Last of 2010

The gorgeous fireworks I missed at this year's Paskuhan!
[Photo source.]

Here we are, less than 24 hours from the beginning of a new year.

2010 has been terrific. Most of it has been fun, thanks to the incredible people in my life.

This year, I have met new, fantastic friends (I'm looking at you, Tumblr folks) and become closer with old ones.

This year, I have learned to drink not only vodka, but beer, cocktails, gin, wine, and hard liquor. I have been to several bars, learned drinking games (27 and Bobo Shot, heh), and learned to walk straight even with a fuckton of alcohol in my system. I am somewhat proud to say that I can now outdrink the very people (my neighbors from Marikina) who taught me to drink. Um, yay??

This year, my mom lost her trust in me, yelled at me for hours for coming home at 2 in the morning, yelled at me for coming home drunk and smelling of cigarette smoke, told me off for getting a tongue piercing, and cried so many times because I was being such a bad daughter. Looking back, this was my one big regret.

Here we are, less than 24 hours from the beginning of a new year.

A new year isn't really a big deal, but people need, want, crave fresh starts. A chance to get things right or make them better. Most people like to think that with every new year comes a clean slate, and although I disagree, I'm not gonna disabuse them of the notion.

Here we are, less than 24 hours from the beginning of a new year.

I have no New Year's resolutions. I didn't keep the ones I made at the start of 2010, and I know for a fact that simply writing down "drink less" or "study harder" isn't going to help my 2011.

Here we are, less than 24 hours from the beginning of a new year.

Counting down the hours, I wonder, have I changed? Have I grown as a person? At the start of this year, I thought I knew everything. I thought I was always in control, that I wouldn't have any regrets this time around.
2010 was a big year for me. It forced me to challenge my beliefs, my perception of myself and the people around me, my priorities.

I am ready for another year of emotional roller coasters, 12 weeks of menstrual rage, 10 months of seizure-inducing schoolwork, two hot months of summer love (lol), and 365 days trying to make the most out of life.
2011, BRING IT ON!

Things I am into right now

This is not a may-mapost-lang post. I'm just trying to get you guys into the stuff I like so I can have someone to talk to about them.

Books
Currently, I'm reading Stories, a collection of fiction by talented writers such as Chuck Palahniuk, Neil Gaiman, and Jodi Picoult. It's been really great so far—the kind of book that's so good you don't really wanna finish it, which is why I'm procrastinating on reading it. My only complaint is that Aimee Bender wasn't in there, which is crap because she is an amazing writer. Seriously, amazing. (Here is Peter Angelo's cue to yell, "Geek alert!")
I'm also skimming through Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. "Skimming" because I couldn't wait to read the book, but was too lazy to focus completely.

Music
Since few people share my taste in music, I don't know what the point is in writing about the songs I like. But if you want, listen to Weezer, The Cab, The Academy Is..., Beulah, and The Zutons.(I linked to songs I particularly like)
Charlotte Sometimes' Waves and the Both of Us is rapidly becoming a favorite song. It's about sex, as the lyrics explicitly demonstrate, but it's so utterly sweet and lovely that it doesn't sound dirty at all, even when she says, "You take off your shirt and pull up my skirt."


The Innernetz
Spending my Christmas break online is unproductive and can get really boring, but what choice do I have when my mom doesn't like me going out?
I had to find new ways to entertain myself. Luckily, I stumbled upon this webcomic on Cracked.

This made me laugh for minutes. 2ND & 3RD PANELS WIN.

P.S. This post is inspired by Will's blog entry.
P.P.S. I don't know why I feel the need to state where I get inspiration for my blogs.

Christmas 2010

Imaginative title, yes?

So I already told y'all about how Christmas in our house goes down. This year wasn't particularly different, so I'm just going to dump a shitload of pictures. Why? BECAUSE I CAN.

I've been handing out the presents since I was a kid. I have yet to pass the torch.

Kaimo women~ We be so purty

My beloved grandparents. They look so happy; GMH. I love them so much.

That's my mom attempting to photobomb.

Magic Sing, as usual.

Look at the huge-ass pile of presents I handed out. I was like, "From... To..." over and over.

I got a ton of really good presents this year. Not just from my family, but from my friends, too. Since I was too lazy to take pics, bullets!

• A small pouch from Aya
• Hot Water Music by Charles Bukowski from Andy. I am still shy about receiving this gift but whatever it's Bukowski so thanks bb :*
• A kiddie Hello Kitty watch and a bottle of Moschino I Love Love perfume from Mama. I LOVE YOU MOM!
• Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk from Mommy and Tita Anne
• Two cute shirts from Tita Ninang and Nanay Leth
• A really nice pair of sunglasses from Kuya Sean. My new favorite pair of shades!
• Cash from my grandparents
• A wristlet and make-up from Tita Malou
• A sleeveless purple top from Tito Don
• A cute little wallet from Tito Junie

Am still waiting for The Best Friend to give me the only Aimee Bender book I don't have. *ehem*Peter Angelo*ehem! Cunt.

Senseless happy rambling aside, 2011 is approaching and I have yet to write an obligatory "New Year's resolutions-slash-all about my 2010-slash-things I am thankful for this year" post.

How fat *am* I? God!

Excuse the emotionally charged title. But you can get an idea on how full of rage I am in this blog post.

So I spent Christmas in Marikina, in the house on the street where I grew up. Of course, I know a lot of people there, and the first thing they always said when they saw me was... wait for it... Ang taba mo na!

Okay, so the resolution is sucky and my eyes make me look like I'm possessed,
but am I really that fat as to solicit fat jokes throughout the entire night?

No, it didn't bother me. I know I gained weight and I'm okay with good-natured teasing, but the thing that pissed me off was my neighbor's unbelievable comment, to wit: Ang taba mo na! Tama na yan ah, wag ka nang magpapakataba! Papangit ka na niyan! Over and over and over and over.
WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK.

Not to be a total narcissist or anything, but I find myself beautiful. Not in the conventional pretty kind of way, but in the way that I look at myself in the mirror and I don't focus on my flaws. Sure, I have thoughts that are along the lines of, I'm so fat huhu WTF, but they're not that hard to let go of.

My point is, I feel good about myself (even with a mom who finds something to criticize about me every day). I'm disappointed in the people around me for making me feel bad about myself, but worse, I'm disappointed in myself for allowing them to make me feel that way.

My high self-esteem has its limits. Jesus. I am going on a diet and will exercise like hell, and when I get all sexy like Anne Curtis (LOLOLOLOL), I am going to walk around naked all the fucking time. Fuckers.

Hipster ▲

Yesterday, my mom and I had a discussion that went something like this:

Mom: Bakit ba ang sumisikat dito eh sila Lady Gaga at Katy Perry?

Me: Oo nga eh. Di ko sila gusto. Di ako mahilig sa mainstream, sa sikat.

Mom: Baka naman nagpapaka-effort ka lang maiba.

Me, in my head: FUUUUUUUUUUUU

I can't even.

It sucks that I feel like I have to justify myself, but here I am, doing so anyway.

I listen to indie bands because I think underground music is better than the shit popular artists come up with these days, not because I want to be different. I'll have you all know that I listen to Justin Bieber and I actually have Charice's Pyramid on my phone.
Seriously, I really fucking hate the way some people think I listen to indie bands para lang maiba. Do you prefer that I start listening to Paramore, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers?

Starry photo with Helvetica! So goddamn *~hipster~*
Photo taken from Sarcastic Indie Fucks.

What sucks even worse is that the hipster culture has been reduced to being a way to be *~unique~*, instead of staying true to what you like even if it's not the "in" thing. Wasn't the whole point of being hipster to be too "cool" to be labeled? Now everyone who buys clothes from ukay-ukays, listens to music no one else has heard of, and drinks at Mogwai (lol no not really) is branded as a hipster.

I want Paula's hipster glasses! Pero di daw bagay sa akin.

Cracked has an article that describes almost exactly how I feel about this whole thing. Read it, please, and think twice before you label someone as hipster or nonconformist or whatever shit you're calling anyone different is these days. Jesus. I hate people and their incessant need to label.

Also, listen to this awesome Say Anything song that sneers at the hipster culture.

Obligatory Christmas post

Let me start off by saying how much I love Christmas. Not loved, not like, but love. Christmas is my favorite holiday, and as cheeseball as this is going to sound, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

 NO THAT IS NOT ME RIGHT NOW. That was me in my awkward phase.
Also, that is my younger-by-three-years cousin, Dylan.

Just to get the negative energy out of the way, I am going to voice out my opinion on the whole Samahan ng Malalamig ang Pasko brouhaha. I love that Nestea commercial (the guy was really cute), but since then, everyone has been all, "SMP ako kasi single ako, boo-hoo." Jesus, you people are so fucking stupid. It's Christmas Day, for god's sake, not Valentine's Day! This is a celebration of cheer and generosity, not another reason to bemoan not having a boyfriend. You have 364 days in a year to whine about that, but do not ruin Christmas or else BITCH I WILL CUT YOU.

Ahem. Calming down...

So, back to the good vibes! Since my title has obligatory in it, I am writing down an obligatory wishlist.

1. Books. Recently, I have rekindled my love affair with books. This year, I have spent more than six thousand pesos on them. I used to frequent Powerbooks TriNoma, but ever since Andy took me to Fully Booked in SM North Edsa (where he bought me Charles Bukowski's Hot Water Music as a Christmas gift, thankyou thankyou thankyou), I have found a new place in which to indulge my booklust!
2. Shorts. And not those knee-length ones, mind you; I like really short shorts.
3. Samsung Wave or Galaxy. Obligatory far-fetched item on wishlist.
4. A vacation to Boracay or Palawan. Or anywhere that is not in Marikina or San Mateo.
5. A new pair of oversized black sunglasses. I saw one I liked in a department store for only P270.
6. Chocolates.
7. A very hot, very naked Daniel Radcliffe to jump out of a huge shiny ribboned box and perform a sexy dance for me.

Aaaaah.

Christmas, like I said, is the season of cheer and generosity. I also believe that it is the season of togetherness, a time for people to put aside their differences even for just one night. Coming from a cynic like myself, this belief is important to me.
Above all, Christmas is a time for family. The holidays at the Kaimo household can be stressful, chaotic, and expensive—imagine having to feed, and give gifts to, a brood of thirteen!—but it is also incredible. The food is always scrumptious, thanks to my Lola's excellent cooking; her Christmas specialty of homemade corned beef, in particular, is the most delicious thing to ever have entered my mouth, including past lovers' tongues. Not to mention the huge pile of gifts you get at the end of the night!

The Kaimo family. Not everyone is in this photograph, though.

I love the holidays because the entire experience in our household is inimitable and cannot be had during other times of the year. Time spent with the family is worth the time, money, and effort spent for the preparations. Walking down the street I grew up in, I inhale the crisp December air, look at the beautiful lights of every house, and I feel like a kid again, waiting for the clock to strike twelve, handing out the gifts as I do every year since I was old enough to read the tags on the presents.

I will never, ever lose faith in the Christmas season, and the happiness it unfailingly brings to me and the people I love.

Paskuhan 2010

As compared to last year's Paskuhan, which totally rocked, I found that I enjoyed this Paskuhan less. Or maybe it's just because I didn't get a kiss from my crush this year. (For the full story, I would be glad to tell it in person, complete with a picture! Hehe.)

The YC Buddies met at UST early afternoon to exchange gifts, eat, and of course, camwhore!

I suggested a Lookbook-esque shoot, which shows me failing at being fierce.

Mga panty ni Ava.

Mandatory "pa-family portrait-epek" picture.

Our block, 2BES1, was supposed to have a drinking get-together at Tapsi, a resto-bar near UST. To my friends' surprise, I didn't attend. To quote Denisse, "Ikaw, tatamarin sa alak?!"

To be completely honest, the most enjoyable part of the day was when we were goofing around in Lovers Lane.
More pictures!

Most people attending were psyched because of Franco, Up Dharma Down, Pupil, and Kamikazee, but since I'm not a fan of these bands (do not shun me! I am not much into OPM, except for Urbandub and Parokya ni Edgar), I was indifferent. Of course, until I remembered that Gabby Alipe was in Franco. GABBY ALIPE GABBY ALIPE GABBY ALIPE GABBY ALIPE  HNNNNNNG

By the way, I am totally jealous of my classmate who has a picture with him, even though I have my own pic with Gabby.

In the evening, I was with Chen, Lara and people I met through Tumblr: Andy, Sieg, and Alden (who I met for the first time). It was only for a short time, though, that I was with Hil, Reyvan (who I also met for the first time), Zy, and her boyfriend, because Andy and I went home early. He had work early the next morning, which meant he shouldn't go home late, which meant we didn't even get to see the fireworks, which to me was the entire point of going :(

Oh, and I found out that many other Tumblr people attended, too! I particularly wanted to meet up with Lloyd, Paolo, Yayen, and Gab, but cell signal was sucky and text messages were delayed like a preggy girl's period. Too bad.

Since the Paskuhan was sort of boring, I'm wishing that the Quadricentennial celebration would be spectacular.

You have had your fill of me.

Ingrid Michaelson's songs have grown on me. I now listen to them every day. There are a few that I am especially fond of, and it's because the lyrics almost always hit the fucking bulls-eye.

[photo source]

Overboard is my favorite Ingrid song, which is about a strong, independent girl ("I'm a big girl now, see my big girl shoes. It'll take more than just a breeze to make me fall overboard") who is reluctantly falling in love ("But as strong as I seem to think I am, my distressing damsel she comes out at night, when the moon's filled up and your eyes are bright"). Perfect for me.

Die Alone is about pride (something we all know I have an abundance of) and how it can make you hate yourself for feeling vulnerable when in love.

Don't be a fool girl, tell him you love him

Don't be a fool girl, you're not above him...

What have I become?

Something soft and really quite dumb

'Coz I've fallen...

Also, I like this song because the title is something I've thought would happen to me. Shut up don't judge me okay lol.

Starting Now is the song for moving on with your life after a relationship has ended. It's about fresh starts ("Starting now I'll never know your name. Starting now I'll never feel the same. Starting now I wish you never came into my world") and erasing painful memories ("I want to burn the sheets that smell like your skin").

By the way, the title is from her song December Baby, wherein she talks about a relationship that's falling apart because the other is pulling away. 

You have had your fill of me...

How can I catch up when I don't don't want to?

How can I catch up when I still want you?

Honestly, haven't a lot of us experienced being in a relationship where we feel we're the only one who is making an effort to make it work? Haven't you, at one point, felt like you were clutching at straws, desperately trying to hold on to whatever affection you were once given?


Other notable songs:

• The Chain. Listen to the Live from Webster Hall version—the choir in the background, their layered voices, makes this song beautiful.
• Giving Up
• When the Leaves
• Parachute: "I don't believe anything, don't trust anyone anymore, but I believe you when you say we're never gonna fall. Hand behind my neck, arm around my waist, never let me hit the ground, you'll never let me crash down." I want to feel this safe in love again.
• Sky. A collaboration with Joshua Radin. Their vocals together are really something, and the song itself is sweet and mellow. Pang-in love. Nuks.
• The Way I Am. For telling your sweetie that you'd love him no matter what, and telling him that you know he feels the same way. The line "'coz I love the way you call me baby, and you take me the way I am" always gives me the kiligz.
• You and I. Bubbly and cute, this fun song is catchy as herpes. One that will have you singing all day (and getting annoyed because you can't hit the high note in the chorus).

Seriously. Listen to her. She writes the best stuff. She's the type of artist that makes you go, "Oh my god, those lyrics just described exactly how I feel."

ASPC is possibly the shittiest thing I have encountered on Facebook, including the "I'm Awesome!" page!

Dear losers,
This saddens me. This really does. Actually, it disgusts and annoys me more than it saddens me, but that's not the point.

The point, dear losers, is that you actually had to make a page for this. You actually had to make a Facebook page crying out, "Where is my next boyfriend/girlfriend? I am an emotionally stunted person who needs to be in a relationship to feel like my life has meaning!"
"Anti-single". What bullshit. Being single is fun, but I guess y'all couldn't enjoy it because you're all just a pathetic waste of space. It doesn't help my disgust that almost all of the likers are jejemons. Holy mother of fuck.

Seriously, did anyone really find love here? Or have they just met someone who is as unstable as they are?
Jesus, the shit people come up with on the Internet. I swear to god I just might like this page just to be able to troll you, dear losers.

God, see what you're doing to me? I promised myself I'd be nicer, but goddammit if you didn't make it so hard. Fuck nice. I'm going to troll you 'til you block me.

90's cartoons are still the best.

Last week, there was this thing going 'round on Facebook:

After which I changed my picture to Ginger Foutley of As Told by Ginger for the lulz. Why for the lulz? Not that I don't think child abuse is a serious issue, but I don't think changing profile pictures would actually do anything for that cause.

However, to my surprise, a whole lot of people went and did this. My News Feed looks like a commercial for Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon.

It's nice, though. The pictures took me on a nostalgia trip, during which I realized that I'm only eighteen yet I have forgotten a lot of things in my childhood.

For posterity, I'm blogging about the cartoons which defined my childhood.

Hey Arnold!

One of the best ever. My mom and I watched this all the time.
The very endearing Helga Pataki is my favorite, of course. With her beautiful rhymes and smartass attitude, how can you not love her? And who can ever forget the phrase "Move it, football head"?

Their scenes always give me the kiligz. Seriously.

Favorite episode, off the top of my head: when Arnold and Helga get cast as Romeo and Juliet in a school play. (Or almost any episode where Arnold gets to show off his skylight. Dat shit's da bomb.)


As Told by Ginger

This series follows the life of teenager Ginger Foutley as she navigates the shark pool known as adolescence.
Mom and I also loved this show. She used to remark that we loved it because Lois, Ginger's mom, was a single parent, and that we could relate to the dramz~

We particularly love Courtney Gripling, whose outfits were always so cute.
You know, for a cartoon character.

Favorite episode, off the top of my head: when it's rumored that Ginger kissed a cool high school guy named Jake. Or when Courtney and Hope battled for Lucky Jr. High's queen bee position.


Dexter's Laboratory

Boy genius Dexter and his ditzy sister Deedee get into all kinds of trouble because of scientific experiments gone haywire.
I've always wondered, what is with Dexter's accent? Sounds European.
Besides the funny main episodes, I have always loved The Justice Friends: Major Glory, Val Hallen, and The Infraggable Krunk were the best cartoon shorts ever.

I had a crush on Major Glory and these pies!!!
Especially the cherry one.

Favorite episode, off the top of my head: the famous Omelette du Fromage episode, of course! It taught me that a) French sounds really cool, b) omelette du fromage is cheese omelette, c) being able to say only one thing makes you popular. Also, the episode where Dexter (or his dad, I can't remember) eats Mom's blueberry pie to look for something.


Powerpuff Girls

Besides having the cutest little drawings (seriously, how cute are they?) and the cutest little names, they had one of the most kickass theme songs a cartoon could have.

Favorite episode, off the top of my head: when the Rowdyruff Boys were created by Mojo Jojo out of snips, snails, and puppy dogs' tails (which he took from The Talking Dog).

The trip down childhood nostalgia is far from over. Expect my next posts to be about 90's TV shows.

Photo sources, in order:

• http://loadsmile.ru/mult/644-jejj-arnold-sezon-1.2.3.4.5-hey-arnold.html
• http://theonlyalea.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html
• http://thepinksylphide.com/2007/06/30/as-told-by-ginger-episode-1-commentary
• http://www.nick-asia.com/tvshows/shows/Nicktoons/As_told_by_ginger/courtney_gripling.php
• http://epguides.com/DextersLaboratory/
• http://elmiradorenlafrontera.blogspot.com/2010/09/el-laboratorio-de-dexter.html
• http://joeegi.tumblr.com/
• http://www.myfreewallpapers.net/cartoons/pages/powerpuff-girls.shtml
• http://www.vaiden.net/cody.html

Sucky pictures + Sucky captions = Sucky blog entry

My mind feels really cluttered right now: thoughts of school, home, and people keep spinning about, and I can't seem to write a single coherent sentence. So I'm going to post random pictures!

A painting I made back in elementary school. Lookit the purty colors!

Okay, okay, I know I suck. I suck big-time. I suck so much that you probably don't even know that the brown/flesh-colored rectangle at the lower-right side of the canvas is supposed to be a house.

But my rainbow is really cute. I love rainbow stripes.

Oh, and the jagged dark green thingy to the left is actually a forest. A fucking forest. 

Yeah.

My new favorite shirt! Bought this at Black Sheep (gotta love that boutique) for only P250.

It's black, so I automatically love it, and it's got a frowney (that is the opposite of smiley, right? Lawl) face on it! A fucking frowney face! How very appropriate for me! :D

Bench earrings for around P150. I have been eyeing this pair for about a month.

A huge and painful reminder of my first time to go karting. When I wore my PE shorts, it was really noticeable. Looked as though I went through a sorority hazing ritual. #SlightExaggeration

When I ran, it hurt like fuck, though.

Okay. Second post for December, and it sucks.
But if you like it, comment and boost what little confidence I have. xoxo

Cumolonimbus

It's all cloudy from hereon in.

Malabo.

The fog still hasn't lifted, and I'm left in a cold haze of confusion.

Where is the flash of lightning that would enlighten me? Thunder to call my attention? Corporeal rain, biting wind, to at least point out to me where we stand?

Maybe the clouds will part, ifs will fade, doubts will disappear, and fear will shrink.
This is, after all, the Philippines. The sun will come out eventually and shine to disperse the darkness.