28 Facts About Me...

Two days more and I will be turning 28 and I’m pretty excited about becoming a mother in two month’s time. Last birthday, I had one of those “birthday blues” and I wrote about “dreams.”

This year, I have been through a lot, especially things that I thought I wouldn’t be able to bear. Turned out I underestimated my strength and threshold for pain. I healed from the wounds inflicted by the people I have held grudges for the longest time. I could say that I have evolved into a woman from being the “girl-next-door.” Hahaha!

Here are 28 interesting (and boring) facts about me:

28. Started school really young. I entered elementary at age 5 and finished it at 10. I stopped for a year to get qualified to a private school in the city. I entered high school at 12 and graduated at 15. Spent my first year of college at UST and decided to go home and pursue the course my mom chose for me. That is why I graduated from college just in time – at 21. I enjoyed the breaks in between levels, though.

27. I’m a daddy’s girl, so pardon my “princess” syndrome. My dad and I used to argue a lot over cups of hot coffee (how i miss those!) and we used to share a bed when my mom studied in the city. Our bonding moments would be discussion about current events and world politics over dinner. When I got married, I thought my husband should outmatch my dad’s treatment and thought that he should treat me like a queen. I realized that the real world wasn’t made to be at my service.

26. I’m the “bunso,” so, again, pardon my bratty ways. I have this style of being able to get away with things. Hehe! I always insist my choices by giving lots of “valid” reasons to support them. My husband made me realize that I’m going way beyond the limit, so I am trying my very best to hear out others’ choices and opinions.

25. I don’t shop for branded items. I believe that I can get a more fashionable and equally comfortable product without having to pay for the brand name. I only get branded items as a gift from my sisters.

24. I used to be an impulsive buyer until after having read this idea from a magazine that if I get the desire to buy something, I have to let a weekend pass and if I still want to buy it, that’s the time I will push through with the purchase. Funny because by the time I have enough money and I’m totally decided, the item I was eyeing for becomes out-of-stock!

23. I love shopping in tiangge and online rather than in the malls. I love to haggle. Got the techniques from my mom who’d haggle 60% off the price!

22. If I really like a style of a clothing or shoes, I ‘d buy two to three pieces or pairs of different colors. I think I got this from one of my sisters, Cynthia.

21. I used to be a tomboy. Not just boyish... Would you believe? I courted a girl back at UST. I sent her flowers. I guess I scared the hell out her. I later realized that the thing I had for her was not “sexually inclined” as it was actually envy. I wanted to be like her.

20. I had my first boyfriend at the age of 14 during our socialization when I was a junior in high school. He was a transferee. The relationship lasted only for a month and five days. (Nakks! Binilang talaga...)

19. I had my second bf at the age of 15. We met only before my 15th birthday. After being traumatized from a short courtship that ended quickly, I decided to make my second prospect wait for four months! Well, the length of courtship really doesn’t have anything to do with the length of the relationship as we only lasted for a month and ten days. (At least, mas tumagal ng 5 days sa first relationship. Hahaha!)

18. I had my third boyfriend at the age of 17. (Tagal nasundan, ‘no?) There were MUs in between that weren’t really taken seriously. That third boyfriend was my first serious relationship and my first kiss.

17. When I was five years old, I had this crazy wish. I wished that the first one to kiss my lips would be the man I will say “I do” to. Did my wish come true? You bet!

16. When I was four years old, I could already spell the words, “pseudonym,” “facade,” and “psychiatrist” correctly. I was already using a ballpoint pen and I already wrote in cursive.

15. My childhood peers were a group of boys who treated me like one of them. I really thought that I was a boy myself. We would climb a two-storey house and jump down from the roof. Imagine the fright it gave me. I obliged myself to do those stunts as not to be labeled “bakla.” We would play with marbles, homemade guns loaded with tin caps, straw wars using cotton seeds as an ammo, and many more. When we fight or disagree over something, we’d be given two pairs of gloves and settle the disagreement with a fist fight. At times, they would strip me of my shorts and expose my butt! One of those guy things... The only time I separated myself from them was when I was already feeling awkward being with them, and that was when I turned 14 and had my menarche.

14. I had a fainting spell at school during a flag retreat ceremony when I was in grade 2 because of having too much jackfruit for lunch.

13. I had another fainting spell in college at the operating room during our pre-duty visit because of the concentrated smell of isoprophyl alcohol. It scared the hell out of me!

12. I do experience fainting spells if I cry a lot, so Mhark sees to it that I don’t cry too much.

11. I used to have these prophecies when I was 10. They just pop out of my head and I warn the people involved. I lost it when my mom discouraged me from entertaining “that nonsense.”

10. I have a little sister who died of a heart attack at the age of two. When I was 18, my mom got pregnant. Unfortunately, she had a miscarriage three months after conception. I would have had two little siblings.

9. My first childcare experience was with my first nephew, Vincent. I took care of him since he was two weeks old. We were left alone in our town when the family moved to the city. I would bring him to school and anywhere I went. I consider him my first-born. We got separated when he turned 4 and was taken to the US.

8. My second experience was with my niece, Krisette. I lent her the name intended for my first-born baby girl. Her mom made it her second name, Margaret. My husband (who was then my bf) and I would share the bed with her and she was like our baby for a long time. My husband considers her his first-born.

7. I am a titlist of five beauty pageants (Ms. NNHS Intrams ‘96, Ms. NAA, ‘96 Ms. 3rd Congressional District ‘96, BB. Guiwan 2000, Ms. SK Tetuan 2000), won first runner up in four of them (Ms. Tungawan ’97, Ms. Titay ’99, Ms. Metro Ipil 2000, Bb. Zamboanga Sibugay 2002) a finalist in some (Ms. Teen Zamboanga 2000 among others), and a thank you girl in a few.

6. I was a consistent honor student since first grade and graduated third honors in elementary despite my being an underage. I graduated valedictorian in high school. I did not get a laude in college because I was preoccupied with extracurricular activities and I was not into my course.

5. A student leader since in fourth grade, I had been a campus politician since and had participated in the yearly school elections. I won some and lost some. I lost in the presidential bid when I ran against a senior when I was still a junior in high school. However, I won as the vice-president of the student government the year after. In college, I won as the college governor, having broken the record for winning against the candidate of the strongest political party in WMSU. They were unbeatable in the College of Nursing ever since and until I came. Hehehe!

4. Have discovered my journalistic inclination when I was second year high school. However, I started with creative writing since elementary. I was able to come up with a fiction entitle “Si Darna at si Zimzam, ang Itim na Genie” when I was 10. I had composed numerous childish poems and songs before that. I had been into Schools Press Conferences, loved the crowd, and won some contests that brought me to Malolos for the 1995 National Press Conference. I was noted for my feature stories but was more noticed for my news write ups. I was seated as the youngest member of the editorial board of our university publication in college. I had to give it up when I focused on our college magazine and was seated EIC when I was still a junior. Many senior editorial staff did not like it, so they would pick on poor little me.

3. My father would usually tell me that I have radical views on political and social matters. I did not really see myself becoming an extremist but maybe my humane side would really oppose to any oppression.

2. Since I was a little girl, I have already been fascinated with witchcraft. My role model wasn’t Barbie, but a hideous witch. I am into witch movies such as The Craft and series such as Charmed and Bewitched. Another fascination of mine is researching about conspiracy theories. I research about them in the net, in the books, and any reference materials. I’m most intrigued about the conspiracy theories involving Catholicism and the life of Jesus Christ.

1. I have always believed in destiny and that in life, we get to experience one great love only once or never at all. Meeting your OGL does not mean a grand entrance and fireworks as one wouldn’t even have a clue. That is why most people are very unlucky not being able to realize that the one they have is their OGL. I truly believe that I have found mine. It is the one thing that really makes my life complete. Now, I am bearing the fruit of an OGL and it makes me feel more complete. I am very grateful for the life and the love that God has given me. Thank you, Lord, for another year of journey. Thank you for all the blessings that make me more appreciative, the trials that make me stronger, and the people who continue to bring colors to my life.

When I was outlining my topic for this entry, I thought I wouldn’t be able to fill out all the 28 items about me. I was even decided to cut it to twelve since it is my birth date. However, as I was gearing towards the last seven facts, I realized that the list was too short. I have so much more facts about me that I wanted to share. Maybe on my golden age, I’ll list down 50 juicy facts about my existence.

Please pray for the safe delivery of my baby. I will update you with the development of my pregnancy as much as I can. God bless us all...