I got home last night at around 2.30am from a night out with the girls. This would be the first time I will be completing Simbang Gabi; I was thinking about what a good job I had done and that I only had one more to go. I was debating on whether to close my eyes a bit before going to the 4.30am mass at MTQ or the 5am mass at Santuario de San Jose. My sister was on ym and so we ended up chatting for a while. After replying to something Melissa said, I remember putting my head down on my pillow and then... I slept.
Later on, I woke up because my mom came into the room asking Chris about something she had bought and was also asking me if I gave out the salary of all the maids while they were gone. When she left the room, I was still really sleepy and wondered what time it was. I checked my phone and saw that it was 6.07am. Through my sleepy haze, it dawned on me that I slept through both the 4.30am and 5am mass. My thoughts ranged from-- sadness & dismay: "oh my god, I won't be able to complete it", and regret: "I shouldn't have slept", and of course: "sayang naman". I contemplated running off to Santuario but then I'm sure the mass was over already. Physically, I knew that I needed to sleep some more and was still quite tired but I was so looking forward to completing the 9 days that I was more disappointed than I was tired. At that moment, I received a text from Jong telling me he fell asleep last night while waiting for me and also asking me if I was able to go to mass. I said.. am so sad kasi nakatulog ako and so I missed mass that morning. He called me up and urged me to go to mass anyway... para macomplete ko pa rin yung 9 days. I said I was going to do that nga and was going to MTQ for the 7am mass.
After a couple of minutes, I got dressed and went to hear mass. At the end of the mass, I felt content that I was still able to pray and somehow complete simbang gabi. When I spoke to Jong after lunch, I mentioned that I still felt bad about missing the dawn mass. He reminded me that it's more important that I completed the whole 9 days kasi novena nga naman yung simbang gabi... I think his words were-- I'm sure masaya ang Diyos na nakapag-misa ka kahit na di ka nakapunta sa simbang gabi kanina. Ano ba ang difference ng anticipated mass sa simbang gabi sa umaga? Oras lang. It's the sacrifice of going to mass for 9 days (even when you didn't have to) that counts. That's what's important to God.
So there. This is the first time I've completed the novena... Hurray for me :) In the past, I always went based on my mood. It was a conscious effort for me this year to go everyday. To choose to wake up, get dressed, to drive to the church and to listen to what the priest is saying and to reflect/ pray on how this relates to me. This year, it was not about meeting up with friends at mass or about where to eat breakfast after... It was about committing to 9 days of prayer.
Let's see if I can still do it next year... when I have work na. haha.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tacky
I just ended a conversation with a very rude person. Before putting the phone down, she said "Don't forget my Christmas". I said okay, don't worry I'll tell the office. She further added "Ayoko na ng fruits ha, gusto ko cash" Oh my goodness.
I can't believe what I just heard. How some people can find it funny is beyond me. It's just plain tacky. I understand that some may not like what they get, but it's a gift for crying out loud! You can recycle it, give it away or throw it out, i really don't care.
No wonder why some people can't advance in life. It's because they choose to be stuck with their beggar kind of outlook instead of being grateful and gracious with what comes to them.
Hospital
I have been at a loss for words on how to explain what I have been feeling the past few days. I think its because i havent had any time to even think about what I am really feeling. The past few days have been a blur. Staying at the hospital has been tiresome, its not difficult nor is it hard, its just plain old nakakapagod. I miss Maxine and not having her by my side everyday has been a hole in my heart. Its like walking around where the sun never shines. Saying I miss her does not even start to encompass half of what MISS really feels.
One thing i really hate is not being able to sleep in or sleep long hours or alot of hours in a day. I love to sleep. In a perfect world all i would have to do is sleep, eat and play restaurant city. But as I rediscovered this week, the world is not perfect. My hubby is in the hospital with a life threatening disease, his platelets aren't so low that we should be alarmed BUT he always gets nose bleeds and that can be detrimental. When you have dengue they dont even let you brush your teeth for fear of bleeding gums. Having a sick husband is so stressful already that you think things cant get any worse, they can. My bag getting stolen today was just fanf*ckingtastic. Sleeping in the sofa of a hospital room is not my piece of pie, but it never even occurred to me to complain about it. Sleeping and getting my bag stolen right from under my nose just plain pisses me off. Who does that?! I mean really?!!?!? WTF!
All I want is to go home. I want to stay in my room and sleep when i want til when i want. I want to wake up to my whizzing of my computer and to hug my baby as long as I want. I want to sleep beside my husband and feel his warm feet under the comforter. I want the quiet I once thought was noisy. I just want to be in a place where I can just be ME. Its so hard to have to smile and agree and be pleasing all the time. I miss my space that cannot be invaded.
How I dream of our dinner together where I can just be myself. Say whatever dumb idea that pops into my mind. laugh as loud as i want and scream whatever jibberish i wish. It is so tiring to always have your guard up. so tiring to try and literally be a better version of yourself just for performance sake. Dear God, let me watch tv in peace. Let my husband's platelets go up by tomorrow. Let me eat my cupcakes selfishly and indulgently. Pls let me be me again.
One thing i really hate is not being able to sleep in or sleep long hours or alot of hours in a day. I love to sleep. In a perfect world all i would have to do is sleep, eat and play restaurant city. But as I rediscovered this week, the world is not perfect. My hubby is in the hospital with a life threatening disease, his platelets aren't so low that we should be alarmed BUT he always gets nose bleeds and that can be detrimental. When you have dengue they dont even let you brush your teeth for fear of bleeding gums. Having a sick husband is so stressful already that you think things cant get any worse, they can. My bag getting stolen today was just fanf*ckingtastic. Sleeping in the sofa of a hospital room is not my piece of pie, but it never even occurred to me to complain about it. Sleeping and getting my bag stolen right from under my nose just plain pisses me off. Who does that?! I mean really?!!?!? WTF!
All I want is to go home. I want to stay in my room and sleep when i want til when i want. I want to wake up to my whizzing of my computer and to hug my baby as long as I want. I want to sleep beside my husband and feel his warm feet under the comforter. I want the quiet I once thought was noisy. I just want to be in a place where I can just be ME. Its so hard to have to smile and agree and be pleasing all the time. I miss my space that cannot be invaded.
How I dream of our dinner together where I can just be myself. Say whatever dumb idea that pops into my mind. laugh as loud as i want and scream whatever jibberish i wish. It is so tiring to always have your guard up. so tiring to try and literally be a better version of yourself just for performance sake. Dear God, let me watch tv in peace. Let my husband's platelets go up by tomorrow. Let me eat my cupcakes selfishly and indulgently. Pls let me be me again.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Talking about Mindanao
I went to Makati this evening to meet up with a friend and to take a look at the De Guia Family exhibit at a gallery in Reposo. We decided to have pizza for dinner at El Contro. She's been really busy with a project in Mindanao hence she's also done a lot of research there.
She always has good stories for me and tonight was no different. We started talking about the Maguindanao Massacre and she told me some of the things she found out through her work. She said that given all the information she's gathered, she could tell that the massacre was bound to happen-- since ayaw nga ng Ampatuans na mag file yung mga Mangudadatu. She told me a lot of things but some highlights:
- Ampatuans really control the Maguindanao area. In every sense of the word. Politicians who run need to get Maguindanao votes and you do that through the Ampatuans. They prepare pre-filled out ballots for whoever has paid them. People there don't even bother to vote anymore. How sad is that?
- She actually saw the younger Ampatuan at an LV store and he was getting alot of bags. His bill was P500,000 and he paid it... in cash. Apparently, he also gives out P1,000 whenever they're in the airport-- he gives it to the porter, the guard...
-Ironic that the Mangudadatus and Ampatuans actually started off as friends. Their grandfathers were friends before and were warlords na. They would fight off Christian settlers together daw. Eventually, their families entered politics and that's when things got sour between them.
- The money that the government gives for projects/ developments... just goes into the pockets of the politicians. No wonder Mindanao's so poor. As in, one of her contacts works for DSWD based in Tawi-tawi or some other province. He said he gets paid but does NO WORK. As in, wala silang ginagawa.
- In Mindanao, the kids look up to the muslim fighters/ soldiers. Their idea of a hero is someone who carries a gun.
It was so depressing. Sobrang corrupt ng mga tao... and in such a blatant manner. The thing is since the people in government are the ones who are corrupt, how will it stop? Who will stop them?
Nakakainis. Nakakainis na nagnanakaw sila sa atin. Our taxes go to people like the Ampatuans.
In the end, all I can say is... I don't know what will happen to this country na.
She always has good stories for me and tonight was no different. We started talking about the Maguindanao Massacre and she told me some of the things she found out through her work. She said that given all the information she's gathered, she could tell that the massacre was bound to happen-- since ayaw nga ng Ampatuans na mag file yung mga Mangudadatu. She told me a lot of things but some highlights:
- Ampatuans really control the Maguindanao area. In every sense of the word. Politicians who run need to get Maguindanao votes and you do that through the Ampatuans. They prepare pre-filled out ballots for whoever has paid them. People there don't even bother to vote anymore. How sad is that?
- She actually saw the younger Ampatuan at an LV store and he was getting alot of bags. His bill was P500,000 and he paid it... in cash. Apparently, he also gives out P1,000 whenever they're in the airport-- he gives it to the porter, the guard...
-Ironic that the Mangudadatus and Ampatuans actually started off as friends. Their grandfathers were friends before and were warlords na. They would fight off Christian settlers together daw. Eventually, their families entered politics and that's when things got sour between them.
- The money that the government gives for projects/ developments... just goes into the pockets of the politicians. No wonder Mindanao's so poor. As in, one of her contacts works for DSWD based in Tawi-tawi or some other province. He said he gets paid but does NO WORK. As in, wala silang ginagawa.
- In Mindanao, the kids look up to the muslim fighters/ soldiers. Their idea of a hero is someone who carries a gun.
It was so depressing. Sobrang corrupt ng mga tao... and in such a blatant manner. The thing is since the people in government are the ones who are corrupt, how will it stop? Who will stop them?
Nakakainis. Nakakainis na nagnanakaw sila sa atin. Our taxes go to people like the Ampatuans.
In the end, all I can say is... I don't know what will happen to this country na.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Garden Wedding
Correction, it's a garden wedding transported in a hotel.
oha, marunong na ako magpost! bow.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Ako rin!
This is how much of an impact Brothers and Sisters have on me - I can still remember the first time I watched it (December 2008). I can actually even remember events that happened before watching it. I remember my sister glued on the TV set watching what seemed like a boring show. I remember asking friends if it worth my time watching. I remember trying to watch it several times and falling asleep on the first episode.
I adore the show for so many reasons. If I had to choose a pretend life, I'd pick to be a part of the Walker family - kahit na half sibling lang.
I love how Nora cooks when's she's stressed. I wish someone in our home could be the same way. I love how everyone looks so good, not over the top good, but just everyday good. I love that everyone's home is so clean and beautiful. I love that Kevin reminds me of me. I love that they love breakfast like I do. I love how all conflicts/ crisis are eventually resolved by the end of the show. I love that Sarah's kids look like her. I love that Robert the Senator pulls strings. I can go on and on about this. Tommy come back!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Brothers & Sisters Season 4 Ep10
Out of all the almost 30 shows I watch I love love LOVE LOVE LOVE! Brothers and Sisters the most. It has yet to disappoint me. Even with characters coming and going, plots changing and mysteries kept unsolved, I love it still. Today I had the pleasure of watching the 10th episode of the 4th season. And even if its just a tv show and the people aren't really real, to me they are. I share with you a poem that was read in the episode and I hope it doesn't spoil it for you.
I Carry Your Heart With Me
By: Ee Cummings
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
I Carry Your Heart With Me
By: Ee Cummings
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
Holiday Plans
The key to really feel the holiday season is to have homemade goodies at your side. I wish now that I had studied 1,000x harder so that I could have become a doctor because that would open my world to free goodies this month. I know for a fact that doctor's living rooms are filled with baskets and baskets of food and wine and etc from patients. They actually think that giving a food basket will get them inside the doctor's office faster, it doesn't. The sheer amount of gifts the doctor's receive is uncanny. It is impossible to even try and remember who they are from, especially because they don't even know the person personally in the 1st place. Anyhoo, going back, I think to really feel the spirit of Christmas we ought to FINALLY order ice cream from Roshan and SHARE it with each other. Let's meet up at someone's house and eat, drink and be merry :)
http://www.homemadebyroshan.com/ice%20creams.html
there are 6 flavors, we can get 2 and then order cupcakes from somewhere else or a cake from karen's kitchen :)
M, she sells them by the quart. I have seen you eat ice cream and I know you cannot finish 2 quarts by yourself.
http://www.homemadebyroshan.com/ice%20creams.html
there are 6 flavors, we can get 2 and then order cupcakes from somewhere else or a cake from karen's kitchen :)
M, she sells them by the quart. I have seen you eat ice cream and I know you cannot finish 2 quarts by yourself.
The Mountain Man
Christmas. Its the time of year where we bring out the tree and put on the lights. Sing our songs and buy presents. Its also the time of year when my bank account gets hurt the most. We usually spend this year going out all the time and meeting up with friends and family. Being born with bones of irony, I love christmas but hate going out to meet up with people I dont really feel like seeing as of the moment. I end up lying all the time because of my lame excuses of not being able to go out. I love spending time at home. I love wearing my shirt and shorts and just watching my tv shows. I love the quiet (I dont really mean it's quiet but there's no one talking to me here) of an almost empty house.
*sigh*
I love spending time with people I really want to spend time with. If we could just add up the hours we spend with people we're not really that fond of, doing things we don't really want to do and eating stuff we don't really feel like eating. We'd realize what a sorry life it is. If i could, I would build my own mountain and sit at the top with my refrigerator and portable dvd player. I'd roll up tiny notes to people and tie it on my special owl's leg to invite them over at my mountain. Just imagining the wind on my face and the funny looking owl of mine makes me smile.
If I could, I would.
*sigh*
I love spending time with people I really want to spend time with. If we could just add up the hours we spend with people we're not really that fond of, doing things we don't really want to do and eating stuff we don't really feel like eating. We'd realize what a sorry life it is. If i could, I would build my own mountain and sit at the top with my refrigerator and portable dvd player. I'd roll up tiny notes to people and tie it on my special owl's leg to invite them over at my mountain. Just imagining the wind on my face and the funny looking owl of mine makes me smile.
If I could, I would.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
That Christmas Feeling
My mom has been saying this the past week - that it doesn't feel like Christmas at all. Well, as i cannot disagree with her in person, I will privately oppose her here. Haha. Though I do understand where she's coming from - there are hardly any corporate gifts being passed around and gone are the fancy decorations. The hot weather is certainly not helping. Even our fresh Christmas tree has lost its scent!
I think that it feels more like Christmas without all the bells and whistles (i just wanted to use this phrase haha) because then you don't get distracted from the true meaning of the season. I feel that this feels more like Christmas because then you exert more effort to generate that holiday feeling, minus all the material trappings. Yes, this simple lifestyle is bad for business, but it forces everyone to take into account what they actually have. So Merry Merry Christmas dear readers, and I truly hope you share my sentiments on this.
Dismayed
Sometimes, a great idea comes to me - like throwing a Christmas Party for our help, or giving away Christmas packages filled with my favorite things to our drivers. These great ideas never get to see the light of day because right in the middle of planning it all, I see things which (for lack of an english word) nakakawala ng gana. Really.
Wouldn't you feel the same way when you happen to catch your maid throwing away excess cooked rice. Or seeing your basement garage transformed into a shanty, with cigarette butts on the floor and bastos posters on the wall. Or finding plastic bottles on the trash can when you've asked them a hundred times to place them in the recycling bin. I wonder what else happens behind my back. Really.
I know there are worse things, but you have to understand that even I cannot take leaving food on my plate. They must know how many hours I spend cleaning out my room and cabinets. They must have seen me pick out the bottles they thrown in the trash. Is it too much to ask to be a little more responsible? Would it hurt them to actually care about the kind of work they are doing? Really.
I still am grateful, but it's hard to translate these feelings of gratitude to action when you're constantly hit by indifference.
Would Chuck Survive?
As I watch the latest season of Gossip Girl, a thought entered my head - would Chuck Bass survive real life? Just imagine meeting him - a high school graduate who wears nothing but suits (at may suspenders pa talaga), speaks in a whisper, pays for sex, thinks he's all that and wears a pinky ring (pinky ring!!!). My gosh. I might die from laughter when I actually meet someone like him.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Waiting
Everytime my mom texts me i get scared. I'm afraid that her message will be devastatingly final. Today I got one of those texts again. "Pls pray for your Angkong. Its very serious na." I lost my appetite and just stared into the screen of my pc. What do you say to that. What do you do after that.
It may seem like i've been thinking about death these past few wks... but i havent. Everyday I focus on my child and I am happy. I stare at her and I am filled with wonder at how lucky I am to have her. I watch her in amazement at how curious she is at everything and how she watches the things we take for granted with awe. She loves looking at the trees swaying outside the window. Shes afraid of the christmas tree. She's afraid of dogs and yet she wants to touch them. She is confused. She shouts when she's excited, happy, angry and sleepy. She is noisy. She, to me, is the cutest and most wonderful baby in the whole world. If she would only let me, i'd hug her the whole day.
But she's sleeping soundly now and she isnt there to keep my attention. Tonight, I sit here and wait. I am waiting for the inevitable. I pray that everything will be alright. I am sad and broken. I wish people didn't have to die. I know how that sounds and i know that i am old enough to know better BUT there's no harm in wishing.
I wonder why I feel worse now about this than about my Gwama's passing. I compare my notes in my brain and my thoughts are illogical. I think this just seems harder bec death just seems to be THERE all the time this year. Its harder because Gwama dying was just a few months ago. And because how can I be able to let him go when all he wants to do is live. Because he keeps saying to his children that he wants to live some more. Because i know how afraid of dying he is and yet there's no stopping it. It doesnt matter how old they are or how young. Everytime someone leaves us it hurts.
i. HATE. this.
It may seem like i've been thinking about death these past few wks... but i havent. Everyday I focus on my child and I am happy. I stare at her and I am filled with wonder at how lucky I am to have her. I watch her in amazement at how curious she is at everything and how she watches the things we take for granted with awe. She loves looking at the trees swaying outside the window. Shes afraid of the christmas tree. She's afraid of dogs and yet she wants to touch them. She is confused. She shouts when she's excited, happy, angry and sleepy. She is noisy. She, to me, is the cutest and most wonderful baby in the whole world. If she would only let me, i'd hug her the whole day.
But she's sleeping soundly now and she isnt there to keep my attention. Tonight, I sit here and wait. I am waiting for the inevitable. I pray that everything will be alright. I am sad and broken. I wish people didn't have to die. I know how that sounds and i know that i am old enough to know better BUT there's no harm in wishing.
I wonder why I feel worse now about this than about my Gwama's passing. I compare my notes in my brain and my thoughts are illogical. I think this just seems harder bec death just seems to be THERE all the time this year. Its harder because Gwama dying was just a few months ago. And because how can I be able to let him go when all he wants to do is live. Because he keeps saying to his children that he wants to live some more. Because i know how afraid of dying he is and yet there's no stopping it. It doesnt matter how old they are or how young. Everytime someone leaves us it hurts.
i. HATE. this.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Silence
I often wish for complete silence. For the silence to ring in my ears and echo in my head. Living with a screaming baby and relentless neighbors can make you wish for silence so much you'd give up ur lunch just for the world to become quiet for 5mins. Having annoying in laws and irrational grandparents can make you wish you were an island. Reading about the news on the mass murder of pregant women and journalists in the country makes you want to go to outerspace.
This is why i stay at home and watch my tv shows, because living real life just plain old sucks. I would much rather live inside a box rather than know all the things i know this wkend that i didnt know before. Living life is hard. Watching an old man try and get excited to ride in his wheelchair because he's been stuck in his bed for weeks just does you no good. Everyday all I hear is bad news. His platelets are low. His tongue is full of cold sores. I hate it. When i die, i hope i die quick and easy. I hope i dont ever have to go to the hospital.
Pls just leave me alone. I just want to sit at my desk and watch and play my games. Can't all that noise just give me a break?
This is why i stay at home and watch my tv shows, because living real life just plain old sucks. I would much rather live inside a box rather than know all the things i know this wkend that i didnt know before. Living life is hard. Watching an old man try and get excited to ride in his wheelchair because he's been stuck in his bed for weeks just does you no good. Everyday all I hear is bad news. His platelets are low. His tongue is full of cold sores. I hate it. When i die, i hope i die quick and easy. I hope i dont ever have to go to the hospital.
Pls just leave me alone. I just want to sit at my desk and watch and play my games. Can't all that noise just give me a break?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Picture picture
For a couple of years now, maybe ever since I lost my albums, I find myself ewwwing to most if not all my recent photos. I either find them fat, tired, old, blech or arg. A couple of months after seeing them however, I think to myself hmm.. that wasn't too bad. Even pictures taken during the most harassing days in law school seem ok. I wish i knew it then, rather than dwelling on how awful I thought I looked. Does everyone feel this way or is it just me?
I read somewhere that people who always find themselves ugly in pictures have this misconception that they're prettier than they actually are. Haha. It makes so much sense!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Lost in Translation
Meet Yaya Ruby, Janna's official translator. At just 22 months, my niece has invented her own language. These consist of words that usually lack a syllable. Said sound shall then be repeated twice.
formula: 2 syllable word - 1 syllable x 2 = Janna's new word
example: Marco becomes coco; water becomes terter
However, even with the formula, i still need yaya to translate sometimes, as there have been deviations. On our way to the hospital to meet her new sibling...
Janna: Bikbik
Me: ha?
Janna: Bikbik
Me: Ano daw yaya?
Yaya: Bake daw
Me: Oi, Houston we have a problem...
translation: patay tayo pagnarinig yan ng nanay nya
Thursday, November 12, 2009
1960's
My dad juggling. 
My angkong's cousin and sister (i think) That's V's Ama.
How much prints cost then.
my dad.
In the classroom...
of Grace Christian High School.
My Taima. My Ama's Sister and My aunt.
My dad and uncle. My dad.
My dad's 1st dog a chow, James Bond.
Fruits.
Family Picture with Taikong and Taima.
Taikong and baby. My Angkong.
Ama in the new car.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Success!
It has been one month since my Dad saw Resort World's offer for a 88/188 peso breakfast/lunch buffet. After three failed attempts, we were able to finally achieve success!
Attempt No. 1: We left the office at 11am, hoping to avoid the long lines. Apparently, everyone thought the same. Left the place vowing to come earlier the next time!
Attempt No. 2: Although news broke out that typhoon Santi would be in town, we refused to let any natural disaster stop us. Santi proved to be too strong, we ended up in Oakwood.
Attempt No. 3: We were almost there, but Mariott's introductory rates proved to be too tempting. We just had to go to the next building and try it.
Last night, I promised my dad to be ready by 630am. We headed there hoping that we were the only ones insane enough to eat breakfast this early. The food was awful, although Dad insists that it was ok. Tamang tama daw sa mga nagdidiet.
And yes we are on a diet.
Cotton
Me: So, Dad where do you want to watch the Pacquiao fight on sunday?
Dad: Kung saan may sosyal na pagkain
hahaha...
Me: (to brother) You should watch with Dad. I hate boxing.
Bro: It's too early. Tamang tama pag gising ko may panalo na.
Me: I don't like seeing people cheer at the sight of two people hurting each other. It doesn't make sense.
Dad: Di bale, mahina naman tong laban na to' e. Sa tingin ko walang laban si Cotton.
Me: COTTON!?!
hahaha...
Anyway, we ended up with tickets for the whole family, minus two brothers. The older one will be watching in the hospital while his wife is giving birth, the younger one refusing to be awake before lunch.
I'm looking forward to the food!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Point And Shoot
I actually got a Canon 50D as a gift... well, not me but my hubby. This is one instance where the words "conjugal property" is uber cool. We have also been spending bucket loads of money on having our baby's photographs taken professionally. Idiot that I am, I actually have 3 friends who offered to take her pictures for free. Make that 4 and all of them volunteered to come here to my house and do it. I rememebr that only now, now that she's 10mos old. A wee bit too late. Anyhoo, lets not cry over spilled breastmilk. I now have the idea that i want to be able to take great pics and so i started scanning the web for great portraits and here's a few that I want to do with my next baby, or maybe one of yours! :D Whoever comes 1st!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aleciasilva/1972944719/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/2882372415/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/2530504977/in/set-72157603600015766/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/138231235/in/set-72157594578126828/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/477884254/in/set-72157594578126828/
this will be my 1st project... or if I can't do it i will have someone do it for me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/1869251258/in/set-72157594578126828/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aleciasilva/1972944719/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/2882372415/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/2530504977/in/set-72157603600015766/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/138231235/in/set-72157594578126828/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/477884254/in/set-72157594578126828/
this will be my 1st project... or if I can't do it i will have someone do it for me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/1869251258/in/set-72157594578126828/
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sentimentality Is In The Air
As everyone who reads (around 5 people?) our blog can see, 2/3 of the writers (naks) are feeling a tad bit sentimental. I on the other hand is going mental. I think one of us is excited to come home and i think i speak for the whole barkada and my whole heart that i am ubermongously (new invented word) excited that you are almost back in our belovedly weird weathered, squatter ridden, trash drizzled country!!! the other part of our banana split is sentimental here bec this is her only outlet for sentimentality and i have not said this yet, but i am absoduperly thrilled when she came up with the idea of this anonymous blog months ago. I need not force myself to be sentimental today. I have been trying with great effort to avoid thinking of my Angkong, for fear of tears. He is alas, back in the hospital.
*sad face*
(pause....)
The man whom i turned to as a child when i wanted to get away with something that the yaya wouldnt let me do or eat (kropek). He would fry kropek with me in his outdoor kitchen. I would jump with delight as the colorful squares would blossom into giant crunchy oil sponges. I remember the maid scolding me for another something i did wrong yet again, and i would scream at the top of my lungs and he would run over and shout at the maid for me. Yes, he was not a teacher of right and wrong nor was he a man of discipline when it came to children. But thats why we loved him so. He speaks in half chinese half tagalog with a pure chinese accent. He can read english and can make eastern medicine. They stunk and i always had the fear that he gave me soup of dried up cockroaches. He was health conscious and very strict when it came to adults and their diets. Well, I am now wondering why I got to eat kropek when i remember my father telling me the story of how he drank cold water behind his father's back. Cold water. Because he never had it til he was in grade school. And it was such an important moment in his life that until now at the age of 59 he still rememebrs the feeling it gave him. My angkong is so health conscious that he stopped eating beef over 25 years ago, stopped eating chicken over 10 years ago, never ate fried food all his life. His diet was mainly steamed fish and lugaw. Except when we went out and ate in a restaurant, he ate all the fried things we ordered and he ate alot. But he didnt allow anyone to cook anything fried in his house.
My angkong is a character, if someone knew him well enough and had the time, they should write his life story. He is sucha character. He actually writes down every time one of his kids visits him at home and if his kids or wife says something bad he also writes it down. Everything is documented and is kept in a safe. No kidding. He puts it in his safety deposit box in the bank.
He never told anyone his age. When asked, he avoids the question by talking about something else. Not even my Ama knows his age. How can his own wife not know? Because they were set up by a match maker and the matchmaker lied about his age. She was told that he was 10years older than her but he's not.
He saved a man's life 3x. That man is Henry Sy. In the Japanese war, Henry Sy was hit by a shrapnel and was stuck in the middle of the filipinos and the japanese, my angkong went into the line of fire and saved his life. He saved his life another time and another, the 2nd time i forgot what it was about, nothing as dramatic as the war and the 3rd time my dad forgot already. But to this day he still says, without me there is no Henry Sy because without me he'd be dead! Hilarious, isnt he?
My Angkong is a man filled with regrets. I dont think he would admit this but i sure hope he regrets that he gambled. He used to be partners with SM but he took his shares so he could gamble some more. He regrets marrying my Ama, this i know for sure. Recently he said to my mom "i could have had any woman, they all wanted me because i had so much money... i guess that is destiny that i married her".
My Angkong is an angry man. My father was and angry man. And i am an angry man. We are 3 generations of anger ridden people. We react to everything with anger. This is what we grew up with, this is what we know. We know he is better when he starts shouting at people again.
My Angkong is a proud man. Strong willed and smart. Stubborn as a cow. He fights with his doctors in the hospital because he thinks he knows better. He is a writer, he writes for the chinese newspaper and he is also writing his memoirs. I am dubious about how factual the stories in that are bec he has been known to twist the truth a little to his advantage. He is a nice and generous man. He gives 500 pesos to the stranger who opens his car door for him. He still drives, at his age whatever age that is) he still drives. We have tried to give him a driver but he refuses to give up his freedom.
Well, now my angkong is a weak and frail man. All that is left of him is skin and bones, he is only 70lbs. his hair is gray and his eyes are only half open half the time. Today i find out that he is 12 years older than my Ama and so he is 90 years old. Somebody finally revealed his age. He never wanted people to know because he thought if the gods knew how old he was they would think "hey pwde na yan kunin". We would never know if we celebrated his birthday on the right date because no one knew what date it was. Today i also find out that my mom is looking for a pearl with no holes, we put a pearl with the dead. Today i also find out that my mom is looking for clothes for angkong to be buried in, they are preparing for his passing. *silence*
He is going to be operated on friday and the doctor doesnt want to give the go signal but does not have a choice anymore. His cyst is so big that his colon is almost closed. His scrotum is infected, hing lungs are weak and he is malnourished. The only thing strong is his heart. My Angkong's heart is strong. They are saying he might die on the table and if not on the table he might die afterwards due to complications. They are telling me to pray that he goes due to complications and not wait for the cancer to kill him because the cancer will be painful.
So, here i sit with my heart breaking, my spirit diminished, my head heavy with misery. I wish only for him to never feel pain again. Because as tough as he was he really hates pain, a simple poke of the needle he screams and shouts. Let him die without pain. Pls, lets just pray that he doesnt suffer any more.
*sad face*
(pause....)
The man whom i turned to as a child when i wanted to get away with something that the yaya wouldnt let me do or eat (kropek). He would fry kropek with me in his outdoor kitchen. I would jump with delight as the colorful squares would blossom into giant crunchy oil sponges. I remember the maid scolding me for another something i did wrong yet again, and i would scream at the top of my lungs and he would run over and shout at the maid for me. Yes, he was not a teacher of right and wrong nor was he a man of discipline when it came to children. But thats why we loved him so. He speaks in half chinese half tagalog with a pure chinese accent. He can read english and can make eastern medicine. They stunk and i always had the fear that he gave me soup of dried up cockroaches. He was health conscious and very strict when it came to adults and their diets. Well, I am now wondering why I got to eat kropek when i remember my father telling me the story of how he drank cold water behind his father's back. Cold water. Because he never had it til he was in grade school. And it was such an important moment in his life that until now at the age of 59 he still rememebrs the feeling it gave him. My angkong is so health conscious that he stopped eating beef over 25 years ago, stopped eating chicken over 10 years ago, never ate fried food all his life. His diet was mainly steamed fish and lugaw. Except when we went out and ate in a restaurant, he ate all the fried things we ordered and he ate alot. But he didnt allow anyone to cook anything fried in his house.
My angkong is a character, if someone knew him well enough and had the time, they should write his life story. He is sucha character. He actually writes down every time one of his kids visits him at home and if his kids or wife says something bad he also writes it down. Everything is documented and is kept in a safe. No kidding. He puts it in his safety deposit box in the bank.
He never told anyone his age. When asked, he avoids the question by talking about something else. Not even my Ama knows his age. How can his own wife not know? Because they were set up by a match maker and the matchmaker lied about his age. She was told that he was 10years older than her but he's not.
He saved a man's life 3x. That man is Henry Sy. In the Japanese war, Henry Sy was hit by a shrapnel and was stuck in the middle of the filipinos and the japanese, my angkong went into the line of fire and saved his life. He saved his life another time and another, the 2nd time i forgot what it was about, nothing as dramatic as the war and the 3rd time my dad forgot already. But to this day he still says, without me there is no Henry Sy because without me he'd be dead! Hilarious, isnt he?
My Angkong is a man filled with regrets. I dont think he would admit this but i sure hope he regrets that he gambled. He used to be partners with SM but he took his shares so he could gamble some more. He regrets marrying my Ama, this i know for sure. Recently he said to my mom "i could have had any woman, they all wanted me because i had so much money... i guess that is destiny that i married her".
My Angkong is an angry man. My father was and angry man. And i am an angry man. We are 3 generations of anger ridden people. We react to everything with anger. This is what we grew up with, this is what we know. We know he is better when he starts shouting at people again.
My Angkong is a proud man. Strong willed and smart. Stubborn as a cow. He fights with his doctors in the hospital because he thinks he knows better. He is a writer, he writes for the chinese newspaper and he is also writing his memoirs. I am dubious about how factual the stories in that are bec he has been known to twist the truth a little to his advantage. He is a nice and generous man. He gives 500 pesos to the stranger who opens his car door for him. He still drives, at his age whatever age that is) he still drives. We have tried to give him a driver but he refuses to give up his freedom.
Well, now my angkong is a weak and frail man. All that is left of him is skin and bones, he is only 70lbs. his hair is gray and his eyes are only half open half the time. Today i find out that he is 12 years older than my Ama and so he is 90 years old. Somebody finally revealed his age. He never wanted people to know because he thought if the gods knew how old he was they would think "hey pwde na yan kunin". We would never know if we celebrated his birthday on the right date because no one knew what date it was. Today i also find out that my mom is looking for a pearl with no holes, we put a pearl with the dead. Today i also find out that my mom is looking for clothes for angkong to be buried in, they are preparing for his passing. *silence*
He is going to be operated on friday and the doctor doesnt want to give the go signal but does not have a choice anymore. His cyst is so big that his colon is almost closed. His scrotum is infected, hing lungs are weak and he is malnourished. The only thing strong is his heart. My Angkong's heart is strong. They are saying he might die on the table and if not on the table he might die afterwards due to complications. They are telling me to pray that he goes due to complications and not wait for the cancer to kill him because the cancer will be painful.
So, here i sit with my heart breaking, my spirit diminished, my head heavy with misery. I wish only for him to never feel pain again. Because as tough as he was he really hates pain, a simple poke of the needle he screams and shouts. Let him die without pain. Pls, lets just pray that he doesnt suffer any more.
Perennial
My cousin told me that problems about our helpers are perennial. I had to look up what that meant exactly. And it means that they are problems that are continuing without interruption. Yes that is exactly what helpers are. Perennial problems. I know i talk about Maxine's yaya alot and sometimes even i dont want to blog about her anymore. But i do, i cannot help it. If we all want to keep me sane and to stop me from becoming a murderer we will let me blog about the yaya.
I want to drive a stake into her mouth and out of her ass and roast her in a pit.
My aunts and older relatives tell me this chinese saying when it comes to household help "pwa bak chiu kweh" The direct translation of that sentence is "half eyes closed". We have to ignore half the things they do in order for us to survive in one household. I am not a patient person as most of you know. I am not a person who lets things slide or who can let wronds simply go. But i have taken to heart that chinese saying because i love Maxine and because I dont want to cause her anymore trauma in changing yayas.
I want to suffocate her with a garbage bag and throw her in the trash.
This yaya has done no major wrong, but has done nothing right. The things a mother looks for in a yaya are simple, we want them to be able to bathe the baby properly, change their diapers, feed the baby food, make them drink their milk and put them to sleep. These are things that a well trained chimpanzee can do. This job requires no skill or education. Anyone and everyone can do it. You don't even need opposable thumbs. I might sound mean in comparing a human to a monkey, but hey if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, what is it? It is in fact an insult to the well trained monkey to compare them to some yayas. Because they are more obedient and well behaved than these humans.
I want to put her in a cage and throw rotten food at her.
I wake up at 5am and I find my child sleeping on the floor, under her underarms. I ask "why is Maxine there?" she replies "kakagising lng nya, kakalagay ko lng sa knya dito kasi nahihirapan matulog"
Maxine is in my Mom's house and I go there, Maxine is crying with tears covering her cheeks. She is in the maid's room while the yaya is sitting on the bed and maxine is on her lap while she is watching tv. I ask "why is Maxine there? diba sabi ko ayaw kong pinapasok sya dyan?" yaya replies "kakapasok lng namin, kakaiyak lng nya"
In my house, I hand over maxine to the yaya, she goes down and after awhile i go down to start dinner. I see them inside the maid's room watching tv, i tell yaya, yaya ayoko nga nasa loob ng kwarto niyo si maxine. yaya "sandali lng nanunuod pako ng tv"
Today i decided to give the yaya another chance. To talk to her and tell her that she's been doing poorly and maybe she should step up her game. She gets mad and shouts at me. "yan ang problema sayo eh maliit na bagay lng kelangan pa palakihin, ganyang klaseng tao ka pala. masama na nga pakiramdam ko papagsabihan pako." I tell her about the 3 incidents that i didn't like and she says this...
1- masama nga pakiramdam ni maxine kaya nilagay ko nlng sya sa tabi ko! dapat hihiga kami dyan sa kama mo eh sigurado magagalit ka nanaman! kaya sa kama ko nlng hiniga!
me: indi ba pwdeng nakaupo ka nlng tas si maxine nakahiga?
yaya: eh masama nga pakiramdam ko!
me: akala ko ba pakiramdam ni maxine yun masama? ngayon yun sayo na?
yaya: yun na din yun! kung may sakit ako may sakit na din sya!
2-"kahapon nun nasa loob kami ng kwarto si Ann (the other maid) yun may kasalanan nun, kakapasok ko lng sa kwarto at may kinuha lng ako tas binigay nya sakin ni maxine, kung alam ko lng na dadating ka na pala eh di lumabas nako! "
She then goes on shouting that " yan ang mahirap sayo puros discussions, ang sakit na nga ng ulo ko puros discussions pa din!
me: eh di sana nun sinabihan kita umoo ka nlgn at sinabi mo na di mo na uulitin at di ka puros palusot eh di tapus na! ikaw pang mayabang dyan ikaw na nga yun mali! pag pasok mo sabi mo na ang nanay ang masusunod at yaya ka lng pero ikaw naman nasusunod basta di ako nakabantay!
yaya: ganun ngako kagaling na ikaw nga nasusunod, lahat ng ibang yaya dyan sila nasusunod pero ako magaling ako na ikaw sinusunod ko at ang bait ko na andito pako!"
The other afternoon she was sleeping in front of me while Maxine was in the crib playing by herself. My maid tells me that every morning she's the one taking care of Maxine while the yaya is on the phone talking to her friend. The yaya got sick because every night we go out she sleeps at 11pm because she is still watching tv. Thats why when Maxine is up at 5am she gets so pissed off and thats why she needs to nap in the afternoons pretending that her eyes hurt or her head aches.
This is why i need to talk about her, because she is driving me insane. I am actually paying someone 6 thousand pesos to make me and the maid do her job. And when corrected i get shouted at and ordered to get her medicine. Great, Just GREAT! This is one big WHAT THE F*CK.
I want to drive a stake into her mouth and out of her ass and roast her in a pit.
My aunts and older relatives tell me this chinese saying when it comes to household help "pwa bak chiu kweh" The direct translation of that sentence is "half eyes closed". We have to ignore half the things they do in order for us to survive in one household. I am not a patient person as most of you know. I am not a person who lets things slide or who can let wronds simply go. But i have taken to heart that chinese saying because i love Maxine and because I dont want to cause her anymore trauma in changing yayas.
I want to suffocate her with a garbage bag and throw her in the trash.
This yaya has done no major wrong, but has done nothing right. The things a mother looks for in a yaya are simple, we want them to be able to bathe the baby properly, change their diapers, feed the baby food, make them drink their milk and put them to sleep. These are things that a well trained chimpanzee can do. This job requires no skill or education. Anyone and everyone can do it. You don't even need opposable thumbs. I might sound mean in comparing a human to a monkey, but hey if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, what is it? It is in fact an insult to the well trained monkey to compare them to some yayas. Because they are more obedient and well behaved than these humans.
I want to put her in a cage and throw rotten food at her.
I wake up at 5am and I find my child sleeping on the floor, under her underarms. I ask "why is Maxine there?" she replies "kakagising lng nya, kakalagay ko lng sa knya dito kasi nahihirapan matulog"
Maxine is in my Mom's house and I go there, Maxine is crying with tears covering her cheeks. She is in the maid's room while the yaya is sitting on the bed and maxine is on her lap while she is watching tv. I ask "why is Maxine there? diba sabi ko ayaw kong pinapasok sya dyan?" yaya replies "kakapasok lng namin, kakaiyak lng nya"
In my house, I hand over maxine to the yaya, she goes down and after awhile i go down to start dinner. I see them inside the maid's room watching tv, i tell yaya, yaya ayoko nga nasa loob ng kwarto niyo si maxine. yaya "sandali lng nanunuod pako ng tv"
Today i decided to give the yaya another chance. To talk to her and tell her that she's been doing poorly and maybe she should step up her game. She gets mad and shouts at me. "yan ang problema sayo eh maliit na bagay lng kelangan pa palakihin, ganyang klaseng tao ka pala. masama na nga pakiramdam ko papagsabihan pako." I tell her about the 3 incidents that i didn't like and she says this...
1- masama nga pakiramdam ni maxine kaya nilagay ko nlng sya sa tabi ko! dapat hihiga kami dyan sa kama mo eh sigurado magagalit ka nanaman! kaya sa kama ko nlng hiniga!
me: indi ba pwdeng nakaupo ka nlng tas si maxine nakahiga?
yaya: eh masama nga pakiramdam ko!
me: akala ko ba pakiramdam ni maxine yun masama? ngayon yun sayo na?
yaya: yun na din yun! kung may sakit ako may sakit na din sya!
2-"kahapon nun nasa loob kami ng kwarto si Ann (the other maid) yun may kasalanan nun, kakapasok ko lng sa kwarto at may kinuha lng ako tas binigay nya sakin ni maxine, kung alam ko lng na dadating ka na pala eh di lumabas nako! "
She then goes on shouting that " yan ang mahirap sayo puros discussions, ang sakit na nga ng ulo ko puros discussions pa din!
me: eh di sana nun sinabihan kita umoo ka nlgn at sinabi mo na di mo na uulitin at di ka puros palusot eh di tapus na! ikaw pang mayabang dyan ikaw na nga yun mali! pag pasok mo sabi mo na ang nanay ang masusunod at yaya ka lng pero ikaw naman nasusunod basta di ako nakabantay!
yaya: ganun ngako kagaling na ikaw nga nasusunod, lahat ng ibang yaya dyan sila nasusunod pero ako magaling ako na ikaw sinusunod ko at ang bait ko na andito pako!"
The other afternoon she was sleeping in front of me while Maxine was in the crib playing by herself. My maid tells me that every morning she's the one taking care of Maxine while the yaya is on the phone talking to her friend. The yaya got sick because every night we go out she sleeps at 11pm because she is still watching tv. Thats why when Maxine is up at 5am she gets so pissed off and thats why she needs to nap in the afternoons pretending that her eyes hurt or her head aches.
This is why i need to talk about her, because she is driving me insane. I am actually paying someone 6 thousand pesos to make me and the maid do her job. And when corrected i get shouted at and ordered to get her medicine. Great, Just GREAT! This is one big WHAT THE F*CK.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Singing Maid
Our maid, who i just learned yesterday, held a position as lady guard in festival mall (whoa!) has a bad bad habit. (I told Mika that she can use her as her bodyguard haha) She sings while cleaning. Now, I don't mind noise while working, except that her singing sounds creepy to my ears! Creepy as in, old ladies in church singing creepy. I'm caught between telling her to stop or just wearing ear plugs. Hay, time to look for my ear plugs.
Awww...
Even though many had their doubts on the real reason why they tied the knot, I still couldn't help but feel happy for the newlyweds. There's just something about wedding ceremonies that makes me say awww... You have to give it to them, isn't this picture so romantic?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Silly but happy
One day, I sat down and started looking through our old photos from Lao's multiply album. I realized how many many many silly pictures we have and how much fun we would have together. I started to really miss you guys...
I wanted to share some specific pictures and started copying some of the ones that had specific moments/ occassions attached to them. Some I picked out because they were super silly and really made me laugh out loud.
I'm so happy Lao has SO many pictures!! Anyway, the collage below is what I came up with through photoshop.
I have to say, my favorite ones are:
- Trix and Lao on the piano... as in I was laughing when I saw that shot.
- All of us under Lao's skirt. -- What can I say?? Another winner.
- Lao and Jean laughing -- I cannot even remember taking this picture!! And that's my sandal-clad foot in the bottom right part!!
- GK
- Salubong sa bar -- fuuuuun. I remember it was so crazy on Taft and we were trying to watch the game on that tiny TV... and we were so happy for Mon and Jean!
- You four girls at Oliver's at Rockwell -- Because I think we were talking to Jean that time about her little "bean".
Sigh. Happy times :)
I wanted to share some specific pictures and started copying some of the ones that had specific moments/ occassions attached to them. Some I picked out because they were super silly and really made me laugh out loud.
I'm so happy Lao has SO many pictures!! Anyway, the collage below is what I came up with through photoshop.
I have to say, my favorite ones are:
- Trix and Lao on the piano... as in I was laughing when I saw that shot.
- All of us under Lao's skirt. -- What can I say?? Another winner.
- Lao and Jean laughing -- I cannot even remember taking this picture!! And that's my sandal-clad foot in the bottom right part!!
- GK
- Salubong sa bar -- fuuuuun. I remember it was so crazy on Taft and we were trying to watch the game on that tiny TV... and we were so happy for Mon and Jean!
- You four girls at Oliver's at Rockwell -- Because I think we were talking to Jean that time about her little "bean".
Sigh. Happy times :)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Nanowrimo
I'm going to try and write a novel. Nat sent me this link and I wanted to challenge myself by trying to do it. I have no topic or any ideas what i'm going to write about. But I think part of the fun is in the mystery of the short unknown. If I were to write about my life i would entitle the book... How to Spend Your Life Doing Nothing. But I think that would be tremendously boring. So, goodluck to me!!!! http://www.nanowrimo.org/ here's the site if any of you want to join me in my new adventure!
Friday, October 30, 2009
525 votes
Maxine joined a contest in facebook made by Picture Company. Here's the gist of the contest.
It's the time of the year once again, where kids get to dress up and be anyone/anything they want to be!
Since we've been showing albums of our costumes for a while, this time, we want to let you brag about your costumes! Send-in home photos of your costumes (babies, kids, families) with your name and contact numbers to halloween@picturecompany.com.ph We'll keep adding the entries that make it into this album, (one entry per family please!) and we'll let you campaign and make your friends become fans to vote! Put a thumbs up on your favorite photo to vote :) Voting ends October 31, 2009 at exactly 12 midnight. The winner with the most "Likes" will be announced the next day. :) The winner will get: (1) year FREE membership which will be valid in all TPC branches. (4) FREE 8x10 portraits on your first session, to start you off. Happy shooting!
We began by asking our friends to vote and on day 1 it seemed like an easy enough win for us. We were only competing with a mermaid that in my arrogant opinion is no match, NONE at ALL, against my Maxine. We easily got 100 votes in that day. My hubby and I even checked all the other contests for what the most number of votes was. The great big number is 307. On day 2 this little darna girl started to climb up fast our lead was double hers but not after a few hours. She gaines so fast we really thought she would be able to catch up, i think so did she. She never gave up, but neither did we. Ending of my story is, My little ducky won by more than 100 votes. But we wouldn't have been able to do it on our own. My parents of course called up their relatives and friends who had facebook and asked them to vote. Jong whose seen the ducky picture months ago rallied up his troops and gained votes for us. Ken Ang who is going to be the ninong of our next child actually told his employees to stop working for 5 mins just to vote and then that night he was at a party with his cousins and brought his laptop and asked them all to vote. Olie in papa new guinea, my brother and his friends in NY all asked their family and friends to vote. In the end we did win, by over 100 votes. We got 525 votes total :) I am so grateful to the people who took the time to support me and let the truth prevail that Maxine indeed is the cutest baby in the bunch.
It's the time of the year once again, where kids get to dress up and be anyone/anything they want to be!
Since we've been showing albums of our costumes for a while, this time, we want to let you brag about your costumes! Send-in home photos of your costumes (babies, kids, families) with your name and contact numbers to halloween@picturecompany.com.ph We'll keep adding the entries that make it into this album, (one entry per family please!) and we'll let you campaign and make your friends become fans to vote! Put a thumbs up on your favorite photo to vote :) Voting ends October 31, 2009 at exactly 12 midnight. The winner with the most "Likes" will be announced the next day. :) The winner will get: (1) year FREE membership which will be valid in all TPC branches. (4) FREE 8x10 portraits on your first session, to start you off. Happy shooting!
We began by asking our friends to vote and on day 1 it seemed like an easy enough win for us. We were only competing with a mermaid that in my arrogant opinion is no match, NONE at ALL, against my Maxine. We easily got 100 votes in that day. My hubby and I even checked all the other contests for what the most number of votes was. The great big number is 307. On day 2 this little darna girl started to climb up fast our lead was double hers but not after a few hours. She gaines so fast we really thought she would be able to catch up, i think so did she. She never gave up, but neither did we. Ending of my story is, My little ducky won by more than 100 votes. But we wouldn't have been able to do it on our own. My parents of course called up their relatives and friends who had facebook and asked them to vote. Jong whose seen the ducky picture months ago rallied up his troops and gained votes for us. Ken Ang who is going to be the ninong of our next child actually told his employees to stop working for 5 mins just to vote and then that night he was at a party with his cousins and brought his laptop and asked them all to vote. Olie in papa new guinea, my brother and his friends in NY all asked their family and friends to vote. In the end we did win, by over 100 votes. We got 525 votes total :) I am so grateful to the people who took the time to support me and let the truth prevail that Maxine indeed is the cutest baby in the bunch.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Breakdown
My phone and not me. haha
This is what I get for always forgetting my phone. Finally it has given up on me... on my birthday! Apparently my phone has been selectively receiving messages since two weeks ago. Last monday, I had trouble accepting calls but I thought it was just the place where I was. However, no texts were coming in. Today, my cousin was able to temporarily fix my phone. I still cannot accept that my phone has gone kaput. My blackberry and I shared good memories together. I'm giving it one more chance to redeem itself.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Changes
I sit here on my desk and i think to myself... How things have changed. This picture was taken more than 3 years ago. We were in tagaytay in P's house. Notice that the guy behind me is V and how chummy we once were, hahaha. There was once a time when i saw these guys more than 3x a wk, now, maybe 3x a month?
Things change but stay the same too, we were playing cards. They still play cards when they go out of town. Most of the men in the picture are drunk, they still get crazy drunk when they go out of town. Gladly, the difference now is that there are more women and the ladies i get to hangout with are easier to talk to. Some friendships just aren't meant to last. Pictures fade and new memories are made with the people you're meant to be with now.
M, the girl in grey is Genie D. haha. Backpack ny ayun nasa table :)
Things change but stay the same too, we were playing cards. They still play cards when they go out of town. Most of the men in the picture are drunk, they still get crazy drunk when they go out of town. Gladly, the difference now is that there are more women and the ladies i get to hangout with are easier to talk to. Some friendships just aren't meant to last. Pictures fade and new memories are made with the people you're meant to be with now. M, the girl in grey is Genie D. haha. Backpack ny ayun nasa table :)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hospitals
I hate hospitals. They have a distinct smell, a smell that smells too clean. If there is sucha thing. The smell stinks so much that even if there's a Seattle's Best in Cardinal you don't really get to inhale deeply and enjoy the scent of coffee.
My angkong is on the same floor as I was when I gave birth to Bear. And even with those fond and blurry memories I still hated going to the hospital. Cardinal is where my Gwakong died in the emergency room and where my Gwama died on the 6th floor. I hate Cardinal.
Every week we are reminded, or at least I am, of how short life can be. In this case, life has been long but unkind. When we are at death's door, regret always comes to mind. What do we regret doing and not doing. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. So, everyday i hug a little tighter and a bit longer. I use my energy to play more. I eat richer and more spoonfuls of what i love. I do what I want and I try my best to spend my time building bridges and crossing them carefully. Because you never know when death will come knocking at your door.
Lets spend time together while we still can. :)
My angkong is on the same floor as I was when I gave birth to Bear. And even with those fond and blurry memories I still hated going to the hospital. Cardinal is where my Gwakong died in the emergency room and where my Gwama died on the 6th floor. I hate Cardinal.
Every week we are reminded, or at least I am, of how short life can be. In this case, life has been long but unkind. When we are at death's door, regret always comes to mind. What do we regret doing and not doing. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. So, everyday i hug a little tighter and a bit longer. I use my energy to play more. I eat richer and more spoonfuls of what i love. I do what I want and I try my best to spend my time building bridges and crossing them carefully. Because you never know when death will come knocking at your door.
Lets spend time together while we still can. :)
My Perfect Day
I once saw a Haagen Daz buffet and thought I was dreaming. I wasn't, my ice cream buddy and I were in Singapore and we chanced upon it, we were in heaven. A limited time kind of heaven because we were going to watch a concert so we weren't really able to eat our fill. I have been nagging about finding another Haagen Daz buffet and FINALLY it has come to our country!
After a couple of plans that didn't push thru and a friend passing away, I decided to just go and eat by myself. Life is short, we ought to do the things we love while we still can. I would have preferred to have eaten the buffet with my loved ones, but all are busy with work and etc so there I sat, in the corner table and i ate. I ate and ate and ate. I read while eating, I shivered but I kept on eating. I took a crap and then ate some more. I ate like there was no tomorrow. It was my perfect day. Thank you haagen daz for giving me another perfect day :) Til I eat again.
Chocolate macadamia brittle, vanilla and strawberry
Tiramisu and Midnight cookies and cream
Cappucino Truffle and Macadamia Brittle
Melon and Melon
cherries and cream and strawberry cheesecake
my last scoop and fave... Melon.
my book, scoop card and ice cream!
After a couple of plans that didn't push thru and a friend passing away, I decided to just go and eat by myself. Life is short, we ought to do the things we love while we still can. I would have preferred to have eaten the buffet with my loved ones, but all are busy with work and etc so there I sat, in the corner table and i ate. I ate and ate and ate. I read while eating, I shivered but I kept on eating. I took a crap and then ate some more. I ate like there was no tomorrow. It was my perfect day. Thank you haagen daz for giving me another perfect day :) Til I eat again.
Chocolate macadamia brittle, vanilla and strawberry
Tiramisu and Midnight cookies and cream
Cappucino Truffle and Macadamia Brittle
Melon and Melon
cherries and cream and strawberry cheesecake
my last scoop and fave... Melon.
my book, scoop card and ice cream!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Dear Pag-asa
For your easy reference, I am compiling a list of reasons why your weather predictions are always off tangent. You may pick one or combine two or more reasons to make them sound more believable.
1. The typhoon suddenly changed direction.
2. God heard our prayers.
3. Our equipments are so old that they give out inaccurate predictions.
4. The wind hit a low pressure area which combined with the hot atmosphere caused the monsoon blah blah blah. (make it sound as complicated as possible)
5. Global warming
There.
You have been threatening us with a super typhoon since friday. It has been six days and we have only received a few raindrops. Ano ba.
Dayoff
Monday:
yaya: ma'am lalabas ako sa thursday, may lakad ba kayo?
ma'am: meron pero sige ok lang agahan mo nlng umuwi.
yaya: ok
Thursday: Its raining hard
ma'am: lalabas ka pa ba?
yaya: di nlng siguro kasi baka baha na eh
ma'am: ok
Friday:
ma'am: kung gsto mo sa sunday ka nlng lumabas para andito si Sir.
yaya: ah ok cge.
Sunday:
ma'am: anung oras ka uuwi?
yaya: 7-7:30
ma'am: ok..
Sunday
7:30pm Yaya is not yet home. We were staying at my mom's house and i put her to bed already because it was so late. My mom and i decided not to scold the maid anymore because she might feel na sobra syang importante.
8:30pm Yaya comes home.
Mom: Yaya, anung oras na?
Yaya: ma'am naglakad pako galing sa simbahan etc etc etc
Mom: sa susunod kung anung oras sinabi mo uuwi ka ganun dapat.
Monday:
yaya: ma'am bkt pako kelangan sermonan eh galing ako sa labas nag enjoy ako tas pag uwi ko ganun na. once a month nlng nga ako nakakalabas tas ganyan pa. ilang minutes lng ako late mapapagalitan pako dahil dun. Nagsimba pako kaya ako nalate. Pinagbigyan ko nlng nga kayo na di ako lumabas nung Thrusday eh at Sunday ako lumabas
ma'am: 1 hour and 30mins is not sandali. Kung sa sine, tapus na yun. Kung sa mtg, wala ka ng kausap. At sana nagsimba ka ng 6pm para 730 andito ka na. At lahat naman ng katulong once a month lang lumalabas pero nakakauwi sila ng maaga
yaya: eh kasi nga gsto ko magsimba sa gabi. tska ang dami kong pang ginawa. at nagcocommute lng ako, sana kung may kotse ako tulad niyo maaasahan ko yun oras ko. Nilakad ko nlng yun simbahan papunta dito.
ma'am: gabi na ang 6pm. wala ng point pag usapan pa ito kasi di mo naman tatanggapin na mali ka sa oras mo. kung 7pm eh di 7pm sobra sobra na ang 1hour late, eh ikaw lampas 1 oras ka pa.
and so the conversation went on and on for 30 mins. Do u know how it feels to talk to a dog? Or any other pet? Well, it's more enjoyable to do that than to talk to a yaya who thinks she's the boss. To look for logic from them is to look for milk in a man's breast. I wasted 30mins of my life talking to a person who does not have ears, she just wanted to say to me that I dont have the right to scold her because she didn't do anything wrong. "sanay kasi ako sa datinig mga amo ko overnight ako, pinagbigyan nlng nga kita na di ako nagoovernight" Ako pa pala yun pinagbibigyan. WOW. So, now im searching for a new yaya. Pls help.
yaya: ma'am lalabas ako sa thursday, may lakad ba kayo?
ma'am: meron pero sige ok lang agahan mo nlng umuwi.
yaya: ok
Thursday: Its raining hard
ma'am: lalabas ka pa ba?
yaya: di nlng siguro kasi baka baha na eh
ma'am: ok
Friday:
ma'am: kung gsto mo sa sunday ka nlng lumabas para andito si Sir.
yaya: ah ok cge.
Sunday:
ma'am: anung oras ka uuwi?
yaya: 7-7:30
ma'am: ok..
Sunday
7:30pm Yaya is not yet home. We were staying at my mom's house and i put her to bed already because it was so late. My mom and i decided not to scold the maid anymore because she might feel na sobra syang importante.
8:30pm Yaya comes home.
Mom: Yaya, anung oras na?
Yaya: ma'am naglakad pako galing sa simbahan etc etc etc
Mom: sa susunod kung anung oras sinabi mo uuwi ka ganun dapat.
Monday:
yaya: ma'am bkt pako kelangan sermonan eh galing ako sa labas nag enjoy ako tas pag uwi ko ganun na. once a month nlng nga ako nakakalabas tas ganyan pa. ilang minutes lng ako late mapapagalitan pako dahil dun. Nagsimba pako kaya ako nalate. Pinagbigyan ko nlng nga kayo na di ako lumabas nung Thrusday eh at Sunday ako lumabas
ma'am: 1 hour and 30mins is not sandali. Kung sa sine, tapus na yun. Kung sa mtg, wala ka ng kausap. At sana nagsimba ka ng 6pm para 730 andito ka na. At lahat naman ng katulong once a month lang lumalabas pero nakakauwi sila ng maaga
yaya: eh kasi nga gsto ko magsimba sa gabi. tska ang dami kong pang ginawa. at nagcocommute lng ako, sana kung may kotse ako tulad niyo maaasahan ko yun oras ko. Nilakad ko nlng yun simbahan papunta dito.
ma'am: gabi na ang 6pm. wala ng point pag usapan pa ito kasi di mo naman tatanggapin na mali ka sa oras mo. kung 7pm eh di 7pm sobra sobra na ang 1hour late, eh ikaw lampas 1 oras ka pa.
and so the conversation went on and on for 30 mins. Do u know how it feels to talk to a dog? Or any other pet? Well, it's more enjoyable to do that than to talk to a yaya who thinks she's the boss. To look for logic from them is to look for milk in a man's breast. I wasted 30mins of my life talking to a person who does not have ears, she just wanted to say to me that I dont have the right to scold her because she didn't do anything wrong. "sanay kasi ako sa datinig mga amo ko overnight ako, pinagbigyan nlng nga kita na di ako nagoovernight" Ako pa pala yun pinagbibigyan. WOW. So, now im searching for a new yaya. Pls help.
Robots Are Our Future
I used to dread the yaya's dayoff. Maxine has always been the kind of baby who grows attached easily to people and she, like her mother has a mind of her own and is willfull and loud when she doesn't get her way. She used to let only her yaya feed her. She would refuse her bottle even if she was so hungry. She preffered to cry herself to sleep instead of eat, and all this was when she was only 3months old. Today Maxine is almost 10months old. She is my everything. She doesn't have a facial expression that I dont love. Even when she's red from screaming in anger I still feel the same. Today was yaya's dayoff, I am super glad that i decided to make her take the dayoff on a Sunday bec the hubby is home the whole day. We went to visit her Ninong's house and there we spent a total of 3hours. Where we all sat on the couch and watched tv. Maxine got to touch a dog's face, pull the back of a fax machine and eat an apple. Time flew by so quickly that I am now deluded into thinking that i dont really need a yaya. I can do this on my own. I hope reality sets in quickly as I am annoyed at the yaya for being almost 2hrs late in returning home.
Maxine is the joy of my life and if i could i would want a huge family, at least 3 kids. But the stress involved in taking in more household help stops me from even thinking of having any more children. How i wish for the day when they will come out with a robot nanny who can do all the things a yaya does. Feed, change and clean. The yayas want to think they do more but they dont. At least maxine's yaya doesnt, bec she makes the maid carry maxine around when im not looking and its the maid that plays with maxine while she's doing whatever. She lets Maxine play alone in her crib while she's sleeping the whole afternoon. Maybe we have perfect babies thats why we can never get a perfect yaya. There has to be a balance in the world.
Maxine is the joy of my life and if i could i would want a huge family, at least 3 kids. But the stress involved in taking in more household help stops me from even thinking of having any more children. How i wish for the day when they will come out with a robot nanny who can do all the things a yaya does. Feed, change and clean. The yayas want to think they do more but they dont. At least maxine's yaya doesnt, bec she makes the maid carry maxine around when im not looking and its the maid that plays with maxine while she's doing whatever. She lets Maxine play alone in her crib while she's sleeping the whole afternoon. Maybe we have perfect babies thats why we can never get a perfect yaya. There has to be a balance in the world.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
No to Plastic
I always had an aversion to plastic (both bags and people haha). I never saw the use of straws in fastfood joints nor those small bags that hold medicine. I tease my mom that it's my way for compensating for her love for plastics, especially ziplocks.
Ondoy seemed to have reminded us that all the plasic that we thought we threw away are actually just lying around. Last week, I finally remembered to stuff my ecobag inside my purse. I'm still trying to figure out how to eliminate our grocery bags, since we actually use them to line our trashcans. Any ideas?
At the Racetrack
That's me and my brother after winning two thousand mega bucks in hongkong dollars! heehee. I love it, i love it, even more than disneyland!
Death
2 things are certain in life, death and taxes. A person I know passed away yesterday. He wasn't feeling well the night before and then he just didn't wake up the next day. It made me realize alot of things I already knew but didn't practice.
1. They always tell us not to go to sleep angry, but hubby and i never followed that, we'd usually make up the next day when our heads have cooled. Last night we promised we'd try to fix things before going to sleep.
2. Stop wasting time.
1. They always tell us not to go to sleep angry, but hubby and i never followed that, we'd usually make up the next day when our heads have cooled. Last night we promised we'd try to fix things before going to sleep.
2. Stop wasting time.
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