Holiday Tears

I wrote this on December last year.

Since I won’t be home for the Holidays (*sob* *sob*), I will make a list of what I miss from my beloved Bacolod. And since we’re in the subject of longing I’ll also include Iloilo City - since I pretty much lived there in the past 4 years.

-I hate my pathetic life- :’c

BACOLOD CITY: The City of Smiles

- Mama’s linaga (the linaga from my favorite carindiria will also do) 

Linaga or beef stew is my favorite viand of all time! My mouth waters every time I think of its delicious aroma. I especially love its broth. Pair it with hot rice and your hunger’s solved. ;) Trust me. I know.

- Calea cakes!

Those cakes are heavenly. And I’m serious. Hahaha. If by any chance you guys can visit Bacolod, go directly to Calea. Bob’s has good baked products too but it can’t beat Calea’s cakes. *Biased* :3

- The legendary Bacolod Chicken Inasal

If you haven’t heard of Bacolod’s chicken inasal then you’re missing out on one of life’s greatest gifts to the human stomach. It’s the last nice meal I had with my family before returning to Cebu last week. :’c

- My awesome family

My father’s dead so I only have Mama, my kuya Jepoy and my ate Jen Jen. I’m basically writing this entry because I can’t go home to them this Christmas and New Year. This freakin’ sucks.

- My crush who works in a frame shop :3 

As I said in one of my previous entries, I practically grew up in downtown Bacolod. Anyway, I have this little crush that’s been going on for like 3 years now. He’s my typical type - lago (someone who looks like he hasn’t taken a bath / just got up from bed), lean, etc. He’s tall though. I don’t really like tall guys because I’m short.“If ever” we will be together, I will be like, his walking stick! Gawd, no —- I don’t want that to happen. He also has dreadlocks - which I (also) don’t really like. :/ I actually don’t know why I like him —- maybe because he’s mostly “lago”. I’m attracted to “lago” more than any other traits. Hahaha. *gaga* :3

ILOILO CITY: The City of Love

I don’t really understand why they call it City of Love~ Maybe just for the heck of it. Oh well, I practically lived there for four years. I haven’t returned since I graduated —- and I really really miss my university! T.T

- Long Lazy Afternoon Walks

I love long walks on lazy afternoons - especially with my friends. :) 

- Fishball, Tempura, Pancake, Cotton Candy (and many other street food pleasures)

Miagao Plaza - this was where we usually end up after our long lazy afternoon walks. :D We would devour all kinds of street food! My favorites were tempura and cotton candy. I could only eat cotton candy during fiestas though. :(

- Roberto’s Siopao

My friend, Meggy, once said that you’ve never been to Iloilo if you haven’t eaten Roberto’s siopao — and she was right! The place is just small—because they’re Chinese and they believe that businesses should stay in one place in order to be prosperous. Someone else told me that, I forgot who. Anyway, the place may be small but their siopao surely is the best. ;)

- My “Lago” Crushes at the University 

They were my daily dose of vitamins. Hehehe. :3

- My University

It’s simply the best. I got a 4.0 (failure) and a lot of 3.0s (passing). More than one teachers terrorized/traumatized me. It didn’t make me cum laude. But it molded me to be strong, principled, and critical-minded. It fueled the fire of nationalism inside me. It helped me become mature, rational, and unbiased. It made me a better person. :)  

Okay. Since I’m already writing a list, why not include Cebu, right?

Things that I will miss if ever I leave Cebu City:

- Sanciangco St.

This place adopted me when I was still a wide-eyed immigrant from Bacolod. Hahaha! It didn’t bother me one bit that it is one of the red districts in Cebu—in fact, I think it’s an adventure. ;) Anyway, our place is safe since it’s a compound and there’s the ever dependable Manong Guard. Hehehe. :3

- Milkshake Factory

The only branch that I know is the one in SM. I looove their chocolate milkshake! I don’t know if there’s a Milkshake Factory outside Cebu so~

- PR Works Staff

They are the first family I have here in Cebu. And we jive well together. I actually miss them now. We barely see each other because of conflicting schedules. :’c

- Manang’s Kwek Kwek

I used to eat Kwek Kwek as my afternoon snack. :D Back when I was in PR Works, that is. :’c I’m always hungry nowadays. :c There’s nothing cheap (but satisfying) to eat in my new workplace. *I think I’m gonna cry*

That’s all I can think of for now. I’m very frustrated because I can’t go home for Christmas—and as it turned out, even my landlady won’t be in our boarding house for the Holidays. So I’m completely alone. :’c

Actually it’s fine. It’s all good. I’m comfortable being alone~

But it’s just so sad. I don’t want the silence to eat my sanity away.