A Year Ago...

As the end of August draws near, I realized that one year ago I had just arrived in Boston and had been stressed over finding an apartment and starting school. That got me thinking about how much has changed since then and how much has happened in a year's time. Here are some of the things that I remember as well as how some things have changed.

1. A year ago MSLC was still growing in Lao's belly!! Now, she is out and about and is filling the world with her smile and spirit.

2. A year ago, my Lolo fell of his bed and broke his thigh bone. I can still remember that night when my uncle called my cellphone and asked to talk to my mother. I can remember seeing her visibly wilt before my eyes while on the phone. The months of recovery that followed were difficult for my grandfather and my mother in different ways. It was a test of will and strength of spirit for them both. Now, Lolo is regularly doing his physical therapy and has started to walk a bit on his own. He made his public "debut" at my cousin's 7th birthday party last May! Yey!

3. A year ago, I used to wander around Boston aimlessly, not knowing the streets or how to get from one point to another. Now, I know enough to share tidbits like what the good restaurants are or what bus or train to take to get somewhere.

4. A year ago, I did not know how to: a. cook, b. unclog a toilet, c. use a washing machine. Now, I do.

5. A year ago, I didn't know why people say they can't or don't want to go back to Manila. Now, I think I can understand what they mean. It's not just that they value their independence or that things are easier here-- less traffic, more organized & efficient-- but there's just so much more you can do. And the things you want to do, you CAN do. There's a system in place that lets you to do what you want to do. You can rent things (from cars, to cabins to camping gear or ski clothes). There's variety-- skiing in the winter, sailing in the summer... Not to mention the other things to do and see in the other 49 states. Lastly, it's easier to be middle class here-- quality of life seems to be better.

5. A year ago, I wasn't engaged. Now, I am. Haha.

What do you guys remember from where you were last year and how does it compare to where you are now?

Drool Worthy

If everyone in facebook looked like this, people would stop working.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Agapios-Papaioannou/508460610

Words To Live By

"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none" - William Shakespeare

Hoooboy, give me strength. Haha

To Baby Gael

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=GsevvrEv1Oc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fbestyoucanbee%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

Hope this brightens everyones day! Don't you just love Jollibee? :)

p.s. but i just have one question, why weren't we invited to this dance!?

Grateful

No matter how challenging life gets sometimes I am grateful that there are certain things in it that always cheer me up. My maid left last night and I am again looking for help. My old reliable helper is coming back 3 wks from now. So, for the meantime I need a temporary replacement. Someone to clean the house. The stress of a housewife is unending, people think its easy but really its not. Especially if you have a baby and only 1 maid. Because when she decides to leave, you are left with no one. I dont want to get into how annoying maids today are. They just are.

I just wanted to write about the things i am grateful for. Like having my parent's house so near mine that they can cook the yaya's food for me. And my food. because i really dont like washing dishes. I am happy that i finally got to fix the boxes downstairs, the house is finally getting done. The leak in the bathroom is fixed. We have water 24hrs a day.. we used to have water only at 5-9am and pm. The water pump is fixed also so the annoying sound of the pump that goes on every 3mins has now been silenced. I hope this help lower my electricity and water bill.

I am also grateful for Maxiebear. Its priceless to have someone smile and shout with glee everytime they see you. She really makes my day.

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

After being married for 1.5yrs I am now going to fight for the legalization of weed or divorce here in the country. I am being pushed to the brink of insanity by my alcoholic husband. Imagine getting home 3hrs later than the promised hour. Then having to pump for an hour because your breasts are so full of milk they hurt so much. It's being with someone inconsiderate of your feelings and thoughts. I never get to talk when i'm with him, its like being married to a stand up comedian. But no matter how funny the guy is, the jokes get old too. Especially if he stole them from you. I end up not wanting to talk to him but then he changes jobs and just turns into a sports commentator. Narrating and commenting on everything he sees, does and what not. That's when he's still sober. When he's drunk he turns into a 5yr old bumbling idiot who needs to be the center of attention. When he's drunk he turns into a reckless teenager with no self control whatsoever. He is the man of all ages below 20. Not a care in the world. He is his #1. Actually, his 1 and only.

It used to be better because Dr. Jekyll (thats when he's sober) was such a great person. So I only had to deal with Mr. Hyde a few times a week and only at night. But now due to the frequency of his drinking and maybe the total amount of alcohol and number of times he's changed into Mr. Hyde, the monster's annoying and bad qualities are seeping into the person.

I have been in this predicament for around 6years. It wouldn't be fair to say that nothing's changed for the better, because they have. Until they changed again for the worse. It isnt in the number of times he drinks in a week. Its not in the number of bottles he drinks in a night. Its how he handles his liquor and how he never knows when to stop. How he can't go home sober or just mildly drunk. So, this is the diary of the wife of an alcoholic, otherwise known as My own version of Hell.

Pencils

Beauty.
Colors.
Art.

http://500pencils.socialdesigner.com/

It's a Beautiful Daaaaaay!

I just bought them today from a guy on craigslist this afternoon. He sold them at $120@ when the going rate online is around $150-$200. Good deal. Good seats. With hard tickets and not the email-able ones so it will make for a good souvenir too.

It's a beautifuuuuul daaaaaaay!

Lakbayan Quiz

I saw this and took it... Guess what my grade was? D!! Oh my golly banana-Q! Just goes to show that there's still so much of the country that I have to explore. Click on the text if you want to try it out: Lakbayan Quiz

Delaying Gratification

When is it inappropriate to delay one's gratification? when you've had a rash on your face and you've tried everything but nothing works. When in the first place you should have just gone to the doctor. Some may quickly judge and say i'm lazy but in my twisted world that's delaying my gratification.

Emy The New Maid

I have a new maid in the house. Now, Ive been wanting to complain about her but I couldn't since she works beyond the call of duty. I have said to her at least 3x in the 3 days sh'es been here that it would be better if she just slept. She cleans too much, exag talaga. I told her to clean the bedroom thoroughly once a week. Yesterday she takes the king size bed cushion and puts it on the wall and sweeps the bed frame and then vacuums after wards. She then continues to clean the kitchen drawer and the housing of the drawers but she forgets to prepare my lunch. Today she cleans her room and she forgets to cook their lunch. Yaya is not happy. Now she is cleaning the tiny bathroom of mine, it takes her an hour to finish but today it takes longer as i hear a clud and bang. I go to inspect and there she is in a daze.. she stepped on the toilet bowl and slipped and fell. I think she was trying to clean the ceiling. So now the dilemma is how to make her take it easy. Its just too much, by the end of the week I can probably start eating on the floor.

Gratitude

A few years ago, a friend sent me an email that changed the way I perceived things. As dramatic as it sounds, I think it even changed my life forever. The email taught me that there are are more than enough reasons to be grateful it life, even in moments where you feel like complaining. Here are the reasons why I am grateful today.

1. I am grateful for death because it teaches me to treat everyday like the last.

2. I am grateful for heartache because it is then where I find my strength.

3. I am grateful for my mom's nagging loud voice, because it is her way of showing that she loves me.

4. I am grateful for the allergies in my face, because it can only get better.

5. I am grateful for my unruly hair, because it means I have hair.

Just this morning, I have already received two surprises. 

1. I am grateful that all the data in my broken laptop were saved!

2. I am grateful to find my parent's wedding album, which we thought were lost in the fire.

And Back to our Regular Program

I know that happiness is a decision but I decided to be bitter and glum. I wallowed in self pity and cynicism for quite a bit of time. My patience was always lacking and was I was easily irritated.  I would go on and on at the smallest fault and rant against the government.

Today, I decide to SNAP out of it. Hay, I don't want to be carrying the world on my shoulder anymore. Ang bigat ng mundo ha. Life is truly beautiful. And if there is anything I learned these past few days, i want to die with a smile on my face.

My internet explorer has not been my friend the past few days. It feels like its been weeks since i've seen my facebook page. I have been wanting to write an entry but the only thing that opens when i turn on the computer is my yahoo messenger. This is what happenes when you dont do a virus scan for 2 years... you get 640+ viruses. You clean them out but the computer is never the same. every time i check i still find a virus or 2. So next week im going to have my computer reformatted.

How GRRRReat would it be if we could also reformat our lives? When with just a click or two we can scan our lives for viruses and put them into a vualt and voila! Goodbye! Only to find out that the infection they've caused can never really be totally erased. Maybe this is why we go on vacations. At least THIS is why I am going to tagaytay. To get away from it all. Though it may not be relaxing, nor will it be quiet or peaceful because of the company i'm going with, i just know that i need a break from it all.

See you guys when i get back!

What a week...

So, I've been wondering why some of my friends' Facebook status have been so glum and later on I found out why...

1. Cory Aquino died on Aug 1
2. Jet Concepcion (my officemate) died on Aug 5
3. Trixie Diyco's (another former officemate) father passed away Aug 4

I had just heard about Jet's being in the hospital last Friday due to a blood clot in his brain. I felt both shocked & sad when I read the email that he had been declared brain dead... I wasn't super close to him but he was always nice to me. Very funny. Very talented percussionist.

Trixie's dad... I knew that he had undergone surgery sometime ago but that's all I heard. Nanette Diyco (Trixie's mom) was my teacher in Ateneo and I got to work with Trixie on several projects back in BBDO. My heart goes out to them.

Cory Aquino, well... what is there to say? I feel like the country's lost its moral compass-- or an important part of it anyway.

Keep them in your prayers please.