McKenzie Batumbakal. Average girl; raging hormones.

12.22.2007

Christmas quizzes in time for Christmas! :)

Christmas season, my friends. :) Happy Holidays! (and yes, I'm back from Baguio)

Your Christmas Sprit Level: 75%

Your Christmas spirit is almost as big as Christmas itself. Christmas is definitely your thing.
You celebrate Christmas with enthusiasm. You love every minute of the holidays.

Your Christmas spirit is inspiring to everyone who runs into you during the holidays.
You make everyone's day just a little bit brighter. And that's what the holidays are all about!

Your Christmas Song Is

He's making a list
And checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

For you, Christmas is all about checking your stocking...
And opening your presents like a wild animal!

Your Christmas Stocking Will Be Filled With a Stuffed Animal

Either Santa got your Christmas wish many years late...
Or he secretly thinks you're a bit immature!

12.20.2007

Coffee.

It's been a while since I've posted one of my lists. :) I think it's due time that I do. :P

As most of my friends know, I'm a total COFFEE LOVER. And the Christmas season is also my coffee season. Can you guess why? The Starbucks special flavors, of course. :P I enjoy walking into the beautiful Starbucks threshold (either alone, with friends, or with my family), walking up to the counter, and finally telling the barista, "One tall, decaf, peppermint mocha latte please, warm." with a big smile and confidence in my voice. Oh yes, PEPPERMINT.

What is it about coffee that I absolutely love? Here's my list:


What I Totally LOVE About Coffee


1. The scent.
It's undeniable. Taking a whiff of your still-hot cup of coffee is surrenderance to its strong temptation to, "Don't wait 'till I'm warm, Nicah. You know you want me NOW, when I'm still scorching hot." It's pure seduction! And all you can do is indulge, indulge, indulge.

2. The look.
Okay, so it's brown. But then what happens when you add your creamer, sugar, cinnamon powder and what-haves? You get a nice soft hazel brown, just like the fur of my little chihuahua (hence the name, Frappie :P). Plus, have you seen pictures of newly-stirred and steaming coffee? With the cream still marble-ing into the dark brown solution? It's beautiful. :)

3. The warmth.
You know how the mug or cup feels like when there's warm coffee inside? It's so comforting. :) It's like your hands being wrapped in nice, soft, thick blankets. And the warmth resonates to the other parts of your body. :) And the climax of the warmth is when the coffee is finally sliding down your throat: it's pure magic. :)

4. The taste! (finally.)
Oh my goodness. If you've never tasted coffee, then you're missing out on a lot... Oh gee, I don't even know how to express it. Just get yourself a cup of good coffee. Now. Run to Starbucks, Gloria Jean's, or whatever. Just get your coffee. You probably desperately need it. :


AH yes, coffee. Who doesn't love it? Some tall person, probably. :)) I'm really short. :)) Because of all the caffeine. But at least I'm cute and petite, right? :D Mom says some guys like petite. Makes them feel that they can protect me more. :))

Anyway, enjoy your coffee, sweeties. :) Enjoy your Christmas season. :)

Chimo!

Nicah.

P.S. I'll be out of town for a while, I'll write as soon as I get back. :)

12.18.2007

I'm back! And in a partying mood, too. :>

Oh wow, I haven't blogged in a loooong time. :| But now I'm here again, and hopefully I'm here to stay. :D Oh bloggie, I've missed you so! *insert romantic reuniting scene here*

Anyway, today, at school, we had our Christmas party. Oh yes, CHRISTMAS PARTY! We had loads of food and fun games (e.g. plastic bag dance, the longest line, fastest nail polish application?). DigiCams were flashing everywhere, taking stolen (not to mention embarrassing!) pictures, and catching on film memory card the bonding and funny moments we were having with each other. :)

I got loaads of gifts! Including this ADORABLE cow that my best friend, Camille, got me. :D (I don't think I've mentioned that I absolutely LOVE COWS.) I named it Poogie. As in the Filipino word for "handsome", pogi, except with a long O. :> I'll shall post his life story soon. :P

So what do these 2 weeks of vacation have in store for me? Well, let's see:


What's Up Christmas Break o7-o8

1. Last-minute Christmas shopping!
oh yes, I wasn't able to finish everything with all the studying I had to do, honey. :|

2. Planning for somebody's *insert inaudible whispering here*.
heeheehee. :D

3. Going to Ba-gui-ohh City. :>
tonna go horseback riding in the cold of the December Philippine highlands. :> :| :))

4. Celebrating Christmas!!! :)
there will be loads of food, music, beautiful lights, and presents! We're going to spend Christmas as a family, and celebrate the birthday of our Lord and Savior. :)

5. My group is going to be doing our I.P. (investigatory project) video at my place. :>
actually, afterwards, we're going swimming at the country club. :))

6. Starting band rehearsals to prepare for the grade school fair. :>
enough said, my dear. :D

7.  Going out of town for the second time. :)
I forget where... :)) I think... Bacolod ata?

8. NEW YEAR'S PARTY!!!!
we're all going to be talking loud, stuffing our mouths, watching fireworks, staying up reaaally late!, and jumping REALLY high to become REALLY tall. :D (especially I) Time to write those resolutions!

9. Barkada gimmick, anyone?
oh yes, time to have some fuuuun. 

10. Being thankful for the break. :)
I've been working so hard lately... I need this break! Thank God. But I will miss my friends. :( :D


That's all for now, friends. 

God bless you all! Take care.

Have a Merry Christmas! :)

'Till next time,
Nicah.

P.S. Please leave a note in my cbox, over there, on the side. :D Thanks!

9.30.2007

Reaching Out

Okay, so I haven't blogged in a long while. But I'm back! :) And with an experience I'd like to share. :D

Yesterday was a really cool day.

Our school has an program called the Kapitbahay Outreach Program. "Kapitbahay", in Tagalog, means "neighbor", and the idea is that we reach out to our less-fortunate neighbors from different squatter areas and public schools. And yesterday, we had our Grade 7 Kapitbahay.

It was raining early in the morning yesterday, so the original plan, to ride a jeepney to Krus Na Ligas Public School, was cancelled. Instead, the students will be coming to us. With our ensaymadas and tetra pack juices ready, and with our donation of books and school supplies at hand, we were ready for them.

They each came in one by one, going to their respective ates, whom were expected to take care of their kids for the rest of the wet morning. My partner and I received a boy named Rinnel. He looked much like the quiet type. Gabin (meh partner) and I asked him about his family and his life at school.
He has 6 other siblings, each studying at the same school. His dad works as a carpenter, and his mom stays at home to care for him and his siblings. His favorite subject is Math, and he enjoys drawing more than reading. Someday, he wants to become a teacher.

Talking to him was interesting. I realized that he lived a pretty much normal life, with family and school, and with the same dreams as anyone else. And he definitely wasn't the shy type.

My partner and I began to read to him, when he said that he wanted to read on his own. So he read the Filipino book out loud to us, and Gabin and I were surprised when he was reading even more fluently then she and I were! :) I couldn't help but smile.
During to Response to Literature portion of the program, Rinnel drew his favorite character, a talking car, with cartoonist-like precision. He wanted his drawing to look exactly like the one in the book. We were again surprised with his perfectionist style and how headstrong he was on completing the drawing. :)

It was time to eat. We offered him a really yummy-looking ensaymada and some juice. He said he wasn't hungry. Although we begged him to eat, he really didn't want to. It was kind of weird to us. Then we realized we should ask him why, and he responded, in Tagalog, "I want to bring it home to my family." My partner and I smiled, and said that he could have more to take home after he ate. He smiled and took a bite. :)

Saying goodbye was bittersweet. All of my classmates enjoyed spending time with their Kapitbahay kid, and all of us were surprised to see their works of art and to hear how well they understood the story read to them. The kids were clearly happy to bring home new pencils, crayons and books. Not to mention food. But their hugs goodbye made us want to spend more time with them. :( And when they left, all we had left to remember them by were our memories.

Meeting the students, especially Rinnel, has changed my attitude towards my studies, and towards the less-fortunate. Those kids were just like any kids in the fourth grade, except that maybe they really work hard to get high grades, they listen in class, and they study because they're thankful for the oppurtunity, and they want to make their families happy. Makes me want to do better at school, myself. :)

If someday you read this Rinnel, thanks. :) God bless, take care! :)

Nicah.

9.09.2007

QUIZZES: am I hot? and what do guys like about you? :> (for my galpals)

You Are More Mild Than Wild

You're confident, and you really aren't concerned with how "hot" you are.
Other people's ideas of what's sexy don't concern you. And this is exactly what makes you attractive.


I love it. :D

Guys Like That You're Sensitive

And not in that "cry at a drop of a hat" sort of way
You just get most guys - even if you're not trying to
Guys find it is easy to confide in you and tell you their secrets
No wonder you tend to get close quickly in relationships!


Is this true? XP

9.04.2007

The Greatest Bookstore In The Philippines.

I was there. I saw the spendor. And what can I say? "Woah."

My mom took me there 2 days ago, since she had a meeting at the Starbucks INSIDE the bookstore. Fully-Booked, it's called. Fully-Booked is one of the more high-class bookstores in the Philippines, it's way up there with Sketchbooks and A Different Kind of Bookstore.

It has 4 floors up, and a basement. Yes, a basement. And the books and materials and resources? Oh my. I can't even say how NICE they were. Here are some pictures I took. (which reminded me of some of my friends. :P)


CD rack. Yes, they sell music. o.O JazzPER. :))



Ok, this is just funny. :)) I got it from the inside of a "weird toys" book. :)) Reminded me of Regina. :P



NANCY DREW!!! Love the colors. :D Reminded me of Josh and Mishka! :D



It's just a nice quote. :D


Anyway, yeah... I bought a cute hardbound notebook so I could start a diary again. :)

Pero grabe, I felt like I was in ME heaven. Books, coffee and music. It was awesome!!! Even when my mom was done with her meeting, I still needed more time to explore the store. It was sooo COOL.

You guys should check it out soon. :D It's at Bonifacio High Street. it's huge. Can't miss it. :P

God bless you guys, take care ya'll!

Nicah.

9.02.2007

I am what I eat!

You Are Japanese Food

Strange yet delicious.
Contrary to popular belief, you're not always eaten raw.


Yeah, strange but delicious. ;)

8.27.2007

Life Verses. :D

Just recently, I remembered a challenge our discipleship group leader gave us. She said to find a life verse. She said that a life verse is a Bible verse that best applies to your life, or a Bible verse that strikes you in a different way than other verses. So anyway, I decided to take the challenge. :) I found 2 verses that affected me most.

1. Psalm 73:25
My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
I really like this verse because it is such a great encouragement and assurance of God's love. It says that people are weak, and we can't do everything on our own. In fact, we can't do anything on our own. So when our own strength fails, and when we think we can't take it anymore, God is the strength of our hearts. He loves us so much, and He'll help us keep on going. :) He's the reason why we can go on even after a fight with our parents or a struggle we have, or whatever.. :)

Here's a song that came from this verse:

Whom have I in heaven but You
There is nothing on earth I desire beside You
My heart and my strength many times they fail
But there is one truth that always will prevail

God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever, forever


2. 1 Timothy 4:12
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
I like this one, too, because it tells us that even the young, and maybe those who aren't as smart or tall or even as pretty as others can be an example to other other people. And for me, it says that I can make a difference for God in the lives of other people. :) And that pushes me even more to be a better person. :)

Being able to find my life verse/s is a great achievement for me. :) Praise God. If you guys have a life verse too, feel free to share it with me! :) Comment please. :D

God bless you guys, take care! :)

When the cup cakes,
Nicah

P.S. I miss you JI people!

8.22.2007

Feelin' Fabulous. ;)

Fabu. Faboolous. Whatever you want to call it... That's how I'm feeling. :D

I dunno, I guess everything's been going so well. I got my scores for the examinations, and they were pretty good. Praise God. :) and school work is still light. Friends, family life has been good. And I feel really good about myself. :) I'm at the peak of my happiness joy (joy- long lasting happiness) level for this past week. :) and that's really really good.

I do miss my lists though. :D So here is a list of the things that I need to make my life perfect right now:

Things I Need To Make My Life Perfect (Right Now)


1. A good book to read.
I haven't read a book in a long time. I kind of need it when I'm bored... and when there's nothing better to do. XD

2. People who want chihuahua puppies!
Let me explain. :)) My dog (a beautiful, chocolate-fawn colored, brown-eyed, long-coat chihuahua) is going to be in heat next month. I'm planning to make her have one litter of puppies. :D We already have a stud. :D And I'm really really excited for her pups! Problem is, my family doesn't plan on keeping any of them, so we're going to sell them... And I'm already looking for loving homes. :D

So while I have the chance to advertise... Litter of chihuahua puppies for sale! Beautiful mother, father is full stud. :D Expected delivery: some time in November, ready to take home in february 2008. :D P15,000 for male, P17,000 for female. (tentative price)

3. My relatives and friends in the states to come over here. :(
I miss so many people from the US. :( My ninangs, godsister, friends, family. :( I really wish I could go to them, or they could go to me.

4. Sleepover!
I'm inviting some friends to sleepover at my place this saturday so some people could go to a Youth event with me. :D I really want them to come. :)

5. The ability to play the piano and be perfect pitch. :D
Haha, in my DREAMS. :P

6. The ability to play any sport!!!!
must I say more? :))

7. A shopping spree. :D
To buy all the things I want. Then load my closet and CD collection. :))

8. A purtee dress. :D
Every girl needs a pretty dress. :D hahaha.

God bless you guys! Hope you're feeling FABULOUS!

Nicaaah.

8.18.2007

Poetry

I just took this test, got this result, and decided to post something new. :D

You Should Be a Poet

You have a way with words... and a talent for drawing the pure emotions out of experiences.
Your poetry has the potential to make people laugh and cry at the same time. You just need to write it!


Forever
by: Nicah Santos


In your eyes I am special
A gift, a person, your child
Your Son, you sent to die for me
Out of love, a sacrifice so great

There is none that compares to you
Your love lasts forever and I can say
“You are my God, my all in all
I could sing of your love forever.”

So I wail and I’m crying
For those times that I’ve sinned
A lie, a cheat, a scam
‘Cause that most fateful day repeats itself
With the nails, the cross, the Romans
So I wail and I’m crying

But Your plan, so perfect
Makes all of this okay
For Your will came true
And now we’re saved:
Gates of heaven opened

So I say again
“I could sing of your love forever”
And I will
‘Till the end of my days
Because
In your eyes I am special
A gift, a person, your child


This was a poem I wrote in 6th grade. It's freeverse, meaning nothing really rhymes, and there's no meter. XD But I think it came out alright. I mean, I really like writing, but I just need practice with my poetry. :)

Thanks guys, God bless! Keep safe from the rain. :)

Nicah.

(c) 2007 Copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be copied, edited or sold without permission from the author.

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