A couple of weeks ago, my dad called me with news of his health that troubled me. There was blood in his bowel. He went to see the doctor because aside from the blood, it was very uncomfortable for him too. He was diagnosed with colon cancer. I wept when I received the news.
Dad and I had a falling over years ago which would qualify for another post. We seldom talk and when we do, it was short and civil. But, no matter how much wide that gap became, I was still affected. I lost my beloved grandfather to the big C almost 20 years ago, and I don't think I can stand losing someone else dear to me again. I hate that sickness. I hope the world will be rid of it soon.
I prayed hard, and asked for prayers. To those who cared enough to read my blog, they responded with comments saying they would. To all of you, I say thank you. Our prayers were heard, and after tests and a minor surgery on Friday, it was determined that his' was a Stage 1. Thank God it was caught early on, and merely by accident. The blood on his bowel was unrelated to the Big C. God is good, because he orchestrated that nerve to burst, thereby leading him to the doctor, and thus, discovering a Stage 1 cancer.
In another month, more tests, and possibly another surgery might be needed. I would ask you to please continue to pray for my dad. He may not be the best father in the world, but he's the one I was blessed with.
Most of all, to our Father in Heaven, thank You.... My heart sings with gladness.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
Lost... and then Found!
Hubz called me on Friday night and he was panicking. He said he lost his wedding ring, and that he has turned the house upside down looking for it. Of course I was amused because even his mom and his grandma were helping him look for it. At the back of my mind, I was sort of imagining what type of wedding ring I'll request next, hehe! I know, I'm bad... but hey, a girl can dream of a diamond studded platinum wedding band can't she?
Ok, so I did a little research over the weekend, even sent a photo to hubz on the possible design. I also told him about some couples having two sets of wedding bands - one for daily use, and another for special occasions only. He said that was a good idea, until I told him how much platinums cost these days. He almost fell off his chair, tee-hee!
So, come Monday, he called me as soon as he got to work, to let me know he found his ring! He was so excited 'coz it was under his desk - a little hidden from view. So, all my illusions of a new wedding band went kapoot!
But, hey, I'm glad he found his wedding ring. After all, it's blessed, and it was the same ring we used to profess our undying love to each other - you know, the 'til death do us part piece.
Ok, so I did a little research over the weekend, even sent a photo to hubz on the possible design. I also told him about some couples having two sets of wedding bands - one for daily use, and another for special occasions only. He said that was a good idea, until I told him how much platinums cost these days. He almost fell off his chair, tee-hee!
So, come Monday, he called me as soon as he got to work, to let me know he found his ring! He was so excited 'coz it was under his desk - a little hidden from view. So, all my illusions of a new wedding band went kapoot!
But, hey, I'm glad he found his wedding ring. After all, it's blessed, and it was the same ring we used to profess our undying love to each other - you know, the 'til death do us part piece.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
In remembrance of....
Hubz sent me a text message today informing me that grandma's elder sister N passed away. She and grandma had a rift that started out so many years back. I don't even remember what that was about. It's sad because they have never been able to patch things up before she passed on.
I recalled vividly years ago (I was fresh out of college then) when we attended grandma's eldest sister's 80th birthday. Lola N was there in attendance as well. Through our prodding, grandma hugged Lola N, trying to bridge their gap but Lola N pushed her away. Their siblings were shocked of her reaction and of course, tried to appeal to her good heart. They even told her that since they're in their twilight years, they should just forgive and forget. Heck, I don't even know who should do the forgiving between the two of them. My heart went out to grandma because she humbled herself but received rejection and hurtful words.
I do hope that Lola N, wherever she is, has finally learned to let go of all the hatred she has harbored in her heart. It is only by forgiving that she will be able to experience peace. I will say silent prayers for you Lola N. May your soul rest in peace.
Let this be a lesson to everyone that life is short. There is no better feeling in the world than to let go of all the negative feelings we have towards other people. God knows I carry some of those in my heart, and through constant prayer, I am beginning to slowly patch things up with those I have burned bridges with. The Lord has taught me great lessons in life, and one of them, is not to take things for granted. After all, we will never know when He'll call us to join Him.
Sorry for the mushy blog. I am going through some very emotional times these days. Please pray for me and my family.
I recalled vividly years ago (I was fresh out of college then) when we attended grandma's eldest sister's 80th birthday. Lola N was there in attendance as well. Through our prodding, grandma hugged Lola N, trying to bridge their gap but Lola N pushed her away. Their siblings were shocked of her reaction and of course, tried to appeal to her good heart. They even told her that since they're in their twilight years, they should just forgive and forget. Heck, I don't even know who should do the forgiving between the two of them. My heart went out to grandma because she humbled herself but received rejection and hurtful words.
I do hope that Lola N, wherever she is, has finally learned to let go of all the hatred she has harbored in her heart. It is only by forgiving that she will be able to experience peace. I will say silent prayers for you Lola N. May your soul rest in peace.
Let this be a lesson to everyone that life is short. There is no better feeling in the world than to let go of all the negative feelings we have towards other people. God knows I carry some of those in my heart, and through constant prayer, I am beginning to slowly patch things up with those I have burned bridges with. The Lord has taught me great lessons in life, and one of them, is not to take things for granted. After all, we will never know when He'll call us to join Him.
Sorry for the mushy blog. I am going through some very emotional times these days. Please pray for me and my family.
Monday, January 10, 2005
The Year in Review
The past year, though still living on my own and away from hubz, brought me a lot of things and events to be thankful for. Good or bad, big or small, I have learned to be grateful for these things because it could easily be worse. I've been saying this over and over again, even when I had a bought with colds, cough, sore throat, on and off fever, I still feel blessed primarily because I'm alive.
Thank you dear Lord, for another year has passed. As I look forward to 2005, here are some of the milestones of the past year:
January – I attended a Cake Decorating class that filled up my Tuesday nights – baking and decorating a cake to bring to class on Wednesday evenings. The class was fun! Creating a well-decorated cake may be too time-consuming (it takes me about 4 hours to bake and decorate an 8” cake) but seeing the look on people’s eyes when I unveil my “masterpiece” and the praises I receive after they’ve tasted it, made all the effort worthwhile. Also, I have led a team of 10 staff to a successful off-release install. We started the project in November the previous year, and with about 5000+ man-hours, we delivered! The install was an uneventful one, which is a good thing, considering the hurdles that we had to overcome along the way.
February – Hubz and I celebrated Valentine’s Day over the phone. Nothing much to report this month, except my very eager countdown to April.
March – I finally got the camera I have been dreaming of for a long time! I wanted a digital SLR and I initially have my eyes on Nikon’s D100, but our wedding photographer (turned friend) advised me to wait for the D70 instead because it’s supposedly better than the D100. He was so right! The release date was March 2004, and I pre-ordered it way back in January. I have been drooling over digital SLRs for more than a year – justifying why I need to buy myself one. When I finally got my new camera in the mail, I was soooo ecstatic! Immediately after they released it, the website where I ordered it from has it backordered already! No wonder it was 2004’s Camera of the Year!!!!!
April – Thanks to the movie “The Passion of the Christ”, I had a very meaningful Lenten journey in 2004. I also got the promotion I have been hoping for a long time. The week prior to my long-awaited trip to Manila, roommate L’s friends from New Zealand – N & T came over for a visit. We took them to picturesque Yosemite. Then, on mid-April, I was home-bound to be with my husband. The night prior to my trip home, I couldn’t sleep because I was just sooo excited. I consider April and May my happiest months of the year because I get to be with my husband!!! It’s what long distance wives like me live for – year after year after year! We went to Corregidor the first week I was there. Because we were the only ones to stay in the island overnight, it was eerie and exciting at the same time. We were scaring ourselves off because of ghost stories around the island. Still, it felt good sleeping in the arms of my husband – my favorite place in the world…
May – I cooked up a surprise birthday party for hubz. With the help of some very close friends, I almost pulled it off. He got the hint at the last minute though, right when we were on our way to the venue. At the parking lot, he recognized the cars parked and I had to walk ahead so he wouldn’t see me giggling. I still have to pat myself in the back because he didn’t get the hunch until the day itself! We also celebrated our first year anniversary with my family and his’ at Villa Escudero. The only downside was, I wasn’t feeling very well – I was sick to my stomach the whole time – for personal reasons. In fact, I had to return to the US a week later than planned because they rushed me to the hospital on the day I was to fly back! Who knows, I just might be able to usher enough courage to write about this in my coming posts.
June – This is probably my most depressing month. After spending 5 weeks with my husband, I just couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at our photos together, couldn’t even watch the video. Even when I was back in full throttle at work, it just isn’t the same. I come to work with puffy eyes and my attention constantly drifts away. I daydream a lot, I cry myself to sleep every night, I call often and talk with hubz for hours on end. If coming home was paradise, coming back without my husband is pure and absolute torture.
July – I have started to put into action something I read in “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. I decided it was time I paid myself first. I opened a savings account entirely for that purpose and before long, the formula proved effective because my savings continued to grow, and I constrained my expenses to what is left of my savings and bills allotment.
August – I embarked on a new and somewhat-expensive hobby, thanks to the prodding of a dear friend, Christine. Because I have tons of photos waiting to be organized, I started scrapbooking, then later, cardmaking. I thoroughly enjoyed my new hobbies and tried to scrap almost every weekend. It somehow filled the void of not having my husband around. It also kept me busy scrap shopping, tee-hee!
September – On the day I celebrated my 31st birthday, my roommate and I also closed escrow on a rental property up in Sacramento. After the call from our realtor to greet me a happy birthday and to relay the good news, I just cried and cried – all because I couldn’t believe how much God has blessed me! On the third week of September, roommate L’s sister and her whole family visited from New Zealand. A few days later, they were gone, embarking on a very long and tedious drive to Yosemite, Tahoe, Arizona, Utah, Las Vegas, then back to SFO.
October – I led a semi-successful install into completion – the largest our company has ever seen, thus far. It was semi-successful because there were a few glitches in Production, but none that we could’ve caught. They were caused mainly by other systems outside the applications we’re responsible for – whew! The install was comprised of 25 projects, 18 staffs, and 21,000 man-hours! Because I deserved a much-needed break, I flew in to Las Vegas to meet with roommate L, her sister, and her sister’s family. I immensely enjoyed the trip!
November – Hubz and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary as gf/bf over the phone. It was nice to reminisce those good old years, but equally nostalgic as well! Then, we had another set of guests from Texas. Being the hospitable hosts, we took them to Sausalito, the City, then to Napa Valley.
December – This is one Christmas I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was not in the mood to decorate the house. For the first time in 6 years, we didn’t put up a tree. I was also grumpy that was why our neighbors dubbed me “Scrooge”. However, we spent Christmas Eve at Disneyland and California Adventure, which had been fun. We ended the year with a little get-together at home with very close friends and godchildren.
2004 came to an end abruptly fast, and 2005 is here to stay. May the coming year bring us all good health, happiness, peace, safety. Most of all, may the Lord continue to bless us all and shower us with His graces.
Here's to another fruitful year!
The past year, though still living on my own and away from hubz, brought me a lot of things and events to be thankful for. Good or bad, big or small, I have learned to be grateful for these things because it could easily be worse. I've been saying this over and over again, even when I had a bought with colds, cough, sore throat, on and off fever, I still feel blessed primarily because I'm alive.
Thank you dear Lord, for another year has passed. As I look forward to 2005, here are some of the milestones of the past year:
January – I attended a Cake Decorating class that filled up my Tuesday nights – baking and decorating a cake to bring to class on Wednesday evenings. The class was fun! Creating a well-decorated cake may be too time-consuming (it takes me about 4 hours to bake and decorate an 8” cake) but seeing the look on people’s eyes when I unveil my “masterpiece” and the praises I receive after they’ve tasted it, made all the effort worthwhile. Also, I have led a team of 10 staff to a successful off-release install. We started the project in November the previous year, and with about 5000+ man-hours, we delivered! The install was an uneventful one, which is a good thing, considering the hurdles that we had to overcome along the way.
February – Hubz and I celebrated Valentine’s Day over the phone. Nothing much to report this month, except my very eager countdown to April.
March – I finally got the camera I have been dreaming of for a long time! I wanted a digital SLR and I initially have my eyes on Nikon’s D100, but our wedding photographer (turned friend) advised me to wait for the D70 instead because it’s supposedly better than the D100. He was so right! The release date was March 2004, and I pre-ordered it way back in January. I have been drooling over digital SLRs for more than a year – justifying why I need to buy myself one. When I finally got my new camera in the mail, I was soooo ecstatic! Immediately after they released it, the website where I ordered it from has it backordered already! No wonder it was 2004’s Camera of the Year!!!!!
April – Thanks to the movie “The Passion of the Christ”, I had a very meaningful Lenten journey in 2004. I also got the promotion I have been hoping for a long time. The week prior to my long-awaited trip to Manila, roommate L’s friends from New Zealand – N & T came over for a visit. We took them to picturesque Yosemite. Then, on mid-April, I was home-bound to be with my husband. The night prior to my trip home, I couldn’t sleep because I was just sooo excited. I consider April and May my happiest months of the year because I get to be with my husband!!! It’s what long distance wives like me live for – year after year after year! We went to Corregidor the first week I was there. Because we were the only ones to stay in the island overnight, it was eerie and exciting at the same time. We were scaring ourselves off because of ghost stories around the island. Still, it felt good sleeping in the arms of my husband – my favorite place in the world…
May – I cooked up a surprise birthday party for hubz. With the help of some very close friends, I almost pulled it off. He got the hint at the last minute though, right when we were on our way to the venue. At the parking lot, he recognized the cars parked and I had to walk ahead so he wouldn’t see me giggling. I still have to pat myself in the back because he didn’t get the hunch until the day itself! We also celebrated our first year anniversary with my family and his’ at Villa Escudero. The only downside was, I wasn’t feeling very well – I was sick to my stomach the whole time – for personal reasons. In fact, I had to return to the US a week later than planned because they rushed me to the hospital on the day I was to fly back! Who knows, I just might be able to usher enough courage to write about this in my coming posts.
June – This is probably my most depressing month. After spending 5 weeks with my husband, I just couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at our photos together, couldn’t even watch the video. Even when I was back in full throttle at work, it just isn’t the same. I come to work with puffy eyes and my attention constantly drifts away. I daydream a lot, I cry myself to sleep every night, I call often and talk with hubz for hours on end. If coming home was paradise, coming back without my husband is pure and absolute torture.
July – I have started to put into action something I read in “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. I decided it was time I paid myself first. I opened a savings account entirely for that purpose and before long, the formula proved effective because my savings continued to grow, and I constrained my expenses to what is left of my savings and bills allotment.
August – I embarked on a new and somewhat-expensive hobby, thanks to the prodding of a dear friend, Christine. Because I have tons of photos waiting to be organized, I started scrapbooking, then later, cardmaking. I thoroughly enjoyed my new hobbies and tried to scrap almost every weekend. It somehow filled the void of not having my husband around. It also kept me busy scrap shopping, tee-hee!
September – On the day I celebrated my 31st birthday, my roommate and I also closed escrow on a rental property up in Sacramento. After the call from our realtor to greet me a happy birthday and to relay the good news, I just cried and cried – all because I couldn’t believe how much God has blessed me! On the third week of September, roommate L’s sister and her whole family visited from New Zealand. A few days later, they were gone, embarking on a very long and tedious drive to Yosemite, Tahoe, Arizona, Utah, Las Vegas, then back to SFO.
October – I led a semi-successful install into completion – the largest our company has ever seen, thus far. It was semi-successful because there were a few glitches in Production, but none that we could’ve caught. They were caused mainly by other systems outside the applications we’re responsible for – whew! The install was comprised of 25 projects, 18 staffs, and 21,000 man-hours! Because I deserved a much-needed break, I flew in to Las Vegas to meet with roommate L, her sister, and her sister’s family. I immensely enjoyed the trip!
November – Hubz and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary as gf/bf over the phone. It was nice to reminisce those good old years, but equally nostalgic as well! Then, we had another set of guests from Texas. Being the hospitable hosts, we took them to Sausalito, the City, then to Napa Valley.
December – This is one Christmas I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was not in the mood to decorate the house. For the first time in 6 years, we didn’t put up a tree. I was also grumpy that was why our neighbors dubbed me “Scrooge”. However, we spent Christmas Eve at Disneyland and California Adventure, which had been fun. We ended the year with a little get-together at home with very close friends and godchildren.
2004 came to an end abruptly fast, and 2005 is here to stay. May the coming year bring us all good health, happiness, peace, safety. Most of all, may the Lord continue to bless us all and shower us with His graces.
Here's to another fruitful year!
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Monday, January 03, 2005
2004 - The Year that was....
Goodbye 2004 - hello year of the Rooster!!!!
How does someone overseas celebrate the coming of the new year? With dear friends of course! We had a post-christmas get-together here at home on New Year's eve. This has been an ongoing tradition since 1998, and over the years, a few people have been added, but the essence remained the same - to keep each other company for the holidays. We had a table-full of sumptuous food - paella, kaldereta, fried chicken, meatballs, lumpiang shanghai, sotanghon, shrimp, cassava bibingka, macaroni salad, ham - which my roommate and I cooked. Our friends brought mac and cheese, jello, buco salad, jack in the box dessert, kutsinta, and taho! Whew, talk about pigging out! The last of our guests left at 9pm - all were in a hurry to get home in time for New Year.
Filipinos have been known to easily adapt to their environment - wherever they may be. Since our families are all back home, we have learned to depend on friends. We have formed this bond since we first came here in 1997. In fact, I am the godmother to at least one of their kids!
I burned the phone lines at around 12:30am on January 1, Manila time. I had to make sure my husband's fingers were still intact even after firing all those firecrackers to welcome the new year! We reminisced the beginning of 2002 when I went home to spend New Year in Manila. We were together then - in fact, it was on January 3 when he actually proposed! I'm feeling homesick again....
Before the year ended, after the last of our guests left, I lost my voice! To date, I am harboring a little fever, cough, colds. What a way to welcome the new year huh? I guess it's because of the weather, and then of course, I may have gotten it from some of our guests who have just been through flu over the holidays!
Hopefully, 2005 will be a better year! Counting down the days 'til I see hubz again! :)
Lastly, please continue to pray (and help when you can) for all the victims of the deadly tsunami, and the four storms that hit the Philippines before the year ended. May those who passed away rest in peace, and may those who were left behind be able to pick up and go on.
Goodbye 2004 - hello year of the Rooster!!!!
How does someone overseas celebrate the coming of the new year? With dear friends of course! We had a post-christmas get-together here at home on New Year's eve. This has been an ongoing tradition since 1998, and over the years, a few people have been added, but the essence remained the same - to keep each other company for the holidays. We had a table-full of sumptuous food - paella, kaldereta, fried chicken, meatballs, lumpiang shanghai, sotanghon, shrimp, cassava bibingka, macaroni salad, ham - which my roommate and I cooked. Our friends brought mac and cheese, jello, buco salad, jack in the box dessert, kutsinta, and taho! Whew, talk about pigging out! The last of our guests left at 9pm - all were in a hurry to get home in time for New Year.
Filipinos have been known to easily adapt to their environment - wherever they may be. Since our families are all back home, we have learned to depend on friends. We have formed this bond since we first came here in 1997. In fact, I am the godmother to at least one of their kids!
I burned the phone lines at around 12:30am on January 1, Manila time. I had to make sure my husband's fingers were still intact even after firing all those firecrackers to welcome the new year! We reminisced the beginning of 2002 when I went home to spend New Year in Manila. We were together then - in fact, it was on January 3 when he actually proposed! I'm feeling homesick again....
Before the year ended, after the last of our guests left, I lost my voice! To date, I am harboring a little fever, cough, colds. What a way to welcome the new year huh? I guess it's because of the weather, and then of course, I may have gotten it from some of our guests who have just been through flu over the holidays!
Hopefully, 2005 will be a better year! Counting down the days 'til I see hubz again! :)
Lastly, please continue to pray (and help when you can) for all the victims of the deadly tsunami, and the four storms that hit the Philippines before the year ended. May those who passed away rest in peace, and may those who were left behind be able to pick up and go on.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Back from Fantasy-Land
After 7 years here in the US, I finally was able to realize a childhood dream - I was able to go to Disneyland!!!! What's more, I spent Christmas eve there! It truly is the happiest place on earth - no doubt about that!
It took us 8 hours to get to Lancaster - where my roommate's niece lives. We stayed with them overnight and were off to California Adventure and Disneyland on the 24th. California Adventure is the adult theme park counterpart of Disneyland. We watched Alladin - a musical play - and took delight in the antics of the Genie - what a funny guy! We also watched the Making of Animations - which I know my brother would truly enjoy. His dream is to become a Disney cartoonist.
We also saw One Man's Dream - sort of like Walt Disney's life story. If there's one thing I learned about his life is that he puts his heart and soul in his dream - something he truly believed in. He was willing to risk everything just to be able to make it come true. In the end, he left behind a legacy that everyone from all walks of life would truly enjoy.
Then we were off to Disneyland. There, we saw Disney characters' parade, then Fantasmic - a water and lights show, followed by fireworks display. Finally, there was a shower of snowflakes with the sound of "White Christmas" in the background. What a great experience!
Oh by the way, I cried when I was watching Fantasmic because I remembered how my brother and I share the same dream of being able to go to Disneyland. God finally granted my wish on Christmas Eve nonetheless. It is my hope that I can bring my brother to Disneyland so he'll also enjoy the sights and fulfill his dream.
Thank you Walt, for making children happy. Most of all, thank you for making the child in me experience a christmas I didn't feel like celebrating prior to this trip.
P.S.
By the way, I promised photos didn't I? Well, here they are.... Thank you for looking.
After 7 years here in the US, I finally was able to realize a childhood dream - I was able to go to Disneyland!!!! What's more, I spent Christmas eve there! It truly is the happiest place on earth - no doubt about that!
It took us 8 hours to get to Lancaster - where my roommate's niece lives. We stayed with them overnight and were off to California Adventure and Disneyland on the 24th. California Adventure is the adult theme park counterpart of Disneyland. We watched Alladin - a musical play - and took delight in the antics of the Genie - what a funny guy! We also watched the Making of Animations - which I know my brother would truly enjoy. His dream is to become a Disney cartoonist.
We also saw One Man's Dream - sort of like Walt Disney's life story. If there's one thing I learned about his life is that he puts his heart and soul in his dream - something he truly believed in. He was willing to risk everything just to be able to make it come true. In the end, he left behind a legacy that everyone from all walks of life would truly enjoy.
Then we were off to Disneyland. There, we saw Disney characters' parade, then Fantasmic - a water and lights show, followed by fireworks display. Finally, there was a shower of snowflakes with the sound of "White Christmas" in the background. What a great experience!
Oh by the way, I cried when I was watching Fantasmic because I remembered how my brother and I share the same dream of being able to go to Disneyland. God finally granted my wish on Christmas Eve nonetheless. It is my hope that I can bring my brother to Disneyland so he'll also enjoy the sights and fulfill his dream.
Thank you Walt, for making children happy. Most of all, thank you for making the child in me experience a christmas I didn't feel like celebrating prior to this trip.
P.S.
By the way, I promised photos didn't I? Well, here they are.... Thank you for looking.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Merry Christmas to you and yours
While Christmas this year isn't as exciting as the previous ones, I am still looking forward to take a few days off. I'm already stretched thin as it is, with work piling faster than I can sigh.
It's half day off for us today and this afternoon, we're going to LA!!!!! I'm going to visit Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Disney princesses.... :) What's more, our tickets are free! Our company gave out about 400 tickets to Disneyland and California Adventure so I'm going to both, yahoo!!!!
After more than 7 years here in the US, I'm ashamed to say that this will be my first time to go to Disneyland. I was able to go to Universal Studios some 5 years ago, but never to Disneyland. I just never had the chance to do it. I even told hubz that I'll just wait for him to come and then we'd go there together, but with a free ticket, who could resist right? harharhar!
So, my bags are packed, I'm geared up to go. We're driving down to LA in a few more hours, and call me weird but I quite enjoy driving. Ask me to drive 12 hours straight and I won't complain.... :)
'Til my next post! I promise to take lots of photos.
Merry Christmas everyone! Amidst all the chaos and feast, please don't forget the reason of the season - Christ!
Cyberhugs to you all!
While Christmas this year isn't as exciting as the previous ones, I am still looking forward to take a few days off. I'm already stretched thin as it is, with work piling faster than I can sigh.
It's half day off for us today and this afternoon, we're going to LA!!!!! I'm going to visit Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Disney princesses.... :) What's more, our tickets are free! Our company gave out about 400 tickets to Disneyland and California Adventure so I'm going to both, yahoo!!!!
After more than 7 years here in the US, I'm ashamed to say that this will be my first time to go to Disneyland. I was able to go to Universal Studios some 5 years ago, but never to Disneyland. I just never had the chance to do it. I even told hubz that I'll just wait for him to come and then we'd go there together, but with a free ticket, who could resist right? harharhar!
So, my bags are packed, I'm geared up to go. We're driving down to LA in a few more hours, and call me weird but I quite enjoy driving. Ask me to drive 12 hours straight and I won't complain.... :)
'Til my next post! I promise to take lots of photos.
Merry Christmas everyone! Amidst all the chaos and feast, please don't forget the reason of the season - Christ!
Cyberhugs to you all!
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
How times have changed....
I was already working when I got allowed to stay out 'til late. I remembered my dad used to call my friends when I'm not home by 6 or 7. My mom would even pick me up from school when I was in college just to make sure I'd go straight home. Being able to go to school is already a priviledge not every kid is blessed with, so I took that opportunity to do well in school. Perhaps I led a sheltered life but I was never permitted to go to parties unless my mom was with me. I never complained.
Now curfews at 10pm isn't even enough. Some of my cousins debated that parties don't even start 'til midnight, so how is it possible to come home at 10? I was totally shocked! I am concerned about the kind of parties that do start at 12!
I remembered my mom would tell me "ano'ng klaseng babae ang nasa kalye pa ng ganitong oras?" I once defied her and stayed out 'til about 8pm. Oh don't get me wrong, I sometimes sleep over a classmate's house just because we were busy working on our school projects. I was allowed to do that because I didn't have a computer up until the semester I was due to graduate, and only because I needed to do my thesis. But parties? Forget it and don't even dare ask!
And their cellphones! Explain how can a 7 year old kid be able to afford a cellphone? But they do have one, and mind you, they're not cheap-o! A friend complained that her nieces in Manila emailed her asking for a new cellphone because theirs was last year's model. "Ridiculous!" she said "because these girls' family couldn't even afford to put food on their table!". I advised her to tell her nieces to eat their cellphones first and if they're able to do that, then she'll give her a new one! Am I being too harsh?
My husband's cellphone had elicited quite a number of loud laughs before he took the plunge to change it. He had his cell since 1998 (the year after I left for the US) and it was a brand I've never heard of, as big as a landline phone and even heavier! I had to beg him to replace it! He finally did right after our wedding. That's how practical he is about stuff he believes are serving their purpose.
Here's more - whenever I come home, I get asked to bring "branded" clothes - be it CK, DKNY, Prada, Polo, etc, and imported perfumes or colognes. Last year, I had quite a few friends who told me I don't look like I came from America because I wasn't trendy. At least I'm not inviting unwanted attention! I'm one person who has never been held up, and I'm proud of it.
I can only shiver at the thought of what else could change. What would I do if my kids would tell me they want to get a tattoo or have their body pierced? What would I say if they tell me not to wait up because they're not coming home?
I have asked the same questions to hubz and we both do not have answers.
Sigh! Am I getting too old to notice these things?
I was already working when I got allowed to stay out 'til late. I remembered my dad used to call my friends when I'm not home by 6 or 7. My mom would even pick me up from school when I was in college just to make sure I'd go straight home. Being able to go to school is already a priviledge not every kid is blessed with, so I took that opportunity to do well in school. Perhaps I led a sheltered life but I was never permitted to go to parties unless my mom was with me. I never complained.
Now curfews at 10pm isn't even enough. Some of my cousins debated that parties don't even start 'til midnight, so how is it possible to come home at 10? I was totally shocked! I am concerned about the kind of parties that do start at 12!
I remembered my mom would tell me "ano'ng klaseng babae ang nasa kalye pa ng ganitong oras?" I once defied her and stayed out 'til about 8pm. Oh don't get me wrong, I sometimes sleep over a classmate's house just because we were busy working on our school projects. I was allowed to do that because I didn't have a computer up until the semester I was due to graduate, and only because I needed to do my thesis. But parties? Forget it and don't even dare ask!
And their cellphones! Explain how can a 7 year old kid be able to afford a cellphone? But they do have one, and mind you, they're not cheap-o! A friend complained that her nieces in Manila emailed her asking for a new cellphone because theirs was last year's model. "Ridiculous!" she said "because these girls' family couldn't even afford to put food on their table!". I advised her to tell her nieces to eat their cellphones first and if they're able to do that, then she'll give her a new one! Am I being too harsh?
My husband's cellphone had elicited quite a number of loud laughs before he took the plunge to change it. He had his cell since 1998 (the year after I left for the US) and it was a brand I've never heard of, as big as a landline phone and even heavier! I had to beg him to replace it! He finally did right after our wedding. That's how practical he is about stuff he believes are serving their purpose.
Here's more - whenever I come home, I get asked to bring "branded" clothes - be it CK, DKNY, Prada, Polo, etc, and imported perfumes or colognes. Last year, I had quite a few friends who told me I don't look like I came from America because I wasn't trendy. At least I'm not inviting unwanted attention! I'm one person who has never been held up, and I'm proud of it.
I can only shiver at the thought of what else could change. What would I do if my kids would tell me they want to get a tattoo or have their body pierced? What would I say if they tell me not to wait up because they're not coming home?
I have asked the same questions to hubz and we both do not have answers.
Sigh! Am I getting too old to notice these things?
Monday, December 13, 2004
And they called me "Scrooge"
Just because I am not up for Christmas this year, doesn't mean I don't want it to come. I guess I'm too homesick to even think about decorating the house for the holidays. My roommate has also been bugging me to host a party for either christmas or new year, and I finally agreed after too much prodding!
On Saturday, I queued up several times (on different stores) just because L sent me on an errand to find christmas lights, extension wires, and what-have-yous. Because she started putting on the lights outside the house, and our neighbors didn't see me helping (I was on different stores remember?), they were calling me "Scrooge" when they finally saw me.
I'm still wrapping christmas gifts!
I still haven't sent all the christmas cards!
We're still debating whether to put up the tree or not. Since christmas is only a couple of weeks away, and we'll be in LA anyway, I didn't want to put it up, only to take it down as soon as we come back - or at least after the new year's party here at home.
I guess I also feel guilty celebrating when, on the other side of the world, people in the Philippines are still mourning the loss of hundreds of lives because of the most recent calamity.
Most of all, how can you celebrate when your heart is somewhere else - with the one person whom you'd like to be with?
Do I hear Pasko na Sinta ko in the background - or am I just humming it in my head?
Just because I am not up for Christmas this year, doesn't mean I don't want it to come. I guess I'm too homesick to even think about decorating the house for the holidays. My roommate has also been bugging me to host a party for either christmas or new year, and I finally agreed after too much prodding!
On Saturday, I queued up several times (on different stores) just because L sent me on an errand to find christmas lights, extension wires, and what-have-yous. Because she started putting on the lights outside the house, and our neighbors didn't see me helping (I was on different stores remember?), they were calling me "Scrooge" when they finally saw me.
I'm still wrapping christmas gifts!
I still haven't sent all the christmas cards!
We're still debating whether to put up the tree or not. Since christmas is only a couple of weeks away, and we'll be in LA anyway, I didn't want to put it up, only to take it down as soon as we come back - or at least after the new year's party here at home.
I guess I also feel guilty celebrating when, on the other side of the world, people in the Philippines are still mourning the loss of hundreds of lives because of the most recent calamity.
Most of all, how can you celebrate when your heart is somewhere else - with the one person whom you'd like to be with?
Do I hear Pasko na Sinta ko in the background - or am I just humming it in my head?
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
December Greetings
December is quite a busy month for birthdays (too many mothers gave birth this month), weddings, anniversaries. And so, to those you December babies and December couples, cheers to you!
1st - Happy Birthday LYD and AGA
8th - Happy Birthday GJM
9th - Happy 32nd anniversary mom and dad!
10th - Happy Birthday cousin DMA.
- Congratulations and Best Wishes L and S
12th - Happy Birthday CG
16th - Happy Birthday cousins RJM and BS
25th - Happy Birthday JO
28th - Congratulations and Best Wishes R and S
- Happy Birthday LZA
29th - Happy Birthday AT
December is quite a busy month for birthdays (too many mothers gave birth this month), weddings, anniversaries. And so, to those you December babies and December couples, cheers to you!
1st - Happy Birthday LYD and AGA
8th - Happy Birthday GJM
9th - Happy 32nd anniversary mom and dad!
10th - Happy Birthday cousin DMA.
- Congratulations and Best Wishes L and S
12th - Happy Birthday CG
16th - Happy Birthday cousins RJM and BS
25th - Happy Birthday JO
28th - Congratulations and Best Wishes R and S
- Happy Birthday LZA
29th - Happy Birthday AT
Friday, November 26, 2004
Skipping the Holidays?
Our holidays usually start on Thanksgiving when we host parties for friends. The first few years, we always had a big turnout - my turkey, a huge success! As friends started buying their own homes, attendance dwindled down too. Who wouldn't want to spend Thanksgiving in the comforts of their own homes with family? So this year, I decided to skip the festivities. Up to the last minute, my roommate has been bugging me to change my mind, but I insisted that I wanted a quiet Thanksgiving this year.
You see, the preparations start a week earlier when we do our groceries - pick the right-sized turkey, depending on the number of those who confirmed to come. Next is the endless cleaning and scubbing - from the kitchen and bathroom floors, to the carpet, to every imaginable corner, to the bathrooms! Then comes the actual food preparation. Wednesday before Thanksgiving meant that we'd have to sleep very, very late to get everything ready for cooking the next day. Thursday meant waking up so early (as early as 5am) to dress the turkey and bake for 5-6 hours, depending on the size. I usually bake the bird for 20 minutes each pound. The first couple of hours meant covering the turkey with foil so it'll cook evenly. The next hour and every hour thereafter, I have to turn it and baste with butter, until it cooks. While doing this on the side, cooking everything else becomes a challenge, and a rush to the finish line! By the time the guests arrive, we have barely finished cooking. It is then time to take a shower!!!!
The party begins a little after lunch, and would usually last until wee hours in the morning. We have to drag our tired bodies to clean up afterwards.
But wait, we still couldn't rest! Black Friday meant that we have to wake up so early to catch the biggest sale of the year. Stores open as early as 5am, and the sale would only last until 12pm. Most stores revert back to original prices after noon! Worse, if you really want something on sale, and you fail to show up early at the store, chances are, you'd have to forget about it because it'll be gone by the time you get there.
Black Friday is when we'd usually do our christmas shopping. Armed with a list and a tight budget, we'd trek down the mall and hop from store to store 'til we complete our list. You should see us with all those shopping bags! I bet even Santa would be amazed at how much we are able to drag along.
Because I opted for a quiet Thanksgiving this year, I also felt most alone. I woke up yesterday with a big fat headache, dressed up, went to church, came home, finished all the Thank you cards for a friend getting married in December, watched a couple of DVDs, and my day is over!
Today is shopping day as usual. I was quite proud of myself because I stuck with my budget and didn't go over! Then comes the gift-wrapping. I'd probably be wrapping gifts up until Christmas eve!
I envy people with families around. I wish hubz is here, or I'm with my family during the holidays. Been telling hubz that I feel so down lately. Though I easily bounce back, what with the long queue on my to-do list, I still can't help feeling this way. I would've wanted to come home for Christmas but coming back would be a torture!
Earlier this week, the radio I usually listen to, started playing christmas songs. I had to change stations because I feel worse when I listen to them. I wish I could just skip christmas 'til hubz comes. I wish I could postpone the holidays 'til next year. I guess this is the downside of being a long distance wife. You could only wish to hug your husband but you can't. You can only wish to spend time with him, but it's not realistically possible. You can only wish to move time forward until you're together again....
Our holidays usually start on Thanksgiving when we host parties for friends. The first few years, we always had a big turnout - my turkey, a huge success! As friends started buying their own homes, attendance dwindled down too. Who wouldn't want to spend Thanksgiving in the comforts of their own homes with family? So this year, I decided to skip the festivities. Up to the last minute, my roommate has been bugging me to change my mind, but I insisted that I wanted a quiet Thanksgiving this year.
You see, the preparations start a week earlier when we do our groceries - pick the right-sized turkey, depending on the number of those who confirmed to come. Next is the endless cleaning and scubbing - from the kitchen and bathroom floors, to the carpet, to every imaginable corner, to the bathrooms! Then comes the actual food preparation. Wednesday before Thanksgiving meant that we'd have to sleep very, very late to get everything ready for cooking the next day. Thursday meant waking up so early (as early as 5am) to dress the turkey and bake for 5-6 hours, depending on the size. I usually bake the bird for 20 minutes each pound. The first couple of hours meant covering the turkey with foil so it'll cook evenly. The next hour and every hour thereafter, I have to turn it and baste with butter, until it cooks. While doing this on the side, cooking everything else becomes a challenge, and a rush to the finish line! By the time the guests arrive, we have barely finished cooking. It is then time to take a shower!!!!
The party begins a little after lunch, and would usually last until wee hours in the morning. We have to drag our tired bodies to clean up afterwards.
But wait, we still couldn't rest! Black Friday meant that we have to wake up so early to catch the biggest sale of the year. Stores open as early as 5am, and the sale would only last until 12pm. Most stores revert back to original prices after noon! Worse, if you really want something on sale, and you fail to show up early at the store, chances are, you'd have to forget about it because it'll be gone by the time you get there.
Black Friday is when we'd usually do our christmas shopping. Armed with a list and a tight budget, we'd trek down the mall and hop from store to store 'til we complete our list. You should see us with all those shopping bags! I bet even Santa would be amazed at how much we are able to drag along.
Because I opted for a quiet Thanksgiving this year, I also felt most alone. I woke up yesterday with a big fat headache, dressed up, went to church, came home, finished all the Thank you cards for a friend getting married in December, watched a couple of DVDs, and my day is over!
Today is shopping day as usual. I was quite proud of myself because I stuck with my budget and didn't go over! Then comes the gift-wrapping. I'd probably be wrapping gifts up until Christmas eve!
I envy people with families around. I wish hubz is here, or I'm with my family during the holidays. Been telling hubz that I feel so down lately. Though I easily bounce back, what with the long queue on my to-do list, I still can't help feeling this way. I would've wanted to come home for Christmas but coming back would be a torture!
Earlier this week, the radio I usually listen to, started playing christmas songs. I had to change stations because I feel worse when I listen to them. I wish I could just skip christmas 'til hubz comes. I wish I could postpone the holidays 'til next year. I guess this is the downside of being a long distance wife. You could only wish to hug your husband but you can't. You can only wish to spend time with him, but it's not realistically possible. You can only wish to move time forward until you're together again....
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
What I'm Thankful For
For Thanksgiving, I usually take the time to look at my life and examine those things that I'm thankful for. I know we shouldn't do it only at Thanksgiving, and God knows I am so grateful for everything. So far, here are the things that I can easily recall:
1. A wonderful, faithful, devoted, kind, supportive, understanding husband
2. Good health for me and my family
3. House no. 3 - a rental property
4. A stable job
5. The capacity to help and support my family in the Philippines
6. The capacity to buy things that I want for myself
7. The capacity to give without asking for anything in return
8. Good friends
9. Promotion to a higher and better paying position
10. A house above my head
11. A home for my family in the Philippines
12. My grandma's successful eye surgery
13. My 5 weeks' stay in the Philippines between April and May with my husband
14. The ability to control my expenses
15. The ability to save
16. The ability to invest
17. A rewarding career
18. The ability to support a decent and comfortable lifestyle
19. The ability to help my grandma renovate her house
20. The finances to support my daily calls with my husband - which I cannot live without
21. For all the days - good or not-so-good
22. For delivering me from sickness, accidents, calamities
23. For delivering my family from sickness, accidents, calamities
24. For a smooth-sailing marriage - even when it's long distance
25. For being able to engage in activities that prevent me from succumbing into a depressive state.
26. For answered prayers
27. For prayers that may seem unanswered but is actually not in God's time or plan
28. For all the blessings
29. For life, love, happiness, peace
30. For resolved problems
31. For a roommate understanding enough to tolerate my outbursts from time to time (PMS-related)
33. For helpful and supportive teammates
34. For a generous boss
35. For all those other things - big or small that I forgot to mention
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! May you find the time to pause and look into your hearts and be grateful for everything - big or small, good or not-so-good. After all, being given the chance to live each day is big enough reason to thank God.
1. A wonderful, faithful, devoted, kind, supportive, understanding husband
2. Good health for me and my family
3. House no. 3 - a rental property
4. A stable job
5. The capacity to help and support my family in the Philippines
6. The capacity to buy things that I want for myself
7. The capacity to give without asking for anything in return
8. Good friends
9. Promotion to a higher and better paying position
10. A house above my head
11. A home for my family in the Philippines
12. My grandma's successful eye surgery
13. My 5 weeks' stay in the Philippines between April and May with my husband
14. The ability to control my expenses
15. The ability to save
16. The ability to invest
17. A rewarding career
18. The ability to support a decent and comfortable lifestyle
19. The ability to help my grandma renovate her house
20. The finances to support my daily calls with my husband - which I cannot live without
21. For all the days - good or not-so-good
22. For delivering me from sickness, accidents, calamities
23. For delivering my family from sickness, accidents, calamities
24. For a smooth-sailing marriage - even when it's long distance
25. For being able to engage in activities that prevent me from succumbing into a depressive state.
26. For answered prayers
27. For prayers that may seem unanswered but is actually not in God's time or plan
28. For all the blessings
29. For life, love, happiness, peace
30. For resolved problems
31. For a roommate understanding enough to tolerate my outbursts from time to time (PMS-related)
33. For helpful and supportive teammates
34. For a generous boss
35. For all those other things - big or small that I forgot to mention
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! May you find the time to pause and look into your hearts and be grateful for everything - big or small, good or not-so-good. After all, being given the chance to live each day is big enough reason to thank God.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Is it weekend yet?
It's one of those days when ya gotta ask that question - for several reasons:
Reason No. 1 - It took me 45 minutes (vs. the usual 20 minute drive) to get to the BART station in El Cerrito because of the thick fog in Hwy 80.
Reason No. 2 - Add to the low visibility the extremely slow schmuck driving in front of me. I can understand if the person is an elderly or a woman, or if the person in front of him is slow also. But when I passed him by, he was on the damn phone!!!!!
Reason No. 3 - Because of Reasons 1 and 2, I missed the train by a nanosecond. Right when I was at the door, it closed on me! I wanted to scream but it just left - with me standing in shock! I also missed it by a couple of minutes yesterday. Again, because of very slow drivers in front of me - right when I'm close to my exit!
Reason No. 4 - I couldn't find my checkbook anywhere! Over the weekend, I ran out of checks so I replaced it with a new stash. I was a bit late leaving the house because I was busy looking for it this morning. Now I have to call the bank so they can cancel those checks. It's a hassle too because I don't have any other record of my check transactions - what has been cleared, etc. I know I should've maintained my Microsoft Money log. But hey, you can't blame the girl for keeping a manual filing because when my PDA crashed, I lost almost everything - then my old laptop crashed too that I had to end up reformatting my hard drive. Oh well, damn if you do, damn if you don't!
Reason No. 5 - I need to scrap. It's my escape from my daily routine, and my form of relaxation. Try it - it's therapeutic.
Reason No. 6 - Hubz told me last night that electricity at my mom's house has been cut off because they didn't pay the bill. It's a long story but to sum it up, we give them their monthly allowance and they still neglect paying their bills. I can understand if this is the first time this happened 'coz maybe, they just forgot, but if it happened numerous times, I think I have the right to be suspicious.
Reason No. 7 - Grandma went back to Pagsanjan last weekend because she had an argument with my mom. She was supposed to wait until next week so the doctor can remove her stitches (she had eye surgery) but because she was so heartbroken, she decided to go home.
Reason No. 8 - I need to finish the thank you cards I'm working on for a friend who's getting married on Dec. 28. She ordered them from me after having looked at the handmade cards I've been making.
Reason No. 9 - L booked their timeshare for Reno starting this weekend. They won't be there until Wed. next week 'coz that's when her PTO starts. She then gave me and my roommate this weekend to get away from it all.... :)
Reason No. 10 - I need to pack my balikbayan box so I can ship it home in time for christmas.
Reason No. 1 - It took me 45 minutes (vs. the usual 20 minute drive) to get to the BART station in El Cerrito because of the thick fog in Hwy 80.
Reason No. 2 - Add to the low visibility the extremely slow schmuck driving in front of me. I can understand if the person is an elderly or a woman, or if the person in front of him is slow also. But when I passed him by, he was on the damn phone!!!!!
Reason No. 3 - Because of Reasons 1 and 2, I missed the train by a nanosecond. Right when I was at the door, it closed on me! I wanted to scream but it just left - with me standing in shock! I also missed it by a couple of minutes yesterday. Again, because of very slow drivers in front of me - right when I'm close to my exit!
Reason No. 4 - I couldn't find my checkbook anywhere! Over the weekend, I ran out of checks so I replaced it with a new stash. I was a bit late leaving the house because I was busy looking for it this morning. Now I have to call the bank so they can cancel those checks. It's a hassle too because I don't have any other record of my check transactions - what has been cleared, etc. I know I should've maintained my Microsoft Money log. But hey, you can't blame the girl for keeping a manual filing because when my PDA crashed, I lost almost everything - then my old laptop crashed too that I had to end up reformatting my hard drive. Oh well, damn if you do, damn if you don't!
Reason No. 5 - I need to scrap. It's my escape from my daily routine, and my form of relaxation. Try it - it's therapeutic.
Reason No. 6 - Hubz told me last night that electricity at my mom's house has been cut off because they didn't pay the bill. It's a long story but to sum it up, we give them their monthly allowance and they still neglect paying their bills. I can understand if this is the first time this happened 'coz maybe, they just forgot, but if it happened numerous times, I think I have the right to be suspicious.
Reason No. 7 - Grandma went back to Pagsanjan last weekend because she had an argument with my mom. She was supposed to wait until next week so the doctor can remove her stitches (she had eye surgery) but because she was so heartbroken, she decided to go home.
Reason No. 8 - I need to finish the thank you cards I'm working on for a friend who's getting married on Dec. 28. She ordered them from me after having looked at the handmade cards I've been making.
Reason No. 9 - L booked their timeshare for Reno starting this weekend. They won't be there until Wed. next week 'coz that's when her PTO starts. She then gave me and my roommate this weekend to get away from it all.... :)
Reason No. 10 - I need to pack my balikbayan box so I can ship it home in time for christmas.
Friday, November 12, 2004
An Exhausting but Exciting Weekend
We had a couple of friends over last weekend. Being the hospitable hosts, we took them around the Bay - from Sausalito, to Marin Headlands for a breathtaking view of the foggy Golden Gate Bridge, to the Palace of Fine Arts, to Crooked Street in Lombard, to Fisherman's Wharf, and lastly, to Ghirardelli Square. We got home a bit late on Saturday but it was really fun. I was just feeling sore because I was given tetanus vaccine the day before (which was really painful). In fact, I had to exert a bit of an effort to drive.
The next day, Sunday, we took them to some wineries in Napa Valley. I have passed through Napa a few times during fall and I know that the colors are beautiful at this time of the year. I just haven't had the chance to stop and take photos. Now, I have tons of photos.... :)
To get an idea of where we've been, and to visualize the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area and the breathtaking Napa Valley (eat your heart out 'coz I live very close to the wineries, tee-hee!) in your minds, I have uploaded some photos. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.
Have a great weekend people!
We had a couple of friends over last weekend. Being the hospitable hosts, we took them around the Bay - from Sausalito, to Marin Headlands for a breathtaking view of the foggy Golden Gate Bridge, to the Palace of Fine Arts, to Crooked Street in Lombard, to Fisherman's Wharf, and lastly, to Ghirardelli Square. We got home a bit late on Saturday but it was really fun. I was just feeling sore because I was given tetanus vaccine the day before (which was really painful). In fact, I had to exert a bit of an effort to drive.
The next day, Sunday, we took them to some wineries in Napa Valley. I have passed through Napa a few times during fall and I know that the colors are beautiful at this time of the year. I just haven't had the chance to stop and take photos. Now, I have tons of photos.... :)
To get an idea of where we've been, and to visualize the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area and the breathtaking Napa Valley (eat your heart out 'coz I live very close to the wineries, tee-hee!) in your minds, I have uploaded some photos. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.
Have a great weekend people!
Monday, November 08, 2004
A VERY BIG Surprise
When I arrived at my desk at 6:15am today, there was a HUGE wooden crate waiting for me from my husband!!!! It was nailed shut and had the word "fragile" all over. The packing slip said "capiz lantern". No wonder when I was talking to him last night, he kept insisting I come to work today (I was telling him that maybe I'd better telecommute after dropping our guests off at the train station because I had an exhausing weekend).
I knew something was fishy, but I wasn't expecting anything (until Friday maybe because Nov. 12th will be our 10th year anniversary as bf-gf). If I didn't logoff early on Friday, I would've known about it because one of my teammates emailed me about a big package at my desk.
My reaction when I saw the crate? I fell to my chair crying! How could a girl be so lucky to have a wonderful husband? He never fails to amaze me with his many unexpected surprises. I wanted so much to call him but I know that he might be sound asleep by now. The least I can do is leave him alone to get a good night's sleep.
Good night sleepy head.... I wish you know how happy you've made my Monday, and possibly the entire week!
I love you sweetheart!
I knew something was fishy, but I wasn't expecting anything (until Friday maybe because Nov. 12th will be our 10th year anniversary as bf-gf). If I didn't logoff early on Friday, I would've known about it because one of my teammates emailed me about a big package at my desk.
My reaction when I saw the crate? I fell to my chair crying! How could a girl be so lucky to have a wonderful husband? He never fails to amaze me with his many unexpected surprises. I wanted so much to call him but I know that he might be sound asleep by now. The least I can do is leave him alone to get a good night's sleep.
Good night sleepy head.... I wish you know how happy you've made my Monday, and possibly the entire week!
I love you sweetheart!
Friday, November 05, 2004
Hodge Podge of Stuff
There's so much to write about because I haven't blogged in a while (again!). Seems like blogging is becoming a challenge to me now. Thus, let me just take a moment to sit tight and blog about the many things that has been going on in my life (which for most people isn't exciting, hehehe!):
On Carly Patterson's visit - Sometime in October, we got the chance to meet Carly Patterson when she came to work for a visit. She won gold medal in Women's All Around Gymnastics in Athens. This time, I have photos to prove I met her (unlike when Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelberg, and Ian Croker came by).
On Scrapbooking - I'm on a roll! I've made three more LOs over the past couple of weeks - You're Invited, Our Love Story, and Viva Las Vegas. I'm slowly starting to scrap our wedding photos - the film based ones. Picking out those that I want to include becomes very challenging. Just imagine, I have to sort and pick out from about 700+ prints! That's enough to drive me to the brink.
On Card Making - Here's another hobby I truly enjoy. It's a theraphy for me (whenever I feel homesick or depressed). In the process, I am also expressing the creativity I never knew I had! I remembered when I was in school, my mom would always do my projects for me because she was afraid that I'd fail if I do it myself. Needless to say I thought I didn't get those creative genes my mom has? :) So, judge for yourselves.
On Guests - One of the reasons why I haven't blogged in a while was because we had guests in and out of the house. First they were my roommate's sister and her family from New Zealand. Next it was my roommate's cousin and her husband from Palm Springs. This weekend it'll be a couple of friends from Texas. In a week or so, another set of friends from Las Vegas. It's never-ending cleaning up and cooking and entertaining. I'm not complaining though. It's always good to have company once in a while.
On Parties - With the holidays just around the corner, so many parties are being organized. In fact, my November weekends are booked to the brim! Last weekend, I went to a birthday and halloween party. Tonight, I'm attending a golden wedding anniversary celebration of a close friend's parents. Next weekend, there are 2 parties I'm supposed to go to (in a single day). The following week, another birthday party. Then there's Thanksgiving.... not to mention Christmas and New Year!!!!
On my cholasterol - I've got to watch out what I eat or my doctor's going to whip my behind because of my cholasterol. Amazing that for someone as petite as I am, I have a borderline cholasterol level (that was last year though!). I guess that was the bad genes I got from my dad. I'm sweating out now because I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I do hope I'd fare well on my cholasterol test.
On the upcoming holidays - The air is chilly again, and fall is coming to an end. With winter looming around, it's becoming more and more depressing. I miss my family, I miss my husband, I miss everyone back home. When I was growing up, Christmas is a big deal in our family. Even when my mom would just repair old clothes to look like new, I came to appreciate Christmas as more than just new clothes, new shoes, new toys. For me, it's being with family that accounts for a wonderful christmas.
In high school, I was a member of the church choir (don't ask me how because I could never figure that out) so the three of us - mom, younger brother, and me - would go to church for the Simbang Gabi (around 3am). Breakfast would consist of puto bumbong or bibingka. At 6:30, I go straight to school (which is located just opposite the church - how convenient right?). On Christmas Eve, we'd have scrap ham - I call it scrap because those are the remnants when they cut ham in the market. There's bread, hot chocolate, fruit salad, and some other modest food on the table. I considered it our most extravagant dish because we never get to taste them on regular days. We don't always get christmas gifts but just being together is a wonderful gift for me.
I wanted to go home for Christmas but I figured that if I'm getting so depressed when I come home in May, the more it'll be depressing coming back after the holidays. Like I said before, coming home is always a torture for me because I go through the crying fit going back.
On grandma's eye surgery - We finally had grandma agree on an eye surgery, or, as her doctor puts it, she'd get glaucoma. When I called her before the surgery, she was crying and asking for an apology because she had to ask for money. Of course I had to help. After all, my grandma was one of those special people who helped me reach my goals. Even hubz was open to helping grandma. In fact, he visited her before the surgery, at the hospital, and when she came out of the hospital. He even dropped her off to Pagsanjan. This weekend, he's going to pick her up from Pagsanjan for her checkup on Monday. Grandma told me she felt that I was home all along - the way my husband doted on her. No wonder I'm so in love with my husband. He's just truly a great guy!
On mom's birthday - Hubz took a day off on mom's birthday so he could take them out to lunch. She turned 55 this year!
On my 7th year anniversary here in the US - November 13 is my 7th year here in the US. Time flew by!
Another anniversary to watch out for - I'll keep this a suspense for now.
Well, that's it pansit! If you're still reading 'til the end - congratulations! I admire your patience.... hahaha!
Have a great weekend everyone!
There's so much to write about because I haven't blogged in a while (again!). Seems like blogging is becoming a challenge to me now. Thus, let me just take a moment to sit tight and blog about the many things that has been going on in my life (which for most people isn't exciting, hehehe!):
On Carly Patterson's visit - Sometime in October, we got the chance to meet Carly Patterson when she came to work for a visit. She won gold medal in Women's All Around Gymnastics in Athens. This time, I have photos to prove I met her (unlike when Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelberg, and Ian Croker came by).
On Scrapbooking - I'm on a roll! I've made three more LOs over the past couple of weeks - You're Invited, Our Love Story, and Viva Las Vegas. I'm slowly starting to scrap our wedding photos - the film based ones. Picking out those that I want to include becomes very challenging. Just imagine, I have to sort and pick out from about 700+ prints! That's enough to drive me to the brink.
On Card Making - Here's another hobby I truly enjoy. It's a theraphy for me (whenever I feel homesick or depressed). In the process, I am also expressing the creativity I never knew I had! I remembered when I was in school, my mom would always do my projects for me because she was afraid that I'd fail if I do it myself. Needless to say I thought I didn't get those creative genes my mom has? :) So, judge for yourselves.
On Guests - One of the reasons why I haven't blogged in a while was because we had guests in and out of the house. First they were my roommate's sister and her family from New Zealand. Next it was my roommate's cousin and her husband from Palm Springs. This weekend it'll be a couple of friends from Texas. In a week or so, another set of friends from Las Vegas. It's never-ending cleaning up and cooking and entertaining. I'm not complaining though. It's always good to have company once in a while.
On Parties - With the holidays just around the corner, so many parties are being organized. In fact, my November weekends are booked to the brim! Last weekend, I went to a birthday and halloween party. Tonight, I'm attending a golden wedding anniversary celebration of a close friend's parents. Next weekend, there are 2 parties I'm supposed to go to (in a single day). The following week, another birthday party. Then there's Thanksgiving.... not to mention Christmas and New Year!!!!
On my cholasterol - I've got to watch out what I eat or my doctor's going to whip my behind because of my cholasterol. Amazing that for someone as petite as I am, I have a borderline cholasterol level (that was last year though!). I guess that was the bad genes I got from my dad. I'm sweating out now because I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I do hope I'd fare well on my cholasterol test.
On the upcoming holidays - The air is chilly again, and fall is coming to an end. With winter looming around, it's becoming more and more depressing. I miss my family, I miss my husband, I miss everyone back home. When I was growing up, Christmas is a big deal in our family. Even when my mom would just repair old clothes to look like new, I came to appreciate Christmas as more than just new clothes, new shoes, new toys. For me, it's being with family that accounts for a wonderful christmas.
In high school, I was a member of the church choir (don't ask me how because I could never figure that out) so the three of us - mom, younger brother, and me - would go to church for the Simbang Gabi (around 3am). Breakfast would consist of puto bumbong or bibingka. At 6:30, I go straight to school (which is located just opposite the church - how convenient right?). On Christmas Eve, we'd have scrap ham - I call it scrap because those are the remnants when they cut ham in the market. There's bread, hot chocolate, fruit salad, and some other modest food on the table. I considered it our most extravagant dish because we never get to taste them on regular days. We don't always get christmas gifts but just being together is a wonderful gift for me.
I wanted to go home for Christmas but I figured that if I'm getting so depressed when I come home in May, the more it'll be depressing coming back after the holidays. Like I said before, coming home is always a torture for me because I go through the crying fit going back.
On grandma's eye surgery - We finally had grandma agree on an eye surgery, or, as her doctor puts it, she'd get glaucoma. When I called her before the surgery, she was crying and asking for an apology because she had to ask for money. Of course I had to help. After all, my grandma was one of those special people who helped me reach my goals. Even hubz was open to helping grandma. In fact, he visited her before the surgery, at the hospital, and when she came out of the hospital. He even dropped her off to Pagsanjan. This weekend, he's going to pick her up from Pagsanjan for her checkup on Monday. Grandma told me she felt that I was home all along - the way my husband doted on her. No wonder I'm so in love with my husband. He's just truly a great guy!
On mom's birthday - Hubz took a day off on mom's birthday so he could take them out to lunch. She turned 55 this year!
On my 7th year anniversary here in the US - November 13 is my 7th year here in the US. Time flew by!
Another anniversary to watch out for - I'll keep this a suspense for now.
Well, that's it pansit! If you're still reading 'til the end - congratulations! I admire your patience.... hahaha!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
A Powerful Book on Filipino Struggle
I have just finished reading "When the Elephants Dance" by Tess Uriza Holthe. It's a gripping tale about our ancestors' struggles during World War II.
In Alejandro Karangalan's own words (one of the main characters) "It is up to Roderick and me to build and to teach the other children that it is better to stand together than to let other nations divide us. We fought beside our Amerikano brothers to take back our independence. It was not just given to us. I will remember how we Filipinos stood together and put our differences aside. I shall remember how strong we were. It is up to us now to keep our pride intact."
Growing up, I have always asked my grandparents what it was like during the war. They would try to evade the topic. I remembered having been reprimanded whenever I don't finish the food on my plate. My grandma would tell me "finish your plate because you are lucky to have something to eat. During the war, we were lucky to be able to have water to drink, if at all". The book has made me realize how true those words were. Hunger and dehydration was prevalent then.
The story is quite tragic, but it reminds us of the precious lives our ancestors gave up just so we can enjoy the freedom we have today. I take pride of my roots. The book stirred in me the patriotism that has long been put to sleep.
On the other hand, there were some light moments - stories and folklores. Our culture is, indeed, rich of superstitions and folklores and illogical beliefs.
This is a must-read - truly highly recommended.
I have just finished reading "When the Elephants Dance" by Tess Uriza Holthe. It's a gripping tale about our ancestors' struggles during World War II.
In Alejandro Karangalan's own words (one of the main characters) "It is up to Roderick and me to build and to teach the other children that it is better to stand together than to let other nations divide us. We fought beside our Amerikano brothers to take back our independence. It was not just given to us. I will remember how we Filipinos stood together and put our differences aside. I shall remember how strong we were. It is up to us now to keep our pride intact."
Growing up, I have always asked my grandparents what it was like during the war. They would try to evade the topic. I remembered having been reprimanded whenever I don't finish the food on my plate. My grandma would tell me "finish your plate because you are lucky to have something to eat. During the war, we were lucky to be able to have water to drink, if at all". The book has made me realize how true those words were. Hunger and dehydration was prevalent then.
The story is quite tragic, but it reminds us of the precious lives our ancestors gave up just so we can enjoy the freedom we have today. I take pride of my roots. The book stirred in me the patriotism that has long been put to sleep.
On the other hand, there were some light moments - stories and folklores. Our culture is, indeed, rich of superstitions and folklores and illogical beliefs.
This is a must-read - truly highly recommended.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
It had been a long time since I last blogged, and for some good reasons.
The first week of October was our semi-annual install and I had been busier than a bee. It was a very challenging release, not only because it's the most complex one we've had, but a high profile one at that! Even after the release, we've spent lots of hours resolving problems that were popping up.
On the night of Oct. 7, I flew to Las Vegas for a weekend trip. I met my roommate there with her sister and her sister's family. I was so excited because for one, I'd be able to get away from work for a little while. Next, I was anxious about the photo op. Third, it had been quite a while since I had last been in Vegas - 1999 to be exact. True enough, I became trigger-happy taking lots of photos. Vegas is an amazing city. I wonder how much electricity is consumed there everyday?! Due to budget constraints, we were able to see only one show - Lani Misalucha and the Society of Seven.
I was left home alone for a couple of weeks before I met L and family in Vegas. It was very quiet at home and I was able to accomplish a lot of things. For one, I was able to do a couple of LOs - Love all these years led us to this.
Coming back to work had been as hectic as when I left. There was even a time when I was forced to take the day off because I was getting so hot-headed. E even told me that I looked disgusted while she was talking to me. My day off had been a productive one - I used it to make christmas cards. L was even teasing me that she'll buy some cards from me to send to her family back home. We'll see....
Is my life back to normal? If normal meant I'm not home alone anymore, and that things has slowed down at work, and that our guests have returned back to New Zealand, then yes, my life is indeed back to normal.
The first week of October was our semi-annual install and I had been busier than a bee. It was a very challenging release, not only because it's the most complex one we've had, but a high profile one at that! Even after the release, we've spent lots of hours resolving problems that were popping up.
On the night of Oct. 7, I flew to Las Vegas for a weekend trip. I met my roommate there with her sister and her sister's family. I was so excited because for one, I'd be able to get away from work for a little while. Next, I was anxious about the photo op. Third, it had been quite a while since I had last been in Vegas - 1999 to be exact. True enough, I became trigger-happy taking lots of photos. Vegas is an amazing city. I wonder how much electricity is consumed there everyday?! Due to budget constraints, we were able to see only one show - Lani Misalucha and the Society of Seven.
I was left home alone for a couple of weeks before I met L and family in Vegas. It was very quiet at home and I was able to accomplish a lot of things. For one, I was able to do a couple of LOs - Love all these years led us to this.
Coming back to work had been as hectic as when I left. There was even a time when I was forced to take the day off because I was getting so hot-headed. E even told me that I looked disgusted while she was talking to me. My day off had been a productive one - I used it to make christmas cards. L was even teasing me that she'll buy some cards from me to send to her family back home. We'll see....
Is my life back to normal? If normal meant I'm not home alone anymore, and that things has slowed down at work, and that our guests have returned back to New Zealand, then yes, my life is indeed back to normal.
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