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.