Because Candy Says So...

I was editing my Friendster sites(yes I have 2 accounts) and saw a couple of pictures that means more to me than merely just adding the caption "with Nicole in Libis" etc. Indeed pictures can paint a thousand words and these pictures reminds me of the lessons that I've learned along the way. Some entries may sound a bit Dr. Phil-ish but all of the words are all based on my realization. I can do a lot of blog entries like this! (IDEA KACHING KACHING) hehe:) I so love pictures and putting captions on them can be another thing. Hope you guys enjoy this entry.

**Teach a child to do things! (teaching Ardee how to color)**

Teach a child to do things and they will remember you. I can still clearly recall who taught me how to tie my laces -- Tita Lissa:), how to color inside the lines -- Mommy, how to brush my hair -- Lola, how to keep my hair clean and "kuto free"hehe:)- Tita Dina.. etc.

**Bring out the inner child in you:)**

A thing that worked for me when I'm down in the dumps and want to have a quick mood booster, is to see my sister Nicole or my cousin Sacha. They remind me of how we used to be when we were young. Carefree, Young and FULL OF HOPE that there is a BIG TOMORROW ahead of us. So I made this mantra for my sister and cousin, WHEN SAD, JUST REMEMBER HOW WE ARE WHEN WE WERE YOUNG-- and you know where to reach me. :)

**CAUTION SHALLOW WATER, NO DIVING...**

I noticed this picture and saw the sign behind us. Indeed true. It has been a tried and tested thing that the stuff that works in life are those with strong foundations. Sometimes we dive ahead not knowing what's ahead of us, and if the water is shallow we get hurt. Same goes with relationships, always face it like there's a warning sign and don't go for the "kilig(shallow)" feelings right away. Just go for it when you know that it's deep enough, with a foundation. Mic and I started from strangers to colleagues, friends to best friends and now partners in life. MICMAC = my part time lover full time best friend for life...AND IT WORKS FOR ME.

**if your soul is shining,it won't matter if it's raining outside**

Nuff said. I heard from a friend that there's this girl who keeps on checking my Friendster and then talks shit about me. Girlie, the news keeps on reaching me. You don't know me to judge me, and it won't matter anyway. Piece of advice, save the effort and move on with your life. Insecure girls talk about other girls. Quit it and do a favor for your self esteem:)

**Conquered my fear of deep water-- Childhood dream: Be Ariel of Little Mermaid:) *check**

It was a lot of gathered strength and courage. At first I thought I will quit. I hyperventilated the first try, but I said to myself, I'm not going home with no stories and UNDERWATER PICTURES! So that's it! All I thought was my passion of having pictures and I did it. A very liberating experience. DARE TO CONQUER YOUR FEARS. IT'S A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

***CANDICE means RADIANCE***

My name means radiance. I hope I'm living up to my real name. I know I'm doing a good job with my nick Candy(sweet) hehe:)

***black and white Baguio Sunshine--turning point--***

Some events in our life are unexplainable and still have a lot of hanging questions. Though how painful this events may be, it happened for a reason. And sometimes, you don't have to hear the answer from the person/people who caused the pain. Sometimes all you need to do is find the answers yourself and learn to know yourself more.

***ipod therapy--music soothes my soul..lalalalala:)***

Music is made for the soul. It's amazing how music can speak to your heart and sometimes we can relate to them. The irony of it is that it makes you feel you are not alone in the world who felt the exact same emotion you felt through the words of the song. For me, it made me feel that I'm not journeying alone.

***the spark--that started the rest of my life***

SIDE STORIES.. I have a lot of them. I found this pic and said YES THIS IS THE PIC! -- that started the spark of my new found life. It changed me and it nudged me of what I wanted my life should be. I don't want to dance alone anymore:) AND IT HAPPENED!

**CANDY WINK by the kids***
(Brea and Jersey--Michelle and Dhayve's daughters-- shot using my camera phone)

I love it when I see this 2 girls. At a young age, they've become friends(they just turned 3). And they love each other and kiss each other. It's just so sweet. I love a friendship like that, innocent and sweet. I still have a few friends who were my friends from the innocent and sweet stage and still is my friend up to now at my SWEET ONLY stage. Hahaha:)

**I love cute stuff:) it makes me kikay like that...**

I keep on buying small cute stuff. I think it's sort of RETAIL THERAPY. Well I noticed my number of "abubut" when I packed my stuff and moved out that I have plenty of them..some were even not used at all.. Well what I did was gave some to my sister Nicole and some to daughters of friends. :) No regrets. It made other people happy and I won't keep myself on my next impulse on buying that cute thingy.

***crossroads of my life! im not afraid to cross them:)***

Let me quote Meredith Grey on this one: "At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep other people out. They fence you in. Life is messy. That's how we're made. So, you can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them. But there are some lines... that are way too dangerous to cross.."

***hmmmmusicbytes -=candy=-***

To live is to dance and to dance is to live. Dance to life's tunes. and let the hmmmmusicbytes(this is my original word)

***Clearwater, FL :) --the bridge is quite shaky--***

When we cross bridges in our life and it's a bit shaky, it's not the end of everything. Quakes in our life teaches us to be calm and composed, time for yourself to think of the next great step. Slowly step by step, you'll be able to reach on a solution. Sometimes there's a raft waiting at the end to save us. Doesn't mean that you're done with trying, it's just that your on a better path on surviving:)

***WONT B. USED == may she rest in peace***

OK girls, Wont B. Used already passed away. She's no good role model or example so let's just focus on another model. It's time we learn from great females of our time. Learn more about Dame Mary Warnock. (Research Time!) for starters hehe:) Googling...

***Kick the nasty habit guys! (poof all i see is red)***

Yes I was a smoker and I did quit cold turkey style. It's hard especially during stressful days and you're used to de-stress using a stick. This habit used to comfort me at times I can't get anyone to run to but still it's BAD HABIT. It serves it's purpose when I needed it at the moment but it will slowly kill me. So just like bad relationships that can be addictive, I tossed this just like that:) It taught me something, DETERMINATION. It's almost a year and I'm enjoying the smoke free lifestyle.

*** STRESSTABS! haha***

WORK + FUN = BYE BYE STRESS - trying to stick to this formula. Hehe!

***sunrise that should've been spent together -- but now we're together:)***

There are places and things that we didn't attend to because we have to do something else. One thing I learned about regretting not going to places and events is not to worry if you can't make it at that moment. Sometimes there is a bigger surprise waiting. No hurries, live life day by day.

***candy = an animated storyteller***

People say I'm very animated when telling stories. Sometimes I can make a corny joke sound.. ok not funny but more corny... because I'm like acting along with it. That is just my thing. Watch me when I talk:) haha!

***Friends are our journal keepers!(my gfs unite! rc, kaye, inna and jess)***

My Journal Keepers are the ones that will remind me over and over again during get togethers about my stupidity, mistakes, LOL moments etc. I'm glad I was able to let the girls of my life meet and eventually they've become friends too.

Jessica- gf since Grade6, Kaye and RC- ICT gfs, Michelle- Branders gf

***dare to be crazy!!! (my bodyguards)***

Sometimes, what a group of people need is a good laugh. I did this as a dare when the OMS team went to Enchanted Kingdom for Team Bldg. Katch asked me to pose with 2 security guards in exchange of 2 PTO(Vacation Leave) and I DID IT:)

***YOUTH is not defined by your age:) -- Our hip-Lola, she brought us up with Style:)***

My grandma is 70 years old and she can still pass for someone that look like my mom. She's very conscious about her health. She's into vegan lifestyle, still very much updated in fashion, goes to the gym regularly and still have her complete set of PERMANENT TEETH:) She's an inspiration for me.

***set apart-- i enjoy my quiet time:)***

We need time to set apart and enjoy ourselves. I'm now a believer of the saying -- In order for others to enjoy your company, you have to enjoy your own company. Realize what are your traits that other people raves about and also rants about you. Strengthen the raves and change the rants:)

***ICT ad *dream to be on print ad, billboard and posters* CHECK!***

Another childhood-dream-come-true!

***aspiring photographer and lomographer***

Working on this other dream;)

quote for the day

Here are 5 inspirational quotes in my phone that never fail to lift me up when I'm having a bad day. Let me share them with you guys:) More quotes to come...

Life is a constant change. Love is the greatest surprise. Friendship is your best defense. Maturity comes with responsibilities and Death is just around the corner. So expect little, assume nothing, learn from your mistakes, listen to your heart, take care of your friends, treasure your family, achieve your goals, cry because of laughter, laugh because of pain, eat your pride and throw up all hatred, and always remember that LIFE is the best gift not everyone got the chance to have it longer.
-- John V.(Feb 24- after the weekend I went diving for the first time)

"Never listen to people who have the bad habit of being negative. Because they steal the best aspirations of your heart. Always remind yourself of the power of the words that we hear or read. Always choose to listen only to words that will empower you to be better."
-- Tin Sy (April 09)

We can be happy anytime once we understand that the only place we'll ever find genuine happiness IS RIGHT INSIDE US. Happiness begins at the point of acceptance: the point when we stop questioning why life can't be perfect and just accept the world the way it is. If the sun shines in your soul, does it matter if it rains outside? Certainly not. HAPPINESS WITHIN overlooks the sadness that any event may bring and God's grace will always be sufficient to answer all your needs. Stay happy rain or shine!
-- Tin Sy(April 26)

"Today is the first day of your life because it has never been before, and today is the last day of your life because it will never be again." - Frederick Buechner
-- Joey(April 28)

Life isn't always the way we want it to be. What matters is..
we live with good intentions and give happiness to those we met along the way.
-- Sarah Tiangco(May 10)

Be inspired:)

5 Lessons

Five (5) lessons to make you think about the way we treat people.

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor
gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
and had breezed through the questions until I read
the last one:

"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the
cleaning woman several times. She was tall,
dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question
blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if
the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers,
you will meet many people. All are significant. They
deserve your attention and care, even if all you do
is smile and say "hello."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her
name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 P.M. , an older African American
woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway
trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had
broken down and she desperately needed a ride.
Soaki ng wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally
unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man
took her to safety, helped her get assistance and
put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his
address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a
knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a
giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A
special note was attached..

It read:
"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway
the other night. The rain drenched not only my
clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.
Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying
husband's bedside just before he passed away... God
bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving
others."

Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those
who serve.


In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,
a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and
sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in
front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and
studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the
waitress was growing impatient.

"Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on
the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice
cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress
came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the
table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,
were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had
to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a
roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if
anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the
king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by
and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the
King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did
anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of
vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the
stone to the side of the road. After much pushing
and straining, he finally succeeded. After the
peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed
a purse lying in the road where the boulder had
been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note
from the King indicating that the gold was for the
person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The
peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve
our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a
hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who
was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only
chance of recovery appeared to be a blood
transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had
miraculously survived the same disease and had
developed the antibodies needed to combat the
illness. The doctor explained the situation to her
little brother, and asked the little boy if he would
be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a
deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will
save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in
bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,
seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his
face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a
trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away".

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the
doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his
sister all of his blood in order to save her.

The Perfect Husband

The Perfect Husband

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club.

A cell phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker-function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen.

MAN: "Hello"

WOMAN: "Honey, it's me. Are you at the club?"

MAN: "Yes"

WOMAN: "I am at the mall now and found this beautiful leather coat. It's only $1,000. Is it OK if I buy it?"

MAN: "Sure, ..go ahead if you like it that much."

WOMAN: "I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new 2008 models. I saw one I really liked."

MAN: "How much?"

WOMAN: "$60,000"

MAN: "OK, but for that price I want it with all the options."

WOMAN: "Great! Oh, and one more thing .... The house we wanted last year is back on the market. They're asking $950,000"

MAN: "Well, then go ahead and give them an offer, but just offer 900,000."

WOMAN: "OK. I'll see you later! I love you!"

MAN: "Bye, I love you, too."

The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are looking at him in astonishment.

Then he asks: "Anyone know who this phone belongs to?"

quote for the day

I've been receiving a lot of inspirational quotes daily on my mobile phone and my phone memory is starting to get full because I don't want to delete the beautiful messages. So I decided to share it to you guys and sort of document it in my blog. Starting today, I'll be posting a quote that I got through text that moved me that day. It may also inspire some of you. Let's get inspired!:)

The heart remembers all special moments when goodness made a difference.
May the love you share with others return to you in countless ways.

-text message from Dhayve 05-27-2008

Which Sex and the City Lady Are You?

*Sex and the City*

I'm so watching this movie! One of my favorite TV shows is now showing on the big screen. I started to refresh myself by watching my SATC DVDs yesterday at home with Micmac. I think he's enjoying it too, even if he won't admit it;) Saw my email today and every alert I got is about this flick.

I took this quiz from Ivillage, and I'm happy with the result. I definitely I want to be a Charlotte:) She's my favorite among these fun and fearless women. I like her style, her attitude and her flair in the show. Can't wait to watch the movie over the weekend!

You're Charlotte

A romantic at heart, you're strongly influenced by the intuitive, profound and sometimes naive. Though on the surface you may seem innocent and all about seeking the good in people, beneath the surface, you hide secret yearnings for intimacy, for attachment and ideal love. You want a knight in shining armor, a soul mate, someone who will complete you. You're super-sensitive, crying at commercials and sappy movies. You also provide a shoulder to cry on and open arms for hugs. Be careful that you're not so wide-eyed and trusting that you get taken in by some cunning wolf in Prince Charming's clothing.

cebu quickstop

On the dot 5AM Saturday Morning(05242008), off to Manila Domestic Airport. Via Cebu Pacific, we flew to Cebu for our Cebu-Leyte weekend for Daddy Peter's 60th birthday.

*My first plane ride and out of Luzon vacation.
*Met Ate My, Kuya Ian and Iya for the first time.
*Sto.Nino Shrine and Magellan's Cross.
*First Weesum ride to Ormoc.
*First weekend with the Macalua family. (minus Kuya Marc and Sharm)

my first plane tix:)

saw glysa and company in the airport

mic and candy:) first flight together

window seat;)

constipated look hehe:)

beautiful plane view:)

tourist?!!!

with iya and ate my in bayantel cebu- kuya ian's office

Sto. Nino Shrine

the long line to view the Sto.Nino iya baby:)

*will post more pics from ate my's camera and leyte trip soon;)
i'm still currently in mic's hometown enjoying the food and "pasyal". more updates and stories on next post:)

Cosme in Bolinao

Rain or shine....It's on! -- Dani Girl

Would you believe the OMS team and Art Dept. team of Branders.com was in Bolinao, Pangasinan that same weekend when Cosme hit the province at signal # 3. We were stranded inside the Bungalow we rented for the weekend. The wind was whistling and it's freaking us out. At first, Michelle, Abi, Mic and I thought of it as an adventure. We changed into our swimming clothes and braved the winds towards the shore front. The waves were not nearing the shore, they were stuck in the breakwaters. The water was surprisingly warm according to Micmac. We also got free acupuncture! -- it was like sandstorm. The strong winds blew some sand and when it hit our skin it was piercing like needles. So we thought, it's a bad idea to stay at the beach area. We went back to the resort and dove into the pool.

After a while we got back to the hut were the boys were drinking booze. Mic and I decided to go back to the house so we can clean up and to rest before dinner time. While we were inside the house chatting with Dani, Angel and Carlo, Abi came with news that Becky was bleeding. (Becky's 3 month pregnant) Becky was rushed by Ronnie together with Liza and Jamie to the nearest(1 hour away) hospital during the hit of signal#3 in that area. Theirs was a different adventure. Jamie told us that they encountered a lot of fallen trees and electric posts on the road. Good thing Becky is now doing fine and is recovering back in Manila. The baby is fine too. Becky just need bed rest.

The morning after the storm, the sky was brighter, the winds were tamer and so we decided to get back to our swim wear and take some pictures. So here it is, our Stormy Bolinao experience.

Fortune cookies at the NLEX stopover.

*coaster ride*

*country mouse*- they have round ears

Caroline Beach Resort -- "only the best" haha:)