Just call me Jhei (//_+)

"Yeye" may sound funny but I have to admit that it was my childhood nickname. I really don't understand how and why they gave me such a funny nickname. I hate it when my childhood friends or even some people I knew call me by that name but I guess I can never runaway with the reality that it has been a part of my life. At home, they still call me Yeye but sometimes my mom calls me Jhelai, Jhe, Jenny or Bhe.

My high school friends call me "Ate Jhen" since I was older than them. While most of my classmates in high school calls me "Jenny". Some of my college friends in CvSU - Main calls me "Auntie" while some still calls me "Ate Jhen". From Yeye to Jhen, now I wanted to be called as "Jhei". Actually, it all started when I had my OJT at Kalipayan Resort Inc. One of the Front Desk Supervisor of the resort makes fun of our names and gives each one of us a nickname. He called me "J" then I find it cool to hear so, I gave it a quirky spelling --- JHEI.

Jhei.. simple and unique just like who I am for those people who knows me very well. Simple in a way that "walang masyadong arte sa katawan". If I wear make-up, it will always be a red lipstick and clear mascara; if I wear casual (cloth), it will always be an ordinary blouse and an old jeans. Unique? yeah! But it's not only me but rather all of us are unique creations of God.

Have you heard the song "Not Like the Movies" by KC Concepcion? The first line of the lyrics goes like this.. "I'm an average dreamer, a true escapist. Always expecting a happy ending. Maybe I was watching too many movies, maybe I should grow up and stop pretending..." Actually, it resembles my personality. I love watching movies especially love story, drama, fantasy, etc. and they have influenced me so much that sometimes I wish my life would have a happy ending or I have magical powers and I never wanna grow up just like Peter Pan. But in reality, there is no happy ending, you have to work to get what you want, you have to grow up, and move on. But somehow, just like the movies, my life is filled with dramas and most of my friends know my story. One reason why I am a very sentimental person.

Simple, unique, average dreamer, escapist, and sentimental are some of my personality. Below, I have listed some things that I hope could help you determine who I really am.

• At the age of 9, I had experienced selling yema at school. Though I know that it is prohibited to sell at the school, I still pursue my "little" business. But later on, I stopped selling yema. Then I started selling again when I was in 3rd year high school. My classmates would often tease me.. "Ate Jhen, pwede ka ng magtayo ng yema factory. Baka mabalitaan na lang namin big time ka na.."
• I learned to rode a bike at the age of 12. But I had my very own bike at the age of 17. Then at the age of 18, I tried to operate a motorcycle (actually it was like a scooter). Due to its heavy body, I find it hard to make a balance so fell on the ground and had a scars on my elbow and knees. After that day, I promised to never do it again, ever!
• When I was in first year high school, my classmates call me Lola Basyang. I never run out of stories especially when it comes to supernatural stories or known as Paranormal. And when I was in 2nd to 4th year high school, my classmates call me Miss National Bookstore (I guess it's already obvious why they give me such a trademark).
• I love watching movies ever since I was in elementary. My favorite movies are "White Oleander" (drama), "Warriors of Virtue" (fantasy-adventure), All "Lilo & Stitch" Films and Hayao Miyazaki Films. Aside from watching movies, I also love reading books. I have a complete collection of Bob Ong's book, a few collection of books published by Blue Mountain Arts Collection, and books about Paranormal & Witchcraft. For novels, so far, I had finished only three books --- Cabin Faced West, More Minds, and My Name Is Memory. Among the three, My Name Is Memory is my favorite novel.
• Seafoods are my favorite dish but unfortunately, I have allergies on those kinds of foods. I also love eating french fries, cheeseburgers, and spaghetti (actually, everything that can be eaten with cheese!). I like dark chocolates than the white ones. I love drinking coffee with creamer.
• I love collecting Stitch collectibles, accessories (which I never wore. I just hang them in my cabinet), keychains, cellphone charms, and coin purse. I am also fond of collecting art materials and different types of papers used for crafting. I have a lot of beads at home. 
• I also love collecting memories. Sounds odd huh? Those trash for other people is a treasure for me. I remember one of my friends in high school told me that.. "Jhen baka naman pag nagreunion tayo, nasa iyo pa din ang mga basura namin." I value things that would remind me about them. 
• I also love collecting quotes. Quotes that could express how I feel. Sometimes, I find it hard to express my feelings. I also love writing letters for my family, friends, and for those people who I consider special.
• Believe it or not, I had experienced selling meriendas within our subdivision (naglalako ng merienda). My younger sister is the one who is shouting "maruya, banana que, turon". We did it to earn extra money for our allowance and to help our mom with some of the expenses at home. 
• I had a weak body. I had asthma since birth that's why my mom was forced to enroll me in a private school. As far as I remember, when I was 6 or 7 years old, I was confined to the hospital for about 3 months. Each night I cry because nobody was there beside me to take good care of me, just the nurses at the hospital. That's one of the reason why sometimes I prefer to be alone. I had get used to it.

That's all I can say and share for now. If you really want to know me better, be my FRIEND! But sometimes, it takes a few years before I consider someone as my friend.