Ika 1 ng Mayo 2009: New Pandemic?

The day when labor is celebrated.... ya'y.......no work today. Worldwide, there will be celebrations of workers. The day marks a significant event in the lives of the workers that P/GMA's holiday economics was put to the test when labor leaders raised the issue that moving this day to another day effaces its significance. Indeed, we should all celebrate our labor.....all things we are enjoying today is indeed the collective fruit of our labor. Companies and organizations should recognize that human resource is their most important resource and not treat us, workers, like any commodity.

We will celebrate today even as we try to control the onset of a new pandemic that threatens life once more with the swine flu that killed more than a hundred in Mexico, the origin of the virus. The last
time, there was worldwide concern was during the onslaught of the SARS virus in the late 2002 up to the middle 2003. It was the next AIDS, the next Bubonic Plague, the next Pestilence - and wouldn't you know it, the disease's origin was traced to China. Beijing officials did everything they could to cover up SARS from prying eyes - pretending everything was okay while shuttling hundreds of persons (and their immediate relatives) in unmarked vans to sterile quarantine camps. When truth came to light, it was disclosed that nearly 10,000 were under quarantine, 4,000 people had been infected, and over 150 had died. Close behind was Hong Kong, with 2,000 reported infections and 150 deaths. Canada was placed a distant third, with 343 reported cases.

I remember it well because I was concerned about Dayap and her family who were based
in HK, the other country badly hit by SARS that its economy tumbled. Dayap quickly sent her kids home but she and her hubby chose to remain there. It was like a ghost town as a once vibrant economy looked so lifeless. Businesses lost and the HK economy was shredded. Once the SARS scare was over, Jackie Chan had to make a pitch in a global ad to bring life to HK's economy. Dayap's kids have since relocated here.

Now, I have the same concern about my brother and his family who will be travelling to the US this month. There have been one reported case of death of a toddler in the US. My brother said he is closely monitoring. Worldwide, travel officials are monitoring arrivals. In Egypt, leaders ordered the slaughter of its swines.... poor creatures. Elsewhere, we are all concerned and monitoring news.

My friend, V......, is also coming home from Canada. Dayap, I think, is also coming home. I will be praying for a safe travel for my friends........

PS: Nadagdagan na naman ang listahan ng mga sirang gamit sa bahay. Bumigay na ang monitor ng computer sa study room namin at wala ng pag-asa ito. Talaga naman....... Totoo yata yun kasabihan na

when it rains, it pours

....... Wag naman sana sa mga sirang kasangkapan no........

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Ika 30 ng Abril 2009: Post-it Notes

I woke up to turn my phone alarm off. In my morning state of being, I saw this familiar yellow note stuck on my night table from the corner of my eye. Squinting to read it in the dark, I recognized ED's handwriting requesting, rather instructing me to wake her up at 8:00am.

It's not the first time I got such note. MD would tuck a note under my celfone which is parked on my night table. MS would expect that I read his note taped to his bedroom door or the wall beside it where he also taped a list of his debtors which includes me, being his his biggest exposure. Last time I checked, I owe him around P80 for his various services like massage on the head, back, or hand which are priced separately..... and my and some other people's loans. The kind of notes I receive varies. it can be a reminder to remind their dad to give them fare money or extra money when they are going out... it can be a list of materials that MS needs the following day....... Oh, I received the bad news that my TV set was struck by lightning through a post-it note.

Ever since the kids had their own rooms, they would often be holed up in their own private spaces. I would also retreat to my own bedroom particularly after a long day. This explains why the nightly interaction have become limited somehow. We're not much into too much talkies. When our home was way too small and everything was two steps awaiy from the center, one is forced to communicate..... and we even get into each other's nerves with the frequency of interaction. Now, movement is not so closely monitored and I would even miss my kids when they are not within view.

Communication can be quite a strain..... especially on schooldays when hubby and I arrive late and the kids have to be in bed early. Often, MS would be asleep when I get home. That is why we need to devise a communication system..... It's not usual practice to text a message particularly if the task is something that will be done the following day. It tends to be forgotten.

In one of my organizing sessions at home, one of the things I placed in their study tables is a pack of yellow post-it notes. I thought it would be a cool idea to jot down stuff that needs to be remembered and not repeatedly rammed on my head. It's a more subtle reminder delivered brightly...... With the post-it note, the kids devised a much improved communication system which is even personalized.

I love sharing with my students in my marketing class the origin of this bright yellow notes that one would not miss anywhere. It's story is not really one of the stranger than fiction stuff but it's a kind of story that pleasantly surprises and gives inspiration in generating product ideas. It turned out to be one happy accident. If I remember my urban legend right, the post-it note came into being after an exasperated R & D personnel of 3M threw a paper on which he applied a kind of glue. The glue, I think, is the subject of the product development. The paper accidentally landed on a surface. When the would-be inventor lifted the paper up, it was lifted nicely and the spot where the paper landed was smudge-free. That single accident launched a multi-dollar product for the company. Now, the lowly post-it-note of yore comes in different colors and sizes and use for various purposes. It's even use for art.

I like creations which proved to be more useful than originally intended. For us, these post-it notes serve as a medium to promote and maintain communication in our home......... Just before leaving for work, I can probably drop a note or two......

PS: Tapos na naman ang isang buwan. Me nangyari ba sa buhay ko? Ang bilis ng takbo ng panahon ....... pati klima, nagpapalit na yata.......

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Ika 28 ng Abril 2009: Review Class

I hit the road running today because I was late for a review class for a Cambridge exam I would be conducting. It would have been much more convenient if I rode a van in our shuttle service. But when I reached the terminal, there was a long queue and a lone van. I decided to take a bus in Alabang. My lone student texted while I was on my way that he was caught in traffic. We were coming from the same direction. Traffic was not bad, I was just late..... so was he. Since we're both late, I just acknowledged his text message saying I'd see him in school.

Not my usual route, I scampered along EDSA corner Ayala Avenue looking for the jeepney to ride to my destination. I was too flustered and didn't bother asking. Besides, everybody was in too much haste..........forget asking. I followed the crowd hoping I was following the right crowd. Since everyone was going that direction, it must be the right path. The jeepney terminal is hidden from view because it's along the small street behind the gas station. It wasn't long before I boarded the jeepney. After I got out of the jeepney, I ran on my way to the school...... quite a workout.

My student was already there when I arrived in school panting. I made a quick trip to the washroom. Then, I went to the room and buckled down to business. He didn't read the cases..... hmmmmpppppppp........ Patience........ I had to make him feel guilty by saying, I read the cases in the bus on my way to school. I gave him time to read each case and discussed afterwards. As expected, we didn't finish all. He was too beat up even before our time was up and promised he would read the rest of the cases......... I hope..... I gave him some materials to read and told him he could call me if he needs explanation for some concepts. I dashed to the office right after the review class barely making it to the afternoon session.

I took the morning off work to conduct this review class. Was it worth my time and effort? Financially, yes. My three hours of work in school is equivalent to a day's work at the office. In a way, my teaching job augments the meager pay of this public servant. But there is another part of me that wants to do this even for free. That is why, it was worth my time. The part that wants to share knowledge to make it useful. We need not be selfish with the little amount of information we possess because sharing enhances one's knowledge.

The Cambridge exams is one exams that the students look forward to but dread at the same time. To some of them, it is the penultimate dream....... their passport to the prestigious Cambridge University.

PS: Dahil wala akong TV sa kwarto, nakikinig na naman ako ng musika bilang alternatibong libangan. Bumabalik na naman tuloy ang hilig ko sa musika. Pero namimiss ko pa rin si TV....... sarap kasi yun nakahilata ka na at nakakatulugan mo yun pinapanood......... ang aking mababaw na kaligayahan......

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Ika 28 ng Abril 2009: Material Girl

My wholesale repair turned out to be one expensive pursuit. Half of the money I was reserving for my car registration was spent on my various broken stuff. So far, the following articles were restored and/or repaired: two watches, three bags, two shoes, and ED's back pack.

As for the rest, here is the verdict.....

For items brought at Mr. Quickie:

1. one of my bags with shredded handles given by my kids two Christmases ago would cost more than the original cost of the bag;
2. a native bag with a handle holder broken can only be replaced with leather materials and because one connector will be changed, the other three holders need to be changed as well and the cost will again roughly approximate the cost of the bag;
3. ED's other bag pack with portions torn due to wear and tear will practically be replaced wholly and hence will cost a fortune since that backpack was just given;
4. MD's sneakers with a broken rubber lining can be repaired at a cost equivalent to the cost of the shoes.

For the watches:

5. One watch, my mother's old watch, is not functioning and as I dread, it's the old circuit block that is damaged, a problem of electronic watches after sometime particularly if not used often. It would have to be replaced once damaged and it's expensive.
6. One watch which I thought needed battery just need cleaning. It functioned once the technician opened it.

The biggest loser is my TV set. I thought that it was just the switch button on the set itself that got loose. According to the repairman, however, the outlet switch burned. I asked how that could happen and he said it might be loosely plugged on. I said it's not. Electricity could have fluctuated..... hmmmmmmmm. He appeared distressed as he was telling me and I thought it was hopeless. I asked if it can be repaired and he said yes, it's repairable but it would cost more. He said I could get it the following day which was yesterday.

I sent our boy helper to get it and the other electric fan left there for months. I was expecting to see my old TV back in my room but there was no TV. I asked my other helper who does not know. This morning, I got a note from ED telling me that lightning struck the TV set....... Huh! How could that happen? There is not window or opening near where it is. Through the cables? But why only that TV? Later when our boy helper arrive, he confirmed ED's note and told me he saw the crack on the power supply. Big mystery really. I was trying to recall the event on the day that TV broke. I watched a show in the morning before I left for work on that day. Later, MD texted that we had no lights upstairs except for my room. When I arrived, my TV wasn't working anymore. Our helper said there was a thunderstorm that day and that could have caused the lights to trip. I assumed also that something must have short-circuited. Following morning, hubby was able to restore the lights upstairs by resetting our circuit breaker. The repairman wants me to call him. And why? To deliver more bad news!

Hubby was making fun of me during breakfast egging me to just replace my old TV. I will in due time. But my financial planning does not include buying a new TV set right now. It's ten-years old, btw. It's not even a branded TV. Still, it worked perfectly for the last ten years until that fateful day. I just don't want to discard it like that. I'd like to consider myself an earth preserver and hate contributing to waste generation. Besides, it's supposed to live a long life and be my kitchen TV when I buy a new TV set for my room. So that the helpers would hang around in the kitchen more. I dread calling the repairman who told my boy helper he could still repair it. And just like the rest of the items it could probably cost what the TV set costed me ten years ago. But I will call him later when I am ready to hear more bad news..........

The rest of the items were not repaired anymore. I would try to find other alternatives for the bags. As for the watches, one will be cleaned when the battery is changed. I am still thinking if I'll have the circuit block of the other watched repaired when I could actually buy a practical watch with the cost. I actually have enough watches. And my beloved TV, if it will cost me a fortune, I could just leave it to the repairman as my legacy to him........ I am also a freecycler. I would probably have a number of items up for grabs in my next postings.

Today, I am trying to assess whether our materialistic society is causing me this anxiety? I can really survive with one less watch, bag, pair of shoes, and even my beloved TV. But no, I have to buy one or two extra watches; matching shoes and bags, and other conveniences to make life more interesting. Look at the kind of problems I am facing now.....

Move over Madonna and Hillary Duff, here I come ......

PS: Na miss ko ang kwento ni Manong ngayong araw. Ito kasing si bunso ko ay tinanong ako sa sulat tungkol sa field trip niya na di ko naman nabasa. Kaming dalawa ang nag-usap nung nakisakay ako sa kanila. Nagbigay naman si Manong. Siguro bukas na lang ang kasunod na kwento.....

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Ika 27 ng Abril 2009: Life's Soap

One nice thing about not having a TV in the room is being able to sleep early. I must admit that it's one distraction that keeps me up late at night. Last night, I slept while listening to some music. It was off when I woke early this morning. However since it was so early and no one was awake, I lingered in bed and fell asleep again. I ended up waking at my usual time.....

Just like last week, I hitched a ride with Manong Bus Driver and MS. When it was getting eerily quiet, I had to ask Manong about the new kid. I confirmed that his new kid, a son, is just a baby.... one year and three months. MS said he saw him already. Manong Bus Driver seemed delighted with his new kid. He reluctantly told me that part of the reason that he and the original missus experienced problems in their married life is because she did not know how to handle money. Manong was a seaman for twenty years and stopped only in 2003 when he and his ex-wife were having problems. He went on to relate to me his other children, three of whom are already married. Only one of these three finished their schooling due to early marriages. The two younger ones are in senior high school and freshman college. He said that these two are likely to finish their studies because they are intelligent.

Before he left, he smiled telling me that my short trip with them is turning out to be his autobiography. I replied, "See Manong, I told you little by little...."

I may not have a TV but life has more interesting life stories to reveal. Since last week to this day, I've watched such story unfold. This real life soap opera may just be my fare for the next three weeks.......

PS: Hay ramdam na ramdam ko ang buhay guro ngayong linggo. Nagkukumahog na naman ako sa paggawa ng exams, pagcheck nito at paggawa ng grades..... Ito yun mga araw na mahirap maging isang guro........... Kaya wala muna istorbo.....

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Ika 26 ng Abril 2009: Full Day

Brainchild's break.........

Full morning........ market, laundry, repair shop...... My boy helper's uncle turned out to be employed and works even in the weekend.........so no dice,,,,, I can't bear not having a TV. I loaded my TV and the defective electric fan when we went to the market. After our marketing, we passed by the repair shop.

This afternoon, I am off to deliver one of the pups to an officemate. Quite a long drive.........it's somewhere in the far north and I live in the far south. But's that's ok.......... so I can see the new home of my pup. One by one, they are getting adopted. The home has become a lot quieter with a number of pups gone. I sometimes miss those noises.....

My youngest brother and his family is coming over. Maybe, we could plan a weekend retreat before their trip. I hope.......

PS: Maaraw........ dire-direcho na kaya ito? Kahapon, umulan din kinahapunan. Parang di pa ako handa para sa tag-ulan. Hindi pa nga namin nalasap ang sarap ng tag-init at di pa kami nakapagbeach.....

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Ika 25 ng Abril 2009: Undermined No More

Brainchild's break........

Plenty to do today....... This serves as my breather before I buckle down to the many tasks at hand...... unsure how I'd get started. As usual, the spirit is willing but the flesh is not...... my transgression. I must get to it though and do as much as I can....

Meantime, I am watching Susan Boyle's audition video for the BGT..... Why only now when the net traffic was practically directed to her video the past week? It has more than 43M hits when I clicked on it just now. Firewall in the office prevented me from watching it earlier. Truly one amazing and talented artist. Her angelic voice must be the push I am waiting for to do my tasks today........ And so I must go now to do my own thing.......

PS: Uulan pa kaya? Makulimlim na naman. Senyales na ba na umpisa na ng tag-ulan? Wag na muna sana at gusto ko pa magbeach ang pamilya namin kasama ang bunso kong kapatid at ang pamilya niya na aalis na patungong Amerika.

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Ika 24 ng Abril 2009: Stories of our Lives

I have vowed early this summer that all broken things which include clothes, bags, shoes, furniture, and now appliances in the house will be brought to their respective repair shops as soon as I have the time and funds. Both conditions should be satisfied to make this possible but both have not materialized together. Either I have the time but not the money. When I have the money, I would not have the time until the funds are exhausted. I always told myself, I could do it one type of stuff at a time. Still, nothing has happened. I have to make a last ditch effort before the summer is over.

There is still one electric fan left in the shop many months ago that has not been retrieved. Now, there is another electric fan in the general TV viewing area that needs fixing. We have endured a hot TV viewing session for almost the entire summer. Then, there is the TV switch which would even deprive us of TV viewing pleasures several times in a day because once it is switch on and then turned off after use, we couldn't switch it back on until several hours have passed. MS would sometimes want to kick the TV. Although, he and hubby would get lucky at times and would be able to turn it on. Since it still works and because we have TV sets in some rooms, we left the situation at that. Besides, it's not as bad as it is lately. What we sometimes do is just leave it on the entire day. I know it is bad but we want to watch TV.

The wifi of ED's laptop is also not functioning since about the middle of the past school year. Luckily, the other laptop with a damaged motherboard got a replacement just as her laptop's problem started. Several clothes, bags and shoes need repair..... mine, ED's, MD's, MS's. My other helper who repairs broken zippers and sews buttons and holes is still on vacation. Some of my watches have broken bracelet and needs battery change. My audio player in the room would also lose its sound because of loose wire connection. When I touch the cable at the back, the sound comes back. Our DVD player in the general viewing area also needs cleaning. I think the damaged TV switch in my room was the last straw for me.

Now that I have determined the extent of the damage, I think I am about to have a serious breakdown. This weekend I was set to bring whatever can be brought to the repair shop with my TV set. Alas, my boy helper told me that his uncle, an electrician, can repair the TV switch. I had been asking him to have his uncle check the broken electric fan in the viewing room for sometime but that has not happened because the fan needs rewinding and he doesn't have that machine as he is working on his own. I told our boy helper to bring his uncle at home to fix things in the house. I am also determined to bring my personal stuff to the mall for refurbishing and/or repair. The thought has been eating me up since my TV broke. I guess things will get fixed over the weekend......

Since Wednesday, I have been hitching a ride with Manong Bus Driver when he fetches MS until the point where I can't conveniently get a tricycle. Our home is in the inner portion of the village and tricycles are hard to come by at about the time of my departure. I'd be lucky if a neighbor happens to be brought home from the market by one. It was nice that Manong Bus Driver offered to give me a ride. I have taken advantage of that offer.

The short distance that I traveled with MS and Manong would be used in engaging in small talks. Starting small talks that should be short enough is quite tricky. Good starting points are hard to come by and if you happen to chance upon a topic that interests you both, you will be on a roll. Without any common grounds, I always thought that the safest topic would be family and work. I hardly know Manong's family who lives in Bulacan. I assumed he goes there in the weekend and stays the whole week in school where he was given a space by the owner. He is the owner's cousin which is why he is also the head of security of the school.

Yesterday, he gave me a useful bit of information telling me that the school is opening a college department but has not been granted approval yet by CHED yet. A bulb got lighted in my head. I offered that I am a college professor and when that college opens I made it known that I am interested to get in. The short ride became my initial interview with the owner's cousin who could be my inroad to a potential teaching job in the future when I decide I no longer want to work far away from home.

The day before our chat was limited to how he was able to provide school bus service to MS after he saw him in summer class. He really does not provide service during the summer but the owner of the school insisted that he fetch this boy taking summer classes. As the boy's residence is near our home, Manong would have no problem fetching MS as well. That was how I got transportation for MS.

Today, I asked him about his kids who I assumed are all grown up. He said that one is in college and the other is a senior high school. Being inquisitive by nature(or a gossip perhaps), I would wonder why our kids are of the same age and yet he is way more senior than I am...... a polite way of putting it. He said he has three married children in Bulacan. I would go on further asking him if he has grandchildren.... He has three. Then, he revealed that he and the missus are not together anymore. "Oh" was the only thing I could muster after a brief awkward moment. He continued that the original (referring to his former wife) stays in his property in Bulacan with his kids. His new wife is the one staying with him in his space in the school. The gossiper in me cannot be shut up, I reluctantly asked if he has kids with this new one. He said, "Yes, he has new one/s(?)". "So you have a baby, Manong." I was about to get off. He said it's too bad that I had to get off when it would be nice to talk about how the whole thing happened. I told him, "the story will unfold little by little, Manong." I bade him and MS goodbye telling them to have a safe travel.

Funny how you have certain notion of people that is a far cry from who and what they really are. I always have this picture of Manong in his karsunsillo (the white boxers of olden times)carrying his apo during the weekend in his native Bulacan..... Now, that picture has totally changed. There is still a baby but he's holding him in a different way.......

I would probably hear the rest of the story the next time I hitch a ride with him and MS..........

PS: Isang kaopisina ko na naman ang kukuha ng isang aso ko. Ihahatid ko nitong weekend. Parang nalulungkot ako tuwing nababawasan ang alaga ko. Pero kailangan ko rin naman silang ilagay na sa ibang tahanan at mahirap din maraming aso. At kailangan din nilang makapagpasaya ng ibang tahanan...........

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Ika 23 ng Abril 2009: Meeting and Exceeding Customer Expectation

Later today, I would be teaching my class in customer care. Our topic is the concept of a customer..... how meeting and exceeding his or her expectation in accordance with his or her own perception could lead to satisfaction and over time to customer loyalty. Customer loyalty is the key stimulator of profit and growth for the business organization.

I took on this course because of its relevance in the light of today's consumerism and in some cases, crass materialism. Everyone, without exception, is a consumer. Everyone who consumes a product, service, a by-product, a process, a piece of information is a consumer. By this token, even a cannibal is a consumer. Whether what is consumed is legal or illegal and acceptable or unacceptable is immaterial when we are talking of consumption. In the prehistoric times where the rule of might governed, practically anything can be consumed as long as one has the strength to obtain it in whatever means possible. In later years, it's not might but wealth which dictates consumption. In modern times, however, honorable men and women felt that consumption without moderation led to greed and henceforth set certain rules that regulate human consumption. That is why today, there are rules in trading and consumerism. Regulators have come as far as promoting consumer welfare in a materialistic world.

Customer is derived from the root word custom meaning habit.

As consumers acquire more financial means to satisfy their needs and wants, they have also become more discriminating. Modern business organizations recognize this development. In a market where consumer is sovereign, businesses compete not merely to meet customer expectation but exceed it. Competition made customers more sophisticated than they have ever been, and their expectations are explicitly implied by the fact that there are several providers vying for their custom or habit. Expectations are raised as service levels, added value extra, discounts, and packages are available elsewhere, and each provider ups the ante to gain an advantage. The fitness for purpose of a product or service is taken for granted as being part and parcel of customer expectation. Any deviation results in customer dissatisfaction and the immediate result is the business has one less customer on each occasion. Meeting customer's expectation, however, is judged on many elements other than the 'output' or its more tangible aspects. A customer determines the quality of service by assessing the elements that are important to them.

Customer perception of whether or not an organization has met, exceeded or failed to meet their expectations is formed by comparing their original expectations with the service outcome and the service itself once they purchase a product or service. The extent of discrepancy between customer's expectations or desires and their perception would make the difference in making a customer loyal.

In the context of education, a professor is said to be well-prepared if he or she comes to class ready for the day's lecture or activities and is able to deliver well. It is expected that with his or her background and experience, he or she will have the right skills and tools to teach the class well. It doesn't make him a good professor, though, if he or she is simply equipped with these skills and tools. It is taken for granted that he or she may be able to deliver a good lecture or prepare a good evaluation tool in each and every class because this is part and parcel of what a professor should be able to do.

What would make a professor meet and exceed the students' expectation is the sensitivity to provide a good learning environment for each and every student regardless of abilities, race, color, and religion.........to be able to render discipline and inculcate responsibility without instilling fear....... to be able to walk with head held high because he or she dealt with each and every student without fear or fervor. For me, this is what makes a professor a true mentor.

Being an educator for a number of years, I meet former students who are now co-equal as they have also become part of the professional world. I'd smile everytime they would acknowledge me and address me with the same respect proudly telling me what they do. Whenever a student succeeds in the game of life, I know I have exceeded my own expectations.

This is my lecture for tonight.

PS: Akala ko aaraw na......... Pag-alis ko, matindi ang sikat ng araw. Pagsilip ko sa bintana sa opisina, madilim na naman ang kalangitan at mukang uulan maya maya. Pang-apat na araw na maulan.... Hindi nga mainit pero marami rin naaantalang bagay-bagay..... At di ito ang tamang panahon sa ngayon......

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My School Boy

MS texted me last night telling me he needs detergent bar, dishwashing liquid, sponge, and dirty clothing for his summer classes as I was on my way home. I texted him to tell our helper. When I got home, I asked our helper if he told her about the things MS needs..... and he didn't tell our helper. MS was asleep by that time. Hay....... seems I am back to being the mom of a school boy. And he would be in secondary school next year.

This morning, I had to tell our helper to prepare his stuff as MS prepared for school without a care in the world. He expects that things are ready when he needs it. I was often told by a number of mothers, friends and acquiantances, that there is a huge difference in how a boy and a girl handle school life. Girls are seen to be more responsible and would take care of their needs at a young age. Boys, on the other hand, are seen as irresponsible, immature, and at worst lazy as far as schooling is concerned. I am not sure if I have to accept this a fact backed up by studies and empirical evidences. But I will add myself to the growing numbers of mothers with the same observation.

I have two girls, both very responsible and respectable students since their primary years. And here is my boy, about to be ushered into higher learning, and still dependent on us for his needs. In his elementary years, I would always check on his things and what he needs. I would then task him to be responsible for the things he needs little by little. Towards the end of the school year, he would cope. Still, he depends a lot on us. He would tell us what he needs for school instead of preparing these stuff himself. That is good enough though compared to his indifferent self in his younger years when he does not even know if they have things to bring in school. His sisters would always complain why we fix his stuff when we let them take care of their needs at an even younger age. I won't have an answer and wiggle out of the situation by saying he's still a baby..... and her sisters would frown on that.

My boy is not a spoiled brat. None of my kids are. Admittedly, he still has a long way to go before becoming independent. He just probably fits the stereotype of a school boy..... He's a work-in progress with development slowing down at some points. I am working hard on leading him to the road to independence. But when he does become his own man, I would most likely miss my school boy.........

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Ika 22 ng Abril 2009: Midweek

Time really flies fast. It's Wednesday, middle of a workweek. By this time, an employee would either be too absorbed in work or looking forward to the weekend. With me, I let off some steam on this day as I take a midweek break from my classes. I do not totally let off my guard as there is still work to do. I have another class tomorrow. I could have made it three consecutive nights for my three classes........ but nah, I am no robot........ I need to reboot.....

Today, I have relative peace as the leeches, errrrr my colleagues, are out partying, I mean conducting a planning session in one of the hotels in Makati. They will be holed there until Friday........ya'y. I will have my own party in here.........Oooooooooh I wish........ But I can't afford to slack off........ I have pending matters in the office, I need to prepare tests for our midterm examination, I have some errands to do in between..........

I can hardly wait for my weekend retreat.........

PS: Nasira yun switch ng TV ko sa kwarto....... Kabwisit talaga. Nung Lunes lang nangyari. Medyo maluwag na talaga yun pero basta wag lang galawin at gamitan ng remote control sa pagbukas ng TV, ok lang. Kaya hinayaan ko na maluwag, wala naman problema. Paminsan-minsan lang pag nakikinuod yun anak kong bunso sa kwarto, dun sa switch binubuksan at napagsasabihan ko pag nahuhuli kong ganon. Nadadalas makinuod ng TV ang anak kong ito ngayon kahit meron naman siyang sariling TV sa kwarto niya. Ewan ko kung bakit.

Pag dating ko nung Lunes, wala rin mga ilaw sa taas ng bahay namin maliban sa kwarto ko. Gumagana naman ang mga saksakan ng switch. Sabi ng kasambahay namin baka daw dahil sa malalakas na pagkidlat. Siguro nga at nag-short circuit. Wala pa yun asawa ko kaya di ko alam kung ano gagawin sa electrical box namin. Alam ko irereset lang yun circuit breaker para dun. Pero ayoko pakialaman.

Pag panhik ko sa itaas, binubuksan ko sana ang TV ko gaya ng nakagawian. Para kasing ilaw ko na rin ito at ayoko magbukas ng ilaw sa kwarto, masyado maliwanag. Aba at ayaw mag-on ng TV. Ilan beses ko pinindot ang remote control, ayaw talaga. Sinubukan ko palitang ng baterya, ayaw pa rin. Nilapitan ko at sinuri ang switch. Nang pindutin ko nga, nakalubog...... hay naman. Tinanong ko ang pangalawa kong anak na lagi din nanonood sa kwarto.... hindi daw niya alam. Tulog na ang bunso kong anak kaya di ko na natanong.

Pero nakakainis talaga. Sa gabi lang ako nakakapanood habang patulog na ako. Karaniwan nga replay na nga lang ng palabas. Pwede naman akong manood ng TV sa ibaba pero me problema din yun switch at di nagagamit yun remote control dun. Pag nagamit na ang TV at pinatay, di na mabubuksan..... At gaya din ng TV ko, dahil gumagana pa hinayaan lang na ganito. Isa pa mas masarap manood ng nakahiga.

Eh pag Lunes pa naman, palabas ang Damages na ang tagal ko ng hinintay ang new season at sinubaybayan ko ang first season non. Tuwing alas-onse ito sa Star World. Ayan di ko na napanood. Tapos new season din ng CSI NY sa AXN. Sinusubaybayan ko rin AI Season 8 at pinapanood ko yun replay tuwing alas onse sa Star World tuwing Merkules at Huwebes. Masarap panoorin ito at ang gagaling ng contestants ngayong season. Isa pang pampatulog ko yun mga reruns ng Sex and the City. Me mga episodes kasi na di ko napanood dati. Ito na nga lang libangan, nawala pa.

Nung tanungin ko pala yun anak kong bunso kinabukasan, hindi din daw siya. Nagalit nga sa kin at pinagbibintangan ko daw siya. Eh gumamit daw siya ng remote control nung huling nood niya sa kwarto ko........ hmmmmmmmmm, sino ngayon ang nakasira ng switch. Nang tanungin ko rin ang kasambahay namin na naglilinis ng kwarto ko, di rin daw niya alam........ kailangan ko yata ipaCSI pa itong misteryong ito........ Sabagay kailangan na nga rin sigurong ipagawa yan switch na yan. Itong sabado dadalhin ko na sa service center. Dusa muna ako ngayong linggong ito.

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Ika 22 ng Abril 2009: Real Learning

At the beginning of every school term, we are given a choice of the subjects we'd like to teach. It's a small school with about equal number of students and professors. All professors are part-timers. With almost nine years of teaching experience, I am probably one of the more senior professors in the school and handled more subjects than most. I could teach in the subject areas of economics, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, production, finance, and organization.

For this term, I have chosen organization behavior and management, investment planning and techniques, and customer care. There is usually a professor for organization but she is currently in the US. We are given modules for the subjects. I have taught both organizational behavior and a bit of customer care in my marketing classes so these subjects should be no problem. Investment planning and techniques........ with my experience in my work, it should be a breeze..... I thought to myself proudly. Being in the institution in charge of providing guidance to investors, I thought I had the necessary experience with access to valuable materials as a bonus. When I was given the module, I had the shock of my life. The subject is actually quantitative methods used in business investment decisions. It was too late to back out when I realized it was not what I thought it is.

I was too proud and would be too embarrassed to say I made a mistake in choosing the subject. By that time, it was also too late to find a replacement. We were given our load a day or two before classes open. So I thought about the whole thing....... I am capable of learning. This is not the first time I would teach a new subject..... which would explain my varied repertoire. But I never taught a pure mathematics subject albeit myself being an engineer. It's an exact science with a definitive solution. I hate studying such techniques. I'd rather stray in an area of study where there is free range. While I handled finance subjects before, it is more on the analysis of results, not arriving at the results.

Then again, here I am confronted with an alternative without any real choice. I took it ........ like a man and ready myself for a long term ahead. I asked my co-professor-friends for materials. I actually had a headstart because I handled business finance in the previous term and some of the topics were already covered, a fourth of it, I think. It doesn't help that I have very limited time to study for a new subject because of work.

I did my usual routine in school and it's been about six weeks since classes started. Surprisingly, I am able to cope even if I was studying my subject matter just before I teach it in class. I am glad i accepted this challenge because I am afforded the opportunity to confront my fear of the unknown. Had I backed out, I would have missed out on this rare chance to really learn what I was supposed to learn in my younger years and widen my horizon in the process. Quantitative methods can now be added to my repertoire.

Later today, I would teach my class the graphical solution to linear programming........ sounds fancy.......... not really.......

PS: Si Manong Bus Driver ay isang bayani talaga para sa kin. Kaninang umaga, nagtext sa kin na nakita daw niya ang anak kong bunso sa eskwelahan at kung gusto ko daw iservice niya. Ang buong akala ko kasi pahinga siya tuwing bakasyon ng summer kaya ni hindi ko na siya tinanong kung pwede niya ihatid ang anak ko kahit nung pinoproblema ko pa sino maghahatid sa anak ko. Syempre ay pumayag ako matapos namin mapag-usapan ang presyo na lalabas din na mas mura kesa ipahatid namin sa alalay ng biyenan ko ang anak ko. Bukod pa rito, mas kampante ako na ligtas ang anak ko sa sakuna at sa mga elemento ng kalikasan pag ke Manong siya nakasakay. Salamat muli, Manong!

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Ika 21 ng Abril 2009: When Technology Fails

I hate it when technology fails to deliver. And like all things, it is bound to fail. Used to its convenience on most days, we take for granted that it can fail some days. And when it does, we huff........ and puff......... and curse........ and kick......... and scream ....... In the end, there's nothing we can do about it..... but hope and pray that tomorrow it will be back to deliver its promise.

Because technology failed me today, this blogger won't be able to deliver.......

PS: Maulan pero maalinsangan..... ang lagkit tuloy ng pakiramdam. Yun anak kong bunso tuloy, imbes na sa bukana ng subdivision bumaba ng jeepney, nagsabi sa taga hatid niya na sa SM na sila bumaba. Para siguro makaramdam ng kahit kaunting ginhawa sa mainit na ulan..........

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Ika 19 ng Abril 2009: Quiet Sunday

Brainchild's break..........

..........that's what I want today. Sometimes I just want to forget I live in a crazy world. Whenever I feel so overwhelmed by too many things, I want to stop and tell myself that I am just one of the obscure life who does not matter to the rest of mankind. The world won't stop spinning simply because I did not deliver......... That reality check is important to remind ourselves of the littleness of our being.

Maybe, some are born heroes and some would come and go unnoticed. We each have our own roles to play in this life. Heroes or ordinary folks, we share the same space; go through the same cycle of life; share the same routine one way or the other. And even heroes want to live ordinary lives at times...........

One this Sunday, I just like to reflect on that thought......

PS: Sumakit ang likod ko sa pagtulog sa sahig. Sa isang kwarto kasi kami natutulog kung saan nagbukas kami ng airon kagabi para matipd sa kuryente. Kami ng anak kong bunso ang nasa sahig na nilatagan lang ng comforter. Pero di naman naging comportable. Malamig nga, matigas naman yun hinigaan..... Mamayang gabi magtitiis na ako sa mainit......

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Ika 18 ng Abril 2009: Appointments to Make

Brainchild's break...........

MS's summer school will start Monday. We need to go to the school today to pay MS's tuition. With my multi-tasking mind in play, several tasks have to be squeezed in that trip. The puppies should get their shots since their vaccination had been put aside because of our trip. The vet;s clinic is located near MS's school. I need to buy a bag of dog food too from a pet supplies shop along the way.

Hubby has his own appointment......... with a fellow bird breeder.....

As the school is only operating half-day today, we need to leave in the morning. I told our helper to bathe the dogs before their vet's appointment. Puppies and even dogs can't take bath for a week after their shot.

I wanted to add trip to the laundry but it might upset all planned activities. I just have to do that in the afternoon along with a string of stuff I can think of. I hope to take a nap too......

PS: Yun kausap na nag-aalaga ng ibon ng asawa ko ay paalis na papunta Canada kaya ibinebenta na lahat ibon at kulungan niya. Sabi ng asawa ko mukang magaan naman ang buhay dito non. Dating nagsaSaudi na nakapagpundar ng apartment ang mamang ito. Bakit kaya aalis siya? Para matupad ang panagarap? Na ano kaya? Me kabuhayan naman dito... Nagtataka lang kasi ako sa mga dapat na umalis pa ng bansa para magumpisa sa ibang bansa kung me kabuhayan ka na rito.... Marahil hindi pa sapat..... Ewan ko.... Basta hindi ka nagugutom, sa akin mas maganda pa rin nasa sariling bayan.

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Ika 17 ng Abril 2009: Getting Back into the Groove

One of the things the boss of my office who is now assigned to another office did to 'punish me' for filing a complaint against her was to rid me of my responsibilities. For some, this might be ok as long as one gets paid even without doing something...... but hurtful for one used to getting the tough and challenging jobs in this office I toiled for a good part of my life.

Only about a month after my boss plucked me out of the academe to work for her team, I immediately felt that she and I are a bad fit. This is my second wind in this Department where I worked for two offices and several projects and bosses. Sadly, my boss along with her ilk (the leeches) stick like a sore thumb in my otherwise colorful and pleasant experience in this organization. In the few years I have been part of this forlorn office, they only managed to keep my principles true to the ideals adhered to by the more discriminating and professional men and women selflessly working for this Department not for their own glory.

I have suffered silently for many months after my boss came back from a very long hiatus to study a.k.a go on a long holiday for free courtesy of the government even as she continued to draw her salary and go back when she gets bored with demands of the study also for free. Why she was allowed is beyond the ordinary employee's comprehension.......... us, who can hardly get approval, for overseas assignment or studies, even if it's for free. That time, lady luck was at her side because the head of our HR Department is a good fairy godmother, I mean madrino, errrrr manager to her.

The wheel of fortune must indeed be round........ a bigger boss known for her strictness and eagle's eyes, was assigned to supervise our group. That was to signal the end of my boss and her ilk's happy days. I, along with a handful of brave souls, who dared opposed the abusive ways, felt relieved. Still, the process of cleansing is not fully complete. In a bureaucracy, proper procedures have to be observed.

Still, I am happy enough that somehow change is being instigated. My reassumption of the duties of my position is one such correction brought by this chain of events even while my complaint on several grounds is still hanging in the air.

Today, I am attending a meeting in one of the working groups I used to be part of. The staff of the big boss who chairs the group welcomes me back with open arms. I have yet to move back into the full extent of my responsibilities. The person who took over the position of the head of this office still feel trapped under the power of my boss who tries to exert her influence in every opportunity. The leeches are still here and she manages to use them in her scheme.

Meantime, I need to remain vigilant and not let my guards off anytime.....

PS: Sa isang linggo, simula na ng mga preparasyon para sa pasukan ng mga estudyante ko sa bahay. Magrereview class ang pangalawa kong anak para sa pagpasok niya sa kolehio sa susunod na taon. Magsusummer class naman ang bunso kong anak para sa pagpasok niya sa high school nitong pasukan. Ang panganay ko naman ay preparasyon sa pagpasok sa proper medicine ang inaatupag. Bukod sa mga gastusin, nandiyan din yun mga pag-aayos ng oras ng mga tao para makarating sa paroroonan ang mga kinauukulan. Kailangan me maghatid sa bunso kong anak. Wala pa ang isang kasambahay namin sa bahay na siyang naghahatid sa anak ko pag walang school bus. Maaring yung panganay kong anak ang maghatid pansamantala. Magrereklamo to pag ginawang permanente...... Kailangan din mas maagang kumilos yun kasambahay namin at maaga na ulit aalis ang halos lahat ng tao sa bahay.

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Ika 16 ng Abril 2009: PTC

Today is my son's PTC and I cannot take anymore leave of absence from work. I actually talked to ED a few days ago if she can get MS's report card. She subtly agreed to it. Last night, I reiterated the request. There was a bit of an issue because she is meeting up with friends on the designated day for a sleepover affair. I tried to reason out if she can be a bit late so she could take care of the PTC first. She subtly agreed once more.

Before leaving for work this morning, I texted MS's teacher to know the sked of the PTC. He texted me back on the sked. I told her that ED would attend the PTC on our behalf. I am not expecting anymore surprises as I actually talked to MS's teacher on his graduation day..... so I know what to expect. I told MS's teacher that whatever information we need to know may be relayed to ED....

The problem is the PTC is smack right into ED's meeting time with her friends. I woke ED and told her the sked. She would complain again that she's meeting her friends at that time. I asked her to delay meeting her friends a bit.... She wouldn't answer this time as she remained lying in bed an hour away from the appointed sked of the PTC. I would have to be a bit brusque in telling her that when they (she and MD) needed me, I would always oblige. I left her room. It seemed to work as ED would shout from her bedroom that she does not have loose change for fare. I quickly replied that I would give her fare money. I did.... before I left confident that our parental duty will be taken care of properly......

Sometimes, being a mom demands role reversals to suit particular situations. I might have been childish reminding my daughter on their (ED and MD) debt of gratitude on those times they needed me. I am no nagger and this particular style works for them. Leaving the room adds drama and at the same time allows them to make some self-examination and hopefully realization.... For ED, it never fails.... MD requires a little more drama and a bit of nagging......

Fortunately, I have good kids who just need nudging sometimes.... But I am sure that they care for each other ...... I hope that they carry this love for each other even when we are no longer around..... Knowing this, I walked feeling as light as a feather on the way to work..........

PS: Kahapon daw ang pinakamainit na araw nitong tag-init na ito sabi ng anak kong panganay. Abril pa lang. Iinit pa kaya? Maganda sa labandera pero kung namamalantsa ka, dusa.... Ayos para sa mga mangingisda.... pero parusa sa mga magsasaka..... At syempre ok na ok sa mga me negosyo ng resort o nagtitinda ng halo-halo o ice cream ....... pero di ok sa mga nagnenegosyo ng pagkain na nasisiraan ng paninda o yun mga gumagawa ng bagay bagay na natutunaw sa init...... Masaya sa mga bata at panahon ng pagpunta sa mga dagat o resorts..... Di maganda sa mga matatanda na pwedeng ma-heat stroke...... Mahirap ang mainit pero gaya ng ibang bagay me kabutihan ito sa ibang aspeto ng buhay....

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Ika 15 ng Abril 2009: My Small, Slim Paycheck and the Big, Fat Bill

A good day for most.... We will receive the fruit of our labor. I will..... for my teaching job. The pleasure will not last, however. The moment I get it, it goes to my numerous obligations. That is what it is like for a lot of the working class. We live a payday to payday existence. As much as we'd like to save, the expenditures keep on eclipsing our earning capacities. Blame it on consumerism.

But when I do my reality check, I ask myself if indeed we are overspending. We don't have an extravagant lifestyle in today's standards. We don't try to keep up with the Joneses. We don't try to keep up appearances. Probably, in my parents' time, our lifestyle could be considered luxurious. But now, we are just one of those living the life of the middle class on what seems like a poor man's budget. Or have we raised the bar on middle class standards? I can hardly feel I enjoy the fruit of my labor when there are so many obligations to keep. At some point, I dread opening the envelopes containing these bills. I actually feel it takes so much out of me..........

On this note, I took to the day like an eagle who soar to face his day. There are challenges and I am ready to face it today as I go to the bank later to settle my credit card bill hoping I'd be able to pay at least the minimum due.....

PS: Nagpagising ng maaga ang anak kong panganay at pupunta daw ng eskwelahan para magpasukat ng uniforme na gagamitin niya sa pagpasok sa proper medicine. Nakakataba ng puso na unti-unti binubuo na ng anak ko ang kanyang pangarap. Limang taon pa ang bubunuin niya. Pero siguro.... isang araw ay susulyapan namin itong bahagi na ito bilang munting mga hakbang ng kabuuan ng pangarap namin.........

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Ika 14 ng Abril 2009: Just Another Workday

Should I say it's a slow Tuesday for me.... Mornings are almost always slow for this afternoon person. Except on very rare occasions, I'd like to start the day unrushed..... First of all, I am not at my best in the morning. I am a slow starter. I get fired up around lunch time to early evening. I actually can work better at night until about midnight. On those busy times, I can actually wake up at 4:00am and get started with a job. However, around 8:00am to 11:00am, I lose steam..... as my stomach grumbles probably readying for lunch.

Riding my bus of choice, Jayross, this morning on the way to work, I was glued to the Chinese film that I have seen for the second time. It's subtitled in English and quite amusing that a number of us were watching it. It's about schools of martial arts in China competing to earn slots for the Olympics. The masters of the schools would have different outlooks about competition. It's not only an action film, it has its funny and serious moments. One of the characters who look a lot like our very own bad boy, Baron Geisler provides the comic relief. He delivers on some scenes. Today, I watched the same scenes I watched the previous time I saw this film. I was sleepy the first time and I missed some sequence. I was more attentive this time. However, like the first time I would not see its ending. The traffic, however, stretched my viewing pleasure a bit. Maybe, I should travel up to Cubao to finish this movie. Incidentally, are its owners, Chinese? I've watched two movies here and both have Chinese streaks.... this one is a Chinese film while the other one, China Dolls, is an English movie with Chinese characters. That one was really engaging. Unfortunately, I didn't finish it as well. I sure would like to be a movie critic for a profession. Imagine, free movies anytime of the day, any day of the week!

But I have my own profession.... and I should stop thinking about one I might enjoy but do not have..... and as I treaded the arduous path on my way to work upon alighting from the bus, I asked for courage and guidance........... or I might just go back to the bus stop and take another bus to finish my movie.

PS: Bigayan na ng report card ng bunso ko ngayong linggo. Nakagradweyt naman na siya kaya siguradong pumusa na siya. Yun nga lang, nasabihan na rin ako na kailangan niyang magsummer para makapag-adjust sa buhay high school. Dagdag na naman sa gastos namin.... pero walang magagawa.

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Ika 13 ng Abril 2009: Scurrying to Meet an Obligation

That was how this morning was to me....

A financial obligation fell due on Saturday. Last week, as we know, had so much work breaks for me. On the day I reported to work, I was too lazy to do something about that obligation knowing that the check won't be deposited till this morning. I was also confident that my banker friend can be relied upon at the time of need.

I was dead wrong.... I must be a sadist doing this to myself.... but I always like the excitement of cramming and to my credit, I always deliver...... Let me tell you how it turned out today...

While at home preparing for work, I called up my banker friend to tell her that I am depositing money in her account in another bank which she will deposit in turn to my account in her bank. Her bank branch is nearer to my office while the nearest branch of my bank is a jeepney ride away. Well, she wouldn't pick up her phone when I called her. I called her other celfone and still no answer. I wanted to call her on the landline before I left home. But I forgot all about it due to numerous instructions I had to give.

Once I was at the van, I called my friend again expecting there would be no hitches. But no.... this will be the first hitch of the day. She picked up this time. When I told her, I'll deposit money in her account as usual, she said she ran out of check and will just have to do balance transfer via the ATM. Her son, however, is enrolling for summer classes and has to withdraw money from her other account. She has to use her account for balance transfer for her son's requirement and there is a ceiling. My request cannot, therefore, be accommodated at this time...... boink. That means I had to go to the bank branch nearest me. Ok, ok, I get it...... I am irresponsible....

The next issue is the source of funds. I would have to withdraw money from two banks. Again, I wasn't able to withdraw money last week. The ATM in our building is offline. I don't like using other ATMs because it has a limit per withdrawal and a service fee is collected per withdrawal. I was thinking we would be going out in the weekend, I could just pass by a bank. But no..... we actually did not go out until Easter Sunday. Since my payroll bank happened to be one of those banks that comes rarely in places, we did not pass by one on the way home last night. Still ok, I thought...... The ATM at our building could be online when I report to work today. But here's the hitch.... it's not enough to pay off my loan.... I need to withdraw money too from my other bank where I draw salary from my teaching job. I used an old account for this purpose and it's a passbook account..... Ok, ok, I get it..... it's really silly not to make use of ATM card these days..... But hey, this account prevents me from carelessly getting money every time I want it. It's inconvenient to actually go to a bank, write on a deposit or withdrawal slip, line up, and deal with a real person, not a machine...... but it actually allowed me to save up and use the funds for emergencies like this.

Nearing my office, I was kinda praying that the ATM machine was online. I got off just before our building and I was stretching my neck to see if the green online sign was hanging. When I reached the machine, it was online..... ya'y. I inquired before withdrawing and found out that the money credited to my account was short from what I expected. I still have not gotten my payroll slip. Oh well.... I emptied my account.

I went to the office and fixed my stuff. After settling down, I went out again to complete my transaction. I went to my other bank praying that enough money has been credited to my other account so that the shortfall can be covered. Last time, this bank account fell short of my expectation. That's the thing about drawing your salary from the bank, you get surprises at times and never know how much has been deducted from your already meager salary until you see your balance. I can never correctly predict how much I get from payday to payday in my teaching job. The cut-off is different. I never bother ask our administrator cum finance officer. To me, money is just incidental to the satisfaction I get in teaching. I would be a hypocrite if I say I don't need the money. I do and it helps on those times.... It's just that it's not what matters most .....

I went to the other bank and asked the friendly and good-looking teller to update my balance with shudders in my chest. I went to the form section and filled up a withdrawal form leaving the amount blank. The teller handed me my passbook. When I looked at it.... there was enough to fill up the short fall...... ya'y. I got a smaller pay during the last payday but a bigger one this payday........ because of the cut-off thing...... I withdrew money and bade the friendly staff and manager goodbye.

I would to the final bank to settle my obligation. I recall seeing a signage of a branch of the bank a block away from my office last week. I thought that a branch was being set up. I hope and prayed that it was already opened by this time. Anyway, if it's not, I can still take a ride in front of this branch. I was half running and walking because I was afraid that the check would be deposited anytime soon. When I reached the building and went inside, I found out that the branch is already operating.......... was I delighted about this turn of event. Now, I don't have to bother my banker friend who heads the bank with my small-time transactions. Because really she has better things to do than take care of the small needs of her friend..... but she does it for me anyway. When I came in, there was only a handful of us. I finished my transaction in no time. When I checked my balance, the check has not been deposited yet.... another ya'y....

I went back to my office feeling relieved that my obligation has been settled once again...... Now, I can face my real day!

PS: Bwisit na bwisit ako kagabi sa isang traffic enforcer na nagkukubli sa Julia Vargas St. pagkatawid ng ADB Ave. Para abangan ang mga motorista na kokotongan.

Mga alas nuwebe na non..... Hinahanap namin ang building na dadalhan ng anak ko ng laptop na ipapagawa niya at ituturo sana ang pagsakay. Nang biglang parahin kami ng medyo bata pang traffic enforcer na ito na nakaitim na jacket. Huminto ang asawa ko at lumapit ang traffic enforcer at hinigi ang lisensiya niya. Nakikiusap ang asawa ko habang pinapaliwanag ng nanghuhuli ang violation niya na ang multa daw ay P2,500 pero gagawan daw kami ng pabor na hindi na siya magseseminar at ibababab na lang sa kung magkanong halaga. Patuloy sa pakikiusp ang asawa ko habang nakatingin lang kaming lahat.

Pagkatapos ay nagsabi ang asawa ko na baka nman daw pwedeng wag na kaming tiketan. Sabi ng enforcer, "kayo ho". Nag-iinit na ang ulo ko sa puntong ito at sinabihan ko yun asawa ko na ipakita niya yun business card ng isang dating opisyal na ibinigay sa kanya. Hindi ako pinapakinggan ng asawa ko kaya ako ang naglabas ng card at sinabihan ko na kilala namin si....... Hindi naman gusto ko lang magyabang pero kinsan kailangan din masopla ang mga ganitong opisyales. Mali din siguro yun paraan ko. Pero pag amado ang alaban mo, kailangan din gamitan mo ng ibang paraan. Humingi ng pera panlagay ang asawa ko sa akin ana ayoko sana ibigay. Pero mukang yun na ang pinili niyang solusyon kaya binigay ko na rin. Nasabi pa ng enforcer na sa pagtanggap daw ba niya ay wala daw ba siyang magiging problema.... ang kapal talaga ng pagmumuka. Ang asawa ko naman ay sumagot na hindi naman niya kilala ang enforcer..... hay naku..... di na ako kumibo at kaharap ang mga anak ko at ang pamilya ng kapatid ko.

Ito yun mga bagay na magkaiba kami ng pananaw ng asawa ko. Sabi niya kasalanan naman daw niya at di naman daw ako ang maiistorbo. Pero sa kin humingi ng pera..... hay naman talaga..... Ako kung kasalanan ko magpapatiket ako at babayaran ko kung ano ang dapat na multa. Pero kadalasan kasi wala naman talagang kasalanan ang motorista, lalo na yun mga ordinaryong tao lang na gaya namin .... at gusto lang talagang mangotong ng mga tiwaling alagad ng batas na ito.... At habang me nagpapakotong, lalong iiral ang kultura ng pangongotong.

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Ika 12 ng Abril 2009: Easter Sunday Celebration

Brainchild's break.....

Along with my youngest brother and his family, we are off to see an old neighbor in her home somewhere in QC. The old lady and her family are our friends in our old home. I think she was my mother's best friend in that neighborhood. We looked up to her like our aunt. Her children are our playmates and friends.

How we traced her is again attributable to the wonders of technology. Her youngest daughter who is now based in Italy became a contact through one of my sites. From there, contact details were given and this reunion had been arranged two weeks ago. I wonder how things will turn out.... must be a ruckus. After all, we and her children were comrades in our childhood follies.

MIL, who is staying at BIL's home, is also inviting us for an Easter dinner, supposedly lunch but the old neighbor's invitation came first. Adjustments were made. So. we are proceeding there after catching up with our childhood friends.

As a result, meal is free today. No cooking for this homemaker ..... hurray! If we're lucky, we might get free meal for a week. Pinoys are known to have grand feasts whenever there are occasions and to always pack food stuff for their guests. While I am not expecting it, I am not totally discounting it.

I have to prepare to go now..... Happy Easter everyone!

PS: Sobrang init ng panahon. Nasira pa naman ang swimming pool ng subdivision kaya nawalan ng libangan ang mga tao dito na mura na, malapit pa. Sabi ng mga anak ko ginagawa daw.... sana nga.... para naman me magawang iba ang mga bata pag ganitong tag-init.

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Ika 11 ng Abril 2009: Catching Up on Black Saturday

Brainchild's break still........ It's also the eve of Christ rising from the dead....

People are returning to the household. Our boy helper is back. Hubby will be back soon. Our plumbing problem will be fixed today. But I think a light fixture in the second floor is about to be busted. Last night, it would be dead on some occasions. Lightning certainly strikes twice......

Yesterday was what should be a normal day for someone on a break. It was slow and relaxed. I did my chores in the morning; was on the PC intermittently in the morning and afternoon; kept the freshly laundered clothes in the cabinets and some organizing of bills in the evening. I took a nap in the afternoon. It was a nap I have not had in a long time.... like I was completely knocked out, I thought I overslept and woke up another day. It was 6:00pm when I woke up and I felt so refreshed like the feeling of waking up in the morning. Then, realization set in......... I jumped out of bed. After prepping myself up, I went down.

ED was in her room with her school stuff strewn all over the floor. She's preparing her buddy stuff to turn over to her protegee, the student from the succeeding batch of intramed qualifiers, for the next semester. The duplicate will be brought to the junkyard later today when I do my own clean-up. MD and MS were having snacks. Dinner was served later. As customary, we prayed the rosary last night. We have been doing this during the holy week for the longest time. It's our family's way of recalling Christ's passion. Each would take his or her turn leading in the five-mystery prayer session. Last night, hubby was missing. ED had to take his turn.

Today, chores beckon. I designated today as a spa day for the dogs and I will be the one doing that. Bathroom needs cleaning too. I still need to organize a study room drawer containing receipts for the house construction and succeeding improvements. This has been pending for the last two years. Somehow, I want to know just how far we have sacrificed for this home.......I hope to do all of these till my crazy world catches up with me next week.

And I want another nap like yesterday.... It felt really good....

PS: Ano na naman kaya ang iuulam namin? Problema minsan pag mahaba ang bakasyon kung ano ang iluluto.... lalo na kung wala ng mailuto. Bukas pa kasi kami mamamlengke. Nakakatamad na rin lumabas at sobra init. Pagtyatyagaan na lang namin kung ano ang nandyan. Buti na lang at naaakma sa panahon na dapat magsakripisyo......

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Ika 10 Abril 2009: Good Friday Bust

Hubby left to serve as a guide to Mt. Makiling adventurers. Our boy helper took the day off to go to Quiapo Church and pay homage our Lord as part of his annual vow during the Lenten season. One of our helpers is also on vacation. The faucet in the front yard got busted when my other helper was cleaning up. Ground floor water is shut down as a result. I guess there is no remedy today. I don't know how to fix it. Neither does my helper or any other person in the house right now. I can't call help as I guess people are vacationing. The hardware is definitely closed too. Even if someone can repair the busted pipe, I can't buy the materials needed.

Anyone out there ..... SOS.....

PS: Ramdam na ramdam ang init pag ganitong panahon. Masakit sa balat kapag lumabas ng bahay. Pero wala ito sa paghihirap ng Panginoon para iligtas tayo sa ating mga kasalanan. Isang makabuluhang Biernes Santo sa lahat.....

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Ika 9 ng Abril 2009: Contemplating on Maundy Thursday

The start of a four-day vacation for this weary soul. I am on a break starting today. The break does not just refer to rendering labor. More often than not, it's not possible.

This lenten season, I wanna break free from my bad habits, wrong priorities, and careless indulgences..... things that keep me preoccupied but get me nowhere. I must admit that my eyes can be clouded at times which divert my attention from what truly matters in life.

As the fox uttered to the little prince ..... "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly that what is essential is invisible to the eyes....."

And what really matters is just between me and my God......

PS: Isa sa kasambahay namin ang umuwi sa kanilang probinsiya kahapon. Ito ang panahon na umuuwi sa mga probinsiya halos lahat ng tao. Nawa'y maging ligtas ang byahe para sa lahat. At sa mga naiwan sa Maynila, magnilay at magdasal ngayong semana santa. Maging makabuluhan sana ang semana santa para sa lahat para maihanda natin ang mga sarili sa muling pagkabuhay ni Jesus.

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Ika 8 ng Abril 2009: A Day's Work this Lenten Season

That is what it is for me this week literally since tomorrow is the start of the Holy Week break. I was on leave yesterday and the day before was a holiday. This is the kind of day that tempts one's devil. Sssshhh..... we should not be speaking about this bad guy in this season of holiness. So forget that..... I went to work lazily..... but I did.

It seems I lost all my connection to work when I went on a holiday. I have to build up my momentum..... to be lost again starting tomorrow..... which means I have to rebuild my momentum to cover lost grounds comes Monday next week.

With the concentration of a three-year old and the stamina of an eighty-year old, I must render my labor to earn my keep today before enjoying the fruit of my labor in this holy season.

Have a Holy Lenten celebration everyone. Think green while enjoying your vacation. By green, I don't mean it like we all used to know it....... because one should actually abstain from that too. Green as we know it now means thinking of our environment as we go about the holiday.

PS: Masarap manatili sa Maynila tuwing mahal na araw at talaga naman walang katao tao sa kalye. Pwede ka nga magdrag race.... pero wag, bad yun. Dati pag mahal na araw, nagpupunta kami sa Baguio kasama ang pamilya ng asawa ko. Pero matagal tagal na rin na di namin ginagawa ito. Kaya natuklasan namin gaano kasarap nasa Maynila tuwing mahal na araw. Pwede ka magpunta sa Valenzuela hanggang sa amin na panghighway ang bilis ng sasakyan. Pero kahit ganon, kadalasan nananatili lang kami sa loob ng bahay. Kung hindi nagpapahinga, nagliligpit ng kung ano-ano. Ngayon siguro, mag gegeneral cleaning ako at magsosort out ng mga bagy bagay. Sa takdang oras nagdadasal din.... Ah at syempre kumakain..... Yan ang mga bagay na inaasam asam ko ngayong mahabang bakasyon.

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Ika 7 ng Abril 2009: Going Home on an Early Morn

Coming from our Disneyland adventure, I was a bit worried about our very early morning flight to Manila. The kids might not wake up..... I had to devise a plan.... I told them before sleeping that if they don't wake up, I will leave them with Tita Dayap and they are gonna be her slaves....... For Dayap, I did not give any terms of reference for my kids' labor. Just like when the Japanese sacrificed their monetary pay working for free to rebuild Japan after WWII in return for their children's education and food on their table, I did the unthinkable. I told Dayap she could have my kids as slaves for as long as she sends ED to med school; MD to either a med or culinary school; and MS to a pilot or vet med school at the proper time. Dayap, instead of being delighted with the free labor I was offering, actually smirked at my good gesture. I wonder why.......

My threat might have actually worked, there was nary a whimper when I woke them up at about 4:00am. We had to make it to the airport two hours before our flight. We all took our turns at the bathroom.... I was the first one.... bravely weathering the first cold splash of water from the shower before it turned delightfully warm. After my quick shower, I woke MD up (the order of waking up has to be in the order of who would get grumpy the least waking up at 3:30am). I dd all final packing shoving all remaining dirty clothes in our bag. MD would help me zip an overstuffed bag......In time we were ready to go. I woke up Dayap who accompanied us to the bus station.

When we reached the bus stop, a bus number 41p was just leaving. It's an airport bus and Dayap didn't know there was another bus going to the airport. Too bad, we missed it by a split second. As the temperature was painfully chilly for the kids, MS would complain about freezing. I had to remove my jacket and give it to him. The bus took some time to arrive. As soon as it came, we all bade and kissed Dayap goodbye... The kids slept the entire trip while I would dozed off intermittently checking on the kids.

We arrived at the airport about 6:30am.... Checking in was a breeze as the terminal was right there at our disembarkation point. Prior to the immigration, however we were stopped because we had juices in our plastic bag of food. We planned to eat while waiting for the plane. I didn't know that we cannot bring in liquid as soon as we enter immigration. Since there was enough time, we decided to have breakfast first before proceeding to the immigration. We had some bread and juices. It wasn't long before we were finish. We proceeded to the immigration area.

After our bags passed through the x-ray machine. MD and my bags were singled out for further inspection by visual checking of the content. And there it was.... the culprit is my cologne. MD's fate was much worse.... her bag bore her favorite Victoria Secret cologne and a body lotion. I was thinking that since the cologne is consumed, I beat the 100ml limit so I didn't put the items in the checked in luggage..... but not so. With much regret, we said goodbye to our body sprays.... sigh.

There was no problem this time with the immigration. One look at our travel documents and we were let in. I warned MS though to stay put or else he'd be left. I told him to just let us pass immigration and he can be his crazy self again. He coughed in front of the IO and I looked at him saying softly, he might be quarantined...... Thank God, there was no hitch this time.

So we went our merry way to the assigned gate.... 49. I wanted to look around the DFS but the kids were so not in the mood. They wanted to just go to the waiting lounge.... I told ED and MD to proceed to the waiting lounge after we went to the wash room. MS was more cooperative because he is a morning person. I told him to stay with me and took several pictures of him in different spots before going to the waiting lounge.

Our plane arrived soon.....ya'y. More and more passengers came in. It's like being back to PI even while in HK because there are Pinoys all over. It's not as noisy as when we came in. Probably, everyone was still groggy..... Soon, we would be boarding the plane... Glad that there was no delay this time. We miss home......... the plane took off....

Atop the cloud, MS and I would horse around. He occupied a window seat going in and out of HK..... so he could see the changing landscape at different times. As we entered the Philippine territories, we could see a sprinkling of islands....... changing to large track of lands with alternating colors of green and brown...... Not a geographer by nature, I could not accurately tell MS where we were. Nearing the airport, I curiously explained to MS the difference between the rural areas and the urban areas. He noticed large tracks of land while we were in Northern Philippines. When I asked him the difference of what he saw in HK as we landed and what he would see when we are about to land.... He said HK has buildings.... He noticed the clusters of building as we neared the airport. I told him those are in our commercial district.

In time, we landed smoothly.... thanks to the captain... We took our hand-carried items and passed through the walkway.... It felt like home instantly. At the immigration, there would no problem. We headed to the luggage area as MD got a cart. Our luggage was the first one to arrive. Because of its shocking color, it was visible even from afar. ED commented that it is good to have a differently- colored luggage for more visibility. We collected our luggage as MS called hubby asking him to fetch us... He can't because he has work, of course.

Going out, we were met by the customs officer. We were the first but I didn't fill up my custom's form... I didn't actually fill up one when I came back from HK a month ago. But now, a custom officer was looking for the form. I didn't even know what it looks like. ED found the form and I asked her to fill it up giving her my passport. By the time she finished, a long line of passengers filled up the customs area. MS and I lined up as ED went to the washroom to wash her hand because the pen blotted. MD followed ED. It would be our turn soon and my two girls have not emerged from the washroom. MS and I got out and waited for them. Then, I would hear my name being called over the speaker system telling me to go to Cebu Pacific Assistance Desk. I wonder why. When I saw ED and MD, I motioned for them to hurry up. We all proceeded to the assistance desk. I told the personnel my name and I was handed my passport. ED left it on the customs counter.....hay....

After giving our luggage stubs to the security personnel, we went out and weighed our options for a ride home. There were three taxi services available, one with a fixed rate that was acceptable; another is metered and affiliated with the airport with a higher flag down and per meter rate; the last option is the regular taxi not affiliated with the airport and is the cheapest which I did not consider. While the fixed rate was good enough, I opted for the metered taxi that is affiliated with the airport. The driver asked for our destination. He then asked if we could pass through SLEX as it is the shorter route. I thought for a while and said yes. I would have to pay for the toll fee though. We went our way. Then, there was this build-up at Bicutan.... It was to be a long stretch. It was a weekday after all and I forgot about the Skyway extension. Well, it was too late to go back. The kids all fell asleep. I was also falling asleep but tried to fight it..... The traffic moved at a slow pace until we reached Sucat..... going straight to Alabang........ went out the all familiar route....... Alabang Zapote Road........ going inside the village gate.....

Soon, these weary travelers would be home. As soon as the taxi halted, my dogs started barking while the birds chirped..... happily welcoming us. Our boy helper helped us with our luggage. I ended up paying the metered taxi more than if we had taken the fixed rate taxi service. Next time, I know better..... It didn't really matter because nothing feels better than being home...........

PS: Nakakapanibago pag dumating ka Pinas galing sa ibang bansa. Ramdam mo agad yun init, lalo na galing ka sa isang malamig na bansa..... Tapos, nandiyan yun alikabok.... traffic.... atbp. Pero kahit ganon, hinahanap-hanap mo pa rin siya at babalik-balikan......

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