Ze graduation partey and ze graduation rites

I am officially on house arrest. This is actually my third day already, yet I only managed to open my laptop now. I caught the big bad flu (yes, despite the flu shots, demmet!) and I have a bad case of diarrhea. Going to the restroom more than 10 times a day ain’t a party. The consolation was I lost 4 lbs. – effortless at that. And I get to spend precious time with Kyle! Although, most of the time, I was just on fetal position on my brown couch, with the cute kitty hovering around me.

I was too nauseated to do anything – watch TV, eat, much less open my notebook. Now that I feel better, I can while away my time by posting my graduation event last week.

My graduation party hosted by R. for me was a blast! Thank you, Inner Circle, for joining us.

Thanks to Gem and Des for helping me with the logistics. I could not have done it WITHOUT you guys!

Major thanks to R. for flying home to join me in my graduation day and for being the official videographer - despite the rain. Kinarir talaga ang video kahit mabasa siya. Awww.
Sweetness!

Thanks to my Mom who was in my grad rites despite feeling ill.

No photos of my speech - it's all in video and I ain't posting. Dyahe! Hahaha.

Here are some of the photos:

My graduation party at Fraser Place – with the inner circle, Mom and Ninang Rose

With Nabeth, Teng and Arlene. Chipakin lahat ng canapes!

With Malee, Romy, Celia and Des

With Celia, Jay and my R.

Celebrating with my Mom and Ninang Rose

All the pretty ladies

What R. didn’t know – it’s also his birthday surprise!
Gem and Des handing out R.’s yummilicious birthday cake

My surprise birthday cake for R. and his balloons and chocolates.
Thanks, Gem, for arranging the cake!

R. about to cut his cake. So cute!

R. just opened my birthday gift for him. It’s the latest Canon D10!
30 feet underwater, woohoo!

R. showing off my gigantic birthday card

Happy with my birthday gift… I hope!!!

Us with the cake. Lafangan na!

Moi late in the night. May amats na. Not!!!

Moi and R. before going to my graduation rites

Iska ng Bayan. Yeah!

Walking to the Oblation area. Di talaga bibitawan ang bag!

With my DevCom batchmates. I’m holding my Valedictory Speech! And the bag. Hahaha!

Our group photo – across all Masters degrees

Out in the rain – the reason why I caught the flu!!!

Valedictory address

It's official.

I'm delivering the Valedictory address on graduation day.

It was unbelievable that I had to read the e-mail twice just to make sure I read it correctly.

Ayan - kinakabahan na talaga ako.

THE graduation dress

My commencement rites on May 9 became a much bigger deal because of 3 things:

1. I didn’t attend my college graduation so I owe it to my Mom to attend this one;

2. I’m graduating with honors – and perhaps I might just deliver the valedictory speech;

3. R. is attending my graduation ceremony.

The second reason – my being bequeathed with honors and the probability of me delivering the valedictory speech – is just really a bonus. I’m just really relieved that I’m FINALLY graduating!

Yeeey!

Pwede na ko ulit mag-isip ng isa pang Masters degree na pagdudusahan ko.

But I digress.

Going back to my point --- the other 2 reasons are far more important. I would like my Mom to see me walk up the stage and get my diploma. I’m also ecstatic that R. is coming home to attend the rites with me.

Yun pa lang --- solve na.

This lunch time, I headed to the mall to look for my graduation dress. I already researched online but I couldn’t quite figure out what I exactly like. I just know that when I see it, I’d know it’s THE dress.

Parang love at first sight – may kabog sa unang tingin.

So search I did – until I finally saw this.

It’s so un-Me, as Gemma put it.

It’s so Charlotte York – the SATC character that I least empathize with. Hahaha.

I am so… frou-frou. So Carrie Bradshaw and to some degree, so Sarah Jessica Parker.

I love everything frou-frou so classic, crisp, clear cuts are normally not me.

Since it’s graduation, however, I opted for the classic look.

When I saw this hanging in the Vittorio section, I just had to try it on.

No questions asked --- it’s THE graduation dress, alright.

It flattered my ultra mocha brown skin. That is actually a very subtle way of saying – mukha akong ulikba lately. Going to 4 beach trips in 5 months really toasted me.

And toast… I like!

Next quest will be the pair of shoes that will wing it.

Game… flying to the mall in 5 minutes!

Major pick-up

From feeling stuck... to feeling that finally, some things are moving ahead - although not in the full-speed that I'd like it to.

Valedictory address or not, I'm grateful that I am not just graduating, but that I am graduating with honors.

Life is good, sabi nga ni Mike O.

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

21 April 2009


Dear Ms. April Cabello,

Congratulations!

We are very pleased to inform you that you are among the top three of the UPOU Graduating Class 2009. In this regard, you are considered as one of the possible speakers in behalf of the Graduating Class 2009.

We would like to ask you to prepare a valedictory speech to be delivered during the Thirteenth Commencement Exercises of the UP Open University...

Inspiration from an unexpected source

“Above all, don’t fear difficult moments. The best comes from them.”

That, according to Rita Levi Montalcini – a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who will turn 100 years old on Wednesday, April 22.

I was browsing through Yahoo news when I read about this and was I glad that I stumbled upon it.

Admittedly, I’m right at the heart of a crisis of discontentment – to say the least.

I am uninspired and uncompelled. Demoralized – is the understatement of the year. My morale is trampled upon countless times by a thousand Caterpillar utility shoes.

I wish things are better. I wish things can change for the better. It’s just difficult to see change when there are other people you depend on for change to ensue.

Discontentment --- in its gravest magnitude – can actually be good. It all depends on how you look at things.

I am almost, almost at the tipping point. There is a build-up of critical mass in how averse I feel.

Catharsis – is almost near.

I’m waiting for it.

But don’t wait for it.

Fair warning has been given.

Photo from Wikipedia.

The graduate... finally

The greatest news on my business email today:

"Hello!

Yes, your grade is 1.5. And yes, you are a candidate for graduation on May 9, 2009. You'll receive instructions/details on the graduation from the registrar's office after the university council meeting today, April 15.

Congratulations!"

Hallelujah!

I am sooooo tired from my teaching engagement with college kids from Ateneo, UP Manila and Diliman and St. Louis University today. I talked endlessly the entire day, but this e-mail made everything all worth it.

I worked hard to finish my thesis. Working hard - is an understatement. Erudition is actually more appropriate.

Thank you, Prof. Lex, for finally giving my grade!

Thank you, R., Mom, Usability and myGlobe teams for egging me on when I wanted to stop schooling already because of my workload.

Thanks, Gem and Des for the cheerleading - in all parts of my life.

Thank God I'm a UP Centennial Graduate!

Pang-Famas na thank you ito!

Time to shop for another Masters degree, yeeeey!

Honestly, I'm still eyeing Hong Kong University or Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Next aim: Masters in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) or Telco Management

Dream, dream, dream.

Until it finally comes true.

Back from Kota Kinabalu

'Just got back from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia with Des, Joy and Lara.

This is the first time in a veeeeery loooong time that I traveled abroad without R.

I didn’t really know Joy and Lara before the trip. D. was the sole friendship connection of the girls. We were all introduced at the airport – barely 2 hours before the flight. It’s a relief that everybody got along well.

Needless to say…

WE HAD A BLAST.

It's one of my most adventurous trips ever - what with the all-girl posse', white water rafting, parasailing and getting lost in the streets of KK.

I've been meaning to travel sans the boyfriend - something I'd like to tick off in my personal achievements list. Sometimes, a girl needs to do some things without the man.

And the ladies severely bonded like glue.

It's nice to make new friends - and to discover that what's seemingly different might just be quite similar after all.

D. and I wanted to blog while we were in KK, but… nah. We were too busy having too much fun!

Let some of the photos speak for themselves.

D. and I on our way to KK via Cebu Pac

D. and I right in front of Waterfront - where the party's at

D. and I - super early happy hour at Cock and Bull, Waterfront. Waiting for the sunset!

Lara, Joy, D. and I - happy hour at Kohinoor

Striking the fish pose

White water rafting at the Kiulu River with our 2 kulit raft instructors

Getting ready for the turbulent water. Brave girls! That's me right in front with Misol!

Moi at Beach Bums - on the way to Pulau Sapi and Manukan Islands

Joy, D. and Moi - just arrived at Manukan Island

2 kick-ass girls getting ready to parasail

Up in the sky! It's D. and Moi! Cool Mr. Smiley, no?

Resting after the parasailing adventure

Sharing the humongous pizza with new gal pal beauty Joy at Little Italy

Pakalat-kalat sa kalye ng KK

Us at Yogur Berry for dessert

Moi and D. at the clock tower. Di kami mashado masaya.

A very tanned moi on day 5

Uncomplicating the complex

Last night, I met with a couple of old friends.

Barely 10 seconds that I got there, the quintessential question was thrown at me:

“April, are you faithful?”

No cognitive processing was necessary for me to reply a resounding:

“Yes. 199%.”

The context of the question was for a friend to validate whether long distance relationships can actually work.

Scratching the surface even harder, the question came from a friend who has a problem with both monogamy and simplicity.

At the end of the evening – or to be more accurate, at past 3am, I texted Arlene:

“…in a way, I’m glad we choose to live happy, peaceful lives.”

I realized, although people saw me as this complex, conniving, high maintenance bitch and that this reputation preceded me for a very long time, I just wanted things to be --- for lack of better terms – solid, steady and simple.

At the end of the day, it is one of the best feelings to be able to look at myself in front of the mirror, knowing that I may not be perfect, but I’m trying to do things right.

When you are earnest, the right thing is not exactly difficult to do.

Yes.

I am faithful.

199%.

If and when he doubts it again, I know deep in the crevices of my spirit that I did the right thing.

When a little kindness and some prayers can go a long way

New home for a little one

Last Monday, I helped a one-year old white female rabbit get adopted. The white rabbit was staying in at my vet while waiting to get adopted. I see her all the time when I visit Kyle.

During a lunch time conversation with Binky, I mentioned in passing that the cuddly creature needs a new home. It turned out that she was interested. I called my vet and facilitated the visit and pick-up.

It's a very small thing that I did, but I'm happy that I helped get a new and safe home for the white rabbit.

Last Friday, Binky even showed me the photos she took of where the rabbit is now staying. She has her own "condo," with small stairs, so to speak.

Unscrupulous pet sellers

Speaking of pets, I am researching about recovery and care for kittens with the same condition as Kyle's - post-prolapse treatment and megacolon care - so that I can ensure that my family can take special care of him.

While doing so, I also searched for Persian and Himalayan kittens for sale. Kyle will have to stay with my Mom now because of the special attention that he needs and I badly want a cat's company in my apartment. I also figured that when Kyle gets better, it may be healthier to have 2 cats at home.

I got incensed with some of the search results I got. Some sellers of kittens and even adult cats have not inoculated the pets they’re selling! There were 7-month old kittens that have not received any deworming or shots of any kind. Some of them even have ear mites.

WHAT. THE. HELL?!?!?

I’m so angry at these unscrupulous sellers. I urge you not to buy from them.

And never from pet shops, too – especially BioResearch!

Volunteerism

I also checked out PAWS and CARA Welfare Philippines. I want to donate my spare cat food to them for the cats in their shelter.

They also help in facilitating adoption to cats and dogs.

For those who want to provide a safe and loving home to these pets, you might want to check them out. If you can’t – you might choose to volunteer.

I’m considering volunteering in very little ways since I have very little time. That’s why I’m also strongly considering CARA since it’s nearer my area.

More news on Kyle

Kyle was rushed back to the vet hospital on Wednesday morning. Contrary to the expected complication of being incontinent and for his bowel movement to be uncontrolled and messy 24/7, he is now suffering from megacolon – an enlargement of the colon and failure to remove stool by himself.

The entire process is excruciating. I have not slept properly the entire week. My family is affected. R. is affected.

I just want Kyle to have the best care possible. I hope that he will be able to recover and heal himself. If he needs special care and treatment – I will not love him less. I just don’t want him to suffer.

Although I am emotionally suffering from this and my heart breaks whenever I see him in pain, I will not do anything differently. Had he been sold to another owner who might not be this patient and who might not have means for his medical treatment, he might not have lasted this long.

So friends, please pray for Kyle – the little creature who changed my life.

Super TGIF!

Kyle files: Coming home soon

I’m on car coding today but when it got lifted at 10am, I drove to the vet to visit Kyle. They just bathed him early this morning so he was so cute, kissy and cuddly. ‘Quite a stark contrast from being bantut-dungis when I visited him last night.

He’s recovering well. Super thank God that he is not incontinent and when he recovers fully, he can be a normal, happy, kulit kitty again.

Kyle is scheduled to come home this weekend so I need to buy a pet pen at Tiendesitas tomorrow and some bed covers for him. He needs to be confined in a limited area for a while. I’m just afraid that he will jump all over the apartment again and damage the already recovering stitches.

Friends, thanks for the well-wishes and for checking up on him. We still need your prayers.

Zen living

A friend of mine a.k.a. Vince gave me the Zen Habits blog site.

May I just say that aylavet!!!

Simplifying and living a frugal life are both so in these days.

Thanks, Beans.

I’m really loving the articles.

Simplifying and saving

Yes – I am simplifying.

Notice that I have not gone out very often. If I call friends, I normally invite them to share room service with me so it’s still a quiet and cozy dinner.

Are my super clubbing days over?

Honestly, I’m not sure. Lately, though, R. needs to drag me to Martinis for a drink or two and it’s just 16 floors away from us. I just really want to stay in.

I’m happy staying in at the club floor or just at home – reading books, surfing while watching over Kyle. Napping. And napping some more.

While being a Recessionista is the name of the game, it’s both saving money and being at peace for me.

Simple living is peaceful. Happy.

Kyle really made a lot of difference when I got him.

Need I say more that R.’s being rock-solid lately has done a major dent?

Purging and spring cleaning

Oh yeeez. The inevitable.

I will try to purge my closet once again.

3 things:

One, I need to let go of stuff that I don’t use to make room for new ones. Charo gave me a brilliant idea. If I want to buy new things, I need to let go of the old ones to lessen the guilt a wee little bit. Hahaha.

Two, I want to sell some of my things so I can earn a few grand for Kyle’s maintenance. Yes – 2 Louis Vuitton bags are leaving my closet.

Three, I want to give the rest away to people who really need it. I’ve wanted to do this part. I’m sincere about it so I need to kick myself to organize and pack my stuff this weekend so I can drive to Caritas Manila and deliver the boxes.

Oh yeeez. Purging of friends included in my to-do list.

It’s a necessary evil. There are true friends, positional friends, fair-weather friends and frienemies. I’m ditching the last two.

Who shouldn’t, right?

I don’t have a lot of time in my hands. Who does, anyway? Better take care of the chosen few who will stick with you. ‘no, Arlene?

There is virtue in knowing who your real friends are.

And…finally

I’m wishing for another quiet, relaxed, happy weekend.

My balikbayan Tita Len is here so I’m just looking forward to spending the Saturday with her, mom and Tita Rose.

I wish the same for you, friendships.

Happy weekend!

Hallmark bags

Sometimes, gifts represent something not because of their actual face value but of the events they celebrate or commemorate.

This particular bag is not memorable because it’s another Gucci.

Another – is the operative word. It’s another Gucci bag – the nth in my collection.

The diff is that he gave it to me as a feel-better gift during a time that I cannot seem to be appeased.

The diff is the thoughtfulness and sensitivity it represents.

It’s not the best bag that I got from him. The LV Tivoli still tops the list – but this sure is something that I will remember and keep – kahit giray-giray na siya – 10 years from now.

When he called me on the phone, he was huffing and puffing. ‘Yun pala tumakbo pa sa store before catching his flight to buy me a feel-good present.

It’s very touching.

Actually, kahit na wala na ‘yung bag. I just really appreciate how he is the super cheerleader that he is during low moments. He is just really there – front and center.

He puts me above himself.

I just wish this lasts longer before the next episode.

I really wish he gets over his demons and paranoia because I’m really not going anywhere.

With a guy like this, who would?

So inner circle, mag-join forces sa pagdadasal that he really stays this way for a long, looooong time.

Paging Des, Gemma, Arlene and Tanie! All together now!

Hahaha.

The good from bad

Yes – good life is really a matter of perspective.

As cliché as it sounds, it really depends on how you see the glass: half-empty or half-full.

Admittedly, I have not gone to the usual cocktail nights and parties for almost 2 weeks now. I’ve been busy taking care of Kyle. To see a little creature get sick and feel pain like that really robbed me off my usual sunshiny disposition.

I can feel my heart being crushed as I looked over him at the operating table. I watched over him during his surgery last Monday. I literally had to choke back tears and bite my tongue.

Good things, however, spring from sad and hurtful moments.

R. is not a “cat person.” Burned from the experience with the mischievous Persian cat shared with his ex, he developed a disliking for cats of all kinds. When I got Kyle, he made it clear that he doesn’t want anything to do with him. His claim: they can both live in peaceful coexistence in my apartment sometimes – but that’s as far as their relationship goes.

When Kyle got sick, though, he constantly called me to ask for updates and shared tips on how to take care of him while he was sick. R. was there on the other line when I was sobbing in my car on my way back to the vet hospital for Kyle’s surgery. He was my security blanket and my solid rock of strength.

When he arrived last week, he offered to share a huge chunk of the hospital bill. More than that, we visited Kyle everyday. He played with him with torn up newspapers last Saturday evening.

On his way back to Hong Kong yesterday, he even volunteered to visit Kyle again before going to the airport.

Paano mo naman hindi mamahalin ang taong ganito kahit may topak at sumpong paminsan-minsan?

All my friends (and my aunt) said the same thing – he is doing it for me. And because of me.

I know that.

He doesn’t read my blog –

But R., thanks for loving Kyle for me. Thanks for not taking things for granted, for valuing what’s important for me. Thanks for being there.

And thanks for being my number 1 cheerleader.

Two things

Just 2 things on my wish list to close the week:

1. A relaxing, quiet weekend with R.
2. Kyle's speedy recovery and healing

Thank you for the well-wishes and the prayers.

Happy weekend!

Kyle files – He is sick. Please pray for him and wish him well.

Yesterday marked the first month that I bought Kyle from BioResearch. Yesterday, I also had him admitted for surgery.

The bacterial infection led to a recurring prolapse, which then led to rectal infection.

Despite giving him the best care and nurturing at home, Kyle still suffered from several kinds of gastro-intestinal infections.

My friends are actually urging me to lodge a complaint against BioResearch for selling me a sick and sickly cat. The infection actually became apparent 8 days after his purchase, despite top-of-the line cat food, a very conducive and cat-friendly house and a very nurturing environment.

Barely a month with me and I already had to rush him to the emergency vet 3 times – each costing P1,500 just for the emergency admission.

At a time like this, though, I don’t have enough mind space to think of filing a complaint or going through legal procedures for this.

I just want Kyle to be well.

I’d like him to live a long, happy, normal cat life.

After the operation, however, the doctors already warned me that even if he recovers, my worst case scenario is that he will permanently lose his bowel movement control because of damaged rectal nerves. The repercussion for me is that I will have an incontinent, messy cat at home.

If this will be the case, I will be forced to bring him home to my Mom’s house where he can be cared for 27/4 by my Mom and yaya. My yaya grew very fond of him, as she was the designated cat-sitter when I’m not at home.

As much as I would like him to roam freely in the house, I will be compelled to buy a big cat house aka cage, where he can stay so he will not mess up the entire house. Or perhaps I can opt for diapers, too, so I can bring him out every now and then so he can play.

The emotional anguish of all these is indescribable. I cannot put in words how much grief I feel – seeing him in endure the pain, seeing him tied in all fours and spread on the operating table while he was sedated but conscious.

Yet, this is not about me anymore. Perhaps whatever pain I’m feeling now cannot compare to the physical pain and psychological stress that Kyle is going through.

He will be in the hospital for 10 days after the surgery. I opted for hospital care over home care since the vets definitely know better to care for him. All I can do right now is visit him everyday and be financially responsible for all the hospitalization expenses.

I cannot believe I can be this affected – by a 4-month old kitten. If there is something that I learned about this entire process, I am surprised by how much compassion I have in my heart and how far I will go to make him well again.

If I am praying now that he survives all these and he live a normal cat life, it’s not for me anymore. It is for him.

If he turns out to be a handicapped cat after this, though, I will not love him less.

Friends, please say a prayer for my Kyle. Please pray for his recovery and healing.