The Fault in Our Stars

For a week, my world revolved around the lives of Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters (well, mostly on Augustus Waters). The movie was the talk of the town last summer but hearing that it was about cancer and dying, the little interest that I endowed it with was overshadowed by the other movies shown at that time.

So it was about two bright teens with bleak futures having diagnosed with terminal cancer. They met at a support group and jelled right away  (like I did when I bumped into my Augustus Waters with whom I talked -or  texted- about a book or a movie or nonsense with all night).

I wonder why most find it sad. It's sad yes but the fact that they were able to find their forever in so little time that they had is something to celebrate with them.

Self-expression or if I may say, flirting, has come a long way: from the coy glances and poker faces to staring competition and texting marathons. Misunderstandings or waiting can be daunting  so there's nothing better next to saying what you feel out right when it feels like the right time. That will spare everyone from sleeplessness and the agony of suspense for the answer, whether it may be acceptance or rejection.

So, how hooked am I (with Ansel Elgort especially)? Well, I watched the movie twice, read the book (where I freely visualized Ansel as Gus and finished it in three days), saved the movie soundtrack in my Spotify playlist and watched Divergent as well despite his little participation.

It was his eyes (that seem to bore right into mine) and his lopsided smile and the way he speaks; the passion in every syllable, the mischief...

A Close Encounter

I never thought for a second that I can look deathly pale with my burnt skin color but I did.

The morning was yet young, I was alone in the office when some weirdo invited himself in . I was rooted to my seat by fright as he surveyed the room. He stopped by my table and asked for a rubber band which I didn't have. He looked around as I pleaded him to stay out of the room. My eyes were everywhere: my two phones on the desk, JM's camera across the room and a loose monitor on Jen's desk. Apparently, he has no use for them. Then he aked for P10 to buy cigarettes to which I said none. Again, I pleaded him to stay out of the room as he continued with his survey. Then he spied the cheese bread peeking from my half open desk drawer. I told him, apparently without much thinking, that I brought that for myself for breakfast.  He went back to stand before me and reached out and picked something off my table. It was a P1. Then he left (Boy, why do they allow these people on the streets?)

Realization: When Kz came in for the day and heard of the story, she laughed at the thought of me dying by sticking to my guns however impractical they were, If she were in my shoes, she said she would have given the man the P10 he was asking. Yes, that would be the most logical thing to do sensing that my visitor was clearly lacking in the sanity department and might do some harm (pens and everywhere so who knows). Then again, if I did give in to his demands, he is for sure going be a regular visitor, which is not a favorable end.

Senti Sunday

Based on my account, I haven't been to Starbucks for ages now and so "vowed" to visit the next time I get to be in the big city.

Business was slow which is unusual given that it is a Sunday afternoon. It was a Java Chip venti for me.

It's disappointing though that the cashier did not give me internet access for WP. She said they no longer have internet connection when their network appeared on my phone. On top of that, when I checked my old phone, it connected automatically and has notified me of seven updates. That is quite a downer.  Yet, having a bad day was something that I did go out of the house for so when I was halfway through my drink, I headed out.

Starbucks is quite a long way to Robinson's. Yet with company and small talk, the distance was of little consequence.

Very much the same can be said about walking alone and think about the have been. It may sound pathetic but I beg to differ. Letting go may be easy for some but I'm not some people. Sentiments stick to me like second skin. I love them as much as I value my college notebooks in engineering science. The memories it inspired surprisingly brought smiles rather than regret.



Walking also provides an outlet to ease guilt from ingesting junk that does little for the body (that cream topping on my java chip venti) and prepare the stomach for another strenuous exercise set for dinner

.The weather cooperated. With skies overcast with clouds, high chances of rain, and the gentle breeze that whisked petrol fumes away from the sidewalk, sweating and smelling like smoked wildlife did not present a problem.

 I wormed my way into some intimate family dinner by the Maits at Bar 21. We had gambas for starters as spicy crablets were out of season. It was followed by stir-fried vegetable and Kare-kare and baby-back ribs. Everything was to my liking. So far I liked everything I was served at this restaurant except for their batchoy.

Great escape from my power-deprived city.

Café Norma - and Tales of Voluntarism

Hanging out with Rose has leveled up my knowledge about local people of interest. Today was no different. We were casually having after dinner hot chocolate at Café Norma's when in came this person whom nobody would look twice at; low profile to say the least. Their greetings indicated that they haven't seen each other in ages. 

Briefly, Rose introduced him to our small group. A product of the local diocesan school, Rose and Ms. Teray have been a part of his education and so it has become quite necessary to introduce Jen as the niece of his once mentor in computer studies. 

A proud product of Pax, he owed his training in voluntarism to his alma mater and lived by the values perpetuated by Mother Rita Barcelo: PDOE (I forgot what these letters stand for).  

A third party to their catching up, I managed to pick up facts about this person who is currently based in Africa and leads a UN group on their World Feeding Program. The job entails responding to the needs of countries in times of emergencies whether natural or manmade and he was reportedly  stationed here in the Philippines following Haiyan's visit of the country.  

So, he was responsible for making the Kenyan Coffee available in La Carlota. He brings home bags of the stuff whenever he gets home.