the beehyve chronicles

The Display

Funny how life unfolds itself. Here I thought that I'll be living at the beehyve for good. But halfway down the road, my plans excruciatingly changed. Apparently, I folded.

The only thing constant is change. My mind is no exception. After much consideration of my options, I decided that it isn't my time yet. Despite what others may say, I made this decision for myself. I believe that it's for my own good and no one else's. Besides, I still have much to learn from my roots. I deserve so much more than what I'm getting now. With due time, I'll be able to fully stand on my own and face what's coming to me.

It is only a few days before I go back to the mad humid world. There's just no place like home.

Leilani

Ain't she cute?

Drew

The only star worth taking a picture of at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Girl with purple hair

Freedom of expression is at its best here in California. You can dress up and wear your hair any way you like and no one will criticize you. On my last weekly commute, I saw a white girl with purple dyed hair, some white guys with mohawks, some black guys with corn roses and asian guys with shaved heads.

IKEA products

Anthony and I assembled some IKEA furniture in the last few days. It took us an average of three hours per piece but it felt great because we were able to construct something that most people have problems doing. Building something constructive really boosts one's self-esteem.

Cheesecake Factory at Macy's

Last week's After-New Year dinner with my cousin April's co-workers marked the first time I waited for 2 whole hours to get a table. We were a party of 12 and so it really took time to get a table ready for us. But even if the place was jam-packed, it was worth the wait because the food and drinks were superb. I can't wait to go back there.

It's my grandmother's cousin's 80th birthday today at Princess Garden in Vallejo.

I never realized I had so many relatives here from my mother's side.

That's all I have to say.

Smuin Ballet presents

"The Christmas Ballet, 2004 Edition"

Due to boredom and having a lot of free time during the holidays, I decided to watch this ballet show at downtown San Francisco. Besides, it was my uncle's treat and he usually knows all the good happenings.

Act I: The Classical Christmas

After having watched a handful of these in the past, I still can't decipher what the performers' movements meant. During the first act, all I saw were bouncy people in tight clothing.

Act II: The Cool Christmas

The second act was quite surprising. The dancers enacted the lyrics from modern Christmas songs like "Frosty" and "Jingle Bell Rock." From that act was the only time I will ever see a breakdancing/moonwalking snowman and tap-dancing pine trees. The audience at the middle orchestra section surely had a first hand experience of "White Christmas." Never have I seen humor put cleverly in one act.

I must say that this is the first ballet show that didn't put me to sleep. I can't wait to watch their next one.

Drinking under the Stars- Dec 23 '04

Last night, Anthony and I bought some pulutan and a pint of beer each. Gone are the days of Growers Savory Hot and San Mig Strong Ice. Now is the era of Cheetos Flaming Hot and Corona Extra with lemon. We had our inuman at the veranda because it's just too cold outside the house.

Most houses in the Bay Area are not decorated for the holidays at all. On our street, our house is the only one with a parol and Christmas lights. Most probably, we will be the only family having a Noche Buena tonight. As a rule, the Christmas presents can only be opened at the morning you wake up on Dec 25. What's up with that?

The newlyweds, Jamie Lee and Edward - Dec 18 '04

After getting lost for a while, we finally found the wedding venue. We had to cross two narrow bridges just to get there. The place was in the middle of nowhere but it looked very historical because of its castle-like facade. It had one room for the wedding ceremony and another for the reception.

One custom that intrigued me was the manner of donating money to the couple. Anyone who wanted to will have to pin the dollar bills to the clothes of either the bride or the groom before doing a slow dance. The newlyweds ended up with dollar bill crowns and sashes.

More importanly though, is that they served alcohol at the bar. Now that's a wedding!

Mary Ann's Beetle

Cars depreciate at a very fast rate in the States. My cousin Mary Ann bought a salvaged Beetle for only $6,000! You do the Math.

Man-made Lake by my cousin Diana's house

Someday I'm moving to Sacramento and live like a king.

Masquerade Show in the Sky - Nov 12-14 '04

Who says there are no noontime variety shows in the States? It's all here daily in Las Vegas.

Crabby

It's crab season again in the Bay Area. Seafood lovers are once again enjoying bountiful crab dishes. Crab mentality is in the air!

This mentality, however, does not imply any negative meaning that we Flips are so accustomed to. Here, nobody pulls you down. Unless you belong in the extremely rich and famous level in society, nobody will prevent you from aiming for the top. Nobody cares about what you intend to do as long as it doesn't considerably affect others. Everybody's too concerned about making themselves better. Anybody can have what you have. Anybody can do what you do.

We Flips should learn something from this. After all, we are all merely crabs in the same aquarium.

Batman

Natagpuan ko si Batman isang beses habang nagpapahinga siya. Napansin kong malungkot siya nun. Malaki ang paghanga ko sa kanya kaya agad ko siyang nilapitan at tinanong kung ano ang kanyang iniisip.

"Ano ba ang problema mo, Batman?"

Napalingon siya bigla sa akin. Pinalitan ng galit ang kanyang lungkot. "Bakla raw ako! Akalain mo ba naman yun?" ang sigaw niya. Mabuti na lang at walang nakarinig sa kanya.

"Ha? Sino nagsabi? Bakit naman nila nasabi yun?" ang sagot ko. Naisip ko rin pagkatapos kung totoo kaya ito.

"Lahat sila sa Justice League!" ang sagot niya sabay tingin sa sahig. "Pinaghihinalaan nila na bading ako dahil lang sa kasama ko palagi si Robin sa Batcave. Ano ba ang masama dun?"

Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya. Babaero ang pagkakaalala ko sa kanya. Alam kong hindi siya papatol sa kapwa lalaki. "Huwag mo na lang sila pansinin. Alam ko namang inaalagaan mo lang nang mabuti si Robin."

"Buti ka pa, naiintindihan mo ako." ang sagot niya sabay lingon sa akin. Ngumiti siya sa akin. Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

Bigla akong kinabahan. Agad-agad akong tumakbo papalayo. Lumingon ako at nakita kong nakangiti pa rin siya. Bahala na si Batman.

Ducks Xing

It's so nice to be an animal here.

"Crisis Counseling"? - Oct 20 '04

These Americans sure are ready for any contingency! Even the Golden Gate Bridge has a phone line ready for any emergency or suicide attempts.

Glas Kat - Oct 16 '04

Five Differences between a World Power and a Third World Country with regards to Clubbing:

1. World Power clubs overcharge exorbitantly.

2. World Power clubs show performances from acrobats, jugglers and even gigolos.

3. World Power female clubbers dress up in very skimpy outfits.

4. World Power male clubbers pitch pick-up lines like there's no tomorrow.

5. World Power clubbers bump and grind in ways that will leave the MTRCB's jaws wide open.

Great America - Oct 16 '04

One hour wait for a one minute ride - perfect metaphor for my situation right now.

JJ and me - Oct 13 '04

Overheard at Sushiya Restaurant in Libis on 1999: "Kapal talaga ng mukha ni Renante! Sobrang bilib sa sarili!"

Overheard at Nan Korean Dining Bar in Japantown on 2004: "Kapal talaga ng mukha ni Renante! Sobrang bilib sa sarili!"

'H'ere's to you! - Oct 2 '04

Drunken Master Jino and wasted Che-Chet - Sep 26 '04

I’m going to miss this house. This is where we used to hang out in the last four years. A lot of things have happened in this place. I have felt initiated, vindicated, elated, supported and lifted here. But I also felt rejected, dejected, constipated, suffocated, nauseated, and even contaminated here. Ah, Buena Vista… My boon and bane...

Garter-catcher Arn, a bridesmaid and the newlyweds, Moz and Resty - Sep 18 '04

You may now kiss the bride... and bridesmaid. Resty is the first guy from our Ateneo High School Section H Batch ’98 to tie the knot. Who’s going to be next?

Jinky, Shelly, Grace and LJ - Sep 17 '04

These people have made my stay at the World's Local Bank worthwhile. Thanks, GUYS!

Big Dome - Sep 14 '04

The first playoff game between ADMU and DLSU should have been epic. Instead, it was pathetic. It was such a devastating loss not only for our team but also for the whole ADMU community. After all, we were top-seeded during the first thirteen games of the regular season. I guess the other team just wanted this game more. In the end, it’s not about how high you rank coming into the Final Four, it’s about how you avoid getting eliminated by winning the crucial ones.