Everyone has a story to tell...

Audio

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:27:04 +0800

bunnytwinkles: Asdfghjkl. Hurry up 22nd of November!!!

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:19:35 +0800

Asdfghjkl. Hurry up 22nd of November!!!

Page 51 of 365

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:04:10 +0800

Lilith sat across me on one of the tables positioned next to the train’s window. A woman with long, dishwater blonde hair approached us and asked us if we were ready to give our orders. Lilith and I just wanted a cup of coffee. The woman disappeared from our sight and went to the kitchen to give our orders. Within a few minutes, our steaming hot coffee arrived. I put a sugar cube in it and began to stir it, looking out the window, seeing the familiar buildings of Division 1. We were heading off to Division 3, in a secluded recreation area in one of their forests.

I lifted the coffee cup to my lips and took a sip. The bittersweet taste of coffee filled my mouth and opened up my senses. I was about to strike another conversation with Lilith so as not to stay awkward with each other when she caught me off-guard and asked, “Did you love her?”

I choked on my coffee, spilling some of it on my suit. The heat licked my skin and I fought hard not to curse out loud in front of Lilith. I had to make an impression to her even if I didn’t like her one bit. She was the first daughter of Aurum, after all and I didn’t want her to come running to her father saying that I had no manners and had a horrible etiquette.I grabbed a napkin and started dabbing it on the fabric. This suit was new and now, it had a stain. Damn it. “Who?” I asked her innocently although I knew who it was she was pertaining to.

“Lauren Steel.” The name was enough to give me the chills. I fidgeted with the napkin and straightened the collar of my coat. I ran a hand through my hair and leaned back on the couch, watching the scenery speed past me.

“Did you love her?” she asked again and I could sense a hint of jealousy in her voice.

“Yes.” I said, straight to the point. “And I still love her.”

Lilith looked away, clearly hurt and dumbfounded at what I said.

“And I’ll keep loving her even if I have to go against Aurum.”

“I see,” she managed to say, her voice on the verge of breaking into sobs. “I knew you didn’t want the wedding anyway.”A tear rolled down her cheek. “I understand.” She smiled. “I understand because I love you, Jonathan.”

An excerpt from Chapter 23, “Steel”

Page 50 of 365

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:34:11 +0800

In my dream, the world was ending again and people were fighting. Blood was everywhere. It flooded the streets and kept oozing on walls. The sky was grim and dark, filled with storm clouds. Thunder roared in the sky and joined the sound of the ricocheting bullets and the smack of fists connecting with human skin and bone. Rain began to patter against the blood-streaked pavement and against my bare, hot skin fizzing it down and making it sizzle. I gazed at my surroundings, doing a full 360 and I see tall buildings and luxurious pieces of architecture. There was better infrastructure and more facilities. I realized I wasn’t in one of the poorer divisions I grew up in, I was in a richer one. In front of me were two large thrones, elevated by shining immaculately white marble steps. One throne was gold and the other was silver. On the golden throne was a familiar face I recognize. He was probably in his fifties but his body was still fit for his age. His hair was dark brown with streaks of gray amidst the dark color. It was combed back and revealed his face which wore a hardened and strict expression. From where I was standing, I could see his eyes, the color of the sky above me. He was dressed regally, in a what seemed to be an expensive coat and tie and one of his hands cupped his chin as he watched, with boredom, what was occurring in front of him. He was in charge of all this fighting. He was responsible for all this war and I had to stop him. I launched myself towards the throne, shoving masses of people with knives and guns in their hands. A gun fired and a bullet whirred in front of my face, almost grazing my nose. I skidded to a halt and felt my heart banging against my chest. I was that close to death. I kept on running, crouching when I needed to. I dodged an arm that was about to slash me with a knife’s serrated edge and ran faster, adrenaline rising, towards the marble steps. The man sitting on the grand and golden throne looked down on me with his eyes of metal, grinding me and piercing holes deep in my skin. He smiled as if to say, ‘Look at what they’re doing!’ and I recognized him. He was no other than President Knoxx.

My mouth gaped open and my eyes widened with amazement. I had just walked straight into a trap. His fist connected with my jaw which sent me staggering backwards and tumbling over the marble steps. My head hit the floor and my vision dimmed and blurred. I was on the end of the steps and propped myself up with a hand just in time for the President to actually be able to kick my stomach and punch me on the nose, sending me down again, my head hitting the asphalt and bloody road. I felt my blood ooze from my skin and join the blood of those who had shed theirs before me. He took me by my collar and hurled me upwards, my feet barely touching the ground. His hands clasped my neck and he squeezed it, draining the air out of me. I was choking and everything was narrowing down to nothingness. My lungs struggled so hard to get more oxygen and I wriggled my feet, reaching down to the blood-soaked ground but his grip was so tight and I couldn’t manage to move or even fight back. Everything was fading into colors of black and gray. I shut my eyes. I was going to die now. He was going to kill me. I was going to die in the hands of President Knoxx.

An excerpt from Chapter 22, “Steel”

Page 49 of 365

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:28:00 +0800

All the glitters are gone.

She stands in front of the mirror, her hair tumbling down her shoulders in loose curls. Her eyes look back at her, reminding her of the wonderful evening, reminding her of the magical night, reminding her of memories created, slow dances swayed, compliments uttered and stories exchanged. The water dripping from the faucet brings her back to reality, to a world where sleep is necessary, to a world where one does not stay forever young. One last look, she says to herself as she sets down the loose curls so that it tumbles above her breasts and not her back. She smiles, her pink lipstick gone as it clung on wine glasses and silverware. She takes one look before the water smudges the rouge on her cheeks and erases the intricate lines drawn on her eyelids. The smoky eyes are now gone, and black tears rain down under them as the paint washes away with water and goes down the drain. She rubs off the color, returning her face into plain, old Jane. She takes one look, and her heart sinks. The night is over.

All the glitters are gone.

Inspired by prom night :)

Page 48 of 365

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 23:30:19 +0800

“Hmmm…” President Knoxx began, looking at me with interest as he leaned back on his chair. “Tell me about your plan, Mr. Daniel Deveraux.”

I grinned. “I need to make her fall in love with me.”

President Knoxx raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised at what I was about to do.

“You see, President, in case I won’t be able to take her down in physical combat, I would go straight for her heart and once I have her under my snares, she has no chance of escaping.”

President Knoxx nodded. “What if she doesn’t fall for you?”

“Then, friendship would be another option.” I assured him.

“What if she doesn’t want to be friends with you?”

“I’ll make sure she would.”

“What if your plan fails, do you have any other option?”

“I’d get her myself. I’d use violence against a woman if I have to.”

The President let out a faint laugh. “You are very courageous, Mr. Deveraux. I assure you that you’ll be a great leader someday.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Maybe you could teach Jonathan Kress a thing or two about obedience.”

“Ah, Jonathan.” I shook my head. “He was never submissive, Sir.”

“You two are very different indeed. I’m glad you chose the right side to fight for.”

“Thank you, Sir.” I acknowledged. “So, what can you say about my solution to this predicament?”

“It’s risky, Daniel.” President Knoxx admitted.

“I know, Sir.” I agreed, flashing another wicked grin. “But it’s riskier bringing with me thirty men and having her kill each one of them. She’ll spot us quickly and she’ll be able to find a way to evade. All the more that we won’t catch her.”

President Knoxx nodded.

“You’ll need everyone you can get to prepare for the incoming attack of The Alliance.” I pointed out. “And I assure you, President Knoxx. This is more effective than sending thirty of your best soldiers with me.”

“Can I trust that what feelings you show her will remain a mission only?”

I chuckled, running a hand through my hair. “Of course, Sir. My loyalty has always been The Control’s.”

He smiled and nodded. “Very well, Mr. Deveraux, your mission begins tomorrow.”

An excerpt from Chapter 13 of Steel

http://www.wattpad.com/story/1196621-steel-the-aurum-trilogy-book-1

Page 47 of 365 A la belle étoile Under the beautiful star....

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:32:55 +0800

Page 47 of 365

A la belle étoile

Under the beautiful star.

Stars. They are what I compare memories to. Memories are scattered lights spangled against the darkest bosom of the night, becoming the moon’s crown–a display of gold and silver–always meant to guide our way home, always destined to hold our fates and futures, always there to watch over us. Memories are stars, giving warmth to the coldest nights and light to the blackest ones. And like stars memories can form constellations. When connected, they form figures of the past and link with the present, weaving new memories along with it, creating a masterpiece on the big, black canvass of the night. Memories are stars, meant to be watched, meant to be gazed upon, meant to be marveled.

Tonight another star has appeared on my canvass. This one, shining brighter among the others. It is one of my last stars that I can fathom into constellations, a string of memories dating back to when I was young, a thread of moments back when I had my first true friends by my side and when I had my first dance since I was seven years old. This star, belle étoile, will be a star to remember, and even if it is one of the last stars, it will always shine like the night behind it and like the happiness engulfing it in its white hot glow.

Page 46 of 365

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 22:38:00 +0800

No social networking for a day. That’s my Friday sacrifice.

Since I forgot that I couldn’t eat meat today, I decided to sacrifice blogging for a day and engaging in social networking activities (which gave me more time to work with my planner!). Along with that, I decided to walk home instead of riding the jeepney. It’s some little sacrifice compared to what our Lord did for us.

I was supposed to post this yesterday; however, it was my prom night, so I couldn’t really keep blogging amidst the party and the crowd, right?

Anyway, I’ll just give you another excerpt from my novel since this week’s kind of my promotion week. It’s a little Valentine’s treat to my readers and supporters.

Bye for now!

Audio

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 10:14:43 +0800

Page 45 of 365

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:41:00 +0800

“Love is a choice.”

An excerpt from Chapter 28 of my novel, “Steel”. Hope you enjoy it! Happy hearts day!

“So, Jonathan, confession time. Was there any girl besides Lilith that you dreamed of being paired to?”

I sucked in a deep breath. No, Lauren. Do not expect your name to be on that list. Do not assume that what happened between you and Jonathan was something that he’d take seriously. It was just a kiss. Stop your puny illusions.

Jonathan was speechless. I waited for an answer.

“Oh come on. I’m sure Lilith has her own list too.” She turned to Lilith again who was blushing all the way. Polygamous woman.

“Yes!” Lilith responded immediately. “Let me name some of them-Robert Swift, Bryce Lennington, Mark Stellan and Chad Benson.” She all mentioned these names in a proudly manner.

“See?” Sylvia turned to Jonathan. “There’s nothing wrong with it. Open up, Jonathan. You used to do that all the time with us.”

“Actually,” Jonathan began and I could feel my heart stopping at the sound of his smooth and suave voice. “There’s no one I imagined being paired up with other than Lilith.”

The crowd let out another ‘Awww’ as they sympathized with the couple. I let out a sigh. Was it of relief or was it of depression? Relief, of course. Relief that I didn’t mean anything to him. Relief that he has chosen to leave me alone and carry on with his arranged life.

“We’re good to go.” Daniel said, walking up to me, a crepe in both hands.

“Thank you.” I said, taking one. Daniel steered me towards the exit but something held me back.

“But there was this one girl…” Jonathan spoke up, his voice trailing off. I turned around while Daniel kept walking. “There was this one girl I’ve never imagined being paired up with. I imagined choosing her.”

Even if he won’t say my name or even if he won’t admit it out loud, I knew I was that girl. I wasn’t assuming. I wasn’t dreaming. It was me.

“I’ve always chosen her.” he said, carefully. No, Jonathan. You can’t say that. The Control will ruin your life. They’ll imprison you with one false word. “She changed me. She taught me to be more responsible.” I fought the urge not to laugh at this. “She gave me the best memories I’ve had in my life. And if I was to be paired again or given the chance to choose, it would be her. It would always be her.”

Page 44 of 365

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:09:32 +0800

I can’t blog much today. I still have a lot of paperwork to finish, and it’s already 12:08 in the morning. I wake up at 5, so I’ll be expecting my sleeping time to be around 1.

I feel so tired and drained. I don’t want to study anymore. I just want to sleep and take a rest.

Page 43 of 365

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:05:42 +0800

Free at last.

It may sound like a democratic cry, but it isn’t. Freedom comes in may forms, and to me, freedom comes in the joys of going out with one of your best friends right after class. Of course, my family doesn’t have to know.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not rebelling against them. In fact, I love them very much. It’s just that, I’m the type of person who couldn’t be held down by rules and restrictions. I just want to feel what it’s like to have control over my own life, to have tiny tastes of freedom. I don’t mind spending my allowance on Pepper Lunch and Korean ice cream. The feeling of being able to be the captain of my life is rewarding enough. The feeling of finally learning how to live beyond the fence is the paragon of complete fulfillment.

No. This isn’t an act of rebellion. It’s simply breaking free from the chains that once bound me. It’s growing up and discovering new things about myself. New things I never really knew I could do. It isn’t a plea for freedom. It’s a quest in searching for myself, in establishing an identity I can live up to. It’s weaving a story I want to live in. It’s living the life I’ve always dreamed of.

Page 42 of 365

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:52:20 +0800

So, I had no sleep at all last night, and look at me now:

I feel like I can keep working and working and working. I don’t feel lazy at all. In fact, I feel as if I can work all day without complaining. Its as if I drank fifteen cans of Red Bull and a dozen Espresso shots. I also feel like I can go ahead and party and dance for as long as I like. I feel so “chill”, and to think it’s our last ten academic days as Seniors. Boohoo.

But I can’t say I don’t want this. I love the feeling of not much workload.

Page 41 of 365

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:37:00 +0800

Let’s get lost.

Let’s get lost.

Once in a while, we need to. We need to voyage into the labyrinth and allow ourselves to sulk in it, to memorize its twists and turns, to ponder on its complexity, to find our own way out. We need to face monsters and giants that can shatter your dreams and build them back. We need to travel deeper into the maze and find its heart, find the core that fuels you, the center that strengthens you. We need to be tried and tested. We need to know if we can untangle ourselves from the cobwebs of choices or break down the barriers that separate us from a better tomorrow. We need to be stronger, for if we fail to be strong, we fail ourselves and we fail others. Life’s maze needs to know if there is a way out. We need to know if through that way, we can make it out.

Page 40 of 365

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:08:00 +0800

Decisions. Decisions.

Until now, I still haven’t figured out which college I want to go to. I’ve been accepted into all six colleges I’ve considered, and right now, my choices have been narrowed down to three, namely, UP, Ateneo or UA&P.

I can say this will be one of the biggest choices of my life.

I can’t wait to be in college. I can’t wait to start from scratch and study about something I really want to learn. I can’t wait to feel the two to four hour lunches and face my professors. I can’t wait to do new things and new projects. I can’t wait to feel the vibes of a new campus and live a new life.

But deciding isn’t easy.

I’m scared that if I let go of this certain school, I’ll have regrets in the future. I’m scared that if I choose this school, I’ll soon realize that I’ll do better in the other campus I let go of. I’m scared that I won’t enjoy the program I’ve chosen in this school and find out that my ideal program was on this other school.

I know I’m lucky to already have a sure school, but I’m so confused right now. I don’t know where I’m going. The future is so unpredictable, and so am I. One minute I want to go to UP. On the next minute, I see myself in Ateneo. On the next, I think about the scholarship in UA&P and about how I can excel there. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.

I’m not good with decisions, and I’m scared to have regrets. I’m scared to make mistakes even though I know it’s part of human nature. I’m scared to hope for the best. I’m scared to lose chances, but right now, it’s all I’ve got. This time, random numbers and random people will not make decisions for me. This time, there is no plan. This time, everything’s unsure. This time, there’s no turning back. I have to pick one. And I have to pick one soon.

My new sounds:

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:59:16 +0800

My new sounds:

Page 39 of 365

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:48:45 +0800

It was another ordinary day at school. We had a lot to do, as usual. I fell asleep for the first time in my English class, since I was pretty bored with the topic. Actually, to be honest, almost all the topics for this quarter is boring. It poses no challenge and some of them aren’t even required in our field of study. I just don’t get the point why we have to waste our time studying things we don’t even need. Our school should have electives we can choose from. Electives, aside from enhancing and honing our skills, also gives us the chance to focus on things we really want to do and things we really want to learn about. We don’t have to be stuck in classes we don’t need to pay attention to. It also allows us to avoid sleazing and sleeping in class since our interest becomes our focal point.

Since up until nighttime I was pretty much bored, I decided to muster up the courage to make a cover. I’ve been getting around this “Cups” song by Anna Kendrick, and I’ve made a mashup out of it, featuring pop songs of today. I decided to do the cover with the theme “Rihanna” which includes singles by the said artist.

So, I guess that’s pretty much it. Nothing so special today except for making music and meeting up with my so-called twin sister, Reanne.
If you want to listen to my cover (although it ain’t perfect) here’s the link:

https://soundcloud.com/capTENamerica

Page 38 of 365

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:38:05 +0800

Business without borders.

The tempting idea of exporting and importing goods in partnership with fellow ASEAN countries lure us to the dream that once again, we will rise from our economic status and become one of Asia’s tigers. The idea of establishing free trade areas gives us a preview of the first world, and as we yearn to see more of it, we forget our country’s stature as a third world country and strive to get to these first world countries; thus, leaving the work force population of our country behind.

There is nothing wrong with free trade, with exporting manpower and importing goods. The Philippines is still a developing country, and it needs wads of green money in order for it to continue its development. Admit it or not, without foreign investors, our economy would not be as stable as it is today. Without innovations from other countries, we will be left behind in our primitive form of development. Our country does not have the most reliable economic standing, but we have capital. We have a labor force that we cannot brand as “cheap”. We have schools that can offer quality education. We have people who learn quickly and develop skills easily. We have people who work hard and toil to attain a better future.

These people do not deserve to be forgotten or tucked in a corner to be shipped to other countries in need of more hardworking employees to sustain their businesses. We should acknowledge these people, for we need these people. We need these kind of people to let the Philippines prosper.

We need free trade, yet we should not forget local products and local workers who will be affected by these globalized markets. We should keep in mind that these people, when faced with the threat of more industrialized societies or products that are dubbed by the Filipino people as ‘more class and fine’, forget that their own industries are at par with their competitors. It is only the media and the mindset of the people that affect their sales and their self-esteem towards their products. The government must have the political will to impose restrictions and promote protectionism so that liberalization will not colonize our country in the means of products and services. We need free trade, but it must be put at the right place and at the right time. The government must consider if products imported in our country will affect our own trade, our local markets, our products that meet the standards to be exported. They should consider the competition that these products may bring about to local industries. Our government must also offer jobs suitable for Filipino workers and employ them decently so that not all of them will seek work in other countries. The Philippines can enter globalization, yet it could only do so when it is already the right time. We are still a developing country and once we enter globalization, there is no turning back. We are not ready yet. Our country is not stable enough to completely embrace the idea of trading with other countries. We need to mend the damages in our economy and patch up the holes in our society. We need to improve our status before presenting ourselves to the world. We need to take off ‘export qualities’ in some products. Instead, we should make all our products good for exporting with their world-class quality.

Given the right time, the right belief and the right chances, the Philippines can ally itself with other globalized countries. Right now, what it needs is a strong foundation to prepare herself for the world and for the opportunities that come along with it. It needs less of what it can see in the future. It needs more of what can be fixed in the present.

My new sounds:

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:49:25 +0800

My new sounds:

Page 37 of 365

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:03:18 +0800

Actually, we did nothing in school today. And when I say NOTHING, I mean NOTHING. Seriously. I don’t even know why they let us come to school if they’ll only make us take the CEM Diagnostic test (which I didn’t take seriously, btw).

My mega mashup’s going pretty great. So far I’ve included six tracks minus the samplers which I will be editing in Audacity. I’m excited to be playing it in prom night since our activity coordinator agreed that we could play a song if we wanted to. (squeals and yelps)

The Rita Theater was also back in action. We had a film showing of Les Miserables since not everybody in our class had the chance to watch it.

Although it’s been my third time to view the movie and although I’ve known it before the movie, Les Mis still made me cry. It’s one of these works of art that never gets old. The story never gets tiring to follow and the characters never get to stagnant or shallow. Even though you already know the next scene or the next twist, you keep watching it because it’s that GOOD. In Les Mis, everything is full of meaning. Every scene touches your heart and hits you hard. No wonder Victor Hugo is a complete genius.