Another Ebay puchase...

Check out the latest Ebay purchase. Hehehe!

The package arrived this morning and since I was at work, I only go to see it a couple of minutes ago. Love, love, love the hoodie. I wanted to get this hoodie when it came out, but I think the color was gray. Anyway, I didn't get to buy one before so I'm really happy when I found this on Ebay.ph. Another seller was bidding on the item, and I had to really fight for this item til the very last second.

I almost lost to another seller, but thank god for fast Internet connection. Haha! There's a thrill one gets from these online auctions I think. You're not sure if you'll win the item or not so if you really want the item, you have to guard it until the bidding ends.

Timing is also very important. When there's just two minutes left to place a bid, you have to carefully time the moment you hit the "Place bid" button. If it's too early, you might be outbid. If it's too late, the bidding could have ended. You should try Ebay even once to experience the suspense and action of whether you'll get the item or not.

Haha! On to the next item.

Back in Manila...

Just got back from Iloilo. I'm in bed now, and I'm about to sleep but my Mom keeps on bugging me about the jade dragon charm to be included on my dzi bracelet. (That's a different post.) The whole Dinagyang experience was just something. Even if I was there primarily for work and not for leisure, the event was really memorable. And despite the sunburn, the oily face, the sweaty, icky feeling, the super late nights and the super early morning wakeup, among others, I'm so glad I got to be part of Dinagyang 2008. Will be posting photos and some thoughts in the next few days. Gawd! I missed Manila. Haha!

Here's a Dinagyang teaser...

Finally, I've found time to sit down and check my email. I haven't been connected online for the past four days, and I'm just surprised because I survived. Hahaha! Perhaps it's because for the past four days, I've been going around Iloilo City covering various festivities that are part of the annual Dinagyang Festival.

Checking my blog and it's only now that I saw that I wasn't able to post a "back in Manila on Monday" entry. Oh well. The reason why I've been absent from the online world is because of the Dinagyang Festival. Flew to Iloilo last Thursday for the festival. Today was the Dinagyang proper and it was just one experience worth having. Woo woo woo! Uhm, of course, since I'm attending the festival for work and not for vacation, there were occasions when I couldn't really enjoy the festival.

For example, I only got to watch six of the twenty tribes that performed for the Dinagyang competition. Huhuhu! It was fantastic though. I was just amazed at the amount of effort poured in making the presentation perfect. There were a lot of highs too though. For example, last night I got to hav another photo with Sam Milby. Plus Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsey. Hehehe! They were guests at an event we co-sponsored so I got backstage passes. Woo woo woo!

Alright, the photo above was from one of the performing tribes this morning. Gawd, you should see my forearms. They're burnt because from the scorching heat of the sun. Haha! But I guess getting to experience the Dinagyang Festival is worth the terrible sunburn. Hahaha!

Tomorrow, we have one last Dinagyang-related company activity, and then I'm flying back to Manila in the evening. Of course, there'll be some souvenir and pasalubong shopping in the afternoon.

More photos from the Dinagyang Festival maybe tomorrow or Tuesday.

Bruce and Johnny...

Alright, meet the new men in my life - Bruce and Johnny. Hahaha! I didn't get myself a Christmas present so these two are serving as my Christmas cum New Year gift to self.

Bruce is the guy in white and Johnny is the other one. (Wondering why they were baptized with such names? Hmm, I just had a feeling that those names exuded the same amount of masculinity as these two boys. Hahaha!)

Anyway, I found these guys while doing some window shopping at this home store in Makati. The pair immediately caught my attention. I thought they were really cute. Uhm, there were other pieces that are a bit similar but these boys were the best pair in the house. Hahaha!

When I saw these boys on the window display, I had no choice but to go inside and check them out much closer. Woohoo! Nice pair. Haha! What exactly are they? They're supposed to be CD holders, but I'm thinking of using them as bookends instead. But so far, what they've been doing for me is charm the people who drop by my cubicle here at the office. Hahaha!

Check out the expressions on their face too. They seem to be fighting over something or someone (Me, perhaps? Hahaha!). I think that the "Fight Club" look on their faces makes them more oozing with testosterone and appeal. Hahaha! Something is just not right with that sentence.

Feng Shui for 2008...

Went to Quiapo this afternoon with my Mom. There's this feng shui shop we visit every year and my Mom's been nagging me to go there once again, since the Chinese New Year is just around the corner. I don't know why of all her three boys, I'm the one she chooses to bring to the feng shui shop. (Perhaps it's because she knows that deep inside, there's a feng shui follower in me. Exhibit A: the piyao in my office cubicle.)

Anyway, we wait for the feng shui master to arrive. As soon as he got there, my Mom went up to him and presented me to the guy. It's as if she was offering me as a sacrifice. Hehehe! I tell the guy my birthdate. He finds out that I was born in the Year of the Goat/Sheep. He computes my Kua number, which I already know is 3. And then he begins to give me some feng shui advice, which I think my Mom wasn't too pleased to hear. Hahaha!

Feng shui master: This 2008, you need to focus on relationships. Do you have a girlfriend?
Me: Nope, I'm single.
*Mom is probably relieved to hear this. She doesn't want any in-laws or grandkids anytime soon, I'm sure.*
Feng shui master: Well, you need to work on relationships. Ensure harmonious relationships with people. 2008 is a year to settle down.
Me: Oh okay.
*At this point, I think my Mom isn't too happy to hear the feng shui master steering me towards the married life. Hehehe.*

So what Mommie dearest did was to ask about my career and how to enhance my bedroom and our house. Basically, it seemed like she was the one who had the feng shui consultation.

In the end, I was told to buy a jade dragon to be added to my dzi bracelet. And then I need to buy a pair of pi yao for the bedroom. Plus, there's also a need to buy a tao sui coin to be carried in my pocket at all times.

Ebay I love...

Look what welcomed me when I got home last night!

Woohoo! I've been looking for a new pair of sneakers to replace my ultra worn out Umbros, and I found some pairs that I liked when I went to the mall over the weekend. The problem is I find the pairs that I liked a bit too pricey for a pair of sneakers.

There was this nice pair of Adidas sneakers that was on sale. But when I checked the size, it was size 12. Hellooo!!! And unfortunately, it was the last pair for that style and design.

So what I did was go to Ebay and that was where I found this nice pair of Adidas Dragon sneakers. I got it for a fraction of its original price so I guess that's okay.

Last night, the package arrived and I'm quite happy with the purchase. I deposited the payment last Thursday, and the shoes were shipped on the same day. Woohooo!

I think I have enough money to get another pair... of course from Ebay again. Hahaha!

Man Juice and Fatherhood...

"You can have my sperm, if you want."

I said to a girl friend the other day, and I know, I know, it didn't sound the way I had meant it to sound. The intention for that statement was to offer some help. A good friend was telling me about some "issues" about her ovaries, and since she's starting to feel that it's probably time to bear a child, I jokingly volunteered my own. (I was considered as a last resort though. Hahaha!)

I even presented the pros of the crazy idea. I said to her, "If you think about it, it would be a win-win situation. There'd be absolutely no talk about marriage for obvious reasons. The child need not carry my name, which I think you'd like. You'll get to be a Mom and hopefully, it'll also help the ovary "issue." You can date whoever you want to date. I can date whoever. And I'd finally be a Dad, which I' started dreaming of when I turned 25."

We both laughed at this outlandish and really insane idea.

I'm dreaming of becoming a Dad, but given the situation, I know it's far from happening. Why? While I do want to be a Dad, I don't want to be a husband to any Mrs. (although I know I probably could be.)

But fatherhood, that's a different matter. I can see myself as a soccer Dad - bringing my kid to school, cheering for him (or her) during intramurals, attending PTA meetings, organizing school fundraisers. Hahaha! Ten years ago, I wouldn't have thought about these things. Haha!

I think that the day I hear a little human being call out to me "Dad", then I could really say I've had the greatest life experience and probably I'd be happiest.

But until then, I'd probably have to be happy and content with being the refined "Tito."

Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas...

My beloved university is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year and I just feel so, so proud to have been part of that venerable educational institution. My stay at the University of the Philippine will be written down as some of the best years of my life.

Anyway, found this survey for UP people circulating in the emails. And since I'm such a sucker for answering surveys... Hahaha!

Happy Centennial UP Beloved! :)

1. Student number? 96-15353

2. College? College of Arts and Sciences

3. Ano ang course mo [What did you major in]? Organizational Communication

4. Nag-shift ka ba o na-kick out [Did you shift majors/courses or were you a kicked out of your College]? Nope, OrCom from first year to senior year. I was a good boy.

5. Saan ka kumuha ng UPCAT [Where did you take your entrance examination]? Palma Hall, UP Diliman

6. Favorite GE subject [General Education classes]? Hmmm... Comm III and Humanities II

7. Favorite PE? Eeep! Social Dance! Haha!

8. Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot guys/girls sa UP [Where do you hang out to check out the hot babes/dudes]? Hehehe! College of Medicine? Haha!

9. Favorite prof(s) [Favorite Professors]? Lots - Dr. Angela Sarile, Prof. Honey Achanzar, Prof. LC Lee, Prof. Ronald Henson, Prof. Paeng Villar, Prof. Alice Adeva, Prof. Atilio Alicio, Prof. Dennis Millan, Prof. Nestor Jardin and Sid Hildawa, to name some.

10. Pinaka-ayaw na GE subject [Least favorite General Education class]? Nat Sci 1 and 2

11. Kumuha ka ba ng Saturday classes [Did you sign up for Saturday classes]? Yeah, I think so!

12. Nakapag-field trip ka ba [Did you join any field trips]? Yep, we did. STS.

13. Naging CS ka na ba or US sa UP [Were you ever a College Scholar and or a University Scholar]? Yes, yes.

14. Ano ang org, frat/soro mo [What organization, fraternity/sorority did you join]? - OrComSoc

15. Dorm, boarding house, o bahay [Did you stay at a dorm, boarding house, or did you live at home during college]? Since university was "near" my house, I didn't have a chance to rent or live on my own. Boohooo!

16. Kung walang UPCAT test at malaya kang nakapili ng kurso mo sa UP, ano yun [If you had your way, what was your dream course/major]? - Probably medicine or fine arts.

17. Sino-sino ang pinaka-una mong nakilala sa UP [Who did you first meet in UP]? John Vera and Rey Castro. We were all together during registration.

18. First play na napanood mo sa UP? [First play you watched in UP?] Can't remember. Was it Lean the Musical?

19. Saan ka madalas mag-lunch? [Where did you usually have lunch?] Hmm, at the college canteen, at the Supreme Court, at Gary's, and when it opened, Robinson's.

20. Masaya ba sa UP? [Is it fun to go to UP?] Super! Best years of my life.

21 . Nakasama ka na ba sa rally? [Did you ever join a student rally/] Yes, once I think. You'd have to join at least one if you really want to be a true blue Isko. Haha!

22. Ilang beses ka bumoto sa Student Council? [How many times did you vote during Student Council elections?] Almost all. I was a good student, like I said. Hahaha!

23. Pinangarap mo rin bang mag-laude nung freshman ka? [Did you dream of graduating with honors when you were a freshman?] Uhm, no, but once I found out how it felt to be a CS or US, woohoooo!

24. Kung di ka UP, anong school ka? (If you didn't pass the UPCAT, which school would you have gone to?) UPCAT was the only college entrance exam I took. Not because I was that confident, but because I thought I had a "calling." So it was either UP or the seminary. Talk about extremes, huh? Hehe! Had I not passed, I was prepared to see it as a sign to enter the seminary. But I did pass and look what happened. Hahaha!

25. Have you ever made out in the Sunken Garden? Lagoon? Nope, it was too far from UP Manila. Hahaha!

Shopping for Vogue and New Men...

Met up with Noreen the other day. We haven't seen each other for the longest time because of all the holiday madness. She was planning to go home to Davao. I was busy with the Christmas dance presentation and the usual work. So Christmas and New Year came and went and it was only last Saturday that she and I got together again. We watched I am Legend at Glorietta 4. Had an early dinner at Kenny Roger's. We planned to go do some shopping for ourselves, but after two hours, the only thing that she's bought are DVDs and perfume for her Mom and sister. On the other hand, I found some stuff to buy at Zara and Celio, but had the will to resist buying. Haha! I did get something that made me happy. One was the September 2007 isssue of Vogue, which I got for 1/3 the original price at Book Sale. The other purchase that made me really happy was the two guys above. Hahaha! I took that photo when I first saw the boys about two weeks ago. I was at this home store I super love because they have really have cool stuff, and that's where I saw the boys. Hahaha! Will write a separate entry for the new "men" in my life.

Uneventful Sunday...

Hmm, stayed home this morning. Got a text from Reena asking if I was going to the office in the afternoon. Since I did think of going, I told her I would but only after I hear Mass at Greenbelt. Attended the 4:30PM Mass at Greenbelt. Bought dinner at Chef D' Angelo. Took a cab to the office. Had dinner with Reena. Did some work. Read up on Semantic Web. Went home. Did some Keynote for my report on Semantic Web.

Christmas Shopping in January...

I didn't really buy myself a Christmas present. Uhm, I don't know why. I guess I just wasn't in the mood to go shopping because of the amount of work that needed to be finished before the holiday break.

In any case, yesterday, I started buying myself some presents. Hahaha! I received an email notice about a Powerbooks sale, so I found myself walking to Powerbooks Greenbelt yesterday evening after I got a Deep Tissue Massage at The Spa (also part of late Christmas present to the self).

There were some LGBT novels that I wanted to buy but decided I could buy it later this month. I went to the second level and that's where I found my must-buys. While going through the bargain bin, I found a copy of AIDA: The Making of the Broadway Musical hidden in one of the lower shelves. Wasn't sure if I should get it so I returned it back to the shelf after checking its condition.

I drifted to the fashion and beauty section and there I found one copy of the Chanel coffeetable book that was published when the Metropolitan Museum of Art had a Chanel exhibit. I wanted that book super, but then it wasn't available in Manila then. And when it became available, the price was just too much, then.

So when I found the one copy on the shelf, I knew it had my name on it. I asked if there were any other copies and I was told it was the last. I then went back to the bargain bin and took the AIDA book and then headed to the cashier.

There, the first of my late self-Christmas presents. Will probably get the other present I want later. Hehehe!

Mansions Here, There and Everywhere...

I didn't get to go around Iloilo that much, but I was quite happy because I did get to see some of the ancestral houses of prominent Ilonggo families which are now some kind of landmarks in the city.

I got to see the Lizares Mansion, the Ledesma Mansion, the Lopez-Vito Mansion, the Sanson-Montinola Mansion, and the Lopez Mansion. I'm not sure if there's something to see inside the houses. Anyway, there were several other ancestral houses around the city, but I didn't get to visit them nor take photos, bevause of work. It's okay, though. Will be back in Iloilo in two weeks time so who knows? Maybe there'll be more time to go around. Haha! I'm just really amazed at the structures - how they've withstood time, how detailed they were, and how grand it must have been to lived in those homes.

Food Trip in Iloilo...

One of the highlights of the trip to Iloilo was the food trip. Thanks to friends of friends, we got to try out a number of popular restaurants around (and just outside) the city.

For our Sunday dinner, we drove all the way to Dumangas to look for Joy-joy. It wasn't that hard to find since it's located along the main road. The restaurant took its name from the only daughter (kid) of the owners. The restaurant looks very countryside with its bamboo walls and flooring, and because it's right beside a river. We had a seafood feast from fish to shrimps.

The following day, we headed to Villa beach in the Arevalo district and had lunch at the Breakthrough restaurant. It's much bigger than Joy-joy, and looks more modern but you still get the countryside feel because of some of the furniture and because it's located by the beach. It was another seafood feast once again - grilled local fish managat, skewered cat fish, sizzling squid, oysters. Everything was really good.

For dinner, we stayed in the city and enjoyed an evening of pizza and pasta at Afrique's. We were told that the restaurant had a number of branches, but I'm guessing the one we went to was the nicest because it was an old house transformed into a restaurant. I don't know how much of the original house was retained, but the present decor and interiors were enough to tell you you weren't in Manila. The food was naturally yum. We had the special Afrique's Special Pizza and a Seafood Pesto.

The other restaurant I liked was the JD bakery/cafe just beside the hotel lobby. It looks like your usual bakery/canteen but I absolutely enjoyed their callos. There were several pastries to choose from also and the ones I tried (cinnamon roll and ensaymada) were good. What I like most about it is that the prices are so cheap. The amount I paid for three people was equivalent (even less) to what I would pay for a solo meal here in Manila. It's that cheap.

Alright, so those are some of the restaurants worth a visit the next time you visit Iloilo. I'm sure there are more, but I just didn't have enough time to really go around since I was there for work and not (so much) for leisure. Haha!

Next post, some houses. REALLY HUGE houses.

Back from Iloilo...

Alright, where to begin.

Saturday night, I was at the office until 11PM because I wanted to finish whatever I can finish, given that I would be gone for two days. I got home by midnight, but since I haevn't packed my stuff yet, I spent another hour preparing my baggage. I managed to sleep for about thirty minutes.

By 3AM, I was off to the airport for the 5AM flight to Iloilo. I decided it would be best to take the earliest flight just so we can have a good head start. On board the plane, I was so sleepy and I thought it was really early for small talk so when the lady beside me and her Japanese husband asked me if I was from Iloilo, I just said no and then faced the window to get more sleep. Eeep! Poor lady. I didn't mean to be rude to her. It's just that I only had 30 minutes of sleep and I had no idea how long the day would go. I was so sleepy that I didn't even bother to give the cute flight attendant a good look. Hehehe!

We arrived at Iloilo by 6:30 and then headed to Grand Dame Hotel. It's a good hotel, and I think it's one of the newer hotels in the city. I loved my room. I loved that the entire building is an Internet hotspot. I loved the bakery/cafe next to the hotel entrance. Hahaha! Plus, the front desk officer was very nice.

Anyway,after settling in, we headed off to Barangay Sooc in the Arevalo district to do our work. In the morning, Reena, Manny and I handled the interview with the kids and their photo shoot. By lunch time, NN and I had to go back to the city to meet with some program partners, plus the mayor and his wife.

Monday, it was pretty much the same. We went back to the barangay to spend more time with the kids and watch them as they create shapes and figures out of a mound of red clay.

By Tuesday, we were done with our work. Our flight back to Manila wasn't til 5PM. We thought we'd have some time for R&R, but we had to check emails, make a million phone calls, and do a summary of what we've accomplished.

Well, we did manage to have some leisurely activities - eating out, visiting some landmarks - but I'm reserving that for another entry.

It was my first time in Iloilo, and although it was because of work, I'm still very much happy because I met a lot of people and I got to see some beautiful sites.

Check out the photo above. Even as I board the plane, I am reminded of work. Hahaha!

You're Going to Be a Father Soon...

I'm flying to Iloilo in a few hours. I'm going there for work. It's my first time to go to that province, so I'm a bit excited. But it'll be work as soon as I board the plane until I get back to Manila on Tuesday evening. Hahaha! Reena and I will be interviewing a couple of children artists, but I'm expecting it to be quite a challenge because I'm not sure how well the kids speak Tagalog. And I never learned the local dialect, Ilonggo. Eeep!

Will be returning to Iloilo again by the fourth week of January for the coverage of the Dinagyang Festival. This should be interesting.

Anyway, I wanted to post an entry before I leave the office and head home to pack my stuff. Haha!

Something interesting was said to me this afternoon. I was talking to a priest. Don't ask why? And our conversation drifted towards about my relationship with my father. Anyway, the priest said, "Well, you're going to be a father soon." And he gave me advice on fatherhood.

I'm sure what he meant was "You're going to be a father someday," but hearing those words had some sort of effect on me. Will I really be a father one day? I want to be a Dad very much, but given the circumstances, I'm not sure how that's going to happen. Adopting could be an option, but I'd prefer to have my "own" or if not, the partner's kid will definitely be loved and taken cared of as if he or she were my own.

Unless of course, the priest's statement was some sort of prophesy. Hehehe! I remember there was a time when I was with the friends of the ex, and just out of the blue, I blurted to one of them, "You're getting married!" True enough, she announced later that night that she was getting married and that she was also on the way.

Weird, huh?

Anyway, signing off now. Hopefully, I get to blog from Iloilo. If not, expect an entry on Wednesday morning, kiddies. Haha!

Festival Month...

Haven't been able to post for quite some time because the madness of 2008 has begun. Hahaha! This month alone, there are three festivals happening - Sinulog in Cebu, Ati-atihan in Kalibo and Dinagyang in Iloilo - all in celebration of the Feast of Sto. Niño. The preparations for the publicity pre-, during, and post- event are just so challenging. But it's all good because I think we're all game for another "toxic" year. I will be going to the Dinagyang Festival to cover the event, and I'm excited and scared because I have never attended any of these festivals. But I'm optimistic because I'm quite sure this is going to be a good learning experience. The entire morning was spent in a meeting, and then another meeting in the afternoon. By 4PM, colleague Reena and I were so preoccupied arranging for a trip to Iloilo that's happening this Sunday already. Hahaha! This is rather exciting, I must say.

Friends I Miss...

These are some of the people I only get to see during Christmas. And it's because lately, we've been treading different roads having chosen different careers to pursue. But the good thing is I still get to keep in touch with them through the Net, or sometimes, I see them or their works in the papers. It would be great if we could spend time together the way we used to, but I guess there comes a time when people have to take a different path when they arrive at the crossroads. But the friendship remains and that's what brings back people who've been separated by their jobs or life choices or whatever. Haha! X Boy wasn't at the party, but I got to speak to him for a minute or two. It was okay. I was a bit looking forward to see the guy, but then his cousin got married the day of the annual Queermas party. Oh well. Things happen for a reason. Fantastic photos above were taken by Mori with his suepr duper camera. I'm so envious. Haha!

Someone and Somebody.

So I met someone a couple of weeks ago.

Yeah, I did. We met at an office event. Who would've thought, huh? Yeah, the office is way down on my list of places to meet someone. Anyway, this someone turned out to be quite a charming surprise. Initially, I had a wrong impression on this someone. I thought that someone was a bit of a snob, but man, was I wrong?

Someone turned out to be kind and fun to hang out with. Someone turned out to be one of the best people to talk sense with. Someone turned out to be mature but looks younger. And if given more time, someone could be, uhm I don't know, something.

And so in the couple of succeeding meetings that we had, the more that I thought that someone should be on a date. I don't know. I can't remember the last time I felt like this. I just thought that someone should go out and have a nice time.

This is the reason why I set up someone with somebody. (And you almost thought it was I.)

It just occurred to me that someone and somebody should meet. I thought, why not? Somebody is nice and sweet and interesting and a prospect (for others). And as if the stars were conspiring with me, the next time I bumped into someone, somebody was there too. Hehe! Oooh, ultimate cheesy moment for me. Hehe!

I have never ever played matchmaker, so this is quite exciting and scary for me. Exciting because in my mind, someone and somebody could be. Scary because emotions are now at stake. And god knows I don't want either of the two to get hurt, because both are people I care about. I didn't know it was going to be like this. It's too early to tell where things would go, and I'm just hoping all would be well.

Let's see. It's a new year. Opportunities abound. Optimism is in the air. And now is the time to be more wishful than ever.

Tey's Fearless Forecast for 2008...

Alright, so Tey's fearless forecast for me this 2008 is a relationship. Haha! And I'm totally, totally backing her up 100% on that fearless forecast. Haha! It's about time, right?

2007 brought up some possibilities, but right from the start, I guess I knew that they were clearly not meant to be. I was just too blind to see that. Plus, denial is ever present, and we all know that it's not always most helpful. Hmm... One was I thought good because the romantic signals sent were somewhat reciprocated. But it didn't take long to find out that one was unsure. One immediately took back the good signals sent my way. To top it all off, I now fully understand the need for the protection of the fairer species when it comes to the bedroom.

Two was even more puzzling. Does two play for the team? I was sure two didn't. But there were some circumstances that left me, as one song goes, bewitched, bothered and bewildered. And sometimes, I'm thankful for those circumstances I guess. When I least expect it, two rises to the occasion. For what reason, I don't know and again, I'm quite blind to care. But I do care for two. But I also do know that there's nothing in store for this. I'm from this world, two comes from another world. And while some would say worlds apart could meet, not this one. Trust me. I guess I should just be thankful for whatever.

All these may sound really vague and that's just how I intend it to be.

Now, back to Tey's so-called fearless forecast, huh?

I don't really know how it's going to happen, because I'm not putting myself out there. But since it's the start of a brand new year, I'm going to be ultra optimistic and believe that it's going to happen whether I put myself out there or not. But then again, reality check takes place and one or two self-esteem issues arise. Good thing I have an ample amount of pride to push those self-esteem issues back inside the closet. Hahaha! I mean, yeah, I am far from a DSquared guy but that's something I can work on to at least achieve something of a remote semblance of a DSquared guy. Haha, optimism! Surely, being able to carry a good conversation, having read a number of good books, or still believing in (some) traditional relationship principles are reasons to warrant someone's interest, right? Haha! Does this all make sense? I'm going to stop now because I'm starting to sound negative. Haha! And Feng Shui Mom's first advice for the year of the rat is to not be negative.

So I'm just going to hang on to Tey's fearless forecast. Either that or I should really stop watching The O.C., Gilmore Girls, and any other TV series or movie that has a romance angle. Haha!