RE: "25 Random Facts"

via Facebook because I've been gratefully tagged by Bianca Ilano, Harriet Dizon, Linda Nguyen, Chris Chan, Ryan Narita & Melanie Ho Ken. I decided to post it up here cause I have no one else to tag on Facebook considering that everyone's done this already!

1. I was born in Manila, Philippines but I can't be compared to the "thrilla from Manila" cause I abandoned that place after 6 years of age. And plus, I'm not an internationally acclaimed boxer haha. I wish though! I left a 12 year duration of not going back, too. Horrible, I know. But I love my roots! You can't call me a "fob" cause I've been statused as "white-washed"

I am a proud owner of that t-shirt in blue thanks to Justing who purchased it for me online via "Legends League"

2. My ma confessed that she was supposed to name me Reanna Lauraine rather than Denise Isabelle if I was born on Valentines day to commerate "Renelita & Laureano's" (my parents' names) love for each other. But too bad that I was born 4 days early cause that would've been a pretty name with a sentimental value. I call dibs on naming my first born daughter that!

3. In the Philippines, I graduated Kindergarten at the top of my class awarding me with the "gold" medal for overall academic achievements among 200 5year olds. I guess that explains why the teacher would always want me to watch over the class when she stepped out of the classroom briefly.

4. I was a part of the Girl's Scouts in the Phils
where we did numerous performances of Hawaiin dancing, Filipino tribal dancing and etc etc.

I was right-smack-dab in the front middle for every performance, I have no idea why to this day..

5. I also took up singing, dancing and piano lessons when I was 8 for a little while. (Yes, omfg I took La Riva classes and singing lessons from my piano teacher) I had to quit though. I mean, I hella enjoyed every aspect of it but money was tight especially for a family that newly migrated from a 3rd world country to one of the world's wealthiest economies. I wish I continued..

6. I've been playing basketball ever since the 2nd grade. After moving from a public school to St. Andrew's in 5th grade, I immediately became the basketball captain until 7th grade. Thus, awarding me the "Academics and Athletics" award/cup for my grade 7 graduation. I also became the captain for my 10th grade basketball year. Unfortunately, the only basketball I play now are on video game consoles and street ball with the homeboys. Playing on a team with its high and low perks is too incomparable! My love for the game will never be anything to fck with, I promise.

Always rockin' that #8 if that number wasn't taken already.


7. As high school started, I had to choose between joining sports or choir upon my parents' request. Evidently, I chose the high school sports way of life. I couldn't have been more happier to be a part of the volleyball and basketball teams (that definitely became family) for all of my 5 years! I wish I could've done both though, who knows what path my life could've taken. Now I'm just a talentless girl! Boo.

8. I've gotten straight First Honor Roll achievements ever since the "honor roll system" was welcomed into my academic career (aka gr. 5 to 12). That means every school term with a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA. And that's minus the pressure my parents ever put on me cause they didn't force me to attain good grades but rather, I programmed myself to do so according to my high goals, drive and ambition.

9. Ever since I could talk I've always wanted to become a lawyer, according to my parents. To this day, I still aspire for the same dream. But not a criminal lawyer that deals with offenders but a family lawyer that helps out marriages and child custodies. I've always been a sucker for family despite the negative masses. But what's changed about this dream of mine is perhaps... a lawyer that alters vintage clothing on the side as a hobby and one that attends Hip-Hop shows with her favourite Hip-Hop-lovin' homies. How does that sound?

10. I have naturally wavy hair. Not that kind of curly-in-bouncy-ringlets though. When I went to the Philippines in July 08 I finally got my hair permanently straightened. Sometimes I miss the spontaneity of my wavy hair but to my preferences, straight hair is easier to maintain and a lesser hassle to style daily.

In grade-fcking-9.... being a pathetic poser with my side bangs hahaha.

11. I have never, ever, ever received "allowance" from my parents on a weekly basis especially if I do chores around the house. I was not disciplined to rely on money to do chores but rather to help out my mom who is a clean freak. So, once I first got employed at the age of 15 I immediately learned the value of money the hard way. And I give mad appreciation to my parents for teaching me to be money-independent from the get-go.

12. I've worked at the same location for the last 3 (going on 4) years. If you're ever going to the Costco in Richmond and happen to see the black and white hotel right in front of it called the "Best Western Abercorn Inn"? Come visit me or wave from your car to the front desk clerk! I first started out as a restaurant bus girl bussing tables for $8/hr then being a banquet server for $10/hr then getting promoted to the front desk for $16. So don't get all jealous at how I make so much more than all of you because I worked from the bottom too okay?


13. I have naturally straight, and small teeth that have never needed braces. I used Crest white strips for 2 weeks in gr 11 and my teeth have been white ever since! Haha.

14. I've been burned, abandoned, disappointed, heartbroken and all the good stuff by the opposite sex ever since I checked into the dating scene. Name any sort of negative mishap by boys.... I've been there and back. Sad, I know. However, never have I ever retaliated or been vengeful about it by doing the same shady thing I've endured. So, all these boys that I perceive to have fucked me over confuse the shit outta me as to how I deserve these games put upon me. But yenno what? I'm still the hopeful, optimistic, old-fashioned and biggest believer in chivalry by not only the opposite sex, but my end too. I've said this once and I'll say it again.. I just want one, just freakin' one male out there to prove me wrong that I deserve to be treated fairly and mutually.

15. I used to have a dog named Sugar who was a mix breed of Chihuahua and Yorkie. She passed away a month after we left her here cause we went to the Philippines. She was unjustifiably run over by a car because my house is adjacent to a busy main street. She was only a year and a half years old when she passed away! It still breaks my heart to this day that she no longer sleeps on my bed or that I can no longer say bye to her before I leave the house. I am a believer of Doggy Heaven though! So that keeps me from crying every time I see someone elses dog. I swear, the heartbreak I felt when I lost her is even worse to all the heart break's guys have put me through but once I am ready to fill this void of losing my first ever dog, I will purchase myself another dog.


16. I used to own rabbit. My brother named him Tupac. Why? Cause he was black. (Justin loves to laugh at this fact the most) Unfortunately, he found him lying in my back yard with his insides gone. Why again? Cause coyotes devoured it overnight... TELL ME WHY I HAVE THE WORST LUCK WITH PETS. Sigh..

17. My feet have its own talent of fitting into my brother's sneakers! Hence, borrowing them without asking sometimes cause he has cooler ones than I do (I refuse to become a "sneaker head") But, get this... he's only in gr 6! It's either I have small feet or my brother has really big feet for his age. Yenno what big feet means! .....big socks, duh.

18. I have the easiest funny bone and appetite to tickle. Meaning, I laugh at anything and everything including when other people laugh. I think the only person who can perfectly imitate my laugh is Ferd. I've also been told that my laugh is contagious! So in all honesty, the way to reach my heart is to make me laugh. That, or eating anything and everything with me. Take me out to eat and you've automatically earned secret Denise points.

19. When I'm down and out, my first instinctual emo-reliever is to clean. My room, my closet, my binders, my whole gaddamn house! So, I suggest that if you ever need a free house cleaning catch me at my worst times to produce a good thing in your environment. Hahaha.

20. Whenever I'm on my period, I swear my stomach turns into the size of an obese man's stomach. I'm pretty damn sure I can out-eat any male on this planet while I'm undergoing my womanly business.

21. When I'm shopping, I grab all the things I think I want. Then to only realize later on after a train-full of thoughts that I could do without it. Or how I can improvise from my already owned possessions (like clothing from my ma's closet) to make something similar to it. That is when I put it back and probably walk out of that store without anything in hand. Sigh, I'm so weird, but I guess it's good on the pocket.

22. I've grown to fall in love with Hip-Hop for the past 2 years. My main influencers are Justin Gonzalez (aka my "ex"-turned-best-friend) and Justine Santillan (aka best homeguh from anotha motha). As long as these two are in my life, I'm going to keep falling and falling cause I know they're there to catch me in this type of frame of mind. And never have I been so thankful for getting introduced to this lifestyle. Furthermore, COMMON YOU THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.

23. I'm getting tired of the opposite sex who are inconsistent. Especially those who think they can use any word, drop any line, hope it makes sense and continue to think they possess some sort of deft articulacy. Consistency, in my opinion, is fundamental. And I'm not talking about persistence either. Persistence can be misconstrued as annoyance, actually. So if you rely on materialistic shit, physical motivation, or any other kind of bullshit that I find pathetic, you don't have game, and therefore, you don't have my time. I'd hate to tell you, but I'm not that incredibly naive. I'm a fast learner. So if you're looking for something less complex, you won't find it here.

24. And as you can tell from the above fact, I'm all about the manipulation of lexicon. It's the opposite of popular preference whenever a teacher or even a mentor are able to be so eloquent in their insights, I don't get bored. Instead, I remain alert cause they have gained my full captivity. Moral of the story? Knowledge is boss.

25. I will probably be the most independent female you'll ever encounter in your early years of life. That may be contrary to popular belief but I can assure you it's true: buying my own clothes/shoes/bare necessities ever since venturing out into the employment world; utilizing my money that's saved up to buy me a 2 grand Macbook and sustaining my spending habits when I went on my month-long Phils vacay; utilizing my savings to a greater extent by paying for my University tuition; having my own life concerning desires and daily plans aside from a significant other whenever that experience arises; pursuing peace of mind on my own whenever I'm in need of it by constantly re-evaluating my life once I come to the realization that it may be more volatile than I presumed.

And so, concludes facts about me!
This was fun, but holymothereffinggoodness it took waaay too long to think of.
In the case where you'd like to know more....
Don't get me wrong. Just get (at) me. And I'll keep it mutual.