The Wait

I set my alarm to ring at 5:45 A.M. Is this early enough? Maybe I should set it to go off at 5:30 A.M.? No, 5:45 A.M. is fine. I went to bed jittery with anticipation. I tossed and turned. Maybe I should just stay up a while and just wait? I am not good with the waiting game. I hate to wait and I hate late!

I finally fell asleep for the next thing I knew it was 5:20 A.M. I woke up even before the alarm went off. I went straight to the kitchen and told the surprised Jean (for I usually get up at 6:45 am) what to cook for breakfast and what to pack for snacks. Having done the morning instructions I proceeded to my little nook and turned on the computer.

Now the actual wait begins.

I started to hear movements and voices indicating that the rest of the household is waking up too. I was so tempted to leave my fort and go see what is happening. No. I have to maintain my position ready to pounce anytime now. I stayed glued. Refreshing my view every now and then. Anytime now. I can do this. I know I can. My right hand was steady. My left hand fidgety. It does not matter. I only need one steady hand.

"Mom? We're leaving" chorused my four out of five kids. What am I to do? Do I leave my fort to bid my kids good bye or do I stay and continue my watch? I have to see them off. My son won't be back until Friday night.

I hurriedly left my stance and sprinted to the dining room to say bye-bye to my kids. Goodbye, bye-bye, see-you-friday-pleasechangeyourbeddings-tc! I was off my post for not more than 5 minutes. Hurriedly I went back in front of my computer, held the mouse and clicked on the refresh icon. Crap! Gray areas! I just missed five freaking opportunities again!

The wait begins... anew.

On Growing Old

One thing that is surely and regularly happening to each and everyone of us is... we grow old: every single second of each day. Are you afraid to grow old? I am, sometimes. To lighten my view on the matter, let me share you these "senile" jokes.

Know how to prevent sagging? Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.

Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing.

I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.

An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her preacher she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Wal-Mart. "Wal-Mart?"

The preacher exclaimed. "Why Wal-Mart?"

"Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week "

Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked, "How old was your husband?" "98," she replied. "Two years older than me." "So you're 96," the undertaker commented. She responded, "Hardly worth going home, is it?

THE SENILITY PRAYER : Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Weather Toolbar Download

The past week, I've been constantly Googling weather sites, both local and international to give me a better grasp of the weather condition. Why? Relatives are coming over from the US and they have asked me to plan their itinerary. They want to go somewhere North and South of the country and one short Asian overseas trip. In my quest for online weather sites I came upon a weather toolbar that is FREE to download.

Powered by Google, the toolbar is safe and secure to download. The weather toolbar sits at the top of your browser for easy access. Threats like page modification, hijacking, and security holes are non existent. It also provides extras like an Email Notifier, free anti-spyware and popup blocker, Web radio, free online games, RSS reader, and more. You can even win $100 in the Weekly Weather Quiz! You can customize your weather toolbar for location and content. Weather forecast for your locality and worldwide could be easily displayed in one click. You can even request for added features, weather related or not, from the editor if you wish too.

Download the weather toolbar now and see how convenient and useful it is.

Entrecard Issue Out Warning

Entrecard users: be warned! EC is having a field day dropping all blogs that are not in English. One of my online buddies whose blog is in Hungarian was dropped without much ado by EC. This afternoon I received an email from EC informing all Entrecard members that effective July 1, 2008, Entrecard will be purging from its system the accounts of all members currently operating "Quick Drop Pages". EC admin said they now have a massive list of all violators.

EC admin said the quick-drop pages devalue the essence of EC by motivating members to drop on these quick-loading pages to get credits. Quality blogs are overlooked this way. I tried power dropping for a day or two but found them ineffective since the blogs on the list do not return visits. I find dropping on the list in my inbox the most effective.

I was worried that I too might be penalized so I wrote support. Here is my email.

I do not have a quick-drop page nor do i drop on them. Many find them useless as the urls on the quick drop pages do not return your drop. I have seen my link in some sites that have acknowledged me as one of their loyal droppers. Are those type of links not allowed too? If not, I am powerless to do anything about it.

After about 5 minutes, I received reply from EC support. Here it is.

No that's fine. Don't worry. The only people who have anything to worry about are the people creating the quick drop pages. We wouldn't dare touch your fine blog!

Well that's that then.

The American Dream

Today is the day that I promised to accompany my mother. Ethan did not go to school for the allocated driver (me) was not available. I had to take my mother to the US embassy to make adjustments on her SSS. With us was my cousin (the one who underwent breast surgery) to ask SSA if her Medicare could follow her here in the Philippines. Ethan and daughter # 3 also tagged along.

What hit me as we went inside the embassy was the seemingly empty chairs in the non-immigrant visa section. Where is the throng of applicants? How come there are no super-duper snaking lines outside? Ah. Yes. Non-immigrant visa applications are by appointment now. My company and I proceeded deep into the complex to the SSS department. We got number 1048. The number currently in process was 1033. Not bad. It was 10:45 am and I was worried that we might not make it before the lunch break. Right along side the SSS is the Veterans Section. I can't believe that there are actual WW II veterans still around. I saw about 4 old US-Filipino veterans. Two were in wheelchairs and seem oblivious to the world and the other 2 were ambulatory but still seem oblivious to the world. There were a couple of Caucasians applying for a change of addresses for their SSS for they are now living in the Philippines with their new wives.

What really caught my attention was an old widow (80 yrs old maybe) imploring the officer in the VA window to give her husband (dead already) the veteran's benefits - of course with her as the beneficiary. As I listened intently to her ramblings - and the answer of the officer- I learned that indeed her husband does not deserve a veteran's benefit for the dead-husband-who once fought along side US GI's also deserted the army before WW II was over. The old lady's last statement made me want to laugh. She said: Bakit yong mga namatay lang ang may benepisyo? Pano naman yong mga lumaban sandali pero natauhan sa bandang huli kaya umalis? ( Why are the dead the only ones with benefits? What about those who fought at first but thought it better to desert the army later?)

It was 12:15 pm when our number was called. Staggered lunch break for the embassy's employees is being practiced now. I told my mother to leave the talking and explaining to the SSS officer to me. Our business was done in less than 2 minutes. My cousin asked her question regarding Medicare benefits. Sad to say, she has to be back in US soil for her to enjoy the benefits.

Having taken a look at the immigrant visa section on our way out, I realized that the American Dream is still around if not stronger. Many Filipinos still consider living and working in America the ultimate goal of their lives. Who can blame them? Living and working in America is hard but the pay is worth the pain. In America, having a steady job means you can basically buy everything that you need and more. In America, you pay taxes and the larger beneficiary is the public. In America, you can live your dream.

When my parents and brother migrated to the US, I chose to stay in the Philippines. My reasons for staying are not important. Recently I asked my doctor and dentist daughters if they wanted to pursue further studies in the US. They asked if I could afford it. I said no. They have to look for residencies. They said why not? , then did nothing. I then asked my teacher daughter if she has plans of teaching abroad. She said why not?, then did nothing further.

My three daughters are pliable to furthering their studies abroad and maybe work a bit there too but their ultimate goal is to serve the Filipino people. Doctor said, if every doctor and nurse chose to work abroad, who will be left here to tend to the Filipinos? Teacher said that if every qualified teachers teach abroad, who will teach the Filipino children?

Indeed. Indeed.

The Curtain Rods

She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates, and suitcases.

On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things.

On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful
dining room table by candlelight, put on some soft background music,
and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of chardonnay.

When she had finished, she went into each and every room and stuffed
half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of all of the curtain rods.

She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.

When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for
the first few days. Then, slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything:
cleaning, mopping, and airing the place out. Vents were checked for
dead rodents, carpets were steam cleaned, and air fresheners were hung everywhere!

Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which
they had to move out for a few days, and in the end they even paid to
replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked.

People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the
house. The maid quit. Finally, they could not take the stench any
longer and decided to move.

A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they
could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out, and,
eventually, even the local realtors refused to return their calls.
Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from
the bank to purchase a new place.

The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were
going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened
politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be
willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the
house back.

Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a
price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth, but
only if she were to sign the papers that very day.

She agreed, and, within the hour, his lawyers delivered the paperwork.
A week later, the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as
they watched the moving company pack everything to
take to their new home, including the curtain rods.

I just love a happy ending, don't you?

Travel the Continents Tag

Got this tag from IdealPinkRose. The idea is to know the location of our buddy bloggers.

Rules :

1. Start Copy from "Begin Copy" until "End Copy".
2. Put your blog's name and url write in which continent you live, add the country you live in. Example : My Imaginary Travels (Netherlands)
3. Leave your url post in here and I'll add you to the Master List.
4. Please help spread this tag by tagging your friends as much as you can.
5. Don't play unfair! If you have more than 1 blog, you can participate all your blogs for this tag. BUT you will have to post this tag to all your blogs as well. So, please. Don't cheat!
6. Please come back again to copy the update of the master list, often. This process will help new participants to get the same gains as the first participants.
7. Don't forget to use the banner at your post, you can save as or you can just copy the code in here.


Master List :

A. Asia : 1. Moms... Check Nyo (Philippines) 2. Hailey's Beats and Bits (Philippines) 3. allinkorea (Korea) 4. kimchiland (Korea) 5. korean food (Korea) 6. idealpinkrose (Korea) 7. Manna from Heaven (Philippines) 8. and Life Goes On for... (Philippines)

B. Australia : 1. your turn

C. Afrika : 1. your turn

D. North Amerika : 1. your turn

E. South Amerika : 1. your turn

F. Europe : 1. My Imaginary Travels (Netherlands) 2. Juliana's Site (Netherlands) 3. Picturing of Life (Netherlands) 4. your turn

G. Antarctica : 1. your turn

~ End Copy ~

Can the following blogger friends travel with me?

My World,My Own Word*Outback Pinay*Filipino in Canada*Portia Speaks*Pinay Lighter Side*

Abra Cadabara: Believe!

I grew up in a time where magic means flowers and rabbits popping out of top hats; rolls of scarves coming out of the magician's pocket; deck of cards dealt in more ways know to a naive audience like me. Sure I have heard of David Copperfield and even watched a show or two of him. I was impressed by the seemingly magical illusions that he did. However, the illusions or tricks were done a great distance from the audience.

Now comes a highly innovative modern illusionist named Criss Angel. He is not your ordinary illusionist as he performs up close and personal. Criss is the one who boggled our minds when he walked on water. He is the one who defied all laws of physics by levitating himself between two buildings. What about the time he walked through solid glass? Unbelievable!

Catch Criss Angel perform with Cirque du Soleil in CRISS ANGEL Believe. Cirque du Soleil is the new circus in town in terms of new and innovative concept and techniques used in their shows. What better way to experience Criss and Cirque? The incredible duo-performance is currently showing at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. For free tickets text 'Believe' to 22122 to win 2 tickets to 'CRISS ANGEL Believe.

Stormy Weather

Typhoon Frank, with a sustained wind of 120 mph, hit the Philippines, specifically the Visayas and Southern Luzon, Metro Manila included, over the weekend. A reported 229 people are confirmed dead while 700 are missing - passengers of the ill-fated ferry M/V Princess of the Stars that capsized somewhere in Romblon. Iloilo was reportedly under 6 feet of water and landslides occurred affecting 300,000+ people. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in hand with other government agencies and NGO are busy helping out the needy.





Sunday dawned dark and stormy. I was awakened at 4:00 am when the hum of the air-conditioner went off. Brownout! The wind outside was howling with a vengeance while I heard Ethan's plaintive cry of Oh My God! Where is everybody? He too was awakened by the complete silence and woke up traumatically to a pitch black bedroom. I called out his name and groped for him. We were awake - listening to the sound of the storm. By 5:30 am the worst had passed and we were ready to great the stormy morning.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. We were stranded as the streets surrounding our village was flooded. Later, the village itself was flooded. By evening, the Department of Education declared that classes are suspended at all levels. There was much hullabaloo because daughter # 4 said she still needs confirmation from her own university before she believes of the suspension. Son said he is not sure if his state university is under DepEd and since his Monday class is a once a week class, he might as well attend.. Daughter #2, the teacher, said since it's no longer signal #3, teachers are supposed to go to school.

I did not say anything. I just looked at the window and estimated how deep the flood will be come morning.

It's 9:30 am, Monday. There is no more rain. The three who can't wait to go to school went back to bed. The motorboat can't take them to school.

The Dollar

Money

It can buy a house

But not a home

It can buy a clock

But not time

It can buy you a position

But not respect

It can buy you a bed

But not sleep

It can buy you a book

But not knowledge

It can buy you medicine

But not health

It can buy you blood

But not life

So you see money isn't everything

And it often causes pain and suffering

I tell you this because I am your friend

And as your friend I want to

Take away your pain and suffering!!

So, Send me all your money

And I will suffer for you!

Cash only please!

Feverish Friday

I've been running a fever since Thursday night. I felt so lethargic that I fell asleep inside the car while waiting for daughter #2 last Thursday. When I came home, I felt feverish so I took my temperature. It read 38.5 Celsius. I was officially sick.

Friday morning daughter #1, the doctor, came home to look me over and take Ethan to school. I was having stomach spams - maybe a bout of gastro - the doctor said. I browsed the internet and checked my email and blog for a short time. I had a terrible headache, a grumbling-spasmodic tummy, and an aching body. I wanted to eat but my stomach won't take in food! By evening, I just wanted to be left alone. Ethan was in my bed (of all places) playing and watching TV. He kept on singing, and talking - stressing me out.

Ethan, can you please go to Kux's room. You're stressing me out.

What's stressing?

Just go and stress Kux!

Off Ethan went and brought Kux back.

What is it mom? Do you need anything? daughter #3 asked.

I explained what happened and that brought another strain of stress making my tummy spasm more. I waved Ethan and daughter #3 to get out of my bedroom. After a few minutes, Ethan came back.

Mom, can I just stay in your room. Kux said she does not like stress. I'll take care of you because you're sick, said Ethan.

I agreed for the sake of agreeing. I so wanted to tune out.

Mom, can you get me water? I'm thirsty.

But I'm sick and you said you'll take care of me.

Oh I forgot. Then Ethan continued to watch TV. Thirst forgotten. A moment later he asked,

Mom, can we watch Narnia?

I agreed and changed the channel. As Ethan was watching I commented that we have not watched Narnia 2 yet.

But we are watching Narnia now, Ethan said.

That's Narnia 1. The one that's showing in cinemas is Narnia 2, I commented.

You mean there are many Narnia? What about Narnia 3?

I don't know if and when Narnia 3 will be!

Or what about Narnia 4, 5, or 17! His eyes were all a glow, brimming with excitement.

I turned my back on Ethan and closed my eyes. My tummy's churning again.

Friendship Tag

I have not done a proper tag for quite a while now. I think I'll do this one from Shimumsy . Better do this one as very few have been tagged.

The Flame of Friendship. A symbol of spirit of unity.The burning icon of love.Undying picture of hope.The hot symbol of oneness.The Flame of Friendship.And now it's your turn to flame yourself!Meet new friends. Discover friendship. Make bonds.

Copy this post starting from the PICTURE ABOVE to the end and add your blog on the list below. Let's start FLAMING!

Tiklaton: We are the witness, Janeth Vicy's Life Journey,
bb_Anne's Myriad of Thoughts , Shimumsy's Republic of A, Desperateblogger's Manna from Heaven, Desperateblogger's and LIFE goes on for a Filipino Mom, YOUR URL HERE


Now I am tagging:

Butchay's World, Emotera,, Momhood Moments, Charming Journey, Everything that has Breathe.., Pinay Lighter Side, Pinay Mommy Online

Wimbledon Top Seed

For tennis fanatics worldwide, mark June 23 to July 6, 2008. The Wimbledon Championships opens on June 23 and hopefully will end on July 6. Who will be the 2008 Men's Singles Champion? Women's Singles Champion? The Wimbledon seeding has been announced and here are the top seed in both men's and women's division.

Men's Singles Division

No. 1 Roger Federer
No. 2 Rafael Nadal
No. 3 Novak Djokovic
No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko

No. 5 David Ferrer
No. 6 Andy Roddick
No. 7 David Nalbandian
No. 8 Richard Gasquet
No. 9 James Blake
No. 10 Marcos Baghdatis

Women's Singles Division

No.1 Ana Ivanovic
No.2 Jelena Jankovic
No.3 Maria Sharapova
No 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova
No.5 Elena Dementieva
No.6 Serena Williams
No.7 Venus Williams
No.8 Anna Chakvetadze
No.9 Dinara Safina
No.10 Daniela Hantuchova

Will Roger Federer and Venus Williams retain the cup in their division? Will the women top seed Ivanovic shine? Only one thing to do then. Watch Wimbledon LIVE. You can actually watch the games on your PC by getting an online subscription service and watch actual and live video coverages of the whole event - eight courts simultaneously or the option to just watch the world feed. Missing a game is not a problem. You can download the games that you missed and even access the archive for past matches. Visit MediaZone for more info. This is the next best thing to being actually at Wimbledon.

DE-Stress

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological journals.

The funny thing is that it really does work. Be sure you follow all 7 steps.

1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.

2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.

3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.

4. No one knows your secret place.

5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.

6. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

See? It really does work. You're smiling already! HaHaHa! That de-stressed me!

Sticker Pictures

Do you remember sticker pics? What is it? There are these photo booths in malls where you get to have your picture taken. You can choose the border design of your picture too. Why sticker? It's because the pictures are stickers. You can just about stick it anywhere.About 10 year ago, my kids had the tendency to have sticker pics taken every time we go to a mall. Here are some old ones I found.

Sticker Pic Family Picture Circa 1999

my 5 kids

dad, dentist, teacher

4th, 5th, 3rd

I love Tennis!

Of all the sports, I love tennis best. When I was in my teens, the leading tennis players of that time were the likes of Björn Borg, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, John Newcombe, Stan Smith, John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors. These tennis players have become living icons of the sports. These players are in the roster of Wimbledon Champions. Tennis then was an elitist game. From the moment I saw Chris Evert play the championship at Wimbledon in her cutesy skirt and ruffled bloomers, I have obsessed on playing the game.

Wimbledon is the oldest major tennis championship in the world. There are other major international tennis tournaments like the Australian Open, French Open and US open. Suffice it to say that no tennis player of international caliber would hang his racket until he has had the chance at Wimbledon. Held from late June to mid July, the first ever tournament was under the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 1877. From a lone event of Men's Singles, the tournament has gradually progressed to include, Ladies' Singles, Gentlemen's Doubles, Ladies' Doubles and Mixed Doubles. There is also a tournament for the Youth – Boys' Singles, Girls' Singles, Boys' Doubles and Girls' Doubles – are also held. A wheelchair tennis tournament is also held at Wimbledon. I bet you didn't know that! Special wheelchairs are used for this event.

My dream of playing tennis eventually came true. My first coach was my husband. He lasted 30 minutes and said I should just pay someone to teach me. I did! That was eons ago. Now I play singles on a regular basis. I just love the power, speed and grace utilized when playing. I have more dreams to pursue but first I have to get Wimbledon tickets. Watching the Wimbledon live is just in the offing!

Lotus Touts

Lotus Touts means good luck. Here are some words that definitely make sense -at least to me. Read on and if you find them sensible, share.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly.. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN! . When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN.. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

Pardon Me

I am human. I have the capability to think and feel. I can be your best friend and, rubbed the wrong way, your worst enemy. I have many faults as all humans do. I sincerely believe that there is a goodness in everyone. If I can't find the goodness in a person, I ask for Divine intervention.

I've ranted my rage. Now I ask for the Divine.

Envious to the Max!

Envy is defined as a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.

Envy is evil.

Envy will consume you.

Envy is physically and mentally draining.

Envy is bad.

Having said that, why do some people persist in being envious? I know one person who never cease to amaze me with his definitely envious spirit. Oh he has money alright - money that he got from ways that definitely defines the mantra the end does not justify the means. He has gone over the top to even poison some people's notion of me and my children. He has nothing good to say actually, but he is so dang good with deception his siblings think the world of him.

He is a certified a**! I know he'll probably never get to read this post. Moneyed as he is, maybe he can pay someone or probably buy someone to turn on his ultra-high-tech computer and surf the net for him - maybe even translate my posts for him. Yes! I am certified beatch too and he knows that. I just don't want trouble for the sake of some people both close to our families. However, how I wish he is man enough to say what he means and do what he means. He is stinking with duplicity and plasticity it makes me want to puke! Maybe he should be more like the Filipino idiom: magpaka-lalaki ka!(be a man) - and on his way to being one, maybe he could tell his first born to do likewise. I just hate it when his first born insinuates things regarding my kids, more so if it's online. The first born has repeatedly attacked my kids online. Close to three decades in age, still stupid as he is, he has not learned up to now that there are gadgets or sites that read IPs.

He should not be envious of my kids' accomplishments and academic degrees. He knows I never flaunt my kids, unlike him. Sometimes I hate myself for I very seldom pat the backs of my kids and say "well done my child". Yes I know and he knows that my kids have always been good in academics and the arts. But what can he do? Nothing! Dude, it's in the genes. Know that 80% of a child's intelligence comes from the mother. Too bad for him as I doubt if his fat-feeling beautiful-feeling rich-wife has intelligence at all. Oh and did I say fatfeelingbeautifulfeelingrich wife?

Okay. I am bad. So what? This is my blog and I could tell tall tales (or not) or rant whenever I want.

Clean Freak Treat

I am a freak when it comes to cleaning. I do not cut corners. I do not shut my eyes to avoid looking at the accumulated dirt and dust. I do not draw the shutters or blinds or dim lights so as to avoid looking at reality - a dirty house. Not everyone in my household share the same sentiments though. My hubby and son can actually survive in a house that has not been cleaned since the groovy 70's!

I have spent a lot of money on gadgets to assist me in house cleaning. I have all kinds of floor polishers and vacuums that I have used for the last 25 years. You can just imagine the endless hours I spent maneuvering the chords of such gadgets. Hard to reach niches are the thorns in my cleaning rituals. My electricity bills? Never mind. Suffice to say that my hubby said he prefers a dirty house rather than pay for the energy consumption of my apparatus.

Then came Dirt Devil . A highly innovative invention in vacuum technology that has even received the Energy Star for its energy-saving quality. This vacuum cleaner, in parts of hand vac and stick vac, actually conserves 70% energy. The AccuCharge technology is cordless and rechargeable making it time and energy efficient that will translate to saving money. The hand held vacuum will definitely be a big help in cleaning those nasty niches and corners. I can even vacuum the carpet in my car!

I will definitely buy this product!

Raed Tihs Pealse

Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rgh it pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! Tlel me if you were albe to raed tihs.

Shop Shield

Have you checked out Shop Shield® yet? Visit Shop Shield®! It is a new online service that will protect consumers like you and me from identity theft and fraud. Here's an easy way to know more about the program. Watch the video.

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On Punching and Scratching

As I alight from my car to fetch Ethan, his teachers were already at the school veranda waiting for me. I walked towards them wondering if something was wrong.

Hi! I said. Am I late?

Hello ma'm. You're just in time for the pick up. However, there has been a major incident regarding Ethan and a classmate said teacher 1.

My head expanded and on the verge of bursting! I was thinking some major accident happened to my grandson. Cracked skull! Slit lips! Fractured shin! Grazed face! His mom, my daughter, will kill me! I composed myself and asked what happened?

Teacher 1 with Teacher 2 narrated the incident. It seemed that Ethan and a girl classmate were fighting over the right to occupy a cubicle. As the two struggled as who the worthy occupant of the cubicle would be, the girl said that Ethan punched her while Ethan claimed the girl scratched him. Indeed, a band-aid covered the booboo on Ethan's arm. The teacher said that between the girl and Ethan, they can't rightly know which came first: the punch or the scratch. Anyway, Ethan and his girl classmate have made amends. The scratch was quite vicious, the punch, no tell- tale sign whatsoever.

When we came home, the punching and scratching tale was told and retold to everyone in the house. There was a variety of reactions like: tsk tsk , what???!!! (the beeatch), may i see the booboo?, ha-h-a-ha, did you say sorry? Though expressed in different words and sentiments all my children basically had the same advice to Ethan.

Don't punch anyone, especially girls. But if he/she goes first,
go ahead and punch him/her right back. Be sure to be win.

Sounds brutal? Nah! that was exactly the same piece of advice I gave my kids when they were in grade school. No one was ever caught in a fight.

Unbelievable Hair bands

These colorful hair bands are made in China. They are practical and easy to use. They are cheap at 3 cents per pack of ten. But something is dreadfully wrong with these hair products. You may proceed. No caution needed.









Used condoms are being recycled into hair bands in Southern China. This product is another example of potentially harmful made in China products.' These cheap and colourful rubber bands and hair ties sell well ...threatening the health of local people, ' it said.
Despite being recycled, the hair bands could still contain bacteria and
viruses, it said.

' People could be infected with AIDS, (genital) warts or other diseases if
they hold the rubber bands or strings in their mouths while waving their
hair into plaits or buns, ' the paper quoted a local dermatologist who gave
only his surname, Dong, as saying.

I have two questions. Where do these enterprising businessmen get the used condoms? Who are in-charge of getting the used condoms?

Ten Years Ago Tag

I have so many "to do" tags, I've lost track! The newest is the one from Cheeky Pinay. I'll do it now before I forget.

The rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leave a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

1998: I was 10 years younger. (Duh?!) All my 5 kids were in school. Mornings were a riot preparing breakfast, snack/lunch packs. I was faithfully working out 4 times a week, playing tennis twice a week, ballroom dancing twice a week too. I was busy and so involved with my kids' school activities. I was very active in my profession as an architect. I was 103 lbs.


2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?

* start on my sewing project
* cook something great for dinner as all the kids are home
* attend to several unfinished tasks - Ethan's HW, have a talk with son re his first week of school
* buy gift for tomorrow's party
* contemplate on putting another blog dealing with fitness and health

3. Snacks I enjoy:

* corn on the cob and diet coke

4. Places I’ve lived:

* I love my own my native land, Philippines my Philippines

5. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire

* give 10% to church
* give to charities
* put up more businesses to employ more people
* give my friends/relatives money
* have a real vacation

6. People I want to know more about:

* No one in particular. However, I am interested to know how some Hollywood stars and some politicians really live their lives on a daily basis. I am interested to know more about some of my blogger friends and not just what they perceive their lives are as translated by what they blog about.

And now I'm tagging these bloggers:

Long Journey , Momhood Moments, Kaiden's Gorgeouos Mum, Proud Mommy, The Fab and the Furious, Mom's Little Corner

Go girls!

Why You Never Run With a Fork in Hand

We all had our turns in screaming out caution to our kids (or to anyone's kid for that matter) if we see them running around with a fork or a pointy thing. NEVER RUN WITH A SHARP OBJECT may well be one of a mother's mantra to her kids (again, or to anyone's kids). Below is a picture that tells it all - the outcome of running with a fork.



Umm... you're thinking the tip of the fork grazed the kid's nose. Read more to find out the truth. Caution: If you are squeamish, I advice you not to proceed.

I bet the mom almost died!

photo credits:FunandFun

Protection from Identity Theft

Identity theft or identity fraud is the term used to types of crimes that involve someone wrongfully obtaining and using another person's personal data for personal benefits especially financial gain. A report of 800,000 identity theft connected to credit cards alone were reported for 2007. For online shoppers this type of theft is definitely alarming. I, too, am extremely wary in using a credit card for online transactions.

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Too Sweet for Words

A six-year-old boy told his father he wanted to marry the little girl
across the street. The father, being modern and well-schooled in handling
children, hid his smile behind his hand.
"That's a serious step," he said. "Have you thought it out completely?"
"Yes," his young son answered. "We can spend one week in my room and the
next in hers. It's right across the street, so I can run home if I get
scared of the dark."

"How about transportation? " the father asked.

"I have my wagon, and we both have our tricycles," the little boy
answered. The boy had an answer to every question the father raised.

Finally, in exasperation, his dad asked, "What about babies? When you're
married, you're liable to have babies, you know."

"We've thought about that, too," the little boy replied.
"We're not going to have babies. Every time she lays an egg, I'm going to
step on it!"

....there you go... the answer to stop population boom!

Hip Stroller for Hip Mom

Ever since the beginning of time parents have looked and found, innovated and invented ways to conveniently carry their babies. From pouches to sling to baskets and bags, babies have been transported in so many ways. The first ever recorded baby pram was designed by Edward Kent of England. Kent, an architect by profession, made the first ever baby buggy in 1773 for the third Duke of Kent. Baby strollers have come a long way in the more than 300 years of its history. Since the 1980s the stroller industry had its leaps and bounds. Today the leading brand in the industry is Mutsy.

The Slider is a new concept stroller from Musty. It answers to the need of a more compact, high performance, light and sophisticated stroller. The Slider is extremely maneuverable, perfect for outdoor or indoor use. The upper frame is detachable from the base so that it folds up compactly. The reversible handle allows mom the option to look at the baby.

The 4 Rider Next Cargo is another new offering from Mutsy. Its bassinet is ideal for carrying babies. It also features a strong handle, a mattress pad and cover, and zip storage compartments. The separate seat may be used with baby facing mom or the world. Features also include recline, leg rest, a removable front bar, and a protective hood. An easy-to-access basket is also provided. Car seat adaptor is available. Both strollers retail at $759 complete with bassinets and seats. They are available too in a variety of sporty colors.

Designed for the comfort of babies and hip and cool mommies. Click the link for more details and to avail of a 10 discount.

Hooters in Manila

Hooters is in town. It's located at the back of Mall of Asia. We were cruising around the area looking, arguing, on where to eat dinner. Ethan wanted to eat at McDonald's of course. My son wanted something Japanese. Daughter #4 wanted to eat as in EAT - anything as long as it'll fill her up. Daughter #3 does not care where. I wanted to go where it's cheap.
Then we saw Hooters. Spanking new place. My son got all excited as he knows what Hooters is. Ethan does not want to go in nor eat there. Daughters # 3 & 4 were curious, so was I. Hooters it was. More pictures......


Verdict: A Big Disappointment - nothing extraordinary aside from the waitresses in short-shorts who stood on stools and chairs and danced to YMCA. The food - grossly overpriced and quite small servings - totally not worth it. I paid ( with a heavy heart and empty pocket) 3,478.00 Php for our dinner of burgers, fries and buffalo wings.

Fun Party

Ethan, daughters # 3 &4 and I attended Kyle's birthday party. He is Ethan's best buddy in school. It was a swimming party held at Kyle's grandma's backyard. It was an intimate party for there were less than 10 kids invited. Triple that number- for adults - and that's the total number of guests.

Games were played supervised by Teacher Katrina and Marla. Give-aways or party favors were plenty, the kiddie buffet, yummy!

What was really amusing was when Kyle's grandma saw that my two daughters were just sitting doing nothing, she called two masseuses for them. See more photos.

Quirks and Irks

Mary McCormack plays the role of Mary Shannon in USA Network's new original series In Plain Sight. The series had its US premiere on June 1, 2008. Mary's job of protecting Federal witnesses is tasking enough. Add to the equation that she also has to keep her real job a secret from her own family.

I kind of identify with Mary. Her job calls for her to be a different person on various occasions. She turns into a mother, therapist, best friend, maid of honor, priest, rabbi, marriage counselor, employment agent, bodyguard, and sometimes, homicide detective. As a mother, I do have different characters too. I am a driver, nanny, cook, tutor, best friend, fashion consultant, sounding board and a mother too. Mary's mother, Jinx, reminds me of one of my acquaintances. This mom had stopped working the moment her children started working and demands that her children support her. Anyway, who am I to judge her as long as mother-children relationship is well and good.

Stay tuned on Sundays to know more about Mary and Jinx!

Golden Year

I think I must have mentioned to PinayWham that my hubby's 50 birthday was on June 5 because she sort of asked me how we celebrated it. Well, Juliana, here's the answer. A month prior to my husband's birthday, my girls and my sisters-in-law conferred that they want to give him a surprise party. I said, go ahead and do what you like. I was left out of the planning to spare me from stress. My girls said all I have to do is attend the party. So I sat on a corner and let them do the planning. (more pictures...)

On June 5, 6:00 a.m. my husband left the house to go biking with his biker friends. By lunch time he was at the office having an impromptu lunch with the employees. By 1:30 p.m. he was home as my son, daughter# 3, Ethan and I were about to leave the house presumably to go to the grocery to buy stuff so I could cook his birthday dinner. By this time, I think he was feeling pretty much sad for we have not planned anything grand for his natal day. By 3:30 p.m. daughter #4 called to say she has to be picked up at school followed by another text message from daughter #2 that she also has to be picked up from work. I know he was really starting to get pissed for it was his birthday and yet he was delegated into the driver of the day. Daughter #1 was already busy tying loose ends.

At 6:00 p.m the place was all spruced up for the party. The almost 200 guests were all hiding by the driveway, shrubs and other foliage and the marching band -courtesy of my brother-in-law- was in the carport. At 6:20 p.m. daughter #2 texted that they were 5 minutes away. Everyone got all excited and giddy! The marching band wiped their mouth pieces and readied themselves. The guests kept quiet and tried to hide themselves more - an impossible task, for how can one hide behind a gumamela shrub? Slowly the van drove up the driveway. As the van stopped by the carport, the band played a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, the guests came out of their hiding places, everyone started clapping and waving their hands while the rest of the family ran towards the bewildered-week-in-the-knee-teary-eyed birthday boy. I hope it was a birthday to remember.

Banda 96

Hubby & sis-in-law

Guests: relatives, friends, former classmates

golfing buddies, biking buddies, neighbors

husband & wife duo as entertainer

daughter #1, son, Ethan, hubby

kids!

My only regret was I think my girls forgot to invite my relatives. If anyone of you is reading this..... not my fault! Blame the girls!

Hiding In New York

Have you watched any good TV show lately? There's one on every Sunday night in the US.

USA Network's new original series In Plain Sight premiered on June 1, 2008. The new series is about Mary Shannon, a US marshal who protects persons who are in the witness protection program. Now, where would I want to be if I were in a witness protection program? I would be in New York city!

The city that never sleeps! Seriously, I love New York. There are a thousand and one things to do and not what to do in New York city. It is where the East meets the West. It is where freedom of any kind can be expressed! Being Asian, I can blend with the denizens of New York and no one will be the wiser.

Independence Day

The Philippines is on a long weekend. The public holiday June 12 , has been moved to June 9, for economic reasons that I know nothing of. For readers who do not know the significance of June 12, well, it is the Philippine's Independence day - from 300+ years of Spanish colonization. On June 12, 1898 -though the Philippines was then still under American "guidance"- Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed under his dictatorial government, the Philippine independence day. It was against Apolinario Mabini's advice - even the US consul- or was it governor general still? - refused to attend the ceremony. The proclamation was held at Aguinaldo's balcony in Kawit, Cavite.

The Philippine flag, done in speed by Marcela Agoncillo, was designed by Aguinaldo himself. The first Philippine flag was imported from Hongkong - a precedent of the Pinoy's buying preference? The national anthem's melody was composed by Julian Felipe, a local band leader. For years, the anthem was without lyrics until Jose Palma wrote a poem that was late adopted as the lyrics.

Lupang Hinirang
Official version used since 1956

Bayang magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso,
Sa dibdib mo'y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig,
Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.
Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y
Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo;
Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.

The Philippines is indeed a troubled country. There are those who say that the US should not have allowed-given-permitted- the Philippines its independence. Oh wouldn't that be great! We'd be the 52nd state then we need not apply for visas to travel to the mainland! Ready or not, the Philippines is a free country - that in the procurement of independence a lot of lives were sacrificed.

Filipinos, look back so we can move forward. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

picture courtesy

Tension Headaches

I have a splitting headache. I slept late last night and woke up pretty early. I guess I had about 3 hours sleep. I had to take my son to school to wrap up his enrollment. On our drive home, I had a heated discussion with one of my daughters through texting. My bad! Texting while driving. I was also feeling slightly dizzy from hunger. Combine all those, and a perfect headache trigger was formed.

There are actually two kinds of headaches: primary and secondary. Primary headaches include tension, migraine, and cluster headaches. These types are not caused by any underlying medical condition. Nearly 90 of all headaches that occur are primary. Unlike primary headaches, secondary headaches are secondary headaches are caused by medical conditions, such as infection or increased pressure in the skull due to a growing tumor. These account for a very small percentage of all headaches.

I think I'm having a tension headache.Tension headaches often begin in the back of the head and upper neck as a band-like tightness or pressure. The pain is also similar to a band of pressure encircling the head - much like a tight rubber band around my head- with the most intense pain over the eyebrows - much like someone poking my eye with a pointy thing. Okay! That's it! Out with the mefenamic acid. I cannot just take the generic brand though. I have to have the branded one for the generic one does not do me any good. No it's not psychological - most generics have lower dosage than the declared. Oh wait. I read that peppermint herb is a natural cure. Now where will I get that?

I wonder if Wrigley's spearmint gum will do?

Where's Mary?

Find out if you have keen eyes. Can you see the hidden image in the picture?

USA Network's new original series In Plain Sight premiered June 1 in the US. The spanking new series is a story of a US Marshal, Mary Shannon, who works for the Federal Witness Protection Program. She leads a double-life posing as a courier whereas her actual work is find people hiding in "plain sight" before they are found and killed by hired killers. Mary McCormack plays the lead.

Mary's work partner is Marshall Mann. Together with Mary they help witnesses build new lives, of course, withe varying degrees of success taking into consideration the various threats and obstacles met along the way.

Cool series!

Luxurious Bus Stop

This is a bus stop.This bus stop is located at Dubai.
It is fully air-conditioned and has comfy seats while waiting for the bus to arrive.

Now don't get all excited as this is not a regular bus stop. At the upper left corner, you'll see the name Burj Al Arab. Yup! It's a bus stop exclusive to the world's tallest and highly controversially-designed hotel. Note that below the hotel's name is the hotel's image.

Financial Help Online

The seemingly unstoppable escalating price of fuel and its related products translate to the rising price of basic, and not so basic, commodities. Companies, big or small, cannot just up their employees' salaries to help alleviate the rising cost of living. More and more families are finding themselves in a bind on how to live from one paycheck to the next paycheck. There are food, shelter, clothing, kids' education and utilities to consider.

I try to be financially responsible - meaning - spend only what I can afford. I tell myself that at present, I and my family are luckier than most. News of massive lay-offs are happening because of recession. At times, tightening the belt in terms of cash spending is not possible as emergencies happen. In the US, there are companies that offer payday loans for those who are temporarily short in cash. Personal Cash Advance is one such company.

It offers fast secure online cash advance and payday loans. The company finds you lenders that will give you unsecured-short-termed cash advance to tide you over until the next payday. Qualifying is easy. If you are 18 and above, a US citizen and currently holds a regular job, then you are eligible for a loan. Click the link above to learn more.

Girls in My Circle

I received this email from a friend way back kindergarten. Yes. My kindergarten batch still meets regularly. We have become such close friends that we do not need to be in constant communication to be in-tuned with each other. Do you have such friends too?


When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.

Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'

Another, 'Let's fight together,'

Another, 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,

Another your shoe fetish,

Another your love for movies,

Another will be with you in your season of confusion,

another will be your clarifier,

Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,

On whatever the occasion,

On whatever the day,

Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,

Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ..

Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman,

But for many, it's wrapped up in several..

One from 7th grade,

One from high school,

Several from the college years,

a couple from old jobs,

On some days your mother,

On some days your grandmother,

On some days your neighbor,

On others, your sisters,

And on some days, your daughters.

So whether they've been your friend for 20 minutes or 20 years,

AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO,

Pass this on to the women that have been placed in your life

To make a difference.