[F2F Book Discussions] February 2014: What We Talk About When We Talk About Love: Stories by Raymond Carver [Genre: Short Stories] | Moderator: Monique

[Monique]

SIS: I have the same bridal shower cake, hahaha! Kink Cakes ba yan? Hulaan ko kung ano ginawa mo. Wahaha. :P

KRIZIA ANNA: What will your baby's first birthday cake theme be? :)

GWAXA: SABI KO NA. Puma-paraan ka lang. Haha. :))

MAE: Look at those cakes. WOW WOW. Ang galing nung pagkagawa kay Cheshire Cat. I wonder if local shops can do these 3D cakes. Parang ayaw kong kainin. :))

[Bennard]

WEEK 2 QUESTIONS

I Could See The Smallest Things
(view spoiler)[
Situations like this happens to me occasionally. There are times when I just had to get up to check if I placed my stuff correctly by my table so that I won't be able to forget it. Or getting up just to arrange my books because I can't stand it in disarray.
(hide spoiler)]

Sacks
(view spoiler)[
I think I wouldn't take a job since I'm not really a people person. Although offering me an employee's discount on books would make me think twice.
(hide spoiler)]

The Bath
(view spoiler)[
I didn't really like cakes with elaborate designs during my childhood. I just wanted a chocolate cake with layers of chocolate icing.
(hide spoiler)]

Tell The Women We're Going
(view spoiler)[
My most memorable summer was the summer before my senior year in high school. The music that I listened to were good, the heat wasn't too much, we visited the perfect beaches, and there were a lot of PBB Teens moments in between.
(hide spoiler)]

[Veronica]

WEEK 2 QUESTIONS

I Could See The Smallest Things
(view spoiler)[
Apart from sometimes checking whether the front door is closed or appliances are turned off, the only other thing that will get me out of bed is when I’m packing for a trip. I’m the type of person that likes to wake up on the day of the trip, dress up and leave. I hate leaving things for the last minute. So the night before, I do all my packing but when I get into bed, I’m still running different scenarios in my head so it’s not unusual for me to get up at two in the morning to unpack and repack. (hide spoiler)]

Sacks
(view spoiler)[
I don’t think I’d mind selling books but I’d much rather own a bookstore. Haha. You know, a hole-in-the-wall indie bookstore where people go for out of print or hard to find books. It’s been one of my pipe dreams for a long time but somehow I’m thinking it’s not so impossible anymore. Maybe the universe is finally listening to me. :) (hide spoiler)]

The Bath
(view spoiler)[
My mom was not a fan of store-bought birthday cakes and neither was I. I used to think my classmates’ birthday cakes were so pretty only to find the icing too sweet and the cake dry. My mom preferred to buy from home bakers whose fame came by word of mouth. Their cakes may not have looked as great but were really better tasting and I looked forward to them on my birthdays. (hide spoiler)]

Tell The Women We're Going
(view spoiler)[
It was a year after college and I was in between jobs. I had a friend who was a lot younger than me but we hung out together a lot. She had just quarreled with her boyfriend and was really upset. She wanted to get away and I just wanted to get out of the city. And that’s what we did. Packed our bags and hopped on a bus to Batangas that very afternoon with no specific place in mind. I don’t remember where we ended but I remember we had to take a bangka to the place. The boatman gave us strange looks because in those days, it was unheard of for two girls to take a trip unaccompanied. Anyway, we didn’t care. It was like having a friend sleep over only you were at the beach. We swam, took walks and at night we talked about life, love and everything in between. We cried and we laughed ourselves silly. It was great. We went home feeling a little more grown-up. One of those spur of the moment things I’ll always remember. (hide spoiler)]

[Monique]

BENNY: Come to think of it, an employee's discount would certainly change things, right? Or a huge commission that you can use exclusively for buying books? :D Also, what are those PBB Teens moments?? Are these connected to the other stories you're supposed to share at the F2F? :P

RONNIE: Your hole-in-the-wall bookstore suddenly reminded me of Meg Ryan's quaint little bookstore in You've Got Mail, and the bookstore in 84, Charing Cross Road. Are you going to put one up real soon? That would be lovely! I bet we'll be there most of the time. :) And I am actually envious of that summer you told us about! Never had one of those, ever. Even with the best of my friends. Thanks for sharing. :)

[Bennard]

Monique: Yes, an employee's discount might make me accept the job.:P And I didn't know that I'll be sharing at the F2F. Haha.:D

[Maria]

Sis, yes Kink Cakes! In fairness, masarap. Bwahahaha

you know me too well, so yeah I did that, whatever you're thinking. LOL

[Maria]

Gwaxa: You want one noh? Yihii!!!

[Krizia Anna]

http://anightowlblog.com/2012/08/birt...

This is what I want for his 1st birthday. Boy version nga lang. :)

[Krizia Anna]

http://cakesdecor.com/cakes/75286

This is what I was planning for his baptism. Airplanes kasi theme, red and blue motif.

[Veronica]

Monique, I had the same shops in mind too. But it won't be that soon. :)

[Krizia Anna]

The Bath reminds me of Cake Boss. Siya yung baker in my head. Haha

[Ingrid]

Aghh, ang sakit sa utak ng stories na ito.
I cannot.

EDIT: HERE IT IS!
:D

I Could See The Smallest Things
(view spoiler)[ I guess when I feel the need to re-check stuff, like some have answered, hihi (hide spoiler)]

Sacks
(view spoiler)[ No, I don't know how to "sales talk" haha. (hide spoiler)]

The Bath
(view spoiler)[ Not very particular with designs. Basta masarap, haha! (hide spoiler)]

Tell The Women We're Going
(view spoiler)[ I spent most of my summers bumming around at home. But I do spend my birthday during the summer, so probably the 18th (debut at home) and 19th (with TFG; LASER TAG!) ones would have been the most memorable. HIHIHI. (hide spoiler)]

[Maria Ella]

Dear Monique,

Ito na~
(view spoiler)[
I Could See The Smallest Things - Have you ever had a similar experience, when you were bothered by something and you just couldn't sleep without you doing something about it? Please share.
Checking my phone and setting the alarm? HAHA, aside from that, it is browsing my files containing the bills - to pay. And other personal accounting duties.

Sacks - Would you take the job of a book salesman/salesperson? Why or why not?
Accountants hate marketers, so HAHAHAHAH. NO.

The Bath - Describe your favorite cake design from your childhood, if you have any. If not, what cake design would you have wanted and why?
Any cake will do, I guess? Oh, maybe make it a Disney-princess-inspired cake design~ like this


And Olaf cupcakes? HEHEH


Tell The Women We're Going
Tell us about your most memorable/unforgettable summer.
Family vacation in my mom's hometown - the Verde Island~ (cue Madonna's La Isla Bonita~)
(hide spoiler)]

[Tina]

So sorry this is kinda later. Busy with book writing stuff, and life and all that shiz. :)

I Could See The Smallest Things
(view spoiler)[I'm sort of a masandal-tulog person, and I can practically sleep through anything as long as I'm tired enough. :)) But here are several instances where I couldn't sleep that I could remember clearly (view spoiler)[and I'm comfortable sharing, haha. (hide spoiler)]:

1. The night before my flight for Europe. I was so excited I couldn't sleep, plus I was kind of scared that I wouldn't wake up on time. Our car was on coding that day, so even if my flight was at 10am, I left home before 5 and was at the airport at 6 so my brother won't be caught in coding.
2. The night my friends and I watched Paranormal Activity 3. #@!$#@^!^$!! I hate horror movies.
3. Birthday week, 2013. I couldn't sleep until I apologized for being a brat.
4. Two weeks ago, when we were told we had to be at the school I go to every Saturday for tutoring at 7am to help prepare for the medical mission. I didn't want to be late, so I was in bed by 10...but I couldn't sleep because I was scared I wouldn't wake up on time. Argh. Irony. I fell asleep at around midnight, and still I woke up on time, anyway. (hide spoiler)]

Sacks
(view spoiler)[I wouldn't go door to door for that...because I feel like I always suck at sales. Strangely enough, when I was selling tickets for the concerts we used to produce, I put up posts on Friendster and Multiply and people just contacted me without me really making too much effort. So maybe I had a knack at selling things, too. Just not in the most usual way. Hehe. (Or maybe the bands were just really popular and well...there)

(view spoiler)[But since I'm planning to self-pub a book...I might become a book saleswoman soon. heh. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

The Bath
(view spoiler)[Hm, I never had a specific cake in mind. I didn't even get to design my own cake for my 18th birthday. I'm more into the flavor, I think.

But I loved watching Ace of Cakes. So much creativity. I only dream of doing that. Just did a google search and I think I want this cake:

(hide spoiler)]

Tell The Women We're Going
(view spoiler)[Summer of 2006! It started with a Davao trip for a YFC conference, then a few weeks later, my YFC friends in college spent a week in Dingalan, Aurora, for a Gawad Kalinga Build. Best. Summer. Ever. It was also the first summer after I graduated from college, so HELLO WORLD. :)) (hide spoiler)]

*jumps back to writing hole*

*jumps back out*

I just remembered. I finished reading the longer version of The Bath a while ago (A Small, Good Thing in Cathedral) and (view spoiler)[...sigh, my heart. Sigh. :(( (hide spoiler)]

*jumps back in to writing hole*

[Monique]

INGGGA and ELLA: Anong petsa na? Haha! About to post the questions for week 3. Pero sige lang, keri lang. ;)

COUSIN: LOL at the Ma-Sa thing. Haha. First time I heard of it was from you. :)) Oh I don't think you'll have a difficult time selling your book when it comes out. :D And yes, Ace of Cakes! I love watching those guys as well. Such attention to detail. :) Jump out again out of the writing hole once in a while? :D

-----------------------------------------------------

WEEK 3 QUESTIONS

After The Denim
James and Edith Packer were off to play bingo in this story. Have you ever played bingo before? Please share your experience. If you haven't, why not? Would you ever try?

So Much Water So Close To Home
Stuart and his guy friends went on a camping/fishing trip when they found the dead girl's body. Have you ever gone to camp, or had any other camping experience before? Please tell us about it. If not, what is your idea of a memorable camping experience?

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
In this story, Dummy grew way too attached to his bass. Were you ever that attached to any particular animal or pet? Please share.

A Serious Talk
Everyone of us must have at least one "serious talk" in our lives - be it with the parents, a teacher, a friend, or other important person. If you can, share with us "a serious talk" that you've had.

-----------------------------------

I hope everyone could read Beginners, especially those who liked What We Talk About When We Talk About Love the short story. Thank you! :)

[Angus]

WEEK 3 ANSWERS

(view spoiler)[After the Denim

(view spoiler)[Yes! It used to be me and my mom's bonding time. We both weren't lucky with bingo, but there was this one time that I won and I think it pretty much covered for all the cards that we bought. Our bingo bonding didn't last that long though. It was just a phase. (hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close to Home

(view spoiler)[Can we consider those regional school press conferences as camping? We slept in elementary school rooms for two, three nights. I had the luck to participate in two (Cabanatuan and Balanga). The Cabanatuan camp was more fun because I was with our crush. The representatives from our school were all flirting with this one guy (two girls, three gays). I think (or assume) that we were the closest. After high school, we lost communication. Then when I had my OJT, I saw him! Probably he was just visiting the office, but it's also possible that he was applying for a job. I don't think he recognized me (we eyed each other), but how can I forget that face? I didn't bother talking to him. It was so long ago. I had nothing to say.

And oh, there was also this biology camp. We set up tarps at the garden of yet another elementary school. It was not fun because I was not friends with my co-representatives. (hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off

(view spoiler)[Well, I am still attached to our golden retriever in Baguio. Her name is Chianti. She's not really mine, she's my best friend's pet. But since me and my best friend are like sisters, I am Chianti's aunt. And I used to walk her every day after work. I was the one who taught her to stop dragging the leash holder.

Here's our 2009 photo:
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

Here's our recent photo:
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

(hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk

(view spoiler)[I had a lot of serious talks, be it about life, love, etc. I don't want to divulge TMI right now, hahaha! (hide spoiler)]

(hide spoiler)]

[Maria Ella]

Dear Monique, ito na yung week 2 ko hehehe

[Krizia Anna]

Week 3

1. Every family day at my school there's a bingo game with really big cash prizes but unfortunately we were not that lucky. My tita also loves Bingo. Kaya parati rin syang nagaaya, with money to. Di talaga ako swerte haha always lost! Haha buti pa tong-its haha

[Krizia Anna]

2. 4th year HS nagcamping kami pero within the school lang! Well not really our school pero sister school namin sa Pampanga. Hehe did not like it. Di ako pangoutdoors! Hehe
When i was younger, tinry namin ng cousins ko magset up ng tent sa beach. I tried sleeping in the tent pero ang init so I went outside eh naunahan ako ng isang cousin ko matulog dun sa beach chair so I just went back to our airconditioned room and slept with my parents! Haha

[Krizia Anna]

Sorry kung hiwalay hiwalay ang posts :)

3. I had a dog names Perry. She was a gift from my tita. I got her just after my mom died. She was really a source of joy for me. Nung nanganak ako i had to give her away kasi di na namin sya maasikaso. She died 2 months after that. Sobrang iyak ko as in. Until now when I remember her naiiyak pa rin ako. I'd post din sana pictures of her kaso di ko lam paano pagsa mobile! Hehe.

[Monique]

BUDDY: I think we can consider those regional conferences as camping (my only experience that comes close to "camping" is one of those, as well). :) Chianti is so adorable! I used to have an askal, Lorin, who I loved so much but she died of the parvo virus when she was barely 3 months old. After that, I didn't want to get too attached to pets anymore. I was so brokenhearted. <\3

Don't worry about not sharing - I only asked if you can share a "serious talk," so if you can't, that's totally alright. :D

ELLA: Haha, I saw na! Thank you for the answers. That Frozen-themed cake looks fab, but the Olaf cupcake looks more adorable to me! :D

KRIZIA ANNA: Oh, our pet dogs and their short lives. <\3 I totally sympathize. :( (view spoiler)[Also, para hindi hiwa-hiwalay yung posts mo, you can just click on the edit option if you want to add something to what you already posted. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Louize]

WEEK 3 QUESTIONS

After The Denim
(view spoiler)[
A long time ago, in the land called Sampaloc, Bingo was the initial fundraising project of SK in our barangay. LOL. All the officials were assigned to draw the numbers per game, but I never mastered the art of giving codes to each number (eg, Unat=1). When the nephews and nieces were younger din, yun ang bonding namin when they come visit.
(hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close To Home
(view spoiler)[
Yes. Youth camp or church camp when I was younger. Since it's a church activity, camps were usually composed of group dynamics, group Bible studies/ reflections, praise and worship, and lectures. Now, mostly it's family camping. Just hanging out in the beach with tents, bonfires, stories and singing.
(hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
(view spoiler)[
I love dogs. It's just so heartbreaking they don't age the way we humans do. Just thinking that I will someday lose my Baby Rue makes me cry.
(hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
(view spoiler)[
It seems that every day of my existence is consist of serious talks. Sometimes it can really get into my nerves, I escape from it seeking either silence or all-day-fun. That's why I never watch telserye or drama series, kasi 'yun na kaharap ko maghapon.
(hide spoiler)]

[Gwaxa]

WEEK 3

(view spoiler)[
After The Denim
(view spoiler)[
- I did. I remember a summer vacation, I was about 11 or 12, when all I did was play bingo everyday. My bingo mates were old ladies and middle aged housewives. But there was one other girl a little bit younger than me. We would giggle over the terms the "bolero" would say for every number. "Tanda" for 75, "Buntis" for 60, "Unat" for 1, and many more. I also remember that whenever I win I would always go home and buy meryenda for my mother and me. When I get back, everybody's looking at me like I stole their money. Hahaha. Those were the days. (hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close To Home
(view spoiler)[
- No, I haven't. If I'll ever go, I want a camping experience with all the conveniences of the modern world (especially a functioning toilet and shower). (hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
(view spoiler)[
- No, I did not get too attached with our family dog. It was not particularly affectionate so we didn't play much with it.
(hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
(view spoiler)[
- I had a lot of serious talks with adults (parents) when I was a rebellious teenager. Hahahaha. I had that phase, where I felt that it was me and only me against the world and nobody understood me. I was always going home late because I didn't want to hang out at home. I remember my mother always asking me if I wanted to be pregnant and get married early (I didn't know how she connected going home late to getting pregnant). Disclaimer: I did not have a boyfriend then so I was really baffled by this logic. :D (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Meliza]

WEEK 3

After The Denim
(view spoiler)[I experienced playing Bingo during school organizations fund raising projects in college days. Never experienced winning though. (hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close To Home
(view spoiler)[My recent camping experience happened last year. We climbed Mt. Batulao. That was a night hike so we camped near Peak 8 (or Peak 7?) for the night before continuing for the summit(Peak 10) the next day. Reasons why it was memorable? That's the first time that I "really" climbed a mountain; I was with my five officemates and they're all boys; and I believe that was the time that I was exposed to the coldest temperature I have ever felt in my life.(I think Queen Elsa was there!) (hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
(view spoiler)[I used to love our pet cats and dogs when I was young, elementary/high school days... I cried every time someone died. After some time, I decided to not be too emotionally attached to pets so that it won't hurt that much when they die. But currently, we have a new dog named Akisha. She's so playful and friendly. How can you not love a Lab? (hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
(view spoiler)[I'm going to share a recent "serious talk" with a TFG friend last week. We talked about how TFG really helped us a lot, to be better, happier, and stuff... How we were both afraid before to try something different, meet new people, and put ourselves out there. The TFG activities and discussions helped us to be better people. Oh, actually, I also told this to another TFG friend. I told them how the discussion questions helped me to think... about me... about myself... The questions are most of the time related to our personal experiences or feelings or emotions, knowing more about ourselves, about our relationships with other people... I read somewhere before that keeping a journal will make you a better person. And in some ways, answering discussion questions or even writing in the buddy reading threads are like writing journals too. (hide spoiler)]

[Meliza]

Gwaxa: (view spoiler)[That's part of the challenge of camping, the inconvenience.:P (hide spoiler)]

[Ycel]

WEEK 2 ANSWERS
(view spoiler)[
I Could See The Smallest Things
Double checking that the door leading to the veranda is locked because there have been incidents of robbery in the neighborhood.

Sacks
Selling is not my core competency :)

The Bath
Not into cake design but I put a premium on the taste.

Tell The Women We're Going
I went to the US with 4 female colleagues in 2000 because our company was sold to a Danish company and the former owner, a US company, needed us to put together the reports to liquidate their assets in Asia. While this was a great adventure, this assignment proved to be the turning point in our lives. All 4 companions were married and I was the lone single in the group. Two went home because they missed their families, the other two left their spouses in the Philippines because they wanted a better life and chose to stay in the US. They have since re-married but petitioned their kids to join them with their new families. I was offered a job but turned it down because I didn't think I'd like to live in a system where people are encouraged to live in debt and are trapped in the rat race because the whole system is designed that way. I thought it was pretty scary to be part of that so I was not really surprised when the bubble burst and the 2008 crisis happened. No regrets about coming home.
(hide spoiler)]

[Gwaxa]

Meliza: (view spoiler)[Isa lang naman gusto ko sabihin ehh. Ayoko mag-camping. Hehehe. (hide spoiler)]

[Monique]

MOMMY LOUIZE: I never learned those number equivalents as well. I used to guess which number they were referring to but since I never played real, actual bingo (I only watched when the grown-ups did), I never learned them either.

GWAXA: I used to hear the same "sermon" from my father when I was in high school. And he was the subject of all the serious talks I've ever had in my whole life. I miss him terribly. :)

MELIZA: Are you part of a mountaineering club or group? One of my kumares is a hardcore mountaineer, and they were set to go up Mt. Apo years before and then she got pregnant, kaya di na sya nakaakyat. But she would always regale me with stories that I found so interesting and fun. :)

YCEL: That is scary. It was a good choice you made, then. And of course, there's no place like home. :)

[Gwaxa]

MONIQUE: :(
Sometimes, I miss those "sermon" sessions from my mother. She's not giving them to me now so I guess I can get married already. Haha.

[Tina]

Out of my writing hole again because I'm off to CDO in a few hours. :D Answering now kasi next week sabak ulit. (Huhu, sulat lang Tina, sulaaaat)


After The Denim
(view spoiler)[OH YES. I even had a Bingo set at home. We used to play it whenever we go home to the province to pass time. Then we had those Bingo days in school, but I never, ever won. My brother and sister-in-law joins those Bingo things in malls, sometimes, and they always win. :D Malas lang siguro talaga ako sa game na yun. :D (hide spoiler)]

[After the Denim was one of my favorites in this book. :D]

So Much Water So Close To Home
(view spoiler)[I think the most hardcore "camping" experience I ever had was one YFC conference in Talisay. Our group was "hardcore" in the sense that we always stay with the set accommodation, even if it's just tents. For some reason, it was super dusty and hot in the venue, and nawalan ng tubig sa liguan...so when I got home, I was sooo happy to take a shower. Haha. I would want to try it, pero siguro overnight lang, ayoko ng magtatagal ng more than that. Haha. Di naman ako maarte sa tulugan eh, pero sometimes I really, really want a clean shower and toilet

Gwaxa - *apir* (hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
(view spoiler)[Batman, my lovely dog, who passed away last year on my birthday. :( I still have four dogs at home, but Batman was truly my favorite, because we've been through a lot together (Ondoy, for one). He got sick with distemper last year, and on the day I went out for my birthday trip, I remember telling him to hold on, and wait for me. He could barely stand then, but when I got home, he actually stood up, wagged his tail and welcomed me home. Then he passed away the next day. :( I still miss that dog like crazy. (hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
(view spoiler)[Yep, I've had one. Several. Heh. And like Angus, hanggang dyan na lang, kasi TMI na rin. Haha. XD (hide spoiler)]

OKAY, leaving for the airport now! *waves*

[Monique]

GWAXA: AY malamang, pinamimigay ka na ng nanay mo. Haha. :P

COUSIN: After The Denim is also one of my favorites in the book. :) Oh and Batman. :(( Have a safe and fun trip! God bless! :)

[Tin]

Week 3 Questions
(view spoiler)[
After The Denim

If you mean, the official one, then no. The unofficial one, yes. A made-up Bingo, if that makes sense. It was at a Christmas Party and I won a 3-pack Picnic Shoestring Potatoes. Hee.

So Much Water So Close To Home

Nope. Never been on a camping/fishing trip. I am not especially fond of the great outdoors. A memorable camping experience would be if I can airlift my house to the camping grounds. Hahaha. Okay maybe if I had a luxurious camper, with plumbing, cable tv reception, ac, everything...even the kitchen sink...and a personal butler. Nyahaha.:D

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off

I cried when my Tamagotchi died when I was a kid. For real. Lol. Perhaps more from frustration. It takes too damn long to make them grow into adults. Hehe. We’ve had many pets come and go, when I was young. But I am especially fond of Lassie, a mutt, and Missy, a Pomeranian-Spitz mixed breed. These dogs were great playmates and sometimes I felt like they could understand me. Hee hee.

A Serious Talk

Yeah, I have had some of those. I noticed na padami na ng padami of late dahil tumatanda na. Lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Mae]

WEEK 3

(view spoiler)[
After The Denim
(view spoiler)[I've never really played bingo. Back when I was a kid, I watched some of my relatives play a game or two and didn't get it. Of course, I get it now, but I don't think I have the patience to sit still and listen to numbers for more than 10 minutes. So no. No bingo for me. (hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close To Home
(view spoiler)[I've never gone camping but I want to try it at least once. I'm don't have a problem with bugs or dirt or sleeping outdoors. As long as there's clean water and soap - and I don't have to dig a hole in the ground just to use the bathroom - I'm good. (hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
(view spoiler)[I get attached to all my pets - right now, I have 8 mini pinschers - but I got most attached to my first. She was a beautiful Japanese spitz that my parents got shortly after I was born so we really grew up together. When she died 10 years later, I was inconsolable for weeks. (hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
(view spoiler)[I've had several serious talks with a lot of different people, but those are not for public consumption. Haha. (hide spoiler)]
(hide spoiler)]

[Louize]

Meliza wrote: " We talked about how TFG really helped us a lot, to be better, happier, and stuff..."

Aw, feels! ♥

[Meliza]

Monique: (view spoiler)[Nope, I'm not a member of any mountaineering club but one of my officemates is a hardcore mountaineer. I just decided to come with them that time just to experience something different. It was fun! and... (hide spoiler)]

Gwaxa/Tina/Mae: (view spoiler)[At first, I don't want to go because of the toilet and shower problem. Imagine what I have gone through. At least naihi lang ako. Haha. And puro boys kasama ko so they were teasing me. Buti mababait naman sila kahit papano. But they warned me beforehand na "bawal ang maarte sa bundok". So I was like, "Sige, ok lang, go!" Also when eating, we have to budget the water, we share plates, glasses. Hindi ko pinapahalata sa kanila but sa isip ko nung una, "OMG, iniinuman nila tumbler ko... Ginamit na nila yung spoon... something like that." Buti madami akong dalang wipes kasi nga kelangan magtipid ng tubig. And as I said earlier, that was part of the challenge. Kasi afterwards, aside from reaching the summit, the fulfillment was I survived those inconveniences. (hide spoiler)]

Louize: <3

[Tin]

Angus: (view spoiler)[Chianti is so cute! The top photo, right side, looks like you were doing the tango and you did the dip. Haha. :) (hide spoiler)]

Gwaxa:(view spoiler)["Isa lang naman gusto ko sabihin ehh. Ayoko mag-camping. Hehehe" Apir! (hide spoiler)]

Meliza:(view spoiler)[*wink wink* Hehe. <3 :) (hide spoiler)]

Mae: (view spoiler)[You have 8 mini pins! Don't they get too yappy all at the same time? Haha. My sister used to have one. We named him Goliath. Hehe. (hide spoiler)]

[Bennard]

WEEK 3 QUESTIONS

After The Denim
(view spoiler)[
I have played bingo before when i was a kid but it is usually during wakes for the dead. Somehow, bingo is a popular game during wakes. I don't know why.
(hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close To Home
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The only thing that I did that came close to camping was when we went to the beach and we slept in a tent. There was a bonfire and we roasted marshmallows but that's it. I imagined camping to be a bit harder than what we did.
(hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
(view spoiler)[
Well, here's the irony of my life, I am deathly afraid of dogs and yet I am extremely attached to my pet dogs at home. I love them and, whenever a dog of mine dies, I cry buckets.
(hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
(view spoiler)[
Well, I had one serious talk with my parents about moving to the US in which I was totally against it. I still am and it's usually a cause of friction between me and my mother.
(hide spoiler)]

[Angus]

Tin: LOL! I just notice that now. I had to take another look at the photo. XD

[Monique]

TIN: Haha, I remember when those Tamagotchis were the fad! I kept asking for my parents to buy me one but they wouldn't budge. When I look back on it, I can understand why. Haha. :)

MAE: How does a camping ground with a portalet sound? :D
8 pins! Can I adopt one? My little kid would be so happy to have a dog. :)

BENNY: Selective attachment to dogs? Haha. I used to be scared of other dogs, too, because I don't know their temperament, unlike our own pets. When I used to bike around our neighborhood when I was young, I didn't go through the streets where I know there were lots of dogs outside their owners' backyards. Haha.
Oh and, we feel the same way about you going to the US. Don't. :(

[Veronica]

WEEK 3 QUESTIONS

(view spoiler)[
After The Denim
When I was very young, my dad taught me to play bingo as a way of teaching me how to read. I enjoyed it so much I would beg force the family to play several rounds of bingo every night. Being the youngest, they would humor me. After a week, my very tired father got me a toy tea set.

So Much Water So Close To Home
I don’t think I’ve ever gone camping and it’s not very high on my bucket list. I find it hard to give up creature comforts, even for a day. :)

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
I can’t remember a time when our family did not have dogs. We’ve always been attached to them and as far as we’re concerned, they’re part of the family. But there are dogs that were special to me and their loss still affects me now, some ten to fifteen years later. I cannot look at their pictures without feeling a pang of sadness.

My current dog is that kind of a dog. I’m not really sure how old Macky is, but I know she’s at least 15 years old. I have to stop here, my eyes are getting moist.

A Serious Talk
I had several serious talks with my mom from the time I was a teen up to the time I was already working. I wasn’t the easiest daughter to bring up. Some of those talks ended up as heated arguments but now that I am as old as she was when we had those talks, I get what she was trying to say.
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[AennA]

I know, I know I am late in answering! :D

WEEK 2 QUESTIONS
(view spoiler)[
I Could See The Smallest Things

Yes. It happened to me, but most of the time it's work related - for the not-so-good thoughts before bedtime - so I just force myself to sleep. Or sometimes when quirky thoughts start to bother me - crafting related - I would get up from bed and work on it.


Sacks

Despite me being a marketing practitioner I don't think I could be an effective salesman, for I don't have the charm to convince people to buy whatever I am selling. But a book salesman could be an interesting job!

The Bath

My usual birthday cakes were those with plenty of rose flowers, but I used to dream of having a Disney princess themed cake, specifically Cinderella.


Tell The Women We're Going

Oh no. I can't think of any specific summer memory! All I can remember was most of my summers were spent eating ice candies, blowing soap bubbles and playing with neighborhood kids. ( I am too old to remember memories?)
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WEEK 3 QUESTIONS
(view spoiler)[
After The Denim
Yes, in a school Bingo affair way back in high school. It was fun! I was trolling by shouting Bingo each time a number was called.

So Much Water So Close To Home
Poor me. I haven't experienced that. I was supposed to join for the Girl Scout camp, but my mother didn't allow me.

What could be a memorable camping experience for me? Uhmn, watch the stars after the morning activities, and the morning activities could be filled with playing in the mud, doing physical activities and a lot of laughter with friends.

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off

No. I am afraid of animals. But we have a dog at home, and I am scared of him! :))

A Serious Talk

I always have the chance to talk with my mom about serious matters, but none is really that "serious", if you get what I mean. I am thankful that we don't have anything "serious" to talk about.
(hide spoiler)]

[Alexa]

Sorry I'm so late! But better late than never, right?

WEEK 2 QUESTIONS

(view spoiler)[I Could See The Smallest Things
(view spoiler)[I get little sleep the nights before trips out of town, because those are the times where I spend the whole night fixing things and packing. It's pretty hard for me to sleep too when I'm in the most exciting part of a book or a movie. I deny myself sleep when I remember essays due or exams held the next day, but more often than not, I sleep instead :)) (hide spoiler)]

Sacks
(view spoiler)[Even though I like marketing more than personal selling, I think I'd still take this job, because hey, job! I don't think I'll be good at selling anything, but I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy a job where I can spazz about books the whole day (maybe even sneak a read in). Discounts sweeten the deal as well :D (hide spoiler)]

The Bath
(view spoiler)[My birthday cakes were pretty generic, but I remember really enjoying this one cake when I was younger because it was my first time to taste chocolate mousse :)) I'm really okay with any design, so long as it tastes good. (hide spoiler)]

Tell The Women We're Going
(view spoiler)[my favorite summer was the one where we travelled some, and I got to wake up whenever I wanted, take great pictures, eat good food, and read till the wee hours. My summers are generally boring since I become a hermit, but I'm saving my best one for after I graduate (if I graduate) :D (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

WEEK 3 QUESTIONS

(view spoiler)[
After The Denim
(view spoiler)[Yep, I've played bingo before, but gosh, I don't want to play it again. I NEVER WIN IN GAMES OF CHANCE. I could totally relate to James's frustration in the story XD (hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close To Home
(view spoiler)[We ended up somewhere in Sierra Madre. I remember it was really cold (probably like the cold we had lately, but I wasn't too stressed that I got vulnerable to sickness then), and I remember the sky was so pretty. A lot of really crazy things happened, but thankfully not one involving dead people. Oh, and I remember my friend introduced me to The Book Thief then! (hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
(view spoiler)[I used to have a pet chick before, but it mysteriously disappeared before I grew any sort of attachment. It was also pink, which kind of delayed the attachment process. (hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
(view spoiler)[I had a serious talk with my parents when I was younger. Looking back, it's probably why I saved up and secretly took on a minor so totally different from my course without them knowing for like a year. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Monique]

RONNIE: Is Macky the one on your profile photo? Awww. <3

AENNA: Natawa ko sa sagot mo on animals. So every time na lalabas ka ng bahay nyo, natatakot ka sa aso nyo? Hahaha! :)

BLUE: Congratulations, you're the only person who answered that you're willing to take the book salesman job without qualification! :D I'm still thinking of a prize. Hmm.

[AennA]

Monique wrote: "AENNA: Natawa ko sa sagot mo on animals. So every time na lalabas ka ng bahay nyo, natatakot ka sa aso nyo? "

Oo. Nanginginig pa. :)) The most I can do to pet him is to stroke his fur na nakastretch ang kamay ko para di nya makagat. :))

[Lynai]

WEEK 3

After The Denim
James and Edith Packer were off to play bingo in this story. Have you ever played bingo before? Please share your experience. If you haven't, why not? Would you ever try?

(view spoiler)[Yes, during a wake, but there was no cash prize. It was only for fun and in order to pass away the time. I would love to play it again for fun as well. I'm not big on gambling. :) (hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close To Home
Stuart and his guy friends went on a camping/fishing trip when they found the dead girl's body. Have you ever gone to camp, or had any other camping experience before? Please tell us about it. If not, what is your idea of a memorable camping experience?

(view spoiler)[I went to church/youth camps and one of my best teen experiences were of these camps. I once attended a camp where we had to stay inside a tent but there was heavy rain one night and we all got wet, including our beddings and personal belongings. But it was fun! Haha. While I was in college, I attended a month-long training/leadership camp. All of us were teary-eyed when we had to say our farewells, because, one month, di ba? It was one of the most memorable camps I ever attended. :) (hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
In this story, Dummy grew way too attached to his bass. Were you ever that attached to any particular animal or pet? Please share.

(view spoiler)[Yes, I am super attached to our mongrel dog, Prince. It was difficult for us to leave him home in Roxas City with my sister but we're trying to move on without him. Sniff. (hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
Everyone of us must have at least one "serious talk" in our lives - be it with the parents, a teacher, a friend, or other important person. If you can, share with us "a serious talk" that you've had.

(view spoiler)[Ah, I have a lot of this. One serious talk I had that I can share is when I finally have to tell my parents that I already have a boyfriend haha. I had to time it pretty well when my Tatay is in a good mood haha! Still, he felt bad and nagtampo for several days because (view spoiler)[he was the last in my family to know. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Ycel]

WEEK 3
(view spoiler)[
After The Denim
Yup and I remember that it's always fun because of the host (i.e., the one who calls out the numbers).

So Much Water So Close To Home
I've had a few camping trips as a girl (Girl Scout kasi), but the most fun were the ones in college, usually spent at the Sunken Garden stargazing. Best when somebody brought a guitar.

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
Got too attached to a black puppy Lab named Arya; she only spent 2 months with us because she got sick with canine distemper. Too easy to love a Lab because it's too gentle with kids and can be easily house trained on a long weekend. Smartest breed we've handled and taken away too soon.

A Serious Talk
This boss from my first job scolded me cos he observed that I wasn't serious with my career and I was wasting a lot of opportunities. Before this incident I was just happily coasting along, not actively seeking other jobs. Pagkatapos nya ko sermunan nag-resign ako. I realized I did mind that he was just paying me peanuts when others are willing to pay more. Lol!
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[Ingrid]

WEEK 3

(view spoiler)[ NAKAHABOL! Hihi. Still not getting most of the stories. Too deep. Di ko na kayang mag-isip :)) (hide spoiler)]

After The Denim
(view spoiler)[ I have yet to play, haha! Even if it's just for fun. (hide spoiler)]

So Much Water So Close To Home
(view spoiler)[ Girl Scout Camping back in high school, but nothing so hardcore as in, malayo sa sibilisasyon and stuff. (hide spoiler)]

The Third Thing That Killed My Father Off
(view spoiler)[ I wouldn't call myself attached. I guess I just appreciate them while they're there, is all. Like our cat :> (hide spoiler)]

A Serious Talk
(view spoiler)[ I guess with friends? Nothing so serious with parents yet. With teachers, medyo namumuro this year because of academic issues. Pray for my soul, haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Monique]

LYNAI: OOOOH. I can totally understand why your Tatay would feel that way. I wonder what happened when he and Gian first met. Hehe. :D

YCEL: Too easy to love a Lab because it's too gentle with kids and can be easily house trained on a long weekend. NOTED. :)

INGGA: Naku ha, ayusin ang pag-aaral! Baka nalululong ka na... *SMH*

[Monique]

FINAL WEEK! Homestretch! :D

WEEK 4 QUESTIONS

The Calm
The story takes place inside a barbershop. Tell us about the most interesting story you've (over)heard while in the barber's/salon. :)

Popular Mechanics
Husband and wife play a nasty tug-of-war over their baby. Try to give an alternative title to this story.

Everything Stuck To Him
The main characters in this story are an 18-year-old father and a 16-year-old mother. What is your take on couples who start families of their own at an early age (whether accidentally or by choice)?

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
One of the characters in the story said, "Love is an absolute." Do you agree? Why or why not?

One More Thing
After a heated argument and right before leaving, L.D. remarked that he had one more thing to say to his wife and daughter, apparently desiring to have the last word in the conversation. Are you the kind of person who wishes to have the last word in edgewise, or do you prefer to stay quiet and scream volumes? :)

[Angus]

WEEK 4 ANSWERS

(view spoiler)[The Calm

(view spoiler)[When I was maybe ten, my barber was talking about his other client, a kid my age, who flew to Sweden with his family. Before I heard that, I read a children's story set in Scandinavia. I've been obsessed with Sweden then. It was my favorite country until I started loving Bjork and Sigur Ros (in college). I want to go to Iceland. (hide spoiler)]

Popular Mechanics

(view spoiler)[There's actually an alternate title to this story. It's published as Little Things in Where I'm Calling From. As for me, I'll entitle it Child Custody. (hide spoiler)]

Everything Stuck To Him

(view spoiler)[I think it really is different if it's by accident or by choice. If it's by accident, it's terribly sad. They are not even sure if they really want to spend the rest of their lives with their partners. If it's by choice, they must be madly in love. Heads are in the clouds, yes? (hide spoiler)]

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love

(view spoiler)[Yes. Because if it's not, it's not love. It's just something that resembles love. (hide spoiler)]

One More Thing

(view spoiler)[I am the nagger and the complainer and the whiner, hahaha! (hide spoiler)]

(hide spoiler)]