VinJoiel

Mamaya year 2006 na at eto ang mga tradisyones na nakagisnan ko ke madir para daw masuerte sa loob ng isang taon: 1. Maghanda ng bilog bilog na prutas sa mesa (12 types of circular fruits) 2. Dapat meron ka sumisibol na bunga or puno, sa barrio namin young coconut, dito pinyapol... 3. Magsabit dapat ng tig-pito na ubas sa lahat ng bintana at pinto (ewan kung bakit pito lang....mahal kasi ubas hehehe, di kaya?!) 4. Dapat me asin, asukal, bigas at tubig sa ibabaw ng mesa kasama nung mga bilog bilog na prutas 5. Dapat magsuot ka ng polka dots at mas maganda kung pula na polka dots (sabi nung kapatid kong loko, puede na daw yung mga peklat sa binti hehehe...) Eto naman ang seremonyas during midnight mismo at dapat nasa bahay ka pagtuntong ng bagong taon, bawal na bawal ang aabutin ka ng mid night sa ibang lugar, okay lang maglakwatsa before mid night pero dapat nasa bahay ka na ng 11pm. 1. Madami ka coins sa bulsa at pag lipat ng bagong taon, alug alugin mo yung coins mo para daw mapera k...

1) Read all the books that I have been buying for the last few months (about 5 books now since I've stopped reading...) 2) Re-watch my whole set of "Friends" series (season 1 to season 10) 3) Start on a new cross stitch pattern (I still have not found my completed cross stitches till now....) 4) Organize all the photos taken and create cd back-ups (before the desk top pc crash again...) 5) Update my other diary and this blog on a daily basis 6) Organize all the old photos I have brought over from pinas 7) Do a scrapbook of all my fave photos 8) Learn how to knit 9) Watch hubby's dvd collection of movies and tv series 10) Organize the software cd's at home 11) Make a movie out of all my mini dv's taken on special occasions here and in pinas 12) Spend hours on my apple laptop since I am really not using it these past few months 13) Update some new songs on my ipod, getting tired of listening to the same album everyday during my train ride 14) Organize the study ...

Fiesta sa Sambat from today until Dec 29. Every five years lang ang okasyon na ito sa aming barrio. Yung unang fiesta kami ng grupo ko na "Lagatak '85" ang nag-organize lahat. Bale pang apat na celebration na ito since then. Tonight there will be a dinner & dance affair and they will give recognition to those who graduated from "Mababang Paaralan ng Sambat", those individuals that became successful in their chosen field. Tomorrow there will be a parade of floats and halos lahat daw ay gustong sumali hehe...and me dance contest pa yata and as usual yung normal sa barrio pag fiesta na me artista na mag show sa Dec29 after ng pursisyon... Eto ang nakakalungkot, hindi kami nakauwi para maki-celebrate kasi kinulang kami sa panahon na magplano sa pag-uwi. Ang nasa isip ko kasi I will not feel anything kahit mag-fiesta sila kaso for sentimental reasons bigla ako nalungkot kasi wala kami dun. Besides umuwi yung mga friends ko living in different countries and kung u...

Eto na yung picture ni Vince on his bday party...hintay pa ulit kami ng tinging padala ng mga nasa pinas..sus...

The day after christmas, it's so quiet here in the house unlike yesterday with all our friends here coming over for christmas get together.. okay din at lumipas naman ang isang pasko dito sa singapore..medyo malungkot din kasi hindi nakauwi sa pinas. I was not able to keep this blog updated and hopefully by next year I'll be able to do a daily update. For now we wish you all a very merry christmas......

Whenever I see girls and boys Selling lanterns on the streets I remember the Child In the manger as He sleeps Whenever there are people Giving gifts, exchanging cards I believe that Christmas Is truly in their hearts Let's light our Christmas trees For a bright tomorrow Where nations are at peace And all are one in God Chorus Let's sing Merry Christmas And a Happy Holiday This season may we never forget The love we have for Jesus Let Him be the One to guide us As another new year starts And may the spirit of Christmas Be always in our hearts In every prayer and every song The community unites Celebrating the birth Of our Savior Jesus Christ Let love lights that starlight On that first Christmas morn Lead us back to the manger Where Christ the Child was born So come let us rejoice Come and sing a Christmas carol With one big joyful voice Proclaim the name of the Lord! Repeat Chorus (2x)

This was Vince a year ago, I'll post his latest pics after his party tomorrow. I'm sure he will enjoy his party, me pagkapasaway itong aking pamangkin and he loves attention too...kahit di nya kilala basta sabihan lang sya na mamamasyal sila ay sumasama agad... Nakakatuwa talaga ang me baby sa bahay, masarap kaaliwanân..tyak mmadami pa kuento bukas tungkol sa kanyang party so I'll do the updates then...

Last night we went to St Anthony de Padua parish church for the first mass of simbang gabi. It was nice that the filipino community have started this tradition here in Singapore. I've felt the true spirit of Chirstmas the way it was back home, dito kasi you will not feel it aside from seeing too much commercialized display on big malls, with all the people going frantic with last minute christmas shopping... Well, last night it whelms me up hearing the beautiful mass given by Father Angel and hearing the choir singing christmas tagalog songs of worship...and everyone greeting each other merry christmas... Pero siempre na miss ko yung kagaya sa probins, me plaza at maraming tinda sa labas ng church. Panahon ito ng malamig na simoy ng hangin at maiinit na bibingka....truly miss those times...

Opo bday ni Vince aka ente kabisote...sa Sunday dec18 ang celebration. Will do the update then....

Dahil sa napilitan akong lumipat ng ibang train coach kaninang morning, dun ako pumunta sa kabilang dulo, bale on my left side entering the control station. And it dawns on me that there's not much crowd on that end of the train so unlike on the other end that you will really bump into each other, anywho I therefore conclude that since most of the people are right handed the tendency is to go to their right side automatically when they went up the escalator hence ending up on the too crowded part of the train.... Of course it's my own theory lang pero from tomorrow onwards i'll go to the less crowded part of the train, easier to get a seat lah......

Lumipat man ako ng kumpanya, ganun pa rin ang buhay ko. Minsan madami ginagawa, minsan wala...kagaya kanina at nuong nagdaang linggo, wala talaga akong ginagawa kung hindi ang mag-imbento ng kung ano ano lang trabaho para hindi naman halata na nakaupo lang ako sa aking mesa. Mahirap ang mag-kunwari na meron ginagawa, mahirap din sa balikat at kamay ang gumawa ng walang katuturan sa trabaho, at ang pinaka mahirap labanan ay ang pagkainip sa loob ng walong oras na andito lang sa harap ng computer, maghintay na matapos ang isang araw...mahirap din ay ang lumaban sa antok...Nakakaisip tuloy ako ngayon na patulan yung tumatawag sa aking ahensya para sa ibang kumpanya...mas mataas na salary package pero tyak na ang susunod na reklamo ko ay di na makapahinga sa dami ng ginagawa hehehe.... Kumpara sa ibang tao ay alam ko na masuerte na ako at eto lang ang problema ko.. tao lamang po, mareklamo sa buhay at walang kasiyahan....

Yap, malapit na nga ang pasko kaso di kami makaka-uwi sa pasko, ala na daw budget heh...we still don't know, who knows pag bigla nag promo ang airlines at mura ang pasahe we might go home....we'll see... So this week end, as usual I've clean-up up the whole house and did some decorations for Christmas. Changed our living room & study room curtains, vaccuum the whole house, hike up to ikea for new rugs and some decors, bought some star lights to hang around the house and we put-up our christmas tree....soon we have to start buying the children's gift....pasko na ngang tunay.. Sa pinas kaya??

Last Saturday was a blast. We were up and running at 7am. While Rach cleans up me and hubby went out to buy what we need for dish preparation. I was cooking by 10am until 4pm in the afternoon. Luckily I have the two for assistance, at least di na ko nag gayat gayat… By 6pm, visitors kept on coming until 8pm. There were so many of them that I overlooked to entertain some friends. Parang fiesta ang bday ni labs. He was so happy dahil ngayon lang kami nag handa during his special day. Normally I will just buy a cake and ice cream or cook something and we will celebrate alone. This time, he wants to treat most of his friends. Anyway the party turns out well, almost all his pinoy colleagues came and so our common friends…It lasts until 2am with the first one leaving at 10pm…Siempre as per norm, nagkantahan pa sila…. By Sunday I was so tired that I felt like it was an aftermath of a typical fiesta celebration sap robins…Around lunch time; Alan, Sonia, Ariel and the two kids came back again a...

Opo, bukas ay kaarawan ng mahal na esposo at ngayon pa lang ay super busy na ako sa pag prepare ng handa para bukas....we'll have a small dinner get together para mag celebrate...Darating yung mga opismate nya na pinoy and some of our common friends.. Sana di pumalpak ang luto ko heh...

Here’s the update at last: Oct28 – arrival in Manila, the drive from the Airport to Batangas brought back my memory to the time when I was still a student in Manila and commuting back to the province on a weekly basis. I saw again the familiar sceneries and was pointing out to Iel all the landmarks that I used to gauge on whether I am near home already. With all the current flaws I still miss the place and was so glad to be back….. Oct29 – The night before was raining and it was nice again to hear the sounds of rain through my bedroom window, to me it was soothing…I used to love listening to the sounds of the rain against the roof and watching it from my bedroom window while lying on the bed… I was awake by 5am already; imagine that!! I feel rested though…by mid morning it was still raining and the kids want to go out, still feels good to be home.... By lunch time, reality check kicked in heehehe, imagine we went to see Vince pediatrician and we drive Johnny baby (our old red car), t...

Yap, nawala na ko sa hulog simula ng dumating ako hangga ngayon sa dami ng ginagawa ko sa bagong opit. It was a big mistake not to come back at least one day before I start on my new work. Di ko tuloy naayos lahat ang gamit ko.. Eto ang mga example: - the day I've arrived and preparing some things for work, I couldn't find my EZ link card, couldn't remember where I put it. - Saturday, I couldn't remember where I keep all my completed cross stiches, I can only think of taking out all the things in my closet, hoping I'll find them among my things - Now I couldn't find my ATM card and I am looking for it everywhere I can think of.. Hayyyy, the OC in me is lost...This is the effect of cramming right into work. I couldn't think systematically.... P.S. - found my ATM inside my passport holder...heh...

Yap, just got back sunday from pinas. It was a great time, though too short as usual. I don't have the time yet to do updates on what I've done during my short break. Yesterday, I've started on my new work and went straight to work chaos right after my orientation, whew...grabe.. Eto na lang muna: si cute Vince.... at ang mga gwapings:(Iel, Jolo and Arvin)...

Yap, tomorrow by 2pm I'll be home again. Couldn't wait to see my parents, grandma, siblings, my cute nephews, aunts & uncles, cousins and some close friends. As I see it, I'll be very busy trying to do everything at once during my time there.... I'm sure I'll be having a grand time... ta..ta..gotta pack...

Opo, last day ko ngayon dito sa kumpanya. Medyo tumagal din ako dito ng apat at kalahating taon. Ito rin ang unang kumpanya na napasukan ko dito sa Singapore. Grateful naman ako sa lahat ng natutunan ko dito na nagbukas ng iba't ibang magagandang oportunidad para sa akin. Malungkot din ako kasi me mga maiiwan akong kaibigan dito. Well, we have to move on sometimes and I feel that this is the right time for me.... so for now: goodbye SMOE Pte Ltd

My DC group treat me out today. Again another thai restaurant. Natutuwa naman ako at madami rin naman ang nagpapahalaga sa akin lalo na at malapit na akong umalis dito. And since every month yata ay may umaalis ang biruan ay paliit na lang ng paliit ang table pag me lunch treat sa isang umaalis. Alfred was saying that at the end it will only be him in a fast food restaurant wishing himself well with a combo meal hehehe... Enjoy naman ako sa lunch namin. I was with Cons, Alfred, Jenny, Kui cheng, Joyce, Shao qing and Lina. Thanks guys...

Since malapit na matapos ang araw ko sa kumpanya, kabi-kabila ang treat ng lunch. This time I was treated by our Project PEM, Patrick. I was with Constance and Kee Hoe. We went to a Thai restaurant near our work place and it's really quite good (by my standard heh)...We've had mango salad, stuffed chicken wing, tom yam soup, deep fried fish, olive rice and pineapple rice. Tsalap talaga ng thai food.. It was nice of Patrick to do this on my behalf... I'll surely miss these guys.

Dito sa little red dot normal na yung makita mo yung mga babae na naka mini skirt, at di lang basta mini ha, mismong micro mini pa. Sa isip isip ko lang kaya ganun dito ay dahil sa mga sumusunod: - unang una di sila sumasakay dito sa tricycle, imagine mo kung naka mini ka tapos sasakay ka sa tricycle na kasing baba ng lupa - pangalawa di sila sumasakay dito sa jeep, imagine yung mga jeep na halos kapantay ng waistline mo ang taas ng entrance (assuming maliit ka) - wala ditong mga manyak na halos hubaran ka na kung tumingin - wala ditong nambabastos sa daan - wala ditong pulaera at pakialamera sa suot ng tao… - lastly, hindi dito mahangin sa labas so hindi lilipad ang palda mong maiksi..

And so it goes... The classic example is my current situation: ayun after maka-commit ako sa company na lilipatan ko ay saka naman kabi-kabila ang offer ng ibang kumpanya, at mas magaganda ang job package..sus, kung kelan committed na ko ah saka nililito ang aking isip ng ganitong mga offer. Anyway sabi ko nga sa friendship ko ay nanghihinayang na lang ang theme song ko kasi wala akong choice kung hindi mag decline kasi nga pumirma na ko dun sa naunang kumpanya. Maganda din naman ang offer dun, international company din, ang kaibahan lang ay permanent position itong latest offer compared sa contractual basis yung sa lilipatan ko. And besides hiniling ko din na ibigay sa akin ni Lord yung una so mahirap tanggihan di ba??? Baka bigla itigil ang supply ng blessings sa buhay ko..... Sabay sabay kantahin:...nanghihinayang....nanghihinayang ang isip ko....hehe..

And these are the people I'll miss here; somehow they've made a difference in my four years stay: from the Structural group – Yu Qing, Chandra, Muru, Nashir, Tini, Dzul from the Electrical group – Wei Ling, Grace, Michelle from the Piping group – Soni, Chinna Project Coordinators – Kee Hoe, Ashok, Patrick, Kumar Boss – EC, Tjek Planning group – CS, Helen, Joyce, Charles, Chung IT – Ajay DC group – Cons, Alfred, Joyce, Kui Cheng The Pinoys – Ritchie, Mang Paul, Mang Aaron and others Thank you guys, some I’m sure will keep in touch, some will have the same fate as previous colleagues, will fade from memory but still will be part of the collective memory to be dug into once in a while (maybe during old age heh….)

Eto ang mga ma-mi-miss ko dito sa kumpanyang ito: - uncle driver from our morning bus service - uncle driver from our evening bus service - the free transport and the 5 min walk from our house to the bus pick-up point - the 10min drive from pick-up point to work place, lapit lang noh!? - food sa canteen kahit na apat na taon na yung menu nila - Fish & Chip pag Tuesday, Fish soup pag Wednesday, Briyani Rice pag Friday - my cubicle, my chair, my pillow, my pc (bago ko ba naayos ergonomically ang aking work station noh!) - all the girlie abubots on my desk, some have to be given away before I leave - free access to internet anytime I want, need I say more? - updating this blog anytime I want - unlimited use of phone line for chikahan - able to use hp anytime I want - not a single person to report to, my accountability is to the project I am handling. - colleagues I have worked with, some become friends, some are pains in the ass. Feeling senti…but on the other hand…yeheyyyy!!!!

Very funny kaso I need someone to translate hehehe... from FANFARE by Ricardo Lo, Philstar 10/05/05 Kung nag "gay speak" sila ni GMA, eh, di wala sanang gulo ngayon. Ganito sana ang dialogue: GMA: Hallo, Gracia! Garci: Yes, Mother! Natsuktsak ko na po yung mga chuva ek-ek! GMA: Bonggacious! E, yung tienes-tienes, carry na ba? Garci: Winnie Santos na, Mama. Wis na worry kay Aling Minda. Eclavou and ever! GMA: Ay, ang tarush Zsa Zsa Padilla!

Opo, nakapag pasa na ako ng aking notisyo sa pagbibitiw sa trabaho, pagkaraan ng halos apat na taon at kalahati ay nagkaroon din ako ng tapang at tiwala sa sarili na kaya kong umalis sa aking kumportableng sona. So one month after today, I will be in a new environment, bagong pakikisama, bagong pag-gawa ng pangalan within the organization at bagong buhay trabaho. Sigurado ako na makakaya ko ang lahat.

Intramurals in the school is a good thing for the kids to practice and honed their skills and more so they will have the time to enjoy being playful for awhile in school. So this being the week that Iel’s school is having their annual intrams I’m sure that Iel is enjoying himself participating in all kinds of sports that he is good at in his school. Naturally some sports and events he will have to lose but that will just build his character. The important thing is he has the motivation to participate in whatever events he feels will do him good. So Iel, enjoy your intrams, good luck on remaining events and keep your head up….see you soon, pasyal tayo and eat out kung san mo man gusto, promise yan..…

Well after a very early wake-up call to go to our clinic appointment, hubby and I ends up at Orchard Road even before all the stores are open. We did have coffee and kaya toast first and then went around and bought lots of books on sale at Lucky Plaza lobby. He bought a book on Wars, I've picked up Jane Austen & Roald Dahl's book collection and some children books for our nephews and that's not even 11am yet...All along we are thinking not to go home to an empty house and cook lunch and just pass some time going around and have lunch there, anyway what happened was we went over to Tang's and they have a big sale on-going so ano fah, eh di shopping galore kami ni fafa....bumili si labs ng shoes and some slacks. Ako naman ay khaki pants and shirts. Sus me nakita pa akong Jane Shilton bags on sale kaso I have to restrict myself hehehe.....pero after pay day makabalik kaya hahaha!!

(Author Unknown) People are often unreasonable, Illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, You will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. People may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, Someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, They may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, People will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, And it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God; It never was between you and them anyway.

Opo, bukas malalaman kung magkakaroon ako ng pagkakataon na makuha ang isang magandang oportunidad. Sana nga at ng magbago muli ang aking pananaw sa buhay trabaho....Sana ay ipagkaloob ito sa akin. O sya, at ako ay magbabasa muna para sa aking usapin bukas ng umaga....

Yap, dalawang araw na po na pinipilit ko ang aking sarili na mag jogging to be fit. Dun lang naman sa perimeter ng block namin, nung unang araw ay wala pa yatang 100mtrs ang natakbo ko at kelangan ko na tumigil dahil kanda hingal ang aking byuti, pero pinilit ko na lang mag brisk walk hanggang maka dalawang round ako..kahapon dahil sa medyo ginabi ako sa katagalan lumambot ng aking nilulutong hapunan ay halos 7.30 na nang ako ay lumabas para mag jogging ulit and medyo lampas na ng 100mtrs ang natakbo ko and as the previous day dinaan na lang ulit sa brisk walk ang remaining perimeter. Naka isa lang po akong round kasi medyo afraid na si lola at madilim na hehe…mamya sana maka takbo ulit ako…kelangan ko na talagang mag reduce kasi daw ang taba taba ko na……so ikaw labs, kelangan ka mag uumpisa mag jogging??

"Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are." – Henry Van Dyke

Dito sa little red dot every year ay me celebrasyon ng mid autumn festival, as if me autumn sila heh…anyway eto rin ang panahon na bumabaha ang mooncake dito sa opit, halos araw araw me namimigay ng mooncake…kumbaga sa atin para itong hopya, pero dito napaka special ng tinapay na ito kasi nga once a year lang siya available. Bale ang filling nya ay lotus paste then yung mga special me pula ng itlog sa gitna, halos nag evolve na rin itong mooncake na ito kasi ngayon ang dami dami flavor na lumalabas, andyan ang yam (ube) flavor, meron din pandan, etc, etc….pero sobra kasing tamis kaya ang kapiranggot na mooncake eh solve ka na unless kaparehas mo si pinsang Ariel na gustong gusto ang mooncake hehehe… Ayon sa aking kebigan na local dito, ang mid autumn festival tsaka ang mooncake daw ay ukol sa rebolusyon nang kanilang ninuno against the Mongolians. They used the mooncake to pass information and messsages para sa kanilang pagkaka-isa. And then on the 15th Aug they had the revolution. Yan...

This is one of my favorite Josh Groban song, it befits what I feel sometimes: You Raise me up.... When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary When troubles come and my heart burdened be Then, I am still and wait here in the silence Until you come and sit a while with me You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas I am strong, when I am on your shoulders You raise me up.....to more than I can be.

I called my friend yesterday and even though we've been apart for almost 7yrs already the camaraderie is still there. We still laugh out loud as if we just saw each other yesterday. She's now based in Canada and I don't think our schedules will make it possible for us to see each other quite too soon. We've been in touch through email and occasionally I'll have the urge to call just so I can hear her laugh. Whenever I think about her, I have always this image of our constant kuentuhan every Friday after work dun sa ilalim ng puno ng kaymito sa bahay nila, yung tipong kinakabagan na kaming dalawa sa kakatawa.…. Each of us had gone a long way from our simple days of lazing under that tree and still the friendship endures. Great friends really are for keeps. Wala lang, miss ko lang sya and our walang humpay na kasayahan before….. Labyo sister!!!

Just read about this yesterday. Apple will launch this new ipod nano: I can't wait to see this. Currently I have the Ipod Shuffle and I'm enjoying it so much that even at the office I am still using it. Buti na lang di ganu mahigpit dito sa opit. Ipod sounds quality compared to other mp3 player is great. This is a birthday gift from darling hubs, ambait no?!...alam kasi nya maka Apple ako eh. Right now I have on it an eclectic mix of Eraserheads, Josh Groban, Alanis Morissette, Michael Buble and Andrea Bocelli , extreme - extreme huh?! But after reading about this latest nano I have to restrain myself not to buy by impulse. Panu kaya hehehe…...

I am planning to go back home by Oct this year but then now I am thinking that it would be better to go by December. One of the main reasons will be our kampung fiesta. Normally this only occurs every five years and I vividly remember that I and my barrio friends arranged for the very first fiesta in our barrio. That was in 1985. So many changes and so many years have gone by and it's about time to have a reunion again. I've heard that almost all my kababaryo who moved to other countries to settle will be going home also for this event. Ethel, my childhood buddy and neighbor will fly from Italy. Some cousins from Canada will probably be there too. Belen will arrive from Taiwan. Most of these people I haven't seen for quite a number of years already. This will be a good time for reunions and catching-up since we last saw each other. Now here's the hitch, the fiesta will be just two days after Christmas and we are not suppose to spend this season home so my hubs really wa...

Saturday was spent at Sentosa with cousins & their parents. Did not get around too much though, we went only to the Underwater World, rode the cable car, rode the Viewing Tower then watched the Musical Fountain show. While aunt, uncle and one cousin were inside the Underwater World, me, labs & other cousin just laze around one of the umbrellas in Dellifrance, sipping coffee and taking mid afternoon snack….okay din natuwa naman mga oldies sa mga isda dun…as usual this was our nth trip already. Sunday was spent at Orchard Road and Chinatown respectively. They had a lovely time finding good buys at Chinatown…ayun sa kaka 3 for 10dollars ay naka 200plus din sa total cost hehehe, at least enjoy naman. Compared to Orchard it was really cheaper there…and the place is so nice, has an authentic old feel about it. It's one of the main tourist attractions here. Tomorrow I'll try to get them our corporate pass for Jurong Bird Park. I'm sure the oldies will enjoy the sight there...

I can't help but laugh out loud when last Sept 1st I saw on TFC morning channel the Company singing christmas carols and all of them including the show host were wearing santa's hat…Trulili malapit na ang pasko sa pinas..."ber" months na nga pala..time really flies. Pasko na ulit, masaya na naman sa lupang hinirang. Sadly we are not planning to go back for Christmas this year. We'll see, but if we are to go I have to start planning now, what with all the expenses, we really have to plan ahead. Right now I am into going back by last week of Oct until mid Nov, by then parang pasko na rin ang kapaligiran. I'm thinking it's about time to be at home during All Saint's day, I haven't been home for this for about six years already. Kakamiss ang fishball sa cemetery hahaha!!...

Yesterday was her last day at the office. I will surely miss her because we've been together at work for quite some time already. Even back home we were working at the same company. Six years was spent in Batangas, two years was spent together in Malaysia, and four years here in Singapore. I was in Malaysia because of her and at my current job because of her. I will always be grateful for all the help she has given me. We have our own misunderstandings at times but she will always be a friend to me no matter what. I just hope we'll be able to see each other around in the near future. Today it seems strange not to go over her cubicle early in the morning for some talks, and through out the day I missed our conversation in tagalog and all our kalokohan in this office specially if we are both fed-up with people and with work. We have the same type of job and whenever one took a vacation the other one will take over the scope but now I wonder how will I cope with all my load if I ...

Tagalog tayo... Anu ba yung MC sabi ng iba, eto ay Medical Certificate na kinukuha sa isang doctor dito sa little red dot kung me nararamdaman ka...sick leave sa atin, pero ayon sa obserbasyon ko hindi lahat ng mc ay para sa sakit lamang, malimit din itong gamitin ng mga tao dito na tinatamad pumasok, kagaya ko ngayon hehehe...ayon sa kontrata ko, mayroon akong 14 na mc sa loob ng isang taon at pag hindi ko ginamit ay wala na ito sa susunod na taon, entonces pag ayoko gamitin ang leave entitlement ko ay mc leave ang ginagamit ko para sa mga araw na tinatamad ako o para sa mga araw na masuka-suka na ako sa trabaho...relax muna ika nga...pero minsan mahirap humanap ng dahilan para kunyari ay me nararamdaman ka so kagabi ang dahilan ko ay yung vertigo ko, sabi ko ilang araw na lagi akong hilo, ang nangyari tuloy binigyan ako ng referral para magpatingin sa EENT specialist doctor, okay na rin para malaman ko na talaga ang dahilan ng aking vertigo at kung me gamot ba silang maibibigay.... A...

The other day, Chel and the kids and the not so old kids went out for some fun, ate out and shopping galore. Yesterday, they couldn't find all my bilins, hay buhay…. Today, Wena found Pugad Baboy Series 10 & Muro Ami , still hunting for the other bilins on the list. No luck on Rex Navarrete audio and dvd. Sina Chel naman went to see Vince pedia then ate out again, tuwang tuwa daw si Vince and gustong gusto kumain ng soup. He's 3kg overweight heh…. Dinner tonight will be at Red & Blu's place, dinner on Friday will be at Wena & Imat's place and barbecue lunch on Saturday at Tita Lorie & Tito Dayo's place….sayans I miss all these happenings…..

"He who receives a good turn should never forget it; he who does one should never remember it." - Charron

I should have come with Chel and go back for a short break. Hearing about her arrival and the excitement of the kids makes me wish I was there too...Sumama naman daw si Vince sa kanya agad. Today they were all together for lunch sa bahay, ang ulam ay pritong tulingan at bulanglang...tsalap nun... Sayang dapat kahapon nung ihatid namin si Chel ay dinala ko na lang yung passport ko at naka pag chance passenger sana hehe... Hopefully, I will receive updates on a daily basis from home about all their happenings...

Uuwi na nga po si Chel bukas at ang dami dami kong pinapabili, eto ang partial list: - Pugad Baboy series 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 16 - (meron na ko nung iba, kakatawa kasi 'tong collection na ito...) - Cesar Montano movies – Muro Ami, Bagong Buwan, Rizal, Panaghoy sa Suba (puera Machete ha...) - Eric Quizon movies – Happy together (with Teta kwe-rekkkkk) and Pusong Mamon (an old movie that I really really like, Eric Quizon at his bakla best) - Roderick Paulate movie – Petrang Kabayo (heh…tingnan natin ang galing ni sister mag hanap) At eto naman ang mga pagkain na dapat lang dalhin nya pabalik dito: - Longanisa - Sinaing na Tulingan (sa Batangas lang meron nyan...) - Atsarang murang kalabasa - Tinumis - Tuyong kamyas Ano pa ba???

Opo, on leave na naman ako kasi schedule ng check-up ni labs and at the same time labas naman si cousin from hospital. Eto after a hectic day, nagluluto naman ako ng ipapadala ko sa mga favorite pamangkins. And pupunta dito ang mga Tita ko to take care of my cousin, so dito daw muna stay sa bahay at mas komportable kasi para sa kanilang lahat lalo na para dun sa naoperahan. Sana nga ay tuloy tuloy na ang pag galing nya at wala ng maging complications. K, at nag ding dong na niluluto ko....

Since I am always feeling tired, the only conclusion that I can think of is I am lacking in some vitamins so off I go yesterday to browse the shelves of local drug store here. I am particularly looking into the type of vitamin supplements that will apply to whatever I am in lack of. I always feel tired, I feel stressed and my vertigo is now a continuous thing. Finally after quite a while, with almost reading every supplements there is, I found a Vitamin B Complex with this description “For fatigue, stress, irritability and lack of energy“. So grab it I did and start taking it last night. Hopefully it will help me….Another type of supplement I’ve found contains Ginko Biloba which is good for vertigo daw. I did not buy it yet because I don’t want to take too much tablets. We’ll see first how it goes with this Vitamin B Complex. Anyway a year ago I was taking Vitamin C & Vitamin E as supplements but with all the negative feedback I am reading on too much in-take makes me stop taking t...

Super na kaka pagod ang current work load ko. Feeling ko parang semento na katigas ang balikat ko sa muscle pain…huhuhu… Buti pa si sister at uuwi this Saturday sa Pinas. Sana maka uwi din ako sa November para makapag pahinga naman at maiba ang environment. Environment ng walang pera hehehe, pag umuuwi ka kasi dun makikita mo ang paligid, yung mga tao na nahihirapan sa pinansyal na aspeto ng buhay kaya after na ma-recharge ka, sumaya ka at nakita mo ang pamilya mo ay kanda-kumagmag kang bumalik dito at parang feeling mo napaka suerte mo at ng pamilya mo dahil me matino kang source of income..….

Thursday - was a bit scary because of my first cousin. He was hospitalized here. The doctors couldn't confirmed if it was his appendix or what. So after office we went there to check on him, I've asked for a senior specialist and they decided to operate, but still he's not sure if it's appendix..nakupo kako bakit di nila alam...then we wait and wait for the OR availability and sus two hours kaming naghintay..around 9pm pinasok na sya sa OR, we waited until 11.30 and still he hasn't come out so we decided to go home first and just left my other cousin to stay and wait..ay sus!! it turns out di nga pala appendix, nagfuse yung intestines nya and the doctor have to cut the damaged intestines..about 5 inches was taken, i think. The doctor called it diverticulitis. He said the intestine was so inflamed and has abcess already...buti na lang naoperahan. Kaso mahirap pala talaga dito magkasakit kasi di namin alam ang sop nila dito... Friday - work, work, work and after offic...

We're discussing on what will be the ideal number of days it will take to fly to manila and be with the family for a minimum impact on current work load…we'll, my friend was saying two days will be enough, I told her she should make it three…one for flying there, one for staying at home to see the whole family and one for flying back here…. And since we now have this Budget Airlines here this is really so feasible pero bitin….for me I must have at least one week to enjoy being home again.

Wala naman ganun pa rin ang buhay pero kahapon naka usap ko yung bespren ko na dun na base sa Oz…thankful ako at naka usap ko sya, medyo nagliwanag ang mga hindi maliwanag…(labo no??!!) Sa home base ganun pa rin kuento, di kasi ako gano nakakatawag kasi nga sandamakmak ang work load ko. Buti na lang nauso ang text messaging kaya kahit papano me update from pinas. Yung sis ko uuwi this Aug27, at dahil ulit sa dami ng trabaho ko ay hindi ako makakasama kaya eto naglilista na lang ako ng papabili ko sa pinas…balak kong uwi ay last week of Oct na lang until second week of Nov…medyo feel na ang pasko by then di ba?....but still, we'll see how it goes… Tapos na po…..

Last night and this morning I asked the LORD for guidance and this is what HE gave me today... "Lord, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with your love that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter towards anyone."

"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do a good work today." - Elbert Hubard

Sunday and as usual chima-a-a ang role ng lola...ngayon lang ako naka upo at naka sulat dito. Pero tuwa naman ako at nakatulog ako ng husto kaninang umaga, 10am lang naman ako bumangon... Dami ko ginawa today, linis room, palit beddings and towels, linis bathroom, cook lunch, do filings, pick up clothes for recycling and at the same time separate those not being used but still new and will sent back home. Naka luto na rin ako ng para sa hapunan at sisimba daw kami ni kumander by six pm. Nakapagbake pa ko ng bread pudding, ayos din parang custard cake....almusal din yun sa opis bukas.... So sign off muna ko at still have a bit to do before going to church....

I was thinking so hard if I will take the chance for a new job opportunity. The salary will be good but on the other hand I will be taken out of my comfort zone. Am I ready for that move? What bothers me most is not the job scope coz I'll be able to do it. It's my being mental about certain things plus my physical tolerances are what concern me most. I am always having a problem with my short fuse when I am tired and stressed-out that I am afraid this new opportunity will have me on thin strings at all times, imagine then the impact on my temper and physical strength. What to do....what to do....

Today is Liel's 11th birthday. Ang bilis talaga ng panahon, dati rati si Iel ay tabatsingtsing na bata pa na sa kakapalan ng buhok ay itsurang sumo wrestler lalo na kapag nakapusod. He grew up at my sis in-laws place and he was really into watching so much tv. Wala kasing kalaro nung bata pa sya so parang loner and doesn’t want any other kids to play with….sus kung pag-gabutan ba si tisay hehehe…. And take note dati wag mong babatiin yan kasi sobrang suplado sa personal. Kala nga namin super pilyo sya pag lumaki pero ngayon super bait na sya. What really stands on my mind was the one time I visited him at their place and he wants to come with me to the city, I was meeting one of my friends then…so I have no choice, I think he was around 3yrs old that time. He came with me and I was driving and I was so afraid he'll be hurt and still he ended up with a bump on his forehead caused by my heavy feet on the accelerator, so when we go back to our barrio he was in front of me at the w...

Eto latest from sis...Sabi daw ni Iel magluto bukas ng macaroni soup pero wag na wag daw sasabihin sa kanyang Tito Red na ibili sya ng cake at wag na wag daw mag iimbita hahaha...totally the opposite of Jolo talaga...

We didn't have internet connections for the past two days, we terminated the Singtel service and signed-up for Star-hub connections. The techie just came and did the set-up for the new internet connections, with wireless and broadband router. This is better because i'ts faster and we can use 3 to 4 pc at the same time. AND I can use wireless connections so now I can use my Apple ibook and can now browse while in bed, wuhooo.... Such a nerd heh...

Today is the 40th national Day here in Singapore. This is a big celebration for them and of course today is a holiday kaya andito lang kami sa bahay. I am not feeling that well, my vertigo is acting up again, maybe too much tv, reading and cross stitching yesterday. Labs went to Pulau Ubin with some friends. Mag biking daw sila dun, I was suppose to go but then I backed-out last night. So later this day we will watch the National Day parade on tv. This is always the main event of their National Day. They have reasons to be proud of. The NDP is a big celebration and well coordinated, there is so much participations from each school and the audience turn-up is always huge, such a great way to celebrate. I have written something about this already last year on my other diary. I hope I can post it here, it’s something like a comparison about our own country’s celebration and the way they celebrate it here…. Found it and here goes: Aug 10, ‘04 So before I lose my momentum on the last Nation...

Yap, on leave ako ngayon and I feel good. Gumising ako ng 9.30am, nag ligpit ligpit tapos nag breakfast lang then nag start na mag-bake ng chocolate chip cookies. The recipe was taken from forwarded emails about someone who felt she was cheated by Famous Amos Cookies, well I didn’t know if the story is true but the taste of the cookies is the same as the original Amos cookies. So every now and then basta me extra time ako I always bake them….

Pumunta kami sa East Coast Park, medyo me kalayuan sa bahay namin pero sulit naman. Nag ikot ikot dun para naman maka relax ng konti. Ganda ng place and since di na ko gano sanay mag bike ang narenta namin ni labs eh yung dalawahan. Enjoy naman kami going around in our bikes, medyo masakit nga lang sa legs and butt. Di na kasi sanay, the last time I rode a bike was during my trip with Claire & Tom at Villa Escudero, sows 1998 pa yata yun… After one hour of going around masakit na mga pwet and legs so we had an early dinner na lang at Mcdo because of the kids. Maaga din kaming naka uwi. Enjoy naman ang lahat and hopefully maulit muli.

rant...rant...rant...blah..blah...blah...rant..rant..rant grrrrrrrrr........ tapos na po

I've so much work load these days and I can not update this on my daily happenings, anyway I've found this article about Harry Potter Book Six and I couldn't resist posting it... Harry Potter’: A cauldron full of hot, strong love By Marie Jamora The Philippine STAR 07/31/2005 This Week’s Winner Marie Jamora is a freelance director and a third-year MFA film student at Columbia University, New York. She has directed music videos for bands like Sandwich, Imago, itchyworms!, Kjwan, Sponge Cola, and the Eraserheads. Her short film, Quezon City, starring Jeffrey Quizon and Julia Clarete, was in competition at last year’s Cinemanila International Film Festival. At night, she also gigs around, playing drums for her bands Blast Ople and Boldstar. The Muggle Liaison Office has its hands full right now. Non-magical folk everywhere are gobbling up Harry Potter books like Wonka candy bars, yet no one seems to be getting satisfied. No, this does not mean that the new book, Harry Potter a...

...how to fall in love without losing herself... ...how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship... ...when to try harder... And when to walk away... ...how to have a good time at a party she'd never choose to attend... ...how to ask for what she wants in a way that makes it most likely she'll get it... ...that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents... ...that her childhood may not have been perfect... but its over... ...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... ...how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it... ...whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally... ...where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods…when her soul needs soothing... ...what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month... and a year... Submitted by: Mei

...one old love she can imagine going back to... and one who reminds her how far she has come... ...enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to and needs to... ...something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour... ...a youth she's content to leave behind... ...a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age... ...the realization that she is actually going to have an old age and some money set aside to fund it... ...a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra... ...one friend who always makes her laugh ... and one who lets her cry... ...a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family... ...eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored... ...a resume that is not even slightest bit padded... ...a feeling of control over her destiny… Submitted by...

Six years ago dumating sa buhay namin si Jose Paolo. Second baby ng sister ko and our second nephew. He is so totally different from his big brother. I can say big brother Iel looks exactly like their father and Jolo looks like my sister. Kung gano kalaki si Iel ganun naman kaliit si Jolo. Nung ipinanganak sya wala na ko sa Pinas so hindi ko nakita ang paglaki nya, sabi nila kulot na kulot din ang buhok nya and mahaba ang pilik mata and malimit mapagkamalan na girl kasi yung mukha nya parang sa babae hehehe…..So porke wala ako sa pinas ang kilala lang nya ay si Tita Chel nya and he will not remember me. Recently na nga lang nya ako nakilala and to think Ninang pa ako hahaha… Madaming kuento si Jolo, iba ibang anecdotes na nakakatawa: Napaka conscious sa pananamit, pati sa buhok, pag hinahatid ng Tatay sa school eh sa likod daw sumasakay kasi mapapayid daw buhok nya, meron pa yang cologne sa bag nya hehe….makulit na bata, at laging sya ang sumasagot sa telepono pag tumatawag kami, minsa...

Eto nandito sa opis at nag-tratrabaho kahit walang bayad. Ganyan talaga ang buhay, para bang binawian ako ng kumpanya sa anim na buwan halos na 8 oras lamang ang aking productivity...hay layp... Bukas birthday ni Jolo M. at balita ko me handaan daw sa kanila at kumbidado ang mga tita, tito, mama, papa..request ng me kaarawan na maghanda daw naman kahit cake man lang hehehe... yan lang po and back to the mines for poor me.....

From forwarded emails, a nice read... A REAL WINNER Author Unknown Feb 18, 2004 In 1962, four nervous young musicians played their first record audition for the executives of the Decca Recording company. The executives were not impressed. While turning down this group of musicians, one executive said, "We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on the way out." The group was called The Beatles. In 1944, Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modeling Agency, told modeling hopeful Norma Jean Baker, "You'd better learn secretarial work or else get married." She went on and became Marilyn Monroe. In 1954, Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired a singer after one performance. He told him, "You ain't goin' nowhere son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck." He went on to become the most popular singer in America, named Elvis Presley. When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it did not ring off the h...

Alitaptap sa tagalog ang firefly di ba? Si dahleng ko nag aaya sa Kota Tinggi para daw sa firefly watching malapit sa beach. He said he will arrange it, so okay, sana matuloy. Naalala ko tuloy nung mga bata pa kami dun sa aming probins, pag gabi na at wala kuryente ay nanghuhuli kami ng alitaptap at nilalagay namin sa garapon, kaso tinatakpan namin si garapon kaya yung liwanag ng alitaptap ay humihina habang nanghihina din si alitaptap. Those were the simple days. Sabi nga ng Inay dun daw sa tapat ng bahay namin nung sila naman ang mga bata pa ay me isang puno ng sampalok, malaki yung puno at sa gabi daw ay punong puno ng alitaptap, para daw tuloy christmas tree ang effect. Ganung effect ang dadayuhin daw namin ni labs sa Kota Tinggi. Imagine, ngayon you have to go to a certain place para sa firefly watching samantalang it was previously on your doorstep and you never did have any idea how special that was, such irony. Kahit ngayon wala na ito sa probins namin and paminsan minsan na me...

Si Sofronio M. Bicol, Sya lang yung inabutan namin na nag iisang kapatid na lalaki ng mga Inay. Namatay sya sa sakit sa puso nung 27 yrs old pa lang sya. Ang tanda ko lang ay grade four yata ako nung mamatay sya. Entonces me 28 taon na syang wala sa pamilya namin. Tanda ko sya kasi me kahigpitan si uncle, pag nakita nya kami sa labas ng kalye at duon naglalaro ay hinahabok nya kami pabalik sa luoban. Magaling din syang magbiro sa amin lalo na dun sa bahay ng mga Auntie ko, kasi nung araw ay kawayang sahig ang bahay nila so dun sa mga siwang ay nananakot sya, tutundusin ka nya ng tingting eh siempre gulat na gulat ka naman lalo na kung gabi na….di rin sya nakatapos ng pag aaral pero nag aral naman manahi ng pantalon kaya dati sya ang pinagpapatahian sa amin ng pantalon nung mga binata nung araw. And as it runs in their family, kulot na kulot din ang buhok nya. Palibhasa bata pa kami so hindi namin naiintindihan kung bakit nakahiga lang sya minsan, kung bakit lagi syang maputla, kung bak...

Yap, still awake and will probably be tired and sleepy tomorrow because of this.. Nyway si taba di pa umuuwi so habang naglalaba ay naghahanap ng bagong trabaho sa net. Sana maka suerte...

Dahil sa kami ay dito naghahanapbuhay sa ibang bayan, natural lamang na iba ang sistema sa trabaho kung ikumpara mo sa pinas. Sa pinas puedeng petek-petek lang at lilipas na ang maghapon (depende sa trabaho mo…) Dito kelangan na sumabay ka sa mabilis na agos ng trabaho, wala ditong kuentuhan sa kapit bahay na mesa, walang kuentuhan sa umaga na kesyo na trapik ka, o di kaya ay kung ano ang napanuod mong drama sa telebisyon nung sinundang gabi. Dito tatayo ka lang sa mesa pag tanghalian na at pag uwian na. Hataw sa trabaho, ika nga sa Batangas…. Pero dahil nga pinoy tayo me mga bagay na puedeng patamain…puedeng patama ka sa oras gaya ng wag muna umuwi lalo na at me bayad naman ang labis na oras, patama ka sa oras na kunyari me ginagawa ka kahit wala, look busy ika nga…..hawak sa papel pang nakita mong palapit ang mga bosing siguraduhin lang na relevant yung hinawakan mong papel hehehe….sabi nga ng isang barkada "ang tapusin mo ay kontrata wag ang trabaho…" me katwiran ano nga??...

Monday blues ang drama natin ngayon...sana nag medical leave na lang ako. Week-end sucks, Saturday we went to immigration to sponsor hubby's friend who's visiting. By the end of the day my head felt like somebody's pounding on it, probably due to the hot weather outside and cold interior of the immigration building plus the train ride ...ayun tsakit ulo hangga late evening until Sunday evening. Wala tuloy nagawa sa week-end. Even up to now lugaw pa rin ulo ko..kung nasa Batangas lang kami eh sana me homemade remedy na ko, my Inay's pinitpit na dahon ng atis and luya sa suka...siempre sa amoy pa lang ng concoction na iyan, tanggal hilo at sakit ng ulo mo....

From forwarded emails.... The Freedom of Simplicity By Bo Sanchez* Happiness is not found outside of you. It doesn't come from cars, clothes, cash, or Caribbean cruises. Happiness is found within. But how can you find it if you don't have the simplicity of time and space to discover the most important things in your life? How can you search the depths of your soul if you are too busy impressing others, acquiring wealth, protecting your properties, and paying your debts? Simplicity is not about the external either: living in a doghouse, eating in Hepatitis joints, wearing rags. Let me define what it is: Simplicity is living from the core of your being. A TREASURE MAP OF HAPPINESS Simplicity will point to you where and what and who the gold is in your life. Let me share with you the seven powerful lessons I've learned on simple living: LIVE ON LESS, AND DELIGHT IN THEM MORE Some take their pleasure dining in classy restaurants, trips to Europe, and owning the latest home the...

"Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought be done whether you like it or not" - Thomas Huxley

I've finished the Harry Potter & Half Blood Prince at last...and would you beleive I've gone back home today and took a half day leave just so i can finish the book...how nuts am I huh?! O well, as usual it's a good read...every ones grown up, it's getting darker and darker and sadly Dumbledore dies. I'll probably read again from the start my whole collections of Harry Potter series. I couldn't wait for the last book kaso she'll probably published it after two years na ulit...milk the cow muna, ika nga...imagine 6.9million copies sold on the first 24hrs!!! grave.. k, makapagluto muna at baka dumating na si labs..

I feel that my vision is blurring already with too much reading since yesterday afternoon. I couldn't put the book down but I have to stop for a while... Hopefully by tomorrow I can finish off the book. Not much happening on the home front...my third nephew Vince is 7mos old already and we've just sent some new clothes and shoes for him. Ang taba taba daw and super cute pa...Sina nephew Iel & Jolo naman are both doing good and enjoying the puzzles we've sent them. Yan lang muna for today..gotta go back to Harry...

Just got back from the store to pick up my pre-order of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince...couldn't wait to start reading...who will die in the end?? k, got to start reading now...

Last night we were at one of our friends house for dinner get together. They have two lovely kids. We were singing different english songs that they've learned so far and then we resorted to tagalog songs and this song was one of them. It's one of the few songs I remember learning during childhood, at about 3 or 4 yrs old?!.. …… all together now…... Ako ay may lobo… Lumipad sa langit.. Di ko na nakita.. Pumutok na pala.. Sayang lang pera ko.. Binili ng lobo.. Sa pagkain sana.. Nabusog pa ako….