My Favorite Things

It’s been raining non-stop for over a week now. I love this kind of weather but as the Spice Girls’ song goes “ too much of something is bad enough…”. If it were just up to me I would like it to rain every single day. Rainy days are what I live for! I look forward to bed weather, I want to just curl up in bed all day. Or go the cinematic way by sitting by the window watching the heavy downpour outside while sipping a cup of hot chocolate with mallows on top. I’m that kind of girl. Not romantic, but a girl who loves lazy days.

But I can never be selfish. I know heavy rains will have siblings in tow. There’s flooding, heavy traffic jam, damaged livelihoods, suspensions of classes and many more. They’re a big family actually. A big family that causes chaos most of the time. I don’t blame the rain though, rain’s intentions are good, but it’s her siblings are the problem.

Because of this weather, I thought about my favourite movie growing up: The Sound of Music. The kids in the movie are scared of the storm, so Maria sang a song that would make them feel better. And that song is the inspiration for this blog entry. And here’s a list of my favourite things:

A warm glass of milk. I’m really my mom’s daughter as she loves milk as much as I do.

Chocolates, any kind except for dark. I can’t stand the bitter taste of it.

The smell of books, doesn’t matter whether old or new. The smell is just so hypnotizing for me.

The smell of freshly cut grasses. It brings back a lot of memories from when I was still a kid growing up in the province.

The ocean breeze.

Letters. I’m quite old-fashioned, I love the feeling of actually opening a mail. And I think it’s more personal than those e-mails or Facebook messages that I’ve been receiving.

A piano, it reminds me of my grandma. She was a great piano player and mentor. She taught me how to play the piano at a young age.

Fluffy pillows. I admit I’m a bit OC, I prefer my pillows fluffed before and after I go to bed.

Pajamas! The best type of clothing ever made in my opinion. They’re very comfortable that you want to sleep in them. Pun intended.

Any blue-colored flower. Why blue you ask? It’s because I think red, white, pink, orange and yellow flowers are so common. You see them almost everywhere, but you rarely see blue flowers.

These are just the things that I can think of on top of my head. Again, I’ll pretend that I got readers on this blog and I will ask you to share your favourite things with me too.

Everything is Not as it Seems

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you feel that you will do anything and everything just to get it? I have, or should I say I had. I wanted this "thing" so bad the moment I heard and learned about it. I tried my best just to have it, I spent nights learning things that are relevant for that matter. I competed against myself, and outdid myself eventually.

It culminated yesterday, I got that "thing" that I've been dreaming of for weeks. And I've never been disappointed in my whole life. This "thing" that I thought was everything... well it wasn't. It's not everything I thought it would be, not remotely close. And today, I've decided to let go of it. Not that I don't want any challenges, I overcame many just to lead to this day. But it all dawned on me that it isn't worth it.

I don't have regrets doing what I did, because I'm a believer of "everything happens for a reason". I just learned that even our biggest dreams aren't flawless. Fulfilling a dream doesn't guarantee happiness. Sometimes maybe oftentimes, it's just all about the hype. We are blinded by our wanting to fulfill that dream so bad so that we can prove to ourselves that we can do anything that we wanted.

Lesson learned.. Moving on...

Have a good day everyone!

An Open Letter to Kareena Kapoor

Dear Kareena,

I'm Kriann from the Philippines. I am a huge fan! The moment I laid eyes on you on my TV screen while watching 3 Idiots I instantly fell under your spell. Then I googled you and watched all your films. I even watched all your TV guestings even when most of the time I only understand bits and pieces of the whole conversation.

But what must one do to catch your attention? To let you know of my existence? Especially for someone that lives timezones away from you? Someone who only knows a handful of Hindi phrases? So, I put on my thinking cap and these are the ideas that I came up with:

I thought about faking my identity and tell you that I'm the Philippines' presidential daughter. But that won't be possible as our president is the most eligible man in the country. He doesn't have a daughter that the country knows of. I would be putting myself at risk if I told you that. Risk from being kidnapped and/or being chased by the local authorities for constructing lies about the president's life.

I also thought of playing the sick and dying card, but that's just sad and at the same time difficult. What if you bought my story and it reached the media? Sooner or later you'll all be wondering why my health isn't deteriorating or worst why I'm still alive? I just can't stomach that, that's just too low even for a fanatic like me.

Then I thought about going the Hugh Grant way in Notting Hill: pretending to be someone from a magazine. It's much easier than any of my other options. I used to write for our school paper in high school and college, so I could just easily wing it. I could make a mock magazine in just a couple of hours. I think I could get away with it.

I could actually do everything that I have thought of. But I didn't. No matter what option, I would still be deceiving myself and especially you, and that I can't take.

So, trashing all my "brilliant" ideas... I just settled with writing an open letter to you. Pray that someday, somehow it will reach your hands. One day when I get to visit your country, you would invite me for a cup of coffee, or tea, or water or whatever. I don't really care, as long as I will meet you in person. But for now, I'll just settle for you and me having an animated conversation over a cup of coffee in my head.

Dreaming to be your friend,

Kriann

If being in my pajamas by 7PM is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

After over two weeks of being MIA, one may think that I've been very busy. A friend thought that I migrated somewhere, like the moon maybe because I was out of reach. Another friend also thought that I've joined the army (like that's possible), and another thought that I might have went on a mission somewhere in the Amazonian Jungle. After my friends told me about their theories, only 1 thing came to my mind: I have crazy friends with crazy imaginations!

I wasn't busy, at all. In fact, I've finally done what I've been thinking of doing for the past three years... I've finally quit my job! I wasn't so sure about my decision at first but after hearing my mom, brother and few close friends' comments I think it was the best decision I've ever made in my adult life. As of recent times, I did everything that I haven't done since the summers of my high school life. Which is staying at home all day,  sleeping in till noon, watching TV till dawn, eat to my heart's content, read all the books that I've accumulated since Christmas last year. (Actually, the bookworms have beaten me to perusing some of those books.)

As of now, I'm pretending to be busying myself applying to jobs online, but also secretly wishing they wouldn't call me till the end of June so that I'll still have time doing the things I've mentioned above. I'm loving being a professional bum even just for a few weeks. It's one thing off my bucket list.

I'll just savor this downtime while I can. Till we meet again alarm clock, and metro traffic. Till my next update, hopefully with good news. And by good news I mean: new job that I actually love.

Because I Have Too Much Spare Time....

1. Have you ever peed your pants after age 8? -Yes, once! In my defense I dreamed of peeing so I did!

2. Who do you have a crush on now? -Ryan Gosling

3. Would you date someone you met online? -No

4. Do you wear deodorant? -Yes, why?

5. Do you hate yourself? -No, I'm my favorite person most of the time. :-)

6. Have you ever met a celebrity? -Yep, my fave news anchor/reporter.

7. Do you like tongue twisters? -When I'm in the mood for tongue twisting, why not?!

8. Do you have a boyfriend? -Nada

9. Do you know how to drive a car? -Yes.

10. Have you ever been camping? -Yes, a lot when I was in grade school and high school.

11. How many times a day do you go on Facebook? -Once, but I don't log off. :p

12. What was the last movie you saw in a theater? -The Hunger Games, I think.

13. Have you ever cut off a limb? -God forbid, I hope never.

14. Where did you get your last email from? -Jobstreet.

15. Favorite website? -Hellogiggles.com

16. Are you ghetto? -Nope

17. Will the world end in fire or ice? -Fire? I guess.

18. Do you believe in the external world? -Please elaborate. :D

19. Would you cry if Facebook stopped working? -Nope, twitter maybe.

20. Do you have a blog? -Um, yeah! This!

21. Have you ever been on a roller coaster? -Yes, I love 'em!

22. Favorite year so far? -2012! Living like it's the end of the world!

23. Do you consider yourself religious? Yes.

24. How do you usually dress? Jeans, top, ballet flats.

25. Have you ever been to Six Flags or Cedar Point? -Not yet.

26. Would you eat sushi? -Yes.

27. Would you smoke? -Rarely, when I'm clubbing/drinking.

28. What is your favorite sport? -Lawn tennis.

29. Do you believe that animals have souls? -I'd like to think I'm part Buddhist, so yes.

30. Who did you last talk to? -Sandy.

31. What is one thing that annoys you? -No common sense.

32. Do you believe in God? -I do.

33. Have you ever fallen in love with a neighbor? -No.

34. Last time you saw your mom? -This morning.

35. Would you be president if you could? -Why not? Go!

36. Do you like cats? -I'm allergic to anything furry/hairy. :p

37. How are you feeling right now? -Elated, don't ask me why.

38. Do you have a soul? Yes, of course.

39. One best friend or many good friends? -I'm good with one bestfriend.

40. Do you believe in spontaneous combustion? -No, I'm scared of fires of any kind.

41. Mom or Dad? -Mom definitely.

42. Is it Pet’s Mart or Pet Smart? -Ask google!

43. Do you like the band Radiohead? -Yes, I do.

44. What is your favorite female name? -Astanna!

45. Have you ever shoplifted? -In high school with my friends, cream stix.

46. Do you think Snoop Dogg sucks? -Don't care about him.

47. Have you ever driven a Ferrari? -In NFS, yes. In real life? I WISH!

48. What do you call those little plastic things on the ends of shoelaces? -Aglet!!!.

49. Have you ever walked more than a mile? -Yes.

50. Do you believe in magic? -I'd like to.

51. Have you ever been suspended from school? -Never!

52. Have you ever skipped school? -In college, yes. So my friends and I can go pig out.

53. Explain what you think about hippies. -I like the way they dress, the Coachella type hippies.

54. New York or California? -NEW YORK!

55. Have you ever been dumped? -Yes, it was a good thing, some kind of a wake up call.

56. What are you wearing right now? -Grey blazer over white top, dark jeans and nude wedge.

57. Favorite city? -NYC, need I say more?

58. Collar popped or normal? -Normal

59. Have you ever asked someone out? -Yes, I did. I'm in control! Hahaha!

60. Do you have any collections? of? -Cosmo magazines

61. Ocean or pool? -Ocean of course.

62. Fridays or Ruby Tuesdays? -TGIF's.

63. Do you want to go to college? -I already graduated, but I want to go back.

64. Have you ever gone to a mall? -Yes. Where do you think I live? In Terra Nova?

65. Would you be my friend? -Sure!

66. Why do you like the music you do? -No reason, I just like them.

67. Do you read much? -Yes, but I'd like to read more than I used to.

68. Favorite country? -Philippines

69. What is something you wish you were better at? -Any kind of sports.

70. What’s your favorite album/CD? -All of The Script's.

71. Hamburgers or cheeseburgers? -Cheeseburgers.

72. Planes or boats? -Planes when I'm in a hurry, but boats when I'm not.

73. One rumor that’s been spread about you: -I'm an alien.

74. Who is your newest friend? -Rhian

75. Have you ever sat on a rooftop? -Yes, the rooftop of our house in the province.

76. Last text? -My mobile network provider.

77. Do you drink soda? -Awful lot. :(

78. Do you like yourself? -Told you, I'm my favorite person most of the time.

79. Hot or cold? -Cold

80. Do you play an instrument? -Piano and guitar.

81. What’s your favorite movie/s? -Casa Blanca, A love Affair

82. Would you date someone older than you? -Yep, in fact I prefer someone older.

83. Do you believe in love at first sight? -No.

84. Favorite type of sock? -The thinnest/sheerest kind, I'm into ballet flats.

85. Do you drink alcohol? -Occasionally.

86. Do you want to talk to anyone right now? -Living or dead? :)

87. Would you dress as the opposite sex? -At Halloween/costume parties, yes.

88. Do you like to learn? -I crave to learn.

89. Have you ever been hit on by the same sex? -Not yet, it would be weird I guess.

90. Where did you last go on vacation? -Being in my bed the whole day feels like a vacation to me.

91. Yahoo or Google? -Google

92. Explain your religious beliefs. -Roman Catholic.

93. Do you have a bad life? -All things considered, no. I think I'm living a pretty good life.

94. Favorite comic strip? -Archie.

95. Have you ever broken a bone? -Dislocated, yes. Broken, no.

96. Do you have any piercings? -Ears.

97. Have you ever gone skinny dipping? -Not yet, but it's on my bucket list.

98. What name brand do you wear the most? -Zara, Topshop, Forever21

99. Last time you were really really mad? -Don't remember.

100. What is your favorite flavor in general? -Can't generalize.

101. Name 4 things you always have with you: -wallet, eyeliner, lipgloss, phone?

102. How many ex boyfriends/girlfriends do you have? -3 exboyfs.

103. Why do you admire people? -Because they deserve my admiration.

104. Do you like sports? -Yes, but sports don't like me.

105. Would you have sex before marriage? Why or why not? -Is this a trick question? :0

106. What is your favorite male name? -James.

107. Do animals go to Heaven? -I've no idea.

108. Last time you saw your dad? -2 years ago, not sure.

109. What is your favorite hair style? -Wavy (the beach-wave type) and long.

110. Do you like your name? -Yes, kinda grew on me. Haha

111. Would you drop out of school or quit your job? -Yes to quitting. Hahaha!

112. When you wake up, what is the first thing you think? -I'm hungry, what shall I have?

113. Have you ever pulled an all-nighter? -Yes, college and work.

114. What is the perfect day for you? -At home on a rainy day.

115. Last time you used the bathroom? -10 minutes ago.

116. Have you ever failed a grade? Why? -Yes, Math 41 (Calculus). I suck at Math, big time!

117. Have you met anyone online? -Met in person? Nope.

118. Have you ever smoked? -Yep.

119. Do you like celebrities? -Yes!

120. Do you like traveling? - A LOT!

121. Would you go rock climbing? -Yes!

122. Do you believe in love? -Yes.

123. Have you ever snuck anyone into your house? -Hahaha yes! High school memories.

124. Do you personally know any bums? -Yes.

125. Do you believe in aliens? -I've watched some Ancient Aliens eps, and I'm almost convinced.

126. Have you ever kissed someone? -Yes.

127. Would you sell your soul to the Devil? -No

128. Coke or Pepsi? -COKE

129. Hug or kiss? -Both?

130. Bagels or chicken? -Bagels

131. What is your eye color? -Dark brown.

132. Watching or playing sports? -Watching, I'm a klutz.

133. Would you have plastic surgery? -Nope.

134. Last phone call? -Mom.

135. Do you have a girlfriend? -I have girlfriends!

136. How do you align yourself politically? -Lots of political parties in my country, but I stay informed.

137. Do you have any pets? Why? -None, I'm allergic.

138. Do you believe in soul mates? -Kinda.

139. Do you stop to smell the roses? -Figuratively, yes.

140. Do you like taking surveys? -Like this? Yes.

141. Have you ever stolen something over $20? -No.

142. Disney or Warner Brothers? -Undecided.

143. Do you know how to drive stick? -Yes, both MT/AT.

144. Do you ever use your full name? -On legal docs.

145. Do you get annoyed easily? -Yes, working on my patience though.

146. Would you eat human flesh for money? -NEVER.

147. Dogs or cats? -If I wasn't allergic, dogs.

148. Have you ever been on a road trip? -A lot of times.

149. What’s your favorite drink? -SODA.

150. Favorite food? -Bacon

151. Do you like seafood? -YES! I grew up in a coastal town.

152. Have you ever sworn? -To secrecy? yes.

153. Would you try to take over the world? -In a good way? Yes.

154. Would you give me $5? -For what?

155. Have you ever been asked out? -Yes.

156. How much cash do you have right now? -A little over a thousand pesos.

157. Weekdays or weekends? -I live for the weekends!

158. Jeans or skirt? -Jeans

159. Do you want to get married? -Maybe, not sure.

160. You’re having a bad day. Who do you want to talk to? -Mom.

161. Do you study the Bible? -No.

162. Mints or chewing gum? -Mints

163. Shorts or pants? -Shorts

164. Name one person you hate, and why: -___________

165. Your favorite store/s? -Zara, Forever21, Topshop, Red Mango, grocery stores

166. One goal you’d like to achieve this year: -Meet KK in person. Please, please, please.

167. Do you like cows? -I love cows' milk. :D

168. Who is your oldest friend? How long have you known them? -Mark, since we were 2 or 3 I guess.

169. Do you like photography? -Absolutely

170. Pain or no gain? -What? It's No Pain no Gain, right?

171. Say something annoying. -"do you want.. to like.. go to.. like the mall.. like with me.. like today?"

172. How often do you visit your facebook/twitter/etc profile? -Daily.

173. Do you ever cook? -Yes, when I have no choice. Or when I have to impress.:D

174. Have you ever been on a boat? -Lots of times.

175. What do you do most when you’re bored? -Channel surfing.

176. What is your favorite musical instrument? -Violin, but I don't know how to play it.

177. What’s your phone ringtone? -Laserlight by Jessie J.

178. Have you ever been in a movie? -No, but I want to keep my options open. :)

179. Cappuccino or coffee? -Cappuccino.

180. Have you ever been on a plane? -Yes

181. Have you ever seen Switchfoot in concert? -YES! Mosh pit baby!

182. Would you run from the police? -Did I do something wrong?

183. Have you ever been asked for an autograph? -Hahaha I wish!

184. Do you wear makeup? -Yes

185. Do you want a boyfriend or girlfriend? -Not now.

186. Last hug? -Mom

187. Have you ever been high… on life? -Oh yes!

188. Sneakers or flip-flops? -Flipflops, I live in a tropical archipelago.

189. Do you want to have kids? -Maybe.

190. Are you afraid of the dark? -No.

191. What if you had three wishes – what would you wish for? -meet Kareena Kapoor and Jessie J in person, and have the ability to teleport.

192. Do you feel sad often? -No. Thank god.

193. Have you ever been in love? -Yes but...

194. Do you shower daily? -Twice a day, the least. I live in the tropics, and it gets really hot during the summer.

195. Have you ever prank called someone? -yes, my friends!

196. Boxers or briefs? -Boxers

197. You are about to die. What do you do with your worldly possessions? -If I were filthy rich, I'd leave some for my family, close friends and to foundations of my choice.

198. Have you ever bought a car? -Again a toy car.

199. What is your favorite type of music? -I appreciate all kinds, but no boybands please.

200. What’s your family like?-Loving and so much fun!