Pumapatak na naman ang ulan

Himala at umulan na naman ng malakas one hot summer day. Took advantage of the chance to dance in the rain. Nagkataon, we were in Naic Cavite for my Mommy's and Tita's high school reunion. All-expense paid kaya go agad nung inaya ako ng Tita ko. Mabuti naman at kamukha ko si Mommy kaya nagmukhang representative nya ako kesa naman nagmukhang sampid ako sa outing na yon, he he

Tag from Atinapay

1. What is your occupation? Aliping Saguiguilid

2. What color are your socks right now? sockless, mainit kasi dito

3. What are you listening to right now? "Without You"

4. What was the last thing that you ate? Mallows

5. Can you drive a stick shift? yup

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? right now, green

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? sister

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? opo

9. Favorite drink? ice cold tubig

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? volleyball

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? never

12. Pets? Kuto and Garapata named Kupet and Lupet

13. Favorite food? Siopao Asado

14. Last movie you watched? Jumper

15. Favorite Day of the year? Saturday

16. What do you do to vent anger? Step on the gas

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? My doll named Icy, bulag sya at may bad hair (after I cut it) so lagi syang naka-shades at nakabandana

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? rainy day drizzle, la kasi kami fall and spring

19. Hugs or kisses? sabay

20. What kind of pie? key lime pie of Bubba Gump

21. Do you want your friends to email you back? pag may tanong ako

22. Who is most likely to respond? highly intellectual ones

23. Who is least likely to respond? Yung sira ang computer

24. Living arrangements? live-in with asawa

25. When was the last time you cried? Kanina while in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

26. What is on the floor of your closet? alikabok, books, empty boxes

27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? no one, kasi this is my secret blog

28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending this to? di ko nga ise-send eh

29. Favorite smell? bagiuo, sampaguita, sandalwood soap

30. What inspires you? love, kids, anything

31. What are you afraid of? snakes, heights, losing a loved one

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? cheeseburger

33. Favorite car? my car

34. Favorite cat breed? tiger

35. Number of keys on your key ring? 7

36. How many years at your current job? 21, shocks ang tagal na pala!

37. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

38. How many provinces have you lived in? Holy Week vacations in Pampanga

39. How many countries have you been to? 7 sama Pilipinas

Cover Girl na ako

tag ni Atinapay

Have an exceptional Valentine's Day!

Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is theultimate antidepressant.
2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to be at peace today.'
5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did lastyear.
7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.
8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.
9.) Dream more while you are awake.
10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that aremanufactured in plants.
11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon,broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new andflowing energy into your life.
14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of thepast, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest yourenergy in the positive present moment.
15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems aresimply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class ...but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a collegekid with a maxed out charge card.
17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey isall about.
24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 threadcount sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for aspecial occasion. Everyday is special.
25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will thismatter?'
27.) Forgive everyone for everything.
28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.
29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stayin touch with them.
32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God providesremember?!
34.) The best is yet to come. (in Heaven)
35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36.) Do the right thing!
37.) Call your family often.
38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I amthankful for __________.' Today I accomplished_________.
39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainlydon't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most ofit and enjoy the ride.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT! Have a Blessed day.
T.G.I.F. - TODAY GOD IS FIRST

*author unknown

P.S. I'm a cartoon today :)

Eighth Wonder of the World

The majestic Banaue Rice Terraces

Converted

Reflections for the New Year

Logan http://youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

The Last Lecture http://www.sonnyradio.com/lastlecture.html

TO DO list for this year:

1. Live with Integrity
2. Tell the truth
3. Show gratitude
4. Remember people are more important than things
5. Be a Tigger
6. Apologize when you do wrong - I'm sorry, it was my fault, how do I make it right
7. Find the good in others
8. No whining

.... I know there are more :)

Missing katropa ni Cleopatra sa Sonya's :)

The Greatest Advice

Cleopatra at Sonya's Garden :)

Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.
Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't sleep around because you think you are old enough & know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.
Don't stagnate!

Don't regress.
Don't live in the past. Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career. Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.
Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions & be the best of what you can be.
Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself. Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry.
Love Deeply.
Walk barefoot.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don't wait for someone to take care of you.
You light up your life. You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.

It isn't true that life does not get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in God.
Don't grow old. Just grow YOU!

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back.
Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give to someone is your time. Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others,
But how much we give of ourselves

~Rick Warren, The Purpose of Driven Life

Nostalgia

May bagong CD is Babyface, the title is Playlist. Revival of old familiar songs. Gustong-gusto ko sya when it was advertised on TV so as soon as I get the chance, bibili ako nito. Gusto ko ngayon na nga eh. Parang kating-kati ako lumarga at maglibot, even go to the grocery and spend at least 2 hours there until I memorize which items are in what aisle. I like groceries, I like hardware stores, I like home depots. Just leave me there for at least half a day and I would be happy. Buying only a few but making kalkal everything.

I was just at our reunion last night, went to see old friends from work. One came all the way from California. We had dinner at Something Fishy where I ate my favorite ginataang kuhol(yey!). Not all were able to come dahil daming excuses but the people who were there were the ones really close to me. Na-miss ko na sila. I really enjoyed my work at the software house moreso because of them. After saturday work, gimik time, mostly eating and bowling till the wee hours of the morning. Ang saya! I was closer to the guys than the girls though. Ewan ko bakit, maybe because it was easier to be friends with them, less maarte and straight to the point pag kausap mo. Also, they tend to take care of you, bringing your dala, taking you home, asking where you like to eat, where you like to go, ganun.

Anyways, after the dinner and we went our separate ways, I felt sad. Parang you lose the homey feel of familiarity and friends. Ganun din when the diwatas left, kakalungkot naman. But then you move on knowing you'll be seeing them again one day. Then you're back to the daily grind of life, hmmm

Cebu, Queen of the South

Volunteer na naman! It's now the 11th Drugstore owners (hindi druglords ha) Association of the Philippines Convention. The venue is the majestic Cebu Waterfront hotel located in Lahug kaya napadpad naman ako sa lugar na ito. Cebu is great, food is fresh and delicious, transport is easy with jeepneys and honest taxi drivers (na nagbibigay pa talaga ng sukli ha unlike in Manila, automatic tip na nila yon bukod pa sa nagpapadagdag, nye). Pagod na naman pero sulit because our group (Registration Commitee) did well, clap clap clap!!!

Went to the 5:30pm mass but it was in Cebuano. Waited to see if the next mass will be in English or Tagalog, pero cebuano pa rin, nye!

The new Marcelo Fernan Bridge said to be the world’s longest center span extra dosed cable stayed bridge (ano daw???) connecting Mactan Island to Cebu City

Upon arrival at Ceu on Sunday, we immediately looked for a food place, he he We ate at the famous SuTuKil (Su is for sugba or grilled, tu is for tula or prepared into a soup and kil is for kilaw or turned into a raw fish salad) where you choose the freshest seafood and have the restaurant prepare them to your liking.

My favorite was sweet and sour lapu-lapu although all the food we ate was so good owing to the fact that the seafood was indeed very fresh.

One of the few harpist I encountered, sa Cebu ko pa nakita. Pwede pa nga mag-request. Manong is a regular musician at the Manna Sutukil restaurant.

A painting exhibit at the Waterfront lobby

Posing-posing sa may swimming pool of Cebu Waterfront Hotel where we were billeted

Outtakes 2007 Part 3

Kapanahunan na naman ng pagkakaibigan... dumating si Bingle from Canada, si Helen from Japan, and Badaday from San Francisco (del Monte) para makumpleto ang tropang trumpo!!!






From the Land of the Rising Sun, the Kimono Beauties!!! clap clap clap

Outtakes 2007 Part 2

Inantok at nakatulog ang Bingle while having her manicure/pedicure. Notice Badaday na nakapayong sa loob ng spa(????)

Outtakes 2007 Part 1

Never before seen photos :) Nakalimutan camera sa Starbike kaya celfone na lang ipinangkuha ng pektyurs during dinner at Josephine's

August 2007 Asian Tour :)

Milestones 2.0

March - Tuloy ang Kasal

Dahil sa dumating ang Mamu nung March, kailangan na isiksik sa konting panahon ang mga dapat mangyari tulad na lamang na kasal ni Sister. Ilan beses ng nag-expire ang kanyang marriage license dahil inaantay nga ang pagdating ni Mommy last year pa. It was a simple civil ceremony at kami-kami lang talaga ng nandun, kapuso at kapamilya lamang. Ang ninong nga nila eh si Switham eh :) Notice na kami nina Josie, Mommy, and Switham eh nakaputi... wala lang... para feeling wedding talaga :)

April - Garage Sale

Ipina-rent na ang bahay namin sa Monte Vista so we had to dispose of most the things na nandun. Di na kasi kasya sa mga bahay-bahay namin ni Josie. Nagmistulang bodega na nga ang itsura ng apartment namin ni Switham, may washing machine sa dining area, at may aircon unit sa sahig sa sala. Kay Josie din ganun. There are some things na di namin talaga ipagbibili like the piano, dining set, etc. Pero maraming mga anik-anik (small items) that we decided to sell sa murang halaga lamang. Plates and glasswares at 10 pesos each. Silverware for 5 pesos lamang. Nakakalungkot to let go of some of the things pero naisip ko, itatago ko rin lang naman sa bahay namin so might as well sell it cheap to someone who'll use it. It was also sad to see strangers living at the house. Di bale, 1 to 2 years lang sila dun tapos kami na titira ulit sa house.

May - My Pamangkin

Dumating ang aking pamangkin na si Niles. He is the son of my sister Jobelle and her husband Neil. Ibig sabihin daw ng name sa 'Niles' is 'son of Neil'. Tamang-tama, di ba? Umuwi si Neil and Niles from New Jersey to attend the wedding of Neil’s ate. My nephew is an only child kaya nung nakauwi dito ginagabi kakatambay at kakalaro sa kalye sa dami ng kalaro. Sobrang cute, grabe :)

Mahilig sya sa toy train kaya nung dalhin sya sa amin ni Neil, isinakay ko sa LRT (dulo to dulo), ayun, mabaliw-baliw sa tuwa!

Ang nakaraan...

Year of the dragon '86
April da terd (3rd)
by the swimming pul
of selebrity...


Witnesses to da contraxt:
(signatures follows)
Beverly David
Joclyn Umali
Sandra Ann So
Helen Valencia

Be it known to all present that
we da byutipul wimen of tudey hereby
agree to da paluwing terms:

1. must be a human (half-human accepted especially for Sandra Ann C. So)
2. no more than 6 feet tol (especially for Joy)
3. below one hundred (especially for Helen)
(but not < 50)
4. must be willing to kiss (por Beverly's sake)

status of da humanoid: singol (take note * Helen)
with a few strands of hair

Must be able to acquire not later than year 2,000 PAUNAHAN!

The same requirements por da prebyus constracts still holds VALID.

PAYMENT UPON ACQUISITION: P60.00 each to be paid not later than 2 days apter...

Signed and sealed:
Office of da PIMP
Marry Ann Marcelo

Isang Araw sa Hacienda

Dumating si Mamu nung Marso at isa sa aming destinasyon ay ang aming Mango Orchard sa Bagac, Bataan. Hactually, di amin ang Orchard, may limang puno lang kami dun, hehe. Pag lumaki na ang puno at namunga, we share the profit with the mga tagapag-alaga. Ang layo nga lang talaga, feeling ko more than six hours back and forth. Masayang alalahanin pero nakakalungkot din kasi bumalik na si Mamu sa Amerika kahapon. Naiyak nga kami ni Sister sa airport kasi more than 2 years na naming di nakita ang aming mader tapos sandali lang vacation nya. Sa states, Mamu works at Walgreens and Littmans Jewelry store. Uso kasi dun more than 1 job. Sa sales sya in both companies at proudly lagi syang number 1 sa sales. Dun daw, you do everthing, ikaw na nag-sales talk, ikaw pa din ang magpapasok ng benta at mag-operate ng kaha. Napapagod na raw sya but she like the benefits of working, bukod sa nakakalibang, ok ang health insurance at ok ang kita. Sa mga lakaran namin dito, ako pagod na pero sya high energy pa din.

Hay, nakakamiss. Kaya nga ba super-relate ako blog entry ni Bingerly about pining for her parents.

A TEENAGER’S LAMENT

This letter made the rounds last year via text messaging…

Dear Daddy,

Sorry sa sulat ko... Gusto ko na kasing umalis sa poder ninyo. Sasama na ako sa boyfriend ko. Natagpuan ko na ang tunay na pag-ibig. Napakabait niya at malambing, di tulad ng iba. Matutuwa kayo sa kanya specially sa mga hikaw at tatoo sa katawan nya. Di lang sa mahal ko sya kundi buntis din ako. Sabi nya ok daw para sumaya ng pagsasama namin. Maliit lang age gap namin, 65 lang sya at wala syang pera. Di ito hadlang sa amin. May trailer truck sya at dun kami titira. Kahit may ibang girlfriend sya, alam kong tapat sya in his own way. Tinuruan nya akong humithit ng damo at may tanim din sya nito. Minsan pinapalitan namin ng shabu. Ipagdasal mo din na matuklasan na ang gamot sa AIDS para gumaling na bf ko. Deserving sya gumaling! Don't worry, I'm 15 na Dad at alam ko na alagaan ang sarili ko. In time, you'll be proud of me. Minsan bibisita kami para makilala mo sya at ang apo mo.

Love,
Gabriela

P.S. Dad, si tutuo lahat ng sinabi ko sa sulat. Nandito lang po ako sa kapitbahay. Gusto ko lang malaman mo na madami pang mas nakakatakot sa buhay kesa sa REPORT CARD ko sa drawer ni Mommy. Papirma na lang po kasi may bagsak ako :)

Nay nay nay nay

Nanay, my lola, passed away just before Christmas. It was a sad time for us. I also realized a person cannot die with dignity. Once dead, you are wrapped in a blanket, stationed near the hospital exit awaiting pickup from the morgue, and referred to as a cadaver. You have a window of four hours from the time of death until you become cold and rigid. Meaning, di na nila mababago position mo (unless they break something).

My sister called me up 2AM in the morning crying. Yung pag-ring pa lang ng phone in that unholy hour, I knew already she was gone.

My lola was brought to the hospital after suffering a stroke. Di na sya nakakadilat nor nakapagsasalita but she would shed tears whenever any one from family would talk to her. She also cried when the nurse inserted a feeding tube through her nose. I couldn’t bear to watch. Di ko rin sya makausap kasi naiiyak ako so I had to leave the room and just told Jor-el to talk to her for me. A priest also came to visit her. She died six hours after.

During the funeral, all of my lola’s four children were asked to eulogize. Dahil nasa Amerika si Mommy, ako na lang daw. I stood up and just bawled. Di rin ako nakapagsalita.

A tula made by Nanay on the occasion of Mommy’s grand 55^th birthday celebration in 1994.

Ako'y hindi makata

at hindi marunong tumula

Sa araw na ito

araw na dakila

Ako'y nagsaisip

ako'y nagsadiwa

At pinalad namang makalikha

ng isang maikling tula

Buong puso ko itong iniaalay

sa iyong kaarawan, aking anak

Sa iyong kaarawan

ako'y nagpupugay

Pumpon ng bulaklak

sa iyo'y iaalay

At aking dalangin

sa Poong Maykapal

Pakalooban ka pa

ng maligaya, mahabang buhay

Ang bulaklak na ito

aking pinitas

Tinuhog upang sa leeg mo'y

aking ikwintas

Hindi maluluoy, hindi malalanta

di matutuyo

Pagkat yan ay galing

sa hardin ng aking puso

Ako'y walang ginto, pilak

sa iyo'y iaalay

Kundi ang walang katapusang

pagmamahal

Mundo man ay maglaho,

mundo man ay magunaw

Kailaman ay taglay ko

ay ganyang pagmamahal

Anak, hilingin mo man sa akin

ang bundok ng sinukuan

Sapilitan aking kukunin upang

sa yapak mo ay aking ialay

Ganyan kalaki ang aking

pagmamahal

Abalang-abala

 
Bridal Shower

Helped coordinate the bridal shower of my sister-in-law but I was not able to grace the event, sayang. Di bale, ako naman nag-food tasting, he he. Ako gumawa ng towel cake and both the cake toppers.

 
Halloween

With the kids at Astoria Plaza. There was a puppet show and porcelain painting.

 
Wedding

Photo with the family. Todo ngiti kahit masikip ang gown ;)