Blabbermouth

ThisIsMe on This is Us

After months and months of contemplation I finally decided to start watching This is Us (Mandy Moore opposite my high school crush, Milo Ventimiglia). I heard about this series from Good Times with Mo podcast and how DJ Mo kept recommending it to everyone so yes, I finally watched it!

It’s one of those stories where it feels real. Like it happens to everyone. And the way they shift different timelines is just brilliant. I also love how each character is relatable. It is basically about a non-conventional but closely knit family – which is usually a very sensitive topic for me but watching each episode just gets me sobbing everytime. I can’t believe how every fiber of my being gets so affected (ang oa ko don sa every fiber ha! Hahahaha!) – maybe I’m just overly sensitive and a cry baby or maybe, it just showed me something that I’ve always wanted to have and how important family is no matter how dysfunctional, imperfect it is.

2 seasons down and a hundred buckets of tears later (okay, that can’t be true, maybe just 5 buckets max), I therefore conclude that I want AND need a JACK PEARSON in my life. That Rebecca like my Mama sacrificed a lot of things for her family; she may appear tough on the outside but if you dig deeper, all you see is fear, worry and nothing but compassion for her children; she only wants the best. The Pearson family took me in an emotional rollercoaster- really good ride though, I might add.

Since I have this habit of saving quotable lines while watching, why don’t I share them with you anyway!!

Life feels like Pac-Man sometimes, I guess. It’s the same game all over again. Same board. Same ghosts. Sometimes, you get a bunch of cherries but eventually and inevitably, those ghosts catch up with you
Sometimes you just got to do the right thing. You got to do the right thing, even if it’s not what you want
If at some point in your life, you find the way to show somebody the same kindness that your parents showed you, that’s all the present I’ll need
It’s a helluva lot easier to accept what you are, in all your damaged glory, than to try and be someone you’re not.
I know it feels like you have all the time in the world, but you don’t. So stop playing it cool
There is no such thing as a long time ago. There’s only memories that mean something and memories that don’t.
It was kind of like we lost a hear, and there was no place for the blood to go
I think everybody sees their childhood with different lenses, different perspectives
Every battlescar is gonna be another memory

Lamyerda Diaries

Lamyerda Diaries: Oxford, Oxfordshire

So what’s up?

I’ve decided to cancel my bank shift for this weekend. I thought after all those weeks of work, I deserve some rest and relaxation.

R&R officially commenced Friday night. Hubby had boys night out, housemate Mike went globtrotting somewhere so I had the house all to myself! I did my usual thing – bubble bath, face mask, aromatherapy and relaxing spa music. Eng sherep beh. The only thing missing was a full body massage but I have yet to find a place/person who offers this at a reasonable price. Anyway, the main goal was to relax and na-achieve naman. Pak!

Saturday. The plan was to go to the beach however, I woke up really late and was actually not in the mood to move so we decided to cancel it. Out of nowhere, nagkayayaan. We ended up driving 2 hours to Oxford. I fell in love instantly. I just adore the ambiance. Plus ang daming gwapo mga veh, I kenat! Char! It just had a very chill vibe which I did not expect at first. It wasn’t as crowded as Cambridge although the buildings/structures were quite similar sans the canal. I can actually see myself living here. Add extra point cause they have a branch of Shoryu Ramen. I think the only downside will be 1) Oxford has been dubbed as one the most expensive cities to live on 2) A bit farther from Central London.

Anyway, back to Lamyerda Diaries- it was a 2 hour drive from Essex and the first spot we went to was the Blenheim Castle and gardens.

Entering the actual castle would cost £26- ang mahal mag mashie! Since were more interested in just strolling around, we opted for the park and garden tour which only cost 16 quid.

It kind of had a Kensington gardens feel but 3x times bigger! And there’s more area with a wide variety of trees plus a really huge pond/lake in the middle. Walking through the whole adult park area alone took us around 30-45 minutes. Luckily, the weather cooperated so di nakaka haggardo v.

One other feature of the place was their Pleasure Park where they house the Marlborough Maze.

After the Blenheim, we went to their high street. Knowing it was a Saturday evening, I kind of expected it to be packed but nope! Pubs/bars were packed but not as busy as a Saturday night in London (esp. Soho area).

Radcliffe Camera

Unfortunately, it was too late to enter the Christ Church Uni to see the big dining hall and stairs from Harry Potter movies so we just sat and people watched outside.

I wonder how busy the area gets on weekdays. I’m looking forward to visit again soon!

Bear with my video! Natamad Ako mag edit chuchu

Blabbermouth

Tita Things: Crash course on Married Life

I am the youngest in the office and one of the perks of working with people twice my age is the wisdom and experience they keep on sharing and teaching me from day to day. And by those lessons I not only mean about work but also life in general- particularly about married life.

When I started sharing to the Tita’s how I was about to get married and went on and on about preparation, and those bloody requirements, traditions etc, they made it a point to provide me nuggets of wisdom which they have learned throughout the years. I love each of our sessions though. I feel like I have enrolled in a masterclass. Here are my notes so far:

Although binded as one, remember that you are still two different individuals. Have your own identity. Me-time is essential
Clichè BUT it is tested and proven: communication & listening is key. After living your busy lives, don’t forget to ask “How was your day?”
Have a couple bucket list.
There will be a point when you have kids and when that does happen, don’t let your lives revolve around them and eventually forgetting that you two have a relationship to maintain and keep alive. Nurture your kids AND your husband/wife.
Work hard not only for the future but for NOW. All hard work pays off when you least expect it.
Learn to give complements at least 1 a day.
Know that at some point, your relationship will reach plateau. When that time comes, don’t despair, it’s normal. Like in sports, you just need to regroup, change the strategy and try something new. An activity, favourite restaurant, new hobby.
Take down notes like arguments or things you fought about; or things your partner did to make you smile. This may sound silly but at one point, you both will be so bored you’ll do anything to keep you busy- I’m sure this note/notes will not only keep you on your toes but will heavily entertain.
There’s no perfect formula for a successful marriage. It’s a lot of things and hard work to make it work but ultimately, it’s about you two. Treat it as your lifetime adventure.

Honestly, there’s much more but I’ll leave these here for now. If I’m honest, this new chapter of our lives scares me (insert my best and worst case scenarios playing in my head) but doesn’t it feel reassuring knowing these people are around to guide and probably yell at us when we’re screwing things up. And then one day when I’ve learned and seen enough, it’ll be my turn to pass this on. Bongga!