Happily ever afters are not always true, if stories end as lives are bound to, then how do you say goodbye to someone you promised forever to? After three years of blogging on this account, I have decided to move on to a new account. Sudden as it may seem, but it’s time to say goodbye and3ng and say hello dr3amboat.

Three years and over 400 entries on this website, how could I leave everything behind? It truly is difficult to bid adieu to something I have fostered for over the years. While I will still keep this open and with all the content intact, my main site would now be http://dr3amboat.multiply.com. I personally believe that I have written some of the best blog entries on this one, but then again, it’s time to move forward and leave them all in the past. It’s hard I know, but there is a bright future looking in on me. To those who have been regulars of this website, I thank you all for taking time to view whatever it is I offer you. For the hundreds of comments collected, thank you all for expressing your views, opinions and simply just for making my day. Your every visit to this site doesn't go unnoticed.

So now, I give you, a new website—from living My Life in Technicolor, to emerging In Full Bloom comes a Rainbow. Yes, I’M A RAINBOW, TOO! See you all there.

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family tree layout - Geneology

Hahahaha. This isn’t my official blog entry to start my newly renovated website, but heck, it’s coming up soon (definitely watch out for it), so, I don’t mind writing an entry as a precursor to a ‘new’ life in technicolor. As the title says it, this is a photo taken by my good friend Billy. I wonder if he has dreams of becoming a photographer one day, because I remember him taking a few photos of me while we were up in Mammoth. And then when we hung at Mart’s after the trip, he offered to take a photo of me while playing with bubbles. Well. I suggested that he take a photo of me with the bubbles in front of me, fun times. I wish I could post that photo he took, but errr, I don’t look that flattering in that one. Hahahaha. I’m not Andi in that photo, I don’t know who that person is in that ugly photo. But, I kept it nonetheless, for remembrance of that one funny memory with Billy. Anyhow, I’m posting this photo because I think this is quite a good photo he took of me. This was taken on the eve of Valentine’s Day, when him, Kel, Mart and I decided to have dinner together. Kel and Billy picked me up and then we drove to Santa Monica. We were supposed to have seafood on that restaurant behind me, but we had to wait for Mart to get off from school, so, we settled for driving to the South Bay to have Mart join the three of us. We opted to have ramen at Shinsen Gumi in Gardena since it was a cold night. We stayed there, talked about cars (errr, Mart and Kel talked about cars, I know nothing about cars), my life as a drama queen (and I mean my life that I devoted to theater), Billy did share some of his quirks and jokes that we ended up leaving the place around 12:00 AM. Just in time for Valentine’s Day. Hahahaha. It was fun. And Billy took a good photo of me, I wish he took my whole body including my shoes. LOL. But this is good enough.

I didn't have any intentions of posting a blog entry until I am all systems go in giving my website a much needed lift, which by the way is happening soon—there's going to be newer photos and newer background in time for spring—so better watch out for that. I truly wanted to get back with an official blog entry to start 2008 off, in time for a new look and feel of my website plus new photographs shot by a pro, but then, this one issue is something I couldn’t just seem to overlook. It’s going to be short and sweet, anyway. Read on.

To all my contacts, I apologize if I ‘accidentally flooded’ your navigation pages for the past two-three days with all my website content. I’m sorry as I had to go through such tedious process of privatizing everything I had on my website—all for my safety. I have been a victim of a smear campaign geared to ridicule me. The sad truth is that some people have just got nothing better to do with their lives that they go the extra mile to generate entertainment at the expense of others. And I count myself among that ‘others’.

Some stupid crackheads ripped off some of my photos and used it against me, how pathetic I know, right?  I don’t wish to elaborate anything about the incident anymore for the simple reason that it’s not worth talking about anymore. There are a lot of online thugs who lie in wait in front of the computer and creep around cyberspace. An idle mind truly is the devil’s workshop, and these low lives must be bored to wits. I must be some kind of a famous guy for these good for nothing people to build a website to mock me. Funny.

It’s sad that I am no longer able to share everything I could through my blog for everyone to view anymore. What about the friends I have who regularly read my blog and view my photo albums that don’t have Multiply accounts? Sigh. The only way for you guys to view exclusive content on my website is to sign up for an account and add me up as a personal contact. As I have said on my note in my homepage, sorry but that’s just the way it is.

Going forward, only friends and family would be the ones granted unlimited access to my website. I would only accept friend requests from people I truly know (like I always do). True enough, prevention is better than cure.

‘Til I dropped. For several reasons, I only shop during the autumn and winter seasons. I love fall clothes, I love layering, I love the fact that I have to wear all those cozy cold weather essentials such as thermal henleys, leggings (to wear under my jeans), cashmere sweaters, turtlenecks, pro-fleece hoodies, anoraks, down jackets, wool coats, and of course, my Ugg boots. Aaah. I love autumn and winter for the fact that I can layer and dress up and make myself pretty all the time.

Since I haven’t shopped for the longest time, I was able to pool some money to update my autumn and winter clothes. I got the crazy stripe mock neck sweater from GapKids, a few more thermal henleys (which I love wearing during the cold weather), some thermal leggings, a pair of grey skinny jeans, some  checked Bermuda pants, a brown pro-fleece pullover (finally!), a black cashmere hoodie, new scarves, and a new pair of Uggs (this time in black). I pondered on getting the warmest coat from the Gap, but I thought what would I need the warmest coat for in California? With its wishy-washy weather, one day it’s hot, the next it’s cold. But for now, I think I am done with my autumn and winter shopping, the items I bought of which I believe can be worn until spring. And for summer, I am so dressed down during the summer, with colorful pique polos, jeans and Chucks—almost like a uniform, huh? Not fun. Makes me look so plain and boring. That’s why I thank the fact that I live in a place where there’s four seasons. Looking back, I think I can no longer live in Manila because I won’t be able to layer. Hahahaha. Anyway, above (click on the image for a full-sized view) are just some of the items I bought when I went shopping at the Gap, Mango, Old Navy, American Eagle and Nordstrom during my last shopping trip at the Third Street Promenade.

I’ve never been starstruck in my entire life. Until I met Lea Salonga. I thought I was going to die right then and there ohmilord. Having her presence in front of my very face, I was about to have a heart attack. She was very accomodating and down to earth—no star complexion at all—which kind of makes me a bigger fan of hers now (that I have finally met her).

So it was like this, Monday, at about 1pm, I was ringing at work (for those who don’t know retail jargon, ringing is when you ‘ring’ or scan a customer’s merchandise for purchase on the checkout counter). I was Bonnie’s back-up ringer, and for some reason, this Asian lady would not want to stand by the barricade, where the line was supposed to form. She insisted on standing behind the customer I was ringing. I said to myself it’s OK since there was no one else in line, besides, I was almost done with the customer before her. So I finally had the Asian woman on the counter, right in front of me. And I went like, “Hi, did you find everything OK today?” I looked up to her, and thought to myself, “Lea Salonga?” Since my job entails customer relations, a small conversation transpired.

Me: Do you need a gift receipt for any of these items?
Her: Uhm, no. These are all for my daughter. My daughter doesn’t have winter clothes.

I looked up to her again, and tried to tell if the lady I was ringing up was indeed Lea Salonga.

Me: Oh yeah, it’s starting to get colder the past days. How old is she?

Her: She’s two years old.

Me: Precious. Uhm, do you want to grab some socks, the ones behind me are five pairs for $10. They’re three dollars a pair, but if you get five or more, a pair comes up for two dollars.

Her: Sure.

So she asked me to pick out socks in the colors and size that she wanted. After getting done with grabbing her socks, I was totally convinced it was Lea Salonga.

Her: Where are you from?

Me: Uhm did you mean what is my nationality? I’m Filipino, I’m from the Philippines.

She was having a hard time trying to figure out what Asian am I, I bet. It’s funny because I thought she could be a Vietnamese woman (like having played Kim in Miss Saigon has that effect on her hehehehe).

Her: Wow, me too!

Me: Uhm, are you Lea Salonga?

Her: Yes.

She humbly said yes. And my heart just kept pounding, I thought I was going to have a heart attack! I swear to God. My heart kept racing fast.

Me: Ohmigod Lea… I’ve never been starstruck in my entire life until now… My name is Andi.

And then I extended my hand, she took at and we shook hands.

Her: Oh no, don’t be, don’t be starstruck, I’m just like anyone else.

Me: Awww, I wish I was on break, I’d totally pose for a photograph with you.

Her: Yeah, a lady just stopped me over earlier to have a photo taken with me.

Me: I swear, I wish I was on break. But anyhow, how did your show go? Les Miserables?

We asked each other a few more questions, she asked when did I come to the US, and then we talked a little bit more. We talked about whether she’s spending Christmas here in LA, and when was the last time she was home. I told her that doctor to many Filipino celebrities Vicky Belo and the very controversial Miss World 2005 semi-finalist Carlene Aguilar also shopped at our store a few months back. But I was never starstruck by either Vicky or Carlene, although Carlene was really very pretty (and I envy her for being the mother of Dennis Trillo’s very cute son! Hahahaha). So I got done ringing her up, and when she was about to pay, she handed me her AmEx card, I took it from her, and read her name. And then I told her, “Oh I don’t need your ID anymore for I know you.” And she laughed.

Lea said she was flying to Hawaii and she’ll be spending Christmas over there, but will be spending the holidays in LA, for the most part. The moment was just surreal. I handed out coupons for her to use in time for the holidays, and she said she plans to come back to our store (which by the way is the biggest babyGap store in the entire Los Angeles county). I wish she keeps her word, by then, I would be ready, I would grab my digital camera from my locker, or if not, I’d at least have her write me a message on a piece of paper (although I think this is passe, with the presence of digital cameras and camera phones, why would you want a piece of paper with her autograph?). I did have her signature captured on my register though, other than that, I don’t have her autograph. What was I thinking, I should have just settled to have her sign and write me a note on a GapCard application form, or a piece of register tape. Sheesh. I was that struck by her presence, to the point wherein I didn’t know what to do or say. Na-aligaga ang lolamez mo, hindi nakapag-isip ng tuwid dahil sa presensya ni Lea Salonga. Come on, it is Lea Salonga after all. Even my associate manager Laurie (who is American) knows her from her appearances on Broadway, and is completely amazed by her, having seen Lea’s performances on stage.

I am still starstruck up to now, can you tell? I am so starstruck to the point that I kept talking about my experience to almost everyone—my mom, my friends from here and overseas—everyone I have the chance to speak with. I promise, I’ll do whatever it takes, I’ll grab my digital camera or camera phone from my locker and take a photo with her, even on the job. Kesehodang nasa worksung galore. Echoz. Kundi man uubra, sige na nga, I’ll settle with her autograph. Carry na ‘yun. Whew. I could go on being starstruck for days. Weeks, months even. I wish I told her about how I love her songs, and which songs of hers do I have on my iPod, or that there is a possibility of us being related since my grandfather’s mother is Salonga as well. Sigh. I wish I had more time to talk to her. Well, I’ll see her sometime in the future again. I can’t wait until then.

Way back 2003, I was extremely saddened by the idea of coming to the US for good. I was not mentally and emotionally prepared. I had a boyfriend (whom I thought was a ‘loving’ one back then), I was at the height of my reign in college, and my social life was just up there. But none of these really were what I could have called “the ties that bind”. For one, a boyfriend could be replaced (look, right now I am surviving without that ex-boyfriend of mine in my life), and college, of course, I am bound to get done with college anyway, it’s just that back then I wasn’t ready to give up on what I used to have (the power, the popularity, the prestige and what not). As for my social life, I wouldn’t have a problem with that right? I can make friends wherever in the world I may be, remember, make new friends but keep the old. I still my bestfriends Ianne, Apple and Echie.

But for the most part, my cousins were the ones whom I didn’t want to leave behind. I remember mentioning in an old blog entry back in 2005 how extremely close I am with my cousins to the point that I did not want to come to the US and not spend even a portion of my life with them close to me. Among us, I was the first one who got here (excluding my brothers, for they really didn’t grow up close to our other cousins like I did), and the thought of being away from them just hurt me. I clearly remember how my cousins and I cried so bad that day I was all set to permanently leave Manila for Los Angeles. I was finally done with college and had to move to LA for good. It was a rainy Wednesday, June 8, 2005, and my grandparents, my cousins, my then boyfriend and my bestfriend Echie all dropped me off at the airport. And as seconds ticked, we found ourselves crying out loud, I could not even stand the thought of seeing them on that glass pane as I passed by the gate. I didn’t want to look at them for I’d end up crying as well. And then moments after, my cousin Micah called me up on my celfone, and we couldn’t even understand each other for she was crying, I was too! She passed the phone to Patty, and all I heard were whimpers, hers and people from the background. Aaaah. Now that I am looking back, I couldn’t help but laugh.

So 2005 flew me fast, I survived living far away from my dear cousins, the only thing that kept us close was Yahoo Messenger, we could go on for hours chatting. 2006 came, and before I knew it, Micah was already set to come to LA as well. I was ecstatic upon the news. Days turned into weeks and then months, and I found myself waiting for Micah and my grandfather at the arrival lobby of LAX in September. And the reunion was just momentous. The first time I saw Micah, I realized how she grew taller since the last time I saw her, she has also gotten darker, probably because of too much swimming.

Now 2007 is nearing its end, Micah has been here in the US for a year now, and guess what? Patty is flying to here soon. So it’s like, 2005 it was me who got here, 2006 it was Micah, and 2007 it’s Patty’s turn. Wow, I couldn’t be any happier, it’s like a reunion of the Power of Three, which by the way, is what we refer to ourselves back in the days! Hahahaha. Of course, I’d still miss Camille (the Prue to my Piper, Patty’s Phoebe and Micah’s Paige), because growing up, it was Camille I shared secrets and stories and all that with. But, I’m guessing it’ll take a few more years before Camille gets here. For now, I couldn’t ask for anything more now that Micah’s here, and soon after, Patty’s going to be here. Wow, I better start to learn how to drive and pick these two Missies up for each time we’re bored. Or… how about getting a boyfriend that would take all three of us out?! We’ll work our magic, and cast some spell on someone to make him mingle with the Power of Three. Hahahaha.

THE DEAL: List 20 things you want to say to 20 people but know you never will. Don’t say who they are.

01.      Sana ay ikaw na nga.

02.    Of all the words of tongue and pen, these are the saddest, “It could have been.”

03.     Type mo ba ako? Kasi type kita.

04.     I had to lose you, to find myself again.

05.     I had high hopes for him.

06.    Didn’t you almost have it all?

07.     How can I not love you?

08.     You know I will never get far.

09.     Ang dapat sa’yo ay sinusunog sa plaza!

10.      Reyna ka ng kashulastikan!

11.       Matakot ka sa karma.

12.      Alam mo, sayang e… ang ganda ng pinagsamahan natin pero sinira mo.

13.      Salamat na lang din dahil narealize ko na may mas higit pa kaysa sa’yo.

14.      Ignorance is bliss.

15.      Sana e nagawa mo akong ipagtanggol sa kanila. Pero… OK lang.

16.      Pinulot ka lang sa lupa! Hahahaha!

17.       You don’t have a brain… boba!

18.       Alisin mo na sa katawan mo ang inggit at pang-iintriga!

19.      Try mo maging happy para sa ibang tao. Try mo lang.

20.    You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard copycat!