GIGI GOES GAGA

MEME TIME!

I usually find it difficult to write when either (1) I have nothing to write about or (2) I have too many things I want to write about (especially when I want to but I can't). Whenever this happens and I'm too stuck for words, I borrow a meme -- just to stir my brain cells around a bit. Today's comes from famous blogger Zoe AKA The Girl With the One-Track Mind (and you can guess what she thinks about A LOT -- needless to say I love that girl). I'm not going to tag anyone -- but please feel free to borrow this if you're stuck, too.

1. My uncle once: said I looked like him -- which didn't make me very happy at all then. Or even now (he wouldn't make a pretty girl, if you know what I mean).

2. Never in my life: have I had a one-night stand.

3. When I was five: I wanted to write books with lots of pretty pictures. I also HATED going to school.

4. High school was: painfully difficult because I felt like a freak the entire time.

5. I will never forget: that I told my younger sister there really was no Santa Claus (Oh, the guilt...).

6. Once I met: Jeanine Lobell of Stila. It was 1994, I think, and there was this new tiny makeup line at Barney's that caught my eye. I'm playing and next thing I know, she's showing me how to line my eyes with a push brush. I think I bought almost every single product and color by the end of the year.

7. There’s this boy I know: who probably thinks this sentence is about him. And maybe it is.

8. Once, at a bar: I was tempted to hook up with a guy friend but didn't because the friendship was more important. We're still great friends now.

9. By noon, I’m usually: wondering whether or not I'm hungry.

10. Last night: I stayed home because I was sick but I slept at 3 AM because I'd been in bed all day and couldn't sleep anymore.

11. If only I had: more chutzpah, less fear.

12. Next time I go to church: won't be for a while. Because the last time I was inside one, I joked to my family that because it had been so long, lightning would strike and the church would burn down. Shortly afterwards, there was an electrical problem...and the church burned down.

13. What worries me most: is death or suffering within my immediate family, including my cat.

14. When I turn my head left I see: my balcony filled with pots of fragrant plants.

15. When I turn my head right I see: my stereo system and all my cds.

16. You know I’m lying when: I don't move my head or blink, and my face gets all flushed.

17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: my body.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be: Rosalind or Beatrice. It's been a while since I last read Shakespeare, but these two strong women always stood out for me. They didn't settle for what was expected of them and they actually fought for what they wanted.

19. By this time next year: I'll be close to having my '80s body back. OK, more realistically I'd fit into my favorite pair of jeans from the (late) '80s again.

20. A better name for me would be: NOT one based on my birthdate's saint, St. Augustine -- just how my mom was named after hers. Then I'd be named "Augustina" and I'd be going gaga for that reason alone.

21. I have a hard time understanding: why people keep thinking their way is the best way, or the only way, or the way things ought to be for everyone else.

22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: get a Master's in English and/or a certificate in Makeup Artistry and follow my heart's desire.

23. You know I like you if: I tell you I do.

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: my mom or my dad, depending on what the award was for.

25. Take my advice, never: accept a job at a place where all the employees looked miserable when you went in to interview. They're not happy for the reasons you, too, will soon have for wanting to leave.

26. My ideal breakfast is: a croissant or bagel with scrambled eggs. Actually, anything with soft, fluffy scrambled eggs.

27. A song I love but do not have is: Somebody Warm Like Me by The Fifth Dimension. Tough to find '70s songs that weren't exactly hits. I remember loving this song as a kid and just for that reason into my collection it must go. (Updated Sep. 7th: Thanks to Manjo, now I have it -- thank you!)

28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: don't ask me to accompany you to Disneyland. But definitely ask me to hang out with you at South Coast Plaza.

29. Why won’t people: stop killing each other, especially in the name of -- of all things -- religion and faith.

30. If you spend a night at my house: Be prepared for my cat Boo to cuddle up beside you and/or step on your face so you wake up and feed her already.

31. I’d stop my wedding for: a catastrophe -- or if my soon-to-be-husband and I thought getting married would be a mistake (which essentially would be stopping a would-be catastrophe).

32. The world could do without: war and greed (which is usually the cause of wars anyway).

33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: vote Republican (with apologies to all my friends who do).

34. My favourite blonde(s) is/are: my friend Stacy. The only friend I have who attended BOTH my weddings -- and she was the only blonde in attendance at both.

35. Paper clips are more useful than: Wite-Out. At least now they are. But if you remember the days before the PC or Mac, there was a time you couldn't live without that tacky white fluid.

36. If I do anything well it’s: write what's in my head in a way so people can understand what I'm trying to say (or at least, this is what I'm putting here because I have family members who read this blog, you know?)

37. I can’t help but: cry during the last scene of "The Wedding Singer," where he serenades the girl on the plane. Hey, even Billy got all emotional.

38. I usually cry: when I'm watching television or a film. But if it's real life, I bottle up my emotions.

39. My advice to my child/nephew/niece: Don't settle for only what you think you can get out of life; keep striving -- even fighting -- for what you truly want. And if you still don't get it, at least you'll have more than what you thought was possible in the first place.

40. And by the way: I hate the part after you lose weight when you gain it back and it's harder to take it off. Why doesn't it work the other way around instead?

I'VE BEEN TAGGED: MY RANDOM SEVEN

My friend Olive tagged me with this meme that I've seen many bloggers tackle recently (I've also enjoyed reading all their answers -- we ARE quite a strange bunch, aren't we?). And just in time, too -- I was in the mood to post something tonight but my mind was drawing a blank. I truly love a good meme when I have absolutely nothing to write about, so thanks Olive! Anyway, apparently this is what I must do now:

I must post seven random things about me and then tag others to do the same. People who are tagged then need to blog seven facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of the blog post list the names of the seven people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

1. I can't whistle or blow a bubble but I can roll my tongue expertly.


2. I must be hyperactive; even if it looks like I'm sitting or lying perfectly still, a part of me is constantly moving.


3. When it comes to men I don't go for looks, money, or status. Personality counts, for sure, but if he smells, then it's all over.


4. Among my most favorite foods: liver (all kinds, all forms), dinuguan, adobong pusit, balut.


5. I always carry lipstick. I almost never reapply.


6. I apologize to inanimate objects when I hit them accidentally.


7. I've cheated only twice in school; the first time was during midterms in my Introduction to Theology class, freshman year in college. I wrote my cheat sheet in my Bible and was caught by my seatmate, who was a seminarian. I apologized to him, of course.

Now I'm going to break the rules. I'm pretty shy about tagging others, so if you find yourself having nothing to blog about, then I tag you and want to read all about YOUR seven! (Let me know if you decide to do this, OK?)

TAGGED: FIVE SECRETS

Sachiko, keeper of the most sensuous, salacious, and scandalous secrets in the blogosphere (my favorite kind, actually) tagged me with this meme. I'm not nearly as brave as Sach (remember: I have lots of relatives who visit this blog) so my post won't be nearly as delicious as hers. Even if I'm certain she tagged me precisely because she knows I have quite a few stories to tell.

And secrets I also have lots of. I suppose I can spare a few, at least the ones I'm not taking with me to my grave.

1. I can't ride a bike. You know that ubiquitous catchphrase "like riding a bicycle," which refers to anything that's never forgotten once learned? Yeah, the analogies are always lost on me. I never learned how to ride a bike, much to the consternation of pretty much anyone who knows me. (Let's bike around Martha's Vineyard and explore the place when we get there! Ugh...No.)

Einstein once said "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." Well, no wonder I'm life-challenged; I also happen to have a lousy sense of balance (can't skate, ski, rollerblade, ride a skateboard, or get around on any mode of transportation that doesn't have four wheels, an engine, and a seat). But sex has also been compared to riding a bike and let me tell you, you don't need to know how to do one in order to do the other well (methinks it would be hella fun to do both at the same time but I guess I'll never know).

2. I cry at the end of The Wedding Singer every single time. Whenever it gets to that part where Robbie (Adam Sandler) walks over to the plane's coach section and serenades Julia (Drew Barrymore) with his self-penned song "I Wanna Grow Old With You," I tell myself I'm not going to cry again but then I always do. I know it's cheesy, but I can't explain it -- maybe it's the combination of sentimental '80s music, an aging Billy Idol, and a boy serenading a girl with his guitar and a schmaltzy love song?

3. The first time I had sex was at home. Everybody was there (not in the same room!) but no one had any idea of what was going on. Never underestimate the will, stealth, and cunning of a horny teenager.

4. I once advised a good friend to break up with her boyfriend. Five years later, he was my boyfriend. Okay, it's not as bad as it sounds. My girlfriend was torn between staying or splitting up with her boyfriend because he smoked pot. I wasn't too fond of him in the first place because he was cocky, arrogant, and had a colorful history with (lots of) girls -- so when she asked me for my opinion I told her I thought he was trouble. Years later he pursued me and I caved in (Secret 4.5 was I was never truly in love with him but he happened to be there at the right time). I suppose his pot-smoking didn't bother me as much by then and I was already accustomed to his cocksure attitude. I later broke up with him because I found out he was cheating on me (or at least this gave me my guilt-free reason to leave). Still, I should have listened to my own advice: this man was trouble.

5. The reason I now give such good advice is because I've done practically everything wrong and learned from my mistakes. I was born with a pretty good head on my shoulders but my unbridled curiousity and headstrong nature are my Achilles heel. I've messed up quite a bit in this life but since I'm a quick learner, I tend not to make the same mistakes twice. Think about it: if you wanted to ask about anything bike-related you'd probably want to talk to Lance Armstrong, not me. Anything else -- I'm here.

Please feel free to tag yourselves if you want to take a stab at this meme. You might even discover a few more secrets you'd already forgotten about!

TAGGED AGAIN -- BOO!

Irene tagged me with a Halloween meme a week or so ago but I thought I'd wait until I got into the spirit of things before taking a stab at this. Okay, I'm joking: I'm the self-described Halloween grinch and so I NEVER celebrate this occasion. Still, this looks like fun so I'm doing it anyway.

At the risk of being pelted by all the parents reading this, I'll admit the only thing I do on October 31st every year is -- poof! -- disappear. I used to stay home in complete darkness and eerie silence and hope my neighbors would think I wasn't home. I'd ignore the doorbell ringing over and over and over (why anyone would think my home was open for candy-giving business has always been an absolute mystery to me), but I finally got swallowed by guilt and so now I simply hang out at a restaurant far away from home until I know trick-or-treating time is over.

The best part about this is that I end up commiserating with the other folks hiding from the little ones dressed in costumes. I call them "my people;" no one else understands us and although we live one day out of the year racked with guilt and shame, at least we don't feel obliged to make a mad dash to the store after a hard day's work just to buy bags of cavity-causing candy, only to run to our front doors every few minutes handing them out. I'm ducking now.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED 5: CHRISTMAS THREES

Jovs tagged me with this a few weeks ago. I'm supposed to tag three persons but I won't -- I'll only suggest or kindly request the following try this out: Sarah, Melissa, and Nikki. You lovely ladies certainly don't have to, but I'm merely curious. Everyone is welcome to tag themselves as well, of course.

Three names you go by:
1. Gigi
2. George
3. Ig-ig (only my sisters can call me this; oddly enough, if anyone else does, I find it freakin' annoying)

Three screen names you have had:
1. boomum
2. saintgigi
3. Gigi

Three physical things you like about yourself:
1. Eyes
2. Hair
3. Boobs

Three physical things you don't like about yourself:
1. Thighs
2. Feet
3. Neck

Three things that scare you:
1. Snakes
2. Public restrooms
3. My cat getting sick

Three of your everyday essentials:
1. Oral hygiene
2. Allergy medication
3. After turning off the light, snuggling with my husband and saying "Goodnight honey, I love you" to both hubby and the cat.

Three of your favorite musical artists (not the top three, but just off the top of my head...):
1. Angie Stone
2. Ella Fitzgerald
3. Raul Midon

Three of your favorite songs (Woe to the artist who does a bad cover version, because these songs are perfect just the way they are):
1. Anyone Who Had a Heart
2. God Only Knows
3. That's All

Three things you want in a relationship:
1. Laughter
2. Physical intimacy (I'm a touchy-feely kinda gal)
3. Forgiveness

Three truths in no particular order:
1. Wear sunscreen.
2. I enjoy being a girl.
3. It's just a war, not a just war - Jimmy Carter, on the Iraq War.

Three lies in no particular order:
1. It's not you, it's me
2. Clothing sizes
3. The Iraq War

Three physical things of the opposite sex that appeals you:
1. Shoulders/upper arms
2. Stomach
3. Hands

Three of your favorite hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Listening to music
3. Gardening

Three things you want to do really badly now:
1. Spend Christmas with my family for the first time in 20 years.
2. A full spa day for me and Stacy: facial, body scrub/wrap, massage, mani/pedi, scalp/hair treatment and conditioning (aaahhh).
3. Karaoke with the ol' gang (perfect attendance) and declare it "Bacharach Night"

Three careers you're considering/you've considered:
1. Writer/Editor
2. Trend Expert/Trend Forecaster
3. Educator

Three places you want to go on vacation:
1. Vancouver, Canada
2. Sydney, Australia
3. Phuket, Thailand (see you next year, Nok!)

Three kids' names you like:
1. Ysobel
2. Arabella
3. Georgiana (hey, someone's got to -- and mom, I prefer one"n," okay?)

Three things you want to do before you die
1. Learn how to ride a bicycle
2. Write and publish a book
3. Have a will in place

Three ways that you're stereotypically a boy:
1. Physically strong (freakishly so, when I'm in shape)
2. Watch porn
3. Can separate love and sex

Three ways that you're stereotypically a girl:
1. Loves clothes and shoes, makeup, and fragrance
2. Am empathetic and instinctive
3. I don't sweat, I glisten

Three celeb crushes (Tonight's theme: pretty boys):
1. Ryan Reynolds
2. Hugh Jackman
3. Josh Duhamel

I'VE BEEN TAGGED 4: TIME MACHINE

I love Mell (No, not in the way you do, Mrs. Mell). In fact, so high is my esteem for this man that I did not email him to gloat when my college beat his college in men's basketball last Sunday (another reason is I know less than nothing about sports and I didn't want him challenging me to a stats fight to determine which university has the better sports program -- especially since folks still think CSUN means "Cal State Nowhere.").

And now I have two more reasons to love Mell even more. One: he lives near this place, a very, very, very nice place. Second: he sent me this meme just when I was boring a hole into my head trying to think of what to write about (and I believe this is the kinder, gentler version -- I've seen others that have really stumped me. Especially me, whose memory aid when trying to remember what I was doing at a certain period of my life is to first determine which boyfriend I was seeing then. Seriously.).

TEN YEARS AGO

I returned to my university after a brief absence, to finally get my B.A. I will never forget my meeting with the journalism department chair. He asked me, "Why is it that we keep trying to get rid of you but you keep coming back?"

Then he reviewed my records and waived a few requirements (Note: I was a super-senior from the first year I entered CSUN because of all the classes I'd ever taken at all my other colleges -- including my time at fashion school -- that all I needed to do to get a class was simply walk into any one I wanted to take. The professor would have all the hopeful walk-ins announce how many units they already had under their belts; as soon as I said mine, they'd all walk out the door, knowing they'd eventually lose the final remaining slot to me.). At the end of our meeting, I only had one course left to fulfill all requirements so I could finally graduate: a stint at the college paper.

It was fortuitous timing. I was fortunate enough to work with the best editor that had ever manned the paper in years (please don't ask me what I've always thought of our college paper because it won't be pretty), and my professor was absolutely freaking brilliant even if I'd been warned she didn't hand out A's easily or often (or ever, even).

I had the best time; I got to show off my chops (Daniel, my editor, had his mouth open the entire time he overheard me interviewing a state representative and realized she and I were both joking around and laughing, almost peeing in our pants even), polish my writing skills, and learn from one of the industry's best. It never even occurred to me I was the only other student putting the paper to bed with Daniel because I loved doing it so much.

At the end of the semester, I had made a new friend, he and I got the only A's in class, and I finally got my degree. Shortly after, our department chair passed away and I always wondered, a bit guiltily, if he had only been waiting for me to move on so that he could too.

*Also ten years ago: my maternal grandmother died on my birthday; a few months later, Boo (my cat) showed up on my doorstep and I was convinced she was grandma reincarnated.

FIVE YEARS AGO

My husband proposed to me thrice and I finally accepted (I would have done so the first time if I only liked the way he asked). I left the fashion retail industry after 10+ years of enviable clothing discounts (not to mention free clothes and clothing allowances). We moved into our townhome, where we still live today (the longest period of time I'd lived anywhere, excluding the house I grew up in).

ONE YEAR AGO

I went home (Manila) to commemorate three milestones: My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, my father turned 75, and the coffee table book on his life and works was published. I was absolutely floored to see the huge turnout of guests at his book-signing event -- not only were almost all our relatives and friends there, but also his students, professional colleagues, and a great many captains of industry and top politicians as well. As I later teased my (now beaming) father: "Dad, sikat ka pala ah! (Dad, you're famous!)"

Because of what we were celebrating, I agreed to go to Mass with the rest of my family. The next evening, I emailed my friends to let them know I was surprised the church didn't burn down when I stepped inside it. The following morning, the church -- our neighborhood church, the only church I went to when I was still a practicing Catholic -- burned down, and hasn't been rebuilt since. My family blamed me, and I said I wouldn't attend Mass ever again lest I start off a spate of burning Catholic edifices.

And, of course, last year I started this blog.

YESTERDAY

I had exactly three bites of turkey all day -- amazing, considering we had Thanksgiving lunch and dinner. The culinary highlight of my day was the embutido Charmaine's mom served for dinner. I sliced open a warm pan de sal (soft on the inside with a touch of slight crispiness on the outside), spread a thin layer of mayonnaise, and then stuffed it with a hearty slice of embutido. So heavenly! Let me tell you: when it comes to embutido I'm annoyingly picky because I'm convinced no one made -- or makes -- it better than my tita (aunt) did when she was alive. Well, this was close, scarily so. I had two of these mini-sandwiches and had the perfect Thanksgiving.

My friend Catherine also paid me a nice compliment: she said she loved my skirt and that I'm always so dressed up (in a good way) when she sees me. I told her my "secret" was I wear a nice skirt, pretty flats, and a semi-fitted tee shirt when I go out and want to look like I put some effort into getting dressed, but not tried too much. The best part is when I dress like this, I'm actually more comfortable than if I had slipped into a pair of jeans and sneakers.

TODAY

My plan was to wake up early and join the millions of folks getting a headstart on their holiday shopping today. Intead, it's noon, I'm still in my pajamas, and my sister's picking up lunch for me (house special fried rice at Pick Up Stix, which I describe as "Chinese-inspired" fastfood). But don't get me wrong, I plan to take advantage of Macy's Friends & Family event and put a bunch of DKNY stuff on presale. I'm quite the focused shopper, you know.

TOMORROW?

I'm still looking for someone to watch Pride and Prejudice with me because my husband absolutely refuses to see it. I was already this close to convincing him last night -- having used every potent form of bribery, blackmail, and coercion I could think of -- only to ultimately fail when my sister foiled all my efforts by describing the movie as a "chick flick" in front of him. I'm still plotting a way of getting back at her.
To quote my favorite English bard (in "Titus Andronicus", Act V, Scene II): "O sweet Revenge! now do I come to thee."

Oh -- and of course -- my diet starts (again) tomorrow.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED 3: STRESS BUSTERS

Melissa the bee tagged me today -- she must be psychic. Stress is wreaking havoc on my stomach and sleep again, and I need to chill. Like a shrink once told me (sorry Tom Cruise!): I just don't know how to relax. Sad but true. I can't even try to meditate without falling asleep -- apparently, this is not the point of meditation.

What are the things you enjoy, even when no one around you wants to go out and play?

1. Gardening - This is my alone time for sure. Hours can pass and I won't realize it until it's already dark outside.


2. Reading - This has to be a given. I'm reading all the time -- whether I'm surfing the net, reading a magazine or a book.


3. Organizing my makeup and cleaning my brushes - I used to keep a swatchbook of all my eye, cheek, and lip colors -- listed according to brand and colorized from light to dark (freaks everyone out). I haven't updated it in a while, but my makeup is still impeccably organized. And I love washing my brushes, setting them out to dry overnight on a towel -- and then fanning their soft, soft bristles on my cheek the next morning.


4. Listening to music - Another given. If I'm at a public place and hear a great song, I'll stop in my tracks and listen even. Not many things can get me to stop moving.


5. Looking at Piolo Pascual - I'm so serious. I don't want to hear him sing, I just like to look. Everyone laughs at me (because they all say he plays for the other team) but I really don't care. A thing of beauty is a joy forever, after all.

What lowers your stress/blood pressure/anxiety level? Make a list, post it in your journal, and then tag 5 friends and ask them to post it in theirs.

1. Hugging my cat to sleep. Actually, just hugging my cat works for me.


2. Turning on the A/C, crawling under a soft, fluffy comforter, piling up the pillows so I can lean my back, and then reading a good book.


3. Karaoke night with the KKs (Karaoke Kings) and the PPs (Precious Pinays). I'm really shy about singing in public, but I've been singing in front of these peeps since college days. We even have theme nights (i.e. '70s Night, Songs We've Never Sung Night). By the end of the evening, we're too hoarse to carry a tune from all the laughing and yelling.


4. Hubby tickling my ear, stroking his fingers on the inside of my arm, or playing with my hair - Any of these get me so relaxed, I can fall asleep even on my worst insomnia nights.


5. A little (preferably a lot) of sumthin' sumthin' - I hope I don't need to explain this, but this might have to be on top of the list.

I'm following the rules here, but you don't need to do this if you don't want to OK: I'm tagging Bugsybee, Dexie, Milkphish, Rei, and of course, Sarah.