The last few days have been very eventful. From the time the Cebu folks arrived last Wednesday, up to their return flight yesterday morning, we've done nothing but eat, chat, laugh, sight-see and then eat some more. This will definitely be on the top of my best experiences ever list :)


The Cabatingan family in Gerry's Grill, Mall of Asia


Dinner at Margot's house.


Sisters in Sonya's Garden


Freezing at Taal Vista Lodge


Enjoying the afternoon sun at Ilog Maria


With my sibs right outside the church


Margot and Drago with the Batac Boys


Dancing the night away :)

In a way, it's oddly comforting to know that the most pressing issue in my life right now is taking the Bar and then passing it. The worst that could really happen is that I fail it the first time so I'll have to take it again. But because I'm a UP Law student I will, eventually, pass the Bar (as Sir Leonen gleefully told us before).

Sometimes I'd like to believe that the Bar is the end all and be all. That the moment my name comes out in the passing list, everything in my life will fall magically in place, that the condo I've been salivating over will suddenly be ready for my occupancy and I'll have oodles and oodles of cash at my disposal. Dream on.

To the Bar and beyond.

******

If I could travel back in time and talk to my 15 year old self, I'd tell her:

1. Use Cetaphil.


2. Don't touch your face!


3. It only looks big because the mirror is an inch away from your face.


4. Mothers generally mean well, but it's best to learn when NOT to listen to them.


5. Don't kid yourself, they're not gonna get any bigger.


6. Enjoy being tall while it lasts.


7. And by the way, you'll end up in law school.

Yup, I would have definitely saved my teenage self a lot of grief and useless angst.

*********

A Portian sis made it to the final cut of this year's Binibining Pilipinas!

Go Tere!

From last Saturday's portia picture taking. Can't wait for the official shots (hello Jam! :)





*More pictures in Kitch's Multiply site

Sonya's Garden is turning out to be THE place to be in my family. It's become number one on the pasyalan list whenever we have to entertain some guests. Hey, I'm definitely not complaining :)

Tita Helen was sa awed with Sonya's Garden that she insisted that I have my wedding reception there in the future. Okay. :)

My mom and tita Helen digging in

Walking towards the Bed and Breakfast

But more than just a possible party venue, Sonya's Garden always gives me ideas on how my future house would look like. I guess it's just the Pinoy in me but I really like the feel of dark wood and capiz shells. They always look so homey and lived in. None of the Victorian frou-frou or minimalistic style for me.

These days, as G could attest to, my nesting instinct has been at an all time high. I'd rather roam through the home depots than clothing stores and I seriously think of which fixture would go well with what. G says that he'll bring me to the Focolare Center near his house one day just to satiate my nesting drive. Looking at all those furniture must be heavenly!And buying some and actually having somewhere to put them in divine.

Howell, that's definitely something to work towards.

I love the chandeliers there!

One of the smaller dining areas. I want a loft too

Hay naku, I had to wake up early (ok, just an hour early) just to post this. Because by the time 8am rolls in, the internet becomes ridiculously slow once again. Damn you PLDT!

Anyway, not much has been going on. I've more or less set my mind to the sad truth that I'll be studying for the Bar for the most part of this year. Gotta get it over and done with and hopefully, only take it once.

But more than September, I'm really dreaming of October. In my mind, right after the last Bar Sunday (or maybe a few days after) I'll be hopping on a plane with my passport and Schengen visa in hand and be on my merry way to Luxembourg. There my cousin Ligaya will play tourist guide and show me the wonders of Luxembourg, France and Spain and we'll have impromptu song numbers and I'll discover a briefcase full of cash so I can go on a crazy shopping spree. And then I wake up and head on back to my desk to study some more.

The alternate scenario is to just (just? :p) go on an Asian cruise aboard the Superstar Virgo (or is it Leo). That would be also neat-o.

Whatever will we all be without our dreams to propel us during dreary times?

oh my god! blogger actually works!

thank the lord allelujah!

it's been a crappy week, with blogger down and all other google-affiliated sites being painfully slooooow. oh well, i guess i really did need a break from the net and a break was what i got.

anyway, an addict always finds a way and i've established a new home at multiply, mostly for picture storage. it doesn't have an "award-winning template" as sabitski point (hello G!) but i still think it's pretty nifty. do add me up if i know you and if you care.

i'm going to town today to buy stabilo markers...and to check out the mango sale! mango is love. i hope i can find something to wear there for drago and margot's wedding.

welcome back me!