For the man who taught me how to love again
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Dear HABIBI, Allan Lloyd ko ,"TOL,"

You came into my life when I lost everything.
You came when I wasn't ready to love.
Funny, you're birthday comes a day after I lost my son.

As kids, we bonded as rival playmates.
You were shy and I was the loud one.
In Catholic grade school at Saint Mary's,
we competed in academically in class.
I was annoyed of you because you think you're all that.
And make it all worse, you were my best friend Sharon and Joan's neighbor.
So it's not like I can avoid your face.
In high school still at Saint Mary's,
I thought you were one of the most cocky person.
Yes, you were good looking and witty,
But that seems to have gotten in your head that you're such an airhead.
And every time you busted out with your corny flirty pick up lines,
I would always find a sarcastic comeback to outsmart you.
And how unlucky I am, I had to be seated next to you that whole year!
Copying from test exams, copy my assignments and getting a higher score than I bugged me even more.

I left for the States for good.
I would go home and I would just see you.
In the latter years, I never heard of you.
And I never saw you again until about three years ago.
Things have changed.
Your life has drastically changed.
And mines too.
You were mesmerized that the tomboy you teased for all of our life has now turned into a swan:)
And You, the secret crush of mine, is telling me this.
And I heard you tell your Mom that if I didn't leave Philippines then,
It would have been us.
We would have been together as a couple.
Because no matter how much we hated each other,
We were naturally drawn to each other.
We were best of friends first.

And two decades after,
God led us to each other.
At the time we were both going through life's crisis.
At the time we felt so hopeless.
At the time we thought we were irrelevant.
At the lowest point of our lives.
At the weakest times of our days.
And oddly, we found strength in each other.

I have gotten close to your family both here in the States and there in Philippines.
Though you're based in Middle East now, you found ways to make this work.
Even effortly assisting and visiting mom when they are home in the Philippines.
And my super strict  parents really like you if she offered you to stay at home during your lengthy drive to see them.
And I felt glad that they are amused by you.

I am not the type to say I love you.
I'm not even the type to display public display of affection.
I'm always on my cool and easy going composure.
Then there's you were.
My exact opposite.
I don't know when and how.
But I did.
I fell inlove with without even realizing it.

It has been two years with you.
It has been highs and lows.
And right now, we're going through another low.
And I've informed you to just give up on me
because there are more important people who needs you more than I do.
And you refused.
You didn't want to.
And I insisted.
Hurting and I'm trying to push you away.

Now in silence,
This song was the only song I can post on my FB and yours.

IN aNOTHER LIFEtime CLICK HERE to LISTEN to listen

I could hold on for a hundred years 
When all else is gone 
I would still be here 
In a memory of things yet unseen 
I’d remember all that we’ve never been 
And I cannot wait to see 
What life has in store for me 

[chorus] 
In another lifetime 
It would be forever 
In another world 
Where you and I 
Could be together 
In another set of chances 
I’d take the one’s I’d missed 
And make you mine 
If only for a time 
My life would matter 
In another life 

And I’d stay as strong and I’d stay as true 
And you’d have forever now to think it through 
Coz I believe what wasn’t meant to be 
Wasn’t meant for now and 
Someday you’ll see 
In a place and time we never know 
I’d be standing there waiting for you 
[Repeat Chorus] 

[Bridge] 
You would be mine 
But until that time is now 
I’d be holding on somehow 
[Repeat Chorus] 

[Coda] 
But until that time 
I’ll be holding onto forever 
Until another life



Help me, God
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
You're in honor roll all of your life.
Some people had tutors to teach them.
But being a product of an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) mom whose a nurse in Saudi Arabia then to US, you had to make the best out of it.
I was Papa's girl in every sense of the word.
My mom worked abroad  during my forming years.
At 12 years old, I left Philippines.
Because my mom worked as a nurse here in U.S.A.
That was hard.
Because I never really had a mother.
But she left us to provide for us.
It took me awhile to think and accept that.
Raised by nannies and maids, I had to grown up at an early age.
At 10 or 11, I handled all of our family's expenses.
Mom was a nurse abroad.
Papa was a businessman.
My older sister Bel who I'm 7 years apart was in college.
I had to be the strong one.
I had to be a mother-sister-friend-nurturer for my Papa and my siblings.
At 9 or 10, I had to become like an adult.
Not by choice but my circumstances.
I would study.
I would get good grades.
My cousins had the Ricky-rich lifestyles.
My cousins had tutors to sharpen their knowledge.
I had to be there for my Papa and my siblings.
I did the best I could.
I was a consistent honor roll,
Because I had to.
Because that's the only thing I can give my Mama for her hardwork.
I never wanted to leave Philippines.
But Mama said America is the land of honey and grass.
Truly, America taught me a lesson.
It paved my way to grow up, to work hard, to achieve.
I paid my college dues.
I was a Dean and President lister consistently.
I was a recipient of awards and scholarship.
I worked my way up to be recognized.
It was never an easy journey.
I am challenged and judged every day.
I have not quite made it.
I'm still under construction,
But help me, God.
I know He has wonderful plans for me.
And I believe.
I persevere.
So help me, God.


All Souls Day
Saturday, November 02, 2013
Dear Tianshi,

It's All Soul's Day.
And this is the time Filipinos remembers their loved ones who passed away.
In Spanish countries, it's also called Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead.
Of course, you are in my thoughts.
Not just because it's All Soul's Day.
But every second of my life that is left.
If it was up to me, you will be alive here.
But I can't question God for taking you back.
It hurts me.
It still painful.
I still cry a lot.
Couple days ago, it has been twenty nine months.
It rained too.
And I found myself in tears again.
And the pain multiplies again.
But I have no choice but to take it all in
I have to accept the grief that you are now in heaven.
I have to convince myself that I should stop mourning.
Because you are with Our Father Lord and Savior in heaven.
I know you're always looking after me.
Sometimes, I feel your presence.
I know you are always with me.
But I miss you.
There was no day that I thought of you.
There was no day that I didn't thought of your soul.
Someday, Tianshi, I'll get to hold you again.
For now, though it still aches, I would have to be contented you're safe wherever you may be.
I love you, my Tianshi.
Until we meet again.


Love,
Mama Len

MY SILENT REVERIES
writing is my passion. i created silent reveries years ago to vent out things i could not tell the world. it was my private, modern tech approach to scribbling my thoughts and emotions in a journal. in here, i can feely be who i am. i could cry my woes, i can love freely, i can grieve over a broken heart, i can celebrate the joys in my heart, i can rejoice with my accomplishments, i can tell stories of remarkable friendships and unforgettable connections i made with extraordinary people SECRETLY AND SILENTLY without worrying people might judge me. i hid under the name PINAY FREESTYLE.

but eventually, some people gained access to my secret place. so i opened my doors to them in the purpose that i could inspire them: to be better versions of themselves and to share themselves to the world. slowly, i embraced my readers as a part of my life. i welcomed the strange idea that my untold life stories and unconcealed revelations could be of help to others, to love and accept themselves as they are. and i, i came out from the animosity. i eventually became just the regular LEN - the nickname my family & friends call me.

i developed stories of love, of letting go, of falling in love all over again. i made great friendships. but if there's one thing i was particularly proud of, it was my undenying love for the LORD. i wrote and made soul searching, heart wrenching entries i entitled, "SPIRITUAL REVERIES" which you will find many here. it was my productive way to heal myself from twinge and while i am at it, i could also mend others spirits along the way and bring them back up to par with their faith and relationships with God. it has not stop there. it's still a constant journey.

and so, for as long as i can, i vowed to tell my memorable reflections,i have unmasked the hidden me. and the seeking and searching of life's meaning and purpose is not over. LIFE is a long road of discovering. and i still yet to discover many wonders of this world and satisfy my unending curiosity. but be warned. you can either love me or hate me. but i don't care. this is me: sripped and bare as i can be.

so i invite you into my chaotic unperfect world. join me in my whirlwind new travels of diving into the unknowns. let me share my life with you all over again. come in, as i tell you my SILENT REVERIES.

love,
len


DISCOVER ME: who is the lady behind the blogs?



"I want to have a personal light, the glow of oneself that comes from sheer willpower, the light of someone who has made important sacrifices in the name of things I think are important."

---Paulo Coelho's "Eleven Minutes"

my name is len. people always tend to judge me without discovering who i really am. i might look intimidating, a typical shop girl, and i act like a crazy party girl on the weekend. but i actually have brains. and i own an even bigger heart. the truth is, beyond the louis vuitton bags, beyond the lavish parties, the excessive passion to travel and the desire to get to know the world, if you got to know the REAL ME, i am really just a simple girl. my only desire is to be loved for who i am.

"









REACH ME if you want to get to know me better, if you want to share your thoughts, if you want to be my friend, don't hesitate: you can find me at


::EMAIL ME @ AOL::
:: EMAIL ME @ GMAIL
::FACEBOOK::
::AOL IM: XLENDCX::
::yahoo: YM::
::MYSPACE::
PREVIOUS POSTS
Morning and Mourning Weeps
6 years.
2017 updates
I'm getting married!
ENGAGED!
3 years
To That Person I Fell In Love With When the Timing...
Beginnings
Reflection: $100 PER HOUR
Spiritual Reverie: BETTER THAN I


DAILY DOSE OF ME my other blogs: in case, you're not tired of me yet =)


::GOOD THINGS::
life is all about appreciating the simple things

::YACKETY YACKS::
pinay chatter box: much ado about nothing =)

CONTRIBUTIONS articles and works i've done for other e-zines through the years




binibini.org: KEYCHAIN
binibini.org: FAREWELL
binibini.org: SA GITNA NG GABI

HABITUATE fellow bloggers who keeps me entertained and sane




::ernie::
::joyce::
::eric ahn::
::pammy::
::champuru::
::maldito/glenn::
::mica::
::tintin::
::batjay::
::rijah::
::carol::
::christine::

ADDICTION these are a few of my favorite things...




::louis vuitton::
::ugg australia::
::armani exchange::
::h & m::
::banana republic::
::target::
PAMPER ME in this stressful world, i need relaxation. places i hibernate to and hide away from the world. here are some of my favorite spots.




::olympic spa::
::pho siam thai spa::
:: raya spa::
::japanese garden::
::redondo beach::

FREQUENTS embracing life in los angeles: a day in a life in my shoes



::monte carlo cafe::
::THE GROVE::
::coffee bean::
::barnes and noble::
::starbucks::

GOBBLE GOBBLE [L.A.STYLE] food over matter los angeles style =)




::todai::
::sanamluang::
::hodori::
::alcove::
::portos::
::mayflower::
::tommy's::
::roscoe's::
::philippes::
::thai bbq::
::the pantry::
::pinks::
::koji's::
::kabuki::

QUERRIES i don't know everything. so these are the sites i go to answer my inquisitive inquiries, obtain html coldes, and upload my pictures.




::google::
::yahoo::
::ask::
::photobucket::
::blogger::

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