Pure sensory stimulation. I don't want to tell tale about the show because you'll appreciate it better if you're not aware of what to expect. But here's one -- it's my kind of different (read: WEIRD) show!

People say the show's pointless and plotless, but I say it's how we all should depict life--- it is a walk, it is a dance, it is fun!

I know it's kind of early to tell but even I myself am amazed by how I feel about my self-actualization. I'm not even sure if this stage is actually possible at quarter life. I am satisfied. I am happy, and I can do this  all my life.

I can't even count the reasons why I am ecstatic about my life. It has been awesome since the first day, and as I always say, if there is a perfect life, mine would be the one that will fit. My life is perfect - there, I said in verbatim. I've been thrown blessings, good and bad, and appreciation is always at the top.

Of course I went through quarter-life crisis too, whatever I do now isn't like love-at-first try/sight/whatever-you-may-call-it. But how amazing everything turned out to be is beyond words. I am supposed to teach. I was called to teach and the setting where I am now is just the perfect one I can ever think of.

My love for this job is unfathomable, it's something I dreamt of as a kid. Sure, I'll miss it but my positivity about leaving is just about-the-earth-big and sun-bright.

I'm still finding the perfect time to say "see-you-soon" to my dear students. As much as I'll miss the teaching part, my kids are a huge  of this as well. This year have been all the more special because of them. It's not at all a job to teach and mentor them. They make every work day extra special. More than anything, not being able to see them for the next semester is what saddens me. They're going to be seniors then and in no time, the best physical therapists.

God has blessed with the most amazing things and non-things. This is what I'm supposed to do, and I cannot imagine myself doing anything else but this. This is my calling and no matter what happens, I'm coming back.

I surely went all out with watching all the live acts last year, it almost became an addiction that when AJ Rafael announced his coming to Manila, I was convinced that I SHOULD see him without second thoughts. Just a disclaimer, sarcasm aside, I am NOT his biggest fan. I didn't know who he was til early last year when I randomly bumped into his Without You video in Youtube. I liked him, and his songs are pretty relatable and just easy to listen to. So I became just one of his million subscribers in YT.

I was having second thoughts in going because 1) I wasn't sure if I can get myself a ticket on time, and 2) I don't know where Music Museum is. It's as if the universe conspired when my sister bought our Mamma Mia tickets from TicketWorld, and she happily obliged to get me my AJ Rafael ticket as well, the night before January 18.

January 18 came - my classes started at 7am, and ended at 5pm with an hour break in between. It was definitely draining, my Wednesdays always are. But that just didn't matter cos as soon as my class was done I went all the way to Greenhills (read: with all my school stuff with me, and smelling like...uhmmm..let's say, formaline)

1 hour and a horrible traffic after, finally, I was at the Music Museum. There already was a line heading to the entrance, so I made my way there. While standing to line up, I kind of regretted going there, and I actually thought of going home already. I didn't expect that the crowd was going to be that many, plus they're mostly conyo teenagers. Hmm, well ok not that conyo but they're rich, foreign-language-speaking kids and I felt like I was the only jologs in there. And yes that was true, sadly.

I was in line for about another hour until they open the gates for entrance. AJ Rafael's band members went out to say hi to the people in line but I seriously have no idea who they were then so I just didn't care. I went there for AJ and no one else, that's what I was thinking.

So I went inside. By the way, FYI, I recently am enjoying going to music shows alone, and this is my 3rd on that series. It was awkward finding a nice balcony seat, trying to squeeze in myself in between couples and friends, but I think that's an advantage that I'm alone. So I finally found my spot, beside a group of girlfriends on my right, and a girl on my left who apparently went there alone as well (but talked to her phone the whole time, giving real time updates to whoever-the-heck, urgh).

Duo Krissy and Ericka started the show. I have no idea who they were but was convinced that they were actually good. I particularly liked the originals rather than the covers.

...and then AJ appeared, looking like a little boy in his geeky eyeglasses, vest and tie, being coy and appealing at the same time - that's where everything started for me. Everyone was chanting his name and sure it was too overwhelming I'm having chills all over. Everyone was so psyched, while AJ stood on the stage ready to play his piano. I can feel his being awed by the audience's response from up the balcony. I can clearly feel how he cannot believe all of those was happening right then and there. That moment was maybe too surreal for him, and for everyone in the audience as well. What happened next was epic - he started striking those keys, with his opening song, Heart of Worship.

Everyone just toned down and went silent as he started singing. The song needed that, and with AJ's voice, it was the perfect song to open the show. It's embarassing to admit that tears went rolling down my cheeks as he was saying, "...and it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus" cause I seriously felt that. Cheesy yes but I just can't believe how talented and good-hearted this guy is. After that song, I just sat there with my eyes locked on the stage, ready to enjoy the rest of the show.

I knew AJ's songs merely through Youtube, so the lyrics were just all too familiar. I sing along at some parts (mostly on the chorus), but on some, I just shut up and listen to him say the words.  He was beyond amazing that night. I particularly enjoyed his Disney medley which started with Go The Distance, then went to his Arielle-voice in Part of Your World. He was really crazily into it! It was more fun because those were the same Disney songs that I grew up to. It was funny, nostalgic, and awesome.

The best part of the show was during the encore where he asked the audience what song to play. Surprisingly, everyone chanted in unison, Showstopper, and so he did just that. And then the most epic part of the show happened. Most (if not all) of the girls (and even guys) from the front seats went on stage and crowded (and freaked and creeped) AJ and the other band members out!  It was crazy because no one expected the crowd to go all animalistic like that, that even the guys (bouncers-ish on the stage) had a hard time controlling everyone from jumping to the stage. AJ even stopped singing at some point (when about a hundred of girls were literally all over him already), looked at his mom from the audience, and said (with his mic on), "Mom, help!" but he went on singing until the girls were tamed. It was totally crazy. Everyone went all out with all their love for AJ.

That song ended and I told myself that this show was the perfect one to kick off my concert series this year. AJ Rafael is the most amazing keyboard player I've seen my whole life. This was one of those shows that really satisfied me, not bitin in any way, maybe even too much than what I've expected. I went out of the venue with a big smile and more stupefied by this talented Pinoy artist. He is serious a god in keyboard. Such an amazing amazing performer as well!

Currently listening to: Unfold by Jason Mraz

I just randomly thought of posting this today because... yeah I'm random. So let's do this!

So I house all those things inside my bag. I have (1st row from L-R) my notebook and it's powercord, wallet, kikay kit, mini-planner and retractable pen, perfume, umbrella, (bottom row from L-R) my Blackberry, my Sun phone, school ID and keys, earphones, mouse, USB cord for my cellphone, and USB drive. This is the most I can bring with me in that bag. Being a lover of huge functional bags, I can say  my 13" baby pretty much carry my 'essentials'.

So there's what's in my bag! Kahit walang kwenta, I actually enjoyed typing this. :p #mema

Next time again, loves! Kiss kiss! :-*

xoxo,

Currently listening to: Live High by Jason Mraz

Warning: Too much “me”, “myself” and “I”

There isn’t a perfect life, but if it happens that there is, mine would be a good candidate. They say life’s never fair, sure it never is, but it’s remarkable how awesome my life has been since day one. My life is so amazing everything almost seems like a dream, though I’m quite sure I’m living this dream just right. And I’m certainly enjoying every second.

Even I myself can’t fathom my positivity towards life. I learned to live to laugh. I live to be happy. Every negative thing I just push to the side, but it doesn’t mean I don’t face them, I just choose to not lose my energy on them. Life is wonderful; it’s a thing to celebrate. Every single thing in my life right now is a reminder of how good God has been to me and my family. Everything is a reminder of how special I am, and I am not wasting any minute of this wonderful gift in whining over petty things.

I cannot believe my life has turned to be exactly the way I dreamt it to be twenty years ago. All I wanted was to do the things I love, and at this point, everything is just pure love. All I wanted was to have good friends, and sure I have the best set. All I wanted was to buy the things I want, and I’ve been enjoying that perk and more. All I wanted was to buy every record of my favorite music icons, and I can’t believe I can do that now, some even for free (thank you, internetz). All I wanted was to live my life to the fullest, and though it doesn’t always show, I actually am doing that since I can’t remember. All I wanted was to see the Backstreet Boys on stage, and who’d have known I’d see every single music show in Araneta? All I wanted was to be happy. Right now, I can never be happier.

This year I am 24. It might be too early to say, but I seriously could not ask for anything more. I am living THE life, it almost seems surreal. Lord, boyfriend na lang talaga ang kulang. :D

You see my last blog entry was dated almost 4 months ago. I guess I ran out of interesting things to write about since work (and sleep) literally ate all of time and I don't think my life in the past months was blog-worthy. Ok enough of the unrelated introduction let's get to the main thing! Well the main is right up there in the title bar. I just got to give a warning, this entry might be too wordy because I really want to be as detailed as possible (to make inggit those who weren't there haha) but to be honest, no words could ever be close to narrating how unbelievably awesome that night was.

Yes, I went to Mikey's meet and greet last Friday, October 28 at Bar One, Holiday Inn, in Ortigas (still have to idea who he is? No longer my problem. Check wikipedia!). When he announced it over at his social networks of course I was excited, but I was unsure of coming. As much as I want to see him and get free hugs, I can't imagine myself being a total jologs fan girl and coming there alone. I'm not really sure what happened but come 2pm Friday, I found myself inside a cab heading to venue for the Meet and Greet. He said on his Facebook page that the bar can only accommodate the first 100 people for the event and I just couldn't hide the fan girl anymore, I was there by 3pm (read: 4 hours early slash takot sa pila), and yes I was by myself.

There were three of us waiting outside Bar One, willing to wait for hours all for the love of Mikey. Pare parehas kame ng kwento, takot sa raging crowd at mahabang pila, plus the thought of being the 101st guest would totally be frustrating. So the girls I met, Diana, Cha, Maffi, and Mabelle, plus  Kuya Marwin (he went there for his wife), just chatted while killing time outside the bar, when Diana just murmured almost unconsciously, "Ayan na sya, oh" and goodness gracious it was Mikey Bustos, in the flesh! He just arrived (from the dentist, I guess? Haha) and was about to rehearse inside. He said hello to the six of us and shook each our hands, asking for our names. The first thing I noticed? His genuine smile. He seriously have the most contagious smile! Oh my goodness this boy has so much charm. Anyway, so after that he went insider Bar One to rehearse and the girls and I were just starstruck. Hahaha. I personally was smiling but speechless thinking, oh my *(&%$##@!@ that was THE Mikey Bustos who just shook my hands. But the show hasn't started yet so we got to compose ourselves and not get overly kilig (which was hard, by the way).