short story

on monday afternoon, after work,as i was just coming out of the changing room to change from our uniform to civies, my colleague asked me why i wasn't in shorts, (everyone seemed to know what the weather is like in the morning that they seem to know when to don shorts in the afternoon or not if its raining).

she, even in her 6 months pregnancy glory has the most beautiful skinny legs and our other colleague who had nice legs herself were asking whether it wasn't warm enough for me for shorts (because i come from a hot country?). i said, "no,i just didn't think of wearing shorts because we plan to go to the town centre after work."

she said "so?".

ok, i felt it was a bit too revealing to walk from the hospital building in my shorts to the car and where i could be seen by my other colleagues, but i lied "i didn't shave my legs". and that seemed to have shut her up (because all of them shave their legs/ a national pre-requisite in summer for all short-wearing female this side of civilization).

in truth, i do not shave my legs. i do not have/get hair in my legs at all. (logical, since i do not have much hair on my head, it would have been too unfair of God to have given me hairy legs,wouldn't it?) i pluck an odd hair every now and again on the lateral side of my calf muscle, but a very fine feathery one, the most. i just dont get hairs on my legs at all. (this is a positive,right?LOL). and i suppose,most filipina women dont, unless they have a mestisa blood (i know,coz some of my cousins do).

truth number 2--- i have no shorts to wear. i do not say this in "woe me, pity party-mode", because the reason is,all my shorts are quite loose at the moment and the last thing i want to do is keep buying clothes i have no intention of keeping. (wais si lumen!). i was planning on a shopping spree when i get to my goal (i am getting there, i promise you,i will!).

case en pointe, this photo. i wore my old shorts one warm weekend to a walk in the town.

these were mid thigh high shorts last year, now, its more "puruntong" .

in this photo, this was rolled in the waist to hold it tight and i have to not suck my stomach in (in fact i had to do the opposite), just so the short stays in place (haha)..

i regret going to town with it,because it kept falling off my hips. it was a great feeling: a reminder of some changes my body has undergone, but also, an accident waiting to happen, that you dont wish to occur having your trousers/shorts on your ankles in broad daylight in the middle of the town. (ahh,these things you only think of once you're out of the house).


but then again, maybe, its high time i should start buying shorts as summer seem to have shown its face (at last!). i am not talking about those micro 'pek-pek' shorts that i see on young beautiful skinny things,no!. i am just talking about those things that are non-denim, (or maybe denim),lightweight material, cut above the knee, or mid-thigh (enough to show some definition and separation between my quadriceps,and enough to leave dignity for a woman of my age,harhar). Shorts that can be seen that: a) i am orientated to the season.. b)i did shave my legs!

***

Addendum:


Some photos of me two years ago (August 2010)..in India and Dubai.

cute!..the elephant,too! ;-) PS. the elephant is the one lying on its side. the one washing it has no relation to elephant whatsoever.

in Dubai airport in 2010 waiting for our flight back to the UK. i could still wear the top until this day (fabulously loose as it was intended,haha), but last year, i couldn't fit into those linen trousers. now, those same ones (linen trousers) are just too lose for my sense of security (haha).. i chucked those trousers to a sealed box in a garage in london at the moment as it might be more beneficial to someone from my relatives who do not mind Marks&Spencer linen trouser hand-me-downs.


**

I enjoy looking at old photos of me before.. it reminds me to keep going.

how about you? what are you trying to get motivated with?x

family beauties

ok, be honest. when you look at me, you'd think that i come from a family of ugly ducklings, right? (aminin!). that in fact,is far from the truth.

alright. i admit, during my growing up years, my grandma, or my family/relatives would always remark about my talent and brains (ehem!) but would never comment about my looks (hehehe). it was never a problem to me because my mother and father always never emphasized about beauty per se as a must-have in the family. they appreciated and would comment about how intelligent someone is, or how well-mannered their friends' children are, or how funny/good entertainer someone's child is, which i thought were always traits that mattered to both my parents. so i strived to be all of that (well, i tried to,haha).

i am not ugly, but you must see my cousins and then you'd know why my brand of looks were not the most talked about in my family,haha. so this blog entry really is to show you how many beautiful/ good-looking cousins i have.


all are first degree cousins of mine; our fathers are brothers:

Note: pictures are not mine.. taken from their facebook accounts and in the case of my Ate Ting, it came from Google images (LOL).



First off: My Ate Ting-ting, or more popularly known as Maria Quiban as weather girl in a tv channel in LA. Her real name is Ma. Theresa Aviso thus we call her Ate Tingting.. She left the Philippines when she was just starting high school and grew up in Hawaii.

Her father was my dad's brother Gener (where i got the 'gen" part of my Ragen name,haha. Trust my father's brand of creativity of connecting two of my uncle's names). Gener was a pilot (he died along with my uncle Raoul in a freak drowning accident where my father was the only person spared) and his family left for the US when he died.

Apart from being a weathergirl, she also starred in some tv shows, and movies most notably Cold Case, Criminal Minds and Bruce Almighty.

She and i briefly met in our childhood days, i was a little girl then and she was just in her elementary years, thus, my memories of her are just the photos she sends my grandmother yearly and stories i hear from my father. She is quite close to the rest of the family who live in LA/California at the moment as they are geographically able to meet up.

**

**

next is: Cousin Suzanne or "Honey". Daughter of my uncle Efren (deceased).

Honey used be a spokesperson for Avon cosmetics when she was just 14 years old. She graduated with a Computer Science degree and now a successful manager for an insurance company (i am not sure if this is accurate re. her current job because these are just information i get from other relatives). Skinwise, she is flawless, and sings like a diva. She also is a bookworm and a romantic at heart. From what i heard,she is still single, but i guess, its hard to settle when you look like that ;-)

We were never close when we were growing up,because she grew up in her mom's hometown in Masbate, and moved to Cebu in her high school years but she and i always talk whenever we can, and more recently catching up on Facebook (i love facebook for catching up with relatives,dont you?). I had memories of summers where we used to play with the rest of our cousins and she would be very 'hinhin and shy', and a little bit intimidated by the rest of the other loud-spoken cousins (guilty!LOL).

The last few years,we never got to spend time together because she always had a boyfriend who kept her busy and unavailable whenever we attempted an invite. Recent facebook messages promises some meet-ups in the future.

doesn't she look like Anne Hathaway?

**

Next is Victoria or Texy. (Uncle Nestor's daughter).

Texy is quite young,and she would be in a generation where she was still a baby when i was in the Philippines so i wouldnt be able to tell you much of her personality as we never got to hang out. She is 21 years old and already has a son who is a cute adorable gem.

Texy is a BSc Nursing graduate from USJR and was crowned as Ms.USJR two years ago. She is a ramp model in Cebu, and currently is the face of What a Girl Wants. Texy is one half of a fraternal twin duo,and her brother Wello,is also a gem.

**

Next is Tony Rose or "Tony'.


Tony is the youngest daughter of my uncle Victor and Auntie Libeth. She has two university degrees and most recent one is a nursing degree to which she is now making full use in New Zealand at the moment. She is a great cook, loves a travelling and photography and loves a night out of dancing and has a big arsenal of beautiful and amazing friends. She is one of my favourites because she has the kindest heart from a person and she is sweet and nurturing by nature.

**

Another beauty is: Joan Pearl or "Joan".

(her photos are when she was pregnant with her second child).

Joan is the brains and creative force behind Belle Marie wedding and party planning services. She is eloquent and beautiful (pretty pretty face, flawless face - hardly wears any make-up) and is a very hands-on mom to her two babies. She used to be a radio DJ too. But now,she is more or less busy driving her kids to and from school, meeting clients to arrange the nitty gritty of weddings and playing dutiful wife to her hubby Sean.

She is a wedding fanatic and meticulous to the very last detail when it comes to her weddings and parties to the point of obsession. Its a trait that is obvious when it comes to her kids because she is very much hands-on with her children and in fact, she makes sure,she knows what her children eats, and takes them to her client meetings. I used to remember when she and Sean were still dating, they would drop by my station and we would have lunch together and laugh over recent events of our lives. She and Sean were one of my greatest rocks when i underwent a heartbreak waayyy back years ago. Those were memorable moments.

**

Also, not forgetting the very pretty and very accomplished : Kharla May or "Karla"

Out of everyone, Karla is my closest cousin and practically my best friend. We grew up attached to one another's hip. There was a time our boyfriends were bestfriends. Then the next time, our boyfriends were cousins. It was that bad,haha.

She also came from Science High School (breeding ground for excellent scientists,haha), and in university, a consistent Deans lister, she graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from USC talamban. She is now in charge of the Vaccines division for Cebu region for Glaxo SmithKline ( a well awarded one at that!) and she is an avid nature lover, and a devout caholic. Once,she said, the only thing that stopped her from becoming a nun was because they do not allow make-up inside the convent,haha. She also teaches catechism to kids during her spare time when she is not busy doing things for me (out of love).

She loves eating out, eating in, she is also into travelling which is harder for her to find "the one" because they have to at least be at par with her accomplishments and intelligence. She is candid, funny and easy to be with (no requirements!) and she doesnt even know it. Her only downfall: she loves her sleep too much! She cannot stay later than 10 PM, so any activities with her has to be waaayyy before her bedtime.


And of course, speaking of beauties, i will not hesitate to mention my very own sister Ana Candelaria or Ana/Ankai/Nana.

Ana is a 23 year old freelance creative. She is does everything that her creative mind takes her. She loves fashion (clothes), shoes (my gulay!) and music and a love for french cosmetics. She is also a make-up artist, photographer, emcee/host, writer for a french canadian company website, and sometimes does the occasional singing and stage acting gig. She is also at the moment, in love, thus the new sexy bod (haha!). She is my youngest sister,and forever one of my truest inspirations. She also loves me to death, and that alone would make her number one on this beauty list.

**

Needless to say, i am proud of my cousins,and sister,and that apart from their looks, i am proud too of their accomplishments.

I only shared some of the most beautiful people in my family (i have not mentioned everyone) and hope it will somehow give u some glimpse into my family and an idea that although it has missed me by a half-shot (mga dalawang paligo,haha)--beauty indeed runs in my family.

not that u want to know. but just in case..

thank you , friends, for asking how Adrian is. he is better (judging from his appetite) and is back to his facetious self.

i somehow forget how sarky he could get until he is back to his usual self.

**


Me: *sigh*, friends, who cancel on the night because its raining..im getting annoyed.
Adrian: yes, i agree, who want's fair-weather friends?


**

(on a discussion about how sad that we don't have babies)

He said " its sad, because you would have made a great grandma".

My face: (What?!)

He continued: (laughing), You know, you are caring ,loving,thoughtful and very cuddly-huggy-kind-of-way.

(i was not pleased with that explanation).


**

Today, i arrive from work. I saw his forehead had a little gash. I asked what it was, he said he was fixing the stairs (which was getting rickety and weak everyday, and with our weight, it was not safe), he didnt notice there was a potruding nail where he hit his head..

Me: i cannot trust u being on ur own, i get a heart attack, u end up with so many cuts. look at u! is it painful?
Adrian: no its not, i quite like it, it looks like Harry potter's forehead insigna. u dont know, i might be the chosen one.


**

today:

Me: honey, there are only two of us here in this house, but why do i always go home to at least 6 sets of knives/forks/spoons, at least 6 glasses , tea cups and plates in the sink?
Adrian: What? Im not allowed to have a party just because you're not around? (teasing mode).
Me: seriously. its not funny. its so wasteful.
Adrian: : ok, ill stop doing it. ill cancel my lunch party tomorrow.

(this scares me, i wonder if he really has a party when i'm not around).


**

can u see why i am scared he wont be around? he is the bright light to my doomsday disposition most of the time.



**

(photos from a lunch date at carluccio's last month)


the view from our table...;-)

cultural sensibilities

i was browsing through my india photos, and i saw one which tickled me in particular.

i remembered why i had to do this.

and it wasn't because i was prude.

NOTE:
it wasn't the people that made me do that though, it was more of the surroundings. it gets some quite of getting used to, i suppose. its not good on a funny stomach.

we were in a queue to go inside a temple that day..my friends who were with me laughed because they said i look so authentic in my head gear and face cover..discreet, thats what i call it;-)

conversations with kharla

{photo: kharla, in one of her muni-muni moments}

***

i feel so tired, because i had an all-nighter with my cousin and bestfriend, Kharla;-) and before her, i had a two hour conversation on the phone with my mum.

stressed too from work but thats another blog altogether.


conversations about bags(we always do)

kharla: your bag at the Sade concert was nice.
Chelo: that was high street
kharla: that was nice, but klaro lang puno kaayo, naa nasad ka (it was nice but you overfilled it again, as usual).

(kharla then proceeded to teach me how to minimalise the contents of my bag. she's the queen of light packing).

*my family has a problem with my overfilling my bags, and they often joke that if anyone would try to steal it will never succeed in running far as they will end up with shoulder problems)

~~~~~~~~~~

kharla: di lagi ka tig post ug pictures sa imong mga holidays sa FB noh? (i notice you dont put holiday pics on FB)
chelo: yeah, apart from tapulan ko, i use FB as a social networking, to connect with old and new friends, like a tambayan.
kharla: yeah,bitaw, i noticed that.

*ahh, Facebook is one of my favourite hang-outs to connect with my family and friends. and as much as i love using it to see my family and friends, i know i wont be seen on it when im in cebu for a holiday*

~~~~~~~~~~~

(told her about an incident on FB where one/lady from childhood told me, "im just like you, ive ended up with a caucasian man" and ive read your multiply site" when i asked her how she knew about it "i googled you" *gasp*..and recently just told me one of my exes 'hurt" her)

kharla: maybe she wants to be friends with you or be close to you
chelo; hello, im so accessible in FB. im easy to befriend. if someone's nice to me, why will i be awful to them?
kharla: true, you are very friendly.
kharla; maybe,she's obsessed to be like you.
chelo: hmmnn, very weird.

(in my mind, she needs to gain 200 more pounds then).


**

i know kharla comes on this site so i just need to let her know, i love my phonecalls to her. apart from my phonecalls to my family, it will be the death of me if i cannot talk to them.

kharl, we still have not finished all topics we wanted to cover, as per usual. (topics regarding our 2013 plans..get ready for a mountain hiking adventure,,haha)..;-)

thanks kharl..for everything;-)

child's play

what not to do with photoshop.


or maybe do.


addicting.

*

self portrait

my subconscious thinks i am skinny (with octopus limbs..and amputated)

my childlike poster interpretation of the movie "jaws" (hehehe)

*

break from thesis (for a few breaths..and laughs).

undecisiveness

torn between two love(r)s

feeling like a fool

loving both of you

is breaking all the rules. -(from a song by Mary Macgregor)

**

there are days when a decision has to be made.

dark today. milk tomorrow.

PS. if you were here, id half it with you.

there's no issue until you make one

my filipina friend,a nurse in the hospital, told me a funny story today. she thought i could relate to it as i am visayan.

she said she scolded her housemaid for posting a facebook status that said, "i need lube as per kuya's orders".

she immediately rang her philippine home and asked for her husband (who she said had a history of womanizing) but he was at work.

so the maid got the brunt of the scolding, why was she wanting a lubricant. "anong pinaggagagawa nyo dyan ha!. Bat kailangan mo nang lube. Bakit kailangan ng kuya mo?".

The maid was ever so apologetic and said "Ay ati, nakalimutan ko kasi ang tagalog ng lube (lu-be) eh, gata pala. Kasi nag request si kuya ng ginataang manok, tapos ang layo pa naman ng bibilhan ko ng lube,ay gata".

My friend was so embarassed. Of all to doubt a hapless helper.

But this sure made me laugh today.


**

Im sure the helper is scratching her head why her 'ate' was making so much fuss about her innocent FB status. ;-)

however,there are simply some things that translate easily..like crepes/krepa/creppa, for example..

[a market stall in prague that specializes in things that are sinfully delicious]

just now..

just now, Adrian came into the room to tell me that "honey, do you know that Malawi deems it illegal if you fart in public? Apparently, you can get imprisoned".

Me: so that means we cant go to Malawi then. The UK government will not pay extradition for you to get back to the UK.

Adrian: *chuckled*

Me: "plus, what will you say in your hearing? farting in the second degree. unintentional but was fatal."

Adrian: "have you cooked dinner?"

Me: "dont change the topic".

Adrian: "im not,just asking".


**

ok, ill be in the kitchen folks.

i wonder if i should tweak his diet. the beans must go.

dont let the kagalang-galang/respectable look fool you. he has his moments too.

**

too much information.. but ato ato ra ni..(just between us)