[30 DAY BLOG CHALLENGE] Seven Things That Cross My Mind A Lot

Photo credit here

Hiya, guys!

Today, I'll be talking about things that crosses my mind a lot.

Truth be told, there are a lot of things going on my mind every single time. It's impossible for me to think of just one thing -- it's possible, but after that all of the things connected to that thought will be on my mind as well.

Crazy, right?

Anyhoo, here are the things that cross my mind often, and how I think about them at the moment.

1. Law School

My status right now is fourth year, but I won't be graduating until second semester of 2017. But the thought of failing just one subject in the coming semesters is bothering me, just because doing so will delay my graduation plans. So I'm just studying the hell out of myself just to make this through.

2. Youtube Channel

If you've followed this blog for more than three months now, you'd know that my sister and I started our own Youtube channel. So far we have four videos up on that channel but to this day, we have not added up to that number. The reason for that is the lack of tripod, because we could not shoot decent stills and sitting shots without it. Hopefully I could buy an inexpensive one once I got my pay, and I'll be able to upload a new video come Sunday.

More of my thoughts when you click 'Read More.'

Overdue Post

Hiya, guys!

I know it's been a looooonnnggg while since I last posted here. I mean, come on it's already July and my last post was way back in April! Right about now, I'm apologizing for that fact. And since it's been quite a while, it's time for you guys to treat you with a bit of an update on what I'm up to these past few days.

1. I turned a quarter of a century older almost three months ago. But unlike the past few birthdays where I had all that shebang, I just spent my birthday this year in my mom's hometown in Pangasinan, primarily to 'break in' our new family vehicle. For those 'auto noobs' like I was a few years ago, 'breaking in' a vehicle means driving a fresh-from-the-factory vehicle to a decent long distance for the first time to 'warm up' its engine. Kinda like breaking in to your heels a few days before you plan to use it. As for the kind of vehicle I was talking about, I'll give you guys a hint: the car is from a Japanese-owned company which has its factory somewhere in Rizal. :)

The distance between Manila and Pangasinan is a pretty decent one for breaking in our vehicle, so we headed there for that purpose. And since the following day is a Sunday (and my birthday!), my family and my grandma headed to the famous Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine to have the vehicle blessed and hear the mass. During the communion, I prayed to God, thanking Him for all the blessings I received and asked for further guidance for my future. *new work, please?*

the birthday celebrant and the *magic* car

Tatay, brother Harley, Lola Lolit, sister Martina and Nanay

Nanay and her Nanay

our designated priest who did the car blessing..

Side story: Manaoag is also frequented by students who wish to pass an important examination, particularly board/Bar exams. In fact, every year, our college schedules visits for the Bar candidates to this shrine as part of their Bar operations activities. Knowing this fact, I had my two favorite ballpens blessed during one of the blessing sessions in the shrine. I know it's kinda silly for some, but I kinda believe in this, so I gave this a try. Wala namang mawawala kung susubukan, 'di ba? Besides, I know some devout Catholic law students would have their codals blessed, especially when they they have exams coming up. *wink wink!*

More on the happenings in my life the past months when you click 'Read More'

Meet the Whole Clan Part Deux (aka the In-Laws Encounter)

Day 2 (December 20)

I did not dress up that morning, because I assumed that most of the visitors later that day will be the same ones as yesterday. But before lunchtime came, two surprises came in.

First, the scrutinizing relatives will come today. When BF told me that over the phone, I could not believe it at first. 'Akala ko ba dumating na sila kahapon?' 'Eh hindi sila natuloy, kaya mamaya na lang sila pupunta.'

Oh my goodness. I should have seen that coming. After that phone call, I am already preparing myself to either go back home to freshen up or pass by the nearest department store to buy a more decent blouse.

Second, my parents telling me that they will come over to the chapel to visit. They were telling me that while I was dressing up in another set of clothes (by the way, I decided later on to go back to the house to freshen up, and use my remaining budget as fare). I did not take that seriously, until they texted me that they are now in the funeral house. But more of that a little later.

By the time I arrived at the chapel, the prayer session (padasal sa patay) is going on. I entered the chapel quietly and went along with the prayers. Once the session is through, BF introduced me to the family members who are there. Some of them remarked the same way as his cousin did yesterday (though not the same words).

And finally, BF introduced me to the scrutinizing relatives, specifically two aunts from his father's side. But while one of them became busy chatting with the other relatives in the room, the other really took time to get to know me. You know, the usual questions (how did I met BF, where do I live, do I work and where, etc.) She remarked to BF, 'Sabi mo Don mataba yung girlfriend mo. Hindi naman, ah, tama lang yung katawan niya.'

Waaaaahhhh... Thank goodness my blouse strategically covered up my bulges...

While outside the building, I saw our family vehicle fixing its way in the parking area. I told BF that my parents are already here. At the same time, I received a text message. It was my mother asking me where the wake is going on. I replied within one minute while returning to the chapel, and shortly after, they are right outside the chapel.

My mom, dad and lil' sis are there, meeting the other members of BF's family and saying their condolences. Inside the chapel, mom and dad are speaking to BF's dad and sister. BF's sister, especially, being the chatterbox that she is (just like me. Kaya kami magkasundo, eh, hahahaha!), was the one doing most of the talks to my parents. She was also lauding how beautiful my lil' sis is. Oh, how I'm so proud to be her elder sister! On the other hand, I could hear BF's dad saying 'mga balae ko' in answer to the question as to who he was speaking with earlier. Balae talaga?!

I could not believe my eyes at that scene! My parents are actually speaking to my BF's family! It was like premature 'pamamanhikan.' But after a while, I thought, kailangan ba talaga na hintayin muna ang kasal bago magkakilala ang parents ng bawat isa? Hindi naman siguro laging ganoon, 'di ba?

Anyways, it did not take that long before my family and I bid goodbye to BF and my family. At the same time, my tension was finally relieved, as I could not breathe well during that whole encounter.

I could only describe that moment in one word: 'Whew!'


photo courtesy of Pan Am official website (abc.go.com/shows/pan-am)

Meet the Whole Clan (part une)

Perhaps the most nerve-wracking experience for any guy or girl in a relationship is meeting the other party's family, unless if you have known his or her family long before you became an item. There's the stress of making a good impression in front of them, and most especially becoming the subject of their (intense) scrutiny.

Just like any other girl, I'm also nervous when my boyfriend told me that he's gonna introduce me to his family. There are all those questions inside my head, most especially the 'would-they-like-me-as-I-am' question. But as I learned later on, stressing over that question makes me more stressed than what I already am.

But first, let me tell a little bit about my beau:

BF is the youngest son of four children of a police officer and a government employee, who are both retired at present. His oldest brother is a seaman in a foreign ship, the second oldest brother is a police officer, and his older sister is a graduating law student.

Both his parents came from a town in Masbate where almost all of the townsfolk know each other (not surprising for me), primarily because they are closely or distantly related either by blood or by marriage (which is quite surprising for me). Some of their family members became local public officials (and political rivals), while the others own the biggest businesses that they know in town. For these reasons, their clan became the most prominent and influential clan in that town.

And these are also the reasons why the thought of meeting them makes me want to faint. Don't get me wrong though, I wanted to meet his family, it's just that I'm afraid I don't meet their 'high standards,' if you know what I mean.

See how paranoid I am?


During the first year of our relationship, I get to meet his family, though not at the same time. I first met his sister, whom I quickly became comfortable with, probably because we share almost the same interests. Then I met his parents, his eldest brother, his sister-in-law and nephew at the hospital, where his mother is confined. The second time that I visited the same hospital, I met his older brother.

As the days pass by (and probably as his mother's condition got worse), I get to know his family more, though there are some that I still need to get in touch more. For instance, I haven't known of his second oldest brother at the moment. On the other hand, I get to talk to his older sister more often, whether on Facebook, over the phone, or in person.


When their mother died last December 16, it took my boyfriend two days to wallow over her loss. Since I wasn't exactly 'near' him that time (my family and I were on our way to the province when I heard the news from him), I promised him that time that I'm gonna visit the wake for two days once I get home. After that period, he immediately told me that he's going to introduce me to the rest of his family members.

At first, I feel like I'm gonna panic. Meeting his family is one thing. Meeting his entire clan is another thing altogether. It's because, as I've said earlier, his clan is one of the most prominent in his home province, thus they expect nothing less for their family members. Also, some of them may be scrutinizing, at times to the point that this becomes a deciding factor on whether they deserve to be a certain family member's better half. I'm not kidding -- as BF has told me, some of his cousins have a hard time getting a spouse because of this.


Day 1 (December 19)

The first day of the wake wasn't that bad. I put on a dress (one of the few times that I wear one), and even fixed myself before leaving the office (I went to the funeral house after my office duty) and before entering the chapel where the wake is going on. Upon entering the chapel, I was immediately introduced to some of his family members. Upon meeting me, one of his closest cousins told me, 'Naloko ka ba niyan?'

I smiled at that remark, because I understood what she meant. At the same time, I felt flattered because what she meant by that statement is, 'How the hell did my cousin get a pretty girl like you?' Not that I'm bragging, but that's the way it is, or at least how I comprehended the remark.

I was introduced further to other family members, and had small talk with some that I've already met before. (FYI: Prior to the wake, whenever Beau and I came across some of his cousins, he immediately introduces me to them.) At the same time, I also took time to prepare some snacks to be serve to the other guests in the wake. But for the most part, I'm playing with BF's one-year-old niece, Mac-mac.

Deep inside, I still feel nervous because I'm about to meet those relatives whom he says are scrutinizing when it comes to the unmarried members' beaus. There's this whole would-they-like-me-as-I-am questions milling into my mind, despite BF reminding me to be myself but be mindful of manners at the same time. But as time passes by playing with Mac-mac, I don't feel as anxious as before I enter the chapel when I speak to other family members, particularly those I'm familiar with already.

(to be continued...)

photo credits courtesy of Pan Am official website (abc.go.com/shows/pan-am)