What’s your favorite new word? Sunnies? Besties? Or Selfies?

 Photo grabbed from sunnies-1-istorya.net_.jpg

In this era of sunnies, healthy eats, good reads, birthday greets, came besties and then selfies. Selfie was among the buzzwords in 2012, and last year, it was announced as the “word” of the year. You call these words urban or slang lingo. 

Language evolves with time, even the rules of grammar and style get shaken to allow more freedom of expression. Blogging platforms (like Wordpress, Tumbler, Blogger, Twitter), which allow just about anyone with access to a computer and internet to write and publish, have paved the way for unrestricted use of language. 

Now, a sentence does not have to always have a subject and a predicate, regardless whether it is of the exclamatory type that can go by one word and an exclamation point (example: Gosh!), or one that commands an action, as in “Go.” The important thing is that readers “dig” you. I see more and more adjectives being used singly and ended with a period: Perfect. Beautiful. Surreal. Damned. 

“Haha” and “hehe,” are now incorporated in sentences. They used to look out of place and wrong, but because they’ve pervaded blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other social media, they’ve been accepted as part of today’s lingo. Haha’s and hehe’s imply the writer’s mood, but they are not always equivalent to your typical, pleasant smiley. They sometimes convey that the writer is being condescending, irate, or vengeful. "Hehe" is more neutral or should I say more leaning to good vibes, denoting laughter and a happy mood in general. At times, "hehe," when used to respond to positive comments or praises on Facebook, hints of shyness or is an attempt at humility. 

So how do I end this blah-blah? GTG (short for got to go).

But before I go, I’d like to share with you the meanings of some of the words mentioned above. These are from Urban Dictionary:

Selfie

A picture taken of yourself that is planned to be uploaded to Facebook, Myspace or any other sort of social networking website. You can usually see the person's arm holding out the camera... A selfie is usually accompanied by a kissy face or the individual looking in a direction that is not towards the camera.

Bestie

An adoring nickname for one you hold in highest esteem, more commonly known as a best friend. A bestie is the person who you not only go shopping with on a regular basis but also trust implicitly with anything.

Sunnies

Another term for "sunglasses".

Break time with besties

It has been three weeks since I entered the stay-at-home-mom chapter of my life. No regrets so far. It’s still too early for selfie moments to mull over whether temporarily quitting a fulltime job was a right move. But, yes, I suppose it is. I am enjoying my new routine. I have been a blissful mom so far. The past weeks have been busy weeks settling into a new daily routine, and getting some long-delayed chores and errands done. Improving this blog and putting up more posts, and updating old posts with photos have also kept me occupied.

Last week, I went out for lunch with two of my girlfriends. It was a welcome break to see old friends and catch up on what was happening at work and how our kids were. It was a fun lunch filled with laughter and chatter.  Too bad we didn’t think of taking a photo. But, I do have some photos taken during our Thursday lunches. I miss these two beautiful, smart, two-of-a-kind women.

Today, I got another chance to escape the house and meet up with another bestie for lunch. We planned on eating at Café Breton at the Podium, Ortigas, but had to transfer at the last minute to Mary Grace. Café Breton has been a personal favorite because of its cozy ambiance and their very delicious crepes and sandwiches. Mary Grace is a new find. Not sure when they opened a branch at Podium. Although the tables are outside, it still has its distinct country look and feel. It is a favorite of my dear friend Anna May.

Notes from customers are displayed on the tables.

There is such thing as a free lunch. Thanks to Anna May! Love the short hair, Anns! :-)

We had pasta and their famous ensaymada.

Pasta Vongole

Lunch was delicious though a bit heavy.

What made lunch enjoyable was the company and the stories shared.

 It is heartwarming to be with someone apart from family, who you know truly cares, has your best interests at heart, will laugh and cry with you, hear you out, endure listening to your angsts and rants, and not hold judgments. Persons who will cover your back, pray for you, and stick it out with you. They are your best friends, your besties. They are blessings from God.

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I feel the need to share photos of other friends who have, in more ways than one, really pervaded my life, touched my heart, and shared my milestones through the years.  Sorry for the ones in the US who are missing in these photos, but you know how much of besties you are as well to me. :-)

College besties - Sha-Sha and Mil-Mil.

With Tin-Tin and Mil-Mil, super sisters from UP AEMS. Photo taken at Mary Grace, Greenbelt, Dec 2012.

With my sisters. We shared the most fun times over beer. :-)

Celebrating my 36th, cake courtesy of the ladies with me. :-)

Christmas photo with friends.

Sisses in UP AEMS, 1996.

Friends from high school - Lally, Amy and Leah; missing are Ghi, Free, Queenie and Fe.
Photo taken at Cafe Breton, Podium, Dec 2012.