Turning 30

I will be turning 30 in a few days. I ran down on my old diary and came across a little entry that I made, a list of anything I wanna do, own, buy or achieve before I turn 30. I made that list when I was 25 and it contained 28 items. I realized that my expectations were too high, and some of the wishes were ridiculously impossible (e.g. "marry my partner"--- marry who???... "grow a six-pack--- seriously???).

Nonetheless, I am ready to embrace life at 30. I am blessed with so many things, and most of my wishes have been granted by my loving Creator. I got myself a car, and the house Ive been dreaming of for myself is currently under "slow" construction (I didnt realize how much a bag of cement costs 5 years ago), I have a little business that's picking up and sustaining, I finally got to sing with a band and I'm really happy about it, I have a stable job, a life insurance with bonds and mutual funds for old age, I belong to a loving Church, I got to start my MBA at a reputable university, Ive got myself some savings and a healthy life. I'm healthy at this point and I've never felt better.

My 4 pamangkins are getting bigger each day, in fact Kaye is on her way to her 2nd year in high school and currently rocking the National-level Math Olympiad, Kirsten is doing great with her grades on 3rd grade, and Jammie and Jiboi's at their usual iPad-crazed selves. Mom and Dad are healthy and still very much in love with each other. My sister Angie and her family is doing alright in the US, my sister Kristine and her family are keeping pace, and my brother Kristoffer's got a job that he truly loves.

I get to see my close friends every once in a while. Most of them have left the country but I still feel blessed that I get to see them online and we still have those online parties as if we're just all in one room.

I am loved. I am surrounded by love. Let me just say that I am truly inspired these days, thanks to this wonderful person who's always willing to free up his schedule amidst his crazy flight schedules. This person who pulls me out from a busy day at the office to watch a random horror movie in Ayala. This person who sends me flowers just coz. This person who makes me feel like Im the most brilliant cook in the world, and still manages to smile even if my pasta experiment turned funky.

Right now, I still get to enjoy life. I get occasional trips to the gym, and I am able to enjoy a little free time at a quiet corner at Coffeebean. I still have a 20-20 vision so I still get to read my favorite books. I get to travel a lot with my job, and I get to enjoy Boracay every month (talk about perks). My life is at balance. I am so geared towards becoming the accomplished man I ought to become, and I get to appreciate the balance that I have among the many roles that I have in life: Christian, worker, friend, brother, uncle, businessman, singer.

In a few days, I will turn 30. I am blessed beyond what I expected, so turning 30 isnt too bad after all. They say life begins at 30. I say my life has begun many many years ago and it's getting better.

Signing Off

If I never knew you
I'd have lived my whole life through
Empty as the sky
Never knowing why
Lost forever
If I never knew you

I just had my last performance with the Reigndition Band, and I bring with me a year full of great memories. One year of singing just flew by so quickly, it's as if I just had my audition with them 2 weeks ago. Not that singing matters not--- of course it does, and it will always have a warm spot in my heart--- but I need to focus more on my other priorities. Right now I'm single-handedly running Mamai's, and another small-time business, and my job with an IT company. For now, these are my training grounds and I have to leave singing behind as I embrace other aspects of myself.

To my band--- Vien, Kisha, Mia, Val, and Emmar (also Deo, Adela, and Chuckie)--- it was an honor working with you all. You guys are so great and so talented, and your talents will take you places, thats for sure. I will miss the stage. I will miss the beats. I will miss the lights. But what Im gonna miss most are the fun times that I get to spend with you. You guys are like family to me already.

But then again, music will always be a part of me and as you know, I am just temporarily clipping my wings.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me the chance to hold the microphone. Not everybody who has this talent is given the opportunity you have bestowed on me. I am sincerely grateful.

And for my diva tantrums, I wouldnt apologize. You know from the very start what you're getting yourself into, hahaha. Kidding. :)

I will miss you all.

Keith Pareja, the musician, now signing off. For now.

No Miss, it's J for "JOAT"

I had my second ear pierce the other day and so the first thing that I did when I got home was to look for my old stud earrings--- the ones that I used back in 2006 (yeah, I still have them). I wanted to have them cleaned and polished at the nearest shop that sells silver.

I headed back to the mall, and as I was waiting for them to polish it, the lady issued me a receipt. I had to write my name and signature, so I signed it and just wrote "KEITH" on the name portion.

She took the receipt and then returned and said "Sir, butangi'g apelyido".

I was busy texting, and she gave me this impatient look so I asked her to write it for me instead. I said--- "PAREJA".

She took the pen and answered, "spiling, Sir?"

I murmured "P-A-R-E-J-A".

She wrote the letters one by one and in a loud voice she said "P...E...R...E...--- Sir J as in JAR or J as in goat?"

The other saleslady interrupted her and with a wide grin she said "Pag-churrr diha yadj oi, G ba! Liter G! Jar... JARRR... hala oi... Pa--reee---HA gani...! Pasensya na Sir, hala oi, awa gikataw-an kang Sir, yadj... hahaha. Double E na cya, Sir".

I wasnt really laughing--- I was in total awe! I was mesmerized by the cuteness of the conversation and at the same time I was irritated by this whole charade. I even started to have a split-second assumption that I was in Wow Mali, but heck they were dead serious about the J versus G war!

With a smirk I just said "Forget it... Just write--uhmmmm (while looking around)--- TAN, para mahuman ta, Miss."

I could imagine how hard it could get if my last name was Gyllenhaal. Or Heidenrich. Or Lhuiller. Or Solzhenitzyn. hahaha

Dance Like Noone's Gonna Put it on Youtube

After 7 hours...

Lighting a Candle for Myself on All Souls Day

It's All Soul's Day today and as a family practice, we all went to Queen City Gardens to visit my departed Lolo, Lola, Uncles and cousins. It's a family reunion of some sorts and I get to see my cousins like twice a year--- Christmas and this day, so today should've been special. It used to be really fun back when we were kids. But today looked different. I realized I'm the only one who's not married or taken. It just feels a bit odd that the married ones were all huddled up in one big group talking about kids and marriage, and I was seated to my nieces and nephews who talked about Cartoon Network.

I'd rather talk about Cartoon Network than to have my lovelife (or not having a lovelife) talked about. :) I just sat down and chose not to talk the whole time.

On second thought, I should've stood up and risen to the occasion. I should've told them that everything's fine, lit a candle and made a speech about life and moving on. That Keith who believed in love died years ago and it is but appropriate to celebrate his courage today.

To the old Keith---
who loved, and waited, and loved again,
and failed too many f*cking times.
May he rest in peace.

Happy All Souls Day. :)

4% and Facebook

When was the last time I had sex?

I don't know... I couldn't remember anymore. I think I had one last month, with some random whoever who gave me some "it's not gonna work between us--- it's not you--- it's me" bullcrap. Anyway, I'm not gonna say I'm over it coz I was faking it all along to begin with :)

Now with that said, I, on average, have sex once every 2 months--- and mostly disastrous coz it's usually done on first dates. That's how big a loser I am. I'm 28, I'm single, and Cebu is a pool teeming with single and romance-hungry people.

I posted this on Facebook yesterday: Studies show that people who have sex at least 3 times a week are perceived to look 4-7 years younger. If this study were true and proven, then I should be alarmed.

Let's take it to a mathematical level. Supposing I peg "sex 3 times a week" as the ideal number (ergo, 100%), against the number of times I do it in a month (once in every 2 months, ergo, 0.5) then my achievement rate would be just 4%.

Gasp----! 4%

I need to double up on Olay then!

Anyway, I think something is a bit odd about Facebook. I checked the "People You May Know" section, and more than half of the list were topless men. It's like the new Planet Romeo.



Now why am I still single? I don't know. You tell me.

How To Be a Frog

I got these pics from a school at a nearby island in Mactan. Take note--- school.

My Inaanak Cahleil's Worst Nightmare

This was taken last Saturday during our outreach program. Cahleil, my inaanak, is 4 years old. She was so scared of the kids in the islands. Watch this clip, it's so cute.

That Explains :)

Happy Birthday Sue and Aura!!!

Happy Birthday, girls!!!

Love you much!

Archie's Goes Pink

Archie will be introducing its first gay character in their September 2010 issue. I got this news from the Washington Post website and I found it really interesting, I mean, don't you think it's high time Archie's explores the Pink Market?

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The openly gay character is named Kevin, a hot new guy in Riverdale High. :)

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Anyway, CNN revealed the plot and it introdues Kevin's character as someone who beat Jughead in a burger-eating contest, and later on caught the romantic attention of no less than Veronica Lodge.

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Nice :)

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*photo courtesy: Yahoo News

Percy Jackson Overload and Age Rewind...

I got a very special gift from Hunky-Chardie today. I was grinning from ear to ear when I knew my package from Lexington had arrived, plus the fact that I get to see him in person again and not just settle for our nightly YM conversations anymore. It's always nice when someone close to your heart comes home.

I finally have all the 4 books of the Percy Jackson & The Olympians Series. Yes, all the four books, isn't that neat? Nothing beats the Wal-Mart book aisle. Now I don’t have to wait for copies at Fullybooked.

And then I also got my usual Maybelline Age Rewind concealer. I've been using this since 2007 and you can't find that in any Maybelline stalls here in the Philippines. I bought 2 bottles when I went to the US. I LOVE IT---it's like photoshop in a bottle, and it's just $7. Nice. :)

Thank you, Chardie. You're the best!

Strawberry Shortcake Goes Blonde

I spent my Sunday afternoon at Coffeebean with Jessica. I woke up really late that day that I missed Sunday worship service at Church. Sundays are usually the best time to just relax and unwind, and I haven't done any of those for the longest time.

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We spent the whole time coloring Strawberry Shortcake. We're that shallow :). A new coloring book and the smell of freshly opened Crayolas turn us on big time. Strawberry Shortcake's supposed to have red hair, but we thought going blonde would be a fabulous option. We were a bit hesitant about her makeover, but it turned really well in the end.

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See?

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Spooky Night

It was a very boring weekend and I got a call from Jason inviting me to have our usual Tanduay sessions at my place. I instantly said yes coz I just woke and I knew for a fact that my brain would be active for the next 12 hours. Besides, we've never done this since all the drama that we had last December.

We kicked off with a bottle of lapad, and then followed by two more. I've always been such a loser when it comes to alcohol tolerance coz I'm never really a fan of drinking to begin with. On our thrid bottle, things started to get really fun.

But at around 4am, the light in my room started to flicker, and then it went off as if the wires were cut or something. What makes it more spooky is the fact that Jason has this 3rd-eye thingie, and that he can see spirits everywhere. Back when we were still living under one roof, he used to tell me about this lady-spirit in our bathroom and some elves in our kitchen. If that doenst make you freak out then I don’t know what the hell you're made of.

Anyways, the light completely went off, and we could hear some really creepy sounds outside. He said that he felt 3 entities, but he wasn’t sure if they were spirits or engkantos.

I'd like to think that it was just the alcohol, but my God I could totally feel all the hairs in my body raise. As we started to joke around, we started to hear the weird sounds outside go louder.

Weird. I guess it's time to look for another room for rent.

Ring

If I win the 55 million lotto prize pot this week, without a bat of an eyelash, Im gonna get me this---

It's the special edition Lakers 2008-2009 championship ring from David Stern and Lakers executive vice president Jeanie Buss.

Aaaaaaargh!

This Lakers new rock is 15-karats (the usual championship rings are just 14 karats), with 15 diamonds weighing 2.85, and the rest is gold. This is a commemoration of 15th NBA championship.

It sells at at least $10000, that’s almost half a million in my currency.

Call me shallow now but who says money cant buy happiness?

Mimi Is Love

My adoration For Mimi went up a thousand folds when I saw this news about Mimi proposing a toast to a gay couple who got engaged in Las Vegas.

And she drank her champagne bottoms up. She looks really awesome when she's happy.

Loves. :)

"I can Imagine you strutting in Ayala with your bumble bee shades"

Now I don’t know what good this 3-day leave is gonna give me, but I'm in my bed now wishing I'm back at my desk working. I'm not THAT addicted to my job, I'm just not a big fan of boredom. If there was one thing that could kill easily, me it would be boredom.

I have been texting forwarded messages to my friends and got a couple of "who's this?". I wasn't surprised. Some of them erased my number from their phones thinking my number is already inactive. I rarely text back coz number 1: I sleep during daytime, and 2. My new phone's not text friendly to people who have chubby fingers (seriously it would take me like a minute just to text "kumusta?")

Keith: Sus, grabe first time jud ni nako na sore-eyes. Sakit man diay ang mata
oi basta sore eyes, malay ko ba. Sige kog hilak kay bati kaayo akong nanwg, mura
kog bullfrog, as in pang-blog material jud akong nanwg run. BATI KAAYO KOG NANWG
TABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

JJ: I KNOW!!! I've been there. Bug-at kaayo cya
kay daghan muta. Naa koy naremember na tambal yuth, may kamahalan lang but ayo
jud dayun.Prob is I forgot the name.

Keith: Nag-prescribe na si doc ug
drops and akong gihatagan kog tablets sa akong uncle ganina. Pero sus, bati jud
kaayo akong nanwg, that's the problem. Niadto kog Cebu Doc ganina nya dapat man
jud ko muagi sa Ayala kay adto man ko musakay, BIG SHADES jud ang drama bisag
signal number 1. Gilingi jud ko sa mga taw. Pildi si Lady Gaga.

JJ:
Hahha bitaw, gloomy baya kaayo today. I can Imagine you strutting in Ayala with
your bumble bee shades. Germanotta kaayo!

Christina Applegate is People's Most Beautiful Star of 2009. Seriously.

Christina Applegate is People's Most Beautiful Star of 2009.

Seriously.

I was speechless when I knew, I mean I've come to love her shows and all, and she had cancer, but seriously guys, we're talking about the Most Beautiful Star for 2009. Now that Christina Applegate is on top of the list then anyone could be make it next year. Scary.

Can someone review the tally sheets? There could be some glitch in the system or something. I dunno. I'm thinking swine flu virus. Whatchutink?

Giraud Out, Lambert Bottomed

Now on Idol---

I wasn't able to watch it coz I was sick. I was in bed the whole day with no TV, no food, no water, no boyfriend and no underwear.

Adam Lambert was "bottomed" for the first time (sorry, I do not have his picture). And to make the story short, Matt Giraud finally said goodbye. Oh well, it's just about time, he's had a million chances already and clearly, noone in his right mind would ever believe he could ever ever win the title, no offense to his fans.

AArrrrrghmazing :)

Left me stitches. This footage of Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holiday is GOLDEN.
Super nice.