Dramatis Personae: Of Cupcakes and Unexpected Sweet Nothings (Cara & Doc)

Dramatis Personae
(People blog)

Of Cupcakes and Unexpected Sweet Nothings

My 12 o' clock to 1:30 PM timeslot was spent in a tiny cupcake shop based in Alabang Town Center filled with frills, endless cupcakes and most importantly, sweet girl time Cara and Elyssa. 

To give a brief background, these two girls and I are the Tres Marias of our Dgroup. We were the first ones to step up and handle our own set of girls in the church, meaning we spent a lot of time sharing and being accountable during the old days. For months, it was just us in Ate Renee's D12 so we had tons of joking, BETTING, crying and heavy-laden sharing.

Recently, we haven't shared much, just the three of us, due to the stresses that life has to offer: school, jobs (job lang pala, si Doc lang working. hahaha), ministries, family issues, love lives (Thank God I'm free from this as of now, yay!). So far, the closest we get are short-time chats during dgroup then, that's it pusit. 

But because life's so full of drama and too much love can kill you (there's no connection, I just love the sound of it), we decided to fix a Sunday Date to catch up because if we were running, we'd be far behind (i-gets niyo na lang, please!).

Triple Cupcakes! Yum! :)

Today was truly fun and very unexpected. Doc, to be honest, you're the last person I'd expect to hear from with regards matters from the heart. Pusong Bato ka tol! Anyare?  I can see that God is your number one priority and that encourages me a lot. I have to be honest: na-enjoy ko ang pagkukwento mo kasi for the first time- I saw a LADY Elyssa Doctor! Whaddup! Want you to know that I'm praying for you for this and also for your family. ONE YEAR! You have one year to work hard  and I'm sure God will lead you through it! Balitaan mo ako! :) Priorities! I'll be your number one cheerleader! :)

As for Miss Cara Lo, well, apparently, I DID MISS A LOT. I did not know that you went back to that very something whatever haha. Ha-ha! You should start talking more. And I loved hearing the rapper in you. PREACH IT, SISTER! I thought I'd hear love life from you but no. You disappointed yet made me proud. Finally, Cara Lopez has no love stories of her own...no Greek Tragedies, no whispered sweet nothings in her ear...well, that's what I think...unless you're not saying anything. Ha-ha! It's cool to see you becoming a real woman now with everything that you're facing! I admire the fact that you're staying your ground in the Lord! :)

We're all grown-ups na talaga :( When Doc texted: "Kita-kits, Ladiiesss!" I was like: "Oh, Ladies na? Not GIRLS anymore?" and my heart broke a little. But that's okay.

We all have to grow up. 

At the end of the day, I realized that I really missed hanging out with you two. Hopefully, we can have a quadruple date with Atch!

Please don't tell me that we'll meet NEXT YEAR pa. I can't do that! I need my ATEs (yes, emphasis on the ATE because let's be honest, you guys are older than me) to listen to and to share! I love our dgroup but there are certain aspects of my life that I open up to you guys :) Sana we can do this like once every two months? PLEASEEE.

Once again, thank you for today! Be honored cause you guys are my first DRAMATIS PERSONAE (Character) blog entry :) I pray that we'll continue to GROW UP together in the Lord! Let's keep praying for each other, for the future and for all of that!

Missed You! I love you a lot too! :) And I know you love me too!

<3 A

Good old days with Ach's stuffed Dog :)

Good old BETTING days with Ach <3

Just. Be. Still. *repeat*

I was woken up two nights by a deafening clap of thunder. It wasn't just your typical BOOM thunder. It was the BOOM-BOOM-oh-gash-run-for-your-lives type of thunder. Felt like someone was very angry Upstairs. Scared the daylights out of me. I lay there in bed with two pillows covering my face. I hate thunder and lightning combos.

But I managed to fall asleep again.

I woke up again at 8 in the morning. The sound of heavy rain still was the music outside. Last night was already a tragedy: we had an instant swimming pool outside the house. I already planned not to go back early to UPLB due to the rain but I was definitely not expecting the news on TV.

Apparently, due to the non-stop heavy rain fall, NCR and other Luzon provinces became water worlds overnight. 

Even the South Luzon Expressway became an extension of Splash Island. Have a look:

Devastating sight :( Southwoods-SLEX

I heard that as of 10 am, people who went ahead to travel got stranded for 5 hours and from the looks of it, they're still stranded. UP people, I mean those who study with me in LB, as much as possible and as hard as it sounds, stay at home. This is what's waiting for you and if you don't want it to greet you in the face, I suggest you chill at home and do some work.

Despite the chilly weather, this is scary. 

Stay safe at home with your families, people! Don't gamble your life. And continue praying for those who are in need, specially now. I've been watching the news since 8 and the images we get are heartbreaking. Stranded families, commuters hopelessly waiting for transportation to get home, destroyed bridges, etc. 

Thankful that my family and I (even my beagle!) are dry but I pray for those who are wet with the rain and hungry. 

I commend the government for the fast information of suspension. At least, students were able to avoid these challenges. However, let's continue praying for those who are outside facing the rains. No one is waterproof. It's during times like this that we have to stay strong for one another, keep on praying and release the Filipino Bayanihan Spirit.

I watched TV today and my heart broke when I saw the hopelessness on faces of men, women, children and old alike. Their tears streaming and in sync with the falling droplets of rain. Situations like this make us doubt the presence of God. 

Is He there?

Of course He is.

Despite the bad weather, the heartbreaking happenings, we should look at this event as, not a tragedy, but an opportunity to rise up to the challenge, to mold ourselves and to strengthen our FAITH in Him. Rather than panic and lose hope, we should BE STILL and know that He remains in control. 

Before I end, I want to ask everyone to please continue praying. Also, if we have extra things like the usual (food, clothes, blanket), give them out to those in need. In CCF Alabang, there's a donation drive. Feel free to join that if you're within the Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Paranaque area. Give love to others!

Stay safe everyone! Don't challenge the weather! You wouldn't want to take an unexpected ride down the waterworld!

As the oceans rise and thunders roar,

I will soar with You above the storm

Father, You are King over the flood

I will be STILL and know You are God

(Still, Hillsong United)

A <3

You're WATERPROOF, Nothing to Lose.

One of the things I've learned ever since I entered college:

You are waterproof.

If we were asked: "So, what did you miss about high school?"

Random Guy 1: My friends, they were the best.

Random Guy 2: Parties, they were a blast!

Random Girl 1: My lovely, lovely teachers.

Me: Immediate suspension  *insert heart breaking here*

Apparently, when you turn 16 or 17 and you're sucked into the enigmatic world of college, some unknown force gobbles you up and transforms you into this waterproof machine that can survive floods, not get blown away by the winds or possibly, avoid getting hit by lightning (it can happen, guys. It can.)

As for me, I study in the province where trees are of abundance and classes are supposedly to be suspended only when trees begin to fall down on the students. Fortunately, the governor has noticed that college students are people too and can be easily squished by our green-friends. I salute him for always involving us during suspensions (Mabuhay ka, Asiong! Asteeg!)

However, we really don't have Monday classes- so.

The rain weather has given me the inspiration to write down numerous thoughts. Like the dew drop cascading down the blades of the leaves. The unending fall of droplets from the skies, filling the streets and turning them into automatic swimming pools.

The simple student who's already asleep on top of his projects.

The cold weather's comfy as I type. I want to sleep. I want to sleep and wake up on a cloud with a chance of meatballs (whatever). I just want to...how should I say this...oh right, REST. The things of this world are wearing me out and honestly, I'd love a week break.

But who am I to keep on ranting on what's happening?

It's raining outside and I thank God for the rain. I love the feels. And He'll give me the rest I need if I just stay still. I have to stop being a maggot that wiggles a lot to disgust people or to survive inside weird cheeses. 

So I just have to stop.

I'm waterproof.

Nothing to lose.

Run away.

Run away.

Phew.

<3 A

O Kadiliman (A translation)

O Kadilimang aking pinagmulan

Labis kitang iniibig, higit sa lahat ng siklab ng apoy

Na bumabakod sa sanlibutan

Sapagkat ang apoy ang lumilikha

ng liwanag

At ni isa'y walang nakakalam sa iyo

Ngunit ang Kadilima'y humihigit sa lahat

Mga hugis, nagbabagang apoy, mga hayop

at ako

Ipunin sila'y sadyang kay dali!

Kapangyarihan at katauhan.

At maaring ang masugpong kapangyarihan

Ay lumalapit sa akin

Sa mga gabi, ako ay may tiwala.

Paper Airplanes

In order to create a paper airplane, one should do the following:

1. Choose the most suitable paper. It has to be the right one. You have to make sure of that, so as to avoid regret in the end. 

(Just like how I made sure you were right for me)

2. Don't use just any paper. If you want a suitable paper airplane, choose carefully. Make sure.

(Just like how I chose you among the rest)

3. Lay it down on a flat surface. Fold it on both sides and don't forget to create a small gap in the middle to give space for the tiny invisible pilot.

(Just like how I made a space for you in my heart)

4. Always remember that folding properly is essential in making a good paper airplane. Fold the edges diagonally. Do it neatly.

(Just like how I folded you in my arms during cold nights)

5. You can draw on the edges of the paper. Your decorations define the personality of your paper airplane. Mark it.

(Just like how I marked you with my kisses)

6. Sometimes, we have to cut certain edges of the paper in order to perfect the proportions of the plane. It's alright. Remember that it's for the beauty of the plane.

(Just like how I slowly cut myself away when I saw your unhappiness)

7. When all is done, gaze at your work for a moment before takeoff. Admire it. Hold it close.

(Just like how I gazed at you from afar, holding you close to my aching heart)

8. Now comes the time for you to let it fly. With one powerful swing, release your paper airplane and watch it soar freely in the sky.

(Just like how I let you go, setting you free with the hopes of you finding your joy)

Last Five Minutes (A Free-Verse)

(5:00 PM) Cold sweat broke

I cried out

Every inch of my skin

            screaming.

(5:02 PM) Devouring pain

Blood seared through my veins

Heart already syncopated

            Betraying me by the second

No longer felt

The needle

Infusing me with

Hope and memories.

My senses forsook me

One by one

Arms shaking without consent

            Losing  utmost control.

Dear God, not now! I cried.

Must it be now?

Must He remove me

            From this life?

(5:03PM) The light from above

Dimming

Only reminder of life

            Gone.

(5:04 PM) Suddenly, I missed

Someone’s scent

But

            Huff...huff...huff...

Then-

The final gasp!

Everything I was...

My love

My life

            My self...

           

D  e  t  a  c  h  e  d .

I was no more.

(5:05 PM).

Nang Pwersahan Kang Winalay sa Aking Punda

Tuluyang umagos ang luha mong mapula

Konseniya ko’y nanakit sa gunita

Nang pwersahan kang winalay sa aking punda

Sa maling akala, ikaw ang naging bunga

Wala sa balak, dapat kang mapuksa

Tuluyang umagos ang luha mong mapula

Ika’y nabuo, nagsimula ang abala

Kaya inisip kong talagang tama

Nang pwersahan kang winalay sa aking punda

Naging bingi sa iyong pagmamakaawa

Pinilit kang sa akin ay mawala

Tuluyang umagos ang luha mong mapula

Umikot, umiwas: lahat iyong nagawa

Nagpumiglas ngunit di ka makawala

Nang pwersahan kang winalay sa aking punda

Ngayong wala ka na, katawan ko’y lumaya

Ngunit hindi mabaklas sa gunita

Tuluyang umagos ang luha mong mapula

Nang pwersahan kang winalay sa aking punda

(c) Ashley Bernadette Petallano, 2012

image from Google.