Songs of Yesterday are the treasure of my Today.

I can think of a lot of things that I can't live without but I think that music is one of the best gift given to us to better cope with life.
Listening to music is one of the things that relaxes me and help me take my mind off things that I shouldn't even be thinking of - and oftentimes it makes me think of the things that I should be.

Certain songs brings back certain memories. "I Will Survive" reminds me of my mother because she listens to ten different versions of this song every day, without fail. "What's Up" reminds me of my brother and his amazing guitar skills. When he'd come home in the weekends, he'd bring along his guitar and play some songs and I'd sing along to it. I didn't realise it then but that was one of the most fun memories I had when I was young. See my eldest brother is not one to openly express his affection but looking back now he did really well with me.
"Forevermore" will only ever remind me of my sister. When the song came out she was one of the first one to get the audio tape of Side A. Unfortunately for me, we shared the same bedroom and the audio cassette only contained two songs. Forevermore on Side 1 and Tell Me on Side 2. She didn't like Tell Me much so the radio was forevermore stuck on Side 1. It's funny now thinking about it but it wasn't much fun then! It was worth enduring that in exchange for sharing a room with her, it helped us become really close sisters.
"Destiny" reminds me of my best friend Sarah because we always sang this duet when we do Karaoke. She always tells me to sing the female bit so if there is anyone who'd struggle with the high notes and embarass herself it's me. I didn't mind, I tried my best and it was really fun. We always sang this song just before we close the karaoke bar we used to work in at Clarkton Hotel.
Then there is the song "Sunshine" which I dedicated to a total stranger I was completely infatuated to. It was the first time I thought I could be in love! I was 15, what did I know really? But it's also the point in time when I discovered and appreciate my talent in writing poems. It's the best thing a broken heart has ever yielded - for me anyhow.
"Do You Miss Me" and "Boom Boom Boom (Boom? - by Vengaboys)" will always remind me that I was a good dancer! I always wanted to dance but I thought it was just because I have so much fun when I dance in front of an audience. I started being a cheerleader in 4th Grade and when I was in Sophomore High School I was chosen to be the Lead Cheerleader and won an award to the tune of the Venga Boys song :p The morning of the competition is forever etched in my memory - my mum was up and so is my sister, she was getting ready for work but she got up early to help me braid my hair. The song Do You Miss Me by Jocelyn Enriquez was the song they played at the audition for the Official Dance Group in my High School and I was lost in a big school as a freshman and honestly didn't think I'd get in but I was one of the 7 successful auditionees out of the 109 that tried out. "The Child Inside" is memorable for two events in my life - one utterly embarrassing but fun, and the other a proud moment for me! On the annual QuizBee which was held in the auditorium of the University, they needed an intermission number before the winning school was announced and I was chosen to perform amongst the officers and seniors of the High School Department's Dance Club. It was like a dream come true for a fresher like me. We danced to Child Inside and Ecuador. Ahh the good times.
Let me tell you the embarrassing bit now as I'm sure you're dying to know! Well when I was working in Picture City as a sales assistant an agent for a National TV Network approached me and asked me if I wanted to join the beauty contest on a noontime show. At first I thought he was taking the piss but he came back about 10 times trying to get me to say yes. He even got my mobile number somehow and I think I asked my mum to answer my phone for me once to cover up haha But then three of my work colleagues thought we've had enough of our store manager's nasty attitude so we thought it would be fun to not go to work - all three of us. So the next time Larry rang I said yes I'll join but I won't win because I am only doing this for kicks. He probably thought I just didn't want to be embarrassed but he didn't know me. One of the my workmates backed out on the last minute, she decided she needed the job. We all did to be honest, I guess the three of us were just more bored than her. So we went to Manila and I too almost backed out at the last minute. I was 16, ok? Back then I didn't wear high heeled shoes so needless to say I didn't own any. Larry borrowed me a pair from somewhere which were like 2 sizes bigger and impossible to walk in! Everything was wrong that day - the contest was for ladies aged 17-25 and at least 5'3. I was 16 and 5'2, probably even an inch shorter back then lol
I didn't prepare for my talent and certainly didn't practice dancing in 4-inch high shoes and two sizes bigger. So what did I do? I took them off. Before the show this gay make up person kept telling me I shouln't take my shoes off when I dance because I will definitely lose. He says I should stay poised and maintain my bold star aura, the only thing that kept me from whacking him with a stick was that he was actually concerned. He wasn't a make up artist there but he was a contestant in another segment. He had said I resembled Joyce Jimenez but I highly doubt that after he painted my face :p Heavy make up and me just don't mix well together. So the interview went well I wasn't nervous at all I was laughing with my mates who were in the audience. When the presenters asked me what I am going to do for talent portion I said I was going to dance but I need to take my shoes off. They were like "honey are you sure?". YES I am sure. So I did exactly that. Needless to say I lost. What was I thinking, I was on national television on a program that 50% of the jobless population of the Philippines (which is a LOT mind you) watch on a daily basis. But I won't change it for the world. It was really a fun-NY experience and I got to forge an even tighter bond with two of my friends. We got to go to the studio to watch a popular noontime show in the Philippines and travel to Manila back and forth together which was such a great experience. I forgot what I did with the 5,000 consolation prize. Probably spent it on a pair of shoes which are actually my size :)

"Behind These Hazel Eyes" remind me of the time I thought James and I were over. But it was a turning point for us where we both realised just how much we mean to each other.
"Slide" is a song that reminds me of Gareth and how a guy who has such a tough and proud exterior can be so sweet to play his guitar over an overseas phone call and sing me a lovely song.
"Flowers" will always remind me of how cheeky I could be entering a disco house at only 15! It was playing when I got in for the first time haha.

Songs are somewhat like photographs. They preserve memories so precious they help us cope with the future. Memories of the past are indeed the treasure of the future.