Ika 8 ng Nobyembre 2008

Brainchild's break.....

My son's teacher texted that my son's PTC will be held today although I got a letter scheduling the PTC this coming Tuesday. Of course, I have to say yes having missed the first one. That would be unforgivable if I miss it a second time. That definitely altered my Saturday sked. I haven't had a regular weekend for the past three weeks.

Hubby was out early even missing breakfast for a badminton tournament.This morning while preparing the breakfast table, my helper asked if her day-off tomorrow can be reset today. Of course, i can't agree to it. I hope I am not violating a human right for not allowing my helper to reset her day-off.

Anyway, my own human rights have been trampled upon many times over. Everyboby has a break. I NEVER HAVE A BREAK, FCOL!

PS: Ano kaya sasabihin ng guro ng anak ko sa kin? Kinakabahan ako, Mag-isa pa naman ako. Yun mga nabulatlat kong pagsusulit ng anak ko, pasado naman ang marka, matataas pa nga. Sa pagpupumilit ko, namemorya na niya ang multiplication table. Me ginawa kayang kalokohan? Wala naman akong nababasa sa diary?

Dapat ba akong kabahan?

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Ika 7 ng Nobyembre 2008

Just when I thought I am over the euphoria on the historic Obama win and think that the hard issues now need to be addressed......... Iraq and Afghanistan wars, recently the Congo refugees, the continuing financial crisis, US presence in Asia, maybe global warming...... then I am seeing dogs and puppies of all kinds gracing early morning shows and news coverage of the recently concluded US election. And why is that so?

That was coming when President-elect Obama uttered in his victory speech".....Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House............" I knew instantly that would be the next media fodder along with Michelle's dress during the victory address, Palin's $150,000 wardrobe, and other incidentals........ Suddenly, the search is on for the first puppy.

Trivial pursuit is the name of the game. It's maddening how media can talk about dogs in a world full of despair. I am a dog-lover so I don't really mind but something hit me as I watched these talk show hosts displaying puppies and dogs of all kinds in their shows and I'm turned off. I actually find Obama's consenting to his daughters' request heart-warming showing that beyond the all-too powerful figure he suddenly is right now, he is still the father of two adoring kids. I know we have not seen the end of this..... watch how media will play up this angle in the coming days. That's why our world have gone to the dogs...... apologies to my favorite canine creatures. I think it's time to switch back to regular programming........

I hope Obama is not the type who gives in to this.... but I have seen him danced and so did Michelle in the Ellen Degeneres Show.... Ellen even commented that Michelle is the better dancer. President Obama if you could please cut out the show and get back to business.... you have a world to take care of and some very hard decisions to make.

But should you need a first puppy, I would be very much willing to have you adopt any of my puppies; Toby, Chocknut, or Meiji or even all three, in that way you have a first puppy, a second puppy, and a third puppy. We have been looking for a good home for them and the White House and its grounds will surely be to their liking. I am sure too that the puppies will have first nannies as well. While we are at it, I'd like to mention the other animals in my abode.... our fishes, rabbits, birds, hamsters, and chickens.... all too willing to be adopted by the 44th President of the US.

I ask for nothing in return..... just a chance to visit my animals annually and whenever the need arises. So please give immigrant status to me and my family and our next of kins, President Obama. And if it wouldn't be asking too much, our neighbors and perhaps the whole barangay would appreciate getting multiple ten-year visas too.

Well, if you can't lick 'em, join 'em.....

PS: Biyernes pero me pasok sa eskwelahan. Sarap pa naman maglakwatsa kasama mga kaibigan. Pero ganito talaga ang buhay....... kailangan kumayod...... walang magagawa. Kaya walang gimik ngayon araw ng gimikan sa isang hamak na manggagawa......

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Ika 6 ng Nobyembre 2008

So early in the morning and so many errands.....

I had to accompany my eldest daughter to school for her enrollment. She obtained a student's loan and a parent has to sign the promissory note as co-maker. The enrollment for the second term is ill-timed. The balance of her bother's tuition has to be paid as well. Only middle daughter's tuition was paid in full. The only money in sight is the Christmas bonus and 13th month-pay pay to be given way too late for enrollment. So we had to source for the lowest short-term credit we could find. Relatives and friends are in the same predicament. Everyone has a child attending school. Only option is bank and other financial institutions who charges not so friendly interest rates..... the woes of a working class parent with the obligation to give their children the best education they can afford..... only sometimes we go overboard in ensuring that our children get a good headstart in life. Unfortunately, companies here look at schools in hiring employees.

Fortunately for us, UP Manila extends student's loan at very low rates. And we wouldn't pass on this one. This is the second time that my daughter will avail of this loan which is paid promptly when hubby receives his Christmas windfall...... which explain why we can't have a very merry Christmas. To godchildren, nieces, and nephews, friends, and loved one, I hope you understand why sometimes you don't see us during Christmas......

By next year my eldest daughter will enter Medicine Proper...... I often wonder how we will breeze through her next 5 years in school with middle daughter entering college two years after and thinking about taking medicine too .... It sucks that UP's Socialized Tuition Fee assistance Program penalizes middle class like me. The 300% tuition fee increase hurt us but we accepted it as I also believe that UP's cost of education is way too low. What I cannot accept is having to pay 150% more for falling above a certain income bracket. The income bracketing needs serious review. That particular income level has been eroded by inflation not to mention that it fails to consider other circumstances like number of children and other family expenditure like rent, medical fees, and basic necessities. It's a school known for her brilliant economists. I know because I am also a product of its School of Economics. My former professor and ex-NEDA chief, Dr. Felipe Medalla authored the STFAP. Why don't you do us, struggling working class, a favor and review the scheme. I am taking a strong position on this because we are affected.

From UP, I had to pass my own school to submit my final grades and get my check for the review exams I conducted. I was there lunch time and had to tete-a-tete with some people. As a result, I was late even for the afternoon portion of work.

I still went to the office as I was waiting for somebody sent by my banker friend who will pick up important documents from me in connection with another loan we are applying for...... He didn't come and totally mess up my schedule. That means that has to be squeeze in tomorrow.........aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgh

I might as well file today as a leave....... I can't even have work-life balance..... something's gotta to give....

PS: Me bagyo na naman..... si Quinta at di maintindihan ang panahon. Nung umalis kami ng anak ko ng bahay, umuulan kaya nakajacket kami. Pagdating namin sa eskwelahan, umaaraw naman at ang init. Nung papunta na ako ng eskwelahan ko, makulimlim pero mainit. Habang nasa eskwelahan, umulan. Pag labas ko umaambon, maya maya umaaraw. Nang makarating ako opisina, maaraw na. Nang sumilip ako sa labas umuulan na naman. Makulimlim nagyon malapit na uwian. Makauwi na nga lang at di ko na talaga magets ang panahon........

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Ika 5 ng Nobyembre 2008

From yesterday, I have been eagerly awaiting results of the US Presidential election. I was switching channels from my regular TV viewing to CNN and BBC from last night till this morning. There was excitement in the air even if the results are all too predictable.

I went to the office as election results were being tallied. All major dallies still carry the US elections as headline news that you would hardly notice that the financial crisis is still hurting economies, oppressive governments are still abusing their people, war is raging in some countries, famine and epidemic still plague Africa..... The world would not stop spinning as we await the winner. As the smoke clears, the newly elected American president will hit the ground running.....


As I write this, word have it that McCain conceded...... Congratulations President Barrack Obama...... we are going into a new world order. Wow, that's technology working for us. Now, my question is when will we have the kind of election that leaves no room for doubts, manipulation, cheating, and violence. This US elecion showed us Democracy at work..... with the winner emerging magnanimous in victory and the loser gracious in defeat. How I wish our politicians can emulate this gesture instead of the usual crap they dish..... In our elections there are no winners or losers..... only cheaters and the cheated. I wish that I would be voting online in the next Presidential Election. That's less than two years from now and it might just be wishful thinking.....

Now since I couldn't vote, I contented myself by making a bet with my brother, a rabid McCain supporter. At stake is a dinner, the venue has not been agreed upon. I would be cashing on my win very soon.......

Related Posts:

"Change has come to America"
Obama wins historic US election

PS: Kani-kanina kachat ko ang kaibigan ko na dito rin nagtratrabaho sa ahensiyang pinapasukan ko pero sa ibang opisina. Nagbubuhos siya ng sama ng loob sa boss niya na sa tingin niya ay pinag-iinitan siya gawa ng kanilang di magandang engkwentro kamakailan.

Ako ang pinag-sasabihan niya ng ganitong problema... inihihinga lang at minsan nanghihingi ng payo. Itong kaibigan kong ito medyo mahina ang loob sa mga ganyan bagay. Siya ang taong takot sa pagbabago. Kaya kadalasan marami siyang pinagsisisihang bagay na di niya nagawa.

Magkaiba kami dito. Di ako takot sa pagbabago. Kaya nakailang palit, balik, at dagdag na ako ng trabaho. Syempre halo-halo ang karanasan.... meron mabuti, meron di mabuti. Pero kahit ano pa nangyari, lagi ginagawa kong panuntunan yun para matuto.

Isa pang pagkakaiba namin ay yun di ko pagtanggap sa pang-aabuso ng mga boss. Yun kaibigan ko hindi siya magsasalita at tatanggapin lang. Maraming tao dito sa opisina ang ganyan. Pero hindi ako..... Kung sa pagawaan siguro ako nagtratrabaho, baka labor leader ako.

Kung me mga kaibigan akong naaapi at nagsabi sa kin, nagbibigay payo ako. Syempre, me kaakibat na bunga yan gaya ng mga paghihigpit at pagpuna sa mga kilos at paninira sa ibang tao. Naranasan ko lahat yan. Pero basta di ka lumalabag sa batas, kayang harapin lahat yan. Nagkataon na dito sa Pilipinas, makapangyarihan ang mga bosabos, este boss pala. Marami rin ang hayok sa kapangyarihan. Nasa middle management na rin naman ako pero nahihirapan pa rin akong maintindihan ang mga abusadong boss.

Bakit ba nabigyan lang ng kaunting kapangyarihan tong mga ito, akala mo hawak na nila ang buhay ng mga empleyado. Nagiging makabuluhan tuloy yun kasabihan na

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

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Ika 4 ng Nobyembre 2008

This is the day that history will be made for Americans as they cast their votes to elect their 44th President. Even as the rest of the world go about their usual business and routines, we are watching the event unfolds.

As the veteran McCain tries a last ditch effort to win the coveted position, all indications point to a win by the idealistic Obama. Propagandists from both camps are pulling all plugs to the homestretch of this election. I have not seen an election so closely watched by everyone. Even my son has made his choice which was influenced by my brother. As it is, we are rooting for opposing candidates. I am not embracing the entire platform of each candidate hook, line, and sinker. There are certainly some agenda on each side that run counter to some of my beliefs and values.......that cannot change. I might be choosing the lesser of two evils from my perspective. But my greater motivation in the choice that I made stems from my fear of a world in shambles and a desire to have a world at peace where rights and individuality are respected. I have not seen war at its face in my lifetime but I have seen enough oppression to want peace at all cost. Peaceful co-existence does not have to be the sole look-out of one superpower. If a candidate shares that point of view, then I am for him.

We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers....... Martin Luther King

I was quite disappointed when I reached the office and couldn't access my blogger account. It happened a number of times when I wanted badly to write about something and the ideas are flowing out like lava......then I experienced this...... By the time I was able to access my account, I lost my momentum as I was doing something else. So the writing takes on a different turn as I have lost track of the train of thought. Oh well, technology can't be perfect....

By the same token, technology would allow us to know who the next President of the most powerful country will be in less than 24 hours. Whoever gets elected to that unenviable position, may your shoulders be broad enough to carry the world. As tough decisions need to be made in tough times, do use your heart and mind in deciding for the world.....

Please cast a conscientious vote! The world is watching..... I have secretly cast my vote for a change which remains the same to this date.

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall - think of it, ALWAYS............ Mohandas Gandhi

PS: Papasok sa opisina, sumakay ako ng jeepney papunta sa Alabang kung saan sasakay ako ng bus. Nagbayad ako kaagad ng sampung piso. Bago ako, me nagbayad na rin na babae na humihingi ng sukli sa drayber. Yun kasabay ko na nagbayad ng singkwenta pesos, sinuklian agad ng drayber. Naghintay ako sukli kaya di ko pa pinasok sa bag ang lagayan ko ng barya...... parang walang paki ang drayber. Di ako nakatiis kaya hiningi ko rin ang sukli ko na binigay naman.

Yun mga ganyang gimik ng drayber ilan beses din nagyari sa kin o sa ibang pasahero. Minsan nahihiya na ako o yun iba na kunin kasi barya lang naman yun sukli. Pero minsan parang nakakainis din na bale wala lang sa kanila na di ka suklian. Mabuti man lang sana kung sinabi niya na wala siyang barya. Pero hindi parang wala siyang obligasyon na suklian kami. Minsan pa paririnigan ka pa na barya lang naman hinihingi pa.

Kung sa ganyan kaliit na halaga di nila kayang maging tapat, paano pa sa malalaking halaga. Kaya pag nakakabalita ako ng mga drayber ng pampublikong sasakyan na nagbabalik ng naiwan na gamit o pera, natutuwa ako at meron pa rin palang matitinong drayber.

Related post:
America votes

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Ika 3 ng Nobyembre 2008

Another dragging day...... I was so tempted to take a leave. But decided against it because of my class later. It's the first day of classes for us. I might be dragged into missing my class as well if I miss work.... So I went to work on this rainy Monday morning.

Last night, hubby and I went to a faraway place and got caught in a traffic jam from the post All Saints' Day crowd who decided to pay respect to their departed loved ones yesterday. Well, this trip has something to do with his new passion, birds. I was just the willing cohort. We came home tired but fulfilled from our find.

The activities also affected my school work. Up to now, I have not submitted my final grades for the previous term. I promised myself that it will be done this week..... so help me God. I also have another difficulty to hurdle. One of my subjects is the Legal Environment for Businesses..... It would be a breeze I thought to myself. I handled the subject before.... When the syllabus was given to me, I learned rather belatedly that it will be the legal environment in UK..... Too late to back out now. I should be doing my research.....

I still have backache from the weekend activities as I try to make it through this day......

PS: Naaliw lang ako sa usapang ito na natanggap ko sa email kaya gusto kong ibahagi sa iba. Malay natin baka magamit natin to pagsakay natin sa jeepney.

JEEP PASSENGER: manong bayad.
JEEP DRIVER: saan galling?
JEEP PASSENGER: sa akin.
JEEP DRIVER: papunta saan?
JEEP PASSENGER: sayo

Babala: Sarili niyong pananagutan kung anuman man mangyari sa inyo kung sakaling gamitin ito.

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Ika 2 ng Nobyembre 2008

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

Yesterday's observance of All Saints' Day mean my inability to do some of my regular weekend tasks. So today, I am rushing to accomplish as much as I can. But by late morning, it became apparent that I simply cannot do all things and accepted that I have put too much on my plate and thought more realistically. In fact, a lot of what I set out to do remains to be accomplished as of now.

BIL and family arrived in our homes about 10:00am yesterday. My helpers began packing stuff in his van but later he told MIL there was no more space. With that and the rains, BIL said that they would just take an early lunch in our place. Everything was unpacked and the table was set. MIL joined BIL and his family for lunch. Middle daughter, only son, and hubby ate with them as well.

After eating, they set our for the cemetery. Only son and middle daughter joined them to be with their cousins. Eldest daughter was still preparing. I ate my lunch and soon was joined by eldest daughter. Hubby prepared to go. Soon, I went upstairs and prepared too.

Before going to the cemetery, we still had to source for a fuse at any open auto supplies store which was a very rare occurrence. Out of the hundred or so auto supplies shops, four were opened and located in different places. We didn't get exactly what we were looking for. We were looking for an 80 ampere male fuse - one has a 120 ampere male fuse, two does not carry it, and the last one has an 80 ampere female fuse. Talk about a match..... Hubby said that the 120 ampere fuse will do for the meantime. After buying it, he said he'd be the one to install it. I was saying that the sales clerk could help him. He has been calling us trying to be helpful. Well, I let hubby have his way. When SC called I had to say a little white lie........

Our trek to the cemetery was fast. BIL called hubby along the way to tell him they were leaving as they needed to go to his wife's Dad leaving MIL, middle daughter, only son, and MIL's assistant. We brought along 4 shih tzu puppies as we wanted to initiate them to the outside world and hubby didn't want them in front so I sat with my eldest daughter at the back with the puppies in between us. We were in the cemetery soon. The puppies had not learned walking on leashes except for our 8-month old teacup pomeranian who goes out with the rest of the adult dogs. When we tried walking the puppies on leashes, they were resisting it. Eldest daughter and I carried the puppies - two for me and one for her and she holding the pomeranian on a leash. Hubby carried the rest of the stuff. What is it about puppies but they were a sight. Everybody was gushing about how cute they are (For the first time, I am using real life photos as the above are actual photos of our puppies, chocknut our tzu and poochie our pom).

We arrived at FIL's resting place. MIL and the kids were having snacks and we joined them. People's attention were still on the puppies. Around us, a couple of families brought their shih tzus too. We spent some time. My son played with the dogs and I fed and gave water to them. Hubby and my daughters lied down on the mat laid out and fell asleep. When they woke up, we said our prayers. My daughters cleaned the tombstone and arranged the flowers. Then we packed our stuff. We set out to go to the car with each one holding something. My son, now carried one of the puppies, I still carried two, and eldest daughter held the pom on leash. We reached the car and loaded all the stuff and everyone took their designated seats.

We headed home. Along the way, we decided to do one last errand....... grocery. Traffic was good and we reached home fast. We had dinner. Then, hubby, middle daughter, and I went to the supermarket. I was so sleepy on the way.

Once at the mall, we tried to find the right fuse for my car....but still no luck. We went to the supermarket and did our shopping. I was too tired and just sat at the gourmet meat area where there is a nook to have snacks. I am the designated bargain look-out and found these eggs selling buy one take one. I grabbed 4 trays as the stocks were fast disappearing and continued to wait. Then, middle daughter and hubby came my way and I joined them from there. After getting everything we need, we headed for the check out counter.

On the way home, I was falling asleep. We arrived home and our helpers helped unload the groceries. I stayed downtairs awhile until everything was in order. We all went to bed immediately.

Given my current state of mind, I don't think I am in the mood to do anything that resembles work today..... I gave up trying to think about being able to accomplish what I want to do. To my household members, I say this.......

Cmon, give me a break......

PS: Sa ngayon, iniisip ko kung papasok ako bukas o hindi. Balak ko kasing gawin yun mga di ko nagawa bukas o di kaya pairalin na lang ang katamaran. Pero mukang di pwede at unang araw ng pasukan bukas.... Banat na naman ng buto......

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