The Ninth 9/11

Seven years ago, when I came home for lunch after classes, I looked at the calendar and checked the date: September 11. Ninang's (Filipino term for godmother) second death anniversary. As I was mulling over Ninang's death, Mama told me to watch the news because of a devastating event in the US.

A video clip showed two huge towers exploding and crumbling down. They replayed the clip and I saw a jet plunging into the towers, causing the explosion. I thought it was a very good exhibition. Yet afterwards I came to know that it was a terrorist attack. It was horrific seeing those falling debris, thinking there are people that might be falling as well. It was truly an agonizing tragedy for the whole world.

The world shared my pain. And I to the world.

Picture taken from 911Review.org

Tech Tags: Twin Towers, 9/11 Tragedy, death anniversary, terrorism, Al Qaeda

My Thank You Speech

After more than a week of the new layout (and still not finished with the blog-organizing because of sleepiness), a thank you speech should well be given.

First of all, I wanna thank Carlota for giving me the opportunity to join the contest. I didn't expect to win and afterwards, I didn't expect the layout would turn out this great. ^^ Here's the original image I gave her as basis. (Thanks to Mike for my anime version. Yup, that's me with the cat. Though it doesn't look like it. Hehe. I just changed the background to become a night scene. Mike's so talented. Lookie here for more of his works. ^^)

Special thanks to my self-appointed campaign managers and their supporters. To Prick for his co-employees in TNCDi in the Philippines and Japan, plus Minifussy United Kingdom and also those in Korea and Washington. To Lowell for his constant force of friends. To Jap for his personal and SMS campaign to officemates and friends. They consistently reported results and I think they were more eager and competitive than I was. Hehe.

Thanks to all my blogging friends who I need not remind constantly to support me but voted me all the way namely: Emcee, F&F, Enday, Arvin, Blanne, Marvz, KC, Ester, Bryan, Eunice (vote for her till July 31 here!).

Thanks to all my online and offline friends whom I campaigned to through blog-hopping, YM and Friendster... my calugurans, ASC family, Rachel and some officemates, Retchel, Nie, Aldrin, etc.

Who else? I don't know everyone who supported me unless they left a comment or told me so. So if I left you out, just leave a comment so I can update this. ;)

Thanks for the overwhelming support. I would have backed down if it weren't for you all. Hugs and kisses again. ^^

I Applied for a Job to Bo Sanchez!!!

I can't believe what I just did a few minutes ago. I really applied for a job to Bo Sanchez! (And he might read this in the future if ever he visits this from my email. *cringe*) But I really did!

Well not directly 'coz I just used the contact form in Bo's site. I didn't know where (or which, because there's a handful of emails) to send my resume so I just contacted him through his site. Hehe. I must be desperate. Or out of my mind. I just jumped to the opportunity. Or the idea, in this case.

You see, I've always wondered what if I can be part of Kerygma (the magazine). I've always dreamt of a writing job. And now I want to fulfill that dream. I've always pushed that dream away though my heart longed for it. And even if my mind was used to cowering at opportunities that have to be seized, I now make my jump.

I told myself that I have to leave my comfort zone (software development) to chase my dream. I did when life permitted me. I resigned.

But in order to chase something, you have to run. In order to run, you have to let go of your fears and move forward.

I'm starting my pace. :)

P.S. It doesn't matter if I won't be accepted. Well, on second thought, of course it matters. (How can rejection be a happy moment, ei?) But that doesn't mean I'll quit. I have to move forward. ;)

100 Blessings

It's my 100th post here in NER! Woohoo! *fireworks and trumpets please* ^^

In line with my blessed 100th, it rained all of a sudden this afternoon. So I totally enjoyed my strawberry jam-filled crackers and warm milk tea. Yum yum ^^

For all the other 99 posts, this blog has gone through a lot of my rants, idiosyncrasies and meditations. And of course, a different layout and theme once in a while. (Once in a while daw oh :P)

Looking back at all those previous 99, I came up with my favorite 7 posts. It's nice that my favorites came out with my favorite number. (If you notice, my name has 7 letters also in it: N-E-R-I-S-S-A.) So here's my fave 7, in no particular order:

1. Yakult Litro. May kwentong Yakult ka rin ba? For me this was the most fun post I've ever made in this blog. It was real fun because me and my officemates were laughing while reminiscing our Yakult moments. It was funny and endearing at the same time. Yakult is an integral part of my childhood, I tell you. Haha. XD

2. The Dash by Linda Ellis. Among all the inspiring stories I shared, The Dash sticks out most because of the simplicity and profoundness of the poem. I wish I can do masterpieces like this kind.

3. Silang Lihim (Them Secrets). I haven't done any poem recently and this is by far my latest reflective poem on humanity for which I'm kinda proud of.

4. City of Sorrow. Since we came upon my former passion of poetry, this poem is also one of my latest works that delved into bleak sadness. I liked how it came about because this is a new style compared to my other poems.

5. Loneliness is a Friend. Perhaps I was really sulking in sorrow at this point of time, since both City of Sorrow and this reflection (my most emo post ever) were posted at the same month. Don't worry, I'm not depressed anymore. :)

6. When I Die. This poem is not as morbid as you may think. If you've read it, it's actually contrary to #4 and #5 because it sees death in a more optimistic perspective. I've done this poem when I was in college and only posted it in line with the coming All Saints last year. I'm touched that a lot of people appreciated its meaning.

7. Pabaon. This is just a short post that wasn't meant to be blogged. I was chatting with Chen then when she left ASC and I gave this piece of advice, which I thought was really good. Thus I posted it so I won't forget my little gem of truth. The post is in Filipino and in my haste, I haven't injected the translation so I'll put it here.

Wherever you may go, whomever you may be with, whatever happens...
the decision of who you will be in the end still lies in your hands.

I still have some things to write but it seems that my post is already long. Reflecting on my whole journey in this blog, it seems that I haven't fully given you a worthwhile stay here. So my resolution will be to give more sensible posts. Or if not sensible, at least, more of me. :)

Thanks, my dear readers, for dipping your eyes into my life. I know that this blog's public audience isn't much but I'm happy to have shared myself to you. Cheers to more blessings! ^^

Ei, do you have favorite posts here as well? Wouldn't mind if you let me know. :D

Power of Two

"So we're okay, we're fine
Baby, I'm here to stop your crying
Chase all the ghosts from your head
I'm stronger than the monster beneath your bed
Smarter than the tricks played on your heart
We'll look at them together then we'll take them apart
Adding up the total of a love that's true
Multiply life by the power of two"

To my kambal Lisa whose having a tough time now (and I know I'm part of the reason *sob*), I dedicate this post.

Despite the differences in our personalities, we've reached a closeness and openness rarely found nowadays. I truly cherish our friendship.

So before I cry over my mushiness, I always pray to God for your well-being and strength. I know it's difficult being you... though you don't share much of your problems. It's okay.

I'm sorry if I can't be with you now and share your joys, sorrows, complaints and kilig moments (haha). But you're always in my heart, remember that.

What's a few kilometers anyway? I'll bridge that if you need me.

Much love,
Kambal Nerissa

P.S. And stop being so mabait. Speak out! Hehe. May you also meet the man who'll see the true beauty you really are. Mwah!

What are your standards for success?

I stumbled upon this question while (I can't say for now)...

What are your standards for success?

My answer:
Honestly, success for me isn't material gain or power or fame. It is the fulfillment of my whole being, the journey to the goal. It is contentment and happiness intertwined.


***

O pwede na bang pang-beauty contest? Hehehe. ;) Happy weekend! ^_^

24:1

Morning of November 3rd greeted me with a clatter.

As I was stretching and enjoying my endless sleep of the vacation, my mind jolted with the sound of something that fell on the floor. Since I have no eyesight without my glasses or contact lenses, I didn't know the bright green thing looking back at me. I had to reach out for it and look it in the eye. It was Green Teddy.

The Green Creatures
Green Teddy (aka GT) is seen hanging out with his green pals.
GT is behind Piggy and beside Ostrie the Ostrich.

Before moving on with why GT is lying with me in my bed, I have to tell why he's (I can't say it) even in my home.

After he served his noble purpose of eating away our 5-peso coins in the office, we decided to pierce his lungs using a Swiss knife. It was very painful in our part but we had to do it. Eventually the coins, with a couple of 20-, 50-, and 100-peso bills, proceeded to the bank. I'll cut the money story there. Meanwhile, GT just lay in the office till I had the chance to sack him and took him home with me. He could now be seen displayed on our bookshelf. End of GT's social life.

So going back with GT on my bed...

I picked up the glowing greeny teddy and saw an artifical rose (familiar to our plastic roses on the shelf) taped on his tummy with a diamond-cut stationery (similar with my collectible statio) with this inscription:

Ate,
Thank U so much.
Happy Birthday!
Luv U,
Let

I cried.

Kenshin in Black Desktop

Even my MS Office skin is black. Haha.

Note: Vista taskbar c/o Vista Transformation Pack. Fooled you?

Dunno where Bri got the wallpaper. He shared this to me 2 years ago I think.

Chenalyn Mercado

As of this writing, I'm deleting most of Chen's blog. (I can't find the delete account, that's why I said most.)

The blog was mostly about Chen's (mis)adventures especially in conversations. It started out as a list of comical statements (example: magpa-henna sa kilikili) in my OneNote. Then one day I thought: why not blog it?

However last July, the fun blog I was writing in came to a conclusion due to evil perpetrators.

July 13th, 2007

Seriousness
Matagal na 'kong di nagba-blog dito ukol sa mga misadventures ni Chen. Gusto kong magpasalamat sa mga tumangkilik at natuwa sa project na ito. Ngunit lahat ng skits ay may ending, kaya winawakasan ko na ang palabas na ito. Bakit ka'nyo? Nauwi sa kasamaan ang blog na ito nang dahil sa isang naligaw na baboy. Bow. XD

Chen's Manager

Therefore, I am formally closing that blog (once I find that delete button). I wanna thank all those who laughed with us through the posts.

Kiko says:
Hey princess, just dropping by. Kewl entries!
2007/04/19 @ 09:47 AM

Mithi says:
Your entries are amusing, thanks for the comment :)
2007/02/17 @ 02:27 AM

riaclarisse says:
aus dito. saya. :p happy valentines!
2007/02/13 @ 06:42 PM

manwhore says:
funny stuff. I wonder if she's doing it on purpose. He he he. Passed by.
2007/02/13 @ 12:24 PM

HalfLife says:
nice nice.haha
2006/12/08 @ 02:59 PM

thewriter says:
:)

jhazZ says:
ei there!!i think you're site's so bright and so uplifting.I mean,compared to mine...this ones kinda fresh and lively...;)please tag me and tell me if it' ok to link you..thnx:)
2006/07/24 @ 03:17 PM

But most especially I wanna thank the bida, Chen, who stays a sport and still accepts me as her friend.

So here are a few of my favorite Chen antics captured in their original form. (For the last time: Sorry for the pics, Chen. Hehe.)

The 2-Year-Old Blogger

I celebrated my second year of blogging last September 22 without me knowing it transpired already. My, my. I thought I'd be able to post on the same day that I first spoke up in the blogosphere. I came a little late.

I first blogged at Friendster when I had no knowledge whatsoever of blogging. Browsing through my first blog posts there, which didn't constitute much sense (hehe), my very first post was a "review" of The Alchemist. To quote myself:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
I was expecting a better plot for this inspirational. I agree with my officemate, "The Little Prince" still is better. I guess the exact poeticism wasn't interpreted through since this is originally Portuguese. Sayang, I bought it pa naman. Oh, well...

Darn, now I feel that I should have made my first post more dramatic than raving negatively on The Alchemist, don't you think? But that's life.

I never thought that I'd last this long blasting my thoughts to nothing in particular. Hopefully, I'll be a successful blogger someday. (There goes my dreams swishing by.)

Happy second birthday to me! ^_^

Marky Cielo & Tyra Banks (kuno)

[Video taken through an XDA O2 Phone]

Posted this vid to test the Upload Video of Blogger. However, as of this writing, despite the fact that the video was uploaded successfully, I cannot play the file. Therefore, you could just see Lisa waving in static mode. Hehe XD

Edit as of September 5: Well the video can now be watched completely. Sorry if this vid seems so "kulit". Excuse my sprinkled laughter, Lisa's modeling and the overall chaos of the vid. As mentioned above, I was just trying the Upload Video Feature of Blogger. It works! After 24 hours perhaps? Hehe.

If a picture paints a thousand words...

My head aches much for me to blog something sensible. So just dropped by this wallpaper I made from Mike's original sketch of my anime version.

"Moonlit"

(c) Ner, moonlit background

(c) Mike, cat-hugging girl

cotton candy

Swirls of sweets beyond my touch

Cruising smoothly in a rush

Screaming silently in my heart

Someday soon i shall be part...

for the love of green

been reverted back to "MS Paint"-ing... but didn't know what to "paint"... tried playing around and liked the flow of leaves so this was what transpired. dedicated to lisa... for the love of green...