What’s up and coming?

• We have an all-church swimming day on May 1st. I’ll be going home tonight for that.
• It’s Tatay’s birthday on Sunday. We’ll be hosting lunch at home. I invited a few friends to come over. I hope Apples can make it.
• I’m planning to experiment on a new dish. Finally found a recipe on the net. If it goes well, I promised to cook some for my officemates. Wish me well.

Reminiscence

I'm trying to recall some of the major accounts of "our [my] life" in my Filipino blog, not only for nostalgia but also, because those times magnify the goodness of God in our family. Looking back relives the memories and emotions in every event. But above all, it was a testimony of God's faithfulness and love.

Upset Tummy

I went to work this morning and right before I could get off the jeepney, the attack started. I literally dragged myself to walk an extra 50 meters and get to the second floor of our building to find our office. It was so painful. My officemates readily look for something to ease the pain: Tita Nors and Ate Lyj went out to buy some meds; Cha gave the pink stuff from RB; I had to drink hot water, etc. I thank God that by this hour, I am well already. Thank you, Lord. And thank you, guys.

something funny today

I saw something funny today on my way to work and thought of submitting it to Reader’s Digest site. After I clicked the “Submit” button, here’s what appeared on my screen:

Thank you, Arlene!
Your submission makes 20,918,366 jokes, quotes and funny true stories received to date.
So far we've paid $25,424,875 to RD readers! If we decide to publish your submission, we'll send you a check!

famous??!

It’s like a routine for me in the morning to check my mails and some sites where I have personal accounts at. I checked one this morning and found out that there is this article about US visa application that linked my blog specifically quoting one of my entries. Whoah! No wonder my visitor counter has been shooting up lately. Anyway, hello there!

Something to ponder

My nieces are watching the cartoons Spongebob when I came in. The characters are talking about getting rid of something that was 'special' to Spongebob. I like what the Krusty Krab owner told Spongebob:

"Sometimes, we have to set things free even if it's hard." ~ Mr. Krabs

Manifesting emotions

I believe there is always a reason for change. It may lead for the better, sad if it’s for the worse. But there are reasons. At least one.

Anyway, I cut my hair. Short. Why? I have three things:
1. It’s long. I always wear my hair long but now it’s been LONG. I had my haircut two weeks ago but it didn’t seem to make any difference. This time, it’s different.
2. It’s hot. Summer is simply getting into the lifestyle of people. At least shorter hair may lessen the heat for me.
3. I made a tough decision recently. How many of you know that one unique reason why women cut their hair is decision making? Yup. It’s an emotional thing besides anything physical. It was really tough for me, emotionally-draining, that I had to resolve into cutting my hair—short. I thank God that it’s over and that He favored us and made everything clear. Thank you, Lord.

Well, just blogging.

In Memory of Nanay

Today is my mother's 58th birthday.

lost post

This entry should be posted here instead.

A happy weekend

Happiness is a general feeling I have whenever I go home. But this weekend was more than just being happy, it’s matched with joy and gladness. I got home early on Friday and took my nieces to have their hair cut. It was a lot of fun bonding with the kids. Everybody liked her specific style. Cute!

On Saturday at practice, we tried a different setup for worship leading. I asked Mac and Aina each to sing solo. Plus we had all the singers upfront facing the congregation. It didn’t take a lot of adjustment. Plus the instrumentalists were good.

On worship day, the first thing in the program was the tambourine dance presentation of the little girls. Oh, I should have recorded that! It was awesome. Especially seeing the little ones enjoying their dance offering to the Lord. It really sticks to memory. And their planning on doing more of those. Good job, teachers!

In the afternoon, we watched a series of Filipino fighters in WBO matches. All of them won!

Sunday night was our meeting at the MYF office. God has showed me another miracle that night. Praise the Lord. Talk about that more on my Leadership blog.

Monday is my extra day-off. Yes, I did the laundry. But I’m glad I did.

Long Weekend Break

I'm heading home now to Malolos. It's exciting because I get to enjoy a long weekend again--Monday is a holiday. I hope to rest a bit this weekend. Anyhow, I get a feeling I'm gonna work on some housechores waiting for me. Oh boy....

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Monday, 31st

Oh, I just realized, today is the last day of the month, and the last day of first quater 2008...
--
This morning, I was on my way to the bus station when the trike passed by a familiar face. In a split second I recognized the face—Kuya Julius! I instantly waved at my favorite cousin, who, I guess, decided to visit home for summer. Now, I want to go home too and have a chat with him!

As usual, buses on a Monday morning were like raindrops in the desert. After waiting under the heat of the sun for nearly 35 minutes, I jumped onto the first bus that came and suffered the “sardines-formation.” I was carrying an extra bag plus umbrella, which made it a lot harder for me to grab the railings. Being a passenger for several years, experience and observation taught me that inside a jam-packed (standing-room only) bus, you’ll find that 70 percent of the people standing are women; 30-40 percent of them are 50s and up. Disappointing but true. Anyhow, there are instances when “a gentleman” happens to be on the same bus and humbly offers his seat. However, that doesn’t happen everyday; at least not today.

The summer sun really dries us up. Ang init!!! (So hot!!!) The same reason I’m so determined to work on the laundry at home. I have just declared an all-out war against dirty clothes. When I’m through, my next battlefield will be the bedrooms.

The Godmother

Yesterday we went north to Tarlac City where my eldest brother’s family lives. It’s Geng’s graduation day. I have always called her “anak” which means “my child” since she is my niece and goddaughter. And I think I was even more excited than my brother and sis-in-law given the fact that our third-generation “first born” so-to-speak is graduating.

All of us drove there except Tan and Archie who had their final exams scheduled the same day. Instead, Wally and Fati came along. Tatay made some rice cakes (kalamay) while Ate brought spaghetti. It was a smooth, almost three-hour trip.

It was really nice to see the girls again. This was also the first time for me to see our youngest niece, Althea. She is such a character!

As always, I play the photographer part in the group. One thing is observable: if you hold the camera, you’re not in the picture. Anyway, I enjoyed every shot especially when my girl is in it.

And like icing on the cake, Geng had a surprise for all of us. We didn’t know she’ll be given a medal of excellence. How about that? So Kaka climb up the stage and received the medal with Geng. After the occasion, my nieces came home with us to Bulacan for the summer break.

On our way home, Geng said, "Ninang (godmother), your gift to me is a swimming outing for us this summer!" Everybody answered, "Yay!" O-oh! So, we have three little children running around the house starting today, and myself preparing for a summer getaway for the children.

I'm back

I'm back in the office after an extended (Holy Week) holiday break. Tomorrow, we will be heading to Tarlac City. It's Geng's graduation day and I don't want to miss it. She's my goddaughter.

--

My passport was delivered on Saturday. Kuya Arnel and I both got a 10-year visa. Amen!

Success!

Yesterday was the interview at the US Embassy. They approved our application. I, sort of, enjoyed the conversation with the consul. She didn't even ask a single document. This time they granted me a multiple-entry visa. Gee...

Thank you for praying for us. Praise the Lord for His goodness.

Updates...

Bank statement----check.
Church letter-------check.
Employer letter----check.
ITR----------------check.
ID pics-------------on Saturday.

Power of Appreciation

This morning, I received an email from a friend professor from FSU. He asked if I had a copy of a file I made for him two years ago. A couple of hours later, I was reading his letter of thanks. It was enough to make my day. He wrote:

“This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much. You are a gem! I hope Ma’am Lily (my boss) knows how valuable you are.”

Gee… nobody ever called me " a gem" before. Hehe... Thanks, Sir RB!

LIFE IN THE 1500s - Interesting!

We were told in high school, "When you learn, you share." Here's what I learned today. (Courtesy of JVA's mail)

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.

Here are some facts about the 1500's:

1. Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

2. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

3. Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

4. There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

5. The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold." (Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

6. In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."

7. Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

8. Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

9. Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."

10. Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

11. England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."

And that's the truth... Now, whoever said that History was boring ! ! ! Educate someone...Share these facts with a friend.

A Poem

I had an urge to write a poem this morning. Here’s the first draft:


Woman
By Pinay, 21 February 2008

Each morning I wake up hopeful of a better today;
Whispering prayers of trust and assurance,
Gearing myself with smile and pride,
Walking in faith armored with love.

I am the one at the corner
Tying the ends left undone.
Many times I stay in the shadows
To push on and make you shine.

My words can be as gentle as a cat.
Listen when I speak to understand my heart.
I can be daring, yes, you’ll be surprised
Though I certainly know when to subside.

I like flowers and details of sorts.
I can enjoy petty things like a pot of gold.
Do not think I’m unreasonable once I made up my mind.
The logic of my action is more than what it signifies.

I am the defender of order since time immemorial.
I won’t mind your business just make sure it’s done right.
Company is enjoyable; loneliness is hostile
But for solitude and serenity I would pay a price.

I am called in many names;
I know that for a fact.
Within this revered sight
A soul endures to bring life.

Favors are not what I intend to have;
Respect is what is due me.
Love defines who I am.
Time belongs to me.

You find me strong, yes, I am.
My heart is full of courage though marred with strife.
No, I am not selfish; I know my rights.
Sacrifice, if I may say, understates my role and act.

I don’t really mind how you sound; I want you to sing.
Make me laugh and I will consider your whims.
It may seem absurd but ‘I remember everything.’
Treat me as a princess and I will be like your queen.

Who am I?
I am a woman.

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there,
no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
Pass this on
to all the women who help make your life meaningful.
I just did.

--Adapted