Hot. Mess.

With my two favorite PR eventscape beauties, JM and Nina in 36C-degree weather and with our hair down. =)

Makes you wish you were a teeny-bopper

I have the biggest crush on Ashley Tisdale because of this.

Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me, maybe?
It's hard to look right, at you baby, but here's my number, so call me, maybe?

And that's how I got my husband. (Only in my case, it was "hard to look right" at him because I was already pretty drunk out of my wits. =) Same diff.

Why being on top is such a lonely place.

While I've always liked sitting at the head of the dining table, I don't think I'll ever really enjoy sitting "kabisera" when it comes to work... or having my own office or sitting away from my team. Unless, of course, it was a team I didn't like working with. But then again, why would you work at such a place?

And yet, that's not the point nor the case here.

I just feel bad that I have to move to second floor... effective Monday. The floor where all the bosses reside. While my team... my friends... are downstairs and have to resort to SKYPE in order to talk to me, or ask my opinion, or show me something funny on their computer screens.

Yes. I'm flattered. And proud of myself.

But not as much as I am sad. And confused.

Confused that even though I've finally gotten a managerial position, why can't I not be where my team is? (Apparently, that's the general practice -- so I am told -- when it comes to moving up the corporate ladder, you move up some physical ladder as well.) I suppose it's to keep you from getting too close or too personal. But what's wrong with being "close and personal?" Can't people be close and personal and professional all at the same time?  Why is it so bad that I see my colleagues as colleagues rather than as subordinates? Is there some bigger picture here somewhere? Did I miss that part in SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE where it says the first step to being a boss is isolating yourself from the ones who helped you get to where you are?

I was effective where I was (Ok at least I'd like to think I was/am) Not just as "a boss"... but as a colleague, as a contemporary. As a friend. And yeah, even as a person. I was effective because I was able to appreciate everyone else's strengths and helped them through their bouts of weakness or lapses in judgment. I was effective because I allowed them to teach me the way they allowed me to guide them.

And hell, I was effective because they made me laugh and made me realize, no matter how bad it got, no matter how tired I was, being around them inspired me to finish the next issue. And the next issue. And all 64 issues I've done so far.

I don't get it. And I'm sad. I'm really really sad.

What it means to be ME

Feminine of Michael: gift from God.

Your number is: 3

The characteristics of #3 are: Expression, verbalization, socialization, the arts, the joy of living.

The expression or destiny for #3:
An Expression of 3 produces a quest for destiny with words along a variety of lines that may include writing, speaking, singing, acting or teaching; our entertainers, writers, litigators, teachers, salesmen, and composers. You also have the destiny to sell yourself or sell just about any product that comes along. You are imaginative in your presentation, and you may have creative talents in the arts, although these are more likely to be latent. You are an optimistic person that seems ever enthusiastic about life and living. You are friendly, loving and social, and people like you because you are charming and such a good conversationalist. Your ability to communicate may often inspire others. It is your role in life to inspire and motivate; to raise the spirits of those around you.

The negative side of number 3 Expression is superficiality. You may tend to scatter your forces and simply be too easygoing. It is advisable for the negative 3 to avoid dwelling on trivial matters, especially gossip.

Your Soul Urge number is: 11

A Soul Urge number of 11 means:
With the 11 Soul Urge, much of your thinking and interests relate to the abstract, the spiritual, and utopian dreams. You are motivated toward idealistic concepts, and the sharing of your ideas and concepts with humanity. This number is not one that is giving in a material or a practical sense, but rather one who desires to help mankind with a more abstract commodity such as religion, spiritualism, occult studies, or even psychic abilities.

If you possess the positive 11 Soul Urge traits, you have a dream of the perfect world; you are highly idealistic and inspirational. Your inner strength and devotion to your beliefs are extremely strong. You have a very good mind that is especially well equipped to handle the higher, more abstract forms of thought.

If there is an excess of 11 energy in your makeup, you may possess some the negative 11 traits. There is a tendency for the 11 to produce considerable amounts of nervous tension which is bought on by a very high level of awareness. You may be too sensitive and overly emotional. In some cases, these sensitivities and emotions are quite repressed, and this tends to add even more to the sense of nervousness in the makeup.

The strong 11 is not a very practical person because of the extreme idealism; often, there is a degree of self-deception present. There is usually a rather fixed idea of right and wrong held by those showing strong 11 traits, and with this very often is a resulting attitude of inflexibility.

Your Inner Dream number is: 1

An Inner Dream number of 1 means:
You dream of being a leader and one who is in charge. You want to be known for your courage, daring, and original ideas. You seek unconquered heights. People may get a first impression that you are very aggressive and sure of yourself.

 

Taken from: Paul Sadowski

To my king, on his 29th

It was only after 2 years, I finally remembered the EXACT date of my husband's birthday. =)


.......................


But sometimes, I think dates aren't as important as knowing your partner. Like REALLY knowing him. And because he has become a Game of Thrones geekazoid, what better gift than the Iron Throne:

for my MAD king =)

To you, thank you.

It's 11:02 in the evening and even though I'm SUPPOSED to be finishing an article (which I will right after I do this, I swear)... I just really want to say how incredibly grateful I am to the people who are helping Pao and me make this entire wedding possible. I know I've been relatively chill (at least compared to the other brides-to-be I know *giggles*) and seem pretty at ease with the whole planning bit to the point where I'd take it upon myself to play wedding coordinator instead of bride... but deep down, I don't think I could be as relaxed as I am if it weren't for our family and friends and their CRAZY OVERWHELMING generosity. Generous with their time, their talent, and yes, even their money (though time and talent IS money). And best of all, generous with their excitement. For them to be excited to help. It's astonishing.

I dunno. Maybe it helps that Pao and I have been good kids to our parents. And maybe it helps that Pao and I work in such creative fields surrounded by creative talent. Maybe it helps that the creative talent we're surrounded with also happen to be our good, good friends.

Friends who TELL you they want to help. Who insist. (If I weren't so excited I'd be freaked out by it because frankly, and without a morsel of modesty, I'm still a little... oh I dunno... like... that word when you don't get what's happening. Like you're in a dream.)

Whatever it is... my heart has grown sooooo big because of it. Really big. And at the same time, I'm also sooooo incredibly humbled by it. I'm just so thankful right now, excuse me.

Sometimes I think about what Pao and I could've possibly done to deserve such kindness. (Like I honestly think about it. Yeah sure, he and I are nice people. We're pretty cool to hang out with, too. But that's nothing superhuman to deserve such superhuman generosity. Maybe I'm overreacting. Whatever. Maybe being nice and cool is enough really. People just forget that sometimes.)

Whatever it is exactly... I hope we continue to do right by people who have so much faith in us... enough to share their excitement as well as to share in OUR excitement. This wedding is more than just about OUR union... it's about the people who helped us in the BIGGEST ways (because there are no SMALL ways when it comes to simply caring) and who nurtured and supported us in our relationship... and as individuals.

I'm excited to have a wedding (but not as excited to be married to Paolo =)

Partying with my favorite people is a super close second to that. So let's make this ish AWESOME. =)

My twin's 25th @ SKYE

Pretty
Pretty
Drunk
Drunk
Hit with a major case of the Munchies

The End. =)




Pretty to drunk in a matter of seconds, hahahaha!

Tum-tum-tum-tumblr-ing

Miss-Educated



ON LOOP:

Channeling Carrie Bradshaw

"And we were dressed from head to toe in love... the only label that never goes out of style." - CB


***Because I thought I should have a pair in my favorite color. (And because I thought I needed a pop of sunshine in my step).



***And because she's awesome, Ms. Mae threw this pair in FOR FREE-NINETY NINE. (I couldn't pass it up I'm so sorry, I know I should be saving but a girl needs to splurge every once in a while RIGHT???!!!)

Virtual Mae ---- To my awesome long-lost cousin, you and I totally need to go out for a drink because I so love you right now. Thank you for the free shoes AND for looking into supplying my "something blue" wedding shoes. =)

Psyche and Mommy - 3 summers later

                                                               April 2009


                                                               April 2012

the women of my childhood

Dear Ovation Productions,

Please send SWV, En Vogue, and TLC here to the Philippines for a concert. I'll pay whatever --- just to hear "I'm So Into You," "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," and "Baby, Baby, Baby."


Love,

Michelle

"I can live for two months on a good compliment."

Last night, as my husband introduced to me the beautiful Amalia Fuentes, she turns to me and tells me I'm pretty... that she loves my dimples, and that I have beautiful skin... and that despite the circumstances, she is happy to have met me.

And then she turns to my husband and tells him I'm pretty... in case he hasn't already realized it and he had better.

I was so stunned I ended up mumbling, "It's because of Galvanic Spa."

Really, what else could I say? "That's like Liz Taylor telling you you're pretty." (In the words of my husband)

She does however [and quite freakishly] remind me of my mother -- beautiful, strong-willed, assertive, charismatic, and very intimidating. But don't get it twisted: they don't light up the room. They command it. (Not quite sure if that's a good thing or a a bad thing at this moment, but perhaps... maybe... it's more good than bad. I mean... looking good because of your mother, whoever or whatever she is, can't ever be that bad.).

"These strong Spanish women," my husband says.

My sisters and I would be lucky to have half our own mother's commanding presence.

But I digress.

I was utterly cowed.

                                                      via ageLOC ME app


.....

Now I noticed [like I do when I have another one of my epiphanies]... when a man is forthcoming enough to tell a woman she's pretty, it's usually out of sheer wonder and amazement (when he's not merely being polite). But... when a woman tells another woman she's pretty, it sounds like an accusation. Like you've committed a crime against humanity and she's wondering, as she looks you over wide-eyed with surprise, what you could've possibly done to deserve such a face.

And that is why I think more women should give other women more compliments. Women (at least their surprise), are just more honest that way.