The 10 Guys I Met on Tinder

I am embarrassed to say, I am, well, was on Tinder. My chaotic and antisocial existence has forced me to consider an app to achieve some semblance of a social life.

I've been on Tinder for almost a year now and in that time frame, I've met 10 guys. Each one made for really interesting dates. When I say interesting, I don't mean great. So without further ado, I present to you the 10 guys I've met on Tinder.

1. Bob Marley

my first tinder profile

I blame this match on my profile back then. Tinder also uses your Facebook description and that I wrote when I was a college sophomore (9 years ago?). It used to say "...I love brainless pot movies," which the selective male brain then translated to "I love pot." I've gotten quite a number of matches because guys thought I was a pothead. Guy reads "I love pot" and goes "Ooh, pretty free spirit" and swipes right. This was one of those guys. In fact, our first date involved getting naturally medicated and him attempting to get into my pants. Sorry to say, I was just sleepy. In spite of that, there was a second date but this time, he tried wine. Here's the thing, no amount of alcohol or herbs can get me to sleep with a guy I don't have the hots for.

2. Mr. Sneezy

me on that date except without the green hair

I swiped right because he seemed cute and he was moreno. At the time, I was trying to veer away from type -- the chinito mestizo. His first message involved asking me who my favorite Friends character was, to which I promptly replied "Joey." We set a date. It was a Wednesday. I had a shoot at a construction site that day and terribly exhausted. He had allergies. Ms. Sleepy and Mr. Sneezy made for a terrible date. On top of that, he didn't look at all like he did in his photos. He looked 40 when he was just 32. I have been catfished.

3. The Insurance Agent

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To be fair, he didn't peddle his insurance on me. Handsome with a devil-may-care attitude, he was a hard one to resist. He picked me up from my village and we got a couple of beers at a nearby bar. His friends texted and I came with. Long story short, I got drunk. This guy is now a friend and my insurance agent. If I retire a wealthy woman, I have this guy to thank.

4. Poor Man's Dennis Trillo

A skinnier version of this handsomeness. source

That's what I thought when I first saw him. Handsome definitely but a little on the skinny side. He laid out all his baggage on the first date -- he was getting annulled from his wife. The honesty was a breath of fresh air. I was intrigued. The next two dates happened at his place where we just marathoned movies. As much as I enjoyed his company, I wasn't that attracted to him. He was my polar opposite. Also, his insistence on getting serious scared the shit out of this commitment phobe. He wanted to see me five days a week! Nobody got time for that!

5. Dull Boy

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It took me a while to go out on another Tinder date due to the first batch. Meeting people is exhausting for an introvert. Anyway, I was talking to this guy for two weeks, albeit non-exclusively. I told him I'll be in Makati the next day and with a few hours to spare. He asked me to lunch, I agreed. Let's set aside the fact that reality didn't match expectations, that's the premise of life. Let's focus on how much of a dud he was. Come on man, you should have a personality at least. My friend said he'd be real handsome if he loses weight. Yeah sure, amen to that. But getting thin doesn't make you gain a personality. This was the most boring date I've ever had. Sweet guy but if I'm using an app to date, I should be able to pick someone else more exciting.

6. The Douche

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This guy was a self proclaimed douchebag and knowing he's a douchebag didnt make him less of one. It did make him entertaining. Dear Peter, he was relentless so I agreed. Again, reality was cruel and after all the bad dates, I wasn't expecting much. He lured me into another date under the guise of basking on my uber wisdom. The uber consultation was spent on him trying to convince me to date him. Two glasses of mojitos were the best decision I've made that night and this week.

7. The Articulate Lover

Yeah, he has a beard. source 

This guy I actually like. He isn't handsome or anything but at least, I knew that. He actually looked like his photo. He's intelligent and articulate. Heavens, that's sexy. We've met around three times already but only for work. I have come to terms that anything romantic is off the table but I'm glad I met him. One of my best career decisions.

8. Batang Hamog

This is actually a million times better than his hair
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He isn't really a batang hamog. He was just having a really bad hair day. This guy was so "makulit." I can and will never be able to match his energy level. Also, he had a girlfriend so, no.

9. The Family Man

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He was 37, estranged from his wife, and with two kids. In my defense, I didn't know about the wife and kids when I met up with him. I found out only when I saw a deep mark on his ring finger while we were having coffee after dinner. So I asked.

10. The Catch

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After all the dates, I have decided to quit Tinder. It is a fucking waste of time. But right when I was about to delete the app, this guy messaged me and so I decided to play one last time. He was my last swipe and I remembered going back and forth about swiping right or not. I did because #yolo! That was a Tuesday and we met up that Saturday. Damn, what a catch. Tall, handsome, successful and with a fear of God, this guy is the guy you bring home to meet your parents. He does go out and get drunk a lot but he's still able to get up early in the morning and kick ass at work so there's really nothing to worry about. We've met four times since then. Twice in Alabang, once for dinner in Makati, and the last time in the airport before we got on separate planes on the way to our respective vacations. So far, it's too soon to tell. I'm just hoping for the best.

So that was my Tinder experience and this does not count all the other guys I never met but I've matched with and spoken to. I don't think I'll ever meet someone better than the last one on Tinder. So Tinder, buh bye. Thanks for the memories.

posted from Bloggeroid

10 Reasons Why I Will Always Hope for the Best

My friend Cara sent me an article over Facebook entitled "I'm Sorry But No One Is "That" Busy — It Just Comes Down to How Much of a Priority You Are." I know, wordy title. It's one of those articles by the ever popular Thought Catalog. As much as I find many of the articles entertaining, I refuse to be guided by them. And I know my friend means well and I know she just doesn't want to see me get hurt by yet another guy who was "too busy" for me but there are reasons why I still hope for the best and here they are:

1. I am not waiting for him. I'm waiting for true love.
I am completely aware that this guy and I might not work out but every failed relationship, even the almost ones, brings me closer to the real deal.

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2. If you believe in people, people come through.
This is one particular quote that stuck out to me while watching the last season of How I Met Your Mother (Marshall was the one who said this). I really do believe in him. I believe in the moments we shared. And if he doesn't come through, I know someone else will.

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3. I believe in myself.
I have the worst credentials. I don't even bring my transcript to interviews because they will just pull me down. But I manage to get jobs because I believe in myself. I believe that I am better than my grades. I believe that I have so much to offer than what that lousy piece of paper has to show. And I am the same way when it comes to love. I know I am unlike anyone, not exactly better nor worse. My self-worth is never defined by the boy who thinks I'm not worth his time. My mom always quotes this verse from the Bible that I am worth far more than rubies. It's about time I take it to heart.

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4. Some things are just out of our control.
I am a control freak. The saying "If you want the job done right, you've got to do it yourself" is a saying I live by. But as I got older, I realized that as hands-on as I am, there will be some things that I just can't control. There will be situations I just won't be able to manipulate. And although I'm still learning, I am letting go. In those circumstances, I have learned that there is nothing more I can do than hope for the best.

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5. Some people need time.
Some people take longer than others and if you give up on them, you rob them the chance of proving you right . It took my brother ten years to realize his potential and if we gave up on him, he wouldn't be where he is today.  Sure, there is an alternate ending which is disappointment but then again, there will always be a silver lining. If he disappoints me then he'll be a lesson learned.

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6.  So I won't regret.
I hope for the best so I won't regret. In the end, it's the person who didn't give it his all who regrets. I don't want to be the girl who shuts him down because he failed to shoot me a text every second. I want to be the girl who gave him all the chances in the world so that he'd be the idiot who missed the opportunity.

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7. I am a dreamer.
Yes, my head and heart are in the clouds but that's who I am. Reality bites and one of the ways I cope is by dreaming. He might not be the one but it's pretty fantastic to think that he might be. It's the possibility that excites me.

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8. There is still time.
I wait because I am in no rush. Good things happen to those who wait. And if he's really a good thing, he will happen for me.

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9. He needs the time and space to think/pray about/for me.
I don't want to be a decision out of impulse. I don't want him to want me for a moment. I want him to want me forever. And forever isn't something you rush into. I am not an easy person to be with and if he rushes to be with me, it's most likely that he'd be in a hurry to run out on me when the going gets tough. He needs to pray for me because I am praying for him.

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10. God only has the best for me.
I hope for the best because I already know that He has already orchestrated my love story. It's in the works. If he's not my happy ending, I know he entered my life for a purpose.

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Bonus: He's a good guy.
I really do think he's one of a kind. If he hurts me, I know he doesn't mean to.

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Small, Wonderful and Always Hoping for the Best,
Monica

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos above. All photos are properties of their rightful owners. 

12 Reasons Why 2014 Was My Year

It's no secret that 2013 was very unkind to me so I was determined that 2014 should be the best year yet. And it has been. 2014 knocked me off my feet, in a good way. Here are the reasons why:

12. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
I kickstarted my 2014 with a break-up. It wasn't the easiest ordeal that I had to go through but it was necessary. My year wouldn't be the year that it was if I didn't let go of the unhealthy relationship I had. It hurt. It hurt like hell but I am a stronger person because of it. You can read my goodbye to him here.

One of the few good memories that I have of him.

11. Almost Mr. Perfect
When 2014 started, I caught the fancy of this gorgeous guy and he was perfect in a lot of ways. He's handsome, smart, successful and we share the same faith. Of course, I wasn't ready for him. I was still picking up the pieces of my shattered heart. Suffice to say, it didn't work out. It just made me realize that I am deserving of so much more than what I previously settled for. It is true what they say. Some people just enter your life to teach you a valuable lesson. So, thank you R.

This text from R blew me away.

10. Livin' life YOLO
Before 2013 ended, I started becoming chummy with a friend who loves to party. She would take me out to clubs and we would be partying until the wee hours of the morning. I'm a sleeper and dancing the night away is very unnatural for me but I did it anyway. I never liked it though. There was something so empty and unfulfilling about a life of getting wasted and twerking. I have always known what I wanted out of life. I may not know how to get it but I know I wouldn't be getting it at the bottom of a bottle of Jack. When 2014 rolled in, I kicked off my dancing shoes and left the club scene.

Lounging under the shade while listening to Up Dharma Down perform at the recent 7017 Music Festival

9. Working 9 to 5
Technically, it would be 11 to 6 but there's no need to get our panties up in a wad over that, is there? I wasn't looking for a job but I got one and it's the best job I've ever had. I am so grateful for the vast opportunities that opened up to me once I entered the world of advertising — an industry I've been trying so hard to avoid.

Lacing up for a day at the construction site

8. Taking a Turn to the Silver Side
2014 is the year I turned 25 and it has been the most uneventful birthday I've ever had. For starters, my heart was still breaking and I was broke. But you know what they say, "when you've hit rock-bottom, there's no other way to go but up." Even if that was the case, I was hopeful that my life was about to change from that day on.

Single and Employed at 25

7. Learning how to change a flat tire
I've always considered myself to be an independent woman but when it comes to cars, I am such a noob. I've always depended on my ex-boyfriend to fix any vehicular problems I might have. When I finally learned how to change a flat tire, it made me feel that I'll manage just fine without him.

I need to get me one of those hydraulic jack thingies.

6. An Unexpected Wedding
My college best friends and I were planning a trip to Hong Kong when Joan announced that she just took a pregnancy test and it was positive hence, she cannot come with us anymore. MC and I decided to put our travel plans on hold because how can we ever go on a trip without her? Solidarity, baby! After that surprise, 2 months later, we were on our way to a wedding in Subic. Prime example of "life is what happens when you're too busy making other plans." Good times!

With the newlyweds

5. Purchasing my first Air Max 90s
I know, I know. This item seems too shallow to be so high up in the list but let me explain. For the past few years, it's been really difficult for me to spend money on myself for reasons I really can't divulge in here. My AM90s are so much more than shoes, they're a marker that I've left the past behind and I'm finally moving on to better things.

At Sports Lab by Atmos in Takashimaya

4. Ohayo Tokyo!
After a lot of failed travel attempts, it was such a blessing to go to Tokyo. You can read about all the fun I had here.

Getting Lost in Shinjuku

3. Kuya going to the US.
It's been a slow and rocky journey for my Kuya these past few years but God finally gave him a break through. After graduating from Culinary school, he is now on a paid internship program at a ski resort in the US. Never did any of us imagine him flying across the globe for a job. God is really bigger than anything we can comprehend.

A photo with the sibs before Kuya left for the US

2. Friendship Never Ends
In the best and worst of times, true friends will always be there for you. That's what 2014 taught me. Thank you to all of you for laughing and crying (but mostly laughing) with me through out the year. I love you all oh so much!

All classed up at a friend's wedding

101st wheeling with the rest of the crew.

Girls' day out in Tagaytay

1. Meeting Mr. Funny
B is definitely the highlight of the year. From the first text to the actual meeting at the airport up until he kissed me good bye at the bus station, he is really something. You can read a little about him here.

Blurred because I am so ugly in that picture

Small but had a Wonderful 2014,
Monica

Meeting Mr. Funny: 7 Things I Hate About You

Inspired by a Miley classic, here are the seven things I absolutely hate about you:

7. You love Justin Bieber and you're damn proud of it. 
It's funny how you had to defend "That Should Be Me"coming up on your playlist.

Source

6. You never shut up.
I don't know if that's just the effect of being awake for 24 hours but you just don't shut up, do you? From belting out emo songs to impersonating Manny Pacquiao, there is never a dull moment with you.

Source

5. You're freakin' scared of my driving.
I know it's all safe driving where you come from but here in the mean streets of Manila, if you're a pussy, you die. I found it amusing how you keep on flipping the bird to all the cars who came an inch closer than what you're comfortable with.

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4. You're already disgusting even if it's the first time we've met.
You smelled your socks and farted. It's weird how I found it charming. Then again, I am weird.

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3. You gave me the puppy dog eyes!
I hate how I wasn't able to resist your 'paawa' look.

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2. The flying kiss.
It's just creams my corn how you had to give me a flying kiss at the bus station as I was just about to drive away. It's fraking adorable.

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1. You had to leave right away.
I thought I'd get a day with you. All the excitement and anticipation boiled down to a five hour meeting where we were too tired and fucked up to do anything.

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Oh gahd, how I hate you.

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Small, wonderful, but full of hate,
Monica

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos above. All photos are properties of their rightful owners. 

I'm Sorry, I was Busy.

Hey,

Wow! It's been more than a month since I was able to post something here. I was right in the middle (err -- the start) of my nail art challenge when work got the best of me. It has been a hectic July for me and I only had the change to blog right now because I'm recovering from a fever.

As for my nail art challenge, I think I made it until Day 16 but I cannot reiterate this enough, work got the best of me. It takes me at least an hour to do my nails. Make it two if it's a very ambitious design. I didn't have an hour to spare. I was shuffling from meeting to meeting in Makati, attending photo shoots with one of those lasting 24 hours, and at the office during holidays and weekends. It was crazy and tiring but it was a great experience. This is the life of working in advertising, huh? Anyway, I'll be updating my nail art challenge and will hop right back into it once I feel a little better.

I also made cakes for two events last month and that really took a toll on me but they were worth it. Creating something from scratch and having other people appreciate what you did is really something. It didn't even matter if I barely made any money from it. I'm far from being professional at it but I love how they worked out.

Ladybug Themed Cake and Cupcakes

For a Friend's Wedding

I also do some writing on the side. Don't tell my boss that. Believe it or not, I make a little money out of my full time job and I am used to a certain kind of lifestyle. To keep up, I have to get money elsewhere. I have a lot of articles lined up that's why I decided to blog just to get my writing juices flowing.

In conclusion, I was busy as a bee and now I have some down time, I'll be able to update my blog more frequently.

Small, feverish but still wonderful,
Monikanin

How to Lose A Guy Lesson 1

The best way to let a guy know that you're not interested is to be very hard to please. Sure, a lot of them will like it and will attempt to rise to the challenge but if you do it right, they will give up.

The obvious way to be hard to please is to be high maintenance but that's not so effective. Sure, it might bleed their bank accounts dry but what if the guy that likes you has a bit of money to burn? Also girlfriend, you don't want to be called a golddigger. You don't want to turn off the actual men that you do like. You have a reputation to maintain. And these guys talk. They gossip more than women in a beauty salon.

Source: cheezburger.com

The most effective way to be hard to please is to always aim for the middle. Borrowing the concept of Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz in the film "My Best Friend's Wedding," don't be creme brulee but don't be jello. Be somewhere in the middle. In the grander scheme of things, who knows what the middle really is. Heck, you might not even know what that is.

Source:memecrunch.com

The key is to make him feel frustrated with you. Make him feel that he can't give you what you want because you don't even know what you want. But you do, it's just not him. If you don't want to hurt his feelings, keep his ego intact. Make him believe that it was his idea to end things in the first place.

Source: memeshare.net

Disclaimer: This is not the way I normally do things but some guys don't take no for an answer. This is my second to last move when an upfront refusal didn't work. I have done it more than once and in all times, they have been successful -- at least for me.

posted from Bloggeroid

I Think Like A Man

"I like the way you think. Not all girls think like that."

I've heard that and many variations of that statement over and over again from all kinds of people. I think that's why many guys buy into a lot of the crap that I'm selling.

I like to think that I think like a man. It's a dangerous world for a little lady out there and the only way to outsmart all the jerks is to act like a lady but to think like a man. I've always been this way. I never was the kind of girl that chick flicks were made for. (Don't get me wrong, I love chick flicks.) It was just that I never really used love as a reason or excuse for anything.

I do this because it makes guys want to be honest with you and their motives. If you make them believe that you get them, they'll let you know what they want upfront. That way, I'm always one step ahead. I've avoided many a heartbreak by being like this.

What I dislike about the way I'm wired is that it's only attractive at first. But after years of being together with someone, it backfires on you. He'd want you to think differently. He'd wish that you were into the whole cheesy and romantic bit. He'd wish you were less practical. He'd wish you would just loosen up a bit.

The reason why most men fall for me will become the reason they hate me in the future. Because I can play their game. Because I can outsmart them.

Sometimes I wish I can be just a normal girl. I may not be the hopeless romantics most women are but I still long for true love.

If you like the way I think now, think again. There are reasons why men want to punch each other in the face when they're fighting. Think of that when you think of a future with me. Because I guarantee that you will get the urge to hit me but you can't because I'm a girl. Now, isn't that an awful feeling?

posted from Bloggeroid

Officially Employed

Before starting on my blog post, I'd like to thank you for bearing with me during my last few posts. I didn't really want to turn my blog into a diary but well, some things, you just can't help but share. It's not because I want to gain sympathy from my audience. I blogged about my break-up and the difficulty of that because I wanted to take the weight of my shoulders. It was really heavy and having the opportunity to write about it and put it out there in the universe is a gift. Anyway, I sincerely hope that by me sharing, I get to make someone who's going through the same thing feel better. Just know that you're not the only person in the world dealing with this. And it doesn't make you a bad person if you chose to love yourself more.

Good news! I just started at a new job. If you happen to view my bio (you can see it on the right side), you would read that I'm in a crossroad. Well, I'm not anymore. I have decided to enter the world of employment again and put my business dreams on the side. Not that I'd be turning away potential clients. That dream would be secondary, for now.

I'm not going to tell you what job it is I have. It was only my second day today and I'm still quite unsure about what the job entails. Let me just say this, I have never thought I'd be one someday. I've always thought I was meant to be a writer and well, this time, I'm not. It's a new experience and hopefully, with the grace of God, I do a good -- great job.

Today's #ootd

Anyway, wish me luck!

Small but Wonderful,

Kanin

I Never Learned How To Ride A Bike

I never learned how to ride a bike. I know it's weird. It's not because I grew up in Saudi Arabia. Unlike most OFW kids in the Kingdom, we weren't secluded between the four walls of a surprisingly spacious apartment. We lived in a big house and we had a big backyard, both we got to share with other families as well. I had a pretty great childhood but I never learned how to ride a bike.

I never learned how to ride a bike because my parents didn't buy me one. They were worried about me falling. They didn't want me to get nasty childhood scars from inevitable bike crashes. They had a dream for me. And unwarranted scars on any part of my body will only ruin the dream. They failed to anticipate that I am not able to grow an inch over five feet. Alas, their dream died. Even then, I never learned how to ride a bike.

I never learned how to ride a bike. I am now turning 25, newly single but still bike-less. As I come to grips with the reality that I had parted ways with the person I have loved for two years and so, the remains of unfulfilled promises come to the surface. I've always wanted to learn how to ride a bike and he promised he would be the one to teach me. Two years into the relationship and days after we've parted ways, I still have never learned how to ride a bike.

Me: Do you know how to ride a bike?

Him: Yep yep

Me: I don't. Hahaha

Him: I would be lame if I didn't but it's okay for a girl. I'll teach you.

I never learned how to ride a bike but it's a higher up item on my bucket list. And now I realize that you won't be the one to cross that item out. It just occurred to me that I will never get to experience you scolding me for my lack of motor skills and coordination. It just occurred to me that I will never hear you say "Get up and try again" when I fall. It just occurred to me that I will never see you sweat and hear you complain about the sweltering Philippine heat, all because I have never learned how to bike.

Him: I got you. I'll catch you when you fall.

Me: Hahaha

I never learned how to ride a bike and I may learn someday but it won't be because of you. We will never ever get to ride tandem bikes and go sight seeing across the countryside. We will never ever get to ride a bike to the middle of a meadow to picnic under the shade of the mango tree while staring up at the clouds. If I only knew how to ride a bike in the first place, then this have been a real possibility. It's sad that I never learned how to ride a bike.

Me: I really wanted a bike back then.

Him: Okay. Let's ride a bike together.

I never learned how to ride a bike and I've always wanted to and I've always hoped when it finally happens, it will be with and because of you. Now that we're over, my quest to successfully maneuver a bicycle lies by the wayside. And I wish I could blame you. I wish I could say that it's all your fault. But it's really not. If I waited, then maybe someday you could still teach me. Then again, two years and so has been long enough to put my dreams on hold because I was too busy fulfilling yours. Two years and so is a long enough time to wait for you to do something as simple as teaching me how to ride a bike. I know you loved me. You just didn't love me enough to teach me how to ride a bike. That's why, two years and so, I still haven't learned how to ride a bike.

Our relationship, from its fruition to its inevitable demise can be summarized into one simple but meaningful sentence and that is: I never learned how to ride a bike.