And Alanis Said It Right

New shower curtains.

Immaculately white floor tiles.

Spotless bathroom floor.

Re-designed lace curtains.

New floor mats.

Polished toilet bowl.

Dust-free and reorganized console table.

Freshly-made couch.

Filipino-style pork spring rolls.

Fish fried with minimal salt,

topped with chopped tomatoes with calamansi juice.

Bean sprouts with tofu sauteed in garlic, onions, tomatoes and fish sauce.

12-piece Bobbi Brown brush set.

That's what the Universe decided to send my way after a day of having to deal with the effects of misaligned stars and cosmic retrogrades. Not a bad deal, I must say.

The dishes have been done; and the layer of sticky, saline dust that my evaporated hardworking sweat has left has been rinsed off. It's time to open that bottle of Merlot.

Thank you, Providence. Thank you for the redemption. Thank you for today's lessons. Thank you for my flatmates, Gil & Razel, whom you made instruments to give this day a happy ending. Thank you for this wine.

And thank you for my first Saturday off in 2010.

"Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up
In your face"

Alanis Morisette, Ironic

The HK Beckies (Heart) E

Hi all!


The event turned out a lot more well-attended than we had hoped it would be, and it's all because of your love and generous support.

We have been able to raise HK$8000.00 in cash and a few more in pledges! This may not be enough to pay for Enan's entire hospital bill, but it will surely go a long, long way.

Razel, the unsung hero for the night, was our all-around girl:
SM, PM, Talent Coordinator, Spinner, Accountant, P.A.

Enan and Steve are both overwhelmed by the amount of good vibes than even "friends they've never met" have been sending their way. They are tremendously grateful. Let us continue praying for Enan's swift recovery (he continues to fight, and is winning the battle impressively), and for resilience for not just for him but also for Steve, and every single person that lends them faith and hope.

Our CWL gurls, Sis. Nelsie Cola and Naemahhh Cyprus (not shown in pic)
do their rounds after the Homily.

Also, if someone still wishes to send in their monetary help, please feel free to message Rye, Miro or any of the Beckies, who can coordinate fund transfers and remittances with Steve.


Again, in behalf of Enan and Steve, we, the Beckies here in HK, Manila, Davao, Dubai, London, SG and everywhere in the world, give our sincerest, warmest thanks to everyone who supported that great Becky undertaking, whether by coming, performing, donating or just plain sending us good vibes. Enan will come out bright and shiny from this episode and it will be glory not just for him, but for all of us--- his loving friends.


Kisses & glitters,
The HK Beckies

Repost: On Loving and Forgiving

*from almost 2 years ago. A lot of things have changed, but the effect of this one scene on me hasn't. Marah & Steve, you remember this? *wink*

-----------------------------------

Their counsellor strictly instructed them after their last session to not see, or speak to each other for two weeks. After that, they were to see each other at a place and time they both agreed on, if they both decided it was worth forgetting their bitter past and throwing away all the anger and vile, and move on from there.

On that day that would dictate their future (whether as individuals or as a couple starting anew), she threw away all logic that ruled her life in all ways, for always. She was scared that maybe the two weeks they were given to think things over would not turn out to her favor. But she faced her fears. Dauntlessly, she stripped herself bare of all her defenses. She was vulnerable. But her willingness to give it another shot, her willingness to take a chance at a possibly lovelier "second time around" empowered her.

She started to well up --- out of overwhelming hope that he'd show up too, and fear that he might not. In the midst of a plethora of strangers, her eyes caught a familiar face whose hope and fear were also written all over. And in one fleeting, but poignant moment, they kissed. Words were unnecessary. That kiss, that embrace, that meaningful stare --- were all they needed to seal the seven years of mistakes and assure that this time they would try to make it work. Those were all they needed for either of them to know that they'd both been forgiven. Those were all they needed to validate their love --- one so true, it was well worth the risk they both were taking.

On that poetic Brooklyn Bridge, Miranda Hobbes and Steve Brady signified their forgiveness and love for each other. And reaffirmed their vow of etenity.

At that very moment, the person on the next row of the moviehouse decided to try to figure out which of the two was giving out a more sissy sob --- Marah or I. Steve later said he was positive it was I.

You Lose Some, You Win Some

After 20 minutes of walking around Wan Chai looking for the Morrison Hill Public Pool, I decided to give up and go to the one on Harbour Road instead. It was gonna be a long walk from where I was, but at least I knew for sure where Harbour Road was. All I needed to do was walk on the road, and I was certain I would eventually find it. And boy, was I right!

Sweaty and smelling like an 8-year old who's been playing in the heat of the sun for hours, I faced the receptionist-- a middle-aged local lady---, took off my sunnies, smiled and asked politely, "Where do I pay to use the pool?"

She smiled back, reached for something under the desk and held it out in front of me. It was a printed sign in English that said something like "This Public Swimming Pool is only used for group training." Great.

I said bye. But before I left, I ran to the loo and did a #2. If they won't let me swim, at least make that pitstop useful for my excretory system.

I went back to Hennesy Road to take the tram, but I was in the middle of two stops which were far apart from one another. In my efforts to find a cab, I walked to the side streets and lo and behold! I was on Oi Kwan Road. I just needed to walk up further and I'd find #7--- exactly what I had been roaming around for all morning. Morrison Hill Public Pool was so close, I could smell the chlorine. Imagine the thrill I felt when I saw a red arrow that said "Entrance to the Public Swimming Pool" I followed it, and as soon as I saw the ENTRANCE sign, my phone beeped. I opened the message while I continued walking.

"You got the job. We'll email you the details." It was from Emma, the choreographer I had auditioned to about an hour back. I smiled, and looked up expecting to be greeted by the receptionist. Instead, a notice greeted me saying the pool was closed for renovation from May 1 to June 30 2010.

Off to Causeway Bay I go. The Victoria Park Public Pool. After a relaxed tram ride and a stroll across the park that was probably as big as the Araneta Center, I found the entrance, ran to the turnstile and prepared to dood my Octopus. But I was stopped by a friendly middle-aged man. It was 11:50. The morning session was about to end at 12, and they wouldn't admit anyone until 1.

I bought my green juice and sat under the trees for a while. Facebooked, Facebooked, Facebooked and then I called T, and my friends Verna, and James. James suggested the Public Library, which I thought was a bright idea. It was quite a walk from where I was, but I went anyway. I got there only to find out that they, too, didn't admit anyone between 12 and 1. I looked at their clock. 12:50. Nevermind. It was time to go back to the pool anyway.

At 1:05, I was in my trunks, finally diving into the pool. Fi-nal-ly!

I headed off, an hour and a half later to Central for lunch: Mix's Liquid Sunshine Smoothie. It was an hour and some to my chiropractor appointment, so I thought of taking a walk, and people-watching. Humidity today was tolerable. Such a waste to spend the afternoon indoors and air-conditioned. And... Just before I opened the door, the rain poured down heavily. Goodbye, walk! Goodbye, people-watch! It's alright--- I'll start writing a blog entry.

Fifteen minutes before my scheduled appointment, the rain stopped. It was time to walk down Wyndham Street.

It's early in the evening, and there are more wins to count-- a 60-min full body massage, home-cooked dinner for T, and the Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Bar 2010 Show (Thanks to Noelito for the pass.). There is now a bit of a delay in the schedule, because the rain has held T stuck somewhere in Causeway Bay. I could throw a tantrum. Or I could finish this entry and count it as an additional win.

What's the score so far?

Aba, Enan!

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck with a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh!

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!

It's overwhelmingly heartwarming to see how much love and support people are sending your way. I wish there was a way to turn them into something physical-- something tangible-- so that we can box them and send them to you. That way you could see them at face value.

But knowing you, you will just laugh at all these. You will smile like a kid, say "Thanks!" in a funny manner, and then tease us about it. Because that's just how you are. You never take part in our episodes of mushiness. And if you ever do, you just do so in jest. To annoy us, even.

I can't wait to see how you will poke fun at us when all this is over. But I'm not intimidated. Steve and I have already planned our resbak. Bring it on, Enan!

So now, I'm gonna say this one last time, because I know that the more people convince you, the more you play hard to get. Please get well pronto and come back here to HK real soon, because we have a lot of threads, sms'es, emails, PM's to chuckle about. We're almost there, friend. Just keep holding on, come what may. We've been through the worst of times-- it only gets better from here. I have faith. You should, too.

I love you.