I am currently reading a very interesting book, a gift from my sister-in-law. Although I have read a variety of books, I was never interested in sci-fi. I thought, i can live with romantic fictional stories or thriller/suspense books to pass the time away or to relax myself before going to sleep or fill myself with self-help books by Leo Buscaglia, Joyce Meyer, Gillian Butler, John Gray, Allan & Barbara Pease, specially when I am feeling somewhat down.
Anyway, this book called "Lost in a Good Book" by Jasper Fforde is a story where the Neanderthals, mammoths & dodos being a part of the human civilization at present time. A book where one can get lost being transported from New York to Sydney, Australia or to Tokyo in two hours via the Gravitube. Or travel through time and back for a quick meal and a show.
Would we ever reach that point in time where technology is so much advanced that travelling anywhere and anytime will only take a blink of an eye? It's like being beamed up by Scotty. Well, who can tell. Right now, technology has changed so much. Such a small thing like a PDA can be, in a few years time become a TRICORDER with which one can even scan a person's genetic code or can scan for any bio-signs from a great distance.
When that day comes, I hope I get to experience it. Hehehehe, let me see, if these things happen in the next 100 years, that would then make me like a 133 years old. Nyahhhh! I haven't even finished the book, and here I am already thinking about weird things.
La lang, nagpapaka jologs lang po!
Okay, I guess this is my last blog for this year. Actually, more like my last ranting, whinning & moaning. However one calls it, it is still negative! Nyahahahaha!
I got back from celebrating Christmas with my sisters and aunt's family, somewhat rested. Don't get me wrong, I was sick as hell during Christmas, but I definitley got better afterwards. Whether it is from the medicine, the love and care of my family or the fact that I passed on to my relatives the virus that I had, truth of the matter is, I am feeling much better! I just feel sorry for those who caught my virus as well.
My doctor declared I have a virus. The question remains: where or which organ in my body got it. As of making this entry, we still don't know. Sad part is, that because of the holiday season, the labs are also closed, hence my doctor couldn't give me the answer immediately. We have to wait until next year to finish all the vital tests/exams that he wants me to undergo to be able to pinpoint exactly which organ is infected. So far, I have now a schedule for Radiology and more blood tests on the 3rd & 4th of January respectively. The result of the ultrasound was negative. Or at least, my doctor told me everything is normal. Apparently, not everything though, cause I still feel weak. With regards to appendix, liver and the rest of the organs located in the same section of my body are okay. I really pray that this is nothing serious...like... well, I don't even want to mention it or let alone think that I have it! One thing is for sure though, I can only lift this problem to the Lord, like I always do, whenever I get into some serious trouble, hehehehe! Seriously though, I do wish and hope that my health will soon get better.
TO EVERYONE: I WISH YOU ALL A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR FILLED WITH GOOD HEALTH AND SUCCESS IN ALL YOUR ENDEAVOURS!
Since December 10 or 11, I am not really sure, my webhost had to do some maintenance ek-ek I guess, since I couldn't do anything to my site. Couldn't post, delete spammers and even upload anything. In short, I couldn't do a single thing with it. That's why, my wedding anniversary entry dedicated to you ML was not posted on time! That's also the reason why I am babbling here, not making any sense at all! nyahahaahah!
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Sunday, we went actually to the Weichnachtmarkt at the Römer in Frankfurt am Main. The first time again after two years. This year, there are not as much stalls compared to the previous year. I remember, when we went there the first time, stalls were lined up starting already from the bus/S-Bahn haltestelle in Konstablerwache towards Hauptwache and would continue on to the left side alley of Saturn down to Römerplatz.
This time, the stalls are much less. But that doesn't mean less people though. I could hardly walk properly, in fact, I was only moving being carried away by the flow of the people. I managed to look at the stuff that were on sale at the stalls but only thanks to the regular traffic jam caused by the kids or by the other people who tried from one stall to the next, probably trying to compare prices...hehehehehe!
I was urging hubby to stop by at a stall and just let the people through first, but no, he wanted to go to this place where they say the best "Glühwein" is served....okay, how much farther still? I ask, not too far anymore. Great, since, inspite of the people and the horrific crowd we had there, the December cool wind was still blowing stronger. My ass was slowly freezing next to my toes and hands which are already frozen. I can just imagine if I showed them out inthe open, they would look like home-made popsicles. It's as if, the wind is competing with the people. Or perhaps, just making asar to the people.... para lalong lamigin! Brrrrr!!! I told hubby this, and he obliged getting a "glühwein" from another stall. I opted for Apfelwein. Glühwein by the way is just actually wine warmed, not boiled. It#s definitely good to drink during winter time. It keeps the body warm. Okay, it helped a little. I though it would keep me warm until we get to the next stall. Next one came, I asked for gluhwein naman. As usual, medyo mapakla, di ko pa rin nagustuhan, tulad last year, nyahahaha.
At last, we got to the place, called GlühWein am Laternchen. They do have the best glühwein not to mention a different variety of other warm drinks like: Bromberwein, Himberwein, Apfelwein, Amaretto with cream, hot chocolate drinks for the kids and sodas... to name some. The huge Carousel, is of course ever present. It is exactly at the same place and location where it was two years ago, and perhaps where it is every year.
This is a typical stall found at the markt, filled with goodies, cotton candy, popcorn, nuts, almonds and candy coated fruits in different flavors. The heartshaped gingerbread can be found everywhere, including giant bretzels. This year, I tried the KartoffelPuffer with garlic sauce. I thought, it is probably tolerable with garlic sauce rather than with apple sauce...(I am not much of a compote fan anyway, hehehehe). I was surprised that I actually liked it.
At the place where hubby and I finally decided to stay put for awhile while finishing my kartoffelpuffer, we could see the giant Christmas Tree this year which looked to me like it is sad...Maybe because the branches are all slugging downwards instead of lifting up to the sky. Hubby's comment: " the TRee lost it's Spitze".
It's another gloomy day in Frankfurt. NO sunshine, cold and dreary ang panahon. Depression mode is now up to 70 percent and winter has just started. WEll, I just happened to check out the weather for tomorrow.
For someone who goes to work and comes home to sleep in order to prepare again for work the following day, life can get really depressing. But just imagine, that is the normal life routine here in Europe. For some it is even worst because they have two or three jobs each day. They definitely have no other time to spare for extra curicular activities. They just continue to live like zombies working three jobs because they want to earn money. Life is hard, but then it's probably better. They would not have time left to think about getting depressed or feeling sad. They'd be so busy and get too tired at the end of the day for them to start thinking about getting sick. Because getting sick is also expensive.
So, at the end of the day, it is still about money. Tragic but true.
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Actually, I was looking for a book that I read once, and wanted to check it out again as referrence. It's really a good read, interesting and at some point gives one goose gumps while reading it...*sigh...:D Wish I can still find it.
I guess somebody borrowed it and forgot to return it to me again... HAaaayyy...Ito ang napapala nang masyadong mapagbigay na tao. Nagpapahiram ka dahil alam ikaliligaya nung isa, o kaya naman ay makakatulong sa kanila kaya lang hindi naman binabalik ang mga hinihiram nila. I do have an idea who borrowed it together with some other things like cd's and stuff and completely forgot to return them.
Got up quite early this morning, although i don't have to go to work. After preparing coffee, was lost walking around the house trying to figure out the householdchores that I have neglected for the last week. Realizing that I only have one or two that has to be done today, I decided to sit in front of the PC to do e-mails, bloghop and chat with my sisters. Yep, in short, I plan to vegetate in front of the PC today, the whole day actually, unless hubby drags me, caveman style, away from it...hehehhee!
Okay, will bloghop for now... be back later. Have a great weekend everyone!!!
The International showband, "Speed Limit" will once again grace the night at the Tennis Bar in Bad Homburg, Germany during the Benefits Gala Night of the Philippine Mission Charity Foundation. The PMCF program will include, cultural dance show, fashion show, with some surprise special guests and afterwards dancing. There will also be a Tombola raffle draw. The proceeds of the party and tombola will be used to help the streetchildren in Roxas City, Philippines.
Entrance fees are as follows:
Vorverkauf: 15,00 Euro
Abendkasse: 20,00 Euro
Inclusive in the entrance fee is an evening Buffet. The Buffet table will open at exactly 8:00 P.M.
Anybody in the area interested to hear and watch these 3 talented, sexy and beautiful Cebuanas perform on Friday, 26th of November, or to those who are interested in getting to know the Philippine Cultural Dances, please feel free to contact handy number 01633298403 look for Merry.
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1. Noong isang araw, nag post lang ako tungkol sa kanya. Ni wala akong kamalay-malay na nasa ospital napala siya. Nag ka Urinary tract infection ang aking guwapang pag umangkon! Kaninang umaga naka usap ko ang bradir ko sa phone at okay na naman daw ulit si Trisha...in fact naka usap ko pa siya mismo. Maya't-maya lang naririnig ko nang nag tatatakbo ang Trish habang kumakanta. Rinig ko kasi ang lagakpak ng kanyang sapatos kaya alam ko na tumatakbo na siya. Siguro para hahabulin na naman yung mga aso ng kapit bahay. OPO, hindi po aso ang humahabol sa kanya, SIYA po ang humahabol sa mga aso ng mga kapitbahay namin!
2. Dahil sa trabaho, medyo matagal-tagal din akong hindi naka upo sa harap ng computer. Anim na araw din akong hindi naka pag post at naka reply man lamang sa comments ng aking mga kapwa blogistas...pag pa sensiyahan nyo na kung hindi din ako naka dalaw nitong huli sa inyo hah...iba kasi ang trabaho ni MissPanget (jan nagsimula ang aking alyas d2 sa bloggingworld)...hindi naka upo sa harap ng computer. Akshuli no access to the www whatsoever talaga ang beauty ko pag nasa trabaho...kaya eto, huli palagi sa balita.
3. Pati itong plume cake na ibi-nake ko before we left for the Philippines, na supposedly ipo-post ko, super late na rin. Well, nakain naman ang cake but the draft that i wanted to publish, ay natabunan na ng ibang for posting...ngek!!!
4. Pati layout ko na dapat Fall motiff, wa effect na rin... bakit?! Kasi, sabi ng radio announcer habang nagda-drive ako kagabi pauwi ng bahay, mag i-snow na daw next week!!! "Ano? eh, kaka simula lang naman ng autumn ah",sabi ko sa aking sarili. Dios nating lahat, ilang linggo na lang pala, autum is officially over at winter na nga pala.
5. Ibig sabihin din nito, magpa-pasko na....ni wala pa akong mga gift-chenes na napamili! ano ba yan! Kaya pala, yung mga pinoy na nagsisi uwi-an, as usual, ang dami na namang bitbit na ke bibigat ng mga trolleys...pamasko na pala nila....tsk! tsk!tsk! Pero di pa ako huli sa pamimili ng mga pamasko. O mag tago na lang kaya ako, buwahahahaha!!!
Have been busy until 01:30 packing the last things that has to go in the handcarry luggage...as I have predicted, walang naiwan. Bitbit lahat....hahahaha! Hubby's bags are ready, kaya ayun, he's watching na lang the last part of a thriller film on the "idiot box". While waiting for the film to finish para matulog na kami, i decided to post a short entry before I fly later this morning.
Wala lang, kahit ano lang....mind is not working din kasi dahil excited, pagod at wala pang tulog. I had to work late din kasi last night, instead of finishing at around 18:00. Kaya last minute packing ko was also delayed.
Anyway, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!
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Before signing off for now, share ko din itong hiram ko kay TEN.
Brain Lateralization Test Results |
Right Brain (54%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain. Left Brain (58%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain |
Three more days to go at nasa Pilipinas na ulit ako. Yeheeey! Kainan na naman. Kaya naman ang dami ko nang damit na hindi na maisuot, eh. Tiyak i'll gain more weight after this vacation....mapapalaban na naman ako sa gym nito pagbalik ko dito sa Alemanlandiya. Let me see, Im thinking I will definitely eat while I am there:
1. Taho every morning (Masarap lalo na pag may maraming syrup at sago ;))
2. Tuyo (Dried Fish)
3. Crabs, Shrimps & Fish (bought fresh not frozen)
4. Manga
5. Lanzones (sana may maabutan pa ako)
6. Buko Pie ( extra ko pang dadayuhin ang LAguna for this. Oks lang, worth the trip naman always, sabay swimming na rin...hehehe)
7. Kainin ang lahat ng lulutuin ng nanay at tatay ko. They are both good cooks. kaya lang bihira lang magluto ang nanay ko, kaya laging nami miss ko ang luto niya. Ang tatay ko naman, palagi niluluto sa akin mga paborito ko...hmmmm.
8. Ampalaya - kahit anong klase ng luto at kahit anong sahog, masarap ito. The more mapait siya, the better!
9. Sa Goldilocks, masarap ang mais con yelo at halo-halo. Pero doon sa street kung saan kami nakatira dati, meron kaming kaibigan. Tawag sa kanya ng mga bata Ate Cherry. Tuwing hapon meron siyang tindang halo-halo, fish balls at squid balls. Bandang 6 p.m. naman maglalabas na siya ng mga pang barbeque niyang paninda. Mas masarap pa sa Goldilocks. Siguro kasi may halong alikabok na, hehehehe....pagpadagdag sa lasa.
10. Sizzling squid sa Shangri-La food court. Nanadoon pa kaya ang food stall na iyon? Grabe, ang sarap ng pagkain nila doon. My friend Lea introduced me to that place many years back....hehheehh....halatang tumatanda na talaga ang ateng! Since then, hindi ko na makalimutan ang kainan na iyon. I heard they have branched out to other mall locations. So, hopefully, nandoon pa yun. The last time I went there to eat was 2002, when we last visited my folks.
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I remember that boy I was supposed to babysit when I was in Belgium. When I went for the interview day before I was to babysit him, he asked me where I came from. I said from the Philippines. Then he said, how come the people in the Philippines are all thin and skinny? And you are fat! Is it because in the Philippines they don't have anything to eat there. You are here in Belgium, perhaps you are eating more? Of course I did not babysit for him! Ano siya hilo! Mamutla siyang mag isa sa bahay nila!
Dare to fight with me? Hehehe, I lost with TEN.... nyehehe!!!!
Guides on how to control your emotions towards your better-half, friends,
officemates and all the people around you.......
the 4 rules of practicing "ugaling langit-ugaling
kaaya-aya"..
1. Ang naunang magalit ang may karapatang magalit...
Pag naunahan ka ng galit nya, tahimik ka na lang muna...
2. Walang taong nag-aaway mag-isa...
Pag di kayo sumagot or pumatol, titigil din daw ang taong nakikipag away sa inyo...
3. Ang taong galit, "Bingi"
If someone is angry...wala daw pinakikinggan... so dont try to explain and fight back
coz di ka nya iintindihin, dahil wala shang naririnig kundi ang sarili nya...
4. Ang taong galit, abnoy....
According sa pastor, biblical daw ito...
Because the Lord said when He was crucified: "Father, patawarin mo sila dahil hindi
nila alam ang kanilang ginagawa"...
modern term for these kind of people are abnoys...
...so you better not get angry para wag ka matawag
na abnoy...hehehe
You should also know and realize that the persons who make your day bad are jewels...
because you need them for you to mature...
hanggat andyan daw sila at kinaiinisan mo...
ibig sabihin immature ka pa din...
God will not take away those people...
its for you to take away your bad feelings towards them...
you'll know na mature ka na pag dumating yung time na di ka na
naiinis sa mga taong ito because you have learned to accept them and to have patience with them...
Good day !
Last night I had a very long chat with a colleague. Apparently she has been having problems with her marital life. Her story began when she worked first outside of the Philippines. She met her husband of 33 years old at her work place. She believed she loved her husband and trusted him. They made promises and vows to each other that they would love and support each other, blah,blah,blah! She held on to the promises he made before they were relocated back to Germany.
Upon getting here though, the said hubby suddenly changed. All his promises took longer to be achieved and even some where never done. The most important ones where not met. Nevertheless, she held on to the promises no matter how empty they were. Still hoping and believing that her hubby would still fulfill them. After some months of living here in Germany, not knowing anybody, let alone speak the language, my friend managed to get a job. She needed one badly in order to help her family in the Philippines who are eagerly waiting every month for monetary sustenance. How she did it, she couldn't tell now, but she managed to get one. She worked with that company for more than three years until the time came when her hubby was again relocated to another part of the country. Thinking that she had to be with her husband and had to support him in whatever endeavors he had to follow, she quit her job and moved with him to this new place. Once she got there, she was back again to square one, when she first got to Germany. Alone, no friends, no job, no money for her hubby never even thought that she would need an allowance. She tried to ask for money once and told him that she needed some sort of stipend, but it only ended up in a very big fight. Of course he paid for the flat, bought groceries and whatever toiletries she would need, but he never even thought that she may/would want to buy some girlie stuff of her own that she could fancy while going window shopping in the City. In short, he was a selfish prick! Why he married her is still a big puzzle to my friend. Why did he promise things he couldn't keep? Can it only be from pure lust? Surely he must have felt something more than that for her? Was it only because it would be very convenient for him to marry when he had to come back from elsewhere because of tax purposes? Maybe, it has also something to do with the laziness, since, from the beginning, he never did anything in the house at all. My friend had to do all the chores, cook the meal, wash the clothes after a hard day's work or even on her days-off. My friend asked me all these questions which I couldn?t answer. I told her that she was asking the wrong person, that she should talk to he husband about these things. To which she replied, "we couldn't even talk without ending up in a fight anymore".
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17 days more to go...:)
Given the benefit of the doubt, maybe he really did love her, but what happened to that LOVE? Or should I ask, Where has the LOVE Gone? Can there still be a fairy tale ending for my friend's demise?
I used to think that fairy tales can only be found in books. I guess, it is one of the reasons why I got hooked up with reading. I definitely did not start reading stuff like: The Reason Of Things, National Geographic, or the World History. No I used them as references in school but never read them with zest. I admittedly started with Rapunzel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc. Then it was Sweet Dreams and Sweet Valley High, Harlequin, Danielle Steel, etc.... yes, some may think so cheap of me naman, but in finding happy endings in those stories, I was encouraged to read more. I felt, while I was reading them, I was also living them. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.. non-sense! Then it became Gone With The Wind, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Anna Karenina, War & Peace. In between, I would always scramble for the Reader's Digest Compilation,Women's Journal & Woman Today where I can find short love stories, which conveniently, we happen to have several at home. Okay, now I am digressing again!!!
Going back to the issue of my friend, she is again on the verge of another change in her life because her hubby is again moving to another place outside Germany. I can tell now that she is excited about moving to a very rich, attractive & famous country but is also somehow torn by the fear that she will undergo again what she went through before. Another thing that is bothering her is the fact that there is somebody at work who seems to like to her so much. Knowing her personal background and every other gory (hehehe!) details of her life story, he is still persistent in pursuing her. My friend is experiencing now, what she has never experienced before from her hubby. She is being courted in the most simple but romantic way. This guy from work is making her feel another side of life that she has not experienced from her husband. It is not just about money, but the simple little-nothings a girl needs to feel loved, appreciated, needed, accepted, not only as who she is but also her loved ones. Respected her wishes and decisions and not constantly being demoralized as what her own hubby does to her.
When this new guy, for example, found out that my friend already has a child, he very calmly said in reply: '"our family, is my family". Without his knowing, my friend got so touched by this because, her hubby would always tell her the contrary: "they're your family, not mine".
After hearing my friend's detailed report of every date and topic discussed, I thought, maybe with this guy, my friend eventually found her own fairy tale ending. But then again, I could also be wrong. I may be just another fool who is easily convinced by these little things which doesn't matter much in life for the others. Baka, tulad din ako ng iba na nadadala sa mga pa-duding ng ka-lalakihan habang nan-liligaw pa lamang. Ganoon naman talaga ang mag lalaki di ba? They try to promise a girl the moon and the stars, eh hindi naman sa kanila yun. Or they say all just good things until they can convince the girl to give them what they want, tapos, bye-bye na lang. No I am not just referring to sex, don't get me wrong. Hindi naman ako pa-virgin effect and neither is my friend. Pero, Sabi nga ni Joey sa Milan, : "Ang pigeons (in this case, I guess, mga lalaki) parang tao yan, lalapit lang sila pag may kailangan". Can this be true? If so, ano kaya ang kailangan nitong kasamahan namin sa trabaho sa kaibigan ko? At ano naman kaya ang kailangan ng mahal ko sa akin at hanggang ngayon eh, hindi pa naman siya lumalayo?
At kayo, naitanong niyo ba sa sarili niyo kung ano ang kailangan ng nobyo, o asawa niyo sa inyo?
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Today I got a postcard from Ms. Jing. Thanks Jordy! I was so surprised. I thought it was another one from my sister-in-law. Tats ako Tita, ;)!!! I am still here. Im leaving on the 18th pa of next month.
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I have noticed that I forgot to post my entry about the party. Reason: I don't want it to sound pathethic, pero, I can't help it. Even reading this myself, I find it so lame... ML & I just realized after the party that we didn't take pictures at all from the digicam. I do remember that one of the guest's did took pictures. I will have to wait for the reprints and then try to capture them again with our digicam. It worked with the pics that i got from my cousins in the U.S., so, hopefully, it will also work this time.
The other thing is: One of the CSM's from my work came to that party as well. He made me promise that I won't be posting any picture of himself on the net.
To Rüdiger: If you read this entry, sorry, i am not allowed to tell. I made my promise to the CSM. . . ;)!
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For now, I really have to go to bed. I have to start work very early again tomorrow. Good thing ML is not yet at home or else, I would not have managed to post this entry now. He would have shooed me away from the computer already... whatever that means, heheheh!!!
As I was looking for some documents that I made for another Filipina colleague, I accidentally stumbled upon my Daily Journal. The one that I had prior to this blogsite. I thought to myself that I would not open it, since I didn't have enough time to prepare for work early tomorrow morning, but I just couldn't resist it. As I openned the first page, I slowly read again what I wrote there almost two years ago.
September 18, 2002
Tonight, the idea of having a journal came to my mind. It doesn’t have to be a daily journal, like some sort of a diary, but something that of a notebook for everytime my mind doesn’t stop working. PURPOSE?
1. To clear my mind of things that are too unnecessary to keep there.
2. To prepare myself for a good night’s rest.
3. To have a better feeling the following morning???? Questionable…since I have not done this kind of theraphy... but hopefully it should work. Normally, I would just sit/ stand in front of a mirror and then start talking to myself.
4. To record things that may be important some day…..PERHAPS!!!!
So, here goes:
It’s been nine (9) months since I first came to Germany. I arrived here December 1, 2001 with my husband MGS. He has been relocated back home due to his new job. Still with the same company, but with a different task … as you would call it. We used to live in Brussels, Belgium. We stayed there for three years. Actually, It was there where I met my husband. There, I was quite happy since I had my two sisters there with me. Not to mention my aunt who is married to a Belgian national …..who also happened to be my original sponsor to get to Europe.
So, back in Germany, first we moved to a little town called Eschborn. We stayed there for two and a half months. The problem was, the flat was too small for us. We couldn't even unpack all of our things because we didn't have any extra place to put them. So, we decided to move to a place outside of Frankfurt. It didn't take us long to find another place to reside in. We moved to Altenstadt, another small town about 30 kilometers northeast of Frankfurt. Since we, my husband & I , each have cars, distance does not seem to be a big problem for us. We decided that having a house far from the busy Frankfurt is the best for us. The good part was that, not only was the house bigger than the one we had in Eschborn, it is also much cheaper.
After the move, we decided to find a school for me to learn the German language. This was quite difficult since we found out that to go to school here costs a lot of money. It is all so very expensive that it took a while for us to find a school for me. Finally, with some help from the colleagues of ML's, we found a private institution. They have really good teachers, still a little expensive, but the teaching method is good.
My first day of school, January 7, 2002 was for me really exciting. It was like going to school back in the old days. I drove to school though, early enough so that in case I miss a turn, I would still be on time for the class. As it turned out to be, I did miss a turn. Fortunately, I found the building fast enough. I still had 15 minutes to walk around the area where the school was.
Boy, was I the happiest, when I also found a shop a block away from the store, owned and managed by a Filipina married to a German national. I found out that it is a Filipino store from the six or seven little Philippine flag stickers on the window of the shop. Of course, the name I got from the pamphlet that was sticked to the door of the shop. It said:”P-B Door to Door Delivery Service manager/owner: MPB”, (I have to put the initials since I did not ask her if I can publish her name on the net). The shop opens normally at 10:00 a.m., so It was still closed when I found it. I promised to myself that I would go back after class to meet the owner. Perhaps ask a question or two.
12:10 exactly, I walked in on that shop on that cold January day. Not knowing that the same place would become my second home someday. Second home, since I would then be watching the store for the owner, whenever she had to go to the Philippines, either for business or pleasure purposes. But most of the time, it is because of business.
I introduced myself to M. a bit shyly of course. The Filipino SHY attitude. The owner was a little bit hesitant at first. She didn’t say much to me. Just gave me answers to questions that were probably too obvious for her but foreign for me. But she was also nice. I also rented video tapes which they seem to have plenty of. Plus, I got some Filipino stuff that I missed so much. I promised to be back the following day to return the tapes that I borrowed. From then on, until now, 9 months later, I still go to the shop almost everyday. Some weeks I go to help in the shop. Some days I just stay there while waiting for my husband to finish work, then we go home together.
From the people there, I began to feel at ease in Frankfurt, Germany. I met MBP. Another Filipina also married to a German national. She had her own Filipino shop in another city called Giessen, also here in Germany. But she closed it a year before I met her. MBP can become a frequent character in this journal, simply because for some months now, we became close to each other. Perhaps even closer than with MPB. Then I met Jo. A young girl from Iloilo. Jo is the type of girl who just sits and watches you…for some time… before she will open up to you. But the most thing that I noticed about her is that she is very much similar to my sister Iza. In every way. That’s probably why, I felt close to her as well. I openned up to her like she is my younger sister. With MBP, it is more like a friend of the same age, although she is much older than I am, and of the same level of way of thinking. It seems like we are so much tuned in to each others likes, dislikes, roles in our family life in the Philippines, and so on.
I will continue this part of the journal later. I just need to type something else so as I don’t forget it later.
******
Sadly, Jo went back to the Philippines for good sometime early 2003. MBP just left also for good to the Philippines yesterday. MPB and I somehow lost contact with each other after she closed her shop. I also got busy with work which is why I hardly see her now.
For clarification: these are not the people who I mentioned in my previous entry The Reason's Why...". Although, I did meet those mentioned in the entry through the shop & through MPB.
BEA's Appeal
Bea A. Liwanag was a bubbly 16-year-old until she was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia last January. She needs $200,000 (P11.2 million) for an operation that could save her life. Bea's mother, Dolores A. Liwanag, is appealing for your help. Together we can save this girl's life.
I am writing in behalf of my daughter, Bea A. Liwanag, a typical 16 year old, until Jan. 20, 2004, when she had to be hospitalized due to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
At 2:30 a.m. of Jan 20, 2004, Bea woke up with extreme pains in her hips. We brought her to the ER of the Makati Medical Center where x-rays and blood tests were done. After the x-rays revealed that Bea had a initial symptoms of scoliosis, she was given pain reliever and we were instructed to follow up with our orthopedic doctor. At 10:30, I brought Bea to the Philippine Orthopedic Institute. Since there were 6 other patients ahead of her, we decided to walk over to Makati Medical to pick-up her x-ray films and blood test results. The CBC and platelet count results of Bea were way off normal standards that I proceeded to her Pediatrician, Dr, Rosario Marin after the ER. Without any trace or symptoms, Bea was walking around with a 20 k platelet count (normal is 150k - 300K), RBC 2.0 (normal is 4-6), Hemoglobin of 7.1 (normal is 14-20), hematocrit is .2 (normal is .4 - .6) and WBC 19,630 (normal is 5k - 10k). This prompted the Pediatrician to have Bea confined and was referred to a Hematologist, Dr. Allan Racho, who in turn requested for immediate transfusion of 5 units platelet and 1 unit packed RBC. It was also discovered that Bea had a difficult blood type, AB+, thus making the immediate transfusion impossible since we had to source the blood from donors.
Various blood work-up was done to Bea that led to the initial findings of Leukemia. A Bone Marrow Aspiration was done on Jan. 21, 2004 which confirmed the initial findings and disclosed further that type of Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The news devastated my husband and myself and our other relatives. Like any other parent, we could not believe that this was happening to our eldest, a bubbly 16 year-old girl, full of life, dreams and aspirations. In a mater of hours, Bea, an active 3rd year high school student of the Assumption Convent, SLV, life was changed drastically, from quitting school, missing her prom and her friends and most especially facing the uncertainty of whether she will get better. Even how difficult it was, we had to tell Bea her condition and what lies ahead for her. Her initial reaction was one of fear and anxiety as this was just such an enormous trial that a 16 year old had to face. In spite of the fear and anxiety seen in her face, Bea just asked me one question, “Will I live, mom?” In spite of the pain I was feeling, I had to be strong and told Bea that we will have to be strong and trust in the Lord. With the grace of the Almighty we will beat this disease.
The Doctors started Bea on an initial course of 7day/24 hours aggressive chemotherapy last Jan. 23, 2004 in the hope for a remission to prepare her of a bone marrow transplant. Bea has been hospitalized eight times since Jan. 20, 2004, which included two regular-course chemotherapies ( 1st on Jan 23 which had very good results and 2nd on Mar 2, 2004 which Bea did not respond to due to the increased presence of the cancer cells per her blood test last April 4), once for an infection she contacted in Feb. 15, 2004, twice for blood transfusions and once for the very aggressive High dose Chemotherapy last April 19. After 4weeks her blood tests revealed the presence of leukemia cells. This was confirmed by the bone marrow test done on June 1st 2004.
At this point Bea was described to be non-responsive to treatment and declared to have refractory acute myeloid leukemia. She cannot have more chemotherapy as this may prove too toxic if she received more. Thus, her only hope would be a bone marrow transplant. Last January, Bea’s 3 siblings have been tissue-typed as possible donors with a hope for the procedure to be done in the Philippines. Unfortunately, none of her siblings match Bea’s tissues on a 6/6 ratio.
In desperation, I searched the web last May 21, 2004 and tried my luck with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and requested for a preliminary search for a donor for Bea. By the goodness of the Lord, NMDP faxed to Dr. Racho last May 24 a communication indicating that Bea had 8 potential 6/6 matches. For Bea to avail of their program, the transplant must be performed in a member transplant center of our choice, of which there is none in the Philippines. The nearest member transplant centers to the Philippines are located in Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, China and Hong Kong. Our choice center is the Tzu Chi Foundation in Taiwan. Per instruction of NMDP, our physician must coordinate and refer Bea to the coordinator of the transplant center.
Initial discussion with Tzu Chi Foundation disclosed that transplant cost would be in the vicinity of US$200,000.00, exclusive of board and lodging (when Bea is out of the hospital) & airfare. It was likewise indicated that Bea will have to stay for a minimum of 6 months in Taiwan after the transplant. In the meantime, Bea is being treated for a infection and was given a 4th course of chemotherapy to prevent a full blown relapse and in the hope of achieving a remission to increase the success of a transplant. We have started the formal search for a bone marrow donor by submitting blood samples from Bea to Tzu Chi Stem Cell Center to confirm her blood tissue type which will be sent to the NMDP.
At present, I am employed with a bank while my husband is a free lance insurance agent. We have three other children ages, 14, 10 & 7. This situation is something that we never expected or prepared for financially. With the difficulty of the times our income is just sufficient to support the basic needs of our family. I have to be candid and admit that the required $200,000.00, and existing hospital bills already amounting to P2,500,000.00, is way beyond our means. We thank the Lord, however, for generous donors who have helped us with some initial expenses including blood donations.
In this regard, may I appeal for your generosity and financial assistance for Bea’s plight in the hope to raise funds for Bea’s Bone Marrow Transplant to accord her 16 year old a chance to realize her dreams and aspirations which were disrupted because of a dreaded disease. In the Philippines you may course your donation thru any branch of Banco de Oro Universal Bank (S/A #1200066853). International donors may send in their donations thru Banco de Oro Universal Bank(Herrera Branch, Makati City) S/A # 1200059156: account of Dolores A. Liwanag.
May the goodness of the Lord be always with you.
PHILIPPINES:
Dolores A. Liwanag
2391 Dapdap St., United Hills Village,
Paranaque City, M.M., Philippines 1700
ebrite@surfshop.net.ph
https://www.bealiwanag.com
Tel. +6327766097, +639209081440
USA:
Please Contact:
LYN REINOSO (314)725-3961/(314)863-4114
OR YOU MAY SEND IN YOUR DONATIONS TO
BEA LIWANAG C/O LYN REINOSO
7500 AMHERST AVE. UNIVERSITY CITY, MO 63130.
CHECK PAYABLE TO: BEA A. LIWANAG C/O ROSARIO REINOSO.
OR EMAIL donations@bealiwanag.com FOR QUESTIONS.
This is a forwarded e-mail from my sister. She got it herself as a forwarded mail from quesci91@yahoogroups.com. Whoever maybe interested, please contact the person in the address & contact details above. Thanks so much in advance.
I got this link from
Dominattyrix
You speak eloquently and have seemingly read every
book ever published. You are a fountain of
endless (sometimes useless) knowledge, and
never fail to impress at a party.
What people love: You can answer almost any
question people ask, and have thus been
nicknamed Jeeves.
What people hate: You constantly correct their
grammar and insult their paperbacks.
What Kind of Elitist Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
You are Lilly, from Bad Girls. You're a gun-toting
bad-ass bitch who sticks up for her friends and
gets what you want out of men and life. You
just want your freedom, and you're willing to
go out fighting to get it!
Which Drew Barrymore Character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
KAgabi, nag punta ako sa isang Sing-A-Long bar sa Frankfurt. Naimbitahan kasi ako noong isang Pilipina na una kong nakilala dito sa Frankfurt, si Soli. Nag celebrate siya ng kanyang kaarawan at tulad ng dating gawi, sing to the max kami! Ang mga boses namin, ganoon pa rin. Merong maganda kumanta, meron ding may timing pero walang tono, meron naman nag,me-mehron lang....heheheh...pero, ang sing-a-long pala na iyon ay bago na....ang management. Dati kasi iyon ay pag-aari ng magka-sosyong Pilipina at Korean, sa pagkaka-alam ko. Madalas kami doon dahil maganda ang sound system nila at talaga namang mas okay ang atmosphere compared doon sa other Filipino Karaoke sa may Sachsenhausen. Not to mention, dahil Pilipina ang part-owner, marami talaga silang Pilipino Songs. Enjoy kami pag doon kami nag pu-punta. Although, kung tutuusin, halos lahat naman sa amin ay may kanya-kanyang sing-a-long sa kanya-kanyang bahay, iba pa rin pag doon kami nagse-celebrate ng Bertdey. Talagang kantahan lang at katuwa-an. Walang ibang kahalong tong-its o mahjong, wala rin time mag chismisan dahil sa kakapili ng songs at masyado din namang maingay...tamarin na lang kaming maki pag sigawan kasabay ng nagpupumilit ilabas ang mga baga sa kaka-kanta, hahaha!
Anyway, dahil under new management na ito, medyo hindi na kami masyado natuwa sa bar na iyon. Madami silang kulang na songs. Naka sampung kanta din yata iyun na hindi nila ma-i play, kasi palaging ibang song ang lumalabas....kaya tuloy hindi nagbigay ng tip ang aming frendo noong kami ay nagsi pag uwi-an na.
**********
Today, I am driving to Brussels to pick up my sisters and pamangkins. They will be staying with me for the next few days. Originally, the plan was that I would stay there, but somehow, we changed it. I want them to be here on the day of the "party". The thing is, they could also have just taken the train...but it has always been the same problem everytime: " sobrang mahal ng tiket, paking sheeeet!". Train ticket costs always around 100 Euros per adult roundtrip, but still. There will be three adults plus two kids, total costs is 387 Euros or around that. My nephew is only nineteen months old, so for him libre pa. But my niece is already seven, almost the same na rin sa price ng adult fare...incredible!!!
The "kuripot" side of me is coming out, hehehe! Sige nga, aminin sino sa inyo ang hindi cheapskate? Sa panahon ngayon, kailangan! I told my sisters I wuld drive over and pick them up. I love driving anyways and besides the trip to & back would only cost me 100 Euros. I know, i have to consider the mileage and wear & tear of the car, but hey, that's what the car is there for. At least for me & hubby, the car is there to drive it. Ang kotse namin hindi pang porma! We use them everyday to work, to do errands & for travelling long distance. Pag ayaw na nito umandar, then it is time to change it.
Better to be occasionally cheated than perpetually suspicious.
*** Right Dills?
In two words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. S$$T HAPPENS! *** Di ba Ton’tskie?
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue. *** yeah, Kally!
The best vitamin for making friends: B1. *** Take more of this LBM!
If you can't be the tablecloth, don't be the dishrag. *** To Babs.
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.
*** To Babs pa rin!
I'm not just a gardener, I'm a Plant Manager. *** To Rowell
There are two rules for ultimate success in life: (1) Never tell everything you know. *** To myself!
Tell me what you need, and I'll tell you how to get along without it. *** My hubby would say this to me often…
There are very few personal problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives. *** You are good at this Ton’tskie…admit it!!!
Drive defensively. Buy a tank. *** To Elmer!
Someday we'll look back on all this and plow into a parked car.
There's no real need to do housework -- after four years it doesn't get any worse.
Don't hate yourself in the morning -- sleep till noon. *** To Ida!
Good news is just life's way of keeping you off balance. *** To Dills
Don't cook tonight -- starve a rat today!
God did not create the world in 7 days; he messed around for 6 days and then pulled an all-nighter.
I was not quite sure how I would do this. Somehow, I thought I would write a long poem about her, but then again, I thought hey, I am not like the celebrant. Tiny my best friend, since high school, can write poems. Not just short ones, but long ones as well. The thing is, she doesn't write just crappy ones. They are really good. Once, I was already married at that time, she sent me this card, with one of her poems of course. It was soooo good, that my hubby thought I was having an affair! Or at least thought Tiny is a boyfriend. He even said, "this guy's in love with you!!!", thinking that Tiny is a male friend.
Then I thought, I would post bits and pieces of the poems that she wrote for me. But then again, I thought, those poems were made for me. I will not post them in public...hehehe, umiral ang pagda-damot! Yes, I still have them all Tiny. I even brought them here with me. When I moved to Europe, I had one shoebox filled with cards and letters from Tiny. Then, internet boomed. Suddenly, writing normal mails via the post is not the "in" thing anymore. But, Tiny religiously continued to send me poems and cards through the net. Good thing, I don't need a shoebox anymore to keep them, hehhee!
To you dear Tiny, Happy Birthday!
Painumin mo ako pagating ko jan hah, hehehe!
Oh, for all the cards and letters, thank you! They kept me company. Reading them again & again kept the memories fresh in my mind. I miss you girl!
A colleague and I stayed over at another friend's place the other night. She has recently moved to this place, a new apartment somewhere in Frankfurt. Although we all work for the same company, we hardly saw each other during the past 6 months. We always had different shifts, different days-off and not to mention different departments. We just went to her place, had some drinks and talked, talked, talked. We talked until the wee hours of the morning.
It was quite refreshing. Sharing all our experiences, people we met, what we did, where we went for holidays, etc. Then we started talking about relationships and friendships. About problems and difficulties in a bi-national relationship. The cultural differences that we encountered. The good things that went with being wife to a European (the list was not long, hehehe). We talked mostly about being married to Germans, simply because we are, all three of us. We discussed life in Germany, situations that the Filipinas get into, not just being married to local nationals but also friendships with other Filipinos.
It is really unfortunate that some Filipinas married to German ends up being abused and battered. Well, I guess, not only to Germans. Even to other nationalities.
Main cause?
**"Well, can it be not knowing the person they married? Since they may have met only through a third party or via letters or via the net, they hardly know each other when they tie the knot, thus, they only find out they married a monster after". - Following this logic, I think I have to rule this out. This simply would also imply that the nationalities/culture doesn't have anything to do with it. Even a couple with the same culture could be in this situation.
**"Or did not or could not adjust to a life together basing from different opinions, religion, traditions and upbringing".
**Perhaps, they played with destiny. Meaning, probably they were not really meant for each other, but somehow ended up together by their own doing. This may be due to several reasons for example: comfort & security. Forcing themselves to be together through any means and therefore ending up in divorce. Well and good, if they just say: "okay, we have no kids, we don't love each other anymore, we should go our separate ways."
But what if, the other party says:, "no, I don't want divorce!" What then? In some cases, this ends up with the both parties still living together but doing stupid things to each other. Saying bad things to each other, even sometimes to other people who are common acquaintances of the couple. This is a common scenario. I have seen a lot of couples ending up bad mouthing each other to other people. Bad and stupid! Or worst, the Filipina, feeling desperate and in dire need of being loved, starts going out and not coming home for days, then for weeks, because she cannot stand anymore the life at home with this "alien monster". In doing so, the "allien monster" starts feeling neglected and taken for granted, but bottles up the feelings inside, thinking they cannot communicate properly to each other anymore. Then, all these bad feelings starts to explode, and voila! They start hurting each other physically. Him ending up with a mere Police record, while she ends up as a battered wife! Traumatized??? Perhaps!!!
**OR What if they have a child or kids? I cannot imagine how it would work. Some Filipinas leave and take the kids with them. But what if the partner fights for custody? Or the kids doesn't want to be parted from either parent. There is again another problem. In all aspects this situation is much worse than the others mentioned, because this time it involves the lives & the future of the innocent ones. Traumatic for the kids??? YESSS!
What next? They don't know. Somehow, they cannot pack their things and just go. Sometimes, miracles does happen, and the Filipina is brave enough to just turn her back and go, without even thinking of getting deported, having nothing to eat and nowhere to live. With no family, or other relations to run to, except to some acquaintances who may or may not help because their husbands say not to! It really is a tragic situation.
We also talked about going back home to the Philippines. What to do there later on, after retiring. What business to set up, if ever there would be a chance. Plans on what to do with the kids, if they come. Overall, it was great. We almost didn?t want to go to sleep. Even when we were already in bed, all three of us cramped in one bedroom like a high school slumber party, or simply, like a typical Filipino family, we still couldn?t stop talking. Somehow, before my eyes were taking over my brains, I heard topic has already shifted to "courtship and love, the Filipino style" but, that is for the next blog entry!
Got invited to a garden party and this time i thought, rain or shine I am going! I need this diversion. I have secluded myself for sometime now from parties because of work timings/schedules. This time by hook or by crook, I will find a way to be able to attend and enjoy it. I have to go early to work the following day, but I didn't care.
There were already visitors when we got to the place. Merry, the host was somewhere in the kitchen, buried with all the food preparations and last minute additions. Typical Merry party, always more than enough food ready, drinks, board and card games available, music and dancing! I have never been to any of her party that was not a success. She has also these crowd of Pinoy, mixed and pure that really blends very good together. I don't know how she does it. The Europeans who are there are celebrating like the Pinoys, eats Pinoy food and talks about Pinoy stuff as well. There were like two groups playing cards, another table for the mahjong group, some kids playing table tennis, some are running around all the time. The main and most boisterous group was the group of ladies playing Bingo. The number caller, a guy from Legaspi City was having the time of his life, always referring to the female body parts and traits each time he called a number. It was fun, in a way, but it always left me wondering why, for example "N44 would be the number of a woman without undies..."or why is the "O65 the number of a desperate woman"?
Those who prefer to talk about more international topics can just stay in one of the huts that Merry has prepared in case it would rain. But most of the time, they come out to look & see what was going on outside their world....haha! They simply cannot resist the Filipino fun and relaxed atmosphere. Of course, there was also some serious topics discussed every now and then....but somehow, somebody would always find a way to turn the topic into something funny, that the seriousness of it does not even effect an iota of the atmosphere...thanks to those "clowns" present, hehehe!
Though most of the guests still had work the following day, nobody could dare break the fun by leaving early. I for one had to go to work at 04:00 A.M. the following day, but what the heck! I could go to work without a wink's sleep. I am certainly not missing the fun this time!
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like heaven to touch. I wanna
hold you so much. At long last love has
arrived. And I thank God I'm alive. You're
just too good to be true. Can't take my
eyes off you.
Pardon the way that I stare.
There's nothing else to compare.
The sight of you leaves me weak.
There are no words left to speak.
But if you feel like I feel. Please let me know that it's real.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
I need you baby, and if it's quite all right,
I need you baby to warm a lonely night. I love you baby.
Trust in me when I say: Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down I pray.
Oh pretty baby, now that I found you, stay.
And let me love you, oh baby let me love you, oh baby....
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived.
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
I need you baby, and if it's quite all right,
I need you baby to warm a lonely night.
I love you baby. Trust in me when I say: Oh pretty
baby, don't bring me down I pray. Oh pretty
baby, now that I found you, stay. And let me
love you, oh baby let me love you, oh baby....
I need you baby, and if it's quite all right,
I need you baby to warm a lonely night. I love
you baby. Trust in me when I say: Oh pretty
baby, don't bring me down I pray. Oh pretty
baby, now that I found you, stay. And let me
love you, oh baby let me love you, oh baby....
********
i loved this song. i think i heard it the first time when I was still in elementary, around 1980's...yes. I remember, kahit nasa kalsada sinasayawan ko ang tugtuog na ito. Now, it's back in the airwaves again. They revived it. Pang SWING naman this time.... wow! buti na lang hubby and i learned ballroom when we were still in Belgium. star dancers! heheheh!!! Pag umuwi ako sa Pilipinas, promise ko sa sarili ko, gabi-gabi ako mag bo-ballroom....I don't care! walang maka kapigil sa akin! Puwera na lang pag sinabi ni fafa na hindi, hahahaha. But that's not going to happen. Dahil siya din, once na nasa dancefloor na, naku! hindi na mapapa upo! kesehodang naliligo na siya ng pawis niya at pqwede nang i-pang shower ang pinag piga-an niyang t-shirt! Wa siya, paki! Super dance lang siya. O divah!!!
I got this from an old Reader's Digest subscription while I was doing my daily ritual in the Loo, hehehe.... Not to worry. This is nothing gross. Here goes:
Eye halve a spelling chequer. It came with my pea sea.
It plainly marques four my revue miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word and weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write. It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid, it nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite. Its rarely ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it, I am shore your pleased two no.
Its letter perfect in it's weigh. My chequer tolled me sew.
Sauce unknown!
It took me a whike to digest it, hehehe. But honestly, I also make the same mistakes. When we read or write something, not every single letter is registered. We see the first or last letters of the words and then they are automatically sent to the brain which process the whole construction of the sentence we are reading.The brain processes a certain message and then tells us as a whole what the mesage is, hence, the common mistakes in writing are inevitable. It can also be blamed on the carelessness or it being "typo" error, but hey, that's why we have to review everything that we write first before publishing it, heheheh. Who cares!?! Important thing is message got conveyed!!!
I found out the gimmicks of some Filipinos living in abroad on how to smuggle their kababayans to another country. I can understand that these Filipinos are just as eager to earn more than what they get in the Philippines, and are therefore desperate to go abroad. But the fact that I detest is that the others are taking advantage of this need. Filipino comrades who are already in the host country are making money out of a possible swindle to the others. Okay, granted, some did got here, managed to work and eventually send money back to the Philippines to pay off debts incurred trying to arrange to leave the country in the first place. The thing is, most of them are caught anyway the minute the plane lands in the “new hope” land.
One trick is to invite singers to do a concert in a certain country. Then the organizer finds people who are interested to go abroad. Demands a certain fee, which is normally around 250T pesos. They will then apply for a visa for these fellow Filipinos as a member of the entourage of the singer. For example, some will be presented as a member of the dance group or the musicians or the production assistants.
In Belgium, this strategy has already been busted by the Belgian Interpole. There were a series of concerts done by some really good and well known singers, who unbeknownst (I am assuming that they are not connected to the con, of course!) to the said singers they were just used as the front for human smuggling. It was so frustrating. A lot of really desperate folks got swindled by that lady who was then the organizer of the concerts. The funny thing is, when I came to Germany, I met the counterpart of that Filipina in Belgium here in Germany. What a small world talaga. I also found out just recently, that this Filipina who has been living here for almost twenty years, has already brought a lot of Filipinos over. 250 grand for every Filipino brought over. And that's just the average price. Sometimes, she takes advantage of Filipinos who are here without legal documents, whose only wish is that another member of the family would be able to come as well. Then she starts asking for 280T to 350T per person. The problem is, kung hindi naka pasa sa talent interview ang mga ito, then they don't get their Visas at hindi na rin nila makukuha ang pera nila. They are promised that they would leave with the next group and that they should just wait. Believe me, the waiting time takes almost forever. I know this for a fact, because I also happened to meet one of the victims. Violy (not her real name), a mother to 11 kids, has been living here in germany for 14 years as TNT. Violy paid 250T cash for the first try. Her daughter failed the talent interview. She was promised to be on the next plane together with the second singer performing another Europe tour. Sad to say, mother & daughter waited for 18 months before finally hearing the news of the next concert tour. But, Violy was asked to pay again another 180T to tide over the processing of her daughter's papers and plane ticket. "So, what happened to the first payment?", she asked. "Well, it was also used to process her previous documents", was the answer that she got! grabe!!!!
Another trick: Somebody here in Germany, knows somebody who says he can get a "Pre-Approved" visa. They sell each for $5000.00 U.S. They send this "visas" to the Philippines and somebody there already has contacts and already claimed money from the victims. Chances are 85% they will be caught the minute they enter Germany. I know for a fact that this is true, because, this lady who has access to the so called "pre-approved" visas also does part time jobs as interpreter for the Police at the Airport. And she has claimed that it may have been one of "them" (referring to the visa that she sent to the Philippines). I don't know if that was meant as a joke or if it was for real.
I strongly detest these good-for-nothing- kababayan human trafficker, taking advantage of our kapwa Pinoys. Buhay pa man din sila ay sinusunog na ang kaluluwa nila sa impyerno! Nakukuha niya pang i kuwento ang mga ito in a bragging sort of way. Claiming she is simply doing kawang-gawa to fellow Pinoys. What?!?
This is courtesy of my friend OCHIE. Thanks dear!
Installing Love
Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready to install it now. What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART, ma'am?
Customer: Yes, I have, but there are several other programs running right now.
Is it okay to install while they are running?
Tech Support: What programs are running, ma'am?
Customer: Let's see... I have PAST-HURT.EXE, LOW-ESTEEM.EXE,
GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running now.
Tech Support: No problem. LOVE will gradually erase PAST-HURT.EXE from
your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but
it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite
LOW-ESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGH-ESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs
prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off, ma'am?
Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
Tech Support: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do
this as many times as necessary until it's erased the programs you don't want.
Customer: Okay, now LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?
Tech Support: Yes. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?
Customer: Yes, I do. Is it completely installed?
Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need
to begin connecting to other HEARTs in order to get the upgrades.
Customer: Oops. I have an error message already. What should I do?
Tech Support: What does the message say?
Customer: It says "ERROR 412-PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS."
What does that mean?
Tech Support: Don't worry, ma'am, that's a common problem. It means that the
LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTs but has not yet been run on
your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-
technical terms it means you have to "LOVE" your own machine before it can "LOVE" others.
Customer: So what should I do?
Tech Support: Can you pull down the directory called "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"?
Customer: Yes, I have it.
Tech Support: Excellent. You're getting good at this. Now, click on the following files and then copy them to the "MYHEART" directory: FORGIVE-SELF.DOC, REALIZE-WORTH.TXT, and ACKNOWLEDGE-LIMITATIONS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete SELF-CRITIC.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with new files. SMILE.MPG is
playing on my monitor right now and it shows that PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART. Is this normal?
Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything
gets downloaded at the proper time. So, LOVE is installed and running.
You should be able to handle it from here. Ah, one more thing.
Customer: Yes?
Tech Support: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to
everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will
return some similarly cool modules back to you.
Customer: I will! Thanks for your help!
"I'm confused and I need some time out to find myself!!!"
"Eto map at flashlight, go look for yourself!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"Maybe this is not the right time for us."
"Anak ng tipaklong! di na kita tatanggapin ulit no?!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"Di kita maalagaan ng tulad ng iniexpect mo. You deserve
someone better. That's not me."
"Eh ba't mo pa ako niligawan at pinasagot?" Jerk!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"Lasing lang ako kagabi. Sorry.
"Eh ako ba lasing? (nth degree jerk ka talaga!)"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"We are too different from each other."
"Tama ka diyan! I'm a woman, you're a wuss."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"Someday, hahanapin kita, when we're both ready. When we
don't care about the odds. Kung tayo talaga, tayo rin in the end, di
ba?"
ULUL!!! Wala ka nang babalikan!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"I really think that we should break up."
"Why?"
"Because I don't know if I still love you."
"Manigas ka!!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"I just realized I haven't had time to walk my dog..."
"Hala sige, i walk mo! at huwag ka nang babalik, ever hah!!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"Its not you, its me..."
"ket?, whats wrong with you?... kunyari, patay malisya para
pahirapan sya..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
Pano pag ito sinabi nya:
I can no longer handle multiple priorities!!"
eto naman sagot ko:
multiple orgasm kaya mo i-handle?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~
"bakit ang balahibo walang split ends?"
"bakit karamihan ng tao gusto pumunta ng langit...pero karamihan takot mamatay?"
"ang pipi kaya ay humuhilik?"
"bakit kaya ang palad hindi umiitim kahit gaano mo katagal ito paarawan?"
"umiiyak kaya ang sanggol habang nasa loob ng sinapupunan?"
"posible kayang magkabalakubak ang kalbo?"
"ang sign language ba ay may english at tagalog din?"
"pwede bang umiyak sa ilalim ng tubig?"
"pano nilalabas ni darna ang bato na nilunok niya?"
"bakit ang mga bilog na pizza nasa square na box?"
"nakikita kaya ng bulag ang kanyang hinaharap?"
"kung ikaw ay wanted at may reward na 1million...pag sumuko ka ba makukuha mo yung pera?"
"bakit ang beer meron sa lata...ang alak wala?"
"pag ang taong putol ang isang kamay ay nagpamanicure...buo pa rin ba ang bayad niya?"
"pag ang langgam ba namatay nilalanggam din ito?"
"pag nde ka ba nagbayad sa kumadronang nagpaanak sa asawa mo..isosoli niya ba ulit ang bata sa
sinapupunan ng asawa mo?"
"pwede bang umutot at dumighay ng sabay?"
"bakit kaya hindi pwede magpuyat sa umaga?"
“bakit kaya kahit inom ng inom ng tubig ang manok hindi ito umiihi?”
“pwede bang gamitin ang a.m. radio pag gabi na?”
"pag sinabi bang 'bakit amoy araw ka?', ibig bang sabihin nun naaamoy ang araw?"
Please make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence.
(Most importantly the last sentence)
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us."
I just thought I should forgive those who left a hole in my fence.... I know for sure it is the right thing to do!
Ngayong umaga ko lang nabasa sa yahoo newsgroup ang muli na naman palang pag-taas ng pamasahe sa ating bayan. Pag sumakay ng bus anim (P6) na Piso agad ang patak sa unang 5 kilometro, at karagdagang P1.25 sa bawat kilometro na tatahakin pa. Ano ba naman yan! Nag taasan na daw kasi ang presyo ng petrolyo. Ano pa ba ang bago? Lahat naman sa bayan natin ay pamahal ng pamahal ang presyo.
Tiyak ko, sa mga tumataguyod sa "under the table" mag re-reklamo na rin yan sila. Sigurado tataas na din ang suhulan dito. Bakit kamo? Dahil, nagta-taasan ang pamasahe, presyo ng pag kain, tuition sa skwela, gasolina, mga damit, etc., etc. Pero ang suweldo ng mamamayan ay ganoon pa rin. Hindi naman tumataas kasabay ng mga nabanggit.
Hindi kataka-taka kung bakit karamihan sa mga professionals na Pilipino, tulad ng ating mga Doktor, Guro at Nars ay nagliliparan patungo sa ibang bansa at doon na lang maghanap buhay. Kesehodang hindi nila magamit ang kanilang pinaghirapang pag-aralan na propesyon. Hindi lang naman sila, pati na rin ang mga IT experts at ang mga magagaling nating Inhenyero ay ganoon din ang dinadanas. Mas pipiliin na lang nilang maging "second class citizen", at tanggapin ang mga mapait na karanasan tulad ng descriminasyon para lang kumita ng sapat para sa kanilang Pamilya. Kasi, sa palagay ko, naisip din nila na wala na talaga yatang pag-asa na magbago pa ang takbo ng buhay nating mga Pilipno sa sariling Bayan.
Pero, teka, meron naman palang pa-konsuwelo de bobo: para sa mga estudyante at mga may kapansanan, pati na rin sa matanda, eh, P4.80 lang ang pamasahe sa unang 5 kilometro. At Piso lang din ang dagdag sa bawat kilometro pang tatahakin. Hay nako!!! para namang binobola lang ng mga namamahala sa ating bayan tayong mga Pilipino...
Bakit ba naghihimutok ako? Wala naman ako sa Pilipinas. Eh, kaya nga eh. Wala ako doon dahil sa mga dahilan na nabanggit ko na at marami pa. Kung i-isa-isahin ko, ay sobrang haba na ng entry na ito. Nandito ako sa bansang dayuhan dahil kailangan ko ring kumayud ng salapi para makatulong din sa pamilya sa Pilipinas. Hindi ko na kasi maatim ang kahirapan sa ating bayan. Sa totoo lang, nawawalan na ako ng tiwala sa kahit na sinong uupo na pangulo ng Pilipinas. Hindi na talaga magba-bago ang ating mga Politiko. Hindi na rin magba-bago ang systema sa ating bayan.
Ang buhay nga naman!
Ka-awa-awa naman talaga tayong mga Pilipino!
True to his word, when I came home from work late last night, my dear hubby had everything already prepared . . . haayyy!!! sarap ng buhay ko! I had my chips on a big bowl, drinks cooling in the fridge waiting to be opened, ice cream (that I skipped, y the way), my pillow plus blanket...and of course, the film waiting to be played...aaahhhhh...sarap talaga. I just made one phone call, then I asked for the much awaited film to be played na nga.
Well, I guess, one can say that this last film of Harry Potter is by far better than the first two. But it still doesn't come up to my expectations. I was definitely expecting more from it, that I almost got disappointed after it was finished. In the end, I would say that the books are still better than the film, as always. I have read all five books and I have seen all three film interpretation. In conclusion, I think J.K. Rowling’s masterpiece was not well interpreted in the films.
So far, I have only seen one film that is definitely as good as the book itself. Interview with the Vampire was given enough justice it deserved in the film interpretation...no!!! Wait! The Silence of the Lambs and the Hannibal series are also great. But I couldn't keep my eyes open all through out the film. I couldn't bear to watch the gross parts. Funny, I can read it, but not watch it. I just thought they would also be able to give justice to the Harry Potter series. Guess I thought wrong.
Ang Pilipino, mapunta man sa ibang bansa, o kaya manatili man sa sariling bayan, talagang mahilig na mag kita-kita. Madalas sa bahay ng isang kaibigan. May handaan man o wala. Basta magtagpo lang at magtawanan ay okay na.
Noong ako'y nasa Belgium pa, ang napansin kong pampalipas ng oras ng mga Pilipino doon ay ang pagla-laro ng baraha. Oo, sugal. Madalas Tong-Its ang laro nila. Pero meron din namang nagpu pusoy. May pustahan ito, pero hindi naman kalakihan. Para lang medyo sumaya naman ang laro nila. Kasabay ng pagla-laro ng baraha, meron din siyempreng kainan at kantahan. Of course ang kantiyawan ay hindi naman nawawala at lalong lalo na ang tsismisan. Habang nagba-balasa ng baraha, wala din namang tigil ang bibig sa ka-ka kuwento. Kaya, kung ikaw ay hindi imbitado, asahan mong naging topic ka na sa usap-usapang ito. O di naman kaya, kung kasama ka man sa pagti-tipon-tipon, huwag kang aalis sa mesang kinau-upu-an mo. Dahil sigurado, pag tayo mo, tungkol naman sa buhay mo ang isyu, heheheh!!! Nakaka-aliw naman makinig. Madami kang mababalitaan. Para ka ngang nakikinig ng Live Broadcasting ng "Magandang Gabi Bayan".
Kabilang din sa papalipas oras ng mga Pilipino ang Mahjong at Bingo. Ang favorite ko ay ang Bingo. Lalong lalo na kung ang caller ay magiliw. Babae man o lalaki. Pero, huwag ka, meron akong narinig sa aking pakikinig ng "Magandang Gabi Bayan" dito sa Germany. May dalawang Pilipina na dito na nakatira. Si Pinay A at si Pinay B. Mga maganda ang disposisyon sa buhay. Parehong may pinag-aralan. May kaya. Magkasama sila sa isang organisasyon dito sa Alemanlandiya. Kung ilang taon din silang nagsama sa lahat ng gawain ng tropa. Minsan, nagpa bingo ang Organisasyon nila. Nagkataon na si Pinay A ang caller. Okay naman ang dating niya. May impact sa tao. Kaya lang pag dating sa letrang B-11, ang binanggit ni Pinay A, ito daw ang paboritong numero ni Pinay B. Di ko na get ang kinasama ng loob ni Pinay B doon. Pero, sa sobrang galit at pahiya niya ay, nag sagutan daw ang dalawa at nagsabunutan sa harap ng maraming bisita. Sa tagal ng haba ng panahon, hanggang ngayon ay hindi na sila nag u-usap pa. Kesehodang magbanggaan ang mga Tsedeng nila sa kalye, dead-ma ang beauty nila sa isa't-isa.
Ang sa akin lang, hindi ba sila natatakot mamatay na may sama pa rin ng loob sa isa't-isa? Dahilan lang sa napaka-babaw na Bingo na dapat ay katuwaan at pampalipas oras lamang?
I saw the film the other night! It was hilarious, specially Prince Charming, hehehe.. his name is actually "Charming", hahahha! I still find the first Shrek more fast-rolling, more exciting. But the second one got more points on the "less amount of gross-ness" shown. As of writing this entry, I still have a silly grin on my face, recalling the film.
Tonight, my ML promised I can watch Harry Potter 3 already....hehehe, I can hardly wait. If I didn't have to go to work in a couple of hours, I would have been already keeping myself comfy in front of the TV, with a bag of chips, plenty of ice tea or lemon juice beside the sofa and a pint of ice cream ready for me to grab from the frigo fast, while watching the film, hehhehee....
Noong high school pa ako, naalala ko hatid sundo kaming magka-kapatid ng mga magulang namin to and from school. Simula sa pinaka malapit sa house na school, our eldest bro at yung sumunod sa akin na kapatid ko, both went to Quezon City Science High School. Since ako ang pinaka-malayo ang school sa aming makakapatid, ako palagi ang huli sa hatiran sa umaga at una sa sinusundo sa hapon.
I remember, doon sa "burgermachine" (hehe...alala mo yun, Horhe?) sa may school namin, meron din isang studyante na palaging naghi-hintay ng sundo niya. Palagi kaming nagsasabay maghintay. We never said a word to each other then. Tingin at smile lang. We went to the same class pero, dahil nga shy siya at maldita ako,hindi talaga namin nagawang mag-usap. Most of the time, nau-una pa nga dumating ang sundo niya kaysa sa akin. So, most of the time din, nai-iwan akong mag isang naghi-hintay doon.
Until the day, na nagka lakas loob siyang humirap ng notes ko. As if hindi kumpleto ang notes niya, ano?!? I knew naman na wala siyang kailangan sa akin, but didn't know how to break the ice lang, kaya he asked to borrow my notebook. Okay lang. Madalas naman talaga mabait naman talaga ako. May pagka-maldita nga lang. Kaso mo, noong binalik niya ang notes ko, may mga corrctions ba naman siyang ginawa! Helloooo!!!! ano, feeling teacher?! Nag check ng assignment si Sir. Eh di ,of course, nag wala ako. Galit ako sa kanya noong time na iyon, pero nangibabaw ang pag ka-diplomatic ko. Wala siyang narinig ni isang masamang salita, bagkus, kami'y naging magkaibigan...di ba HORHE? Natapos ang HIgh school namin ng napaka bilis. Tapos bigla na lang nawalan kami ng communication. I went to Miriam na nga...siya naman sa P.U.P. Naging Inheniyero siya. Naging isa sa mga pioneer engineers who built Rockwell. Tama nga ba Horhe? Ako naman, napadpad na sa Belgium. After 8 long years of silence, sabi sa akin ng Tita ko one day, may caller daw ako from the Philippines. Isang Engineer..."can't remember the name"...hehehe, my typical aunt. Sa kanya yata ako nag mana, eh. Sabi ko lang, wala akong kilalang "engineer can't remember the name". Makalipas ang isang linggo o dalawa ba? May tumawag ulit. This time I was there to answer the phone. Siya nga! Ang batang lalaking dati ay mahiyain na mayabang...hindi lang siguro maka porma, ay isa na ngang Inhenyero...pero napa ka bait niya. Hindi niya ako naka-limutan. Medyo matag-tagal niya na daw pala akong hinahanap. Ang common friends namin na mga loyal sa akin at kapwa ko rin may pagka-maldita ay hindi ibinigay sa kanya ang akin contact info. Di daw kasi nila type ibigay...kaya ayun, nagdusa siya....o sabi niya. Ewan ko lang kung totoo nga.
Sa ngayon, continue na ulit ang communication namin....o divah?! Constant e-mail at kung may chance ay nag cha-chat kami via msn IM. Nag ta-trabaho siya ngayon sa lugar ng mga aso at elepante na naka-sakay palagi sa isang truck. (Na i-save pala Horhe ko yung picture mo with them na send mo sa akin via e-mail. Ang cute niyong lahat, hehehhe!). Minsan dinalaw niya rin ako dito sa "Alemanlandiya"...kaya lang sandali lang siya dito. I hope bumalik ulit siya...
Sa araw na ito, nais ko lang sana siyang batiin sa kanyang kaarawan....
Isang Maligayang Pagbati sa iyo, kaibigan. Sana ay nasa mabuti kang kalagayan jan sa mainit na lugar ng.....ngeeekkk...saan nga ba yan???? Da-daan ka ba ulit dito sa July? Nabanggit kasi ng mga kasamahan mo sa trabaho na umuwi patungong Pilipinas na magba-bakasyon ka daw next month...true vah? Na suwertehan namang nakita ko sila sa Frankfurt Airport...naitanong na tuloy kita.
Anyway, muli, Happy Birthday my friend!!! Sayang wala tayo sa Pinas. Sana inuman ulit tayo sa Tagaytay...hehehe! Naalala mo noong birthday ko na pumunta tayo doon with Tiny? That was one unforgettable night, salamat kay Valerie.
Got this from TipToes:
To Tiptoes: Do you think this thing is correct? Am I really TWISTED????
READING or DRIVING?
I got the book that I ordered from my Book Club. It took them awhile to dispatch it. No, it was not because I had an outstanding balance with them, hehehe. The reason was, the book, "Fabulous Creatures & Mytical Beings", was already out of stock by the time I ordered it. Although I have not yet started reading the Magical Creatures, i already have another book order on queue. This one, "Women Who Think Too Much" is still out of stock. I hope I will get it still. Otherwise, I would have to look for it somewhere else. I may end up again with an Audio Book of the same title. Like the Allan & Barbar Pease collection that I have. It's fun to listen to them though, specially when I am travelling long distance. It keeps me awake. Of course, reading is still better, but I can't read and drive at the same time, can You?
**NOTE**
I DID NOT WRITE this myself. This was sent to me by my very dear friend, Nikki. I liked the message so much, that i thought it would be nice to post it.
This is an amazing read..pls. pass on! :)
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over.
Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to ..LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ...LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...LET IT O!!!
If someone has angered you ... LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge .. LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction ... LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents ... LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad attitude...LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better... LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him...LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship....LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves...LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed ....LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to... LET IT GO!!!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2004!!! LET IT GO!!! Get Right or Get Left .. think about it, and then LET IT GO!!!
"The Battle is the Lord's!"
Epistle:
I thank the person who wrote this. This is such a timely enlightenment!!!
It has been a very lazy and quiet weekend. I spent most of Saturday telephoning and tinkering with my ever loyal companion, my computer as usual. Kaya naman ngayon, ganda-ganda na ng blogsite ko. Divah? I love my own!?!
I also tried the cassava cake recipe that I got from Thess. Actually, she referred another site to me J'Ace Kusina. The cake was a little bit burned on the topside, pero, siyempre say ng hubby ko, "hhhmmmmm...very good!" or else, lagot siya! hehehe.
The main event was the parcel my hubby recieved from my brother-in-law. He is really sooooo thoughtful and soooooo sweet! My hubby will be celebrating his birthday in some weeks. Since my bro-in-law will be on his vacation on the day of the celebration, pinadala niya na in advance ang birthday gift niya. He gave my hubby one of those Binary LED watches. It looked weird to me at first. I couldn't tell the time, when I looked at it. But one look from my hubby, and voila! he could tell me the exact time like as if looking at a digital watch. Whereas I had to stare at it for a while to realize how the thing worked, with him, at a blink of an eye, alam niya na. I guess it helped having a Ph.D. in Math and all. Admittedly din naman kc, bobonikels ako sa math, pero marunong naman ako bumasa ng oras, just not in binary numbers, hehe....
Together with the watch, my brother-in-law also sent us a cd compilation of all the songs that i like in midi form. He found out about my blogsite only two weeks ago, and suggested to me that I should put a media player on it, para relaxing daw for me while writing an entry...o divah? Again, the best brother-in-law talaga. So, eto, I already started with some Carpenter songs, kc peborits ko si Karen, eh. I should remember though to change the songs every now and then. . . hhmmmmm...o di kaya.....???
I just finished reading "Men In Love" by Nancy Friday. I got the book from "The Reading Room" in Bruxelles. The book is about of course Men, "their secret, erotic fantasies", which are no longer soooo secret since after this book was published, hehehe... The book is really interesting. The stories are based from the answers of men from various ages ranging from their teens to their sixties and comes with psychological and clinical analysis as well.
A woman can learn a lot from this book. A real weapon as to how to keep your man hanging and dangling, hehehe!!! Kung baga, titig pa lang, nangangatog na sila...isang sulyap lang aamo na! hahaha....
Love this book. :)!
I am eagerly waiting now for another book that I already ordered from my book club. Hopefully, they will have it available again soon.
In the meantime, medyo aral-aral muna ako about how to make my own layout...feel ko ulit mag renovate...but this may still take sometime though...
CONGRATULATIONS!!:)
This letter was forwarded to me from my friend. I found it hilariously funny so i decided to post it. I have no idea though where it came from originally. I have to admit, i got a headache after reading it....BUT I GOT THE MESSAGE ANYWAY!
> >Note Attached:
> >The following is a letter found at a certain bar in
> >Manila and has been preserved in its original,
> >unedited form. Enjoy reading and you may
> >try direct translation in Tagalog. Pls read with
> >feelings...
> >********************
> >October 1996
> >
> >To Marjie,
> >I am not surprise or wander why Dennis leave you. Why?
> >What reason you can think about but you're very fat
> >body. I thought before that Dennis only use me to his
> >toy but sooner and later I'm realize that he really
> >can't not beared or stomached to be with you anymore
> >because at first, Dennis say he could not stand you're
> >habit of making pakialam all his walks [lakad] and
> >always calling to their house what he go home or this
> >or that.
> >
> >And then he say he get ashame to met iether in school
> >or in his family and then asking you to exercise
> >you're very very, very fat body. But you hate it.
> >Thoughth your the most preetiest girls he knows about.
> >What do you think you are "Beautiful Girl" of Jose
> >Marie Chan?
> >
> >Even you are beautiful face (to your think) you do not
> >have the right to called me whatsoever or else
> >different name one time or the other for the real
> >purposed to insults my personality because I'm never
> >call you names iether in the front of Dennis or in the
> >backs of Dennis, but if you start already to calling
> >me different name, I don't have any other choice
> >but to call you other different name to. Like you are
> >a PIG, FAT, OBESSED, OVERWIGHT, AND UGLY SHAPE girl.
> >Shame to you're body that is to a BUDING.
> >
> >You can't not blame Dennis for exchanging you to me
> >because I am the more sexier than you when you look to
> >us in the mirror.
> >
> >I'm repeat again that you are like Ike Lozada when she
> >is a girl.
> >Love,
> >The Sexiest Girl of D.M.
> >
> >P.S. You say that I'm the bad breathe but who is
> >Dennis want to kissed. Me or you? You or me? And the
> >final is me. There you go.
>
When I came to Germany, I was full of hopes of meeting new faces and finding and/or forming my own circle of friends. This was second to my agenda of learning the language to help myself get settled in. I did meet new faces and different kinds of people, but sad to say, I never got to form/find my own circle of "friends".
I found some organizations, met some Pinays, joined their get-togethers and cultural parties, but in the end, tinamad na ako sa group nila. I felt that I was pushing myself to them, not because "I was" but because they made me feel like an outsider. I didn't really feel true and warm acceptance from their side. I felt that, because I am mobile, flexible and never had hassles whenever we would meet, they just abused my friendliness to them. In the end, I felt like I was used. Therefore, I stopped communicating with them regularly. I still get invitations from them to parties, Gala Nights, bowling or dancing, mind you. Whereas before, i used to jump at every invitation, because of the reasons listed above, i rather decline the invites now.
More reasons why I don't associate with Pinays in Germany so much. . . .
Most of them are also hypocrites-Some of them pretend to be somebody, a character or a figment of their imagination. For example, they pretend to be contented and happily married. But one can see through the bitterness or hatred they have for others, that they are actually not. This I don't understand, how can one be happy and yet shows signs of "hang-ups"? I may be idealistic on this, but i do know and believe that if one person is happy, this "happiness" would be reflected in the way they deal with other people. Unless she is really a meany person.
Some seem to have this "abnormal ambition" of wanting to be always ahead of the others. Positive side, this motivates people to do better = acceptable. Negative side, how can one make "real friendship" with such a person?
Most of them are judgemental - i admit, i was almost the same before. I had the impression that these Filipinas married to Europeans are stupid, no-read-no- write girls picked up by the "whites" from the povinces on one of their excursion trips as souvenirs. Same thing with what the "opposite" to this types think now.
You know what?? I realized and this really made me do a full "turn" away from this opinion: These Pinays are actually "good Friend" materials. Once, they can trust and can confide in you, knowing that they will not be betrayed by talking behind their backs about their problems to other people, then they will definitely be loyal and true to you as well. Correct, one may not be able to communicate with them intellectually, but one can learn from their humble ways of dealing with life.
Most of them have this "Keeping up with the Jones'" attitude. This is something i have no patience for. I hate it when they come to my place, starts poking around, checking what I have for decorations or rug or just anything one can imagine. Next thing I know, I get invited to their place, and find that they also have the same stuffs as I have. It's like slapping the message: "I can also buy what you can afford" straight to your face. What do i care if they can afford it, but can't they have their own originality or identity? Or like when I thought i would have a complete make-over and try to live a "healthy and fit life", so i decided to register at a gym. Next thing I found out, two of them are also registered now in the same Fitness center where I go to. Okay, maybe they are also going through this phase in life, when one starts to really think about one's health and so on, and so fort...but immediately after I do it??? I can also be proud that I gave them motivation, but what the heck...whenever I find them there, they don't look like they are serious with what they are doing anyway. I feel like they just wanted to prove something to me. Whatever it is, i simply refuse to think about it!
The list is endless...but i think the picture should be quite clear now. The goal of "finding and establishing" my own circle of friends here in Germany is very unlikely to be succesful. Life is still fair in the end. I am lucky to find though, my "best friend" Tiptoes! We are so much alike, that we just immediately hit it off after the first meeting. We share almost the same opinion. We talk the same language and in the same level. We learn and discover things with fun together. We share about cooking, decorating our homes, go shopping together and just anything we could think of. Our most favorite passtime is staying at home, either her's or mine, and of course eat all the time...isn't life great?!?
I watched a film with Regine Velasquez and Robin Padilla tonight, while doing the long overdue, smokey mountain high pile of ironning (blame it on blogging, hehehe).
Well, anyway, I was so kilig to the bones talaga, mind you not with the actor and actress but with the story itself. It is really strange coz I very seldom watched a Tagalog film when I was in the Philippines. I did, of course, but I was really choosy. I only watched the most controversial ones or those with Political backgound. Ironnically, when I came to Europe, I became addicted to Tagalog films. Bigla na lang bang maging patriotic?!?(he!he!he!) I grabbed every Tagalog film I could find and if i didn't get anything new from here, I would order them from the Philippines. It even became a habbit to copy borrowed films while watching it, so I could watch it again the next time I felt homesick. Anyway, i borrowed this film from a Filipino colleague at work. Naturally, i copied it on our outmoded but very reliable VHS recorder.
Super naka-ka-kilig, was the "Kiss under the rain" scene. They were talking about their dreams, their families when it suddenly started raining. Regine wanted to rush back into the house, but Robin held her back. They sat there outside the house, on the hood of Robin's Jeep, under the rain and suddenly Robin gave Regine a long, gentle and probably "super-sarap" kiss kasi talaga namang napa-hiyaw (with high pitch) at napa lundag siya afterwards. Sheyyyyyt!! It really made me feel ("in love") like a teenager again.
To those who have not seen the film, Regine's role is a rich singer with a broken family. Her father is a politician and her mother is married to a businessman with a new family of their own. Robin is a mechanic, owns his own talyer, lives with his father, his sister who has Down's Syndrome and with his "abnormal" uncle. Of course, like any Tagalog film, it has its own dose of hardships in life and in family relationships. The ending is also a typical Filipino fairy tale, hehehe, living happily-ever-after.
Bakit ganoon, noong nasa Pilipinas pa ako, pag umuulan, hindi ako naka- karamdam ng lungkot. Bagkus, romantic pa ang dating sa akin. Puwera na lang kung bagyo, which is a differrent thing. Dito sa Europe, tuwing umuulan, ang feeling ko napaka-bigat. Para bang wala na yatang masa-sayang araw pa na darating. Ewan! O baka naman, nagse-sentimiento lang ako dahil nag-iisa ako dito sa bahay at naho-homesick na naman ako? Maka tulog na nga lang...
NOTE: I got this from: Romel. I hope you don't mind.
Here goes:
I want everyone who reads this to ask me THREE questions, No More, No Less. Ask me anything you want. Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends (including myself) to ask you anything.
You can post the questions in the "COMMENTS" section and I will answer from there too.
ready?,. . . .
Fairest of them all...
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
1. What hair color do you think is the most pretty for a girl and for a guy? for a girl is rich auburn, for a guy is medium blond
2. Blue, Brown or Green Eyes? green eyes
3. Most attractive skin tone? "mulato"
4. Long hair or short (guys and girls)? for guys:neatly cut short hair; for girls: long straight hair
5. Tall or short? for guys: tall ; for girls: tall
carried over from:Daily Dirt
. . . Introducing my beautiful & talented niece. We call her "Duday".
She's six, speaks fluent French (without accent!), English Tagalog and currently learning in school Flemish. Dances "Otso-otso" very well, sings and on top of that an "A" student in class!!!
Pretty smart, huh?! I am really proud of her.
****************************************************************
If...
- Monday, April 26, 2004
1. you could have a lifetime supply of something, what would you want? i would want a lifetime supply of money and happiness...
2. you could be an object, what would you be? i want to be a camera...to be able to capture all the happy moments, once in a lifetime moments and special occassions in life...ayaw ko i-capture ang mga sad scenes though...
3. you could steal something of your crush's room, what would you get? his photo...maybe.
4. you could travel right now, where would you go? to Egypt, where hubby is...
5. could date someone famous, who would you date? Bill Gates!
carried over from: Daily Dirt
I miss the times when I had friends I could really depend on, around me. Whenever I needed somebody to talk to, aside from my sisters, I would just call one of my six girlfriends or meet with any or all of them and just pour my heart out to them completely. I didn't have to worry about spilling any secrets that I have, simply because I trusted them. It has been more 7 years since I have had that kind of friendship around me. Of course I still communicate with most of my old bestfriends, but it is not the same as before. Pag tumawag ang isa, we all literally scramble over to meet and be with the one in need. Mas masaya din kami whenever we meet without having to tackle or solve a problem, which was more often. Ngayon kasi, hindi na puwede yung style namin dati. We have all gone our separate ways, having migrated to different countries around the world. Hindi naman pwedeng lumipad agad just because one is crying over a breaking relationship. Hindi naman kasi kami rich. But we talk on the phone. Kaya ang phone bills grabe! Although, we all wish we could do it.
When I first came to Germany, my second project was to meet some Filipinas to befriend. The first was to learn the German language. After two months of being here, I finally met some Filipinas. I used to hang out with them almost everyday. Hoping to eventually make a "real" bond with them. We went bowling, dancing, karaoke (of course!), and travelled once or twice outside of Frankfurt. But I never felt that special "bonding" that I was looking for. I felt lost in their crowd. Although they tried to include me in their activities and organizations, I never really felt that I was more than welcome to be a "friend". I just felt "used" in the end. Luckily, I found a job immediately after I got my Europaeisches Sprachenzertifikat im Fach "Deutsch". I became engrossed in the job that i didn't feel guilty of slowly distancing myself from them. But I still have communication with some of them. I still meet one or two of them almost every other week.
I do have a friend (Saint's mom) whom I call and spend time with here in Germany. We met sometime in 2002 when she first came to Germany. But because we have different situations now, she being a mom and me being a working girl (as if?!), medyo we don't meet as often anymore as we used to do before she had a child and before I started working. We talk as often as we can though. And I go to visit her every now and then.
I just talked to Saint's mom a few minutes ago. It seems like I will see her again even if only for a short time, next week. She made arrangements to meet some nice people for a quick chat and she wanted me to meet them as well.
The time will be short, but I think it will be fun!
Since elementary school, I used to wear my hair long. I remember, every trip to the parlor was always a dilemma for me. My mom would drag me along with my two other sisters to the salon where her favorite "bakla" hair cutter was working. Imagine, hindi pa uso ang "third sex" sa Pinas, meron ng bading na taga gupit ang ma-dear ko!
Anyway, i loved my hair long. ika nga, "flowing like silk". I was ever so conscious then. Maaga kasi din ako lumandi. Not like chasing boys naman. Kumbaga, nag dalaga lang.
I liked San Rio; i liked pinky stuffs; i liked sexy sandals; i liked wearing sexy and teasing clothes. Most of all, I loved my hair long. Gustong-guto ko itong paliparin sa hangin wenever I have to turn around. Or flip it over to catch somebody's attention. I also liked it tied with ribbons. I remember i had all kinds and colors or hair accessories, from barrets to really eye catching gadgets.
I also used to tie my hair so high in the middle of my head. Yung bang tipong, halos masinkit na ang eyes ko sa sikip...hehehe. those were the days.
Lately, i was wearing my hair at medium length. nahirapan kasi ako mag maintain dito sa europe. it seems like hindi marunong gumupit ang mga hair dressers dito. Or hindi lang sila sanay humawak ng asian hair? In addition to that, super mahal pa ang gupit! Kaya naman yearly lang ang naging sched ko ng gupitan ng hair. Unfortunately, almost two years na nga ako hindi naka-ka uwi sa Pilipinas. kaya medyo,nag mukhang vrgin forest na ang buhok ko. I hadno other choice but to look for a Filipino hair cutter. May nahanap naman ako, kaya lang...eto...medyo, lalong naging everyday is a bad hair day for me. HELP NAMAN!!! ANYBODY!!!! Can anybody recommend a salon around Frankfurt area? I need somebody who can do a bob-cut for me. Medyo super ma-iksi na kasi ang hair ko. Ka-ka re-toke nung gumupit sa akin..... muwaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!
I just realized i have not blogged for a while now. I have been quite busy lately. I just started a new job. Well, it is still within the same company that I work for but with a different "department". It is still quite chaotic since we just started with this contract first of this month. Everything is new to us. I have plenty of stories but hardly have the time to sit down and blog.
On top of that, my two sisters came for a visit. They are currently living in Belgium. Each with a child, kaya medyo masaya ang ang easter ko. In the Philippines, we normally celebrate Easter with the whole family. We have a monthly reunion with the whole clan. But my sisters and I, have not attended the occassion for two years now.
Haaaaay!!! Miss na miss ko na talaga bumalik sa Pilipnas!
Find your birthday and then find your tree. This is really cool and somewhat accurate, also in line with Celtic astrology.
Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree
Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
Mar 21 (only) -Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
Jun 24 (only) - Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25 -Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
Sep 23 (only) - Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
Dec 22 (only) - Beech Tree
YOUR TREE ( in alphabetical order)
Apple Tree (the Love) -- quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive, loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and
tender partner, very generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.
Ash Tree (the Ambition) -- extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable,
restless lover, sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional support.
Beech Tree (the Creative) -- has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).
Birch Tree (the inspiration) -- vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.
Cedar Tree (the Confidence) -- of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.
Chestnut Tree (the Honesty) -- of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily, sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love, physically fit.
Cypress Tree (the Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and
affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.
Elm Tree (the Noble-mindedness) -- pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.
Fig Tree (the Sensibility) -- very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest, loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, a social butterfly, great
sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work, has artistic talent and great intelligence.
Fir tree (the Mysterious) -- extraordinary taste, handles stress poorly, loves anything beautiful, can become depressed at times, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them as well as helping
strangers, rather modest, hard worker, talented, unselfish, few sexual relationships, many friends, doesn't want foes, very reliable.
Hazelnut Tree (the Extraordinary) -- charming, sense of humor, very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter for social causes and politics,
popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete fairness.
Hornbeam Tree (the Good Taste) -- of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks or kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.
Lime Tree (the Doubt) - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, can become a complainer, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.
Maple Tree (Independence of Mind) -- no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many
complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.
Oak Tree (the Brave) -- robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.
Olive Tree (the Wisdom) -- loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.
Pine Tree (the Peacemaker) -- loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony, loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self esteem, needs affection and reassurance.
Poplar Tree (the Uncertainty) -- looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.
Rowan Tree (the Sensitivity) -- full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.
Walnut Tree (the Passion) -- unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.
Weeping Willow (the Melancholy) - likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful, musically inclined, loves to travel to exotic
places, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with when pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they find that one loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh.
Spring is indeed in the air. Gone are the the icy wind, snow and gloomy days of winter. The heavy clothings are headed back to the closets or way up in the attic. The winter shoes can now be cleaned and pushed way behind into the farthest of the shoe cabinets. Boots are out and sandals are in.
Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! How I wish it was all just these things. Unfortunately with spring also comes the pollen allergy. I never had it before in my life…well at least not when I was in Belgium and not even last year when I first came to Germany. Now it seems that I would hardly last the day. My eyes are red, dry and itchy all the time. My nose is stuffy and I am sneezing all day. On top of that, I get nosebleeding twice or three times during the day.The thing is, all these things happen only when I go out. Inside the house or office everything with me is okay.
"Some things in life are best forgotten". This saying I have often heard for some time now. Remember the good times and forget the bad. Learne from the mistake that you make. I never believed in it. Why learn only from the mistakes that one has made? Why not also from the right decisions? I have tried NOT to forget. Whether they were bad experiences, happy momments, failing times, times when I made wrong decisions, or those when I chose rightly between two or more things and times of sorrow or giref. I have tried to remember each times and always used them as guidlines in life. I learned from these experiences. This is actually the main point. All of them make someone stronger, mature and more responsible in life. So, why FORGET them?
What's my story? I will get there, I promise. Just read on. . .
I used to work before in one of the government corporations in the Philippines. I worked there from November 1991 until June 1995.
To those who are reading this, and you know what I am blogging about, please read on.
This was the first ever serious job I got. I was 19 years old then, quite young, but because of economic reasons, had to start working early to help support the family. I never regretted it. I spent the best times of my life, in the company of people whom I will always cherish. They will always have a special place in my heart...a topic that I will eventually tell to my grandchildren someday.
So, to all of you, "mga Atengs" I wanted to let you all know how I miss you all so much.
To Olyn: Thank you for keeping touch, bearing with with all my plans that most of the times didn't work out anyway;
To Medy: I really miss those times when we would stay awake in your bedroom all night each with a bottle of Tequila and crying over our silliness. I miss you ateng like crazy. I had not only good times with you but also trying momments and difficult situations. . .
To Cookie: What can I say, I love you Ateng. I only had one great regret with you....that I couldn't be there with you during those times that you needed somebody to be with you. I hope I can still remedy the situation, if it is not too late yet. . .
To Lea: My dear, I owe to you so much in all honesty. I learned a lot from you. You became more like an elder sister (forgive me), one that I never had being the eldest among the girls in our family. Believe me, you are the Best Sister a girl can have. I don't know what happened, why you completely kept yourself away from me? Have I done something wrong to you? Have I sad something that was so offending to you? If so, I am not aware of it. Please, forgive me for what I have done. Don't you think I also have the right to know what it was I did to hurt you? I am not asking that you just forget the whole thing and we just make up, no! I just want to find out, what it was that I did. I am aware that I have done some silly, stupid stuff before. Which of them offended you so much that you shunned yourself completely from me now? Please Lea, I promise, after you tell me what went wrong, and if I can explain myself, I will do so, if not I only ask for forgiveness. If ever you would still decide to cut-off our fiendship completely, I won't say NO to your decision. I have no right to do that. I can only respect it. At least, I would know the ending to the chapter of my life story where you are a part of.
I hope you will all manage to read this. I hope Olyn can try to give you the site address. Please feel free to write something in the comment section back if you want to.
Again I just wanted you all to know, HOW I MISS YOU ALL GUYS, BIGTIME!!!!
Take care, al of you. Good luck in all your endeavours in life and GOD BLESS!!!
Well, isn't it grand? I think this time, Winter has decided to stay away from us for a while. For the past four days, Mr. Sunshine has been showing up for longer periods of time. GREAT! Its time for barbecue parties, campings and cycling...
Has anybody heard if the Philippine Barrio Fiesta/Fiesta sa Nayon, which is held yearly, will be held again in Ditzenbach this year? I have not heard anything from the organizers for sometime. I hear though, that there is another Benefitz Gala NIght in Bad Hamburg come April 11. Anybody interested?
The event will be held by another Philippinne Charity group which was founded lat year. They have held two Benefitz Parties, so far , and one Barrio Fiesta, or so, it is called I think.... I am not sure though.
I started reading this book by Salman Rushdie. I got it from a friend some months back as a present. Unfortunately, I couldn't find time to read it. So, I had to leave it lying around all the time by my bedside table.
Tapos, nag ka sakit ako. I had to stay at home for one whole week, as per doctor's orders! I thought, this time, I will definitely be able to read it. I did! So, for one whole week, this book became my companion, my consolation. You know, being sick and staying alone at home. . . which is a completely different scenario if you were in the Philippines. But then I had to go back to my doctor for another check up. Naturally, I brought the same book with me. What good timing, i thought. This could help me not to get bored in the doctor's waiting room, which I by the way, hate so much. Well, I hate anything that has to do with sickness, kaya this is really no wonder. I got this from my mom. So blame her please...
Back to my book, i was reading it while waiting at the doctor's. I had to wait for quite sometime, but with the book, it actually felt not too long a wait. When my turn came, I was thankful. The doctor ordered another blood sample should be taken from. Plus, I should go to this hospital somewhere else for a theraphy. Ok... fine, then I went home. I started the theraphy, got better and then went back to work. After two weeks, I only realized that I have not finished the book yet. So, I started looking for it. I looked and looked and looked in every single nook and crany in the house. I couldn't find. So i tried to recall where and when I last had the book with me. I am sure, whoever is reading this knows it already. But you see, for somebody who is stressed, upset and even angry can lose their common sense. As what happened with me. I enede up having an argument with my dear hubby...not naman so "big" an argument, but still an arggument just because of a silly book....ano ba naman yan!?!!!!
Why No Filipino Will Ever Be in The HouseDavid Letterman's TOP TEN LIST:
Top ten reasons why there couldn't be a Filipino-American US President:
10. White House is not big enough for in-laws and extended relatives.
9. Not enough parking spaces at White House for 2 Honda Civics, Toyota Celica,
1985 Mercedes Benz Diesel, BMW (big mean wife) and MPV (My Pinoy Van).
8. Dignitaries generally intimidated by eating with fingers at state dinners.
7. Too many dining rooms in the White House - where will they put the last supper picture?
6. White house walls not big enough to hold giant wooden spoon and fork.
5. Secret service staff won't respond to "psssst, psssst".
4. Secret service staff uncomfortable driving presidential car with rosary hanging
on the rear view mirror or the of Santo Nino on the dashboard.
3. No budget allocation to purchase karaoke machines on every White House room.
2. State dinners do not allow "Take Home".
AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON:
1. AIR FORCE ONE - does not allow overweight balikbayan boxes!!!!!!
...I am short doesn't mean I am not strong;
...I am a woman doesn't mean I cannot drive;
...I have black hair doesn't mean I am inferior;
...I am thin, doesn't mean I am not healthy;
...I am average looking, doesn't mean I am ugly!