My Ultimate Crush: Richard Anthony Mora Ticzon

Being the daughter of a former college (Letran) varsity basketball player, I was introduced to the game at an early age, even though I am a GIRL. My father taught me the basics, I even played a little but I never excelled (because I am not a natural athlete like my father!) And because of basketball, I met the guy of my dreams. Meet Richie Ticzon, point guard.

Yes, I will and can do anything for this guy. Its like, if I had a boyfriend or a husband even, and he asks me to marry him or just go out, I'd definitely drop everything and anything for him. Waaaahhhh...

My addiction for him is beyond words. Imagine a 14 - year old girl, screaming at the top of her lungs, seated at the opponent's section (the opponent being the well-loved and ever popular never-say-die Ginebra), cheering on one of the smallest men on the basketball floor. He was with Purefoods then, and I'd bug my father to take me to watch every game they play. Even on weekdays, I'd be absent (half - day) or hurry off to Cuneta Astrodome after school. I even bought the "yearbook" of the PBA whenever he was there. I had the keychain that had his signature on it.

But why on earth did I like him? Like I said earlier, its beyond words, its way beyond my comprehension (I feel stupid now thinking that I had this fascination for this guy). All I can remember was he was a graduate of Ateneo (making him intelligent and rich), he had a GREAT reputation when he played in the UAAP, and he was so darn cute! I liked him from the very first day I laid eyes on him (stalker - like na ba?)!

Sidenote lang....

People from my generation can probably relate to this, every person I know who followed PBA were rooting for the nation's team, Ginebra. This was a golden era of the PBA.. way before Alaska mastered the triangle offense, way before the league was dominated by Fil - Ams, way before Jaworski Sr was a senator, way before there are so many teams in the PBA. Now, I seldom watch games. I could not even say which player is with team now! hahaha... I don't think I'll be as passionate because I am so disappointed with the number of foreigners playing for the league. They could not make it in their country, so they traced their roots here, and played. Oh well, I do hope they really are Filipinos.

Never Experienced a Normal Life

Normal, adjective, definition: conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type; typical

Family Life
Since my childhood, I've always envied my "rich" classmates (although my siblings and I studied in a "prominent" school in Alabang, but I never considered us rich) who have parents that take them to school or had moms who were hands - on with assignments and activities and prepared snacks for school. I was practically independent when I started going to school. Of course, my yaya prepared my snacks, I rode the schoolbus to school. But I never experienced getting help with my assignments, or asking my parents to help me do my projects. I guess what I am saying is, is that the norm? Teach your children to be responsible at a young age or pamper them like crazy?

I never had the experience that my parents worked from 8 am to 5 pm. My father's work required him to work until night, my mother never really worked but she was not also a stay - at - home mom. And so I ask myself, will this be the only norm that I'll know?


(Romantic??) Relationships
I must admit, I never REALLY had a long - term relationship. The longest I had was an on - and - off long - distance 8 - year relationship (too many adjectives!). I got used to the independence and really, I never felt like I had a boyfriend in the 8 years we were (theoretically) together! I've had 3 not - so - good short-term (again, too many adjectives) relationships after that. And none of them made me feel like I had a "normal" relationship. I had one rule, respect and love me. I guess I was an ok girlfriend. If OK meant not being strict (with boys night-outs), not demanding regular "dates", no nagging, and no PDA. I was more attentive to my job than my man. I will not go into so much detail because the sad sob stories of my pathetic and pitiful lovelife will bring most people to tears. If that was normal, then I was very normal. Well, is it? Or my principles and views are a little twisted?

Friends
This aspect of my life I can most definitely say is the most normal of all. I see it everywhere, I see it on TV, hear it from other people, or read about it. I have a normal set of friends and have a normal relationship with them. And I have so many of them (blame it on the job)! And I love all of them!

At least I can claim that something about my life is normal. So maybe I am living a normal life after all! (",)

Mag - Ragnarok na! (Valkyrie Server)

I didn't understand what's the fuss all about when my students and some of my friends got hooked on this particular RPG. Now I know, the reason is inexplicable. You just feel something inside you that makes you want to play. I for one has denied that I am an addict, I said I am just MASIPAG (hahaha!). I started playing last Friday, and it has got me hooked all weekend. I am still a newbie, I still don't understand some of the things here, but it's really really fun. And its free! (Pardon the cliche but: "The best things in life are FREE!")

Inaantok Pa Ako.. Random Rants!

Kamusta naman, inaantok pa ako. Mag iisang buwan na akong di nakakpag-gym. Medyo muntik nang di magkasya mga damit ko. Wala pa din akong boses at super gusto ko na makanta ulit. Nag-starbucks na naman kami ulit kagabi, salamat sa mga friends ko at malapit ko na mapuno ang card. Seven stickers to go! Kahit araw arawin ko na lang na mag - toffee nut latte o kaya peppermint chuva, matatapos ko na ito before December. At maibibigay ko na ang planner sa Papa (father) ko. Masaya ako kasi 2 visits pa lang, naka 17 stickers na ako. YeY!

Back to why I am still sleepy. Since I had one short cup of toffe nut latte, when I got home, I still was not sleepy. I tried watching an AXN show on TV and closed my eyes, but I still could not sleep. So, I did watch the show, it wasn't any good so I switched channels, and damn, nothing was good on TV. I hated it. I walked around the house, trying to find something to do. Unfortunately, even the dogs were too tired to play with me. I drank 2 glasses of water, turned off the TV, and stared at the glowing stars glued to the ceiling of my room. After a few minutes, nakatulog din ako (yung glowing stars lang pala ang kailangan ko) at nagising ng 5am. So roughly, mga 3 hours lang tulog ko. Kaasar na toffee nut latte yan. Grrrr...

James 1:12 Getting Through Rough Times..

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that GOD has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

I am not really on a rough patch this time, but I just want to share this passage to all those who are. Just be strong and persevere, because God's favor is always given to us, even if we are having problems in life.

Starbucks Season

Starting this November, the Starbucks - collect - stickers - and - exchange - for - planner thingamajig began. So, to help out our friend who is collecting the stickers, we went to Starbucks Intramuros to fill her card with 10 stickers. Buti na lang libre. Nanlibre si Wilheim at di ko talaga alam kung bakit. I'm still trying to figure out why. Sabi nya, basta lang. Wala lang. Napakabait at galang nitong batang ito. Nakakaaliw talaga siya.

We arrived at Starbucks Intramuros at around 10pm, we played a few hours of DOTA as usual. Almost 1k ang aming bill at talagang nahihiya ako sa kanya. Masaya naman, kwentong wala naman talagang patutunguhan pero masaya, kasi relax kaming lahat. Kahit mapuyat, ok lang. Kasi di stressed out ang usapan namin. Inabot din kami ng past 11pm. Coffee, tea and a lot of stories. I wanted to drink my favorite caffeinated drink but I can't, because my doctor said so.
And as usual, nagtrip na naman ako using my se k800i. Frustrated photographer ako, so here's a few of my camera phone photgraphy:

ang starbucks tea (mine) and coffee (wilheim's)

cups of coffee, tea and water

from left to right: maruth, wilheim, jackson

ang ultimate trip ko for the night.. napagtripan ko ang mga singkit na mata ng mga kasama ko. d naman ako singkit pero sabi, maliit daw ang mata ko, lalo na kapag nakasmile. kaya ayan, small, smaller, smallest eyes.. hahaha!

To All Single Males and Females Out There

I received this article via email. It may be old already but I thought of just sharing it with the readers of this blog. This is an article about being single and the reasons of being single still. I found the article funny, at the same time true. Read on :

Top 10 reasons why single pa ang mga tao...



10. Perfectionist/Mapili

Yes, isang taong perpeksiyonista. Yung tipong dapat ganito ang magiging kapartner ko. Pag may nakilala, nakita lang na pangit ang kuko o may dumi lang, turn-off na agad. O kaya ang daming ayaw. Ayaw sa mabait boring daw, gusto bad boy/pilya pero kapag pinaiyak ka tatanungin ka bakit ang sama mo bakit mo nagawa yun! Adik ka ba?! Ayaw sa cute, ayaw din naman sa panget. meron dyan gusto ka ayaw mo naman.. ung gusto mo halos magtambling ka perodeadma parin yang stunts mO sa kanya! Pasaway ka rin e! Ano ba talaga kuya?

9. Busy Busyhan

Opo, eto yung ang mundo e gumagalaw lang sa libro at ballpen kungestudyante ka o kaya naman sa computer at files kung office staff ka. YunG tipong aalis ng bahay ng alas 6 o alas 7 ng umaga at uuwi ng bahay ng 6 hanggang alas 8 ng gabi [baligtad naman para sa mga nag tratrabaho sa call center]. Sabay tulog na. Kapag sabado masaya na sila sa tv, sa pagkain na niluluto ni mama at sa linggo naman sisimba at maghahanda na ng kelangan para sa lunes hanggang byernes. Pssssst... ka muna and pause for awhile...

8. Friendship Theory

Ano naman ito? Eto yung ang buhay ay kay bestfriend o kaya kay special friend na hindi masasabi sabi sa friendship nya sa loob ng kanilang ahabang panahon na pagsasama dahil baka daw maapektuhan ang akikipagkaibigan at iwasan sya. Yung tipong pag may kasama si friendship Pa iba, nagseselos na wala naman sa lugar, pero syempre wag pahalata, kunyari happy sya for friendship. ABA! Oi lakasan mo ang loob at baka mamaya forever mong pagsisihan yan kaw rin.

7. Born-to-be-one (Authestic)

Eto yung nasa palad na ang pagiging single daw... Walang reason... Basta lang nabuhay sya sa mundo na mag-isa at feeling nya mamatay sya sa mundo ng mag-isa. Kesyo magmamadre o magpapari na lang. Asa kang tatanggapin ka pa noh!

6. Happy-go-lucky

Eto yung taong walang alam kundi kasiyahan at trippings. Kahit sino nalang basta no string attach. For fun lang daw... Walang halong seryosohan. ABA hoy! yang init ng katawan mo e ikiskis mo nalang sa pader. Makakahanap ka rin ng katapat mo!!!

5. Wrong Place

May nakaranas na ba nito? Yung pakiramdam mo nasa ibang mundo ka. Yung ang nakakaharap mo e yung mga hindi mo gusto, yung mga hindi mo hinahanap. Alam mo yun? Halimbawa nasa ibang bansa ka, pero ang hinahanap mo e yung amoy ng nasa sariling bayan mo. O kaya naman e nasa sarili mong bayan ka, nasa normal na lipunan, pero ikaw ang abnormal at hindi mo kayang sabihin na abnormal din ang hanap mo kung ayaw mong ibitin ka nila ng patiwarik.

4. Wrong Time

Eto yung mga tao na sinasabi na, "hindi pa ako ready e bata pa kasi ako" o kaya naman "hindi pa ako handa sa panahong ito, wala pa ako kayang ipagmalaki." Yes meron pong ganyan. Yung feeling nila may tamang panahon para sa love. Awwwwwww. Aba kelan yun? Pag uugod ugod ka na at yung time mo e bitin na? O baka naman pag pang out of time ka na? Oist, sugod lang ng sugod...

3. Si parents kasi...

Yes, factor din ang komyunidad na ginagalawan mo. Una, ayaw pa ni mader o pader na magkaron ka kahit 22 anyos ka na at kelangan umabot ka muna raw ng 40 bago magkaroon ng gf/bf. O kaya naman ikaw mismo! Takot sa sasabihin ni parents at ni kapitbahay na tsismosa sa magiging kasama mo. Aba ikaw na nga ba ang sabihan na "Alam mo hindi kayo bagay. langit at lupa kayo." Sus! Payo ko sayo, Pakialam nila diba? Palibhasa inggit!

2. Traumatic Experience

Eto kalimitan ang reason ng marami. "Ayaw ko na!!! takot na ako mangyari pa ang nangyari dati!" O diba ang drama ng layp? Yes, tama ka. Eto yung dahil sa past relationship mo, e until na ayaw mo ng magkaroon at sinumpa mo na ata ang magmahal. Dahil sa pinagpalit ka sa mas pangit, o kaya naman iniwan ka ng walang word na "bye-bye", o dahil binugbog ka!, ano pa ba? Madami yan... wag na nating isa isahin at baka tumulo si tears...heheh Gayunpaman, eto lang masasabi ko mga hija at hijo. Ibat iba ang lasa ng pag-ibig. May mapait, may mapakla, may matamis at may maasim. Aba mapalad ka at natikman mo ang ibat ibang lasa nito. Kaya ikaw, Do not be afraid to fall in loveagain... malay mo sweetiness na ang malasahan mo next time. E di panalo ka sa lotto. Yan ang nagpapalakas sayo... Yang ang bumubuhay sayo, ang pag-ibig. tsk! drama!

1. EX to the nth power

Oi aminin!!! LOVE parin si Ex kahit 1 - 2 yrs na ang nakakalipas...May ganito naman. Yung tipong ilang taon ang nakakalipas, hindi parin makalimutan si ex. Yung pinagsamahan, yung tawanan, yung iyakan, at lahat ng nangyari sa inyo nung kayo pa. Malungkot man at sa kung anumang kadahilanan, maganda man o masama ito, kelangan nyong magpaalam sa isa't isa. YES, after a year sasabihin natin, im over him/her na, pero pag-usapan natin ang love at ang nangyari sa ating relastionship from the past, TADANNNNNNNNNNNNN, eto na, sya agad ang naalala mo. At habang nagkukwento ka, ouch may kirot, o kaya may ngiti at may bumabagabag sa ating kalooban.... Ano kaya yun? AMININ mo na kasi.... MAHAL mo pa si EX.... Isa lang ang masasabi ko, well mahirap sya kalimutan alam ko yan... pero open your heart and makipagdate ka, lumabas ka, at try to entertain someone. Wag mo ikumpara si ex sa iba. At give urself KITKAT, take a break..

super hair and make up

Grabe! galing ng make up artist ni Janine, super natuwa talaga ako. Di ako mukhang multo sa kapal ng make up! I love it!

This was taken before the wedding. Nasa CR ako nito, at mukha akong kinuryenteng pusa...

Eto, nasa bahay na ako, pero di pa din nabura ang make - up. Nagpalit na ako ng pambahay, at nagpicture picture muna bago maghilamos, ganun pa man, ang hirap pa din tanggalin ng make up!

Boses Ko, Where Did You Go?

It has been more than a week now, and my voice is still missing in action. I have not heard my natural voice for more than a week now. I blamed all the stress and the sleepless nights for losing my voice. But now, it has become worse, maybe because of the cough. I was so stupid to leave my umbrella at home, I was brave enough to walk in light drizzle, at the end of the day, I was sneezing all over, I thought it was the allergies, but it was not.

I miss you my voice. When are you coming back? I need you badly. Please come back. I promise to drink more than 8 glasses of water in a day. I promise not to drink cold water when I finish my consecutive lectures. I promise to rest at once I feel tired. I promise not to overuse you during the times when I don't really need to talk. WaaaH! Please come back.

Drama ba?

New Hair Color

It's been a long time since I colored my hair, in fact, the ends of my hair were of the shade of blonde due to the hair dye. If not for Janine's wedding on Sunday, I'd still postpone coloring my hair until Christmas. I didn't change the color much, its still in the shade of brown and red, sort of chestnut brown. I immediately took a picture to see if it was a little different...

Hmmmm.. may pinag - iba ba?

Yehey! walang pinag - iba!

A Not - So Traditional Bridal Shower

Months of preparation has finally paid off. Janine's friends from her work made it to the party, Janine's high school friends were also there, and of course, Mina and Eliza were also there. Too bad, some people whom I expected to be there did not make it because of unavoidable circumstances. But just the same, we all had a blast!

Three Destinations, One Night

Destination One: a hotel in Makati..

We had the traditional shower party in the hotel, had a few traditional games, we taught Janine a few traditional things (wink! wink!). I hosted the games (since the games were my not-so-brilliant idea). My voice was really raspy (still is!) from all the stress and sleepless nights (I actually think I sounded very manly but very sexy!). It was nice of Janine to be so "game" (read: not so conservative) with what we asked her to do. The cake was absolutely delicious and so was the food!

Destination Two: The Unspeakable Destination

I can not talk about this destination but we had a great laugh! I was able to experience a few things that I thought I would never have the opportunity to do. It was weird but it was very exciting, really, really exciting!

Destination Three: Off the Grill, Timog, Quezon City

We hurried off to OTG to catch Janine's favorite band (aside from Side A of course!), 7th Soul. We caught the last set but too bad, they were only able to sing 3 songs, the set was full of request for jammers. I think the band liked it a little because they all sounded under the weather.

Back to the Hotel...

After watching 7th Soul, we took Eliza home to his wonderful husband (thank you Jeff for understanding!), and Benjie Girl to her home in Manila, we headed back to the hotel. We ate left over cake, left over food and watched the DVD that was a gift for Janine. We (or I) slept at around 5am. Janine woke up early, around 6:30am because she has to go to this interview. I left the hotel at around 10 am. Mina was left all alone because she's waiting for her loving boyfriend.

I was tired but very happy. My heartfelt thanks to Janine's friends from work, her high school friends, Mina and Mommy Eliza. This would have not been successful if not for you.. (tear!) Thanks a lot and God bless you! (",)

Not Going to Hong Kong

I really feel bad about not going to Hong Kong this November. I have prepared for this trip financially and emotionally. It's really too bad that I suddenly had to use the money I saved up for this trip. Too bad that I have to postpone this trip, a trip that I have been excited about these past few months. Anyway, I just hope my "back up" plan would work and I'd still be able to go by the end of the year. I will be praying for that.

Patience

THIS IS MY PRAYER WHEN MY PATIENCE IS BEING TESTED:
God, grant me the Serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the Courage to change the one I can, and the Wisdom to know it's ME.

Super tinetest talaga ang patience ko, nalulungkot nga ako kasi I know that it is not me. Super patient talaga ako, LALO NA SA MGA FRIENDS KO, many can attest to that. Yung normal na tao ay maghuhurumintado na sa asar at galit, ako, I'll take it as a joke pa. Ganun ako kapatient sa mga KAIBIGAN ko. Pero ngayon, feeling ko, umaabot na ako sa limit ko. I just don't think a friend should try to test another friend's patience, that's so "un-friend-like". Nakakafrustrate lang kasi sinusubukan niya talaga ang patience ko. Eh kung ako kaya ang gumanun sa kanya, subukan ko kaya ang patience nya? Ano kaya ang mafi-feel niya? May attitude problem nga lang siguro siya, ginagawa ko talaga ang lahat para intindihin siya. Pero sa sobrang dami ng ginagawa at iniisip ko ngayon, masama ba na hilingin na huwag naman niya subukin ang pasensya ko? Na huwag muna siya umarte gaya ng inaarte niya ngayon? Hindi ko hinihingi na magbago siya. Pero huwag muna niya ako subukan ngayon. Dahil naiinis na talaga ako, at mapupuno na talaga ako.

Confessions of an Addict - KDrama Addict!

Hi! I'm Maruth, and I am an addict. Super addict to Korean Dramas. My addiction is so bad. I really hate it. I am currently watching Coffee Prince, and I am on the 14th episode, where all the episodes need to be downloaded to my laptop. I was (still am) patient with all the downloads! I slept 15 hours in the last 72 hours because of this addiction. I need to rest from watching these dramas, because I have so much to accomplish this month. I needed to get it out of my chest. I AM AN ADDICT. (",)

Second Place! Mapua Cisco Skills Competition..

YAHOO! Some people maybe disappointed with second place, oh no, but not me, I am totally happy! Well, I guess my dear contestants are disappointed with themselves, but to me, its perfectly fine. The week's hardwork paid off. Two of my contestants took second and third places in the written exam. My kids also got a grade of 53 of 59 in the hands-on skills exam. I am not afraid (for my team) of losing, especially if my team was losing to the best of their batch, number 1 of their batch actually. The champion team was only ahead by 2%, they just forgot one item, or else they would have received a grade of 100% in the skills. I am more afraid of hearing from my students that some items on the exam were not taught to them (obviously by me) in Cisco 2. If my team and other teams are able to read this, kids, I am not disappointed. I just hope you also are not disappointed in me. I am happy with the results, I am more happy because you learned something from me and you learned from this experience. I just hope that you realize that you have it in you. You should know within yourselves that you are good, you are good enough and no one can tell you otherwise. You just have to believe! God bless you! And I am so proud of all of you! (",)

Change Venue: 2007 MITECCEAA Homecoming

We had to change the venue because of some unforeseen circumstances (GREED to be exact, greediness of the owners of the tasteless bar that is Bailamor). I hope everyone could still make it to the homecoming!

I will be posting updates as to the venue of this year's homecoming...

My name is spelled this way: Emma-Ruth

What's in a name? My name actually is a combination of my mother's and father's name. My mother's name is Emma and my father's name is Rey. During my mother's pregnancy, ultrasound was very expensive and my parents could not afford the service. So, they didn't know my gender until I was crying my lungs out at the Medical Center of Manila. The name they prepared for me was Christopher Rey (which is my younger brother's name) and when they found out that I was a girl, they immediately had to think of a girl's name. (I think my parents were not so creative so I ended up with this name.) And my name is spelled differently, there's a hyphen in between the two names. Although my birth certificate did not include the hyphen, my baptismal certificate did. I decided to drop the hyphen when I reached college because I had to write that straight little line in all my drawing plates and reports in my Engineering Drawing courses and Laboratories. It was such a laborious task because all our reports were written in engineering lettering. So instead of writing that hyphen, I opted to use a space instead. HEHEHE!

I was resting from all the checking I've been doing and I stumbled upon this interesting site. Its a site about Kabalarian Philosophy (I think the same philosophy that Madonna is known for) and the site gives an "analysis" of what a name means. I did it for fun and here are the results:

• Although the name Emma-Ruth creates idealism and the urge to help others, we emphasize that it causes an emotional intensity that is hard to control.
  
• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and happiness, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous system.

• The name of Emma-Ruth makes you very idealistic, sensitive, and inspirational.
  
• If these qualities are not understood and properly directed through music, art, or other creative expression, you could become jealous and possessive of those close to you.
  
• Your feelings are so strong that you are inclined to build your life around certain individuals and become wrapped up in personal love rather than seeking into the deeper truths of life; thus you could suffer losses in your affections and shattered ideals.
  
• You are generous and people are drawn to you because of your friendly and sympathetic nature.

To those who know me, are all of these true? (",)

This Girl's Shallow Happiness

My pimples suddenly cleared up! Thank God! I've been feeling soooooo ugly these past few days because the little pimples (I call them pimplets) "sprouting" all over my face! Even under a mole! I hated it, and I wanted to visit the dermatologist. But after a few days after I got my period, it cleared up. It was just hormones! Now, no more pimples! (or at least until next month's hormones are released again!) Hahaha!

Am I shallow or what?! so what! hahaha! (",)

MiNSaN uLiT

Minsan, masarap umiyak. Para lang ilabas lahat ng saloobin at hinanakit sa mundo. Minsan, masarap tumahimik. Para mag isip at gawaan ng paraan ang mga bumabagabag sa utak. Minsan, masarap tumawa. Minsan, mahirap tumawa. Minsan, madali umiyak. Minsan, mahirap pigilin ang luha.

Sana mangyari yung minsan na wala akong isipin, wala akong maramdaman, wala munang babagabag. Kailan kaya mangyayari ang minsan na 'yun?

In Pain!

Nothing's new, I am sick again. During the peak of workload, my body just could not take the pressure. This time, its my voice that is suffering. I have this sharp pain in my throat and I am actually scared because in my profession, I can not lose my voice. I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY VOICE. I could not talk as loud as I used to. I could not talk for long periods of time. The "salabat" could not help me anymore. My colleagues advised me to rest, sleep for long hours. But I am rested, I sleep enough, almost 7 hours in fact. I really need to see a doctor. I just hope I could fit it in my busy schedule. I do hope and pray that it is not as bad as I think it is.