my man who will sing until his voice becomes hoarse...
For my man who will not stop singing until i tell him to...
For my man who gives me a piggyback ride...
For my man whose eyes go soft everytime he looks at me...
For my man who makes my toes curl...
For my man who makes me smile just by thinking of him...
For my man who makes me think of forever...
For my man who makes me imagine my own little boys who look exactly like him..
For my man who stays and watches my toes being painted in the salon while feeding me french fries...
For my man who makes me feel all tingly inside....
For my man who appreciates my gifts...
For my man who knows i need help even when i don't ask...
For my man who becomes upset and jealous if I don't talk to him every five minutes...
For my man whom I can talk to for hours and hours and untill the wee hours in the morning...
For my man whom I can talk to about anything and everything...
For the man whom I will say "I do." to...
For the man who will be the father of my children...
For the man that I love and the mane who I want to spend my whole life with...

So there you are!

What about you? What do you want to say to your man?

An Old Post.

I miss you. I remember the first day I first met you. You scared the hell out of me. I thought you wouldn't approve of me. I thought you wouldn't think I would be good enough for the man you've always treated as your brother. But I was wrong. The first time i met you, you treated me like a friend, like a sister. For that i will be forever grateful. you became a brother to me- someone i could call on whenever Kelvin and I had a problem. you were always there whenever Kelvin needed a brother to share his problems with. you accompanied Kelvin whenever he picks me up. You were there when you surprised me on my birthday. You smeared cake on my face. You laughed at my jokes. You were there to sympathize with your brothers and sisters.

I remember the days when a brother or a sister would celebrate a birthday. You guys would plan for days just to make that certain birthday special.

I remember the spontaneous trips to Tagaytay, to coffee shops, or to a brother's house. I remember how loud everyone laughs.

I remember the days you and Kelvin would sweat it out in Don Bosco sparring against each other. Or trying to trick Sir Noli into thinking that you were doing your sit-ups right.

I remember a party at your house.. you got so drunk you were screaming at the top of your lungs, "TA! What is your emotiooonnn?!?!?!" 

I remember the night when you saw me sleepwalking out of the house.. if you hadn't seen me i would have been found sleeping next to pineapples the next morning.

I remember the days when we'd hang around your house.. You'd come down wearing your boxers without a care in the world.. not even caring that there was a great big hole in them.

I remember the days when Kelvin and I would go to your house just to play with instruments, and chat at Starbucks... And see you in Waltermart with a girl in tow.

I remember the day you and Kelvin went to my house to drink.. you got me so drunk i was crying for you not to stare at my feet.

I remember the day you threw up along the South Luzon Expressway.

I remember how quiet you were... We never really got to talk seriously but you were always a strong but silent force.

I remember the day you broke a bottle because you were so scared of a frog.

I remember celebrating your birthday in Club Je... You were so drunk you were just lying on the couch not caring that everyone was recording how drunk you were.

But do you know what I remember the most? The love.. The way you drop whatever it is that you are doing just to be with a brother or a sister... The way you just stand there, letting your brother or sister know that you're there.. The way anyone can call you anytime and never doubt that you'll answer.

I even miss the days I had to drag Kelvin out of Arena.. LOL

I miss you. I miss all of you.

June 8, 2010.

Lists and Time

Do you sometimes feel like life is dumping a whole load of things on  your plate; and that there are a whole bunch of stuff that need your attention? 

 Things like work, school, meetings, reviews, bills, reports, tests, dates, deadlines, family events, night out with friends, vacations, dates, pets, and a lot more!

photocredit: www.smallbizbigresults.com

Do you ask yourself, "Which do I do first? There are just too many things and soooo little time!"

photocredit: onlinebusiness.volusion.com



Well, I do. At times I even feel like I'm drowning. I find myself looking down on my To-Do list and see that there are just too many things on there; there are just too many things that need my attention. And for one second, I felt like slumping on the ground and letting out a full blown tantrum.

photocredit: finerminds.com

But, I am a grown woman. I make things happen. 

Allow me to share with you an inspirational article. Read on and be inspired!

credit:: http://academictips.org

I have decided to stop wasting time complaining about the things that I have to do.

I have decided to "save" time by not worrying.

My clock is running. I will make most of my day and spend my time wisely by doing things that matters. I will stop worrying and complaining.

Every minute spent on worrying is a minute wasted.

Stop worrying and start enjoying!

Presenting my new To-Do List!

 What is on your To Do List?

Leng's Bucket List

I have always wanted to create bucket list. After a few days of soul-searching, I have finally come up with my very own! Read through the list and let me know if you have done any these:

Places:

 photocredit: harrypotterworldorlando.com

1. Visit all the Museums in Manila
2. Travel outside the Philippines
3. Visit the Vatican
4. Go to Thailand
5. Go to HongKong
6. Go to a Latin Country
7. Ride a Gondola in Venice, Italy
8. Visit the Louvre Museum
9. Go to Baguio – done – in 2005 and 2012
10. Go to Boracay – done in 2006
11. Go to Puerto Galera – done in 2004
12. Go to Palawan Visit Australia
13. Go on an African Safari
14. Go to Harry Potter World in Florida

Skills:

photocredit: fcfighter.com

1. Take a martial arts class
2. Take dance lessons
3. Learn how to surf
4. Run a marathon
5. Go scuba diving
6. Learn to play chess –done in highschool, I’m not very good at it, though
7. Paint a room
8. Take a cooking class
9. Go wakeboarding
10. Own a bicycle and use it often
11. Be a able to do 25 push-ups per day
12. Be a able to do 25 sit-ups per day
13. Fire a gun – when I was a sophomore, Daddy took me target-shooting in Muntinlupa J
14. Learn Ballroom Dancing
15. Write a book
16. Paint
17. Learn sign language
18. Learn to play an instrument – Dad bought me a Yamaha keyboard when I was 14.
19. Teach a Class – have been teaching since I was 13. J
20. Drive a car – drove our family car home when I was 15 J
21. Learn a foreign language
22. Learn how to bake

 To Do’s:

 photocredit: www.glassdoor.com

1. Build a modeling portfolio
2. Write a book
3. Do charity work – went to a house for children with learning and developmental disabilities when I was 18, with the rest of the members of the Ministry of Lectors and Commentators
4. Plant a tree
5. Reach the top of my profession
6. Become a parent
7. Go on a shopping spree – done in 2012 my good friend Joyce
8. Decorate my house
9. Watch all Star Wars movies
10. Watch all Lord of the Rings movies
11. Watch all Star Trek movies
12. Host a dinner party – in 2009 for TA
13. Finish a jigsaw puzzle – in highschool
14. Write my Last Will and Testament
15. Be more productive
16. Revamp my wardrobe
17. Own a DVD collection
18. Take Personality Development Classes
19. Send a message in a bottle
20. Write to my 12-year old self
21. Own a very expensive business suit
22. Overcome my fear of failure
23. Get rid of my credit card debt
24. Buy a house – finally done in September 2012. J
25. Buy a gun
26. Solve a Rubik’s Cube
27. Sing in front of a large audience – I started competing when I was 4 J
28. Quit a job that I really hate – quit my job in IBM in 2011 J
29. Get a masters degree
30. Start my own business
31. Create a bucket list – done! March 26, 2013 J
32. Write for someone’s yearbook – wrote Kelvin’s article for his 2008 yearbook
33. Not eat meat for a month – done in 2012 and 2013 for Lent
34. Start a blog – started a blog in February 2012
35. Write a poem – I started writing poems when I was 9
36. Throw a surprise party for someone – threw a surprise party for Kelvin in 2011 J
37. Write a love note on a mirror with a lipstick
38. Detox my body with only fruit, vegetables and water for a week
39. Dye hair red – done in December 2010 J
40. Complete a photo album of my life
41. Leave flowers on someone’s doorstep

 Experience:

 

photocredit: www.destination360.com

1. Vacation alone
2. Watch Beyonce in concert
3. Sleep on the beach under the stars
4. Become an extra in a movie
5. Sleep in a hammock
6. Milk a cow
7. Ride an elephant
8. Watch a movie at a drive in movie theatre
9. Have my portrait painted
10. Build my own library
11. Get married
12. Attend a Cirque du Soleil Show
13. Watch Rex Navarete live
14. Take the Superman ride (Zipline)
15. Go on a cruise
16. Get a make over
17. Take a ride on the highest roller coaster n the Philippines
18. Weigh 100lbs
19. Become a motivational speaker
20. Spend a night in a luxurious hotel
21. n a plane
22. Ride a Horse – rode a horse for the first time in 2012!
23. Celebrate my birthday doing charity work
24. Ride a Hot Air Balloon
25. Be part of a Flash Mob
26. Swim with Dolphins
27. Speak in front of hundreds of people – done in November 2011 in De La Salle Lipa
28. Ride a Cable Car
29. Learn CPR – Freshman year in Far Eastern University – Basic Life Support Training
30. Attend a Premiere Night
31. Join a Santacruzan – became Reina de los Angeles in May 2007
32. Get Married
33. Watch an Opera
34. Participate in a protest
35. Fly First Class
36. Do charity work – with The Ministry of Lectors and Commentators and in Malate Catholic School
37. Sing karaoke solo in front of total strangers – done a lot of times!
38. Act on stage – I started when I was 14, in Malate Catholic School
39. Attend a concert – attended Parokya ni Edgar and Side A concerts
40. Fall in love – with Kelvin!
41. Find my soulmate – in Kelvin!
42. Become a parent
43. Sleep on the beach
44. Stay a night at a five star hotel
45. Throw a Themed Party
46. Hold a tarantula
47. Hold a snake
48. Touch a big cat (lion, tiger, leopard, etc.)
49. Ride in a Helicopter
50. Paraglide
51. Hanglide
52. Eat an exotic food
53. Visit a butterfly garden – visited the Butterfly Sanctuary in Baguio in September 2012
54. Shower in a waterfall – in Mt. Banahaw in 2005
55. Kiss under the mistletoe
56. Capture lightening in a photograph
57. Be a bridesmaid
58. Be a Maid of Honour
59. Go on a real Picnic – my parents took us to the park almost every weekend
60. Play paintball
61. Go to the movies alone
62. Fly a kite – flew a kite with my brother when I was young
63. Climb a light house
64. Visit a Hot Spring – Pansol!
65.  Live By Myself – have been living alone since 2006
66. Take a month off from work – done in 2009 and 2011
67. Ride on the back of a motorcycle – with Kuya Marte’s help!
68. Get a bikini wax
69. Dress in super sexy lingerie
70. Go to a Wax Museum
71. Go to a Comedy Club to see a stand-up show
72. See male strippers – well, just one stripper, on Joyce’s Bridal Shower
73. Have my caricature done
74. Get a Henna Tattoo – done by my good friend Ciego in 2010
75. Jump out of a Cake
76. Hang out with a chimpanzee
77. Feed a Koala
78. Ride on the back of an Elephant
79. Take a Mud Bath
80. Try acupuncture
81. Have a Hot Stone Massage
82. Feel mind-blowingly radiant, beautiful, and sexy for an entire day – done a number of times!
83. Get a full body massage - – done a number of times!
84. Learn how to surf/take surfing lessons
85. Rock a bikini photo shoot
86. Sign up to become an Organ Donor
87. Make breakfast in bed for someone I love
88. Donate blood
89. Pay for the drive-thru order of the person in the car behind me
90. Volunteer at an animal sanctuary or Zoo
91. Donate toys during the holidays

With my ever-changing mind, I will probably adding a few more things to this list.

How about you? What is on your list?

My Life. My Mission.

Last year, my family and I met an old man at a baptismal reception where I was made godmother to my cousin's cute daughter. The old chap just came home from the US after working there as an engineer for thirty years. He was a loud, friendly old man who did not hesitate to introduce himself to everyone. He was drinking and chatting with my dad, and exchanging stories about each other's families. I was surprised when he stood up and came to me.

“Why aren’t you working as a nurse?!” he asked.

Surprised, I answered him. “Uh, because I want to teach. I want to train, sir.”

And he said vehemently, “No. That is WRONG. Work as a nurse and go to the US. Trust me. Even if you get promoted as a manager, it is better if you go back to the nursing profession. You’re making a big mistake. ” Then he made a sign that meant money.

photocredit: www.forum.prisonplanet.com

As much as I respected him, I would have to disagree. Choosing to do what I love is not wrong. In fact, it is the best decision I have ever made. I am making good money just by doing what I love to do! Why do I need to go abroad to earn money when I can find a good job here that pays me well? I may not be earning millions but I get to see my loved ones as often as I want to. I get to talk to them in person, I get to see the smiles on their faces, I get to hug them, I get to kiss them, and I get to tell them I love them in person. I do not want to be in some country earning millions and see my loved ones over a computer screen. My sister used to work in Bahrain and I know how hard it is to love and miss an important person in one's life.

And to top it off, I love what I do! It’s more than just training; more than just standing there and telling people what to do (although I love doing that, too!). It’s about the look on my trainees’ faces when they learn from me; it’s the smiles and the appreciation. How wonderful it is to know that somehow, I made a difference in someone’s life. I may not have millions to my name but I a wealthy woman in my own special way.

photocredit: www.lostandtired.com

My mission in life is to inspire. I am able to do that in my training room. Where I get to see people develop, improve and challenge themselves. And the results are priceless. This is why I do what I do:

A gift from Reader's Digest Batch 36

Dinner with the English Skills Training Team - 2009

(in photo: Clarice Camposano, Hay Ramos, Boss Air Daquioag, Ms. C Gonzales, myself, Ice Justalero, Phil Lara, Mikey Reyes, Jazz Jamin, Eve Reyes, Pia, and Meg Jocson)

Trainer Certification Program (October 2011)

with Nadia Carlos-Caras and Zig Santos

Christmas Pool Party with IBM Daksh Voice and Accent Trainers (November 2011)

with Claire Gustilo, Alex, and Tina Maputol

IBM Daksh Fad Friday - with trainees and support staff of Calculus

My first mentors and corporate stage mothers: Ms. Elaine Curativo and Ms. C. - ICT Marketing Services Inc. (Jan 2008 to Feb. 2010)

love letters from the awesome people of Origin Energy Collections Batch 1B (March 2012)

Red Box Night with Origin Energy Training Team (April 2012)

with  John Ring, Joni Jabonete, Paula Madayag, Blaithin, Lisa Guerrero, Kathy Uy, Bryce, Iza Ilagan, and Dann Gardner

Cupcake Date with the Aegis Services Inc. Foundation Training Team (December 2012)

from left to right: Brandtz Banaticla, Katie Te, Joyce Santiago, myself, Edel Tubog, Aubrey Quizon, and Shelly Jolly

Voice and Accent Floor Support Trainers, Cat Macasaet, Ayel Tinga, and Ochi Bernandas - IBM Daksh (April 2011)

Effective Presentation Skills Seminar, Asia Pacific Collegewww.apc.edu.ph (October 2011)

with beloved reps who are now dear, dear friends - Abs Pandapatan and Jaja Gutilban- Calculus Kickoff Party (Feb 2011)

Aegis Year-End Party (December 2012)

with Ryan Buhia, Joy, Abby Mapala, CJ, and Roma

Web Conferencing with Foundation Trainers from Manila and Cebu!  (2012)

with Joyce Santiago, Toni Rose Gako, and Alli Cortes

IBM Friends' Summer Getaway (April 2011)

with Ernest Ocampo, Abs Pandapatan, and TJ Tomalon

Origin Energy Graduation Day (April 2012)

with Brian Madariaga, Tracy Agay, Jean and Adrian

Reader's Digest Batch 36

IBM Daksh Fad Friday - Newspaper Friday (2011)

with Kat Anselmo, Ciego, Aditya Mehrotra, Ernest Ocampo and Dave Belmonte

These:

So if I were to live my life all over again? I will never, EVER, change a single thing.

I am a trainer. My mission is to inspire.