A lot of things happened last month.
First, I celebrated my 26th birthday. There was no party, just a small family gathering and a few invited friends. Albeit the fact that I’m not contented financially and career-wise at my age, I’m still thankful that I was able to survive last year’s difficulties. Sometimes, thoughts like “I should have already achieved this and that at my age” and questions like “why are you still single?” make me sad but my family reminds me to always look at the silver lining. I still have a stable job and family and friends who love me no matter what and that should be more than enough.
Second, my younger sister gave birth to a healthy baby boy 
Our neighbors told us he’s very handsome! No wonder, it runs in the blood! *Wink. He is our little angel, he makes us happy and everything he does is just amazing. Like when he smiles, when he cries, and even when he farts, it’s just fantastic! He’s unbelievably irresistible He is the only person in this world who farts and doesn’t annoy me. On the contrary, I find it very funny when he does it haha!
Last my bestfriend, Mary, just got married. I was her bridesmaid and her elder sister, Martha, is the Maid of Honor. Her wedding gown is so beautiful, she looks like a queen! And me? Well, I’m the princess hehe I tried really hard to gain weight for my gown but friends still think I’m too skinny 
I’ll post a picture when I find the time. It was a blissful event. Some of our former classmates and schoolmates in high school were also there so it was like a reunion for us.
new angel
That’s my 35-week old nephew, Justin. Isn’t he lovely? We think he is! In fact, we are all very excited to see him. Every member of the Vargas Family is eagerly waiting for his arrival and it won’t be long. My sister, who is a first time mom to be, is scheduled to give birth within this month. And you know what? Our family is kind of very traditional. Kally had a complete pre-natal check-up but she won’t be giving birth in the hospital. Instead, a licensed mid-wife was hired to attend to her during child delivery. We were at first horrified by her decision especially her husband who wouldn’t give his consent. We’ve heard a lot of horror stories about women who suffered compIications while giving birth at home. But Kally’s decision is final and she trusts Sally, the mid-wife, very much. They’ve been bestfriends ever since the world began. I think my sister is the strongest woman in the whole wide world! In her ultrasound report, it was written:
Within the gravid uterus is a single, live, male fetus presently in cephalic presentation … there are active cardiac pulsation and gross body movements…
I am honestly super dooper scared with the idea of her not wanting to go to the hospital but I also know that I have to respect her decision. I just trust the Lord that everything will be alright.
Some people may find this idiotic and crazy, but I do believe that finding the right applicant for the job is akin to finding a suitable husband. What an odd comparison, you say. But come to think of it. We, girls, have a lot of issues in finding Mr. Right. Will he be a good father? A good provider? Does he have a sense of humor? Is he healthy? Things like that. Same goes with headhunting.
A headhunter is someone who specializes in matching highly skilled professionals with corporate clients. It is the task of a headhunter to identify the most qualified person for the job. Among the things that she takes into consideration would probably be age, work experience, personality, education, etc. She can be an indepedent contractor or she may work through an Executive Search agency. Just like a hard to get woman on the first date, a headhunter may act cold during the initial interview. This is because, she is measuring the willingness and determination of the applicant to work for the company. So you ought to give your best if you want to impress her.
I am a 25-year old woman and it is but natural that I am already searching for a possible lifetime partner. Just like a headhunter, there are certain things that I am looking for in a man. He’s got to be really nice, respectful and decent. Basically, I just want to fall in love with someone who can make me laugh and somebody who believes in marriage. Yes, unfortunately, I’m not that choosy hehe
For nearly 10 years, I hid my diary in my dad’s cabinet, in a drawer with lock and keys. Perhaps you are wondering why of all places, I decided to keep it there. The reason is simple and smart. My siblings are scared to touch anything from our father’s treasured documents and well, my dad would never have interest in a piece of pink notebook that looks like a photo album.
Six years later after my father passed away, mom asked me to help her dispose some of the things that we won’t be needing anymore. We cleaned the entire house which was an easy task because our entire house is just 45 sqm hehe so it’s small. And then, I found my old but unforgotten diary! Yehey!
I never allowed anyone, not even my bestfriend, to read a single page in that diary. Everything written in it, I considered as too personal and private. No. I don’t have a lot of secrets though I’d like to consider myself as clandestine. That diary is just about a boy I met when I was 16 years old. It’s just weird because after almost a decade of keeping my mouth shut about my true feelings for him, the boy and the diary don’t mean a thing to me now.
I read a few lines in one of the entries and I couldn’t help but laugh at myself with the way I used to feel for that boy. How I swoon everytime our eyes meet, how happy I was everytime he smiles at me, how I adored his newly cut hair, blah blah blah. Now all I can say is YIKES! Hehe! At the last few pages of my diary, I even planned to study in the same university where he was finishing his degree in Computer Engineering. Stupid Love! Haha!
Makes me think of another Leah Salonga soundtrack! “And while the song still brings that certain glow and the world still sing of a love I know. It isn’t quite the way it was before. I remember the boy but I don’t remember the feeling anymore.” Oh how I love Lea
Certainly, my life hasn’t been all daisies and roses. I’ve had my fair share of struggles and painful experiences and for the most part, I’ve chosen to keep everything to myself. Maybe for the fear of judgement and criticism of other people or I simply don’t want others to pity me. My pride is all I have and I feel like I’m going to lose my self respect if I’d allow them to see my weaknesses.
Society’s expectations are silly. They expect you to be happy all the time and to be thankful for everything. My neighbor got hit by a jeepney and lost his right leg and guess what our ”friendly neighborhood” told his poor wife? “Your husband is still lucky. He still have his left leg.” The woman responded with just a meek smile. I’ve known her ever since I was a little girl and she’s always been calm and collected. But I doubt if those so-called ”words of encouragement” helped ease her heart.
I just realized that sometimes people’s expectations are forcing us to live behind a mask. We always need to show that we’re okey and that we can handle all our problems even if deep inside, we’re already crushed …
Although my life story is far from Disney’s Mulan, her song will always be my favorite
Reflection by Lea Salonga
Look at me
I will never pass
For a perfect bride
Or a perfect daughter
Can it be,
I’m not meant
To play this part?
Now I see,
That if I were truly
To be myself
I would break my
family’s heart
Who is that girl I see?
Staring straight
Back at me
Why is my reflection
someone I don’t know?
Somehow, I cannot hide
Who I am, though I’ve tried
When will my
reflection show
Who I am inside
When will my
reflection show
Who I am inside