You don’t have to be my best friend to know that January 22 is a solemn day for me. We don’t have to be close, we don’t need to be tight. We all know how public I am when it comes to me and my love for Katy Perry. So you can just imagine how ultimately high I was yesterday.

And yes, I had friends who texted me (out of nowhere!) messages like “I bet you’re crying right now” or something like “So happy for you.” Then tweeted me, “Bet everything’s still surreal for you after seeing Katy Perry.” (Hahaha! Hello to Alexis, Kate, Sab and my other sweet friends.) Nice to know people remember me when they hear something about Katy Perry.

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I could just really kick myself yesterday. I think my body was playing a trick on me too. As she was singing Teenage Dream—her first song, I had to hurry and get some tissue in my bag. DO YOU KNOW WHY???? Because my make up smudged. Yes. The eye pencils that were kohl and were not supposed to disturb my sweet experience, irritated my eyes. So are we on the same page now? If yes, then you probably already get that I had to wipe my eyes while she was doing her first act. My dear sweet misters and mistressesLOL, I wish I am joking. But lo and behold, that was forreal. 

So in short, I was closing my eyes tight trying to push out whatever’s gotten in and wiping my eyes with napkin. I’m sorry… TEARS. Wiping my tears with napkin during her first act. I AM A CRAZY FAN, HELL YES. BUT NO, HELL NOT AM I THAT DRAMATIC. UGH.

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So despite all the booboos… (The booboo’s are worth listing, so here goes boom!)

1. Katy Perry had a mall show and signing and I was not there. (I was in this place doing this thing for the Higher Being, the Greater Purpose. So let us not question the schedule of the universe. But I don’t regret missing it is the sweetest part. Ahihihi! I love my Saturday despite missing a photo op with Katy Perry.)
2. Found out from Dan while we were lined up in the concert that Katy Perry was checked in in Manila Peninsula. And you do know that I was in Manila Pen for a birthday party 8pm to 10:30pm the day before? Yeh-uhhh! And she was probably there 10ish. TSK. WTH.
3. She ended up not going to Republiq! But her crew was there so not bad. 
4. After the opening act of DJ Skeet Skeet (Katy’s DJ), they had an hour and twenty minutes of dead air time. It was so off.
5. When they said that the tour merch will be here, I really did expect it to be here. And by tour merch, I meant this: http://katyperry.shop.bravadousa.com/Dept.aspx?cp=14398_49127. The stuff in her online shop labelled as tour merch, that I cannot buy here because these online shops do not ship to the Philippines.  They only had like one shirt that ran out so quick. So no legit Katy Perry hoodie for me. :( 
6. SHE DID NOT SING THINKING OF YOU LIKE WTH IS UP WITH THAT?????

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Did you know that despite the six-item booboos, I still had the time of my life? From early last year when I was randomly tweeting Katy Perry to go to Manila or even just the word “Manila” (hahaha gets na niya yun), I just knew seeing her live was what I really wanted. Her 2009 concert was so fun, never will I let myself miss seeing any concert of her in my own country.

So indeed, as I said earlier, I “cried” while watching her first song. Her second song was Hummingbird Heartbeat. And just hearing that song live? I already felt like I got what I paid for. (Humming’s one of my favorite songs. *wink*) 

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What did I wear?

I was supposed to wear my Katy Perry shirt—the pink tanktop—but I usually wear that during normal occasions and her concert was not at all a normal occasion. So I decided to look pretty > going fanatic.

I wore my birthday dress. Because other than I love that dress, I also was in a birthday mood. Like I felt it was my birthday!

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What did I bring?

Yes. That. HAHAHAHA!

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My pre-concert buddy was Dan, but it was easy to run into my friends Ali, Nadine and JM because we were the early ones to stay at the gate area. But they were lining up for Gold so we really eventually had to split up.

And even though you pay quite a premium for the Titanium ticket, the seats are not reserved. LOL. I know, sucks right? So Dan and I lined up 3:45 and got in at 5:30 pm. I cannot believe I was standing on my feet for such a long time!

But as soon as I got in, I got the location and seat that I wanted. I just sound tripped. AND NO TO GOING ONLINE THROUGH BLACKBERRY! The place was heavily Smart-branded, my phone was useless because of the limited Globe signal in the venue. I should know by now to be ready with temporary Smart simcards in case I enter another one of Smart’s big events. 

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She kept saying how she saved the best for last. Manila crowd = best = for last. Hahahaha! She was probably just teasing us like how bolero dudes do, but for the love of the sweet idea… SAVE THE BEST (MANILA CROWD) FOR LAST, INDEED!!!! THE CROWD WAS ROARING, ENGAGING AND LOVING LAST NIGHT! I’m pretty sure Katy enjoyed it herself. :)

The production was great. And as usual, her gimmicks were crazy and out of the box. *facepalm* DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW SHE DANCED THE PEACOCK SONG??? No my darlings, you cannot make me do it. (And search it on YouTube yourself! LOL.) SHE WAS CRAZY!!!!!!!!

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And of course you all know how she kissed another dude from the audience this time. I don’t remember what she did to that guy she pulled out from the crowd before. I think she kissed him too. LOL. Anyway, this time, she made dudes take off their shirts (the first one to take it off gets to go up on stage). She picked Ivan (a PBB dude), touched his chest (+nips) and kissed him. Like a five second cheek-kiss!!!! And v-v. I ENVY. I mean, I want a Katy kiss too!

Yeah, you can totally hear me in the background ranting how she could have picked a nobody instead—or like a girl since the song was I kissed a girl anyway. HAHAHA! Funny how she introduced the gimmick with, “As we all know… we’re in different terms now,” obviously referring to the Katy-Russel break up. ;)

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Line-up and Sequence

• Teenage Dream
• Hummingbird Heartbeat
• Waking Up in Vegas
• Ur So Gay
• Peacock
• I Kissed a Girl
• Circle the Drain
• E.T.
• Not Like the Movies
• The One that Got Away
• Hot N’ Cold
• Last Friday Night
• Firework
• California Girls

I think Firework was the best production, BTW. ;) They used real fireworks on the stage. It was such a beauty. :) 

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First time though, my first time in my entire life to try peeing in a portalet. Huhuhu! Yes I did! HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED.

*End of Circle the Drain song*
Jel: I gotta pee.
Dan: NOW???
Jel: No choice.
Dan: Okay.
*runs off*
*intro of E.T.*
*runs back*
Jel: OKAY. NOT NOW.

HAHAHAHA! Miged. I love E.T. so I just couldn’t.

*End of E.T.*
Jel: Okay I’m really going.
*runs to exit*

Bouncer: Hi miss, pwede makita ung ticket?
Jel: Ohhh noooo. Mag CCR lang ako eh. Hindi ba pwedeng stampan niyo nalang ako.
Bouncer: Kailangan po talaga kahit ihing ihi na kayo.
Jel: Ugh.
*looks for ticket*
*submits*
*gets stamp*
Jel: Ang arte ko. Hindi ko lang kasi talaga kaya sa portalet eh.
Bouncer: San po ba kayo magCCR? Mejo malayo pa po mall area dito.
*looks at Starbucks in front of the concert venue*
*INTRO OF NOT LIKE THE MOVIES*
Jel: OH MY GOD BAKIT YAN UNG SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *insert some badass curse word here* PORTALET NA NGA!!!!!!!!!
Bouncers: HAHAHAHA

Thank you for making me your source of entertainment, misters.

So yes, Not Like the Movies was enough to make use a portalet. But at least I already know how it looks like. ;)

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Also got to hang with Dan’s friends, who I include in my concert buddies. 

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Post-concert buddies were: Nadine, Ali and JM. And yes, we did run off to Resorts World and Republiq to get lucky in case Katy and her crew really did some tough clubbing that night. 

(This is me showing off my California Dreams themed nails—glitterry blue—and my green under eye line.)

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And I spent the night at Ali’s. <3

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I did kinda miss going to concerts with Kevin though. From this experience, I remembered how before the seemingly last song even reaches half, he’d insist on leaving already so as to avoid the crowd exiting the venue once the concert ends. I also had no one to argue with in terms of my obsession.

Jel: Sundan natin please!!!! ENCORE DAW SIYA PUPUNTA!
Kevin: Ano ba yan. Traffic wag na. Matagal pa tayo makakaalis sa parking.
Jel: Ano ba yan. Bakit ba ikaw kasama ko!

HAHAHA! AND MY FRIENDS’ FAVORITE.

Kevin: Para san ba yan? Ano ba feeling mo? Magiging friends kayo?
Jel: (Ouch man. Seriously??? No better way to like… paraphrase that? HAHAHA) 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AND DEAR MISTER, IF YOURE READING THIS RIGHT NOW, LOL. You might piss the hell out of me during concerts, but you are one missable concert date dude. :)) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

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So all in all, the concert was great. (I’m biased, but objective enough to enumerate some boo-boos above.) I had the most amazing experience in my life—even made friends with strangers. It’s pretty difficult to describe my emotions (if that’s what you’re hoping to read here). It’s just… I loved every bit of it. All cent paid’s worth it. I love Katy Perry and… what I did for this concert… I’ll do it over and over again. 

“No regrets, just love.”

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P.S. YES I DID BUY AN EMERGENCY RAIN COAT. HAHAHA! 

(Photo credits: Some of the photos I used are Nadine’s.)

I think we’re all game to help the Sendong victims, not only bec that’s who we are but also bec we experienced it two years ago. So we know.

Of course, we all know the point of asking this question. And mind you, I’ve been asked this caring question twice more than when I was confined in the hospital. Lol.

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Music: One Republic - Say (All I Need)

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I think I am doing pretty well. Two weeks after that, I’ve gotten used to this different feeling—caring less about new messages in my mobile inbox, letting go of the idea of surprised morning visits, and controlling myself from dialing my personal 911 to share every bit of news I have. :)

At some point, you really have to let go so as to keep yourself from that unimaginable torture. Three words: Life goes on.

Don’t get me wrong, I know one year is such a short year. But it can also be considered long. Unfortunately, some other people’s relationships do not even reach an anniversary. But fortunately, mine has not just reached first but the nth year celebration. And that makes this distance of time seem like a heartbeat.

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Initially, I turned bipolar. In the morning, I’d be okay, bubbly and happy. As the day went on, I’d stare into nothingness and start to feel… not very positive. Such emotions explained my WHAT-THE-HELL phone bill this month. Because involuntarily, my fingers would dial this +1 number and would lead me to caring not about the cost of the LDC. 

But I think that’s forgivable. 

What’s unforgivable is if I got back on track after a day. Four days, six days, ten days catch up time is enough. 

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Consecutive nights I’ve been out, going to random dates with the girlfriends. I love it because it keeps my mind off things. Of course, ano pa nga ba? And it emphasizes how much people care about me. You have no idea how sweet people are these days, how understanding and how extra-caring they are. It’s like spirit of Christmas times two.

So within fifteen days, I’ve gone out with:

• Lilia
• Janelle
• Abi
• Janelle’s church friends
• Noemi
• Jona
• Nuffies
• Vgang
• Alan
• Patty’s mom

And done:

• my driver’s license (without the help of a fixer :P)
• a trip to Baguio riding a public transit (provincial bus + without parentals)

(Of course let’s not forget those who aren’t physically present but present even much more via Blackberry Messenger, Whatsapp and Facebook chat: Patricia, Ericka, Bokyo.)

Say goodbye to kaching-kaching again (first, phonebill; now, this!!). But I think this is something I won’t regret. I work hard to make myself happy. And I don’t think it would hurt to invest time and money to your faithful girlfriends. Or if you want the other angle, we can also put it this way: There’s nothing wrong spending your money once in awhile for temporary happiness—if that’s what keeping yourself from being cracked. ;)

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I think it’s harder for the one left because everything will be the same except for the absence of that one person. As for the other, it feels a lot more exciting because everything is new—people to meet, activities to experience.

What you don’t know is the ingredient that makes this hard. One word: Independence. We want to know how life is like independent from each other. It’s not anything bad. In fact, it’s really interesting. Perfect opportunity to discover how life is with just God, family and friends—something I’ve never experienced for a long time. 

A lot of people can do it. And I haven’t seen myself do it yet. Back in those days when I was single, I smile at night because of that person trying to win my yes. Still, some people do not have people to whom they play the yes or no game with.

Main point: How is life like without it?

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Curiosity that embraces faith. That’s what we call it.

You know, when I was young, I used to merely incorporate the word faith with religion. But as I got older, and as I lived life with this person, I was able to stretch the word even more. As it is, faith means believing in something you haven’t seen, believing without proof, believing the unbelievable. That even if you haven’t seen God, you know and will die for the fact that He exists.

My other definition is this: Faith is strongly believing in something that you cannot see, that you cannot feel. It is believing in promises that may look broken; believing in something despite the ripple—despite the presence of the tall barriers and distance. Even when people pull you to turn around, you claim your stand, your land, your position telling them what you know because that too is what he knows.

Because even when people do not understand, it is not what matters.

What matters is you do, and he does.

And that’s enough.

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I’ll try to speak less of you from now on. But know that it will still and always be you. Nothing changes that. :)

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MOOD: Ecstatic, Game Face On

theweekendgirl:

My first week in Japan was filled with blue skies and autumn foliage. This is a wonderful change of scenery for a person who has lived in a country filled with green on moist, humid green her whole life.

Walking around with my head pointed up at the sky the whole time gave me cramps but I saw a kaleidoscope of colors from red to yellow to orange and even purple! Even, the bare branches were starkly beautiful.

Autumn is such a dream.

My friend Lilia went to Japan last month. She took photos of the trees and I fell hard in love with them. <3

Because thissssss is how we roll.

One Saturday of November, Nuffies and Nuffnangers met yet again for another bonding session. So aside from our movie nights, we also do intimate coffee dates.

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You still don’t get it? Lemme do a little ABC. 
Coffee with the Nuffies is one of the little events that we look forward to, to bond and to get to know each other in the community. Nuffies meet the Nuffnangers, Nuffnangers meet the other Nuffnangers.

So as some people like me, who enjoy traveling—hopping from one blog to another—in the interwebz in a coffee shop, we also do meeting one blogger to another in the same, yes, coffee shop. Isn’t that amazing?

And to see how legit this is, interest yourself with this Google search: http://www.google.com.ph/search?rlz=1C1CHKZ_enPH431PH431&gcx=c&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=coffee+with+the+nuffies

Yes, my dear ladies and gentlemen. There is also Coffee with the Nuffies in the other Nuffnang regions. (But no, don’t you play that little thought. You don’t win a ticket here to get to bond with the SG Nuffies. My dear Pinoy blogger/reader, you are stuck with the PH Nuffies FOREVER AND EVAAAAAH!!!!)

Heehee.

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So this first ever Coffee with the Nuffies in the PH was sponsored by Blenz. Thank you very much!

I got myself this really delicious looking chocolate cupcake. Mouthwatering and very satisfactory. +1! I also got a Caramel Cappachillo, which wasn’t really new to me as I’ve ordered that already once or twice that I visited their branch in the JimBasic office and that one too in Megamall. 

So here’s the good mix of Nuffies and Nuffnangers. It was a really funny afternoon. I forgot that bloggers are talkative in person as they are talkative through their keyboards and dot-com’s.

After all the bonding session, Trixie called us for the “latte art”. 

“Latte art what???” I asked, surprised that this was part of the afternoon.

“Yeah they’ll teach us how to do a latte art,” Trixie PATIENTLY explained.

“Art? What art?? Bakit hindi nalang latte?” Really, I can be ignorant at times and still irritable. :))

“Edi kalimutan mo na na may art. Halika na. Tumayo ka na.” Trixie IMPATIENTLY insisted. Hahahaha!

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This is the manager of Blenz Global City with Trixie. He explained to us the advantage of latte art as it includes precision and accuracy in the temperature level of milk, caffeine and sugar. Overall, it’s a very complicated art in such beverage. So on another note, it means that yes, not all coffee shops can do that. :>

Beside the order table was a painting of a latte art. After seeing that, I slowly nodded my head in understanding. (Go on. You may do that slow clap here matched with standing ovation. LOL)

Too complicated to describe in my blog, but this skilled barista demonstrated to us how to do a latte art. It was really complex that I don’t think I can do it now even after see him do it five times. Also, such art requires latte/coffee maker machines to reach that precise temperature and pressure level you need in special lattes.

(Can you still keep up? LOL I can’t!)

So without further ado, let me present to you the latte arts!

I think I was partly drugged (without the use of drugs) that day. Every time I was presented a latte art, all I could think of was how I’d be able to use it in a post-latte conversation. 

Here are some examples.

“I think the guy I’m gonna date tonight has a really strong personality. You know why? I HAD A SIGN!!! I saw a dragon in my latte this morning.”

“I still think we should watch a movie tonight. :( I saw Kung Fu Panda in my latte!!! It’s a sign!”

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If you think my “oh-it’s-a-sign” lines are creative, let me show you the REAL creative creations of my mates.

Here’s Trixie (PH Nuffie, Blogger Relations, www.wildaboutretail.com) with her Christmas tree latte art. (Photo courtesy of askmewhats.com)

A cuuuute pig by Nikki (PH Nuffnanger, www.askmewhats.com) (Photo courtesy of askmewhats.com)

“OMG I THINK IM GONNA LOSE MY DIET AND BE FAT SOON! I just saw a pig in my latte. Oh my gosh. I need to go to the gym.” Heeheee. I can let the lines go. LOL.

And a cute monkey by Noelle (PH Nuffie, www.kikayrunner.com) (Photo courtesy of askmewhats.com)

“Remember I told you I’ve been having nightmares after I watched Planet of the Apes? I think it has gone worse. It’s not just in dreams. I SAW IT IN MY LATTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY’RE REALLY MAD THEY’RE HAUNTING US!!!!!!!!!!!”

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Kidding aside, you’ll be amazed by these latte art creations. I’ve never known they’re possible til we had that coffee date. And yeah, I really think it’s pretty cool. :>

Can’t wait for the next -with the Nuffies session!