Blooper

Blooper (1994)

I drove a jeepney once in Coron... I was just a beginner then, I had 8 passengers (all our friends), the owner, our 'host friend' was beside me, and there were two guys (his employees) hanging at the back. I panic when the break doesn't seem to work and I had to maneuver to the left to avoid hitting a tricycle... eventually I managed to stop the jeep, nearly hitting a wall, but one of the guy hanging at the back fell off some distance back (I didn't even notice as I was busy trying to break. Later I found out he was ok!). As I recall this incident, I could feel my heart beating fast (even after all these years). My first and last time!

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Blog Hopping

• I was blog hopping when I encounter my first "celebrity" blog. Any other celebrity blogs that you know?
  
• Having a bad day? It can't be as bad as this couple had with the grocery personnel to credit cards and insurance to internet and plane tickets.
  
• And this photoblog makes me miss the Philippines... Hubby and I used to go to Tagaytay a lot during our "dating" days.


• I will be busy the next few days as I try Digital Scrapbooking inspired by Hanagirl's creation. Wish me luck.

Karma?

One of the things I hate is people who doesn't even acknowledge a dinner invitation and worst, he/she will confirm/cancel hours before the event.

I try to host dinner with a group of friends from time to time. At most I can only accommodate 6-8 adults (based on the number of chairs that I have in our little apartment).

This person (we'll call "L") never confirms nor cancel any of my invitations, and then L would call a couple of hours before the event to confirm/cancel. L is really getting on my nerve. I really hate it! I could have invited other people in his place if only he canceled earlier. How could some people be so thoughtless??? inconsiderate??? and so selfish???

The last dinner that I hosted, even though L didn't confirm, I assumed he will come since he himself said that he will be giving out invitations to me and to my 2 other guests. And then 4 hours before the dinner, he called to cancel! Then I received his wedding invitation via email... oh, I don't even know how to put words into it.

Now, he knows what it feels like when people doesn't confirm... his wedding day is getting closer and he mentioned to my hubby that nobody was confirming and he need to finalize his reservations... Karma? I think so.

Back in the Philippines, we eventually got tired of inviting L to get togethers, as he would always have some lame excuses... like I left my wallet/ATM card, I lost my wallet (used for the nth time), I have work (even if its 10pm Friday night or weekends), I haven't slept for 24 hours... etc etc... the lists were non-stop. We would tease him to come up with a book on 1001 Excuses!

I put up with L because when he first migrated here, we were one of the few people he knew.. being single and no relatives, we try to include him in our social activities, made him a part of our family... now that he made lots of "friends", this is how he is treating his "old" friends???

I promised myself that from now on he will not be included in my guest lists! If his "new found friends" are more important than those who helped him get started and put a roof over his head, then so be it.

College Days

I have a hard time in public speaking, I feel tense and nervous that I tend to mumble to get it over with. The thought of speaking before an audience scares me so I tend to talk real fast and tend to skip some words/phrases that I don't make sense anymore.

Here's my top 3 funny unforgettable moments --

1. Pilipino class. The whole class was sleepy as I was making my 'boring' report and in my nervousness I accidentally used the word "gahasain" (rape) instead of "ihasa" (to sharpen) ... the whole class laughed and the worst thing was I didn't even know what I just said! what a bummer!
2. Thesis term paper. We were defending our Japanese thesis paper regarding 'The Basic Japanese Family Unit'. As I was emphasizing on the importance of the first born in a Japanese family, I said "... the eldest boy son ... " yet, we (me and my thesis mates) still manage to get a 4.0. It's a good thing we were not being graded for our public speaking skills.
3. Japanese language class. This is not about public speaking. My Japanese language instructor claims he can read minds... and it was quite embarassing when he caught me 'daydreaming' in his class and the worst part was he told the whole class what it's about ... (I can't remember the specific, cause I daydream a lot) but I do remember that he was right. From then on, he will each give us a "reading" (without the tarot cards of course) and advice about life... hehehe...

Read all about my high school memories. Now, you know a little bit more about me...

Another year gone by

Thank you to all my well wishers!

My son made me an airplane card. I'm still trying to decipher his drawings and its meaning (its like a puzzle of some sort).

My daughter made me a very simple card all by herself! I'm so proud of her!

They both used pencil so its kind of hard to take a picture of it and post it here.

My kids also got me 3 red roses! Wow! it's been awhile since I last received flowers... I can't really remember when probably some 5-6 years ago???

All throughout the mass today, my daughter keeps on whispering "happy birthday mommy" and "I love you mommy." Ahhhh... the reward of being a mother!

High School Days

I'm not a Sharon Cuneta fan, but this song just came to my mind...

High school life, oh my high school life
Every memory kay ganda
High school days, oh my high school days
Are exciting kay saya
There are times may problema ka
Kung ang homework left undone
Pray ka lang, wag tawagin ka
Upang di pagtawanan.

High school love, my one high school love
Not infatuation or crush
Tunay 'to, siya ang buhay ko
Di niyo lang alam ako'y nagba-blush
Bakit nga ba ang first love ko
Ay di serious, so it seems?
Kung alam lang ng first love ko
He is always in my dreams.

Refrain
Ang saya ng high school several years in my high school
Di na mapapantayan
Tiyak ganyan ang buhay na sadyang makulay
Alaala kailan man.

High school life, ba't ang high school life
Ay walang kasing saya
Bakit kung graduation na'y
Luluha kang talaga?

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Here's a list of my high school memories... let's see how much far back I can remember...

1. The Menudo madness ... remember this puerto rican pop group - Robby Rosa, Charlie Rivera, Ricky Martin, Ray Reyes and Roy Rosello? ... I love Robby and Ricky!
2. Aga Muhlach's first hit movie - Bagets. I love him ever since that day!
3. Penthouse Live ... I first fell in love with Martin Nievera when I saw him in McDo Cubao branch and since then I've been watching Penthouse Live.
4. The Vicor dancers, Octoarts dancers and the Manuevers ... I love dancing in front of the tv/mirror.
5. Cartoon shows:
   • Monday: Mekanda Robot
   • Tuesday: Daimos
   • Wednesday: Mazinger Z
   • Thursday: Grendaizer
   • Friday: Voltes V
6. Favorite TV shows:
   • MacGyver
   • A-Team
   • Knight Rider
   • Remington Steeles
   • Charles in Charge
   • Cosby Show
   • Who's the Boss?
   • Three's company
   • Full House
   • Knots Landing
   • Falcon Crest
7. Favorite Movies:
   • Extra Terrestrial
   • Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
   • Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
   • Return of the Jedi
   • Splash
   • Back to the Future
   • Dirty Dancing
   • The Untouchables
8. 6-digit telephone number ... ours was 20-67-12
9. Books: Sweet Dreams and Nancy Drew
10. Game and watch: popeye and octopus
11. Slum books ... "define love," "who is your crush," ... and the answers were usually"secret"
12. A girl has to have (anything of) Hello Kitty and Little Twin Stars
13. Watching 20 betamax tapes for 1 Chinese tv series/soap with my papa
14. First computer class was introduced during my 4th year in high school with 5.25 floppy disk
15. Majority of the girls use aquanet (spray net) ... and shoulder paddings ...
16. Brownouts all the time
17. Cubao was the place to shop; COD got the best Christmas decor
18. Topic of discussion: Friends... enemies... crushes... boys... celebrities... teachers... homeworks... projects... parties...
19. Dirty ice cream ... store of aling mameng (for all the sweets/candies) ...
20. The P5 coin ... square shape 10 cents ...

Coming up next... my college days...

Thoughts #5

Life is short... Life is precious...

Last week one of my high school batchmate died in an ambush. He died instantly leaving behind his pregnant wife and toddler twins. My deepest condolences to the family of Shirmon Choa.

~ Let's live life as if there's no tomorrow...
~ Never go to bed angry...
~ Always say "I love you" to your love ones, make it an everyday habit...

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NO to politics and religion

My hubby and I have agreed NEVER to discuss politics and religion. There's no right or wrong answers here, just opinions... and sad to say, to me, talking about politics is a waste of time and depressing.

Religion. I hate it when some devoted person would try to convince me to join their religion and attack my religion and beliefs... please! respect my religion as I respect yours and let's leave it at that!

Finally, I got to hear the infamous "hello garci" ring tone.

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#1 Primetime soap

Last sunday, I watched the rerun of "Desperate Housewives" (episode 6) for the very first time. It looks very interesting... and I got a new crush, James Denton.

Yesterday, I've seen Oprah on Desperate Housewives... and it made me wants to move to Wisteria Lane because the houses are so pretty!

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>Reality TV

I am currently hooked up with another reality tv - "The Cut" - a new Project Runway-like fashion competition reality show. Join fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger as he search for "America's fashion trendsetter of tomorrow."

Amazing Race season 8, the Family edition is on the roll... can't wait to see it in the fall...

Tag, I'm it!

I first read this in Junnie's blog and I shy away from answering his questions... then I read it in Vangie's blog... and now I got tagged by Naomi. So here goes...

What are the things you enjoy, even when no one around you wants to go out?

• Picnic at the park
  
• Reading other people's blog about their life, family and friends
  
• Window shopping (even though my kids hate it)

Things you do to lower your stress/anxiety level?

• A good massage by hubby
  
• Scrapbooking, updating my family website and blog
  
• Waking up late

Tag, you're it!

Three things (part 2)

Three events in your life that you deem "life changing":

1. Declaration of my independence that started with my trip to the U.S.A.
2. Getting married and starting a family of my own
3. Migrating to Canada

Three events in your life that you wish never happened:

1. The pain and heart break I cause to M
2. My son diagnosed as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
3. ... hmmmm ... can't seem to think of anything else ...

Three things you want to accomplish in the next three years:

1. Visit Manila with the whole family
2. Find a permanent, full time job once my daughter starts Grade 1
3. Buy a bigger car (like mazda 5) or a van

Three things you craved or missed a lot:

1. Weekly movie night/date with hubby (without the kids)
2. Jo-nis mocca chiffon cake and Filipino food
3. Mangoes and pomelo

Three people that are too important to you that you have to leave behind:

1. Our family
2. Jeannie, my favorite cousin and her family
3. Mimi, my bestfriend since high school

Busy bee #2

The past 2 days were spent re-arranging my kid's bedroom and the den... me and my kids sat down and started sorting out their toys carefully deciding which ones to keep, which ones to throw away and which ones are still good enough to be given away or donated to Goodwill.

I even spent hours trying to complete my son's Bionicle set, I wanted to throw out the incomplete set, but knowing that these are his favorite toys (he got 10 of them), I have to try to piece them all together! We successfully completed 9 of them... Here's a picture of all of them together with our 'donated' sofa... take a closer look at the good guys and the bad guys.

My kids have 4 big boxes full of toys... they only get to play with 1 box at a time on a rotating basis. Hirap kasi magligpit eh. But after being in a house with 2 kids and no toys in sight, I decided its time to get rid of the toys they out grew... I kept most of the original boxes of their toys, so its not embarrassing to give them away cause some looks 'almost' brand new.

Next, its time to clean up my storage room! This is gonna take a lot of time...

Last Song Syndrome

After watching Aga Muhlach's "All My Life" which brought tears to my eyes... I can't seem to shake off the movie's theme song. The story reminds me of "Untamed Heart" with Christian Slater and Marisa Tomei.

Here's the lyrics of the song... sing with me...

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Artist - Gary V
Album - All My Life
Lyrics - How Did You Know

I remember so well
The day that you came into my life
You asked for my name
You had the most beautiful smile

My life started to change
I'd wake up each day feeling alright
With you right by my side
Makes me feel things will work out just fine

CHORUS
How did you know
I needed someone like you in my life
That there's an empty space in my heart
You came at the right time in my life

I'll never forget
How you brought the sun to shine in my life
And took all the worries and fears that I had
I guess what I'm really trying to say
It's not everyday that someone like you comes my way
No words can express how much I love you

All smiles

Saturday, July 9

It's time for another road trip. This time its to the African Lion Safari in Cambridge.

Here, the visitors are the one cage inside their cars/bus... while the animals roam around in 40 hectare of reserves.



We started the day with a series of shows... lunch in between the boat ride and a scenic train ride... then a bus trip down the reserve area. It's a good thing we decided to take the bus tour instead of using our own car... or else, these monkeys would be on top of our car too.

It was a really a hot summer day! Lots of fun but really really hot!


We ended the day at the Misumu Bay wet play area (also located inside the Safari).

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Sunday, July 10

A friend's neighbor has the heart of gold to just give me her 3-piece sofa set and a mirror. All in perfect condition. She was like Monica in the TV series Friends, always cleaning the house... its definitely the best and most expensive "hand me downs" I have ever received. Now, all I need are some throw pillows...

She also got 2 kids, a boy and a girl, 6 and 8 years old... and this is the first time I've been to a house with kids but no toys in sight! Everything is in place. I was told that the boy just play xbox and the girl just watch tv. They don't really play with toys. Is that good or bad? Good for the parents, bad for the kids??? Hmmmm...

Many many thanks to Junnie and Mitzi for helping us move the sofa set.

More of me

I wasn't "tag" but I saw this in Evi's blog and thought I'd take the "torch"...

I am ..... a survivor!
I cry..... on Tagalog movies.
I want ..... peace and quiet.
I have ..... been a stay-at-home-mom for more than 4 years now.
I wish ..... for financial stability and job security.
I hate ..... it when people try to "control or dictate" my life.
I miss ..... my family/relatives/friends back home.
I dance ..... to keep me in shape.
I sing ..... to keep me awake when I'm driving.
I fear ..... for the safety of my family.
I see ..... myself like my mama ..... and my daughter acting like me.
I hear ..... my daughter talking like me.
I look ..... forward to get togethers with close friends.
I need ..... to exercise more ..... to be more patient with my kids.
I love ..... mike, patrick and patricia the most!
I ache ..... for the forgiveness of my M.
I must ..... do something more productive with my "extra" time.
I blog ..... to keep my sanity ..... and to gain new friends.
I search ..... for my purpose in life.
I regret ..... nothing! Everything is my choice and I have to live with it.
I am not ..... a "perfect" mom/wife/person, but I try to be the best that I can be.
I should ..... "play" more with my kids ..... and teach them more Tagalog words.
I wonder ..... what the future holds for my kids.

Feel free to keep this going... cheers!

My Little Boy Blue

A poem by Vicci Morris

Here, there, and everywhere,
I run and I shout, I get angry, I get mad,
and I pull my hair out.

I rant and I rave, I plead and I scream;
"My child must hate me", So it does seem.

Homework's a hassle and chores never get done;
I plead and I bargain, but he just wants to have fun.

One minute we're working, everything is okay;
The next he is playing, having gone astray.

I search high and low, he's run down the street
and I find myself screaming, "Get back here or get beat"

He quickly comes running, his head held low,
"Mommy, I forgot I wasn't supposed to go"

Then I feel ashamed for screaming at him;
He can't help he does this time and again.

Everyday is different and a challenge to get through...
ADHD is the culprit, not my little boy blue.

It makes him sad and angry, impulsive and not all there;
It's a battle all his own, one in which I cannot share.

"No, I can't do it" he will often sigh, and
"Mom, I'm just stupid" brings tears to my eyes.

I hold him and I love him;
It's all that I can do, but then he forgets
and he's off to the moon.

Johnny got a new truck and I want one, too!
It's yellow and red and...the sky is so blue....

Look, there's a plane with a long, curly trail...
It reminds me of puppies with white, fluffy tails....

Everyday is a battle and chaos reins,
The child is winning and I'm going INSANE!!

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It's a daily struggle to have an ADHD child! I know its not his fault, he just can't help with the way he is... his arms and feet think and move faster than his brain and reasoning... so how do you help an ADHD child cope with life??? Is medicating him the only way to help him?

Frink Park

Clayton, NY (June 30)

After 4 hours of driving and 1 hour at the US immigration, we arrived at Frink Park around 3pm for a late picnic lunch and met up with my in-laws who came from Bayside, NY.

My kids just love their cousin Andrii... and they are all hooked up on the Gameboy Advance SP. To avoid conflict, Lola bought each one their own GBA.

My son got his in December 2003, their cousin got his in May 2004, and my daughter got hers this June 2005. This GBA can really keep them busy for hours...

Boldt Castle

I am too tired to blog, in the meantime, please check out our photos for our trip to the Boldt Castle on Heart Island at Alexandria Bay, New York (July 1).

Here's a brief history --
"Boldt Castle was to be the testimony of the unsurpassed love of a man for his wife. The magnificence of the structure was to be equalled only by George Boldt's adoration of Louise, who was the love of his life and reason for the construction of such an elaborate summer home."

Construction was stopped on its 4th year when tragedy struck and Mrs. Boldt died in 1904. Castle was left to deteriotate for more than 70 years until The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority assumed ownership in 1977 (they only paid $1 for Heart Island) and began a rehabilitation program.