why did she wed without me?! why!

One of the most brilliant actresses I love weds in a very private ceremony yesterday morning at 7AM. aaww... how romantic, but I also feel like I was cheated....cheated?! of the scoop! Of course I wanted to know and of course I wanted to see as it happens ... though we all knew she'll wed but they never told the press WHEN!

... so WHEN happened... yesterday, at 7AM... I was probably still sleeping that time, or yeah right, she's a big deal superstar that everyone around her had kept the secret really well that when the news came, I wasn't prepared!...yeah right. har.har. like I even exist in her world!

Anyway, if I was so bummed about it, maybe I should consider her as being the one getting married, who'd want things to be perfect and not so publicized! Not that my wedding was ever public but I probably had more guests than she had for keeping hers a secret ... oh! somehow I envy the thought of a romantic getaway wedding!

WELL... Mine was not a romantic getaway but a perfectly fun wedding! FUN, with laughs, giggles, you know ... when all your friends gather in one place, you'd expect it to be that way!

Anyway, I'm not ready to talk about my wedding, as it is still very, very precious to me, that I do want to keep it private for sometime, maybe later like ... when we reach our first year anniversary, that'll be a good time to tell the story ... it's just beautiful and magical to me that I wanna keep it for now... well, we have a "wedsite" haha ...

http://ramil-and-mj.weddingannouncer.com

Everything's there, pictures and stuff! hah! too much of keeping it to myself, huh? haha... well, sometimes ... I change my mind.

ciao!

...hello! I'm here keep me busy!

I had a day of things going around like mad in the office, like I don't know where to put myself after I had been done with a project and was said to be transferred to another, and then the other project just wont badge at the moment when I'm so ready to work at it 'coz ... doing nothing is actually harder than I thought, I wound up tidying my desk every 10 minutes! I do pray for breaks but ... having a break for a long time just wont do for me! Especially when I still have to wake up early and report to work before 8:30 AM just to:


1. Check my mails.

2. Eat lunch

3. Munch on snacks

4. Tidy my desk.

5. Munch on snacks.

6. Have Java Chip Frap

7. Check my mails.

8. ...Count my pens? ...

Never easy to be idle. It also doesn't help that my office overlooks malls, Starbucks and other "spend here" related structures! That my mind frequently works on where to go after work, that I'm sooo anxious to get out of the office, that makes time seem to stand still...longerrrr!

Anyway, speaking of jobs... I just realized that some jobs around here offers a lot of customer-care, that we've become the most "spoiled"customers in the world. For one we have people for pumping gas, in most parts of the world that I've been to... we do that ourselves, we get out of the car no matter what the weather is and pump gas. When buying groceries, we don't have to bother bagging the items we bought 'coz somebody will briskly do it and when you've got plenty, they'll even have a cart for you with a sign that says "no tipping please" ... though I sometimes feel like giving, they just wont accept, and lately, I noticed that now their vests says: How May I Help You? AND! whenever we eat out... we don't have to put away things, we just pay and go no matter if it's just the fast food or a restaurant ...well, probably by these we get our moneys worth or maybe they still charge us a bit for it ... like VAT for the government, but this one goes to some "hidden charges" ... I dunno but I definitely appreciate the convenience!

Reminds me though of a PC game I'm addicted to ... Diner Dash ... ever heard of that?! madness! completely madness but I loved it! You get to play as a waitress with all those chores and had to keep the customers happy or else they lose heart points and give you lesser tip! aarrgghhh... that game! But I have now a much higher respect for the one's that works in customer service, I mean ... it's a tough job to meet different kinds of people everyday wanting to get the BEST service out of you ... what if you're really tired? what if you're not feeling well?

... So, even if one time a pharmacist had forgotten to put the medicine I bought in my bag and I needed it badly, I didn't lash out at her considering the trouble that I had to go out my way just to get it the next day ... worse she herself has forgotten if she did or did not put it in my bag ... hmmphh ... if I had been another customer, I would've been really mad! But I was calm and just made her feel that I'm the sincerest person and I'm not lying about the medicine, I just want it now because I need it, I'm sick and that they could check the stocks later and left them my number because I don't buy their excuse of not being able to account it now 'coz there'd been a lot of customers wanting to buy my medicine ... really? ... wait! really?! It's not like I'm buying vitamins!

Anyway, with lots of smiles and sunshine, the manager had given me the tablets I need, without making me wait until they had their stocks accounted. Great! see? a calm and very respectful way of arguing could lead you to a very amicable settlement...

... Now what?! My dress shirt got stains ... from the java chip frapuccino I just had... my boss had to point on my shoulder where the stain is! aaccckkkk....


Well.well. wadayanaw! I also have some stains in the front ... oh yeah right! I was trying to get to the bottom of my drink where the chocolate chips are, which leaves me frustrated 'coz they keep clogging the straw! How trivial to notice, but I do... when things are not happening for me lately!

when do i get to write this stuff?

uhmm... in between laundry, watching boxing on TV, facebook-ing (tending to my pet Badgley, on Pet Society), giving out "reminders" for my husband to go buy bottled water 'coz the delivery guy didn't show up yesterday ... water? yes! nobody I know drinks tap water here anymore, there are water purifying stations everywhere, that'll deliver you purified, oxidized ... whatever to make your drinking water safe.

... and there he is, my husband with our purified, drinking water... wait! my laundry just stopped spinning.

Anyway, I had to cut-off writing and finish today, Monday before I start working at the office.

Well... what I'm up to is that I'm sooo obsessed with the song "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat... I don't know if Jason Mraz is a big hit to you guys, but I like his songs... easy to the ears, besides Metallica he's one of my favorites ... uhmmm... my ears seem to tolerate the softest, mellowest to the loudest and baddest sounds there is, so no problem switching in between Metallica and Jason Mraz ... is he a hit? 'coz he's not going around hollywood like John Mayer does, who dates a lot of hollywood ladies ... yes! we heard about them here, all of them ... in fact Hollywood is sooo big here that if you're an actor and you thought to yourself you're BIG, you have to make it here too 'coz we support Hollywood Movies more than any other english-speaking country.Though I, personally have a thing for French short films, subtitles included of course! Hollywood will always have a grip on me that I couldn't resist watching E! and Daily 10! That I loved fashion on the red carpet, hot celebrity couples and who's adopting next?! ... There's such a fuzz over adopting kids in Hollywood right now ... How I wish Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie would one day be in Mindanao and adopt a poor, orphaned Filipino kid ... I mean it in a good way, not for publicity! But I sincerely believe that these Hollywood figures wanting to adopt has good intentions in providing a good life to these kids, though character and care may be in question that besides the material things they could obviously provide, these kids need a real family. Don't worry kids we may not be in Hollywood, but if I get rich and we still don't have a family by 10 years we will adopt and raise as much as we can! ... AND we will all love you!

well... time to go and work for those future kids! ciao!

"lucky to be inlove with my bestfriend ...oohhwoohohhh" ... aaarrgghhh... that song!

Missing Francis

Francis Magalona is a man from Manila who well lived his life doing music. He's now gone... at 44 on March 6, 2009 ... hard for his fans to deal with, afterall he has never shown weakness, never shown pain, he's always been a boy with jokes and laughter on TV, with boyish looks who would've thought he's 44! Suffering from Leukemia for 7 mos., he passed on.

I sobbed like mad while watching his kids perform his songs in his memory on today's show where he used to be a regular. I felt for his 8 kids who were obviously missing a parent, but I was in awe for the wife, who is ever so strong with red lipstick on and was singing with the band where she has been back-up vocals for her husband. Theirs, was a close-knit family, as observed by the public, theirs was a marriage that was meant to last. You could see from Pia, the wife ... that she finds her strength through her children and her husband's music ... that even if 44 is young, he has done plenty, especially for the love of his country.

Personally, I do not know this guy from Manila, though Pia is my brother-in-law's cousin, they are the Arroyo's of Bicol ... all I know is... Francis is patriotic eversince he had made music, it's always about his country and how he wants everyone to rise up and help keep the Filipino pride. Hands down for his effort, for it is easy to be patriotic when your country is rich and powerful, but for a country like ours that's stricken with poverty, corruption, deceit and controversy, it's not easy to keep your pride. BUT people like him holds on, people like him never gives up on the future that's maybe why Rap music is his genre, it's fresh, it's hip, it brought nationalism to the hearts of many Filipino youth, who is our country's future.

True enough, that I grew up in his music, that now I can say, we are more proud to be Filipinos, and we promise to correct the mistakes of the past.

Lyrics to one of my fave Francism song:

Kaleidoscope World

So many faces, so many races
Different voices, different choices
Some are mad, while others laugh
Some live alone with no better half
Others grieve while others curse
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
Some are pure and some half-bred
Some are sober and some are wasted
Some are rich because of fate and
Some are poor with no food on their plate
Some stand out while others blend
Some are fat and stout while some are thin
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You can't talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Don't ask me how don't ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Burp and Wonders

For some reason people would want to celebrate their birthdays even when its not...and in a world where there's freedom and equality, no one can stop you from doing just that!!! So we did! For Che, a friend who by her whim treated us on a hefty dinner the other night supposedly a birthday treat. Given the budget and friends who are willing to party, why not?! Even if her birthday is still in October, why not?! Because there is a special production number by the crew of the restaurant, why not?!!! ...and there are plenty more reasons that could be answered by "why not?" so we just never argued why! It's like a blessing you never prayed for but came, so why ask?

So we went, stuffed ourselves, had good laughs, she paid --- and then there were loads of leftovers. The rule is, if your leftovers still resemble the picture on the menu, you have to take it home! It's still good food. In a world with many hungry mouths, you just can't throw away food, it's as if "again" a blessing that has overflown and now you want to get rid of it... no, no, no, NO! We had them wrapped and then brought home, agreeing that we could still eat it for lunch the next day.

SO THE NEXT DAY... we did just that, ate them and shared some more of it too ... How weird that the food *slash* blessing seemed to have overflowed, that we had fed a room of people including ourselves?! We go wondering how much did we really ordered that night, or how much it could've costed our friend? ... well... were not really sure how much food we had on the table, but surely we had wasted none of it! Leftovers are good food ...(just don't let it go stale!)

Anyway, our generous friend was not finished with us ... she later again treated us to Starbucks for a drink of our choice! *coffee jelly=heaven* we really don't know what's gotten into her! But, there has to be a "moral lesson" in this, even if it seems to be vague that people would do random generosity! ...

The moral lesson? uhmmm... "To bring out the generosity in someone, you must be a charity case" ... aaaaccckkkkk.... not good! uhmmm ... "In order for blessings to come into your life, you must learn how to share it" that's pretty good, huh!...explain! Well, it's like a pail of water, when you don't throw out excess water, you wont be able to fill it again ... so let your Blessings flow! Let your hands, be at least "quarter" empty, so it'll be filled in again with things you need more in your life! Let your closet breathe, so you could shop again and fill it with great, new, in season stuff! ... uhmm.. kidding!, haha, but you get my point, right?

Celebrate Earth Day.

I thought I'd be writing about Hollywood and how we know all about it here ... in a far corner of the world, we do know about Hollywood! But let's just save that thought for the real world outside the glitz and glamour, of fashion and gossip. The world outside is celebrating EARTH DAY and we had seen AL Gore at the mall ... uhmmm not the real deal of course! But just a production onstage with a huge screen playing the Inconvenient Truth, complete with props of a windmill and mountains. I'm glad they had that activity, that at least for us who were mere passers by had been reminded of what day is today...

"ah! it's Earth day, let's go celebrate!"

Ok were not really heavy activists for the planet earth and the biggest thing I ever did for mother nature was planting a tree 10 years ago in school... which is probably all grown and shady by now. Sorry that I didn't do much after, but carried canvass bags for shopping... and oh! I made a donation for the "Kapit-Bisig para sa Pasig Project" (arm in arm in saving the Pasig River) That in seven years, the Pasig River will be clean and rid of the slums that encroached the area. We have high hopes on the project, we just hope that people will do their part in saving the environment though it may begin in a small way, the effort becomes bigger when put together.

So... in celebration of the Earth day, we had a big, hearty dinner with friends... uhmm... let's just say it was an impromptu celebration that we had to think of a reason just to eat! (grr.) We even thought of celebrating our friend's birthday which isn't really today but we just wanted the birthday song by the waiters at Gumbo! (eyes rolling!) complete with maracas and bongos! haha I know, were crazy, but who doesn't do that in their lifetime? To pretend that there's a celebrant at the table? haha one of those days you know, when you're all tired from work and just want to hang out and have a decent meal ... fun for old people like us! Boring and stupid for others!

Well ... happy Earth Day all ... may everyone be protectors of all God's creations ... HUMANs included!

Next Destination: Caramoan

Islands of Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines

It's been raining today that I thought my summer's really, really over by now! It's all gloomy outside and the weather seems to go crazy everyday, one minute it's all sunny and happy, next thing you know it's raining like the season has changed within the day... I was sooooo cold while working in the office, all I had for protection from the blasting aircooler was a scarf which I left in my office drawer ages ago! Who would've thought it's gonna be raining and cold anyway? There was no sign at all that the weather will turn ugly. We had no umbrella, no jackets ... aaarrgghhh... I have a fan in my bag?! I was ready for the heat. tsk.tsk.

You see? the effects of global warming? The weather is going crazy, I live in a tropical country which is supposed to be cool and moderate in temperature. Now it gets really hot when sunny and cold when it's rainy ... what happened to my "childhood" weather? It used to be nice and shady when summer, but now summer has rain....ahhh, it could be because I now live in the City, which of course my "childhood" weather would be in the Province!!! Cities mostly have "sick" weathers brought by pollution and all that ..blah.

hmmn... anyway, summer getaway schedules are still out there. WE really don't have to put anything on hold, like my friend who's visiting Caramoan (Ka-rah-mo-an). Caramoan is found in the Bicol Region, where my roots are. Though it's 2 hours away from where I live in the Region it still is accessible. My friend who is from the city has never been to Caramoan, though he has been in my hometown in Legazpi for my wedding, he's coming back to see more of Bicol. He has seen the Mt. Mayon and now he is ready to island hop, in the "not exploited" sands and beaches of Caramoan. From what I know, the island only caters to a maximum of 60 guests per day, I don't know now if it's still the rule, but it's to preserve the island's natural beauty. Which is fine. Afterall, who would want to spend a vacation in a very crowded, tourist infested place. Unless you want to be partying while in a vacation, there are other places for that, but in Caramoan, it's just sun, sand, water and air.... and the trees ... and the rocks ... and the caves ... and the smiles of the people of Caramoan!

So one of these days, I will go there!!! Hello! I'm from Bicol, it's like a sin not to visit such a place when it's within my convenience. ^0^

PS.

Let me post a link, it's my friend's facebook. sshh... he's got brilliant photos of this place from his search:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=1575856&id=835598068

Wanting One of Our Own

husband and not our kid, =P

Today, I'm done with my old project, the construction is well underway, we were sent photos of the progress on site and by the looks of it ... it looks fine, everything seems to be flawless, how come when you're behind the scene you see all these flaws, as if things will never ever be put together, all the mails and questions and drawings sent back and forth, mayhem!!! Just mayhem. But when you see the progress photos and how the skyscraper is beginning to take its form, you see tranquility and beauty, as it stands tall and still, like a giant gem reaching for the sky!

aahh... the perfect words to describe the love for what I do. But LOVE + MONEY is better love though!

And as I write, options are popping in my head that I want to grab my husband and shake him off from sleep!

"Yes, I want to work outside the country for better pay!" That is now my answer. Though his question came way earlier today, that he pointed out his reasons and how it'll make things better for us and our "plan" to have a baby soon. We're hoping to save and invest and come home to a more comfortable life. Though our life now is as comfortable as we wanted it, we wanted to move on to the next phase, which is "making a family" and that! at these times, is not easy. We may be comfortable, being just the two of us, we may be happy by just being the two of us ... but you know, we wanted "offsprings" haha, those bundle of joys! Those little ones who celebrate birthdays that you'd bake cakes for. Those that you send to school and teach homework to... and those who makes you cringe by growing up so fast and now thinks on their own, they don't want to be dressed by you anymore! ... hmmn... will this go ugly if I continue? haha ... KIDS. We want 'em no matter what.

And so that thought of a better life (fast forward) in a greener pasture while were still young is OK. I think there's a lot more out there for us, if we step outside our comfort zones. If we try to look farther than what is being put in front of us and think not only for ourselves but for the future. We want a family and if we are moving slow, how far long should we wait to start one?

Of Husband and Biodegradable Plastics

more and more are going Bio

Our small home don't have gender issues when it comes to house chores. While I did the cooking my husband did the laundry and while I did the cleaning of the house my husband went to the grocery. Everything we have to work on together. But he does the dishes better because he leaves the sink dry and squeaky clean, while he always tells me to do the same, because I take too much time drying the dishes that I get a little "lazy" to completely dry the sink. >.< sorry hon... But what's so great about being able to share the responsibilities, we get to spend more time together, laughing. Though, at times he gets cranky when I spend half the day on the internet, doing facebook and tending on my pet Badgley. I totally understand why, haha he gets jealous of the time, but you know we spend 24 hours a day together. From home to work and back.

I'm sure a lot would wonder if we ever get tired being together. uhm... there are times when I also need space, when I also need time alone ... like when I really need to be alone like for buying him a present on his birthday, which has become a challenge for me because WE do go shopping together and it doesn't matter whether I'm shopping for underwear or buying makeup. He's just there, not helping me trying it on though or suggesting better colors, (that'll sort of freak me out!) But he's just there ... and ready to cash it out! haha (that's the best part!) He has no second thoughts in paying but of course, this is a marriage, time also comes when I do the paying. We share a lot and that's really good.

I guess if we stick to what works for us we'll be able to go on and on and on and on as we vowed to be.

Anyway, part of the reasons why I love my life now ... my husband being gender sensitive.

BACK TO WORLD ISSUES. I am currently keen on plastics...uhmm... not the persons! But plastics, real plastics that takes 500 years to decompose!!! Yeah, those! Everytime, I use one I make sure they are biodegradable. Or not use them at all.

Biodegradable plastics, I've mentioned them in one of my earlier posts. They are unbelievably TRUE. They exist and I hope that all the other stores would use the same material for wrapping if it's inevitable to use plastic. However, what makes me wonder is how they actually decompose, if it says biodegradable I assume that they shall rot on natural causes in a short period of time, but that's just my view as a person with common knowledge. But as my search on this progressed I saw some sites that said that these bags needs to be burned to get rid of, given that it is made of a biodegradable material, it wont do harm to the environment if burned.... uhm... this is quite hard for me to take ... "burning?" ... I'm anti-burning stuff unless for food. Besides if you ever encounter these biodegradable plastic material, they do look and feel plastic, without a hint that they are earth-friendly unless stamped with the word "BIODEGRADABLE"... So, NO! I'm not burning them... I'm not going to risk it, though I'm advised that it's not harmful whatsoever, I just wont. Just because it looks like plastic, feels like plastic ... it is plastic! But I'm truly glad that these inventions are made for the benefit of not just man but the environment. So thank you to all those who use these bags.

But if in doubt, "BYOB" (Bring Your Own Bag) to carry your shopping.

age are just numbers

Helen Sue turns 26
Liza is 31,Che is 30
Marc is 29, Giselle is 32
Shann is 31
Angel is 23, Fame is 37!

Helen Sue is a friend who's celebrating her birthday today, turning 26. When I asked her how she feels about being 26, she shrugged and said "I feel so old" haha ... she feels old at 26, that makes me feel heck a lot more older being 28! aarrgghhh... Anyway, she looked great in a Chinese inspired print of cherry blossoms dress shirt paired with a pencil cut skirt. It's her birthday she has to look good!

Well ... if it's just age and numbers were talking about, I know some people who seem to have defied aging. Yup, you heard me ... these people I know looks way younger than they actually are. I remember one time at Foxwoods in Connecticut, and were about to enter the Casino when the security approached us, asked for IDs and when we handed them our passports, he was like ... "1973! , 1977!, 1980?!" "does anyone age in your country?" whoa! flattering! really. but why? how do you think 30-ish people should look like?!

Snapshots: New York

Traveling to New York was one of the best experiences I've ever had. I went there twice. It was easy for me to get there because I stayed in Connecticut that time. By train from Hartford, we arrived at the Grand Central Station and worked our way through the streets and subways.

The first time, we paid 19 dollars to go up the Empire State Building, where we had a fantastic view of the City. It was bad a idea though to go there at winter time though for us it was already considered spring but the weather was still oh so cold that we had to limit our time on the deck. We also went to see the Times Square, its Mc Donalds with its glittery lights, the Broadway ... we walked in at Bubba Gump for some seafood and just chilled until midnight.

The second time, the weather was a bit considerate though still cold. We went to see The Statue of Liberty, where we had to fall in line for like a mile!!! It's a great thing that we did buy our tickets online that way, we went straight to waiting for our turn for the ferry that will take us to the island than go for another line to buy tickets.

The ferry carried people of sorts, students on tour, foreigners, families, couples ... grannies and a whole lot others. We had hotdogs while on board. It was all sea water for a while that we saw... and then from afar, a view of the island and miss liberty with its arm up in the air like a wave... "HELLO MJ, WELCOME TO NEW YORK!" As our ferry grew closer and closer, I can't help but to take several shots and videos, I was super excited. The ferry docked and we walked from where the view is behind miss liberty. We walked and realized that we also have a wonderful view of Manhattan on our left, across the water. I took loads of pictures and videos to show my parents. I'm happy and goofy.

After liberty, we went to the famous parks, Battery and Central Park. Took loads of pictures, bought souvenirs, saw the St. Patricks Cathedral, and Trinity Church, rode the subway ... did some shopping and took loads and loads of pictures. Imagine the power of the digital camera, what if we were still using rolled films?!!!

What a great experience, New York that is. At night, we went to Bryant Park ... were hoping to catch celebrities ... but nah! I was too engrossed at how beautiful the Chrysler Building was and the Empire State at night. How I imagined the Twin Towers if it were still there... Have I mentioned that we are commisioned to do one building of the New World Trade Center on the same site? ... well, yes we are. And I'm so proud!!! It'll be a great honor and pride. Anyway, we walked saw that on Bryant Park, one of our building constructions were there, dropped by a few moments and wondered how come we still have some drawings in our hands when it seemed 80% complete? hmmnn... anyway again, I was there to see New York and not work. "I could live here, you know?" I said to myself. I could be working and living in one of those apartments. I swear I wished that to happen that night. Everything seemed perfect. It seems to be.

sick but not ...

I had not been feeling well yesterday that I went straight home from work, read a book and went to bed. My husband who's so worried wanted to take me to the hospital ... it was 10:30 in the evening. I myself was scared and not sure of how much blood I already lost though besides a headache, I wasn't feeling sick or dizzy. I just wanted to sleep and felt my body was tired. I'm bleeding...again. It's semi-normal to me that I bleed instead of a normal monthly period, that would last about a week, mine would last 2 to 3 weeks of beyond normal blood shedding! It scares me everytime ... every month. That whenever my period is here, I'm afraid that'll kill me! >.< Eversince I started having my period at 9, it had been this way. Much worse when I was in highschool when I had to receive several blood transfusions due to anemia. Odd enough to say but my condition is now deemed NORMAL. Yup, you heard me, this too happens to other millions of women out there who experiences excessive menstrual bleeding. Though of course I have to tell you some probable underlying causes that I had received treatments for way back when I was a teenager. I was given oral contraceptives (Trinordiol) and Provera to help balance my hormones, as I was diagnosed with Hormonal Imbalance... (that explains my mood swings, depressions, and major PMS-es! imagine that as a teenager!) my bleeding is regulated by Daflon and my blood supply is sustained by Iberet Active (Iron Supplement) and blood transfusions in worst cases! It's so much easier now to recount those facts than being in that situation at the time when I was an active student in highschool, I was in a Science-Oriented class with subjects for Advanced Science and Math, more like half College and half High School Curriculum (spell ..G-E-E-K ...), I did Arts, Music, Sports and Dance (spell ... uber G-E-E-K ...) imagine the inconvenience that my "illness" brought me! I was young and so not ready to die!!! I remember the time when I had been bleeding profiously that I was already having convulsions and was vomitting nothing but water, I was an emergency case, Doctors and Nurses surrounded me and did their best to keep me awake and stabilize my blood pressure as it had dropped dangerously low ... a near death experience? YES. I was just praying sooo hard... and was ... smiling ... smiling? Yeah, I knew I was smiling, I wasn't delirious! I knew I was smiling. I smiled in between barfs! I was smiling at my mom and my siblings who were there and was crying in a corner who thought they'd lose me that day as though it'll make them feel okay. My brain is too active watching the doctors and listening to what they were doing but my body was revolting, convulsing and I couldn't stop it from happening... I almost died if it wasn't for the blood that came from a volunteer who came to the hospital earlier that day when my mom had asked for help from our neighbors and from other towns for blood donors! The man is said to be a security officer who came from another town, donated his blood for me and took only the hard boiled egg that my mom prepared. Thank God for those kind of people!

I survived. Though I still have to endure what's said to be "normal" for me now. Normal, in a sense that my cycle is normal, though it's long and on the heavy-flow side I don't have to take medications for hormones anymore, that I don't have cysts that were visible after my period and that the doctors would tell me, "I am not sick, wait 'till she has a baby and then it'll wash off" ... hmmn ... I wonder when. My OB says, I should consult her when were ready to have a baby, probably for some tests and work ups if ever I get a hard time figuring out my cycle... hmmnn ... so, today after realizing my life ... I'm stronger. I'm not letting this get me down. My husband needs me and I don't want him worrying about me. We will see my OB on Saturday, who knows more than a check up we might consider consulting for a baby soon!

work and hair things.

'Never been so excited to be at work ... I know I sound like a total geek, but the thing is ... it's better than to come back from a vacation for nothing! People are losing jobs everywhere and I'm still lucky that my company is staying afloat amidst the global financial crisis! Oh I'm not the best person to discuss that but all I know is, I'm gald to be at work and there are projects for me to work on. So today, was pretty hectic, I know... it's hard to get back on track after having been away and was just eating and sleeping! So, it was a bit of a challenge for me to stay awake and focused. Though my lines and dimensions are still pretty straight and accurate, it's my butt that can't sit still!!! I've been going around so many, many times ... just walking past cubicles and looking around, spying on people if they're really as eager as me to be at work ... hmmnn ... probably just like me, glad to be back but not to eager to work. ssshhhh....

anyway, besides work, I cancelled an appointment with my hairstylist because I was running late from the office ... (you see I'm dedicated har.har.) When I got home I was pretty sure my bangs are long enough to affect my vision! I was whining at my husband for not being early that I could have catched my appointment. Seriously, the bangs had to be snipped!!! Funny but sure can do, my husband volunteered to do the snipping, "Honey, it's just the bangs! I'll do it!"

...Well, we go together for trims usually on the weekends, so he knows that I recently had my hair done, going in just for the bangs wouldn't be so practical ... BUT dont worry, I don't really trust him to do my hair, so I got the scissors and did it myself. Viola! bangs if bangs it is!!! It looked alright and saved me money. If you're wondering what it looks like, it's a full bangs ... Katy Perry style ... 50s style or something ... I don't know how close the look is but I like it!!! I'll have some photos up tomorrow! =P

Home for a Week!

After days and days of nadaaa, I'm back in the cyberworld. As I have completely disconnected myself from the world outside Bicol (my hometown) I didn't even use my cellphone to contact anyone too! haha... no wonder if I'll get "who are you?" looks when I'm back to meet my friends at work! =P

Well, there were two days squeezed in between 3 holidays, so me and my husband filed a leave of absence for those 2 days and was gone for a full WEEK!!! (how fun is that?!) So, WE went home to my province went to the beach, ate out, joked around, grilled some fish, planned an extension room at my parents house, played with my niece and ate, a lot!!! Now I have to go to the gym and work it out seriously!!! But I could never realize that while at home, my mom and dad would never tell me anything about weight, they always think that I'm way too thin and keeps feeding me loads of delicious food to put on some pounds! tsk.tsk.

Anyway, it was great fun to go on a feeding frenzy with my 6 feet 1 inch tall of a brother and a very pregnant sister whom I'd leave very disappointed if I went out there only to eat like a bird! I was very happy to be there. I was well reminded of the good, old days when I was still in school, still living with my parents, everything seems easy ... well, I can always come home whenever I can, right? I get the best of both worlds ... as my 3 year old niece would say in a Miley Cyrus way. Yeah, the best of both worlds ... The BIG City with my career and ambitions and The Good Old Town where my heart and home is.

'Can't wait till it's Christmas!!!

Snapshots: Lent

Here are photos of the life-sized images depicting Christ's Way of the Cross in Legazpi City, Albay that we saw on Lent. Some of these images are a CENTURY old but are constantly being restored and cared for, for the future generation as these are priceless antiques and heirlooms. They are presented to the public in a procession where it has become a tradition and a tourist attraction, but above all, may it be a reminder of Christ's love for mankind.

of bags and birthdays

Every girl should have a RED bag, it's flattering and an instant "pick-me up" color. It goes with anything too ... uhmmm yeah maybe not especially with purple! I don't know maybe for some it works but for me ... it's not an easy match. Anyway, I got this RED bag at my favorite mall, ST. Francis Square, which offers loads of great buys plus you can still haggle for the prices to go way down a bit more! yup! surprising isn't it? Well, they are usually direct suppliers which is great, they have their own products to showcase and I have a favorite store called Charice that makes their own clothing line, they can even customize a design to fit your size perfectly! Besides that, they also do imports from Hong Kong and Bangkok which is great 'coz I've always considered Bangkok a shopping paradise! Good quality at a great price! In fact, I still have this pair of khaki pants that's still looking new, after 4 years! hmmnn ... it could also be the detergent I'm using, but khaki pants are hard to maintain especially when you got a color that you don't ever wanna wore out! Like a perfect brown-beige that might easily fade by frequent washing... aahhh the joys of Chatuchak (night-market in Thailand).

SO, anyway... 'love this RED bag that's got pockets and room for all my stuff. 'Love the fact that it can also be a sling bag 'cuz it's got another strap that you can easily clip on to the sides ... great buy at 200 pesos! WHAAAATTTT???! 200 PESOS? yes, that is like 4. 16 in US dollars... I know. I know it's a steal!!! haha ... but what can I do? I've mastered the art of haggling!!! hehe ... of course they wouldn't give it away if they don't have something for it so trust me, don't feel guilty!!! ^-^

AND ... besides the fabulous find, I have a day to share with you. It was yesterday when my hubby decided to celebrate his birthday though his birthday was last March 20, he decided that we could have a lunch party in the office on April 3 ... aahhh you know the story, we were broke last month for his birthday that we only spent a dinner of soup and pasta with two of our best friends. BUT as you know, birthdays are ought to be celebrated! It's the wonder of life that we ought to celebrate each birthday, a blessing, a gift. So yeah, we had food brought in to the office c/o an officemate that has a catering business ... SUPERB food, the chicken barbecue with sauce is the best ever!!! Also the Pancit Malabon which is a recipe of noodle, seafood and veggies! yumyum! and for dessert ... we had Buko Pandan ... a green gelatin of Pandan leaves and shreds of young coconut meat. yummy! We were all stuffed and happy!

* To my husband, Happy 29th birthday! I wish you good health and wonderful things! Thanks for being a blessing to me.* kisses*kisses* MJ

Damaged

Ok. So I've been obsessed of how things will turn out between the Philippines vs. Chip Tsao ... remember the guy who blatantly discriminated Filipinos in a Hong Kong Magazine? ...ahhh ... very fresh memories, in fact it may never fizzle out of my memory, ever! ... I know, I should just get over it, what is said is said, the damage has been done and it is leaving a scar. A reminder perhaps that no matter what, we are in defense of our race. Which is so sad to note that within this century ... for heaven's sake we have not learned anything from the past at all, we are just going around and around this whole racism crap! I am 28 and at 28, I know better than to categorize myself as a lower being just for my skin color or for which THIRD WORLD COUNTRY I come from. I know for a fact that in this life WE CAN NEVER FAIL AS A RACE OR A GENERATION, WE CAN ONLY FAIL OURSELVES AS HUMANS!!!

And this, isn't the first time that Filipinos had been insulted in media ... there are a lot of times far more worse than Chip Tsao's article. Oh I know all of them ... one is even written by our own citizen for which of course again we had to "defend" ourselves. Over and over again we had to. Why bother? Because it HURTS. For no other reason, it just HURTS that people wouldn't care of leaving you the least bit of dignity. All the more that they have the power to broadcast! It makes you want to hate back. It makes you want to discriminate too ... afterall, if they HATE you, why would you want their LOVE anyway? Most of these discriminating people are the ones who doesn't even give a damn, so how dare of them to think they are better? How dare in their ignorance are they better?! If they were Saints and has given themselves to the need of the world and had mocked us for any wrong doing, then maybe I would listen and be ashamed of myself. BUT for Chip Tsao? or the racist others? ...

hmmnnn ... this isn't going to end is it? Not in our lifetime.

Well, this is my last bout against Chip Tsao ... (for now) all he has to do is to make another "apology" a good one ...he'd better try again because he gave us a really lame one. It wasn't even an apology, it was an excuse. He thinks he can fool us with using the word "servants" in another context like "public servant" or "God's servant" as if he had meant the same when he called our country the "Nation of Servants." tsk. tsk. what a guy!

I can't even believe this whole racist issue had sprung from the "Who owns the Spratly Islands?" WHHAAATTT? Geography Mr. Tsao. Geography. I bet you can't pull the islands closer to where you stand that's why you just had to hit below the belt!

aaarrrggghhhh... make me stop! (deep breath)

OK. so at least I had it all out, that's what heartaches need. Loads of time to write! hehe and it'll be all gone! I have nothing against the Chinese people though. I have friends who are Chinese, one of my bestfriends is marrying a Chinese guy pretty soon, 'tell you again ... we cannot fail as a race, only as humans ... so, Chip Tsao and his publishers owes it to us. We deserve a sincere apology and not explanations.

Skyscrapers, Vacation and a Movie.

Good morning! I've been missing in action for a day, well... haven't got a thought or something that would really define what my day was yesterday ... it was all but work! Things are finally revving up as proposed projects are coming in ... I've never been too excited to have more skyscrapers built anywhere in the world, I usually just take it as work! But now, it does say something in my life, afterall, this is where I get all my spending power from!

Anyway, until we have the plans and instructions in our hands we will be waiting BUT for now! yeah! now is even better! We got a long vacation next week for the Lent, more popular here as the "Holy Week", I know ... time for fasting and reflection, maybe for the last 3 days of Holy Week, I'll do just that.

Today? we watched a movie with friends, Monsters vs. Aliens ... yeah kidstuff! But you know, it's nice to laugh and be entertained without having to decipher whatever the movie is all about after a long day?! It's just pure entertainment, no headaches and what if's.

hmmnn... so that's what I did for those times, we ended this day with ice cream (yum!) @ Haagen Dasz, superb!