Pain

Feeling nostalgic... sad.. i just wanted to cry all day. It's almost 2008 (3 days to be exact)... my heart felt numb and cold. i feel nothing. i wake up and i don't look forward to what the day would bring. i don't know why I am feeling this way. Or maybe i do know. i just don't want to write things up...personal reasons perhaps. just wanted to keep it to myself (selfish kasi.. haha).

anyway on the lighter side... since i am in "pain" i decided to take a walk sa mall (walk sa mall? yes.) and i saw this white, almost see-through, v-neck, with ruffles blouse. ay grabe, na-inlove ako kagad sa kanya, but didnt bought it though. too expensive. mya maging cause pa ako ng "acts of lasciviousness" (dream on! hahaha). will have to find something similar to that blouse.

christmas time...it's christmas time...

Last minute shopping (for someone who is flying out and will be recieving my gift after new year pa!)... a trip to the spa (for my feet)

Last night, we were anxious to see the reaction of my youngest on her "big" gift. Negrereklamo kasi. Siya lang daw ang wala pa gift sa xmas tree.

excited on opening

another box?

still another box?

what could this be?

gulay! tsokolate lang pala!

After that, umiyak na nang umiyak. Kasi we were all laughing.

Simbang gabi...simula nang Pasko

On my 4th day of the simbang gabi. Konti na lang at makukumpleto ko na din... Matutupad na ang wish ko! Hurrah!!!! hehehe

May pasok pa din mga kids ko sa school. Hanggang Friday pa sila (for their xmas party).

Tomorrow will be the office party. Don't feel like attending (napilitan lang kapag umatend). Sasama lang ang loob ko, este, namin pala. Hay. That's life. Hindi lahat pwede mo makuha at pwede maibigay sa iyo (UNFAIR naman kapag ganun!).

Treat myself last Sunday sa David's... Rejoice lang yan....hehehe...

Happy Holidays to all!

tis the season of facial skin "outbreak"

My face feels rough and rashes have appeared. Why do I always have this "problem" during this time of the year???? Argh! I use facial mosturizers (Thanks to The Face Shop). They lessen the feeling of "roughness" but the rashes/"butlig" won't go away!

As usual, dami pa din ginagawa dito. (YEAR-END!) Kaya wala akong matinong post.

Long weekend

It has been over two weeks since my last post. Been quite busy with work (as usual). I arranged my old files, placed then in a box to be sent to the bodega. Now my work place is free from "unwanted" items.

I also have to deal with the Equitable-BDO merger thingy. Mahirap kaya ngayon sa BDO (they were EPCIB before). Ilan beses ako pabalik balik ng bank for account numbers, for payroll diskettes that has nothing saved in it (ewan ko ba kung bakit).

Went home early today. Not because of the Makati tensyon. I just want to go home early.

Post a blog about nothing.

Might watch Heroes season 1 this weekend.

e.r.

The call came at around 5:30pm.

Me: hello.
Mom: Nasa San ______ kami.
Me: Bakit? Sino?
Mom: Si Kulot (my youngest, aged 5) nasa e.r.
Me: What! Anong nangyari?
Mom: Nakikipag karera sa kuya niya ng bisikleta... Sumemplang, 4 stitches yung inabot nun chin niya.
Me: ano???!!!! Sino kasama sa labas ng bahay?
Mom: malapit na din kami umalis, injection-an na lang siya ng anti-tetanus.
Me: Sige.
---end of call ----

Phone call sa bahay.
Me: Hello.
Daughter: hello ma
M: anong nangyari kay kulot?
D: sumemplang po sa bike. Kasi niyaya siya ni mico magkarera
M: bakit lumabas ng bahay?
D: kasi niyaya ni ate R (yung yaya), magpapaload daw kasi siya
M: asan si R nun sumemplang si kulot? Anong ginawa niya?
D: Wala po. Kasi nagtetext po.
M: sige.
---end of call ---

When I got home nakakunot na ang noo ko. I told the yaya na "kung hindi mo kayang magpaload mag-isa, huwag ka nang magpaload! Kapag may nangyari sa mga bata IKAW ang mananagot sa akin!" Defensive si yaya. Iba ang sinasabi niya versus sa sinasabi ng kids ko. I asked all of my kids (hindi sabay-sabay to check yung consistency ng kwento nila) kung ano ang nangyari, nasan ang yaya, bakit sila nasa labas, ano ang ginagawa ng yaya. All of them told the same thing, walang ginawa si yaya, nagtetext, at hindi tinulungan yung youngest ko. Yung youngest ko pa ang tumayo at pumunta sa yaya! My other kids? Well, tinawag nila ang lolo at lola nila to tell them what happened.

Hay, kailangan ko na mahanap yung nagpasok sa amin kay yaya at ipapauwi ko na sa kanila. Baka siya ang isubsob ko sa kalsada.

Wallet

Marie wants to take a peek inside my wallet. I have been using this Lacoste black leather wallet for 3 years now (and still counting!).

Here's the list on what's inside it.
1. ATM cards (BDO, BPI and EPCIB)
2. ID Cards (SSS, TIN, Company ID and Driver's License)
3. SM Advantage, SM Prestige, Shopwise, Suki Card (of Mercury Drug)
4. Cash, some receipts, Community Tax Certificate
5. Health Card (I-Care)
6. Credit Card (Diners)
7. My graduation photo (at the back of that are the photos of my kids)

Trick or Treat

It has been a yearly tradition in the village where I grew up to have a Trick or Treat for the kids. This year there are about 65 kids. Divided into 4 groups, each group has its own leader.

My eldest won the best costume award. Not a scary costume but a different one.

This event may not be as grandest as compared to other villages or subdivision but it is definitely fun... and tiring! We started at around 5:30pm and got home around 8:00pm!

(ate, kuya and bunso)

(some houses with "spooks")

(kids in their costumes ready to go trick or treat-ing)

(goodies!)

Until next year!

Majorette, magazine, books

Maica the Majorette

My eldest daughter once asked me if I will permit her to become a majorette in her school. I gave her my permission.

(siya yung ibang knee ang nakabend)

What is a majorette?
"Majorette" has been described as a word meaning "desire" and "devotion", and that the dreams and admirations of every little girl, and a lot of older ones, too, are wrapped up in the word "Majorette". The majorette has been described as the example of the excitement, glamour, popularity, and spirit that so many girls strive for.

When you see a majorette in a parade, you see someone strutting and twirling a baton as she leads, or helps lead, a marching band. That much you see, and know that it is true.
She might be pretty, but that not likely to be why she's there. The really good majorettes have done what it takes to be good majorettes, and are only too happy to show what they've accomplished.
After all this, you may conclude by simply saying that a good majorette is a disciplined, spirited, confident, baton-twirling, strutting band leader. Yes, majorettes, to some people, have come to symbolize leadership."

Something to read.

I have been preparing for the long weekend this coming week (Nov 1- 4). First, i bought books (by Paulo Coelho), YES! magazine, Reader's Digest and sudoku...

By Wednesday I should have bought Heroes, Ugly Betty and other movies in my "to watch" list.

38Q's

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? Hmmm. Toughie. Was mad last night…
2. What were you doing at 0800? Nakaupo sa sasakyan going to work
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Checking inventory
4. What happened to you in 2006? Nothing significant… just work, work, work, work… and oh yeah, got one of the grand prizes during the company christmas party.
5. What was the last thing you said out loud? “Hey!”
6. How many beverages did you have today? A cup of coffee and glass of water
7. What color is your hairbrush? Blue (office), black & silver (bahay)
8. What was the last thing you paid for? Php 15 FX fare going to office
9. Where were you last night? In the my bedroom
10. What color is your front door? cream
11. Where do you keep your change? Pockets in my bag, a plastic piggy, office drawer and my coin purse
12. What’s the weather like today? Sunny
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? Strawberry, chocolate
14. What excites you? My kids
15. Do you want to cut your hair? Not yet. Will wait until December.
16. Are you over the age of 25? yes
17. Do you talk a lot? Depends on the topic to talk about.
18. Do you watch the O.C.? nope
19. Do you know anyone named Steven? Yes. A fellow Jpian way back in college.
20. Do you make up your own words? I guess
21. Are you a jealous person? yes
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’. Angel
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’. Kojie
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? Wala.
25. What does the last text message you received say? “Natigil na ang iyong Globe UNLITEXT…” which reminds me, I better register again…
26. Do you chew on your straw? no
27. Do you have curly hair? no
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? Maybe shopwise to buy some stuff for the week
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? RJ
30. What was the last thing you ate? Pancake with sausage meal of Mcdonalds
31. Will you get married in the future? not anymore.
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? No Reservations
33. Is there anyone you like right now? yes
34. When was the last time you did the dishes? yesterday
35. Are you currently depressed? no
36. Did you cry today? no
37. Why did you answer and post this? was tagged by Kaye & Liz
38. Im tagging Cess, Lazarus, bRVince, Marie, Zherwin

Gray Matters!

Last Sunday my scalp became itchy. I thought I may have dandruff.

But alas! I found out that some strands of my beautiful black hair are turning gray! I plucked the ones that are visible to my eyes…

“Gray hair is typically a result of natural aging. Pigment in the hair shaft comes from special cells at the root (base) of the hair. These cells are genetically programmed to make a certain amount of pigment (melanin) at specific ages. At some point in the aging process, these cells make less and less pigment until the hair has very little pigment. White hair has no pigment, and gray hair has some but not as much as a red, black or brown hair.

Not all hairs respond in the same way or at the same time. So the graying process usually is gradual. You can't prevent graying. Some people start graying in their 30s, and some not until their 60s. Genetics likely play a strong role in graying.

People rarely go gray overnight. If they do, it's typically due to alopecia areata. This condition causes the thicker, darker hairs to stop growing before it affects the growth of gray hairs — giving the impression of graying overnight. Alopecia areata eventually causes roundish patches of hair loss or complete loss of hair on the head or body. Its cause isn't known.”

Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. Must see David’s ASAP for hair color.

OktoberFEAST

It is definitely an October-FEAST for us in the office. Why? You see, since October 1 halos araw araw kami may libreng pagkain. It's either bigay ng contractor or ng supplier or ng officemate. Like yesterday, may nagbigay sa amin ng "Bunch of Lunch". Then, in the early afternoon, hala, may nagdala naman ng "sapin-sapin". Geez! Mamaya naman (5am kasi as of this writing) may birthday celebration yung isang AVP na sagot ng company. We will be having Max's. Then tomorrow, may libreng lunch uli. Compliment of the same AVP.

I can't wait for November and December.

Shea Butter

I had my regular foot spa yesterday. The attendant noticed that my feet is quite dry. She told me to use Shea Butter. Before that, a client sitting next to me asked her attendant if they have hand creme. The attendant said they don't have but suggested to use shea butter instead.

I was curious about this shea butter (halata ba na ngayon ko lang narinig). So tingin ako sa internet about it. Here is what i got...

21 Reasons to use Shea Butter

1. For dry skin.
2. Skin rash
3. Skin peeling, after tanning
4. Blemishes and Wrinkles
5. Itching skin
6. Sunburn
7. Shaving cream for smooth silky shave
8. Small skin wounds
9. Skin cracks
10. Tough or rough skin (on feet)
11. Wold weather
12. Frost bites
13. Stretch marks prevention from pregnancy
14. Insect bites
15. Healthy skin
16. Muscle fatigue, aches and tension
17. For before and after a strenuous excercise
18. Skin allergies such as poison ivy or poison oak
19. Eczema
20. Dermatitis
21. Skin damage from heat

waiting is torture for me

waiting is definitely a torture for me now. all i have to do is pray for a better result... Tik tak tik tak.... tagal ng Friday.... tagal ng next doctor's visit...

sick

nakakapagod magpabalik balik sa ospital. kailangan ko pa mag antay ng 7 araw bago ako bumalik uli at magpatingin... hay, when will i get better???? when will the results show a "negative result"??? sana sa aking pagbabalik, gumanda na ang resulta.

ber months...

Hurrah! "Ber" months na. Kanina ngang umaga nakarinig na ako ng Christmas song "perople making list, buying special gifts...why don't you give love on christmas day..."

Ngayon palang nag-iisip na ako ng ireregalo ko sa mga inaanak ko. Kaya lang minsan sa dami ng trabaho, pulang sobre na lang ang naibibigay ko sa kanila. Yung mga medyo nakakaintindi na sa pera, definitely mas gusto nila yun. Pero yung mga toddler at infant, yung parents ang matutuwa sa pulang sobre.

Hay malapit na ang pasko. Malapit na ang 13th month, conversions, bonus at mga kung anu-ano pa.

Being sick after the awarding ceremonies

I have colds since yesterday afternoon. Can't breathe normally. I am using my mouth for breathing since my nose is all clogged up. Have to blame the weather for it. All i wanted to do now is to lie in bed and sleep. It's a good thing there will be no work on Monday. A longer time to make myself better and well. I wanted a hot hot hot soup.

The awarding ceremonies of the company's bowling tournament was held yesterday. My team got the 4th place, I got 2 awards. One is 3rd place for highest triple category and the other one is also for 3rd place in the highest average category.

Till next year!

hay buhay... umulan na naman

Suspended and classes ng mga bata ngayon... Late nga lang ina-announce ng DECS at CHED and kanilang decision. Kasi naman yung ulan hindi bumuhos ng madaling araw para mas maaga nakapag desisyon and mga kinuukulan.

Nakikiramdam din kami sa opisina kanina. Maraming late sa mga katrabaho ko. Ok lang naman yun. Talaga naman sobra ang ulan at baha. Early bird kasi ako kaya hindi ako masyadong nabaha...

Heto ang sitwasyon kanina sa lugar ng aking pinapasukan. Pasensiya na sa mga kuha, gamit ko aking telepono diyan.

sa may roxas blvd.

sa may p. ocampo st. malate

Umaraw naman. Pero bandang 1 ng hapon, bumuhos uli ang ulan. Unang abiso sa amin, 4pm pa daw kami pwedeng umuwi. Ganun!??? E ang gobyerno, 1pm pinauwi na. Asus! Ginawa ko, in-off ko na ang computer ko, sabi ko sa sarili ko bakit ko pa aantayin ang 4pm e kalayo pa ng uuwian ko... After 10mins, yung SVP na namin ang tumawag at sinabing pwde na daw kami umuwi... Yes! Grabe ang traffic sa Maynila!!!!! Pero kung sa EDSA ka dadaan, walang katrapik-trapik! pramis! Dumating ako sa amin ng mga 4:30.

Buti naman at nag announce na wala uli pasok sa LAHAT ng level ng school bukas. Hay... makakatulog din ako ng mahaba haba...

R.I.P.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of my father's uncle (youngest brother of my grandfather). He passed away this morning.

Chedeng - Dodong

Thank God for the rains brought by Chedeng and Dodong. Our prayers has been answered. Indeed, when it rains, it pours. And it pours so hard that classes was suspended, most of metro manila was submerged in water.

Yesterday while I was on my way to work, I took the Qpo-bound fx. Grabe talaga ang lakas ng ulan at baha na sa kalsada. I was talking to an elderly woman and we were discussing about the announcement made by DECS earlier that day that "CLASS SUSPENSION WILL BE THE SCHOOL'S DECISION" Ganun!!!! Eh yung school pa man din ng kids ko kapag ganun ang announcement, THEY WILL BE HAVING CLASSES! Then an announcement was made at around 6:30 or 6:45 am for the suspension of classes for all levels. Ana ba yan! Kung kailan nasa school na ang mga bata dun sila magdedeclare ng "NO CLASSES!!!" Hindi na talaga nagbago ang ating gobyerno.

At the office, kinukulit namin yung secretary ng boss namin to ask kung pwede ba kami umuwi nang maaga... Fotunately, we were allowed to go home early. 4:00pm to be precise. I went home earlier than that. 3:35pm (astig. hayaan mo na, kesa naman mahirapan ako makasakay). It took me more than 3 hours from the office to my house. Pabugso bugso ang ulan at kahit may payong ako, basa ako. May mga pasaway pa na mga drivers. At yung mga tao, agawan sa masasakayan. Meron nga dun, pahawak na ako sa handle nun fx aba, itulak ba naman yung kamay ko!!!!! Argh!!!! @@@!#!!!!!!!!! Kung hindi lang umuulan, inaway ko na yung babae. Kung gusto niyang makauwi, ako din ganun!!!! Grrr talaga! Yung nga skin ng toes ko (wearing slippers) kulubot na dahil sa tubig. Medyo nadyijingle pa ako...

Today, may mga portion pa na baha sa España at Manila City Hall area. Sana pag uwi ko mamaya, wala nang baha. At wala nang traffic.

The FINALS

Now will mark the end of our bowling tournament. On the lead is the OSVP who has 36pts. They just need a clean 2pts to claim the Championship title. 2nd on the July 27th Bulletin is the OP (32pts) and ACCTG DEPT (29pts). My team is currently on the 4TH place (so sad....better luck next year!).

I just hope I will be able to stay on the Female category - Highest Average. My name was "erased" on the Highest Single and Highest Triple category. Was on 3rd place on both category (178 - 443). Last week, somebody did a 192. Placed her on the 2nd place. (203-192-181) and (499-469-451). Sigh.... Oh well, we can never really tell. I might be able to beat the Highest on all female category (how i wish and crossing my fingers!!!!)

Now, it's about 4 hrs before the game will begin... will not work. will just relax. will just blog and blog hop... My lipovitan is waiting for me at the fridge.

Power of Two

Sentimental lang. I find this song kaka-inlove.

Doing in-between

Compared with other private companies who have limited coffee and lunch breaks, here in the office, it's UNLIMITED. Unlimited in the sense that we could have our own coffee/lunch break anytime we want.

In fact, yesterday I went out of my office area, looked for a phone, I have to choose between

Nokia 6300

and

Motorola V3x

Halos pareho lang naman ang price nun 2 phone. When I sold my other phone, in my head I wanted the Motorola V3x. But then I saw the N6300... almost the same price... Nagtanong-tanong nang mga features of both phones then pagkatapos makipagtawaran ng price sa may-ari, I chose the Nokia 6300. Mas elegant tingnan for me yung Nokia so I went for the Nokia phone.

After that, back to work uli to meet report deadlines due for tomorrow. Now, i have to finish this FS analysis... geez... life here is definitely a routine... but i love every minute of it!!!!

Goodbye my Nokia

A few days back i sold my Nokia 6131 to my brother.

He really wanted that kind of phone. I told him not to delete the photos taken at my N6131.

Now i'm using my spare phone. A nokia 3120

Turning a year older

A year older and a year wiser and a year prettier than ever (LOL!)

This is a happy day for me. I feel light. I feel hyper.

I attended mass this morning at the Sto. Domingo church. Went to the office (birthday leave was used yesterday because it was my son's 7th birthday) and celebrated my birthday there. Had pancit from Amber, Sapin-sapin of Dolor's, Puto ng pangasinan and homemade Lumpiang shanghai. Plus Coke light and Lipton Red Iced Tea.

*****************************************

Tomorrow is bowling day again. Unfortunately for my team, we are currently on the 4th place and fighting for 2nd or 3rd place... My name is now included in the weekly Bowling bulletin. Female division - 3rd for the singles and triple category and 2nd for the Average. wAHOOOO!!!!! I just hope that in the remaining 3 games, i would be able to improve my score and remain in the roster of achievers for this year's tournament. Sayang din yung "CASH" price at the end of the tournament. (hehehe)

On hiatus

Be back soon...

Birthday celebration at CPS

It has been a yearly tradition for us in the office to celebrate the company president's birthday at Century Park Sheraton Hotel - Coffee Shop. Lunch Buffet.

Yesterday's menu is not that appealing as compared with the previous years' food. They have common Filipino food (pochero, chicken sa gata, bopis, pinakbet, langka, tanigue)... Hmmm... I went for the chicken and tanigue. Then I headed for the pasta station, asked for carbonara (it sucks! mas masarap pa ang luto ko. It's hard not to compare the taste). Then went to the grill station for my roast beef-well done.. had two servings for that (yummy!)... We asked for a plate of fruits (mango, pineapple, apple, papaya, oranges, grapes)... Dessert for me is mango crepe ala mode (hayaan na muna ang diet)

The cake was divided for each department to have their share.

Until next year.

Bowling on it's 4th week

My team is hanging onto the 1st place slot tied with the Accounting Department....

This coming Friday, we'll be up with an opponent who has beaten us (as in 0-5) for the last nth year... I do hope things will turn out to be different this year...

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Vatican's "Ten Commandments" for drivers

I read from PDI that Vatican issues its own rules of the Do's and Don'ts on the moral aspects of driving and motoring.

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not for mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

Hmmm. Dapat may 11th... Buckle up for safety. I noticed that even though that there is the seatbelt law, most of the motorists here in the Philippines are not using seatbelts.

69% Vain

Bambi tagged me. How Vain am I? Let me see.

You Are 69% Vain

You're a little vain, but you also work hard for your good looks. Just remember, everyone knows you are a total hottie. You don't have to remind them.

How Vain Are You?

1. For the face, I use Olay moisture balance facial wash, followed by Olay total effects. When dry, I put on J&J Baby Powder.

2. For the Lips, Nivea lip balm, then Maybeline Moisture Extreme Lipstick and Bench Lip gloss.

3. Care for my hair includes regular Biolage at David's. Plus David's Salon own shampoo and conditioner. Or Pantene shampoo and conditioner. Plus Hair Cuticle coat. Before Im using the Cream Silk Instant Straight, e mukhang walang epekto sa hair ko, kaya itinigil ko na lang.

4. Regular Foot Spa and Pedicure at Buff Spa (Php 240 package). Try it.

5. I'm not into designer jeans. Basta they would fit my hips and waist just right. Now, I'm used to wearing Jag jeans. For shirts, Giordano shirts will do. Maganda ang fitting sa body ko. That's why I have almost all the colors of the shirt (bought it while on sale, hehehe)

6. I am a bag and watch girl. For bags, it's usually Secosana or Gribaud (now I'm using the Guess bag). For watches, I have around 5 kinds watches. Really vain. Hindi ko naman nagagamit ng sabay sabay.

7. I always take pictures of myself. Be it on my mobile phone or digicam.

I'm tagging those who were born in the month of July. How vain are you?

Another tag

Lazarus tagged me. 15 whatever facts about jho...Not in exact order...

1. On newspapers: I never read the sports section of a newspaper. Philippine Daily Inquirer is the only newspaper that I like to read.

2. I have this habit of touching-pinching my nose.

3. I am not good at remembering birthdates and names. Most of the time, (kind of embarrassing, really) minutes after a person is introduced to me I already forgot his/her name.

4. I’m good at remembering car features and plate numbers.

5. Back in High School, I was mistaken by some schoolmates as Beth Tamayo.

6. I don’t like horror or those action movies. It scares me to watch horror films. Sometimes, I would even dream about it. I don’t like the sight of fight scenes wherein you will see blood being splattered. Ewwww!

7. In contradiction with # 6, I am the family “nurse-doctor”. Even when I am still single. I remember when my younger brother was involved in a motorbike accident. My mother asked me to look at it. I cleaned his wounds (as in wounds) and told them to bring him to the hospital because a cut in his chin needs stitches.

8. I play World of Warcraft. Blame it on my sister and BIL who brought the installer.

9. I am not really good in math. Then how come I graduated with a BSA degree? Matiyaga lang ako sa numbers.

10. The only “make-up” that I put on my face when I’m at the office are the following: Baby powder (J&J) and Lipstick (lip balm, lipstick, lip gloss).

11. I’m afraid of going to any facial care centers. Parang naiiritate yung face ko sa mga pinapahid nila. That of instead of making my face blemish-free, I would suddenly have pimples or would make my facial skin feels rough.

12. I’m not a movie-goer. I would rather buy DVD copies of the movie and watch it for the nth time at home.

13. I walk fast and they say I walk like a duck. My hips sway “that” much.

14. I envy girls with straight, frizz-free hair. I don’t want to go to salon and have my hair relaxed. I did that once and I NEVER wanted to do that again.

15. I am a homebody.

5 questions on the hot seat

Here are the answers to Cess' questions. Just do bear with it.

1. You said, "igagapang ko ang edukasyon ng aking mga anak." How exactly are you going to do that?

** Aside from the current job that I have, I will look for a sideline.

2. You said, you will enjoy reading mich albom's latest book, the tagline of which says "one more conversation, one more chance to make up for the lost time." Describe the conversation running in your mind in case you do get the chance to make up for the lost time.

** “Hay, mukhang pera ang nanay mo!!!!!”

3. Name one character trait of yours that is inherited by each of your children.

** My eldest, Maica – easy to get along with

My son, Mico - Cry baby.

My youngest, Maikee - observant

4. How workaholic are you?

** I start my day around 4:30 in the morning and ends around 11:00-12mn. Workaholic for me doesn’t just mean office work. It also includes house chores.

5. And an easy one. Describe the Jho we can expect to see 5years from now.

** A more prettier, toner, slimmer jho (LOL!). I need to have plans on how to discipline a teenager…

Let the games begin...

Yesterday marks the start of the company's bowling tournament. Every Friday until August 3 will be a very ecstatic day for all of us.

Ten teams, 9 - 10 players each. 7 players will be allowed to play per game (3 games per competition day), only the highest 5 scores will be counted including the score of the female (female score is important... hehehe). Default score is 80 (for those whose score is below 80 and those who were not able to play).

As they always say about our team...The Future Champions!!!!!

I have been assigned to tally the scores and prepare the bulletin and statistics of each player and team. It's a good start for my team. We beat our opponent 5-0.

First day high!

I really got high with my kids' first day at school.



I woke up at around 4:30 am and haven't slept since then. Flag ceremony for my eldest daughter and only son is at 7:00... I have to accompany them first to their respective rooms. Then I went home. AT a little past 12 noon. I then accompanied my youngest to the same school. Since its her first time to attend school, she cried and her adviser allowed me to accompany her for today inside the room.

Now my problem will be the dismissal time. My son (Grade 1) will be dismissed at 2:10, then my eldest (Grade 3) at 2:50. Finally my youngest at 3:20. Supposedly I could pick them all up at 2:00, but a sudden change in the Kinder schedule made me asked for reinforcement from my Mom.

It's a good thing the school is just a stone's throw away from our house. Now we all need to adjust our time. My kids having to wake up early... and I have to wake up earlier... Masasanay din ako.

Drained

As of this writing, I am totally drained. For two straight days I am physically and mentally challenged. All i wanted to do is to lay in my bed and go to sleep. Our yaya went home last Thursday. My mom made plans on the last minute of Thursday evening leaving me no choice but to be on leave from work.

I have to wake up early to prepare breakfast and clean the house. Then while I wait for the meat to get tender, I bathe and clothe the kids. Multi-tasking. Then they ask you the same questions over and over. Or they bug me on what I am reading, on what I am doing. Kakakpagod.

I am not complaining about me taking care of my kids. It's just that when I am at home lahat ng palabas ng mga anak ko, ginagawa nila. I always ask my mom and yaya if they (my kids) are like that when I am at work. They would answer - NO. I guess they are testing my string of patience when it comes to their being pilyo at pilya... They just have to try harder. When it comes to my kids, my patience never runs out.

The downpour

It has been one hell of a downpour last night (the joys of commuting! Yeah!) I got caught in it plus the heavy traffic everywhere! The good thing is that I'm already inside the fx when the rain began. I pity those people who are stranded.

The first time i encountered being out of the house during a very mabagyong ulan was when I was in High School. I was still in 3rd year then. We were having varsity practice. In the afternoon, it rained hard. Some of my co-varsitarians braved to walk along A. Bonifacio with knee to thigh high flood waters!!!! EWWWW! Unfortunately, we walked back to school and spend the rest of the night there. Free lunch for the night and breakfast the following day. yummy!

Then when I was still in college, we slept at a classmate's house because of the rains. Went home early in the morning, took a bath and went back to school. Sheez!

What i don't like with this heavy downpour is being stuck inside the car/fx/van... falling asleep and waking up realizing that you're still at the place where you have fallen asleep. Or if you have your own car, being ganged by those teenage kids looking for helpless motorists. They would charge you too much by just pushing your car out of the flood.

A lot of drainage digging is being done all throughout Manila and QC. They add up to the flood and traffic. I just hope that after the digging is over, a smoother traffic flow will be seen even if may malabagyong ulan uli na mangyari. Also those motorcycles adds up to the volume of traffic. They would let the rain pass by staying under an overpass, underpass or footbridge. So the 3 or 4 lanes road will be reduced to a 1-2 lanes.

Alexa Train

I've been tagged by Des. Let me give it a try.

~Start Copying Here~

Alexa Redirect Train by Carl Ocab.

Rules:

Put anything you like above this list – Chit Chat, talkies, introduce what this is. Something like that.

Start copying on the “~Start Copying Here~” and copy all the things listed without removing the links. (Of course, the train would be no use without those links.)

Move all the sites labeled “Newcomers” to the list labeled “Oldies.”

Add 5 sites that you want to include in the train and make their link like this: http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?www.example.com then invite them to join the train.

Visit all the listed sites! (That’s not much work! Remember, if you plant good seeds they will also grow good) and look at your high Alexa ranking next week!

Newcomers:

Cess
Dangkin
Ann
Liz
Bambi

Oldies:
jho
Glenn
Kev
Jake
Ems
Louis
Carey
Eli
Dimaks
Fingertalks
Female Gamer
Garry Conn
Pinoy Seminars
Sasha@Akoni
Bookmarks
Cafe Romanza
Blog About Money Online
Manila Mom
ScottPot
How to earn money online?
Quasi Fictional
Make Money Blogging!
Make Money Online 2.0
Nate Whitehill
Jozzua
Grow your Writing Business
CultureShiok
Gary Lee
Smart Wealthy Rich
TechZi
Make Money Online with a 13-year Old
Erik Karey: Internet Entrepreneur
Tjantunen.com
Hate The Grind
Earn Money Blogging
Sasha
Ate Ghee
Mousey Ju
Cai
Karen/Malaya
Devilicious

~End Copying Here~

I just don't know what will happen after... =)

on motorcycles

If i would have enough money to buy things that i WANT and NEED, motorcycles will not be on my "to buy" list.

Why?

I see motorcycles as a means of transportation that will bring you much closer to danger...especially on rainy days. Just this morning on my way to work, i saw two motorcycle accidents. The first accident that I saw, the motorcycle just slipped...no other vehicle is involved in the said accident...just like that.i thought the rider would be hit by the rear tire of the van... The other accident, a car and a motorcycle is involved... I heard a lot of not so nice life's ending because of a motorcycle accidents. A brother of an officemate died because of it... It's quite sad.

A lane should be open for just motorcycles and bike riders so as to prevent injuries and accidents.

on a boring lazy sunday...

A week after mother's day.

My kids are out with my mom and bro at MOA. They were bugging me to come along. Heck! I wanted to rest. MOA is at the far end of where I live and a few kilometers from where I work. Just spare me this day.

Last monday, election day, I didn't exercise my right to vote. Instead, I went to the mall. Bought myself a present. A present that is long overdue...

Now what? Hmmm.. I guess I'll play Warcraft first... then read a book.

When will summer end!!!!! It's so hot!!!!

Celebrating Mother's Day

May 13, 2007 is my day, nope it's not my birthday. It's mother's day. A day for all of us mothers and mothers-to-be.

How did i celebrate it?

1. Well, for starters, i woke up at around 530 in the morning. My yaya went home yesterday and she won't be back until Tuesday. So all household chores must be done before going out...

2. Woke up the kids, feed then bathe them (They greeted me even if they are still sleepy) . I also greeted my mother.

3. Went to hear mass. All mothers were asked to come in front for the final blessing.

4. Off to the mall. Ate there. Saw a very dear friend.

5. Went to Toy Kingdom. I promised my kids that I will buy them toys.

6. Bought Ice Cream for the kids at Yoshi's Teppanyaki Ice Cream.

7. Went home.

A very short way of celebrating it. But I'm happy that my kids got what they want. Toys and ice cream (will try the Rocky road ice cream). I should have bought a cake. But when I saw the line of people at Goldilocks and Red Ribbon, I backed out. Had I been alone, I would have the patience to fall in line... But I have my kids in tow... Patience is not one of their virtues as of now when it comes to loooong lines.

Later, after doing the laundry, i'll be reading Paulo Coelho's By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept and Like the Flowing River.

Happy Mother's Day!

Enrollment na!

The month of May means (for most parents) time for enrollment.

I just enrolled my kids in school this morning. Before it was me being enrolled by my mother, now it's me doing the enrollment stuff... From answering and updating forms to paying at the cashier to the buying of books and uniform. Geez! I remember last year, it took me about 30mins max to enroll my 2 kids, now i have been at the school for almost 2 hours for 3 kids! The reason is that the school has been upgrading to computerized enrollment (per the Registrar). The nun (kids go to a Catholic school) told us (parents enrolling our kids) to bear with them because its only now that they are encoding the details for the students enrolled in their school. Ganon? What's the use of the form that they have sent out (it's like a pre-registration) before the school year ends??? Hassle! I was thinking that i'll be able to go to work today kahit na and hour or two na late (reasonable naman yung pagiging late ko e) but because i stayed for about 2 hours sa school no work for me today.

A thought entered my mind. I have an uncle (father's side) who keeps on depending on his siblings for his childrens' tuition and other fees for school. A parasite for me. I don't like him. Whenever he calls or suddenly show up at the house, it means that he needs something from my dad. Tuition fee, school activities, allowance for his family, and so on and so forth. Sometimes i wonder, will he remember us even if he don't need anything? Yung parang mangangamusta lang siya. I guess that will never happen. He is like a leech! Hanggang kayang pumiga, pipigain nya financially yung tao. Blame it on my father, his other siblings who gives support. They say, hindi nila matiis yung mga bata. But in fairness to my cousins, they do indeed excel in school. So parang sulit din yung binibigay sa kanila.

Sometimes I ask myself, how come I never ask my parents to shoulder my kid's school fees? They pay or give financial support for my cousin's education, how come I never ask them for their own grandchildren education? Nah, it's not me. As they say, "hanggang kaya ko, igagapang ko and edukasyon ng aking mga anak" . I don't want to be dependent sa parents ko. And I think that dapat pag-ipunan at paghandaan and tuition fee at iba pang mga gastusin sa paaralan ng mga bata.

Why do I Blog

I've been tagged by Des

Why do I blog? Here are some of the reasons.

1. It helps me express myself better.…. With this it helps me feel better, stronger, at peace, at ease. Sharing a problem or an issue can help alleviate the grumpy feeling you have.

2. It’s nice to share an opinion or your point of view, in the form of comments. You could weigh things before you decide on something.

3. For information. On travel, on life, on medicines, on child upbringing… etc. When you look at the pictures taken by your friends, it’s like nakapunta ka na din dun sa lugar.

4. You get to meet wonderful people.

5. This is my diary, calendar of events…

Bowling

Bowling is really not my sport. Not my forte. But when you work and bowling is one of company events for the year, you have no choice but to learn how to play. The first time I played for the tournament, i can be given the "Canal Queen Award"... Practice makes perfect as they say.

A month from now will be the beginning of the Annual Bowling Tournament of the company. Yaiks! This is one of the events that everybody is waiting from start to finish..

The reason?

First, the game starts at 4pm every Friday... Meaning every Friday for 2 months everybody in the office will just sit, relax and wait for the time to leave for the tournament venue (no kidding, literal talaga na wala kaming ginagawa pag bowling day). And we are paid for the whole day!

Second reason is that all players will recieve Php100.00... for allowance.

Saan ka pa diba? No deduction for the day because you leave the office around 3-3:30... then you get to have an allowance. For the awards, you get a trophy or medal PLUS cash. That is why everybody is doing their best to win and be on the top 3 (i hope i will be included again just like last year)...

Can't wait for bowling to start...

Currently reading

I bought this book yesterday.

"Have you ever lost someone you love and wanted one more conversation, one more chance to make up for the lost time when you thought they would be bere forever? If so, then you know you can go your whole life collecting days, and none will outweigh the one wish you had back..."

I will surely enjoy reading this...

What will you do?

Story.

This morning, I sat beside a man (who has in his hands a passport and mobile phone) in an FX while I was on my way to work. He asked me how much is the fare hanggang sa Quezon Ave MRT station. I told him Php30.00. Silence. I got off along Edsa-Quezon Ave. He got off too. He asked me again “may masasakyan ba papuntang Quiapo dito?” I told him yes. I crossed the street, he also crossed the street. Pumara ako ng FX uli at sumakay. Sumakay din siya doon at magkaharap kami sa may likuran nun FX… Stalker???? Nawawala ba siya???.... As I was about to pay for my fare, he got money from his pocket and also paid for his fare and told me “huwag ka nang magbayad, heto na lang.” I looked at him and told him “Ay, huwag na po. Thank you na lang.” He insists but I stand firm with my decision not to let him pay for my fare.

I am not in favor for a stranger paying anything for me. Am I bad if I my mind is thinking that if I agree to let him pay for my fare he might ask for something from me? Or is it just his gesture of thanking me for answering his questions?

If you’re in my shoes, what will you do? Will you accept or not?

+++++++++

In another story, last night while I am on my way home, a girl asked the lady beside me if she could use her mobile phone to send a message to her friend because naubusan na siya ng load. The lady beside me was hesitant at first. But later on allowed the other girl to send a text message to her friend. The message is (being said out loud by the other girl) “Paloadan mo naman ako kasi naubusan na ako ng load. Nakigamit lang ako ng cell”.

Will you let strangers use your phone?

Song that tug and hug

I have been tagged by cess.. Here is my list:

1. How to Save a Life: The Fray. The song being played in my blog. I love the tempo of it. It reminds me of the scene sa Grey's Anatomy. When i was a child, i wanted to become a doctor. Then when a friend of mine got cancer, i wanted to shift my course to Medicine... Frustration ko.

2. Reflection: Christina Aguilera. Many of us are like this. We hide what's really inside of us. WE're afraid of what people will say and think about us.

Look at me
You may think you see
Who I really am
But you'll never know me...

...There's a heart that must be
Free to fly
That burns with a need to know
The reason why

3. Jesus Takes the Wheel: Carrie Underwood. and 4. I believe: Barbra Streisand. Makes me feel that I am not alone. In every problem and trials that i encounter. I have Jesus by my side.

5. I finally found someone: Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams. My wedding song.

"This is it!
Oh, I finally found someone
Someone to share my life
I finally found the one to be with every night.
'Cause whatever I do, it's just got to be you
My life has just begun I finally found someone"

6. Ice, Ice Baby: Vanilla Ice. High school days. I remember that during the Vanilla Ice concert, katatapos lang ng NCEE namin and marami sa schoolmates ko watched that concert.

7. Some good things never last: Barbra Streisand. Indeed some good things never last or they aren't meant to last.

On friendship

What really is our basis in choosing our friends? If you have a friend and she/he betrayed or did a bad thing about you, will you still consider her as your friend?

In my life, i have witnessed friends who have come and go. Friends who just wanted to be your friend because they wanted something from you. Yung tipo ba na kapag wala ka nang silbi sa kanila, iiwan ka na lang sa ere. Sa office lang maraming ganyan. Hindi mo lang sila napagbigyan, hala, masama ka na para sa kanila. What do i do with people who are like that? DROP THEM FROM MY FRIEND's LIST.

Friends who are pretending to be your friend because they wanted your reaction on something and if you do have the "reaction" that they are waiting for, they would "quote" you for it. I have been a victim once. Be careful with those kind of people.

Many years ago, i belonged to a group in my workplace, our group name: FRIENDS. 6 individuals with different personalities. We vowed that whenever our group would encounter misunderstanding, we would patch things up and we will not let the others know that there's trouble in our group (people in our office are always looking forward to those kind of incident, for gossip nila). Unfortunately, it was short lived. The reason? Nagkampihan. Instead na ayusin yung misunderstanding ng 2 magkaibigan, ginatungan lang yung galit ng isa. The result: nagkarun ng lamat yung friendship. And it was ireparable. We all tried to be "like it was before" but once the damage has been done, hindi mo na talaga maibabalik ang nakaraan. Now we all try to be civil and professional in dealing with each other.

Still, there are friends who through thick and thin, kasama mo. Friends whom you could entrust your deep and darkest secret - the "it's just between you and me thing". Friends who have accepted you for what you are and not for what you could give or offer to them. I am glad I have that kind of friend.

I made it through the first year...

Today marks the 1st year anniversary of my Blog. Actually, I became an "active" blogger in the last quarter of last year.

The song currently playing in my blog reminds me of the episode of Grey's Anatomy that I'm watching last night. Yan yung song na pinatutugtog while everybody is busy doing surgery or hospital stuff... Sharing with you the lyrics...
How to Save a Life

step one you say we need to talk

he walks you say sit down it's just a talk

he smiles politely back at you

you stare politely right on through

some sort of window to your right

as he goes left and you stay right

between the lines of fear and blame

and you begin to wonder why you came

where did i go wrong, i lost a friend

somewhere along in the bitterness

and i would have stayed up with you all night

had i known how to save a life

let him know that you know best

cause after all you do know best

try to slip past his defense

without granting innocence

lay down a list of what is wrong

the things you've told him all along

and pray to god he hears you

where did i go wrong, i lost a friend

somewhere along in the bitterness

and i would have stayed up with you all night

had i known how to save a life

as he begins to raise his voice

you lower yours and grant him one last choice

drive until you lose the road

or break with the ones you've followed

he will do one of two things he will admit to everything

or he'll say he's just not the same

and you'll begin to wonder why you came

where did i go wrong, i lost a friend

somewhere along in the bitterness

and i would have stayed up with you all night

had i known how to save a life

5.5 days Vacation

My five days "Holy Week" vacation will be officially over in less than 2 days. Now i begin to think and ask myself, "What did i do during those days???"

For starters, last Holy Wednesday, we had work (buti na lang at half day kami). I went straight sa supemarket (panic buying, hehehe) for my scheduled grocery. Wow! kadami ng tao! as in, promise! (next year, hindi ko na gagawin uli yang grocery na yan) I arrived sa supermarket at around 4pm at nakauwi ako sa amin ng quarter to 7. Isang oras ata ako pumila sa counter. What I did, ipinila ko na yung cart ko, then i asked the person na kasunod ko to watch over my cart (buti na lang at mababait sila) I have a basket kung saan dun ko nilagay yung mga pinamili at kung puno na siya, i would go back sa cart ko para ilagay yung items then alis uli... When i was about three carts from the counter, i noticed (actually 2 kami nakapansin, yung kasunod ko) that walang assigned bagger yung cashier. I thought, kaya pala mabagal kasi the cashier is also the bagger... Sheez! when it was already my turn, i asked the cashier where is her bagger, she answered me "ma'am ng babar-code po". Ha!???? Calling Mr. Henry Sy! Sa taxi bay naman, namimili yung mga cab drivers ng pasahero.. Tama ba yun! ... lastly for that day, i watched the

First season of Grey's Anatomy (slept around 3am na ata)

Maundy Thursday, Binago ko yung theme ng blog ko. Went to hear mass and slept early para macompensate naman yung puyat ko.

Good Friday, nagkarun ng Mumps yung daughter ko. Irritable siya. Had another puyatan thingy with Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy.

Black Saturday, i went to the mall to buy a hairnet (yung pampusod) for my daughter. She needs it for the dance they will be doing later in the evening during the mass. As i watched my daughter perform, i can't help but say to myself, "malaki na siya". Before, kapag ganitong occasion, kasama din siya sa sayaw pero yung para sa mga maliliit na bata... Now she's with girls na on theire pre-teen years. HUHUHU. I'm proud but at the same time I'm sad. Ngayon nga hindi na Barbie Dolls ang gusto niya. May caller na rin siya (girl friends). Fashion conscious na din. I let her choose her clothes, pag medyo di ko type, i would tell her. Pero siya pa din ang masusunod. She's into drawing, before she told me she wanted to have her own store, yun daw nagdedesign.... Slept early...

Easter Sunday, ngayon yun. I was introduced to the World of Warcraft. Yung mga mahilig maglaro ng computer games such as Ragna, Fly for fun, etc. alam nyo yung sinasabi ko. Will be watching again the continuation of GA Seson 2.

Tomorrow, last day of my vacation... Bahala na kung ano ang gagawin ko. Foot spa siguro.. Pero definitely, i'll sleep early.

April Fool's - Palm Sunday

Happy April Fool's Day everyone!

Yngat, yngat tayo ngayon... Ako, heto at nagpapahinga para sa graduation ng aking unico hijo mamayang hapon... Kailangan maayos ang lola kasi aakyat ako ng stage para magpin ng kanyang Merit Award.

--------------------------------------------------------

Kagabi, habang kumakain ang aking anak na lalaki. Napunta kami sa topic ng graduation nila. Minention niya yung mga classmates niya na may mga awards din... May sablay nga lang siya...

Son: Ma, si ____ award niya, Most @#!lP (di ko maintindihan kasi may food pa ang bibig niya)
Me: ano? anak, ubusin mo muna yung pagkain diyan sa bibig mo
Son: (after niya lunukin) Most ...(ganun pa din)...
Me: Most Industrious?
Son: hindi! Most.... (ganun pa din) Yung mahilig magbigay...
Me: (Tiningnan yung Programme nila) ah. Most Generous! Asus! (yun pala ang generous para sa kanya, yung mahilig mamigay)

--------------------------------------------------------

Kahapon dahil sa sobrang init, andun lang ako sa may terrace... Ang ganda ng kalangitan very cloudless talaga...

Pumunta ako sa may kalsada at eto ang aking ginawa

Very cloudless at very deserted yung kalsada (around 3pm ata yan).

---------------------------------------------------------

Today is also Palm Sunday. Start of the Holy Week.

For the last five days...

It's has been one hell of a week of work for me... Dami deadlines. Kasi nga mahaba ang vacation ngayong Holy Week. Kaya dapat yung mga pwedeng tapusin, tapusin na para hindi craming.

Monday... I have to eat at my desk to save time (eating sa pantry and chatting with sensible officemates...) I opted to have this

Shakey's Chicken and Pasta

Then I bought this... (actually bought it during the weekend)... may bag na ako!!!!! Whipeee!!!!!

Friday... Annual Company outing pero hindi ako nakasama. Tax season... have i known na ganito ang work ng course na tinapos ko.... hay naku... Pag medyo naloloka ka na sa work, this is what i do...

Take a picture of myself! and play games sa internet... hehehe... then umuwi ng maaga..l alangan naman na antayin ko dumating yung mga nag-outing ko na mga officemates...

My Visual DNA

Hayan, gumana na siya. Got this from Leah's blog.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Nakakatuwa lang. Some are true, some are sort-of true...hehehe

The Pursuit of Happyness

I have just watched The Pursuit of Happyness...

Very very very touching.

It's really worth watching.

If you wanted something, focus.

Kapag alam mo na mahal at may tiwala sa iyo yung tao, that enough will keep you going, never to quit.

At the end of every storm, may sunshine pa din na darating sa buhay natin.

mumps

My son has mumps since yesterday. Practice pa man din nila for their graduation. Wala akong choice but to let him stay sa bahay. Sabi nga ng pediatrician niya, mabuti at ngayong bata siya nagkarun ng mumps. He will be absent from school for 1 week (ok lang naman kasi puro practice na lang sila).

passing away

Today marks the 13th death anniversary of a very very dear friend of mine. God has called him back when he was 16. I could still remember the months, last days, last hours of his life...

The smile on his face when his name was called to be my first dance -the 18 roses part- will never be forgotten... He has to use his crutches even if he is wearing prosthetics (right leg got amputated because of the big C )...

He taught me how to drive (ever wondered how he did it right?)...

when news that he has to undergo chemotheraphy, he told me about it, his worries regarding the procedure, that he will have to go bald, i just embraced him as his tears were falling...
many afternoons of just drving around the village and sipping on soda while watching people pass by...

then one day he was down with fever (like h-fever or something). we visited him at the hospital, we learned that the medicine he was taking for the fever has a negative effect on the medicine that he is taking for his cancer...

he went home. never got the chance to get better...

On his last hours (i didnt know that comatose na pala siya) kagagaling ko lang ng school. Maghahatid kami ng mom ko ng mga gamit ng sis ko sa school niya. We decided na dumaan sa hospital to make a visit. I was shocked to see him like that. napakaraming nakalagay sa katawan na tubes. namamaga yung arm niya. he was just staring into nothing. his breathing... hindi mo alam kung pag inhale or pag exhale niya, yun na pala yung last... We prayed for him. Then it was time for me to go home. I talked to him, sabi ko magpahinga ka na... then i cried.

At home, i went to bed. Then i thought I was dreaming. May gumising daw sa akin at sinabi na wala na siya... When i woke up the next day, i was informed na wala na talaga siya. i cried again.
Sino yung gumising sa akin that night??? was that him informing me of his passing? Who knows.

4 days later, he was laid to rest.

He will forever be remembered...

sale! sale! sale!

Flash back... last Saturday (March 10) i went on window-shopping for a bag, a big bag that i could use sa office. I saw one at an SM department store branch. New arrival daw. I thought, huwag ko muna bilhin that day. Para bang ine-excite ko yung sarili ko. I said to myself, dun sa SM branch malapit sa amin, siguradong meron din nun bag na yun...

Back to the present... I went to do my grocery today. Sakto, sale pala ngayon dito at baka nakasale din yung bag na gusto ko. So off i went to finish my task. Then I went to the cartpark area to leave my grocery bags and i proceeded to the dept store area (with all smiles sa face ko kasi i would be able to buy the bag at a lower price)

To my dismay, wala yung bag dun!!!!! I asked the saleslady kung yung lang ba lahat yung bags, she said yes. Hala, kumunot na yung noo ko. Then tinanong niya ako kung meron ba akong style na hinahanap. I told her meron and I saw it dun sa isang branch. Sheez! Hindi daw kasi lahat ng style ng bags sa ibang branch meron daw sila. GANON!!!!! Nagbakasakali pa din ako, naglibot-libot dun sa area nun bags... wala talaga. Kakainis. Kakaasar. Minsan lang ako makagusto ng bag tapos wala dun!!! Wahhhhhh! How frustrating talaga.

pahingi ng limos - totoo ba o raket lang?

Last night as i was about to cross the street going to the village where i live, a teenage girl with 2 more little girls in tow (around 3-4 years old) approached me...

Girl: ate, may masasakyan ba dito papuntang alabang o bicutan?
Me: meron, tumawid kayo dun sa kabila at magantay ng bus (pointing at the direction)
Girl: saan? doon? (then bigla siyang lumakad ng konti at huminto, eh may mga dumadaan na mga sasakyan)
Me: oo doon, tatawid ka. Tumabi ka muna at baka masagasaan ka. (sumunod naman siya)
Girl: doon ba ate? doon? (sabay turo doon sa direction na sinasabi ko)
Me: (tumango na lang ako)
Then silence...
Girl: Ate pahingi naman pamasahe
Me: Pasensiya ka na, wala akong pera (sabi na nga ba at bottomline ay ito)
Girl: Para dito sa dalawang bata
Me: (umiling na lang ako)
Girl: 5 pesos ate
Me: (iling uli)
Girl: 2 pesos ate
Me: (napakunot na ang noo ko, sabay iling uli)
Silence uli
Girl: ate, ang ganda mo (then she walked away with the little girls)

As i was crossing the street, i can't help but think, dapat ko nga ba silang bigyan ng hinihingi nilang pamasahe? Am I bad kasi hindi ko sila nabigyan? Kung bibigyan ko sila, kailangan ko pa buksan ang bag ko para kumuha ng pera sa wallet (e mya naman ma-snatch yung wallet at bag ko). May pera ako sa bulsa pero medyo malaki-laki ang denomination nun. Kaya i decided na sabihin na "pasensiya na, wala akong pera".

In another instance, yung mga namamalimos sa Maynila. Hanap-buhay na ata nila yun. At gumagamit pa ng bata. Minsan, may binigyan kami na untouched softdinks sa teenager na may akay na bata (around 2 years old), then yung bata, inaagaw yung softdink, tinampal ba naman nun teenager! nagulat ako. Ang sama naman niya (yung teenager).

Then dun naman sa may Intramuros area, before may mga handicapped na naghihingi ng limos (may kasama silang nag-aalalay sa kanila). Halos everyday ay andoon sila. Though hindi namin ito binibigyan.

I pity the children, their parents are using them to ask for alms while the parents are just sitting in the corner of a street either talking with other parents or eating or sleeping, much worse, nagra-rugby. At kund wala pang naibigay, pagagalitan. Minsan gusto ko magbigay pero inisip ko, bakit sila ang dapat gumawa nito. Saan naman kaya nila gagamitin ang pera. Buti sana kung makikita ko na ibinili nila nang pagkain.

Paano mo ba malalaman kung raket ba talaga o totoo yung panghinhingi ng limos ng tao?

Family

It's back to family minus one kami uli.

Why? Kasi umalis na uli yung sister ko and her family.
Matatagalan na uli siguro bago sila makapagbakasyon dito sa ating bayan.

Honestly, nalulungkot ako. It's been almost two years since noong una silang umalis papunta kay Uncle Sam.
Hindi ako sumama maghatid noon, i would rather stay home at isipin na andito pa sila. Mababaw kasi ang luha ko sa mga goodbyes. And the last thing that I wanted my family to see ay yung umiiyak ako.

13 days lang sila nagstay dito. Reasons for their coming back here sa ating bayan ay para sa binyag at birthday ng pamangkin ko (her youngest). Pinagsabay na nila kasi dun daw mabusisi ang simbahan kapag gusto mo magpabinyag. Napakaraming hinahanap. Whereas dito daw sa Pinas, bigay mo lang listahan ng ninong at ninang, yung Birth Certificate nang bata, pwede nang binyagan.

I'll surely miss my nephew and niece... Also my my sister. Ilang taon din kasi kami ng sister ko magkakasama dito sa bahay. Let me see, around 28 years ata. Then kinuha na sila ng husband niya. Though may internet para magkakamustahan kami, mas gusto ko yung nakikita ko sila.