Sembreak is about to end but there’s still room for last minute fun. Join this awesome contest to win some tickets for movies in Ayala Cinemas. Just scroll down for the details and huryy up! There’s only a limited time for joining this contest.

Good luck to all entries!

P.S. This is not a “LIKE” contest.

It was one of those days where I wasn’t really feeling happy so I decided to go to any place where I can just be alone and think things through.

I decided to go to SM since this was a place where most of my childhood memories formed when it comes to Sunday outings with my family. After some walking around nothing seemed to fascinate me until I came across a familiar store but with a touch of modern look. Goldilocks.

Apparently they have come up with a whole new look and when I looked inside they had a whole new variety of goods.

There truly have been a lot of changes over the years. It makes me recall how it was so much simpler when our large family of seven were still always together. Despite the tight budget we were in, Dad always tried to save up to buy us little treats that everyone loved. It could be ice cream or other forms of sweet treats we rarely get to eat but one particular treat I found especially delicious.  The Classic Polvoron.

So much has changed in my life the past few years yet some good things stay the way they are. (I’m typing this as I munch on a piece of the soft, powdery, milky polvoron)

The change that has happened in Goldilocks brings me to a change that I’ve been through over the years.. and so the story begins.

THE PAST

I wasn’t exactly the best looking fellow around school. In fact, I was not even close to good looking. I was fat, pimply, and clumsy. I had disheveled hair and so many pimple scars that people would often wonder if I was cosplaying the moon. (okay that’s an exaggeration)

Many people thought I was exaggerating the descriptions of my past physical appearance. Well you know what they say about pictures speaking a thousand words:

And there’s plenty where that came from. Normally I really wouldn’t care much about how I look because I really didn’t understand the need to look good. But one thing I do remember is that I had this HUGE crush on a girl. She wasn’t any girl. She was THE girl.

Think of someone who is  popular, Fil-Chi-Spanish, pretty eyes, long hair, smooth skin, laughter that can make rainbows appear, and a smile that can cure cancer. (yes I had a crush on her) Every guy wanted her. And of course that included me.

But what could a guy like me do? Take note that I spent 50-60% of my grade school and high school life in the library. I was such a bookworm that I found 3 books borrowing limit too low so I would borrow three books a day which I only read when I get home because I read other books in the library which I couldn’t borrow. Oh and I also won an award for most books borrowed. (yes I was that bad as a nerd)

Think that’s bad? Did I mention that I’m also a choir member (but now being part of a Glee club seems to be the in thing), I was one of those who did a below average performance in P.E. (I was even one of those who dreaded P.E. class), I was usually first to raise my hand in class oral exams (yet I did poorly in written exams), the only sport that I did okay was swimming because my huge surface area allowed me to float easily, AND to put the cherry on top of everything: I WAS THE SCHOOL YEARBOOK PHOTOGRAPHER. Now think “13 going on 30″ and “Close to You” by John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonso

Sounds familiar eh?

Well you can now tell what I guy like me did to get close to someone like her: I became her bestfriend

But I knew I couldn’t compete with those other guys she gushes about when she talks to me. I knew I couldn’t tell her what I really felt all those years so I kept my mouth shut and received blow after blow until my heart bled dry. (and I’m emo like that) So right after graduation I told her what I felt and ended our communication just like that. I know it sounds dramatic but hey, I couldn’t find any book with a step by step guide for best friends falling for best friends.

We saw each other occasionally like on birthdays but not much of the catching up. Fast forward to present time and this is where my story REALLY begins

THE PRESENT

A gazillion best friend-lover romance DVDs later I decided that there was no point on dwelling on the past and I decided to move on to the future. I started to involve myself in a more active lifestyle to lose the blubber.

I played badminton, got a dog so I could walk more often, went swimming and snorkeling, jogged more often, and even hiked whenever I could. Things did change right after that. Proof? Here are some pics:

I met new people, made new friends, traveled new places, learned new things and tried my best to be a changed person. In the end, I liked what I saw.

But despite having all these changes in my life I felt like I was still missing something. And then it happened…

“Hi ev…”

“Hi riz…”

And that conversation led to me and her meeting up again. When I did meet up with her I can’t help but notice that she was more beautiful than ever. We talked about all the good times and how things have changed a lot over the years. We talked about how I was crazy and gaga over her and so many things that would’ve been awkward over the years.

After our little conversation our friendship grew stronger than ever. I realized that me being best friends with her was not because I had a huge crush on her (okay so maybe that was a PART of why we became best friends). It was because we really could get along pretty well.

CONCLUSION

So there you have my true to life and life changing story.

Despite all my physical changes I still love to sing in a choir and I still think choirs are awesome. The Geek in me  still enjoys gadgets and they’re on my wishlist every time I see a new one come out. I still LOVE to read books whenever I have the chance to do so and I’m still a photographer.

What I’m trying to say is that even if my exterior has undergone some major changes, what is inside still counts as the most important.

Just like Goldilocks. Even if the logo is new and even if there are new varieties of food, the same old classic goodness wrapped in that simple wrapper, remains the same good milky taste I enjoyed many years ago.

Many people would love a change for a thing or two when it comes to their lives.

But with Riz being part of my life I can say that life isn’t too good nor too bad. She’s what Goldilocks would say, “…is just right.”

Going to school with all your stuff is tiring. For me I can’t imagine carrying my DSLR, back up lens, netbook, three major textbooks, school papers, reports, and research all in one huge back pack. I know I’ll be needing them any time but I guess what I need to do to lighten my impossible daily burden is to get my own locker. This way I can finally store all the things I’ll be needing for class and leave those that I don’t need all the time. This means that I can go around carrying my netbook and DSLR as I just don’t know whenever I’ll need them.

Picture this:

You’re on your way to a business trip and you’re so sure that the Honda Civic that you just bought is still in a very good condition despite the fact that it is already a third hand (is there such a thing?) vehicle.

Suddenly, while you’re on your long road trip to wherever you are planning to go, the “nice” car suddenly makes a very disturbing sound which is probably cross between a cat in heat and dog barking while choking.

You’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with just a cellphone in hand and list of contact numbers to the nearest Los Angeles auto repair shops. Thanks to modern technology and the high availability of a good number of repair shops then you can easily have your problem solved.

After you have taken your Honda Civic to the nearest place for auto repair they tell you that you can have your car fixed by simply replacing the head gasket. Whew, it’s as simple as that is it not? But what if you have no idea what a head gasket is in the first place?

Repirpal.com has a wonderful load of information which you can use to learn more about car repair and automobile parts. Learn more about what should be done and what should not be done with your car.

So when you’re heading over to another road trip do remember that information online is ready for you any time.

Once again I have to say Great job Tita Janette for having this wonderful opportunity to welcome new bloggers and emerging blogs into the Philippine blogosphere. I’m joining the writing project for this year.

Please let it be known that the 10 blogs I shall enlist here are blogs that I have read and followed over the months and I do believe they deserve a spot in the Top 10 influential blogs for 2010.

1.Rabsing.com -Awesome blog, awesome blogger + singer, and an awesome name! Ricky dela Cruz or Rabsin, is quite a singer and gives a lot of effort when delivering his songs. Give it up for an emerging singer-blogger: Rabsing

2.Project52weeks.com -Mica’s passion for making short films is the reason why I’m definitely hoping this blog wins. Instead of the usual project 365 in most photoblogs, mica aims to accomplish in her project52weeks, 52 weeks worth of videos. I particularly like her recent video: Scrabble.

3.Thirstyblogger.com – I’m happy to say that this blog did catch my at

I’m depressed. *gulp gulp* I wanna just make it all end. *gulp gulp*. Nobody loves me. *gulp gulp*

or it could also go something like this:

I’m depressed. *sniff white powder* I wanna just make it all end. *sniff again* Nobody loves me. *sniff*

Ever had problems with alcohol of drugs? Neither is a cure for depression. Both of them will just leave you in an even more depressing situation.