My First Short Novel: Noelle, Chapter 9

Jason & Kara

*reprint from Mod Magazine, 2011

Kara is alone tonight. Her roommate is out with David the whole day for a tour at Sentosa. So she thought of seeing Martin. It’s been awhile since she saw him last. He’s been asking her out but because of her promise to her friends, she has been avoiding him. But the next thing she knew she was dialing Martin’s office number and asking for him. But somebody else answered the phone.

“Kara, what are you doing calling up Martin?”

“Jason?” Apparently, she dialed Jason’s local number.

“You didn’t answer my question.” She was caught redhanded and felt so embarrassed.

“How about we go out for dinner tonight or drinks? Whichever you like,” Jason offers instead.

So the two met at Zouk’s The Wine Bar.

“What’s up with everybody getting engaged? First, Mark and Sophie, now Noelle and David.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing, just a very keen observation. You think, the universe is telling us something?”

Kara could not help but laugh. “You are probably just envious,” she kids him. He shakes his head.

“Aren’t you afraid? Are you sure we will find ourselves great partners?” She was surprised Jason thinks about things like this.

“I used to ask God that before. But I am wiser now. To answer your question, yes, I think he’ll find me!” Kara felt good when Jason asked her out and is feeling better now that they’re together .

“Wow, you sound so sure of that, huh. Do you really believe it? Is that just some positive thinking stuff?”

“I think everything has a purpose. My being single has a purpose. If I were not single now, I wouldn’t have thought of taking up my MBA and here, abroad. My being single pushed me and gave me the chance spend time with myself, to improve myself intellectually thereby increasing my worth in my career life and internationally at that. Socially, I learned to make friends with people who are not from my side of the fence. I gained new friends both Filipinos and non-Filipinos. Living here, away from my family, taught me to cook, wash my own clothes... I learned to be more patient, humble, loving…” She pauses to check if Jason gets it.

He was quiet as though trying to absorb it all.

Later she adds, “oh, you probably don’t understand. Never mind.”

“Of course, I get it. Am I not single?”

Kara was chuckling, “Jason, you’ve grown up!”

“Why do you treat me like a baby? Just because I am younger than you does not mean…”

“Why are you so sensitive?”

Jason ignores her question and narrates,” I used to be selfish. I only thought of myself. What I can get from other people. In a way, our regular meet-ups helped me to become a more giving person. I can see now how blessed I am. I now think of other people, and of what I can give. Not just of what I can take. It’s good to be friends with you guys.”

Kara pretends she doesn’t get what he’s saying.

“If Andrea and I got married back then, we would have been in trouble by now.” He shakes his head. “But now, I feel like I am more open to…you know…” Wait, was that message for her?

“Wait, so Andrea did come after all?”

“Yeah, she came here with friends for vacation. We met for lunch. She said she wanted to see me in person to find out if I still have a place in her heart. And for me to find out the same.”

“And?” Kara was curious.

He shakes his head and adds, ”I just see her as a friend...a sister.”

“Like me to you,” she finishes for him. But he laughs and feels uncomfortable, runs his hand on his hair and takes a swig of his beer.

“That is what you told me after our date,” Kara reminds him.

“I told you that?” Jason was kind of embarrassed, then asks, as if fishing,” why? What did you want me to say?”

“That I was beautiful, smart, charming, with a good heart.”

“You are all that,” he said as he looked her in the eyes.

“Thank you.” Kara felt his sincerity. What did he actually mean? She was wondering to herself.

Jason continues, “lately, my fear is that maybe, it’s too late for me,” then sighs. “What if the one for me has found another?” He cannot believe he is being this open to Kara.

She, on the other hand, is beginning to think that he is telling her something. But she couldn’t be sure. She heard herself say, “no, you’re not late.”

That is all he wanted to hear. They both smile and take a sip at their drinks.

5 Things You Need to Do Before You Die

by Bo Sanchez

reprint from Ambassadors Dispatch



Do you feel confused sometimes? Not knowing how to go about life? Maybe because you lost someone or something and you feel like you just can’t move forward any further? Maybe you thought to yourself, it would be nice if you had a little manual on how to run your life? Just the basic stuff, the really important things that you need to do so you could be happy and fulfilled in this existence. But maybe, you also want it in a language that you perfectly understand, not needing any interpretation. And, maybe interspersed with an amusing anecdote or inspiring true-to-life story, so it doesn’t bore you and you’ll actually finish it from cover to cover.

Friends, if this is what you’ve been hoping for, wish no more. You just got your book, I mean, your wish! And yes, it’s a book. No less than the bestselling author Bo Sanchez just came out with his latest, “5 Things You Need to Do Before You Die.” And who could tell us better how to live a charmed life than this lovable preacher himself who seems to be already living a charmed life? Aren’t you itching to know what these 5 essential things are? Could you even wait another day to get started on a path to living a life in abundance? But why wait if you can do it now? Nobody is stopping you so go and get your copy now. And follow your bliss and live a life of no regrets, which by the way, is the subtitle of the book. ;p

My First Novel: Noelle, Chapter 8

David Flies

*reprint from Mod Magazine, 2011

As Noelle takes her seat in her class, David adjusts his seatbelt in the plane. He does not like flying but he does it anyway.

Kara and Frances stand craning their necks at the arrival area looking for a tall, lean, goodlooking gentleman. As soon as they spotted him, they waved gingerly at first then when he smiled, they too were all smiles. It was their fist time to meet him, but who would have thought that they would easily feel comfortable around him. The moment he reached them, they were hugging and kissing him. For his part, it was like meeting his sisters after a long time of separation. As if they read his mind, they both told him he can call them “ate.”

Noelle sits by herself at a restaurant at her favorite hotel, Raffles, as she patiently waits for her friends. She is wearing her new Venus-cut dress. Frances said she is announcing something important. It is a surprise, she said. She just asked everyone to wear something nice worthy of the occasion. Maybe she is pregnant. What else could it be? She was just promoted recently. Or maybe it’s Anton this time.

Where are her friends? She checks her watch. They’re late as usual. She is starting to get upset. But despite that she tells herself, something good will come out of this. This is something she is teaching herself, to always see the good in every situation, good or bad. She decides to while away the time by calling up David overseas.

From the outside of the restaurant thru the glass, David instantly spots his beloved. It was as if he has radar in him leading him to where she was. In his anticipation, he does not know whether to go to the toilet or head straight to her. His heart was beating loudly. They are meeting here for the first time. He took out his hanky to wipe his forehead damp from sweat. Suddenly his phone rings. Why is Noelle calling me, why now? He didn’t want to take the call, not now, but he could not disregard his girlfriend so he picks up.

“Hello sweetie.” There was something odd in his voice. Noelle sensed it right away. Is he with another woman? Oh my God, my David is probably in a restaurant with another lady right now.

“Hi David, where are you?” Her voice sounded suspicious.

Oh no, he’s caught.

“I miss you,” she adds.

“I miss you too baby,” David replies.

Noelle’s next statement was “I wish you were here with me.” And that was his cue.

“Do you want me to come over right now? Because if you say so, I will definitely come over. Now.” David was so excited, he was chuckling.

“You’re teasing me again.”

“No baby, I’m serious. Just say you want me there now and I will come.”

Noelle decides to play along and says, ”I miss you Dr. David Yuson. Please come to me now.”

“Sure, I’m coming,” and he gallantly strides to her seat.

Noelle laughs at their game but she felt that he was really there right that moment. She looks around the room and there was David, looking as handsome as ever in his crisp white button-down shirt and slim fit trousers, right before her. She could not believe her eyes!

As soon as he reaches her, he says, “I told you I’d come,” and gives her the sweetest kiss on her forehead.

She did not say anything, her joyful eyes said it all. They touch, kiss and held each other for awhile. Right there and then, she knew he came to ask for her hand in marriage. Right there and then, she knew her answer was a yes!

My First Novel: Noelle, Chapter 7

Jason-Kara Loveteam

*reprint from Mod Magazine



“Nothing beats shopping with best friends,” Frances declares in the middle of her favorite store, Forever 21. Her friends Kara and Noelle laugh at her.

“Hey, did anybody get to meet Andrea?” Andrea is Jason’s girlfriend. Kara was trying to be casual about it. But her friends can tell, she wasn’t cool about it. They both shook their heads to answer her question.

“Ah, I thought maybe, Anton met her… Just a thought.”

Frances picks a ruffled sheath dress and tells Kara, “hey drama queen, stop sulking and try this one on.”She pauses to smile and says, ”you will look the prettiest in that school party of yours. Who knows you might meet your Prince there.”

Kara smiles and takes the little black dress to the dressing room. Noelle looks at Frances and asks, ”so did you meet this Andrea girl?”

“No!” She protests.

“Anton?”

“If he did, he would have told me. I know, I will ask Anton to ask Jason what happened between them. In fact, I am going to call up my husband now.” She searches her limited edition Longchamp bag for her phone but Noelle stops her.

“Take a hold of yourself. Later please. She will come out anytime soon.

“The suspense is killing me.”

“Have patience.”

Just then Kara comes out and asks them, “what do you guys think?”

Both ladies were nodding and giving her thumbs up without thinking.

***
“He said they broke up.” Anton replied when Frances was pestering him about the outcome of Jason’s girlfriend’s visit.

“Are you sure?” Frances could not believe her ears. “What, the girl came here to break up with him? She could have just done it over the phone. More practical.”

Anton was partly not minding her as he adjusts his glasses while he reads Love Life, a book by George Gabriel, given to him by Noelle on his birthday.

“But that is good because now that Martin, Noelle and Andrea are out of the picture, there is hope in Jason-Kara loveteam.” Then she remembers, “honey, would you know if Jason is interested on anybody in his office. Or anywhere?” When Anton does not respond, “baby, I am talking to you.”

“What?” So she repeats herself.

Anton just shakes his head meaning he does not like the topic at hand. Frances pouts and asks pretending to be interested, “what is that anyway?”

He tells her how the author changed his life for the better when he started his day by affirming what is good about his life and thanking God for it. And adds, ”maybe we should try that honey?”
“Sure,” but she was not really listening. All she want is to get back to Jason-Kara topic.
“Listen to this, this is nice, ’We are children of the richest, most famous, most powerful Father. And so we deserve the best in life & we should dream big.’ So, he encourages us to say this to ourselves ten times a day, ’I am a child of God. I am good. I am awesome.’”
“All right,” was all Frances could say. Frances cannot believe her husband is actually enjoying a book like this.

“Baby, you are good. You are awesome. I thank God for you,” Anton tells her and she is instantly transported to heaven. Forget Jason-Kara loveteam. For now, she wants to focus on her husband who was waxing some poetics or whatever it is. All she knows is, she is enjoying all the attention.

Hmmn, she is beginning to like this George guy.

My First Novel: Noelle, Chapter 6

David Has a Plan

*reprint from Mod Magazine, 2011

That night when they had dinner with the engaged couple was the loneliest night for Noelle. She cried herself to sleep. She was certain David had another girl. Why else would he not take her call? She thought of writing him to be man about it and tell her straight if he wants out. But later decided against it, it was too much effort to get up and write an email. It can wait in the morning.

The next day, her phone was ringing. She almost jumped when she saw David’s name flashing on the screen of her phone. As she was about to pick it up, she thought, what if he wants to break up with me?

She prayed, Oh God, please prepare my heart to accept whatever news he has for me. Give me strength, Lord. She was preparing herself for the worst. She thought of opening her Bible to Psalm 23 to give her courage. That always works for her. But, she decided against it when she saw herself from the other side of the room and realized how comical this is looking.

Just then, Kara groggily shouts from her bed, ”for heaven’s sake, Noelle, answer the phone or I’ll throw it out of the window! So Noelle picked up her phone.

“Good morning, honey! Did I wake you up?” Just the sound of David’s voice was soothing her already.

And he called me honey. She almost melted.

But she had to put up a strong front, “not really.”

“Sorry I missed your call last night. I had a long day yesterday and I felt like, I was coming down with a flu so I slept early to get some rest.” Poor David, she thought.

Noelle felt the thorn pricking her heart was suddenly lifted off. She was thanking God under her breath. And to think she thought he was being unfaithful to her.

“Sorry to hear that, honey. I hope you feel better now. Take lots of water and fruit juices.”

“Will do. How was dinner with Mark?” he asks.

“Mark is engaged!” She was so excited she could not help but scream. Kara hushed her.

“Oops, sorry Kara,” turning to her sleeping roommate. “Kara is still in bed, ” she speaks on the phone with a softer voice.

“To Sophie I suppose?” David asks to confirm.

“Yeah, who else. He was so sweet, he proposed inside the plane while they were flying across Indian/Pacific Ocean.”

“They must be very happy.”

“Oh yeah. Too happy actually. I wanted to strangle their necks.”

“What?!”

“They were over the top. They were doing lovey-dovey in front of me. They made me jealous and envious. They made me miss you.” Her voice almost cracked when she said her last sentence.

David was laughing at his girlfriend for being childish. And right that very moment, he misses her all the more. He had a crazy idea. If only he had wings, he would have flown to her. Right now. He wanted to say, come back home, honey. But he realized, it was so cartoonic. Cheesy as it was, he said, ”I miss you too.”

Having said that, he thought to himself, he was officially a member of the Cheesy Club.

Suddenly, they both felt lonely. So lonely, Noelle said, “I wish you were with me right now. I am so lonely here,” without realizing it slipped out of her lips.

And having said that, is now, like her beau, a member of the Cheesy Club.

When David realized it, he said, “welcome to the Cheesy Club!”

“What?”

David explains and later the two were laughing.

“With the two of us in, makes us automatic members of the Cheesy Couples Club,” Noelle adds. And they laugh some more.

Right there and then, David thought of a plan. Though sketchy, he thinks, it’s a brilliant plan.

congratsi manny!

congratulations to pacman for winning 3x over marquez! yey!

i don't know much about boxing & i'm no fan of the sport either. i only watch nowadays if it's manny. when i was a kid, i used to watch only because i like eating daddy's pulutan, kilawen or peanuts etc. while he has a beer enjoying the bout, i have water or juice.

anywho, i think, marquez as a challenger ought to have ko'd pacman, or at least knocked him down to be declared champion. based on their faces after the fight, jmm looked like he took a beating. boohoo!


http://professionalheckler.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/and-still/

In Search of Ms. Vietnam Rose and Ms. Cambo-d-ia

Our trip to the land of temples...and temples is one of a kind as it was not just about holiday and tours but it also provided the backdrop for the search for Ms. Vietnam Rose and Ms.Cambo-d-ia!



Presenting our motley crew of contenders






Prizes at stake include 1M dong in cold cash



and one year supply of Jollibee products redeemable at Ho Chi Minh City branch.




Introducing them one by one, starting with

Ms. Immigration, phoa and spring rolls lover, the group's common d., bookee, travel agency, money changer and bank rolled in one ;p




Ms. Siem Reap, quiet and sweet




Ms. Teen Cambo-d-ia and at the same time,



Ms. International for making the most number of friends during the trip.
You can say, a fullhouse or should I say a full club? No kidding.




Cambodian Love Team



Oops, wrong pic!

Here



Accdg to Ms.Teen Cambo-d-ia, they’re the perfect couple.



You can also call them highschool loveteam, college love team, Palawan love team, Boracay love team...(Hay, kasawa na. mag-asawa na kasi!!!)

Ang Reklamador: voted first to be evicted if the group was in Pinoy Big Brother, VietCam edition.



Famous line: “Ayoko na ng kahirapan!”

Adachi, apple of the eye of Mr. C (as in secret?). Famous line: Ayoko sa tanders!




The Roommates turned BFF (for a day?!)



Tita S, with her controversial line that raised some eyebrows: "Sana tantanan na ako ng aking_______ (fill in the blank).



By the way, Ms. Teen Cambodia is also Ms. Photography (not Photogenic) for having the most no. of pics! ;p

Radi (in pnk skirt), a proud Cambo-d-ian. The most patient tourist guide ever.



She has aged, I think, while touring us.



Radi: "Where is Philippine team again?!!!"

Our gracious host, Genna (in checked top) with son Matti, opened her house to us friends and strangers, at past 1am Ho Chi Minh City time, prepared coffee, entertained us while Ms. Immig hunted down our travel agent Phary and our missing driver.




And the prettiest of all, Ms. Swimsuit.




Together, we traveled in a bus for 12 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, and who knows how many hours to Phnom Penh and back to HCMC. We lost count. We sat, we slept, we ate and slept again and we were still on the road.





Saw some sights along the way, like the parade of motorcycles




what a pity...a Cambodian province all flooded,



oldest bridge in Cambodia



Mekong River, city of Phnom Penh


city of HCM




and Notre Dame also in Saigon or HCMC.



Saw lots of cuties like him.



We ate their phoa



and yummy food






but not the insects, ew!




Spiders, anyone? Ewlk.



We visited temples






Lots of temples





Angkor Wat


Angkor What?

Angkor Thom







Banyan Temple, where the famed spot where Tomb Raider was shot.




And where the trees are 200 or so years old. Look at those roots.






Temples again?!








We rode their tuk-tuk



made some friends




with Mr. C



with our Vietnamese bus mates





and Phnom Penh Pinoys thru Ms. Teen Camnbo-d-ia.



We rode the canoe and smelled like fish.




to dine on a cruise.






We enjoyed the sunset at Siem Reap,







danced



and jumped




laughed and had great fun!




In the end, the prestigious titles were awarded to those who maintained their composure and kept their poise through it all.

Ms.Cambodia went to Ms. Prim & Proper - Ms. Siem Reap!




Ms. Swimsuit, also Ms. Congeniality, brought home the coveted crown - Ms. Vietnam Rose!