I've marked the eve of September 26 as the gloomiest night of all my saddest nights. Surely, it can be quite a task to lull oneself to sleep after a break-up, after a heated argument with parents, after shouting back at a best friend for not showing up on "dates", or after knowing that you're nearly failing a subject in school; but it was an unexplainable burden to even think of sleeping when you know that the house you've grown up in has already been eaten up by the mud and dirty waters.

Still waters, subsiding. Viewing our beloved home from our kindhearted neighbor's 2nd storey.

I felt the coolness of the floor beneath the bed I was slumped into as I tried to sleep on a neighbor's property.

When nothing is left, every little thing you receive is a gain. Help poured into our shattered house as we tried to rebuild it. Our family bonded like never before as we sorted into piles of muddy mementos that remained untouched inside cabinets and closets prior to the fateful storm. We've established relations with other people, and even with those whom we never imagined would reach out to us. These overwhelming events have multiplied our faith in God all the more.

Mom almost said goodbye to us when she was overpowered by the angry current while transferring to a neighbor's. We've never seen the man who've helped her, nor were we able to say thank you for his heroic act.

There were a lot of events that sent shivers up my spine during the tragedy. I and my family have realized that we've held on too much to material things that we've forgotten our relations with others and even to each other. God is ever present among us. And we have been so blessed to have witnessed so many of His miracles during these trying times.

A clip from a Japanese show that will surely put Hole in the Wall's ratings in serious danger. To win in this game show, these men must try their very best NOT TO LAUGH, or even smirk, at the challenges they're faced with. Click on the vid to see who wins!

I hope that made you laugh. If this post didn't work, you might want to try reliving one of my Laughtrip posts...

... Noynoy Aquino's declaration that he will run for President in the 2010 Pinas Elections.

It is most likely that he will win, and because of that, I am with fear. His untimely decision to run for the highest office in our country consequently gave birth to a multitude of 'buwayas' wanting to 'support' and 'advice' him. And mind you, when a political hand extends to help another, it's never for free.

Utang na loob ang pumapatay sa bansang ito.

I am deeply praying... that if ever he wins, that He won't forget to ask God for prudence and strength to say 'no', and that he will truly hear out his fellowmen's cries and act upon it.

Hmmm... it suddenly hit me... if noynoy loses, will we, pinoys, mob edsa grounds again?

Although I'm not supposed to shell out a centavo on anything but a book, I got these babies from Galleria last Sunday.

The Bodyshop Galleria's SA did a good job on picking out a good concealer for a newbie like me. Instead of the product chit chats and sales pitch I normally get from beauty counters, she prepped my face for product testing. I could tell she was having a hard time covering up my scars using a concealer brush when she sighed, "The brush just won't work on these types of scars".

Ouch. I know. But I have to credit her for that. I'd pay for a remark like that over "Magandang-maganda siya sa'yo, bagay na bagay (It looks pretty on you)", when I can obviously see it's not.

We settled for the crayon concealer and professional sponge tandem. It did an impressive job in making my cheeks look flawless.

I'd love to show you another cutesy I got. It has the loveliest hand-made design a tank could have:

The tank is really lovely. Got it from People are People. It's an edgy tank top because of it's sexy back and fabric. I'm glad that my derma was able to successfully 'polish' my acne-fied back in time for this purchase.

I wanted to get 2 more lovely jersey tanks off the rack because of the pretty gingham patch sewn onto its neckline. I swear it's pretty. I would've had bought it, but then I'd have to forget about the book I'm originally supposed to spend my cash on.

Malls are evil. Really.