The truth is, the biggest part of me cannot wait until it's summer and I can go back home.

This country, this city, the people in this city, the people I am forced to spend almost every day with, are bringing out the worst part of me, and I am not liking it. I am not liking what I am turning into.

I used to be one of the most positive person, thoughtful, idealistic, fair, productive, patient, and then this country and its people happened. I've always had this façade of being the most pessimistic person in a room, but people close to me knew I am the most idealistic person there is. Probably one of the major reasons why I always try my best to find the goodness in everyone, and probably also one of the major reasons why I am always "used and abused", as Asmae would say. I do not want to be a cynic, and I'm afraid that slowly I am turning to be exactly that kind of person.

Inside I am crying for the version of me that is slowly fading, being drowned by this newer, meaner, version I am becoming.

Maybe I'm overreacting, or maybe I am not.

Labels: I love Milano, Mabuhay Pilipinas, Pouting, Si Dindin, Silly Me, Viva Italia

I've been feeling so down these past few days. I think it showed a little too much that A and her boyfriend, G, thought of going on a road trip. After a late lunch, at around 4PM we were headed to Fox Town, Mendrisio, Switzerland.

I have few but such great friends.

The best part of the trip was that the moment we passed the borders, it started to snow. I took no picture, though.

Yes. Snow. The snow and I, we have a special relationship. Yes. Me, the snow, and a few special people.
Thank you. :-)
♥ ♥ ♥

Labels: Friends, Lights Camera Action, Si Dindin, Viva Italia, Weder-Weather

My dose of sports for this year ends today, the day Italia got eliminated from the World Cup 2010. Azzurri's first 2 games were disappointing, yes. Both ended in a tie. Though, I still think that most of the players from other teams played dirty, nothing compares to what I feel, and think of Slovakia's players. At least, yung ibang teams hindi sobrang pa-tama sa oras, at hindi nangho-hostage ng bola! Ugh!

I'm honest naman, I don't think Gli Azzurri played well, I know they could have done so much better. But still, I feel that they did what they had to do. (Oo na, biased na kung biased.)

Someone's tweet on Twitter (Syempre, san pa kaya?):
"non mi vergogno di essere italiano\a, mica tifo italia solo perchè vince. forza azzurri per SEMPRE."

Yep, that's right! Forza Azzurri per SEMPRE!!! Viva l'Italia! :-)





It's a good thing the Lakers won the NBA finals. Or else, my yearly dose of sports would have been ruined. So, let's not even talk about Il Rossonero. Hehehe. :-P

Let's go Lakers!!!

Labels: Crazy world, Halo-Halo Special, I love Milano, Lights Camera Action, Mundong Ibabaw, Sport, Viva Italia

May 2, 2010
San Damiano (Piacenza)

I still get excited whenever I see the Philippine flag anywhere. Haha!

Labels: Halo-Halo Special, Lights Camera Action, Mabuhay Pilipinas, Viva Italia

Years ago, one of my friends from school told us about her theory on boys, rings, and babies.

She said:
"There are two ways to keep a man — 1. Is to let him give you THE ring; and 2. Is when you're expecting your baby. But if you want a guy to stay away from you, there are also two easy ways to keep them away — 1. Is to show them you're wearing a ring on your ring finger; and 2. Is to show them you're a mother. Both usually scares them away, so it works perfectly".

I'm mabenta to in-laws. Parents-in-law, Uncles/Aunts-in-law, Grandparents-in-law, you name it. One of my Mum's friends, when she found out we were going to the PI for a vacation, called her sister and asked her to go to our house with her son so we could meet. Buti na lang, I was out having dinner with friends when they arrived. Mamma knew better and did not call to ask me to go back home.

I also don't like men who are mahangin, who think they are God's gift to women. And those who think that every girl "in the room" would do anything to have them.

Going back to the ring theory... Some three years ago, Mamma's friend was selling jewelries, Mamma told me to choose at least one item, kasi nakakahiya naman daw. I saw a ring that looked like an engagement ring, nothing fancy, it was a gold plated ring with a Zircon on top of it. It costs no more than 15€. I saw the opportunity and took it. I decided to buy the ring because there's this guy who keeps on bugging me, and also because I wanted to stop being mabenta to in-laws, kahit sandali lang. I had decisions to make, and could not get myself involved with a guy, I didn't even know which continent I was going to stay. So, go figure. Wearing the ring seemed like a good idea. And it was. The ring worked, except when some (buti na lang very few) of them would go to me, and ask if I already have a boyfriend. You see, I'm not good at lying. People usually get it, so I get caught easily when I'm lying. Plus, I can't tell them naman na I have a boyfriend, because I won't have a name to tell them din. So...

My Lola, Titos, Titas, cousins, and friends are now waiting for me to have a boyfriend, settle down, start a family, and all that stuff. They say it's time because I'm not getting any younger na daw.. Kamusta naman yun? Last month, Mamma and I finally took the decision of what I should do next with my life. Well, more like I took the decision, and she agreed. A couple of weeks later, I lost the ring. Over dinner, I told my ring-theory maker friend about the ring, and she said that maybe it's a sign. That maybe now that I've decided what to do next (at least the next 5-6 years) of my life, maybe Someone up there is telling me that it's okei to finally feel free and get involve with someone, if I feel like I'm ready, and found the guy I want to get involve with.

Could the missing ring be really a sign?
Weeeehhhh.. -_-"

Night-night lovely people. : )

Labels: doing it the soap-opera way, Famiglia, Friends, Mabuhay Pilipinas, Si Dindin, That's Amore, Viva Italia

August 07, 2009
Idroscalo di Milano

Actually, "No Swimming Allowed".

Unguy-unguyan.


"Showered" Rev.

Stupid Cupid! Hahaha.

Labels: Famiglia, Friends, I love Milano, Lights Camera Action, Silly Me, Silly You, Viva Italia, Weder-Weather

Finally, [the EB. Hehehe.] got the chance to meet Ate Racky, and her lovely, lovely family (minus 1).

They arrived on the night of July 20, and left Friday morning.








Tapos we ended the day with this:





Next time it'll be even better, 'cause by then I'll know how to get around better, and probably know more shortcuts aside from the one going straight to where I live, hehehe. Who wants to spin on the bull's balls next? =))

Labels: Crazy world, Familia sa Mundo ng Blog, I love Milano, Lights Camera Action, Viva Italia

Augsut 2, 2009
San Giovanni Rotondo - Foggia
http://www.padrepio.it


More photos here.

Labels: Halo-Halo Special, Lights Camera Action, Viva Italia

Today I found out that:

1. One of my brothers-in-law passed away on Thursday.
2. Former president and hero of the Philippines, Corazon "Cory" Aquino also passed away.

May you safely find your way back home and may your souls rest in peace.

What a way to end the month.
Hoping that August would bring better news.

Tomorrow night, I'm off to Foggia to attend mass and visit San Pio's shrine and home.
And will be back Sunday night.

Labels: Buhay Isteyts, Famiglia, Mabuhay Pilipinas, Viva Italia

I'm helping a friend finish a project she's supposed to submit in English. That's what I've been doing for the past 3 days - translate, translate, translate. Very stressing, I tell you, but at least, we're (I'm) halfway through it na. Good thing that every once in a while her cousin would butt in and be funny.

Her cousin: Din, have you heard of "Better Than Sex Cake"?
Me: Yeah.
Her cousin: So, is it really better than sex?
Me: I wouldn't know.
Her cousin: Because you've never tasted the cake, or the sex?
Me: Uhh.. Both.
Her cousin: Oh, you don't know what you're missing!
Me: The cake.
My friend: Exactly, the cake.




Anyway, nag-start na nung Saturday ang UEFA Euro 2008 . Tonight [09/06/2008, Monday], Italy played, and loss 3-0, against The Netherlands. Tapos, talo din ang Lakers kahapon. Sad na ako. Pero sabi nga ni J, hindi daw ako nanuod kaya natalo Lakers kaya kasalanan ko. Supposedly, I was to watch the game online, kaso naman 2:30 na ng madaling araw, hindi pa naguumpisa, eh sobrang pagod ako, kaya nakatulog na ako ng naka-online. Ayun, kahit sad ako...

... okei na din, happy naman si Ate Racky.. Panalo Germania 2-0 against Poland. Game Ate? Hehehe.

Next on the list:

• Game 3 - Lakers vs. Celtics - Tuesday, June 10 (8:30 p.m. ET) - 3:30 ng madaling araw na naman ito sa Miyerkules. Sana wag na ako makatulog. Hehehe.
  
  
• Italy's next game is on Friday, June 13 [6 pm], vs. Romania. Yes, I only watch football when Italy, Milan [Oo na nga, Milanista ako, at Inter na ang nanalo. Bleah.], and sometimes Germany, are playing.
  

Night-night, everyone.

Labels: Friends, Viva Italia

My cousin's daughter, my Tito and Tita's granddaughter, my inaanak, turns 4!





con amore,
Ninang Dindin

Labels: Famiglia, Halo-Halo Special, Viva Italia

Mas maganda (nakaka-tawa) sana kung may "sound effect" yung kwento.



Back in high school...

Me: Tayo na kasi, ako na muna ang mag-aabono [pay the difference], gutom na ako.

Friend: Itatanim mo ang kakainin natin? San mo balak mag-tanim? (she was being sarcastically funny)

I say (yes, I still do, hindi ko ma-control eh, and I can't seem to remember how to say it rightly) "abono" the wrong way, and every time I say it the way I do, everyone I'm not (directly) talking to thinks I'm referring to a fertilizer.

---

A few months ago...

Me: Saan parte yun Ta-gig, gano yun kalayo dito?

Cousin: Anong Ta-gig?

I showed him how it was written.

Cousin: 'Nak ng... Taguig!! Ate, alas-3 na, tayo na matulog.

---

A few weeks ago...

Me: Ano ba ibig sabihin ng pa-los?

Friend: Yung parang lumo-lobo sa balat mo, pag-gasgas na.

Me: Ha? Lobo? Pag-gasgas ang balat?

Friend: Yung may tubig sa loob.

Cousin: Pare, paltos yun!

Minutes later...

Me: Anong ibig sabihin ng pa-los?

Tito's friend: Yung ano, yung gumagapang na parang malaking bulate na kulay itim.

Me: Parang bulate na kulay itim???

Tito's friend: Oo, naka-kain ka na nun eh.

Me: Ha?? Kumain ng bulate? Ako??

Tito's friend: Oo, tanda mo nung kumain tayo dun sa ristawran [restaurant] ng hapon?

Friend: Pare, isda yun, hindi yun bulate! Din, yung anguilla [Italian for "eel"].

Me: Ahh. Kinabahan naman ako dun, kumain daw ako ng bulateng itim.

Friend 2: Haha, lasing na yan eh.

Me: Teka, 'bat yun ang pangalan ng bagong serye ng ABS? Male version ng Dyesabel? Sabagay mas magandang pakinggan kesa sa shokoy.

Cousin: Hala, Palos pala ang tinatanong ni Din-din eh.

Friend 2: Gawa yun nung uso na komiks noon. Hindi mo na siguro yun inabot.

Nakaka-loka! The conversations we have every time we get together, and to think we're not kids anymore, I'm 23 and I'm usually always the youngest!

Just for the record, I am not bulol, but I've been advised to go to diction school, more than once, kasi madalas ang gulo daw ng punto [accent] ko pag-nag-tatagalog ako. Meron ba diction school para sa Tagalog?

Anyway, for my peace of mind, I googled ABS-CBN's Palos when I got home. He's like the Italian Diabolik! Now, I'm wondering... Who copied who?

From Wikipedia:
"Alyas Palos (Alias Eel) is a comic serial novel by Virgilio and Nestor Redondo, which was first (1st) serialized in Tagalog Klasiks in 1961."

"Diabolik is a fictional character, an anti-hero featured in Italian comics. He was created by sisters Angela and Luciana Giussani in 1962."

Palos was born in 1961 and Diabolik in 1962, but if you check the names of the (Palos) characters, they all sound a little too Italian, don't they? Oh, well... I guess it's not that important anyway.

Sabi ko na nga ba eh, we need TFC at home na.

Labels: Famiglia, Friends, Mabuhay Pilipinas, Silly Me, Silly You, Telebisyon, Viva Italia

After this, fyi, I did not get anything because I was saving for something else.

Now, allow me to say once again that...

Eye


love


Adidas


talaga.

I'm saving for a trip to the Philippines, once again. But I might still get something for myself pa din... dahil tao lang ako.. I have weaknesses too. Hehehe.

And please, say an extra prayer because today is Il giorno della memoria (International Day of Commemoration to Honour the Victims of the Holocaust). I thank Italy because I learned about this day only when I moved back here.

We should never forget.

Labels: adidaLOVEs, Halo-Halo Special, Mundong Ibabaw, Shoe Lust, Si Dindin, Viva Italia, Wishing on a falling star