Cabarnet Sauvignon

Would you believe it's exactly a month ago since I last posted here? Oh well, I surely got drowned with so many things, but I am pretty much determined to get myself out of this rut. :)

Oh, by the way... Happy new year!


Celebrations are often celebrated with a bottle of wine, and this bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon - together with it's very cute wine rack (shaped like a carriage) was something given to me when I attended the press conference of the Weddings & Debuts 2012 Bridal Fair last Thursday at Plaza Ibarra in Timog, Quezon City. The Wedding Library organized this event (the Bridal Fair will be next month), and as a parting gift for us who attended, we got this.

I don't drink wine that much, but I found this one really cute, so I might use this for future celebrations here at home - as a table centerpiece.

Standing

The University of Santo Tomas, founded in 1611 is the oldest university in Asia. Up to this date, the university is still standing tall, and is now celebrating their quadricentennial anniversary. My father got his degree in BS Commerce major in Marketing in this university, and although I didn't study college in this university, I am happy to have this wee bit of a connection to the university. The first and the only time I set foot inside the university grounds was in 2009, but I am planning of going there again as I wasn't able to take that much pictures last time.

Happy 400th birthday, UST!

*** Jenn ***

Shadow

Since my other post in this blog was from the LaMesa Ecopark, I might as well choose something from the album for this week's Photo Hunt.

I saw this near the lagoon area... my friend Nathalie and I were waiting for the ducks to go in the water, and while waiting, I decided to take a little break and saw this plant by the rock wall. The shadows were the ones that really made me interested in taking a picture, and I was glad I did take a snapshot of it.

*** Jenn ***

Letters

I am a very sentimental person. I keep as much memories as I can, and these 5 boxes were just a few of the proofs that I really am sentimental. These boxes hold notes, letters, and some small gifts given to me. The boxes were just ordinary boxes (the two ones at the top were shoe boxes), which I revamped by doing some decoupage. The one with the numbers hold letters from elementary and high school friends, the one with business reply cards hold letters and cassette tapes from Doc, the black and white one holds letters and memorabilia from Hanson (the musical band) friends, the one with comics hold letters from my pen friends ...


... and the big box with designer labels hold letters and small tokens from my college friends. I tried to keep each and every one of them - even the little notes written just to say "hello."




There were so many good, funny, and inspirational letters in these boxes, and this card was one of my favorites. Given to me by my friend Ronald, who enrolled in our class last semester of second year. We instantly became friends, and one time he gave this to me.

Surrender? No Way! Friends? OK!

February 16, 1998

Dear Jayne,

"I know how the world works... If you jump, I jump..."
(Guess from what movie, I am not even sure if it's the correct and lines though.)

Jennifer, I have always admired your truthfulness and uniqueness. Please stay the way you are. That's the best reason why a lot of people adores you.

Many words have remained unsaid. I may have not be a good friend to you, but rest assured you have touched my heart and you'll remain and always be in my heart and thoughts FOREVER!

Please be my friend.

As this semester ends, it doesn't mean however that it will end from there. But instead, you will begin to spread your wings as you will soon your 18th year of existence on earth.

Enjoy your life. Don't procrastinate. Be optimistic. Be simple. Live a virtuous life. Love life. Love yourself. Love those who love you. Love God. LOVE. Always smile.

I'll be with you.

Your Friend,
Ronald

P.S. I painted this exclusively for you.

It's really great to know that I have kept this (and the other letters). Re-reading them gave me renewed strength, and the lessons the letters impart still apply even if this one was sent 12 years ago.

I don't receive letters anymore as most messages were sent either through e-mail or through Facebook. While I appreciate the quick messages, I still wish we could go back to the pen and paper thing, so that even if times have passed, we still can re-read the sweet messages given to us.

*** Jenn ***

ps - In case you don't know, the opening quote on Ronald's letter is from the movie, "Titanic."

School

In 2008... a friend of mine took the Bar Exams, and since I haven't seen how it looks like, I went to the De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila to witness it. Every Sundays of September, barristers and their group of cheerers would gather to this school for the Bar Exams. I have heard news about how it was, but witnessing it, I was really amazed at the fighting spirits of these people, especially that all barristers came from different places in the country. Unlike the other board exams, the Bar Exams only had one venue, this university.

It's September now... for sure tomorrow the whole avenue is closed again for the third week of exams. I wish all the barristers good luck!

*** Jenn ***

Wedding Rings

This week's theme on Photo Hunt is "anniversary," and this was the first image that came to my mind. I took this 21 January 2009 as my photo for the day on my Project 365. 21st of January is important to the family because it was when my parents celebrated their anniversary. Although my dad was already up in heaven the time I took this picture, it was really touching that my mom still has the wedding rings, which a friend custom made for them using my dad's coin collection.

I am a big fan of my parents' love story. It's not something you will get to see in movies, but it was unique in itself. They only got to share a life together for 29 years, but it was a very well lived life.

*** Jenn ***