Goodbye, Friendster

• This farewell is long overdue.
• One thing I learned from my MarkMa class is that everything we put on the web is already for public consumption. Our "brand" on the WWW is determined by the visibility of our sites, our information, our work. And so, I set out on a mission...check all of my social networking sites / blogs / and other information on the web (as seen by Googling my name).
• Turns out that my brand on the web is very visible. :)) So I checked the links one-by-one to see if any of them were embarrassing, and if I can still do something about it. Haha.

For my Multiply site: I did some impulsive deleting of contacts from Multiply (sorry to those I've deleted, nothing personal. Add me nalang ulit haha), initially intending to keep all of my pictures but to keep them private.  Then, after realizing that I still needed the site to post pictures (and deleting my 300++ contacts manually was just too much work), I abandoned my plan and decided to revamp the look instead. Some of my best work are on Multiply. *sigh* But you can see them on my Flickr page instead. 

Will convert my Multiply site into a travel blog of sorts. Or something to dump all my photos in. Haha. :) (oooh, that's an idea. I should put up a blogger focused on traveling).

Another social networking site that NEEDS TO GO is Friendster. I was hesitant to delete it before (sayang kasi testimonials haha), but now that I look at it, I don't really care.

So I will now delete my Friendster. :)

But before I do, here is a copy of my profile, just to see how I was before. Reading it now, I don't think I really changed much (I *looooove* the 40 things that make me happy. It is SO me). :))

GOODBYE FRIENDSTER. It was a good run. :)

* * * *

• Interested In:
  Friends
• Member Since:
  Sep 2003
• Hometown:
  Cainta, Rizal
• Company:
  Aidea Philippines, Inc. (formerly RMJM), Datem Construction
• Your URL [Edit] :
  http://profiles.friendster.com/lesleyardelle
• Schools:
  Assumption Antipolo, Attended 1987 - 1999, Class of 1999
• College/University:
  
  Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Attended 2008 - Present, Master's Degree, Business Administration
  University Of The Philippines - Diliman, Attended 1999 - 2004, Class of 2004, Bachelor's Degree, Architecture
• Occupation:
  
  Architect, Construction Worker
• Affiliations:
  
  U.P. Architecture Forum, U.P. Arkaira, United Architects of the Philippines
• What I enjoy doing:
  
  dancing when nobody's looking, singing out loud, food-tripping, warm blankets and thick jackets, statement tees, blogging, photography, Multiply-ing (the noun not the verb. Haha!), reading books, word games, logic puzzles, daydreaming :)
• Favorite Books:
  
  The God of Small Things, Like Water for Chocolate, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Warrior of the Light, Griffin and Sabine Trilogy, The Forgetting Room, Harry Potter books, A Series of Unfortunate Events, For One More Day, 5 People You Meet In Heaven
• Favorite Movies:
  
  The Mummy, The Prestige, Transformers, Stardust, Love Actually, My Best Friend's Wedding, You've Got Mail, Meet Joe Black, The Princess Bride, A Walk To Remember, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc.
• Favorite Music:
  
  Switchfoot, Lifehouse, Vertical Horizon, Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood, The Sundays, Bloc Party, Hale, Silent Sanctuary, Imago, BSB
• Favorite TV Shows:
  
  Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, House, Monk, Ugly Betty, Heroes, Lost, American Idol
• Zodiac Sign:
  
  Pisces
• About Me: 
  
  40 Things That Make Me Happy
  
  1. Falling in love.
  2. Laughing so hard till my face hurts.
  3. A hot shower. (and a warm, fluffy towel to dry off with, after :)
  4. A special glance (from a special person).
  5. Getting mail (snail mail is still the best).
  6. Getting "wala lang" notes/texts/letters.
  7 Hearing my favorite song over the radio.
  8. Burrowing under a warm blanket, on a rainy day.
  9. Getting to sleep in on a rainy day.
  10. A good conversation.
  11. The beach.
  12. Finding unexpected money in my pocket.
  13. Midnight phone calls that last for hours. :)
  14. Laughing out loud at a joke I hear on the radio (the Morning Rush is hilarious).
  15. Perfect parallel and reverse parking!
  16. Laughing at an inside joke with friends.
  17. Ruffles Sour Cream and Cheddar.
  18. Friends reruns. :)
  19. Cafe Latte Zagu with 2 orders of extra pearls.
  20. Taking a good picture.
  21. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about me.
  22. Chocolate-covered gummi bears!!! Yay!
  23. Spending time with good friends. :)
  24. Puppies.
  25. Having someone play with my hair.
  26. Sweet dreams.
  27. Hot chocolate on a cold day.
  28. Good food!
  29. Swinging on swings.
  30. Road trips with friends.
  31. Solving a crossword/logic puzzle.
  32. Watching a mystery unfold (I love watching CSI).
  33. Enjoying a mug of English Breakfast Tea Latte in a squashy armchair at CBTL.
  34. Reading a good book in bed, with snacks. Hehe.
  35. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from me.
  36. Holding hands while watching a movie.
  37. Knowing that somebody misses me.
  38. Kilig. :)
  39. The perfect song for the perfect moment.
  40. PERFECT HUGS.
• Who I Want to Meet: 
  
  The ultimate goal is to meet Prince William. :)
  But if that's not remotely possible, I can settle for Prince Harry. I'm not picky. :)

You Give Me Something

As I said 2 blog entries earlier, another favorite song of mine is "You Give Me Something" by James Morrison. And I *did* say that this song warrants a separate blog entry...so here it is. :)

I've written a lot about lyrics and quotes in this blog of mine, and I keep reiterating that we (us regular folk) are drawn to others' words because - like what I said in my previous blog entry, "Eat. Pray. Love...Read a Book." - "They're the things you know are true, but you can't quite find the right words to express them." (See related blog entry "Quotes")

A lot has been going on lately, and I don't have the time (or the resolve?) to say what I feel out loud and so I usually live vicariously through songs.

This particular song called out to me, not in the usual way (not through the radio / iPod), but through a Facebook status of a friend. One line jumped out at me (guess which line?), so I searched for the full lyrics and the mp3 (I had it in my iPod all along), and I was blown away.

This song (and its message) is along the lines of "Half of My Heart" (in terms of significance and impact. Haha), and it is now #6 in my Top 25 Most Played (it's got a lot of catching up to do with my top 2, "Edge of Desire" by John Mayer and "Secrets" by One Republic. Haha).

The video for the song (as shown below) is a bit cryptic; what is the significance of the can-can girls and the jumprope girls? Are they there to impress the girl, or to impress James Morrison?

Hmmm. Maybe it is meant to highlight the aloofness of the girl; her being "nonchalant" and dedma; her inability to be impressed. :) James Morrison does not know what trick / style to execute in order to impress her; he can't read her; he doesn't know where he stands with her, thus the plea "please give me something..."

Ooh, I think I figured it out. :)

I love this song. :) James Morrison, are you sure you don't reside in my mind / heart? You seem to know all of my lines. :))

You Give Me Something

by James Morrison

You only stay with me in the morning
You only hold me when I sleep
I was meant to tread the water
But now I've gotten in too deep

For every piece of me that wants you
Another piece backs away

'Cause You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might know my heart

You only waited up for hours
Just to spend a little time alone with me
And I can say I've never bought you flowers
I can't work out what they mean

I never thought that I'd love someone
That was someone else's dream

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might call you from my heart

But it might be a second too late
And the words that I could never say
Are gonna come out anyway

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might know my heart

Know my heart, know my heart, know my heart

Taking Chances

Again, my iPod is calling out to me. :))

(I didn't even know this song is in my iPod. What episode was this performed on? Or is this a bonus song in the CD?)

And in a random act of fate, this song played right after Future Love by Kristina DeBarge. Hmmm.

Universe, what do you have in store for me?

* * * *

Taking chances, taking a leap off the edge...they're all about taking risks. What's in store for us outside our comfort zone? What is waiting for us on the other side? There's only one way to find out.

The Italians (according to Elizabeth Gilbert) say it best with the term "attraversiamo:" Let's cross over. :)

What do you say? :)

* * * *

Taking Chances
Glee Cast

Don't know much about your life.
Don't know much about your world, but
Don't want to be alone tonight,
On this planet they call earth.

You don't know about my past, and
I don't have a future figured out.
And maybe this is going too fast.
And maybe it's not meant to last,

But what do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

I just want to start again,
And maybe you could show me how to try,
And maybe you could take me in,
Somewhere underneath your skin?

What do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?

Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

And I had my heart beaten down,
But I always come back for more, yeah.
There's nothing like love to pull you up,
When you're laying down on the floor there.
So talk to me, talk to me,
Like lovers do.
Yeah walk with me, walk with me,
Like lovers do,
Like lovers do.

What do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

Don't know much about your life
Don't know much about your world

Love Is Hard

My iPod surprises me sometimes.

I never paid much attention to this song before, but my brain had a few moments of free time (haha), and a couple of words from the song sailed right through that window, and I was instantly hooked.

Another James Morrison song I like - no, love - is "You Give Me Something." That's a winner. :) But that's another blog entry altogether. :)

Ah James Morrison, how your words ring true. :)

* * * *

Love is Hard

by James Morrison

I see lovers in the streets walking,

without a care.

They wear it out loud

like there's something in the air

Oooooh, and i don't care

They're treading lightly

No they don't sink in

There's no tracks to follow

they don't care where they going

And if they're lucky and they'll,

they'll get to see

and if they're really really lucky

they'll get to feel..

And it kicks so hard,

it breaks your bones.

Cuts so deep

it hits your soul.

Tears your skin and

makes your blood flow.

It's better that you know,

That love is hard.

Love takes hostages,

gives them pain.

gives someone the power to

hurt you again and again

oooh, but they don't care

And if they're lucky and they'll,

they'll get to see

and if they're really really lucky they'll

they'll get to feel.

And if they're, they're truly blessed

then they'll get to believe

and if you're dammed, you'll never

let yourself be deceived.

And it kicks so hard,

it breaks your bones.

Cuts so deep

it hits your soul.

Tears your skin and

makes your blood flow.

It's better that you know,

That love is hard.

Hmmmmmmm...

Kicks so hard,

it breaks your bones.

Cuts so deep

it hits your soul.

Tears your skin and

makes your blood flow.

It's better that we know..

And it kicks so hard,

it breaks your bones.

Cuts so deep

it hits your soul.

Tears your skin and

And makes your blood flow.

It's better that you know,

That love is hard..

love is hard, love is hard.

If it was easy,

it wouldn't mean nothing, no.

The Loves of My Life

When I went to South Korea for the whole of April, I lost a couple of loved ones in the process, but I gained 3 lifelong friends. I joined the Group Study Exchange program of Rotary International, expecting a free vocational/educational trip abroad; I *did* get that, but it was an educational trip that taught me life lessons that I did not expect.

My teachers came in the form of 3 ladies, Ina, Sally, and Marianne. My sisters. The loves of my life. :)

Ina: "Miranda." Our resident "mother," the big sister I never had, our voice of reason. Darna! :)

Sally: "Samantha." The defender of the down-trodden (me, usually), the overworked and under-*****, our techie saviour. Fearless.

Marianne: "Charlotte." Demure, the "poser," the most patient one out of all of us (I don't think I've ever seen her angry / pikon). Nasa loob ang kulo (and it can be brought out by Soju).

We all came back from Korea with a changed perspective on life and love. And the best thing about it is...it's still an on-going lesson. I discover more things about myself and others from the increased awareness I acquired because of the trip, and because of these girls.

My Korea trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it changed me forever. I guess it helped that I was sent there with the right kind of team mates, and the right kind of leader (Tito Bob, our gracious and patient team leader who made our Rotary experience hassle-free).

We are all so different now (emotionally, intellectually and physically). If it weren't for these 3 girls, I don't know what kind of person I would be now. I'd still have the same "standard Lesley" traits, I guess, but it will not be reinforced with conviction, passion, and awareness. These girls accompanied me on my trip of self-discovery (still on-going. Does it ever end?), and they are not afraid to point out the harsh truths and the glaring mistakes. They do not hesitate to give due praise, to boost my ego, and to give comfort and reassurance.

They're my biggest fans, the ones I can always depend on (for anything), the ones I cannot imagine being without.

God gave them to me at a very opportune time, and I will be forever grateful for their role and presence in my life. I am not letting go of them, ever. *evil laugh* :)

Looking forward to our "Journey back to Korea" in 2012, girls! :) I love you!

P.S.Why haven't I blogged about our Korea trip yet??? Chapter 1, coming soon. :)