Remembering Cory Monteith aka Finn Hudson

Last July 15, I was lightly browsing my Flipboard magazine when suddenly an article in BBC News UK informed me that Cory Monteith is found dead in his hotel room in Vancouver.

Dead.
Finn. Hudson. is. dead.

At first I cannot believe it, having watched few of the last episodes of Glee Season 4 the night before. I remember, in the story, Finn is away to study teaching in order to cool down the tension between him and Mr. Schue. His story with Rachel is unfinished, too. So there is really a lot to look forward to in the fifth season of the show.

But now Finn is dead. His voice will no longer be able to speak lines of script nor sing another wonderful song again.

I will miss him. I'm thankful that he left us a good compilation of his renditions to remember him by.

Rest in peace, Cory.

Rest in peace, Finn. Your gleek fans will always remember you as a true friend to Santana, Puck, Quinn, Brittany, and the rest of the group; a true brother to Kurt; and a true love to Rachel.

Remembering Finn Hudson in my workstation the day he died.

A Weekend Full of Binge Eating

Last June 29 to July 1, my family and I hosted a 3-day back-to-back-to-back Fiesta, House blessing, and my birthday celebration in our house. The whole family and some of my relatives were there to help in cooking all the dishes and entertaining the guests. So much food! I bet I gained around three pounds... Hahahaha.

DAY 1: Sts. Peter and Paul Fiesta and House Blessing

For this wonderful celebration, I am thankful to:

• My uncle Tiyo Juaning for cooking the viands served during the Fiesta proper (June 29). His Menudo and Chicken Kaldereta are so delicious that they bring back my childhood memories;
• My aunt and Tiyo Juaning's wife Tiya Apron for cooking the Grilled Boneless Bangus;
• My another aunt Darling for cooking the Chopseuy;
• My another aunt and godmother Ninang Honey for helping in the preparation of the ingredients. Happy birthday to you, too!
• My father Bolet and mother Lynda for making this celebration possible;
• My sister Sheryl and her husband Jette for cooking the Lumpiang Shanghai and Dynamite and helping me do the Corn Gelatin;
• My roommate and friend Hearty for helping me finish the Corn Gelatin; and
• My neighbors for sharing their food--Ate Edith for the Biko and Hot Tablea, Aling Clara for the Biko, Mommy Imelda for the Chopseuy with quail eggs, and Ate Agnes for the Lumpiang Sariwa.

We are also thankful to our parish priest Rev. Joseph Landero for doing the house blessing and celebrating with us. Thanks also to his companions from East Timor and Indonesia. :)

Right: Fr. Jolan, Left: Rev. from Indonesia

Rev. from East Timor

Here are some pictures!

that's me very happy. :D

DAY 2: My supposed-to-be birthday celebration but we were too tired to move

We were supposed to celebrate my birthday by cooking another set of dishes to be shared to our neighbors. But we were so tired to do anything so we just rested and ate all the foods left from yesterday's event.

We still have guests--Kuya Tone, Tiya Tata and Jen, and Lola Juanita--who came and celebrated the blessings with us. :)

DAY 3: My 25th Birthday Celebration

Well it's Monday, and I'm expected to come to work but my body is aching so badly when I woke up. So I texted our company clinic that I can't report to work. (And it's my birthday!)

So after sleeping for another three or so hours, I finally woke up and had a long chat with my sister. I think we missed each other so much and haven't really talked in a while. We just finished our conversation when our mother called us up asking for help in cooking that day's dishes.

Thank you to my family for sharing with me my 25 years of fruitful life! :)

Thank you to Tayni Mark for the shoes and Hearty for the power bank. Love the gifts! :)

And yey, I'm 25! :)

Time to think maturely. Time to open a savings account and save up money for later. Time to invest in my future because, I now admit, I'm not getting any younger.

And it's also the time to do the things listed in The 20 Things You Need to Accomplish in your 20s because I'm already halfway through the decade.