Ika 1 ng Hunyo 2009: At your Service

I was feeling light inspite of the previous day's celebration in our home. I actually woke up with a smile on my face as I was reminiscing the happy occasion. Being a gracious host is a tough act. It was a rainy Sunday but thank goodness, the rains somehow cooperated. It held its showing until after we were already winding up. I am thankful for my household staff who made life easy on those days. They are up on their feet and are almost always at your beck and call.... that I feel guilty too. I allow them a little space after a hard day like yesterday. After the event, they can relax a bit and do the work at their pace.

Over a hearty feast and happy exchange, my cousin who is now based in Canada would share the difficulty of not having hired help there. Used to a pampered life here, she is suddenly doing all domestic chores by herself. She laments that even in freezing weather, she has to put on a ton of clothing just to bring out the trash. Her husband is having more difficulty adjusting according to her. I heard this from many others who decided to live abroad in their first few years which is actually part of the adjustment period.

Here, household helpers can be had at will and for almost a pittance. Though more expensive than in the past, their services are still reasonably priced. We still all want to have them at home with all the horror stories we hear about them and our own bad experiences. Even last night, we had such a bummer. One of our helpers, MIL assistant, whom we tap for cooking chores whenever we had a party, proved too assertive that I lost patience with her. After the party, there were left-over food on the banquet table. Since we cannot consume everything, I left instructions with the helpers to give some food to our neighbor and let MIL assistant and our boy helper bring some home. My specific instruction was to give away the left-over on the table as these cannot be stored anymore and have to be consumed immediately and not to get anymore food from whatever remains untouched. I told MIL assistant that she could hitch a ride with me when I bring the rented tables and chairs back to the shop. I was at the PC relaxing a bit when MIL assistant interrupted my peace to tell me that she would leave already with my other helper who was going to the Church. I suspected the sudden change of plan and went out to check. I asked if she packed food to bring home. She said yes. I eyed the banquet table and all the left-over food were still there. I asked where she got the food she packed and she said these were also served. I asked her why the left-over food were still there. She was uncomfortable and said she would just return it and get from the table. I followed her to the kitchen and told my helper to be the one to pack the food. She then brought out what she packed........ two big containers of everything that is left. I pointedly asked her why she had to bring so much. My helper told me there was nothing left of the food in the pots. So she lied about getting food already served and was instead getting the untouched food leaving us with the leftovers. I did not say much but made her feel I did not like what she did. I still gave her food but she could have gotten more. I resented her dishonesty and over-assertiveness. I gave most of what is left leaving just enough for dinner, to my boy helper who was so pleased to bring something for his family.

My family have always strove hard to treat our helpers in a good way in recognition of the value of their service in helping bring quality living to my household and allowing my family to pursue our respective careers....... taking care of our meals, clothes, sanitation, and security. They may not always be perfect missing the beat certain times but they have remained our loyal and dedicated staff. They have become part of our family as they celebrate most special occasions of their lives in our home and not with their own families.

Yesterday, I talked to my cousin's wife who works at SSS about securing social security benefits for my household staff because our boy helper intimated to me his desire to have this benefit. I said why not and we should also get SSS for my other helpers. I have long recognized the importance of getting social security benefits and wanted to get SSS for all staff who worked in my household but always there are hindrances. Sometimes, the helpers themselves do not want the benefit. Many time, it is the lack of time to take care of the requirements of registration which thwart the intention.

As I went to work today, I was thinking I have to take a stronger effort to give my household staff what is due them.

PS: Yun nasakyan kong van kanina, grabe naman makatutok..... Halos mahalikan na ng unahan ng sasakyan niya yun hulihan ng nauunang sasakyan. Nasa harap pa naman ako kaya kitang kita ko. Napapapreno tuloy ako at parang minsan hindi aabot yun preno ng driver. Samantalang, ang tinuturo sa mga nag-aaral magmaneho na panatilihing sa dalawa hanggang tatlong sasakyan ang layo sa sinusundan na sasakyan. Medyo impossible no? Sa traffic sa Maynila. Pero di naman dapat na dalawa hanggang talong pulgada din ang layo. Di tuloy ako nakatulog mabuti sa byahe!

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Ika 31 ng Mayo 2009: Party Time

It's the last day of May, the last of the so called summer months. The onset of the rainy season can be felt. It's also the last days of school vacation for most. These last days are seen to be the opportunity to seize to fill up our social calendars. In the month of May, we celebrate Flores de Mayo with the traditional Santacruzan as its fitting climax...... a feast for the eyes as beautiful women and now also pretty gays parade in their elegant gowns. Fiestas are celebrated in towns all over the country.

The Santacruzan is a popular religious festival held in many towns and cities throughout the Philippines as the highlight of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo during the month of May. It is usually celebrated with a parade of decorated floats and elaborately dressed characters, representing various aspects of the Virgin Mary and other figures. The festival was introduced to the country during the Spanish period and continues to be celebrated by Filipinos all over the world.

Many school and family reunions happen around this time too. Like all busy Filipino families, we are taking advantage of the last days of summer as my relatives flock to my home later today. I'm sure it will be a blast biding summer goodbye in celebration of our being a family. In keeping with a truly Filipino tradition, Filipino fare is going to be served to give our outgoing relatives a taste of home on their last days here....

PS: Bukas ay simula na ng bagong buwan. Ngayon pa lang nakikinikita ko na naman ang pagod at puyat sa paghahanda sa pagbubukas ng klase. Mabuti ako at malalaki na yun dalawang anak ko kaya sila na ang nag-aasikasa sa mga gamit nila pati na rin ng kapatid nilang bunso. Pero kahit na me mga paghahanda ng ginagawa, marami pa rin di inaasahan bagay na nangyayari kaya pagdating ng Hunyo, lahat ng tao ay pagod. Bukod dito, ramdam ko ang pagkasalat sa pera dahil naubos ito sa gastusin sa pag-aaral.... Hay buhay!

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Ika 30 ng Mayo 2009: Headstart

I set out to do my tasks early today..... changed bed linens, clean bathroom, put clothes and clean bed linens in the closets, groomed the dogs. I was done a little after lunch. I was ready to join hubby and middle daughter for our weekly supermarket shopping. I have not been going with them for some weeks now as I was bogged down with so many tasks the past weeks.

Tomorrow we are having a party at home. It's a party conceived out of the blue. Two of my cousins are going back to countries that they are now based. Since most of our relatives have not been to the house, I thought it's a good opportunity to invite them. It helps that we're having a pot luck affair. I won't be so stressed out planning and preparing the meal. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow so we can party al fresco in our pocket garden. It would feel good eating in the middle of a our own forest with our greens and animal noises.

I decided to have a good headstart so that I can concentrate on being a good host tomorrow. It's not much of a party really..... but a simple get together which hopefully would bring in fun and laughter.

PS: Pagkatapos ng mainit na linggo, naririto na yata ang tag-ulan na papawi sa uhaw ng mga lupain. Kaya ang garden ko ayun at nadilihgan ng libre. Berde ang kapaligiran. Gandang pagmasdan. Pero kasabay ng ulan, nandyan din ang mga langaw at lamok na dumadami pag umpisa ng tag-ulan. Kaya kailangan maging maingat at baka magkasakit.

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Ika 29 ng Mayo 2009: Moral Dilemma

I learned some rather disturbing incident during my review session with my student at Starbucks the other night. My student shared that an educator at the main campus of our school who proctored the exam he took to be certified by a prestigious foreign university was far too 'helpful' to students taking the test. Apparently, she told the students which numbers to choose and gave them, first a tip on how to answer the questions. Not contented, she gave them a xerox copy of a page of a book that provides the answer to the questions. My student was dumbfounded and uncomfortable. Being a man of faith, he opted to choose questions other than those suggested by the teacher-proctor. He told the teacher he chose another question. She wrote something and gave it to my student. In the midst of great temptation, my student ignored the answer guide provided by the teacher. I admire my student's courage and honesty. I am shamed by the brazen display of dishonesty by a member of my profession.

The reason for such act is simple. Passing this exam would bode well for the school...... it's standing, it's reputation. Never mind if this was at the expense of dishonesty. Such poor judgment by someone who is supposed to educate the young is unconscionable. I am reminded of how some teachers in the public school also 'helped' their students pass the National Achievement Test (NAT).

We're supposed to teach our young the right way. The right way is to make them strive to do their best by working hard to get where they want to go. But why are we teaching them the short cut to an undeserved success? It's no wonder why the future generation is so used to having it the easy way.

I asked my student if he told anybody and if he thinks anyone knows if such practice has been going on. He said he's afraid to tell anyone as the same teacher might be his proctor on the other exams. He also said that some students in the main campus are probably aware. I told him that the next time the teacher is his proctor, he should tell her that he can do without her help politely.

But what do I do with this information I suddenly have. My student shared it with me than any other authority in the school. My conscience said I should tell someone in the school who can do something about it. On the other hand, I am afraid that this is just the tip of an ice berg and I am afraid to uncover something bigger.... It can cost me the job that I love.....

On the last day of this week, I am faced with a dilemma that has far-reaching consequences........ Damn if I do, damn if I don't.....

PS: Nakakapagod tong dalawang araw na to na pinilit namin tapusin yun mga kailangan ng mga boss. Buti pa sila, naaburido lang at ipapasa na sa yo ang trabaho. Kaming mga gumagawa, aaburiduhin na........ eto at binubusabos pa. Buti at ipinagpaliban ng mas malaking bos yun miting para pag-usapan ang trabaho. Nakahinga ng konti. Hanggang sa muli...... Makauwi na nga......

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Ika 28 ng Mayo 2009: I Hate Telecommuting

The early bird catches the worm..... Why is it that I don't feel like catching a worm today? I was at the office early........ There is this rushed work which kept me at my home PC sooooooo late last night, actually until the break of dawn...... I was waiting for submission of outputs from our staff and only one arrived. I could have turned off my PC after processing that output. But no.... I had to wander off into the blogosphere and beyond. That's the thing about working with the aid of technology. I tend to lose myself in it. I also blame the frappe I had at Starbucks where I held a review session with a student early evening yesterday. I wasn't supposed to take anything with caffeine in the evening as it affects my sleep.... and I am an occasional insomniac! Worse is I had to go to the office early for our presentation to the boss.

Sometimes, I'd like technology not to work so efficiently. Telecommuting is one of the consequences of the fast-paced technological development. Long distance telework is facilitated by such tools as virtual private networks, conference calling, videoconferencing, and Voice over IP (VOIP). It can be efficient and useful for companies as it allows staff and workers to communicate over a large distance, saving significant amounts of travel time and cost. As broadband Internet connections become more commonplace, more and more workers have enough bandwidth at home to use these tools to link their home office to their corporate intranet and internal phone networks.

This is one area where I can be inconsistent. In another post, I was all praises for technology as it affords me the chance to make my hectic life manageable. I guess it all depends on what you're doing. Obviously, I don't have the appetite for this job I am doing ....... but it's one of those necessary evil.

Technology feels like a pest today..... making me lose sleep over work. It gives one no escape from work even beyond the normal call of duty. That goes for other gadgets..... the celfone gives access to your boss to invade your privacy and encroach on personal time.......... with a camera your boss can even see what you're doing. Sometimes, I just would like to leave all these things behind and live a simple life. When these gizmos were non-existent, I didn't mind at all that I live an undisturbed life. Some marketing guys had to condition us into thinking we need these devices. Now, we can't do without them!

Telecommuting, e-commuting, e-work, telework, working from home (WFH), or working at home (WAH) is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and hours. In other words, the daily commute to a central place of work is replaced by telecommunication links. Many work from home, while others, occasionally also referred to as nomad workers or web commuters utilize mobile telecommunications technology to work from coffee shops or myriad other locations. Telework is a broader term, referring to substituting telecommunications for any form of work-related travel, thereby eliminating the distance restrictions of telecommuting. All telecommuters are teleworkers but not all teleworkers are telecommuters. A frequently repeated motto is that "work is something you do, not something you travel to". A successful telecommuting program requires a management style which is based on results and not on close scrutiny of individual employees. This is referred to as management by objectives as opposed to management by observation. The terms telecommuting and telework were coined by Jack Nilles in 1973.

Pardon me for the rather unpleasant mood today. I am sleep-deprived and I am rushing to meet my deadline!

Related Posts:
Ten Things I Love about Telecommuting

PS: Nasira nag paboritong tsinelas ng pangalawang anak ko dahil nginatngat ng aso. Sa umaga at hapon kasi pinababayaan magtakbuhan at maglaro ang siyam na aso namin. Itong mga tuta na nagngingipin siguro ay mahilig manguha ng mga tsinelas at sapatos at pagkatapos ay ngangatngatin. Minsan pinababayaan lang ng dapat bantay nila na magngatngat ng kung ano ano. Sino ba me kasalanan niyan? Tao o aso? Basta nakakainis at kailangan palitan ang paboritong tsinelas ng anak ko!

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Ika 27 ng Mayo 2009: M & E

Used as a tool for monitoring and controlling tasks in projects, M & E has applications that goes beyond the project development cycle. Monitoring represents an on-going activity to track project progress against planned tasks. Program or project evaluation represents a systematic and objective assessment of ongoing or completed projects or programs in terms of their design, implementation and results. In addition, evaluations usually deal with strategic issues such as program/project relevance, effectiveness, efficiency (expected and unexpected), in the light of specified objectives, as well as program/project impact and sustainability.

In my home, I use M & E to ensure that my household runs effectively and efficiently. I noticed that people working in our household respond differently to various M & E tools and methods I am using in checking or tracking progress in their work. For a full-time working mom who manages to moonlight while at a same time keep a fairly balanced social life, running a household can be challenging to say the least. There would be instances when like mice, my household staff would play when the cat is away. Hence, consistency in monitoring is important........ an area I have to improve on. I would sometimes leave instructions and not follow up or check if these have been followed or done. That would give a wrong signal to your staff. I have to be creative in the techniques I use.

I would learn that reprimanding, more often than not, is not a good way to instill responsibility among my household helpers. If at all, the repercussions could be disastrous. I have two or three household helpers in the past who left us after getting a good dressing down from me. It doesn't matter who was wrong. The thing is they felt bad enough to leave in a huff. In defense of my action, I'd say that it's probably time for them to leave our household. Reprimanding would be needed in extreme cases..... like when the offense could have serious repercussions to anyone in my home.

At the other extreme, a laissez faire management, where the helpers are left to their own device, is not recommended as well. A household run without the intervention of management is likely to fall apart. Again, on those time when work demands get most of my attention, I would be be running my home like this. For short periods of time, it would good to leave our staff alone. But there are risks to doing this. Mishaps, waste, losses to name a few, are likely to occur with household left to the helpers. Unless, your household staff have serve you with unfailingly loyalty for a good number of years, do not attempt to do this.

For some reason, household helpers nowadays, appears to have less initiative than their counterparts in the past. In my parents' household, we had the experience of having loyal and dedicated staff who stayed with us for a long time. These days, such find would be a rarity. I also observed that even our helpers have become motivated by materialism such that they are also into new gadgets and all of those stuff. No problem..... They are using their own money. Many times, however, these gadgets like celfone would interfere with their work, sometimes seriously. I don't nag but I had to make it known to them that there are certain things that they need to do before they could slack off. I understand their need to have a break. But work should not be their break for engaging in social networking. I have used mild hints which can be effective in the short term. I would notice though that they would be back to their old habits. I have to use a stronger tactic. When I talk to them, I lay my expectations and call attention immediately when it is not done as it should be at a certain time. I try not to be watching over their shoulders as I know how it feels. I linger around doing stuff while observing them at a distance. The distance appears to be the needed space to give both of us breathing space. With constancy, work seems to get done.

I have also used taking on the responsibility to show them the correct way which is effective as well...... but this can be tiring. Over time, the helpers get so used to seeing you do the work that they think you must be enjoying it. At a certain point, I have to delegate and pass on the responsibility.

In M & E, staff must face the consequences of their action. A just penalty and reward system should also be in place. Over the years and after working and living with enough household helpers in my lifetime, I simply have to reiterate that treating your staff like how you want to be treated is the way to do it. Working for a number of bosses, I have seen and learned things that I should and should not use in managing my own people. It is very important to give them the dignity of a human being. Like we all resent getting a dressing down in public, so should we give them respect even when we have to point out their shortcomings because they are bound to commit some, many....... Punish the sin, not the sinner. The old and the wise have so succinctly put it, "..... that is why they work as household helpers......" I have to accept this with resignation and compassion. I get easily agitated in certain situations but I have learned to temper my reactions specially with people who have less in life. There are occasional slips and I am still a work-in progress.

A carrot and stick approach could also work well. Reward them justly through salary increases, certain privileges, gifts for good performance. Conversely, a wrongdoing should not go unnoticed and should have repercussions. In a way, depriving them anything falling under the reward system would be punishment enough. The difference in these two approaches are huge, yet they were both used for the same reasons.

The carrot and the stick approach were different approaches used by the British when the got control of Quebec after the Seven Year's War. They knew that right now they were out numbered by the Canadiens, so they had to be careful about how they would decide to keep them from rebelling, yet still enforce laws.

The Stick Approach: The stick approach was an approach which used force and aggression. This approach would not give the opposition a chance to rebel because in a way it was a threat. A supporter of this harsh approach was the British Cononial Secretary, Earl of Shelburne. For example, if the British planned to use this approach on the Canadians, they would: restrict the Roman Catholic religion, send all French government and church officials back to France, give the entire control of the fur-trade to the British merchants, not allow the Roman Catholic practitioners to take part in the government, and restrict the territory of Quebec to a small area.

The Carrot Approach: Unlike the stick approach, the carrot approach used sympathy, and coaxing. This approach is related to dangling a carrot in front of a horses head to get it to move, rather than striking it with a stick. When using this approach the opposition would have a voice in what the new laws should be, and in this case it was used to keep the opposition from rebelling. A supporter of this sympathetic approach towards the Canadians was British Governor, Sir James Murray. For example, if the British were to use this approach towards the Canadians, they would: allow all Roman Catholics to practice their religion freely, allow Roman Catholics and Protestants to take part in the government, allow the French to take part in the government, and allow the French into the interior, yet still giving some territory to the First Nations Peoples.

I thank my household helpers for teaching me patience and compassion. They have taught me the value of human labor. They have opened my eyes and made me reflect on how blessed I am to be where I am.

Every morning each day, I don't tire leaving instructions on how they should use their day to make living at home a pleasant experience for everyone. This morning as I made my final stop at the gate before leaving for work, I was still at it talking to my boy helper on cleaning chores in preparation for an affair on Sunday. Looking back at the closed gate behind me, I trust that things get done today as expected.......

PS: Nagpamiting ang boss ko at mukang bising bisi na naman sila. Bakit ba kailangan ipahalata na bisi ka? Pwede naman na tahimik lang na magtrabaho. Me mga taong sadyang kailangan magpapansin para lang pansinin....... Ang tawag diyan, ganon pa rin...... sipsip!

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Ika 26 ng Mayo 2009: Freakin' Hot

The hot blazing sun hurt my eyes as I made my way to my final jeepney ride going to the office. Summer more than made up for the rains dumped on us last month. The heat is blistering............ it's feels like your skin is being fried or baked. It would have been fine while lazing in the beach. But I was in my long-sleeves polo and slacks lugging a hand bag and a tote bag where I put my school stuff........ why wear long sleeves on a hot, summer day? I ran out of short-sleeves blouses especially reserved for summer, that's why.....

The discomfort adds to my ambivalence in seizing what this day offers. As I walked, I had this strong urge to meet a friend for an early lunch, escape the heat, and relax. I reached for my mobile and called her number. The ringing went on...... I gave myself till I reach the road's bend before hanging up and accepting my fate...... that in the heat of summer, I must go where I fear to tread to do what I have to do......

PS: Lumabas na resulta ng pagsusuri ng service center sa laptop ng anak ko. Ang akala namin na simpleng problema ng di pagkonekta sa wifi ay problema sa motherboard......hay talaga naman......Motherboard, nakakadalawa ka na sa min ha! Di na kita matantiya! Nagtext pa ang asawa ko sa kin na ang halaga ng pagpalit ng motherboard na yan at ng baterya na dapat na rin palitan ay kasing halaga na ng halos dalawang laptop. Ano daw sa palagay ko. Pinag-iisipan pa ba yan!

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Ika 26 ng Mayo 2009: Social Ettiquette

An elderly acquaintance told me that I must be wanting in sleep as I slept the entire time in the van this morning on the way to work. I felt I nearly snored while sleeping. I was aware but was craving for sleep. I know I don't snore as my sleep companions have told me I am a quiet sleeper but I felt that a snore was about to come out of me. It felt like I was short of breath and I breathed deeply to make up for it. I think my tongue was covering the mouth opening and instead of releasing the air, it was blocked. That would have been embarrassing if I snored.

In a situation where people have become familiar and familial at times, these are the kind of things you want to avoid from happening. But sometimes, we cannot help but commit faux pas in certain situations. The shuttle ride is at least an hour long. There are social blunders that are likely to happen. One time, a man was snoring so loudly and you can bet that all eyes were on him. Poor guy must be be sleep deprived or could actually be suffering from sleep apnea. Even talking to one another or on the phone loudly is frowned upon by sleeping passengers. The more courageous ones manifest their wishes only too obviously.

Farting loudly is definitely taboo. But what do you do on those situations when you have beans or rootcrops for breakfast? I guess nobody minds the odorless and silent passing of gas. But the silent and killer ones are atrocious. The loud ones are surely gonna bring in curses even from the most saintly of people. For some funny and psychotic reasons, some co-riders look like they are farters to me.

Nitrogen, the main constituent of air, is the primary gas released during flatulence, along with carbon dioxide which is present in higher quantities in those who drink carbonated beverages regularly. The lesser component gases methane and hydrogen are flammable, and so flatus containing adequate amounts of these can be ignited. However, not all humans produce flatus that contains methane. For example, in one study of the faeces of nine adults, only five of the samples contained archaea capable of producing methane. Similar results are found in samples of gas obtained from within the rectum.

The gas released during a flatus event frequently has an unpleasant odor which mainly results from low molecular weight fatty acids such as butyric acid (rancid butter smell) and reduced sulphur compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg smell) and carbonyl sulphide that are the result of protein breakdown. The incidence of odoriferous compounds in flatulence emissions increases from herbivores, such as cattle, through omnivores to carnivorous species, such as cats.[citation needed] Such odor can also be caused by the presence of large numbers of microflora bacteria and/or the presence of faeces in the rectum.

Less offensive but nevertheless attention catching in a quiet environment is a burp. A burp emerges from the stomach and has a different chemical composition from a fart. Farts have less atmospheric gas content and more bacterial gas content than burps. So there would be less trouble there if someone burps unless you're seated beside the burper and he ate something really disgusting. Belching would be more disgusting and some people, particularly men, take pride in doing it. Cameroon Diaz is famous for her loud belch and even won a belching trophy from the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for it.

Odors are sticky issues too. Once, a woman was insistent that our dispatcher made sure that she and her friends are seated together at the back. She apparently was seated beside somebody who was coughing the previous night..... worse is the person has bad breath.

At any rate, I mind my social etiquette among my co-riders, drivers, dispatchers, and owners of the vans........ Do I fart or belch? Only the dead stops farting. It's in the ability to do these biological reflexes discreetly without causing discomfort or guffaws from other people. Today, it's a good thing that I was able to check myself and no damage was done. Otherwise, I would have to take the bus eternally........

Related Posts:

Fart Facts
Flatulence

PS: Ang tagal ng paghihintay ko para matapos ang serbisyo sa bagong parlor na pinuntahan ko kahapon. Wala kasi ang mga tauhan ng me-ari kaya siya at isang tauhan lang niya ang gumagawa. Yun kasama pa niya massage therapist lang kaya di siya matulungan sa lahat ng serbisyo. Wala talaga siyang pahinga habang papalit-palit siya sa min mga apat na customer niya dun. At karaniwang di lang isa gagawin. Gaya ko, nagpa-hot oil, hair trim, at manicure/pedicure ako. Yun therapist lang niya ang naglagay ng pang-hot oil pero siya na lahat ang gumawa.

Tantiya ko mga limang oras ako dun. Nainip na nga ako at marami pa sana akong pupuntahan. Di na rin ako makaalis at lahat ng gagawin sa kin naumpisahan na. Me nakuha rin naman ako sa paghihintay na yun.

Una nakapag-usap kami sa mga therapists niya na nagpupunta sa bahay. Tinanong ko kasi yun karagdagang bayad sa bawat serbisyo. Nilinaw niya na para sa pamasahe yun at hindi sa lahat ng serbisyo. Sa pag-uusap lumabas din na me mga pagkakataon na nagpalusot yun tao niya sa kanya. Mabuti naman at nakapag-usap kami tungkol dito.

Naikweto rin niya sa kin kung paano siya nagkaparlor. Matagal daw siyang namamasukan lang hanggang sa himukin siya ng mga customers niya na magtayo ng sari niyang parlor. Mga customer din daw niya ang tumulong sa kanya. Ang iba inutang niya. Dati nga daw sa iskwater sila nakatira at pangarap niya na makaalis at mangupahan sa mas magandang lugar. Sa pag-sisikap niya unti-unti niyang natutupag ang kanyang pangarap. Hindi na sila sa iskwater nakatira buong pagmamalaki niya. At kahit papaano nababayaran na niya ang mga utang niya. Nakakatulong pa siya dahil sa pagkuha niya ng mga tauhan sa parlor niya, nabibigyan niya ng kabuhayan ang mga ito at natuturuan pa niya ng pamamaraan sa buhay.

Nasabi ko sa kanya na bilib ako sa galing niya........ At nakikita ko na aasenso pa siya kung patuloy ang magandang patakaran niya sa buhay.

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Ika 24 ng Mayo 2009: The Calm before the Storm

Brainchild's break......

I am anticipating a full week this workweek. I am behind on some school work particularly the preparation of the midterm grades and we are on the last stretch. Finals will be in three weeks. In the office, I am all of a sudden involved in work with the leeches...... not a normal thing. I wonder what the game plan is.

I have to prepare for a long week ahead. Later today, I shouldn't have any distraction and I'll be doing my school stuff so that it wouldn't clash with my office work. Its one of those weeks where I couldn't afford to slack off....

PS: Enrolment na ng mga bata. Gaya ng marami, malaking pera ang kailangan para makapag-aral ang mga anak namin. Dalawa pa lang ang naeenrol namin. Malaking pera ang kailangan ng anak ko na magmemedicine proper. Hindi lang tuition ang gastos..... libro, uniporme, mga gamit, at marami pang iba. Pag nag-aaral na, najan pa yun baon araw-araw. Taon-taon tumataas din ang gastusin sa pag-aaral. Paano na kaya pag sabay-sabay na sa kolehiyo ang mga anak namin? Nakakabahala........

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Ika 23 ng Mayo 2009: Chicken pox, Anyone?

Brainchild's break......

On the way to MS's school to enrol my son. Hubby and I were talking in the car. I told him that ED told me that she needed a booster for chicken pox. All the kids probably need their booster shots. I think we were not able to complete some of the recommended shots for MS. That's the thing about being in the latter part of the order of child birth. It is said that the eldest gets everything while succeeding children get the crumbs.

I always thought that I treat my kids fairly. However, I must admit that indeed MD and MS got the lesser and the least portion respectively of everything needed for their development as they were growing...... Not because we love one more than the other. It's just that more of them are competing for our already limited resources. Then as they grow up, it's just not their physical needs that we need to provide. We need to prepare them for a good future too. As much as we want to give all of them everything in equal share, there are not enough resources always. Think about poor families with ten or more children..... What do they do?

Because ED needs to be healthy and disease-free as she pursues higher learning in her field, she needs to undergo an annual physical examination every year and update her shots. Last she was checked, her hepatitis shot is still active although on the wane. She was advise to get a booster for chicken pox though. She told me to arrange to have her booster shot made or else find someone stricken with chicken pox and just expose her. Both ED and MD dread getting it late in life. I got it just weeks prior to my wedding from my sister and then passed it on to my youngest brother ........ It was the worst feeling one can get...... the pain and then the nerve-wrecking itchiness, not to mention the worry about how I'd look on my wedding day. I'd like to soak myself in alcohol once the itchiness set in. So I totally understand where ED is coming from......

As hubby and I hopped from one errand to another, I was keenly eyeing anyone with the shingles in the hope of granting ED's request......

PS: Ang dami na naman gagawin sa bahay. Ilan bumbilya na naman ang papalitan. Yun dating grounded na mga ilaw, ayan at pundido na naman. Kailangan din maglagay ng switch ng pump sa taas. At ang TVng di inaasahang nagawa kailangan na palagyan ng cable at patungan. Kailangan namin si ........... super.........electrician!

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Ika 22 ng Mayo 2009: Is that a Threat?

MS has been slacking off a bit since his summer classes ended on Wednesday. Today, he is supposed to restart his summer duty, scrubbing the stairs, abruptly cut because of his summer classes.

Yesterday, we had a bit of an altercation. I am disgusted with his new pet, a spider he caught and placed inside a small glass jar with holes on the cover. You know how kids thinks every thing they catch is worth keeping...... Daily, he put flies he catches using the battery operated fly swatter, inside the jar. It's on top of our coffee table. Our napkin consumption has gone up since he started doing this. I discovered that he uses the napkin to get the fly from the swatter. I have been nagging him to release the spider, first appealing to his kindred spirit being an animal lover too. He wouldn't listen and insisted that he is taking care of the spider. I had to be tougher. I warned him that I will throw the whole thing. And guess what? He threatened me back. He said rather menacingly, "Do that and I won't clean the stairs!" I had to back off. He does make a good job of scrubbing the stairs with a rag. It's shiny and clean.

This morning I gently reminded him about his duty as he was lazing on his bed. I went down for breakfast passing by the disgusting jar. I have to devise another plan to dispose of this pest in my house. How do I appeal to a headstrong boy who thinks he can preserve all living creatures by domesticating them? The thought is killing me........

It's the weekend! Ya'y

PS: Hirap naman talagang sumakay sa lumang bus. Pagpasok pa lang amoy luma na. Parang batang gusgusin na marungis pa. Ang traffic pa naman at mahina ang aircon. Maya-maya, isang mama ang humingi ng basahan tumutulo yun aircon sa tapat niya. Buti na lang di ako yun nandun. Hirap non ha.

Kailan ba mapephase out ang mga bus na ganito!!!???

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Ika 21 ng Mayo 2009: Intense

It's past midnight and I just finished watching the delayed telecast of the grand showdown of American Idol over Star World..... And borrowing from Randy, dude it was intense! Adam started the show with his own take on the much raved about "Mad World". Kris sang his signature, "Ain't No Sunshine when She's Gone". The second round had Adam singing "A Change Is Gonna Come" while Kris sang Marvin Gaye's classic "What's Goin' On", one of my favorite songs......oooops, I just gave my age away. Third round had both Adam and Kris singing a song co-written by Kara Dioguardi, "No Boundaries". I saw the rest of the top 13 in the audience. I think I also saw Katie Holmes watching. Carrie Underwood performed "Home Sweet Home" as the closing song, also this season's going home song.



Adam have always kept the judges in awe...... bias is in his favor. Even if I don't appreciate his music and would unlikely buy his record as it can give me a migraine from all his shrieking, I know he is an excellent performer. Kris, with the subtlety of his performance is the clear underdog. In last night's competition, Adam won..... two rounds to one. A vote for Adam is to defy convention, the norm..... If ever he wins, he is the first American Idol to transcend gender, genre, traditions. A vote for Kris is a vote from the heart....... Here is your good-natured boy next door who married his long-time sweetheart, a former homecoming queen; his parent's pride and is his hometown's latest celebrity. The night they sang Michael Jackson, he helped his co-finalists in singing their chosen songs. During the audition, Simon Cowell was quoted as saying that Kris's humility is turning him off. I don't know about Americans but people generally like rooting for the underdog.....a come from behind win is just what we all look forward to. Add to that, Allison's votes are most likely going to Adam while Danny Gokey's would naturally go to Kris and Danny had the greater votes. I also believe and I maybe wrong that there are fewer rocker-voters. Like most people, Adam would be disadvantaged to this blogger because I am voting with my heart.

The intensity of last night had also so much to do with our Enchanted Kingdom adventure. I was trying to recall the last time we were there and that was more than ten years ago, a few months after EK opened in 1995. I had just two daughters then...... Now a welcome addition, MS, actually made us tag along..... it was his school activity after all.

There were lots of new rides...... In our first trip, the log jam was 'the ride' for me and my young daughters..... I think MD was not even permitted in that ride.

4D Discovery Theater, which is part of MS school package, was the first destination. Seats were limited. After waiting for about three batches to finish watching the mini version of the film, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", we finally got in.... The experience got us pleasantly surprised, jagged, jerked, blown away, wet, exposed...... it's neat.....cool....

Rio Grande Rapids, the park's largest attraction, is a wet-and-wild adventure that's guaranteed to make you come back for more. It was a bad choice for a first ride as we were soaking wet emerging from this experience. To dry up, we rode the Flying Fiesta, as suggested by ED, to somehow dry us up......

We tried some other rides and took a break for a bite. MS was rushing us and we had to explain to him that we need not go with his teachers and classmates anymore as we brought our car. That pacified him.

I won't be describing the other rides anymore. But I'd like to especially talk about Anchor Away. Seeing the excitement of people riding it, we were drawn into it although MS would not want to go with us. We actually forced him. I sat opposite the kids to have a vantage point in taking their photos. It started well..... but as it moved up and down repeatedly getting higher and higher, I began feeling woozy.... my stomach was turning..... and our spirits seemed to separate from our body as described by MD later. I was worried about MS who seemed to be grimacing, I kept shouting for him to hold his head high while motioning to ED to look after him. It was a relief when the swinging was done. Let me tell you now this ride is not a good idea after eating....

We were winding down and chose the Log Jam as one of our final rides..... It was way too easy compared to the Anchor Away. To think we were all so excited we had the first time we tried this ride more than ten years ago. As a final ride, we had to go back to Rio Grande expecting to get wet. But we made our plan...... change of clothing after this ride..... and go home to catch the replay of American Idol finals.

I was tired..... but here I am renewed and happy......but also lazy........quite unsure if I am ready to face my day today..... While taking my shower this morning, what do you know..... American Idol's live results night is being shown over Star World..... That's it..... I decided to extend my break just a little bit this morning as I just have to see who wins.......

After more than a hundred million votes, it's underdog, Kris Allen, who is this season's American Idol......


Related Posts:
Revolutions and American Idol
American Idol Upset
Allen throws a wrench into expected 'Idol' outcome
Underdog Wins American Idol Title

PS: Dahil sa pagod, di ko nagising ang panganay kong anak na dapat kasama sa medical mission ng organisasyon nila sa isang urban poor na lugar dito sa Kamaynilaan. Yan pa naman ang kailangan niyang mga gawain para lumawak ang kanyang karanasan sa napiling kurso. Kasabay non ay ang pagmumulat sa kanya sa mga responsibilidad niya bilang isang mabuting mamamayan ng mundong ito.... sayang ang pagkakataon.....

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Ika 20 ng Mayo 2009: Mom Goes Too....

After carefully weighing our options, I have decided to go with the kids to Enchanted Kingdom. If they go by themselves, the add-on cost for the kids' transportation will be the same as with me joining and bringing our car. Besides, I feel like it's a nice day to go out today..... There's no school.... And work is not really a matter of life and death..... Actually, I look forward to every opportunity to miss work. Bonding with the kids is definitely one of those opportunities....

I am not telling the two girls my plan. They take their sweet time preparing if they know we are bringing our own car. MS is not too happy though. He asked why there is a need for me to come. I answered him with a question, "Do you know how to go there?".

As I look forward to what this day has to offer, I am just putting this post before I prepare for our outing. So we need snacks, water, change of clothes, sunblock, caps, and of course the camera to capture our adventure. As I prepare to set out for a fun-filled day, I better put all my troubles behind.....

Today, it's EK for this mom and her kids!

PS: Kahapon, nagdesisyon ako na iparamdam na sa bagong pamunuan ng opisina ang kanyang pagwawalang bahala sa patuloy na nagaganap na kalokohan sa aming opisina. Minabuti ko na kausapin na lang siya ng sarilinan imbes na sumama sa isang miting na kasama ang alagad ng dating pamunuan na puros bolahan lang ang nangyayari. Nagpaunlak naman siya mag-usap daw kami.

Di ko na masyado inaasahan ang pagbabago sa opisinang yon kung saan nakatanim na yata ang pang-aabuso ng mga kasamahan ko gawa ng pagpapalaganap nito ng dating pinuno doon na hanggang ngayon me malaking impluwensiya pa rin sa takbo ng opisina namin kahit wala na siya. Kailangan na siguro ng mas matinding aksyon......

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Ika 19 ng Mayo 2009: Kids' Bonding Time

Unlike the previous summer class he attended, MS seems to have enjoyed himself this time even if he had to sacrifice his computer playtime for it. I don't hear any complaints.... He wakes up by himself. He is aware of the time and prepares himself early...... even eats breakfast and takes a bath at a particular time..... ensuring that he is ready by the time Manong arrives.

His summer classes will end tomorrow with a culminating activity. First, there will be a farewell party in the morning to be capped with lunch at their school. After lunch, they will be headed to Enchanted Kingdom.

His sisters manifested their desire to join him in EK as the activity is meant to be a family affair anyway. Armed with the power to choose, he wields the power in anointing the lucky sister who gets to accompany him on the trip. MD, being his favorite nemesis, is at a disadvantage. Over lunch on Sunday, we cornered him into revealing his choice openly. He smiled sheepishly knowing he has the upperhand. His sisters were jockeying for his favor. He wisely evaded making any commitment even if their Dad who will finance the siblings' outing already informally agreed to his two sisters joining him. He probably wants his sisters to do some arse-kissing......

Today at breakfast, we were still discussing the EK issue. It appears he is letting both sisters join him feigning exasperation at being asked repeatedly. The three of them actually enjoy siblings bonding moments. There was a time ED treated MD and MS to arcade games and snacks. They enjoyed it immensely and MS asked his sisters when they could have another one soon. Barring any fortuitous events, it looks like the siblings are off to another fun-filled adventure tomorrow.

On the way to work this morning, I smiled at the thought of how my kids love each other's company. Then it dawned on me that when we are complete, there are bound to more bickering among the three of them. Are kids happier going out minus the parents? I wonder why..........

PS: Langya talaga tong mga Yellow Boys ng Makati. Hinuli yun sinasakyan kong van..... napagtripan at luma na kasi. Kesyo wala daw markings na exlusive sa village namin yun service. Nagpapaliwanag yun driver at ipinapakita yun mga papeles niya.... ayaw pakinggan at ayaw basahin..... di kaya marunong magbasa yun?

Palapit sa destinasyon ko, mga nakaitim naman na mga ....... ano nga ba sila, taga MMDA o DENR o Munisipyo na mga smoke belchers ang pinupunturya. Sana nga totoo.... pero yun mga jeepney na nagbubuga ng maitim na usok na dumadaan, ayun at malayang malayang namamayagpag at di pinapansin. Mga pribadong sasakyang ang pinagdidiskatahan. Comento ng driver ng van na sinasakyan ko, "Nakapagbayad na kasi!".

Kahapon naman mga taga Munisipyo naman ng Las Piñas na sinusuri yun mga friendship stickers ng mga sasakyan na taga Las Piñas kung peke o totoo. Yun friendship sticker ay nagbibigay ng pribilehiyo sa mga taga Las Piñas na dumaan sa mga pribadong subdivisions at villages na kasama sa Friendship route upang makaiwas sa traffic. Libre lang ito sa residente. Pero kataka-taka na napakaraming tao ang meron nito na hindi residente. Mukang ilang negosyanteng kawani ng munisipyo at ang kanilang mga galamay ay ginawang negosyo ito. Dahil malaking ginhawa, marami na rin nemeke nito para makadaan sa friendship route. Kahapon, nahuli si Manong sa pagsundo sa anak kong bunso dahil sa pagiinspekson ng mga taga munisipyo. Kesyo kailangan daw nakadikit sa windshield. Swerte na nagkaron si manong nito. Binigay daw ng isang kaibigan. Pero luma nga lang kaya nakadikit sa karton at nakatape sa windshield. para wag na siya maabala, umikot na lang si manong.

Asahan natin na madadalas na naman ang mga hulihan at enrolment na naman kasi eh!

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Ika 18 ng Mayo 2009: Monday Mixed Nuts

I had a restful weekend. I paced my tasks so as not to be overwhelmed by it all. I should always tell myself that I can't do everything. Yet, there are days that I violate this self-written rule.

This weekend I watched the American Idol Season 8 Marathon..... from 1:00pm up to 10:00pm. I think that it has been programmed that the marathon be shown the weekend before the finals since the show gained popularity. I had the chance to watch shows that I missed. I even squeezed in errands between and during shows. I especially relished watching the night they featured the standards/ballads/jazz which is one of the two shows I missed during its regular run when my TV broke ...... the top 5 where Matt Giraud was eliminated. All five contenders are good but unfortunately there is only one American Idol.

One of the tasks I did while watching the show was my DIY on my bathroom door. My DIY project is a success! My bathroom door looks awesome with the Magnolia design that I chose. I think I would be asking my friend, V........, or my other friends and relatives coming here to buy some more Artscape window film for my other window and door treatment.

All of this should be making me feel good about myself going to work today... I had my day planned out. There is one errand to do before I buckle down to work .... pay my credit card bill. I have to withdraw money to do this. It's actually an errand that breeds other errands..... the kind we all have...... I was set to go out to do this before lunch. I got my credit card statement. I took my umbrella out because the sun is blazing hot like an Idol's performance..... Then, it dawned on me that I forgot my passbook. This is one of the passbook account I maintain because I don't want to be tempted into withdrawing money all the time........ darn. I can't withdraw without a passbook as this is not my bank branch..... and my credit card is due........ My pleasant Monday suddenly took a detour.

PS: Kanina habang nasa traffic sa SLEX, nakakita ako ng isang CNG powered bus, nakasulat dito na proyekto ng gobyerno. Nung nagtratrabaho pa ako sa isang international organization, isa itong paggamit ng CNG sa mga sasakyan ang mga solusyon na isinusulong namin sa mga bansang tinutulungan namin. Salamat naman at nadaragdagan na ang mga initiatibo tungo sa pagsusulong ng kalikasan dito sa bansa natin.

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Ika 17 ng Mayo 2009: DIY for the Unskilled

Brainchild's break.....

I have this project today..... a window treatment I'd use for my bathroom door. My bathroom door is made of white hard plastic with a fiberglass top portion that has a design. One time while I was cleaning my bathroom, I scrubbed the door and the design made of a very thin fragile material was damaged. I have been thinking what to do with that door since.

I was thinking of stickers or something similar. But I couldn't find the right design or one big enough. Then , I came across this artscape decorative window film and I know I have come across the right product. I am not sure if we already have this product here. I have not seen one in the big hardware stores or houseware shops in here. I tried to find one in HK when we went there but I didn't find it in Ikea either. I know shops in the US sell it. So when my friend, V........, was asking me what I want her to buy for me going home from Canada, I thought about this product. She found the product in one of the bigger stores in Canada and bought one for me. Thanks to my jetsetter friends, I can always find stuff for my home anywhere.

I am testing my skills in DIY which is actually so-so, later today. I have to carefully read the instruction or my careless hand might just ruin this entire project. Wish me luck..........

PS: Gusto kong isipin na balang araw na matatag na sa buhay ang mga anak ko at me kanya kanyang buhay na sana magkakasama pa rin sila......... kahit hindi sa isang bahay kundi kahit sa isang lugar. Nagkataong bakante pa yun mga lupa sa paligid namin namin. Kaya sa pagbibiruan naming mag-anak minsan, sinasabihan namin ang panganay kong anak na pag natapos na siya, bilhin niya yun lupa sa tabi namin at sa harapan namin. Yun sa tabi namin para sa mga hayop namin. Yun sa harap para sa kanya. Yun pangalawa ko pang anak naman binibiro din namin ng ganon. Bilhin niya yun isang lupa sa tabi ng bibilhin ng ate niya. At itong bahay namin ngayon ay mapupunta sa kapatid nilang bunso na lalaki...... Bakit daw sabi ng dalawang anak kong babae....

Biruan ito na me bahid ng katotohanan...... Masarp isipin na sana nga balang araw magkakasama pa rin at di magbago ang pagiging malapit nila sa isa't isa.

Kahapon nung palabas ako, sinabi ng kasama naming lalake na me mga inhinyero sa nagsusukat sa harapan ng bahay. Babakuran na raw ang bakantaeng lote. Bago ako umalis, nagusyoso ako.... Totoo nga, isang intsik daw ang bumili ng tatlong bahagi ng lupa...... Sa isang linggo babakuran na daw.

Ay di na matutupad ang pangarap naming mag-anak...... Bakante pa ang tabing lupa namin...... sana wag na munang ipagbili o bahayan ng me-ari....... sana rin ipagbili niya pag kaya na naming or ng mga anak namin na bilhin...... sana......

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Ika 16 ng Mayo: Summer's Back

Brainchild's break......

This weekend has to be meaningful. I need to do some home improvement. Lately, I am getting tired of the look of my home. I need to spruce it up a little. I need to declutter too...... My suking Mr. Junkyard is always very pleased to see me with my offering. Some stuff needs to be given or freecycled...... I consider this my regular contribution to saving my very own Earth.

I am glad that summer's back. I can do more things with a sunny weather than overcast skies. The cool showers in the early evening is a welcome respite too...... Indeed, it's a good day to do my summer tailend cleaning.

PS: Matapos kong tanggapin na wala ng pag-asang magawa ang TV ko, tumawag sa kin ang huling technician na pinagdalahan ko nito at malugod na ibinalita sa kin na gawa na ang TV ko......ye....yehey? Di ako makapaniwala na magagawa pa ang tinamaan ng kulog na TV na yon...... wala na nga akong balak kunin. Mamaya ay kukunin ko na ito..... magkakasama na naman kami muli....... pero me iba na nga pala ako..... pano na yan?

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Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Let me borrow the famous quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, immortalized in songs, movies, and used by lovers in their secret message to their loved ones......

My son cries out for the uncle and cousin he misses..... In his account to us as we were having breakfast a day after his uncle and his family left, he had done so four times, twice in school and twice at home, without letting anybody see him. The other night, his sister caught him crying again as he was throwing the tissue he used. I was not home yet. He told his sister he misses his uncle.

I am dealing with my own pain on my brother's decision to seek a better life in another land. But my son hurting expand the dimension of my own pain........ I never realized that my brother and his son have made that much of an impact in my son's life. Being still a child, I thought that he would just miss playtime with his cousin. The following morning I went to his room and carefully explained to my son why my brother had to make that difficult decision. He nodded as he tried to understand the reasons why he should lose people who matter to him as a time they consider them to be part of his life. Maybe, it would take some time before he would be able to accept and understand these reasons. I told him it is ok to cry sometimes to ease his pain.......

Just as tears refreshes the soul, so can parting bring hope..... of seeing someone missed sometime...... that would be when bitter turns sweet ......

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Ika 15 ng Mayo 2009: Then, There's Two

Danny Gokey was eliminated..... and I like the guy. It's not that the other two are not good. They all are as the judges said that this season of American Idol may be one of the toughest results nights in its history. Indeed it was...... Kris Allen is the formidable darkhorse, the musician with a knack for good song choices and good arrangement. Adam Lambert is the consistent performer who wowed everyone, myself included, with his provocative rendition of "Track of my Tears". Since then, this rocker became one of the judges favorites. He is a likeable guy but rock is just not my genre. Like him, Allison Iraheta might be good but I am not into their music.

Early on, Danny was seen as a shoo-in to the finals. The guy is good. It's just that the other contestants also began making their marks as the competition went on. Danny also has a good story to tell...... His wife who encouraged him to join the singing competition passed away a month before his audition. His poignant love story adds to his appeal. When he and his best pal who saw him through his pain both made it to Hollywood, Danny just had to make it to the top 12. His friend didn't make it but he did so easily and quite expectedly. There may be some performances where he fell short of the great expectations on him but overall, he delivered a solid performance in his entire AI journey.

Last night, he sang his final song, "You are so Beautiful", with the soul of someone who feel and believe it so....... his hoarse voice revealing an emotion so raw, it left him vulnerable. Watching him perform the song again more beautifully than the the previous night, I can't help but feel how he adored his wife. I will miss the guy........ his good looks, his shy smile and his soulful eyes. I had to watch him sing again in the replay this morning after arguing with MS on who gets TV rights while having breakfast ....... that voice is really haunting. As I made my way to work this morning, I can still hear Danny singing, "you are so beautiful to me........." hoping at least somebody thinks I do........

Next week, I am sure we will all expect fireworks as two powerful performers battle it out for the coveted title of the American Idol. Who is your bet?

PS: Mahirap pala ang magstud ng aso. Akala ko pag mahilig yun aso, madali na nila gawin sa iba yun. Kaya ako naman, isinama ko ang serbisyong stud service sa aking pet site. Swerte naman na me sumagot sa ad ko na yon. Itinakda namin ang araw ng pagstud. Kinontak ko ang shooter at di ko naman alam gawin yun.

Nung dumating na ang araw na yon, akala ko ay kayang gawin ng aso ko yon ganon bagay kahit walang shooter at ginagawa na niya sa mga aso naming babae. Kahit anong pigil ko ay nakukuha pa ring niyang gawin. Aba, nagulat ako at hindi pala ganon. Ayaw ng parehong lalaking aso ko na parang pinipilit sila na gawin ang isang bagay na natural nilang nagagawa, sa harap ng maraming tao. Aba at nahihiya rin yata sila..... Matapos ang ilang ulit, napagdesisyunan namin na iwanan na lang ang asong babae at hayaan na magkakilala silang mabuti at gawin ng kusa ang dapat mangyari. Matapos na magsama ng magdamag ang aso kong lalaki at asong babae, kahapon ay matagumpay na silang nakapagstud bagama't me konting pagtutol nung una. Mamaya ay ang pangalawang pag-sstud. mahigpit ang bilin ko sa mga kasama ko na pagpahingahin ang mga aso bilang paghahanda sa mangyayari mamayang gabi......

Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng isang bugaw........

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Ika 14 ng Mayo 2009: The Baby is Now a Lady

I had to wake up ED this morning as instructed because she will go to the Comelec to register as a first time voter and later to school to have her measurements for their uniform taken. So apparently, I have an adult daughter already. Next year, she will exercise her right to suffrage. When I look at her, I still see my little daughter. A few years back, I was having problems on how she will be commuting to and from school. For a long time, she didn't know how to commute until she was forced to learn......

She had to attend a summer camp, the Ateneo Junior Summer Camp, in Ateneo for the top students of schools nationwide. We tried her living in my brother's home in QC. After only two weeks, she wanted to just come from our home as she is uncomfortable living with relatives. No talk could dissuade her from changing her mind even if she had to wake up at 4:00am so we could leave at 5:00am. I was forced to go to work so early. My brother and I taught her the way to Ateneo using the MRT and LRT. At first, I would accompany her until Cubao and my brother would meet her there for the transfer going to Katipunan. In time, she learned to do it by herself. Her mobility was still restricted as she doesn't know how to commute elsewhere.

In her senior year in high school, she told me that she was the only one who wasn't commuting in her school. I asked even M......, the tiniest girl in her class. She said yes, even M...... I thought about it and gave her the go signal to commute to school and back home whenever the bus couldn't pick her up. Later, she learned about the other places she and her friends go to in the area. Still, her movement was restricted. Often, we would fetch them after their get together with friends.

When she chose to study in UP Manila, I knew I had to let go and just pray for my kids' safety. My kids have been so cloistered..... yes, I am guilty as charged. But times are different now. There's are so many bad elements and influences around us that raising kids to be independent becomes a tricky question. It's not just because I had intended to be strict with my children. With so much criminality around us, I cannot help but be fearful for my kids' safety.

In my times, I was left on my own in my elementary years. We walked to and from school passing by a railroad track. Sometimes, we would ride a tricycle, any tricycle. Our parents were certain we would be home safely. I got lost before and some kind souls brought me to our house. It's different now. One cannot walk along a railroad track without being mugged, robbed, or worst, raped or murdered. Some public utility drivers can be drug users who can do just about anything when on a high. If you get lost today, there's never an assurance you'd get back as you might be trafficked and sold to white slavery. A lot of things concern parents today. Raising kids who are independent and well-balanced is harder than it was.......

I know I had to let go sometime..... I am doing that slowly. ED is going to more places now. She has learned how to drive a car which to me is the ultimate symbol of women's independence as it it gives her more options. She is also doing more things by herself. Registering with the Comelec is her own initiative. I used to think that she doesn't care about elections in this country. I guess I am wrong. To Mar, Villar, Legarda, Lacson, Fernando, Binay, Noli, et. al, my daughter will vote for one of you next year. What have you got to offer her and the rest of our youth more than your premature TV campaigns......

In due time, she will finish her course and hopefully become a doctor. I used to take care of her. I am seeing a role reversal in the near future. Though she remains a homebody, she is going places now. She is expected to carry on more adult responsibilities as time goes by. Right now, she is a young lady blossoming gracefully into the real world. Yet to me, she will always be my baby!

As we parted way this morning at the junction, I looked at her making her way to the bus. I could only mutter to myself, "There goes my baby......"

PS: @#$%^&**#$%^&&*...... Gusto ko batukan ang sarili ko. Ang aga ko umalis at inayos ko pa ang mga gamit na dadalhin ko kanina ng walang pagmamadali. Kampanteng kampante ako at maaliwalas lahat...... Pagdating ko opisina at kinuha ang libro ko para gumawa ng lektyur ko habang lunch break..... anak ng kabayo..... mali pala ang nadampot kong libro...... buset talaga! Akala ko magiging maganda ang takbo ng araw na ito sa kin.... ayan naumpisahan na ako ng swerte!

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Ika 13 ng Mayo 2009: Shoe Mishaps

Not today, last night actually......... I can laugh about it now...... But last night, I was miserable walking with a limp........ and its no joke.....

After school, I was walking along my usual route to the shuttle terminal when I lightly tripped and one of the flaps of my step-in sandal broke.........waaahhhhhhhh! I was about halfway to my destination when it happened. If I go back to school and ask for help which may not be available, I'd spend the same time heading to the terminal. Chances are also that the shoe sizes of the two ladies in school are not the same as mine. It was late at night and the shops were closed. I can't walk on my bare foot...... that would be too gross for an OC like me. I continued waking dragging my broken sandal along. It was difficult........ I tried to avoid walking where the throngs are going and went by a route that is less traveled. People were passing me by...... I limped on praying that the thong my toes are precariously holding to, do not give way. When the terminal was in view, I saw that SM was still opened. I thought about replacing my sandal. On second thought, I was almost there..... I would walk the same distance if I cross the street to go to SM.... Besides, I don't want to buy just any sandals or shoes that I may not have use for later. I decided to just go on.... Finally, I reached the terminal, took my ride, and off we went........ Upon reaching our village, I took a tricycle because my sandals are in no condition to walk. I got home inspite of that little mishap.....

I am no strange to shoe or sandal mishaps. I think I have at least four of these accidents. One of these involves a pair of clogs I bought in HK. It's a known brand but I couldn't remember the name. I love that sandals so much. It's a step-in closed clogs. I didn't wear it immediately and kept it until the right occasion to flaunt it comes about. It took some time.... a long time actually before it came. I finally wore it to the office because I had an affair to go to in the evening. I was so proud wearing it for the first time, even showing it off to friends. It was fine the entire morning. Towards noon, I felt that the enclosed portion is becoming loose. I didn't mind it at first but as I walked, it became more loose until the front would show a gaping hole. I insisted on wearing it. But by mid afternoon, the whole covering was detached from the cork sole. I had to ditch it for a spare shoes I kept in the office. I wanted it repaired but the shoe repair shop couldn't even remedy it. The seams can no longer hold the cover...... sucks! That's when I learned that we cannot keep shoes for a long time in a box unable to breathe. Being a collector of shoes in the past, this same thing happened to a number of shoes.

But a shoe mishap that sticks to mind happened in one of MS's important events in his old school. I think it was hist first holy communion because hubby and I were part of the offerors. We put on our Sunday's best. Of course, I had to choose a pair of shoes to match my outfit. It was early when we came so hubby decided to pay the kids' school dues while I accompanied MS to his classroom which was their assembly area. When their adviser told them to line up to go the church, I went off to meet up with hubby going to the church. As I was walking, I felt a strange feeling from under me like I was slowly losing my shoes. Every step I take made the shoes more loose ......... until the entire top was detached. I couldn't even make use of the sole because there was nothing there to hold my foot..... not a strand or string....... I couldn't help but laugh at myself for looking so foolish walking with one shoe while holding the top of the other one. Some construction workers working in the school that time were taunting me pointed out the obvious upon seeing me. I couldn't even defend myself from such assault and just ignored the whole thing. I proceeded to the accounting area hoping to find hubby there but he was no longer there. I called him up and told him what happened. I asked him to bring my rubber shoes which was in the car. Rubber shoes to match with my Sunday's best..... yeah, right! But better be wearing the rubber than going barefoot when we join the offertory march later.

As I was waiting for hubby, my stomach began acting up strangely. I ended up rushing to the toilet tiptoeing and balancing with just one shoe on. I was sweating and I let go of my misery...... I was trying to rush as I knew that hubby will be there around that time. When I came out, there was still no one. I called hubby asking where he was. He said that he was on his way to the church. Apparently, he came to the accounting office but didn't find me. he returned the rubber shoes to the car......+"(&*@!#$$$%&&* I explained to him that I had to rush to the washroom because of an upset stomach. He grudgingly obliged to getting my shoes again. While waiting for him the second time, MS's guidance counselor came and was heading for the church telling me that the mass has started. I showed her my foot and explained what happened telling her that I was waiting for hubby. She asked for my shoe size....... and lo and behold, we have the same shoe size. She went back to her office to get her shoes and gave it to me. I called hubby again to tell him I solved my problem. He could return the shoes to the car. He was irritated...... Despite what happened, hubby and I were able to go about the offering without further hitches. Without an idea what happened, MS had his first holy communion.

Today, I am wearing another sandal that have given me the same problem in the past. It's a black sandals with a unique shape and what I see as an Egyptian pattern. I like these sandals a lot. It's versatile too as it goes well with just about anything. I frequently wear it to the office..... changing into my spare office black shoes when I have a meeting or other important events. One night on my way home, the thong fastened loosely between my toes gave way..... luckily just a short distance to the shuttle terminal. I just dragged the sole with the strap hanging on to my foot going to the terminal. Being a favored shoes, I had the thongs replaced. I think it will be good for many more months of use. Until then, I have to watch my step all the time...........

PS: Wala pa rin email galing sa kapatid ko. Nakarating na kaya sila ng maayos? Malamang naman at madami ang nagdarasal para sa kanilang ligtas na biyahe.....

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