Tikboy's Devious Rants and Dialectics

Number Porting

2012-01-13T10:59:00.001-07:00

Was blog hopping the other day and I found this. If you ever wondered about keeping your existing number when you change carriers this shows you how to do it.

Number Porting

And so I couldn't write...

2010-03-18T15:36:00.002-07:00

I was half way on my reading Shutter Island when this urge to just write something came. I don't know how, don't know what but I just felt that I have to close the book and start pounding on the keyboard of my netbook. So I did. I haven't done so in ages. For whatever reason, I just don't. Perhaps I lost track of my creative streak. Perhaps I lack inspiration or desperation for that matter. I am just rambling. So be it. I might stumble into something that I could write on.

But I couldn't. I just couldn't. And it scares the hell out of me. Am I losing it?

A nice conversation on death

2010-03-03T22:36:00.002-07:00

...from the novel The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea

Huila: Will I die now?
Teresita: Yes.
Huila: I don't want to die.
Teresita: I know.
Huila: Does it hurt?
Teresita: No.
Huila: Will I be afraid?
Teresita: Oh no.
Teresita: Do you know how it is when a child needs to go to sleep? How a child fights and bargains. Asks for a story, or cries, or suddenly needs water to drink because she won't go to sleep?
Huila: Yes.
Teresita: But you know it is time. For whatever reason - it is time for the child to sleep. It's late, or she needs to get up early in the morning, or she is ill. You have to make her go to sleep, sometimes against her will.
Huila: Yes.
Teresita: This is how it is with God and us. God has to put us to bed, and we don't want to sleep yet.
Huila: Will I like being dead?
Teresita: Did you enjoy being alive?
Huila: Yes.
Teresita: Then, you will enjoy your death. I wish you could stay. I will miss you.

Time for Android

2009-10-09T20:00:00.002-07:00

I got an Android phone the other day. It's not brand new but for $50, I got what I bargained for plus a 2nd hand Pink Motorola RAZR. Not bad huh? I was tinkering with it and couldn't get the hang of it so I switched back to my reliable BlackBerry Pearl. All of my contacts are in the BB anyway.

Tonight, for lack of better things to do (and to free my mind of whatever negative thoughts I am having) I tried to Google how to synchronize my BB contacts and export in to my G1. I was able to get my contacts from my BB and saved it as .CSV but I couldn't manage to sign in to my gmail account in my G1 as yet.

Darn! I better try it again later. Maybe I really should change my data plan from BB Unlimited Web and Messaging to the G1 Unlimited Wed and messaging.

Sigh..

Bike mode

2009-09-23T22:18:00.003-07:00

Gadget for Misis Tikboy's iPod Touch

My stop at the San Bruno Postal Office

At the San Bruno Bart Bay

Yesterday I went out to ride my bike. It was a beautiful day. There was a heat wave alert but I didn't feel it. I got out of the house at 11:30 in the morning and the temperature was still manageable. Went to BestBuy to get a gadget for Misis Tikboy and then strolled around the mall. I was looking for a blood pressure monitor for my Mom and Dad. I wasn't able to get it from Target so I went to Walgreens. Good thing it's on sale. Hehehehe!

My Dad's been sick for more than a month now. Ang tigas pa ng ulo! Hay naku! I called Mom last night to check up on him and was glad to hear that he's now walking. He also stopped being grouchy. I worry for my Mom because Dad is a difficult patient. Sabi ko nga painumin na lang kaya namin ng Lorazepam para kumalma? Ehek!

I am now back on duty. Next week, another bike mode for one day. I need to exercise!

Updates

2009-09-04T14:21:00.003-07:00

Office kuno. Hehehe! Parang internet shop ah.

Bike sa parking ng Tanforan Mall. Pansinin di ba?

Ako 'yan, di halatang mataba na.

Bike sa parking ng Target

Bed ng bata. Hahahaha! Saka si Acer 11.6 sa may ulunan.

I know I haven't posted in a while. Busy kasi eh. Saan? Sa Farm Town at sa kung anu-ano pa! Hehehe.. will start posting again soon. For now, pictures muna.

BB and Facebook

2009-06-29T23:47:00.002-07:00

I downloaded the Facebook for Blackberry Smartphones v1.6 application for my Pearl when I was at the bus this afternoon. I tinkered with it and was satisfied since I can check updates on my social networks even while I'm on the go. I tried to use it as much as I can to test if my phone could handle the application. I was satisfied with my phones performance until I got a message an hour ago that said

"Uncaught exception: java.lang.NullPointerException"

being the tekkie person that I am, I tried to turn off the phone and then turn it on again hoping that it's just some glitch in the system. But I have done it thrice and still the results were the same. I tried another one that usually works - taking out the battery while the phone is still on and then letting it stand for 30 seconds before putting the battery back on. Still won't work.

So, I opened my laptop and tried to search the error. It's usually associated with downloaded applications. Tried to go to the application details of my BB and then changed the default settings which hopefully would take care of the uncaught error. Still, nothing happened.

Hmmm.. so, if it doesn't work that way, the only thing for me to do is uninstall the application and reinstall it again. Which is what I did.

Now I can view my message inbox again. All I have to do is reinstall the application again and hope that it works well this time.

All by Myself

2009-06-23T20:14:00.001-07:00

How can one be more correct than that? Spent the whole day in bed. Tried to read but I just don't have the concentration I need to go through it. Tried to sleep it out but the meds that I took seem to have no effect on me. So, as the day closed to an end, I got out of bed, prepared medications and then gave the evening pills to Helen. She looked at me straight in the eye and then just blurted out, "You're all by yourself huh?" Looked at her and tried to manage a smile as I said, "Yeah, I practically am."

Come to think of it, what she just said is true. I am all by myself. I should not even be surprised. It's just that I haven't thought of it that much. Until today.

All by myself. Yeah, I am.

When people talk, I listen..

2009-06-05T22:13:00.002-07:00

And that's what just happened today.

I don't know why people seem to be very open to me about their private life, sometimes including secrets they wouldn't even tell their closest friends, but they do tell me that. I don't know if this is a gift or a curse but I do have it - whatever it is.

The wife of my patient came to me after dinner tonight and said that she needed to talk to me. I thought it was one of those things that she and her family, especially her youngest son, would complain about - how he finds fault at every little thing that the staff do in taking care of his father. I was surprised it wasn't about that. She just needed someone to talk to because she's been keeping something to herself for over a month now and she just couldn't stand it anymore. She's depressed, told me that she just started taking Prozac today and that she's really upset because she is being urged to lie to her husband. She told me she's got the big C a couple of months ago and that she's been having chemo for the past months. She doesn't have plans on telling his husband about this. And she hates that feeling.

The fact that her husband nearly got thrown out from the facility because of how his youngest son's been treating the staff, threw her off. The son is very rude, shouts a lot and finds fault in everything. She didn't tell her sons that the owner of the facility gave her a 30-day notice to find another RFC for her husband. So, she decided to talk to me and asked if his youngest son is really out of line. I told her that I understand that his son is very protective of his father and that he wants what's best for him. But I also made her understand that the caregivers of her husband is from a different culture that he has to respect. That he could talk to the caregivers in a nice way. She promised to talk to his son about it and apologized to me for his son's behavior. I told her she doesn't have to apologize to me, his son should apologize to the caregivers that he disrespected. Now, I don't believe that he could do that otherwise the mother wouldn't have to apologize for him. Oh well..

She then told me some other things that made me shake my head in disgust. It never struck me that the green eyed monster could take over this lady's demeanor. But what the hell, I just listened intently and tried to understand where she's coming from.

Ah.. just another day at work.

Bed

2009-05-04T22:32:00.003-07:00

Heto na ngayon ang bed ko.. hehehe! Pagkatapos kong makulimbat 'yung cabinet, inayos ko na agad.. hehehe!

Finders keepers

2009-05-04T16:53:00.002-07:00

Look at what I found, an under the bed cabinet. Hehehe!

Just thought of taking my picture to get my mind of being bored waiting for the bus to arrive.

Hah! Now that's more like it, a smile.

Things that I do to avoid being depressed. Weird huh? Nahawa na ata ko sa mga puti na konting bagay lang, depressed na. Ngek!

My reading list

2009-04-27T18:06:00.002-07:00

Got these books checked out from the library today. Hmmm.. after reading The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, I learned something about Afghan culture. I've had enough of those for now and I wanted something more along the lines of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code hence Raymond Khoury's The Sanctuary and The Last Templar.

Hmmm... I wonder how long it's gonna take me to finish these books. I finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns in a day. I hope this is a better read than that one. We'll see...

So true...

2009-04-17T19:45:00.001-07:00

“Some day, in years to come, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under the great sorrow of your life. But the real struggle is here, now, in these quiet weeks. Now it is being decided whether, in the day of your supreme sorrow or temptation, you shall miserably fail or gloriously conquer. Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process.”

- Phillips Brooks

Monster in me

2009-04-12T23:35:00.001-07:00

Just trying to clear my head off when I found this original song.. monotonous but you'll eventually find yourself humming it.

LYRICS

VERSE 1
Walking through this forest of Broken Dreams
My Life Is Changing or so it seems.
A Stream of water beneath my feet
An Empty Cabin with a lonely seat

CHORUS
Through the whispers in the night, hiding my face from light, my shadow still there. Through the whispers in the night, can't face the light, the monster in me

VERSE 2
Past the chair, was an open door, a rotting corpse laid on the floor, the works of my hands, before my eyes, the attempts of truth, is choked by lies

BRIDGE
Now that truth is gone, I can't find my way out, Mystery wrapping before me, All that's there is my past

Mga batang Jollibee

2009-04-09T21:39:00.002-07:00

My brother sent me these videos today. He knows how much I love kids, mang-inggit daw ba! Palibhasa puro matanda ang kasama ko ngayon!

Updates

2009-03-25T21:38:00.003-07:00

Been busy these past few weeks. After a four-day trip to Vegas with my wife I got back to work and been on a six-day work week. I was off today but I got so much things to do that I haven't got time to relax. I went to have my fingerprint taken early in the morning and then went straight to my lawyer. More things to do, more bills to pay. -sigh-

Got to pack my things and transfer them to my permanent house but I could not do it today so I plan to do it next week during my two-day rest period, if I could call it as my rest day. Whew! More responsibilities.

I better get some rest now. I am on duty for the next four days.

Vegas trip

2009-03-19T21:30:00.003-07:00

Freaking HOT in Vegas!

Tried out the Las Vegas Monorail

Feeling lost.. where are you Misis Tikboy?

Vegas at daytime is boring

Just thought of taking a picture of the plane

Grad Pix from Tam

2009-03-14T20:59:00.002-07:00

Is that a medal Janna Marie? Hehehe...

Lolo Res with Janna and Ethan

Clear your mind Tikboy

2009-02-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Whatever an enemy might do
to an enemy,
or a foe to a foe,
the ill-directed mind
can do to you
even worse.

Whatever a mother, father
or other kinsman
might do for you,
the well-directed mind
can do for you
even better.

-Dhammapada, 3, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

2009-02-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

I feel like walking in the rain tonight.

The rhythm of the falling rain
is like a hum of a certain sadness
lurking from the dark
methodically killing me
attacking the recesses of my being.

Let me walk in the dark as the rain drops
let me drip in water to cover the pain
and the endless haunting caused by the past
let me stay out in the cold to numb the pain.

Tonight, unlike any other night
let me walk in the dark.

2009-02-22T15:38:00.001-07:00

It is not that anger and desire are inherently evil or that we should feel ashamed when they arise. It is a matter of seeing them as the delusions that they are: distorted conceptions that paint a false picture of reality. They are negative because they lead to unhappiness and confusion.

- Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate"

Magic Jack

2009-02-17T20:26:00.004-07:00

Last night Tita Lucy and Tita Vangie called me up to tell me that Tita Minda is in the Philippines with the Magic Jack that Tita Lucy bought for my Mom. They were excited about it because with the device we could call them without international charges. It's like calling them here in the US because the assigned number is a US number. Since Tita Lucy got it for Mom, the number is an Ohio number which starts with an area code 567. We were waiting for them to call but I guess my Mom wasn't home yet so I told them that as soon as they called I would text or call them. It was already two in the morning when my Mom called. We talked for 47 minutes. First time we talked that much on the phone. The reception was good. I also included the number in myFaves so that I could receive and take their call anytime of the day without charges. So, how does it work? It is quite simple. It works on VOIP. But it requires that the user should have broadband access and a phone line.

It's easy as 1, 2, 3. Just plug the magic jack into any land line phone. Next step is to plug it in to any USB port in your desktop or laptop computer and voila! You can start receiving and making a call anywhere in the US for free. Errrr.. actually with a minimal cost. Initial year of service costs $39.99. Not bad huh?

Checklist

2009-02-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

Things you have done during your lifetime:

( )Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
(x) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Florida
(x) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost
( ) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch.
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies by yourself
( ) Been deep sea fishing
(x) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
( ) Lived in more than one country
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
( )Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
( ) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
(x) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
(x) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(x) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(x) Been in a rain forest
( ) Seen whales in the ocean
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden or petted an elephant
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying
( ) Been water-skiing
( ) Been snow-skiing
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
(x) Been to the Louvre
( ) Swam in the Mediterranean
( ) Been to an NBA game
( ) Been to a National Football League game
( ) Been on a TV show
( ) Sang for a meal
( ) Seen Jerusalem
(x) Learned a foreign language
(x) Shot a gun
( ) Kick Boxed
( )Water skied or Gone tubing
(x) Had your heart broken by a failed relationship
( ) Written a book.
(x) Gotten in a fist fight
(x) Driven over 100 MPH
( ) Been arrested
(x) Been in a Car accident
( ) Been to the Desert
(x) Been on a Mountain top
(x) Drunk from a mountain stream
(x) Spoken publicly
(x) Gotten a Tatoo

Perfect

2009-02-14T22:29:00.001-07:00

Me and my Dad has a special bond. I don't know it started but I just found out one day that I don't hate him as much as I think I did when I was in college. Now, whenever I need to talk sense into me I go to my Dad. He wasn't there for me before. He was busy with work. But now, he always makes himself available. Some would say it's too late because I am way past adolescence. But it's never too late. We never know how are we going to end up in this world - dying young or living old. That's why now that I am far away from my Dad, I cherish the simple things that he does - text me when I send him messages. Answer my calls when I get the chance to call them.

Being the first born (I don't have the luxury of saying first born son but I know he'd beam with pride if I have been one), a lot has been expected of me. Whether or not I fulfilled the expectations is the topic of another blog post. For now, let me just post some exchanges me and my Dad had tonight:

Me: Nasagad pasensiya ko nitong mga huling araw kasi confused na pasyente ko. Napakakulit! Kung pwede ko lang sigawan nasigawan ko na eh! hHnahabaan ko na lang pasensiya ko kasi kailangan.. saka syempre, ito ang trabaho ko eh.. nabalik kasi ako ulit dito sa Newman, dati andun ako sa 808 Byron eh. Magaan lang pasyente ko sa Byron. dito kasi sa Newman anim ulit. tapos wala akong sariling kwarto. hHndi ako prepared nung biglang sinabing dito ako magdu-duty ulit kasi sanay na ako sa 808. Parang bahay ko na kasi un..

Dad: Aba e di congrats sa CHOICE OF ACTION MO. You are near Englightenment = choosing what happens when it happens = FULL ACCEPTANCE. Memory retains but no Pain.

Me: Dinadaan ko na nga lang sa tawa. Kung saan kasi ako ibato, doon ako. Iba na talaga ang magaling!

Dad: Wonderful, yes, SMILE! You see in crisis situation it's not a question of ability but a question of emotional STATE. SMILE takes you into pleasurable STATE.

Me: Oo nga Dad. Tama ka diyan.

Dad: Yan ang anak ko ngek! Namin pala ni Hileng at mas magaling pa kung tutuusin.

Me: Eh kanino pa ba naman ako magmamana kung di sa inyo di ba?

Dad: That's true. You are perfect just as you are! If at times you find conflicts along the way, KNOW that you are perfect just as YOU ARE.

O di ba?

Blackberry as modem for Acer Aspire One

2009-02-10T16:56:00.002-07:00

Finally made it work! Yes! Hehehe.. I was out yesterday for three things: first is to send some money to my mom thru bank transfer, second is to get a haircut, which I did and cost me 30 bucks and to get a data cable from the T-Mobile store so that I could surf the web using my Blackberry as modem for my netbook. I was very excited when I got home and started to tinker with my netbook and phone. I did all the necessary configurations settings and I was sure that I got it all right but the thing is the Blackberry Desktop Manager couldn't detect my phone! Darn! I did some repairs, installed a newer version of the software but still, no luck. So I promised myself that I would go to the T-Mobile shop today to let them know that the data cable isn't working. If they couldn't make it work, I am going to return it.

I came prepared. I have my netbook with me with the battery fully charged. I also brough the AC adapter just in case my battery runs low. Bought the data cable with the receipt and my phone. When I came into the store there were two sales reps, one female and the other male. They were still busy entertaining other clients so I looked around. When it was my turn I explained what I did last night and even showed them my netbook. They tinkered with it but couldn't make it work. They bought my phone and the data cable inside their staff room and tried it out in their computer. It worked. So, they said it must be my netbook or the software installed in my netbook. I told them I already upgraded it to version 4.5 from the earlier 4.1 but it still wouldn't work. They tinkered with my netbook, still no luck. Then Ti told them to try to restart the laptop and the phone altogether and see if it will turn out okay. After a few minutes, it worked. Hehehehe!

Now, I am posting this using my netbook and my Blackberry as a modem. I don't need to "beg" for wireless signals from my neighbors. Now I could surf the internet anywhere in the house, everywhere outside the house for as long as I have my phone and my netbook with me. Cool! ;)

Before and after the Big E

2009-02-08T08:10:00.003-07:00

with Tito Mar at the Vista Point, Golden Gate Bridge

at Westmoor High School

Golden Gate Bridge with Tita Minda

Cooking lessons

2009-01-30T22:53:00.002-07:00

Since I got here I learned how to prepare food. I couldn't say "cook" because most of the food that I prepare are almost always simple. Kumbaga, tambog ka lang ng tambog. Palibhasa kasi nasanay ako sa Pilipinas na talagang isa-isa mong aayusin ang mga ingredients.

Now, I am getting the hang of it. These past few days I've been getting a lot of compliments with my style of cooking. Daniel, when he came into the facility, does not have a good appetite. Ed, on the other hand eats almost anything served at the dining table. Yesterday I told Daniel that I was going to serve baked salmon for lunch. He replied that he isn't a fish person but he'd try what I'll prepare. Much to my surprise he did finish his meal and even bragged about it to his parents who visited him in the afternoon.

Nakakatawa, dito pa ako sa Amerika natutong magluto. Susme! Samantalang sa nung nasa sarili ko akong bahay ni hindi ko makuhang magluto para sa nanay at tatay ko!

Mukha naman akong happy sa pagluluto di ba? Hehehe!

The SF City ID Card

2009-01-27T16:14:00.002-07:00

There is so much hype about this ID card being issued by the city and county of San Francisco to its residents regardless of immigration status. For 15 bucks, you can have this ID card as proof of identity and residency which is valid for two years. You can open bank accounts by merely showing them the card but it limited to participating banks only. Wells Fargo and Bank of America is not included in the list though. It is basically a discount card within the Bay Area. If you do have a DMV issued drivers license and state ID you can do without this SF City ID card. It is probably just another revenue generating measure of the city government.

There are several requirements before you can actually get the ID card. View them at the this link.

For more information visit the Office of the County Clerk info site.

SSF Alarm trigger

2009-01-26T18:34:00.004-07:00

It's already 17:35 in the afternoon and I'm still at the SSF Main Library. I went here to access the internet and try to do some practice tests. Been here for almost three hours and I felt that the cold temperature is getting on my bladder so I tried to go to the bathroom. I was about to exit the library when the alarm set off and I was stopped by a staff. I took out my wallet, cellphone, headset and lip balm. I walked past the sensor five times but it keeps on giving the alarm. I even told the staff that they can search me if they want. They said it's probably a combination of everything that I am wearing. Geez!

Random 25

2009-01-26T14:02:00.003-07:00

Here are the rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

1. My dad gave me the nickname Beegee, he used to love the Beegees so he took out the S and gave me the name.

2. My real name is Hebrew in origin, from Abraham. It means source of joy. Hmmm.. makes me wonder. Sabi nga ni Misis Tikboy pag isinalin ang ibig sabihin ng pangalan ko ay "tagapagpaligaya."

3. Can't leave home without spraying cologne or perfume. Feeling ko hubad ako pag wala 'yun.

4. I always have a handkerchief in my pocket. It is my security blanket.

5. I wanted to become a doctor. Now, I am working as a caregiver. Close enough? Hahahaha!

6. I kissed my female classmate in the cheeks while we were sharpening our pencils in one corner of the room. I was in grade one then. Hehehe!

7. When I was about six or seven years old I have a boy playmate. Somehow we managed to come up with this thought - Palit kaya tayo? Akin na lang titi mo, sa 'yo na lang pekpek ko! Hahahaha!

8. I love fruits. Kahit 'yun lang ang ihain mo sa akin solve na ako.

9. I am very fond of electronic gadgets - I have an Acer Aspire One, a Blackberry Pearl 8100, a Nokia N70, complete with a PC suite and data cable, a Motorola H710 Bluetooth headset. 'Yung iba binenta ko na, saka na ulit ako bibili pag may mapaglalagyan na ako na bahay!

10. Bata pa lang ako mahilig na ako mangabayo, meron pa nga akong sariling kabayo. Ewan ko ba, ngayon na malaki na ako imbes na ako sumasakay ako na sinasakyan! Yiha!

11. When I was in college I refused to live in a dorm. Paano kasi alas dose lang ng gabi curfew na! Samantalang pag uuwi ako ng bahay kahit umaga pwede. Hehehehe!

12. I am the eldest in a brood of five. Pero sabi nila parang ako daw ang bunso. Ngek! Hindi kaya nagkamali lang sila ng tingin at akala nila ako si Boboy? Hmmmm...

13. Love na love ko ang volleyball way back HS and college. Kaya nga may tattoo ako ngayon sa may right shoulder ng kamay at bola.

14. I met Misis Tikboy because of volleyball. We were teammates in HS.

15. I thought I'd die at the age of 27. But now I am already 35. I outlived that dream.

16. Apo daw ako ni Rizal. Bukod sa nakikita ako ng mga estudyante ko na parang si Rizal reborn.. may time na parehas kami ng hairstyle. Hahahaha!

17. I wear my watch in my right arm. Most people wear them on the left side.

18. I answer my phone using my left hand and put the earpiece/headset on my left ear. Bingi ako pag sa kanan.

19. Banlag ako.

20. I buy shoes half size or one size higher than my own size.

21. I love coats and jackets.

22. I have a very dark side. Wag mo akong gagalitin dahil hindi ko alam kung hanggang saan ang extent ng galit ko.

23. I love to do things alone. Hirap ako pag may kasama kasi naturalesa ko na ang mag-intindi at mag-alaga. Kaya kung hindi si Misis Tikboy ang kasama ko, wag na lang! Mas gusto kong mapag-isa.

24. I love to walk, specially in cold weather.

25. Yumayakap ako sa puno pag hindi ko na kaya problema ko.

Now, I am tagging Jessie, Ryot, Bugol, Mikoy, Timmy, Boboy, Yaku, Tito Jun and Tita Ambil

The power of seeing things in a different perspective

2009-01-15T20:10:00.001-07:00

Now, there are many, many people in the world, but relatively few with whom we interact, and even fewer who cause us problems. So, when you come across such a chance for practicing patience and tolerance, you should treat it with gratitude. It is rare. Just as having unexpectedly found a treasure in your own house, you should be happy and grateful to your enemy for providing that precious opportunity.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Friends

2009-01-09T21:49:00.003-07:00

I've got few friends. My fingers are enough to count them. A friend whom I can just simply be with - just the mere presence of the person is enough. A friend whom I share most of my college life with - inside and outside of varsity life. Elem and high school friends who, despite of my absence at school, remains to be there. I cherish them and enjoy their friendship.

It amazes me that even though I haven't been keeping in touch with them religiously whenever our path crosses we still got the same energy and connection where we left off. It's the kind of friendship that transcends time, I guess.

I am really blessed to have them as my friend.

Pormatiks no more

2009-01-08T00:20:00.002-07:00

Dito ko natutunan na di mo kailangan pumorma masyado. Sa Pilipinas kasi, maarte ako sa damit. Dapat laging match, color coordinated at unique ang style. Eh dito, hindi ko magawa. Kasi malamig, kailangan lagi ka naka-layer ng damit. Para kung mainit man, tanggal ka na lang ng tanggal ng damit. Sando, t-shirt, long sleeves shirt, sweatshirt tapos jacket, pag umulan may rain coat pa.

Isa sa mga natutunan ko dito, dapat nagi-invest ka sa jacket. Tapos sapatos. Hindi masyadong uso ang leather shoes dito, halos lahat naka rubber shoes, sneakers, sandals. Kung saan ka kumportable. Simple nga lang.

'Yung coat na gusto ko hindi pa naka-sale kaya hindi ko pa nabibili! Sabi kasi ng pinsan ko gift na lang daw niya sa akin, isi-ship niya from New Jersey papunta dito sa California. Eh susme, tapos na ang Christmas at New Year, magbi-birthday na ako wala pa! Nakalimutan na ata.. parang 'yung CK one. Hehehe!

Sa ngayon, kailangan ko muna magtipid. Dami pa kailangan bayaran eh. Saka na ako bibili ng mga pormatiks kong damit at baka mabatukan pa ako ni Misis Tikboy! Hehehe!

Airtrain and BART connections

2009-01-05T15:44:00.004-07:00

I set out early today. I wanted to try out the BART going to SFO Airport and do the Airtrain transfer going to the Arrival/Departure Terminal 1 of the SFO Airport. Took the 390 bus going to SSF Bart and then took the SFO Airport 9 car train. It was just two stops from SSF with San Bruno in between. It was easy. Then I took the blue line Airtrain to try it out. It went to Terminal 1, the terminal for most domestic flights including Southwest Airlines, US Airways and Hawaiian Airlines. To go back to the Garage D/BART station I took the red line Airtrain. It was that easy. Easier than having to take a car.

Hmmm.. then I went here at the SSF Public Library to apply for a library card. The perks? One hour of free internet use! I wonder if I can take my laptop here with me to access the internet. I have to ask later.

Natatawa nga si Tito Mar sa akin, tinawagan ako kanina. Ang lakas daw ng loob ko. Ang dami ko na daw napuntahan dito sa San Francisco. Hahahaha! Ganun talaga pag wala kang kotse, matututo kang mag-explore! Mwehehehe!

Wireless

2009-01-02T22:20:00.002-07:00

Yep, finally I am connected to the internet. Thanks to the free wifi signal of our friendly neighbor. Hehehe! He or she, didn't set-up a security enabled connection to their wireless connection settings. It's been a week since the connection has been out. They probably went on vacation. Mwehehehe!

Now, I can surf the net after work hours. Finally!

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

- Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Off duty

2008-12-28T22:35:00.003-07:00

This is what I got today.. Cetaphil moisturizing lotion, a cap, 2 hoodie sweatshirts and postage stamps.

Tomorrow, I am going to do some BART, Samtrans and Muni rides too. Hmmm.. it's going to be a long day.

Gentle hands

2008-12-28T20:43:00.001-07:00

This is way beyond my profession. Almost everybody from my family thinks I couldn't do it. That I am not cut out for it. I belong to the academe, the office or some place else other than this job. But here I am doing it and enjoying as much as I can.

I don't expect to hear compliments about how I handle this new job. I expected criticism. But much to my surprise, I've been getting a lot of good words for the things I do for these people - the elderly. Ada, in her 80's was assigned to me last night. When I was about to take her blood pressure and blood sugar I was surprised by her words, she said "You know that you couldn't hurt me. I am warning you." I don't why she said that, probably from a bad experience. But as soon as I touched her, she smiled. When I told her that I won't be there for a couple of days, she said that she hopes I would come back. We were talking while I was cleaning her up when she told me that I've got gentle hands. That if I had taken a course in the medical field and became a nurse or a doctor, I'd be a good one.

When I was assigned in a different facility for three days I told Mary Ann, Helen and Harry that I'll be back in a couple of days. They were expecting that I'd spend Christmas with them. I told them that I'll spend New Year's Eve with them. So they smiled. I went for a walk yesterday to get some food to where these three were. When they saw me, I said hi and told them that I'd be back at night time. Harry nodded, Helen smiled and Mary Ann clapped her hands.

It does feel good that my efforts are being appreciated. I don't have any background in the medical field, except for the fact that Misis Tikboy is a nurse, but here I am doing a job close to becoming one. What's my secret? I do it because I care for them. And that's how I make them feel - important.

Ah, such gentle hands. I wish I've got healing hands too to ease their pain.

MBC Christmas Party

2008-12-23T21:04:00.005-07:00

We had the annual Christmas party for the elderly in one of Tita Josie's facilities. There are four facilities in operation as of the moment. Each facility houses 6 elderly and two staff members. According to them they usually hold the party at a larger venue. But because of the weather they've decided to hold it in Alta Loma for easier mobility.

with Tita Josie

with Ana, Marita, Ate Pining, Frank, Harry

Me, Kuya Ed, Ana, Marita, Ate Pining, Farida, Lita, Lyza, Adrian, Jon, Austin

with Alta Loma staff - Marita, Farida, Ana

Refill card

2008-12-21T19:14:00.003-07:00

I went for a walk in the rain today. It was more than a mile but it felt good. It was cold but I was sweating. I liked it! Hehehe.. I went to Serramonte Plaza to buy a $25 refill card. It was a mile long walk. Crazy huh? I was on my long way back home when I called my Mom. It was nice to hear her voice. This is our first Christmas apart. My first without my family beside me. But I'm good. I'm okay. I've been telling my Dad sanayan lang 'yan. And he agrees with me. I just have to focus and be aware of my inner self - my being and all else will be okay.

I'll be working on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.. probably even New Year's Eve too. I got no family nor friends here, they're all in the east coast so that's fine. I'll be spending the day with the elderly. They need someone to cheer them up too.

For now, I just have to maximize my time off. Got to rest. I need it.

Missing Simbang Gabi

2008-12-17T20:55:00.002-07:00

This is a first in my 34 years of existence. Talagang ibinuko ko na ang age ko ah! I don't mind. I still look cute for my age. Hehehehe! Hindi ko makukumpleto ang simbang gabi. Wala kasi ako sa Pilipinas.

Nakakalungkot. Kasi palagi kong nakukumpleto ang simbang gabi mula pa nung bata ako. But hey, did your folks ever told you that if you complete the nine mornings, your wish will come true? I am blessed. After years of attendance to this yearly tradition, I got my wish granted. I even stopped believing for some time. But now that I am here, it rekindled several conversations I had with God years ago.

Siguro naman God would understand if I missed Simbang Gabi this year. Hindi ko pa kasi kabisado ang lugar na 'to. I have to familiarize myself with the place. I've been here for four days and I've got a lot to learn about its geography.

Hanggang sa muli, Simbang Gabi.

Quick glance at downtown SFO

2008-12-15T21:46:00.003-07:00

I've been on the move for the past few days. I never had the luxury of visiting downtown San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge or the famous Folsom St. But today I got a chance to take a quick glimpse of SFO. Here are some of the snapshots I took this afternoon.

2008-12-12T18:07:00.001-07:00

"When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this: When you die, will YOU be happy when everybody else is crying?" - Tony Campolo

I can be morbid at times. I know that. And when I am, I have this urgent need to write things off either by blogging or poetry. My motivation is pain. I just have this impression that when I am in pain I am able to move my pen in such a way that it makes an impact to whoever reads the material.

I haven't written poems in a while. Have I lost my muse? Not really. I just chose not to write. I chose to blog. It is a lot easier to write my thoughts this way. Kinda like I am talking to myself - soliloquy.

I am at this threshold once again - of setting sail and refusing to just drift. And tonight I choose to set sail. To venture into the unknown.

Tonight I will continue to live for tomorrow I am going to realize my dream.

Haagen Dazs Coffee Ice Cream

2008-12-09T17:05:00.002-07:00

Well, since I couldn't find the Mocha Coffee Chip ice cream in stores. I tried this one. And boy, it really tastes good! Hehehe..

coffee ice cream

Nutrition Facts:

Amount Per Serving

Serving Size: 1/2 Cup (106g)

Calories: 270

Calories from Fat: 160

Total Fat

18g

28%

Saturated Fat

11g

55%

Trans Fat

0.5g

Cholesterol

120mg

40%

Sodium

70mg

Total Carbohydrate

21g

Dietary Fiber

Sugars

21g

Protein

Vitamin A 15%	Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 15%	Iron 0%

AZ and NJ: An afterthought

2008-12-06T00:49:00.002-07:00

After a month of stay in Tempe, AZ and my brief stay in Jersey City with a quick tour of NYC I cannot contain my observations on the way of life in each state. First off, the airport. When I left Sky Harbor en route to Newark I was able to enjoy a short wifi access for free, that's why I was able to post on my blog as I waited for my boarding time. I could not say the same for Newark International Airport. The wifi access wasn't free. It's a good thing that I only waited a few minutes before I boarded the plane. Otherwise I would have been pissed. I wanted to go back to Phoenix so bad that the 5.5 hours of air travel made me impatient.

It was hard to breathe in NJ. I didn't experience that in AZ. Pollution in the city was that bad that I had runny nose the moment I stepped out of the airport. I knew that it was a colder in NJ and I was prepared for that. But my fleece jacket wasn't enough for the biting cold I had to borrow some of my cousin's winter jacket to help me through the day when we went out.

Traffic was also different. Jersey City and NYC is a lot like Metro Manila. Driving was almost the same. Tailgating was normal. I told my cousins that they couldn't drive like that in AZ. They just shrugged their shoulders and smiled wryly at me. Parking was difficult even in residential areas. My cousins were paying $125 per month for the parking space. Haven't experienced that in AZ.

Public transport was everywhere - buses, trains, taxi. They even told me that if I wanted to go to NYC I better take the train or else my head will split when I try to find a parking space in the City. Even if I do, the price would make my head split.

The only thing that made me appreciate Jersey City than Tempe was the Filipino stores. I could get meals - lutong bahay at that from the next block. It was actually a whole street full of Filipino stores. Consequently, there were a lot of Filipinos too. Thus eliminating the need to speak English for an extended period of time. This, I find to be a disadvantage rather than an advantage. But what the heck.

California, at least Orange County, is a lot different from NJ and NYC. But I couldn't say the same for Daly City or South San Francisco.

I've yet to see that. Oh, well. In a couple of days I will.

For now, I am going to savor the taste of the sun. I should get out more often.

Flying

2008-12-05T10:23:00.002-07:00

In my dreams I used to fly. I don't have wings but yes, I do fly. A lot. But that's only in my dreams. I kinda liked it. And I hunger for it. It makes travel a lot faster. But you see, in my dreams I couldn't control it. I could only think of where to go and then my body would take me there. Weird huh?

For the past few months I have been in an airplane a lot of times than I've been in a bus. The longest flight I had was 16 hours. The shortest was 4.5 hours. Next week, I am going to fly again. I have to get used to this.

I just wish I could fly without getting on a plane.

Weather 101

2008-12-01T09:11:00.003-07:00

I am not used to checking out the weather. Not in the Philippines anyway. So, when Tita Minda offered to give me a tour of NYC yesterday I gladly accepted. Too bad that rain poured the entire day! I wasn't able to take good pictures. But I got to see the whole of NYC - 5th ave, Wall Street, Manhattan, Central Park, Times Square and the likes.. 'yun nga lang, I have no proof. Hahahaha! Pagbalik ko na lang dito siguro.

Sashimi all the way

2008-11-29T21:59:00.002-07:00

Went out for dinner with my cousins Kuya Alvin, Isay, Boboy, Baby and her boyfriend Patrick. Tita Minda and Tito Mar took us to a Komegashi in Newport because Baby told them that I requested Japanese food.

I ordered tofu (forgot the name on the menu) and Sashimi dinner. I was so excited I forgot to take a picture of it. Hehehe.. we also drank red wine, Patrick's choice, of course and we chatted the whole time. We grilled Patrick and asked him when is he going to marry Baby. He was on the hot seat!

After dinner Boboy took us to Starbucks and then we went for a little walk to get a view of Manhattan - just on the other side of the river. It's freaking cold at 37 degrees but we took pictures and exchanged stories out in the open.

Tita Minda was telling me how glad she is that we - my cousins and I, picked up where we left off. We got separated in 1991 when they had to migrate here in Jersey City. But when she saw us together she was so happy to see that we're still the same kids she used to watch play back in the Philippines. That was probably why she and Tito Mar took care of our bill whichs costs $368. Damn!

Hehehehe!

Roaming around New Jersey

2008-11-29T14:27:00.005-07:00

I was with my cousin Anna Baby and her cool boyfriend Patrick yesterday. We went to Ikea to buy some stuff that Patrick needs for his new place. My cousin's excited in helping him out with the interior decoration thing and they asked me to tag along. Better than staying home the whole day. I was impressed with my cousin's car, an Infinti EX. It has built-in navigation and camera. It was really cool! But, as it is, not my type of car.

They've been teasing me for days now about the Gucci watch thing. Never knew that it would create such a hype, had I known, I wouldn't have accepted it from Ninang. I'm not into watches anyway.. but what the heck, take a look:

A while ago we ate at Buon Appetito at downtown NJ. The pizza was really great. I ate two slices. Hehehe.. then they took me to Liberty State Park to go have a look at the Statue of Liberty from afar. No sense in waiting for a boat ride to take me to the island. We opted to look at it from a different perspective. Nice view.

What's next? NYC, I guess.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T22:15:00.005-07:00

Tita Vicky and Me. She made that important call that changed my fate here. She took care of me when I was still a baby.

This is my first Thanksgiving. And I am so lucky I have my family here to spend it with. I've always wondered why it was important in American culture. I never got the chance to asked them a while ago. All hell broke loose when the good news came - and then all their eyes turned to one person. Me.

Tita Vicky, Me, Tita Minda, Kuya Alvin, Tita Vangie and Ninang Hermie. Taken at Tita Vangie's place in Jersey City.

This is my first Thanksgiving. And it ain't going to be my last.

All the more reason for me to be thankful for. God is good. All the time.

Trip to NJ

2008-11-23T20:07:00.002-07:00

I'm going to New Jersey on Wednesday. That's a fact.

I'm thinking that I may not find the weather in Jersey City very appealing. That's a presumption.

Now, I've decided to just take along my backpack on my trip there. I don't want to carry my entire luggage just for an 8-day stay. So, I'm checking my airline to see if I can do web check-in 24 hrs before my scheduled flight. I'm anticipating that there would be a lot of people flying in time for Thanksgiving. I don't want to be caught up in line for my boarding pass.

So, what am I to do now? Try to sort my stuff. I have to prepare myself for cooler days and nights. Oh man! I like it here in Arizona. But I got to go there to see my aunts, uncles and cousins.

Hmmm.. ngayon makikita ko na kung ano ang hindi namin naranasan. Kami lang kasi ang naiwan sa Pilipinas nung pumunta silang lahat dito.

This NJ trip might be a good material for a future post.

2008-11-22T18:00:00.001-07:00

Getting big

2008-11-20T20:51:00.010-07:00

I was looking for a physical evidence to tie up my theory that I am really getting big. Tatlong linggo na kasi akong nakabasyon at walang ginawa kundi humiga sa kama, kumain, mamasyal. Hehehe! Sarap buhay no? I should savor this. Once I start working, for sure I'm going to push myself so hard that I'll definitely get a head slap from you-know-who. ;)

I took the liberty of viewing my pictures here in my laptop. Ang laki na ng mukha ko at doble na baba ko! Halaaaaa! Ibang klaseng pag-aalaga kasi ang ginagawa ng misis ko eh. Hehehe!

Me, my godson Wayne and his dad/my brother Ian on the way to the airport almost a month ago.

Appetizer we are at Mall of Asia. Sabi ko nga paalis na lang ako, ganitong pagkain pa kakainin namin!

Hard evidence that I am really getting big! Taken a week ago at Olive Garden

Calamaris appetizer at Olive Garden, wala kaming ginawa kundi kumain!

Tsinelas

2008-11-19T18:53:00.003-07:00

Ang tagal ko nang hindi nakikita ang tsinelas na ito. Ilang taon na rin ang nakaraan nung ibinigay ko ito sa asawa ko bago siya umalis. Pagdating niya ng Amerika dala ang tsinelas, lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin Mabuti pa ang tsinelas mo nakatuntong na ng Amerika. Kasa-kasama ko na. Ikaw andiyan pa rin sa Pilipinas. Sana makarating ka na dito.

Hanggang ngayon kapag nakahiga kami sa kama at nag-uusap hindi pa rin kami makapaniwala na andito na ako. Nitong linggo lang ito kami uling nagkasama ng tsinelas ko. Napangiti ako nung makita ko siya. Sabi ko pa, Reunion ba ito? Na-miss kita. Hinding-hindi na tayo maghihiwalay pa.

Praning

2008-11-15T22:31:00.002-07:00

It all started this morning. I had a bad dream. In it I was screaming my guts out, but lo and behold - there was only a grunt. At least that was how I woke up, heard myself grunt twice. But in my dream I was screaming. Happens to me all the time, mind you. The perpetual pessimist that I am. Trying to change that, with all the paradigm shift mumbo jumbo.

In the Philippines I may be called praning a Filipino slang for paranoid. The state of being in a state of disturbed thought process which typically includes a perceived threat towards yourself. Beat that! I have my moments of insanity. Believe me. And I can really be good at it.

Probably too much TV.

Better get back to reading. It takes my mind off of things that I shouldn't be worried about.

Back to reading

2008-11-15T16:35:00.003-07:00

I haven't seen the light of day for about five days in a row. The only time I went out, as far as I remember was when I took out the trash. I don't feel like going to the mall or checking out electronics. I would have wanted to play ball but there's no basketball court within the vicinity. So, I resigned and grabbed Kathy Reichs' novel about forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan of the Bones TV series. It took me two days to finish it. But I really liked it, save for the jargon of anthropology (I only took 2 anthro subjects back in college and they were not that technical).

Liked it because 1. It stirred a controversy regarding the basic tenets of the RC Church just like what Da Vinci Code did, and 2. I secretly wanted to become a detective.

Oh well, I guess it's not a secret anymore! Hahaha! I've got another novel here with me but in the meantime, I've got to get out of this chair and breathe some fresh air!

Blogspot to a new domain name

2008-11-09T23:14:00.003-07:00

It's more than a week and the other site isn't working yet! Darn! I reverted it back to blogspot. So, for the time being you can view it here.

Meet the Humping Hamster

2008-11-08T17:02:00.003-07:00

Meet the Humping Hamster at Slide Rock Park in Sedona.. hehehehe!

Ito ang pinakabagong pangalan ko. Ang dami ko nang alyas. Andiyan ang "Si Raul" short for sira ulo. "Tikboy" dahil sa pwet kong nakalabas. "Gadilin" dahil daw laging may kumakati sa katawan ko. Sa dinami-dami ng mga ito ang favorite ko ngayon eh itong pagiging hamster. Bakit? Sus, kailangan pa bang i-memorize 'yan?

Panic mode and Frys

2008-11-06T15:33:00.004-07:00

I was trying to tweak our new site this morning but I couldn't find it even on blogspot. Blogger is supposed to point to our .com site but all I get is an HTTP 404 Not Found message. Darn! I just posted a blog! So, I searched the net and blogger for help. Blogger said that since we purchased the domain name through them they would take care ot if. And that if we couldn't find our site, we just have to give them a little more time to make sure that all the DNS servers are updated. Whew! So, I need a day or two for them to fix it. Oh well..

I went to Frys Electronics today and found out that they have an Acer Aspire One 120GB XP Home Edition on stock for only $349.99! I got mine for almost $500 in the Philippines! But hey, come to think of it I got in on a 0% interest installment plan for 12 months. Hmmmm.. okay, okay.. stop panicking and calm down. Besides, they only have two color: blue and pink. Eeeew! Not my color anyway. I was looking around and tinkering with the laptop on display when a sales associate approached and asked if I have a question. Honestly, I don't have one. But at the last minute I asked him the difference between a Core 2 Duo and a Dual Core processor. He just said that they are the next generation processors and that's it. I said thank you but I shook my head after he left. Mas mabilis kasi ang Core 2 Duo. It works simultaneously. Unlike the Dual Core, kapag napuno na niya ang memory nung isa saka lang gagana 'yung isa pa. Hmmmm.. my wife would tell me yabangers ka! when I tell her about it later. She's still sleeping.

After my stop at the desktop computers and netbooks, I looked at the DVD section and got interested with the documentaries collection. I saw many historical documentaries. I wanted to grab 1 DVD collection which costs $4.99 but I had second thoughts about it. It's all about World War II. It's the topic that I hate most when I teach Philippine History that's why I wanted to buy the DVD to let my students watch it instead of me discussing it. Hehehehe.. anyway, here it is..

Hmmmm.. probably in a month or two I'm going to get it.

I love my wife

2008-11-05T13:57:00.003-07:00

My wife is sleeping. May pasok na siya mamayang gabi and I will be left alone. Ayaw naman niyang sabayan ko siya matulog kasi mahihirapan na naman ako matulog mamayang gabi. Kaya heto, habang nagluluto ng pagkain namin mamaya paggising niya, post muna ako dito sa blog. I can't take off this grin on my face. Sinusulyapan ko nga siyang natutulog ngayon and I can't help but smile. Ang ganda ng Misis ko. Tulog na tulog siya. I feel a certain sense of satisfaction pag nakikita ko siyang ganito. At peace. Ewan ko ba. Makabalik na nga sa kama. Sarap ng may kayakap. Malamig eh!

Pati ang kitchen maayos din. Bukas ipapakita ko sa inyo laman ng fridge. Sandamakmak na ang laman kasi nag-grocery na si Misis. Napansin niya kasi na panay ang bukas ko ng ref pag andito sa bahay eh. There's something about it daw. Ngek!

Hmmm.. ang ayos ng bed ah. Hehehe.. kagagaling lang kasi ng California kaya namahinga ang kama. Ewan ko lang kung ganyan ka pa kaayos after a few days. Hehehe!

Back from talipornia

2008-11-04T19:39:00.004-07:00

I better get my blog going. It's been days since I last posted something. Just came back from a six-day trip to CA with my wife and I really don't have time to post during our stay there. Every day is jampacked from day one until day 6. My wife already posted our day one experience at CA's freeway. Our new site will be up and running in about two days. So watch for it!

The happiest place in the world

2008-11-01T23:46:00.004-07:00

Well, I've been to the happiest place in the world. And yes, for two days I acted like a child. I've been goofing around and fooling around with my wife and according to her, I'm super kulit! Oh well, makulit naman talaga ako pag kasama ko siya. Hehehehe!

Girl na girl talaga Mahal ko 'no? Sabi ko wacky pose, 'yun na ang wacky pose niya!

Of course hindi ako magpapatalo kay Roger Rabbit! Rabbit din ako eh! Ehek! Hahahaha!

With Goofy. Sira ulo nga 'tong si Goofy, hinalikan kamay ng Mahal ko! Tapos pagtingin niya sa akin, nakipag-shake ng hands! Muntik ko na masapak eh! 'Yung picture namin with Mickey Mouse hindi ko pa nakukuha from Disney's Photo Pass website. Saka na lang!

My life here...

2008-10-28T19:51:00.006-07:00

Inside Arizona Mills, one of the malls that I get to see this week. It's near my apartment.

Inside the apartment that I live in. We really look good together huh?

The car that I drive, a Nissan Xterra 4WD A/T. It takes a lot of practice getting used to this car because I drive a stick shift car back home. But I love it! I also noticed that plate numbers in this state is displayed at the rear part of the car only. I wonder why..

The phone I use, a T-Mobile Flexpay Samsung t109 Olive Green domestic dual band phone with myFaves.

Are you in nostalgia?

2008-10-27T23:57:00.002-07:00

I've been here for three days. My aunts have been calling me almost alternately to check up on me. I've been asked several times if I feel homesick. I told them no, I am fine and doing okay. They probably think I'm lying or I'm trying to cover it up. But honestly, I don't.

Wikipedia says that Homesickness (or in some cases, Nostalgia), is the distress or impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from the specific home environment or attachment objects. That it occurs when one travels and may be heightened when one is in an unfamiliar environment or foreign cultural context.

Well, I felt that way once back in 2001 when I was in Oman. But here, it is different. My wife says that it is natural to feel homesick, in fact she thinks that I feel that way. When we talked about it this afternoon before she went to work she was surprised when I said that I really don't feel sad or anxious or depressed that I am here. Ang weird ko nga daw.

The answer is simple: I am home in her arms. Why would I be homesick?

What happened before this?

2008-10-27T04:17:00.003-07:00

Ang mahiwagang medyas... hindi siya mapakali, kailangan niya talaga kuhanan ng litrato ang paang ito. Ito lang kasi ang balot na balot sa buong magdamag.

Come to think of it, ang sexy nung image na na-create in between them di ba? Hahahaha! Umandar na naman ang mahalay kong pag-iisip! Ehek! Ssssshhhh...

Home

2008-10-27T04:07:00.004-07:00

After almost thirty hours of travel and waiting at the airport, I am finally home in the arms of my one great love. Hindi halatang stressed ako at pagod ano?

Grocery muna bago umuwi sa bahay. Takaw ko daw kasi kaya kailangan dami stock na pagkain. Ehek!

Inside the car, tensed siya kasi dadaan kami ng freeway! Hehehehe! Ayaw tuloy tumingin sa camera. Serious daw siya.

Mahalo

2008-10-26T23:14:00.003-07:00

Waiting for Bus 19 or 20 en route to Aloha Tower. Might as well use up my time checking out Hawaii while waiting for my connecting flight
Finally, Bus 19
Traffic in Honolulu is just like traffic in Makati
This guy looks like a Mexican but he's actually a Filipino from Ilocos. Nakalibre tuloy ako ng pamasahe! Hahahaha!
Along Bishop Road
Just got to take pictures!
Along Aloha Tower
Nice tree
View from the Aloha Tower
This is what I got for the $15 voucher from Hawaiian Airlines. Just had to give us something for the delayed flight huh?

Aloha!

2008-10-23T23:35:00.003-07:00

I'm here in Hawaii. I got stuck here for eight hours. I wasn't able to catch my connecting flight to Phoenix because my flight from Manila got delayed for four hours. I didn't know where else to go so I took Bus 20, I got off at Bishop St. and went to Aloha Tower. I wanted to visit Pearl Harbor but I don't have that much time. So, here I am back at the airport waiting for my 22:55 US Airways Flight 125.

Will post pictures later. ;)

Brothers and Sisters

2008-10-20T17:52:00.005-07:00

Here's my Mom, Ate Nene and my Dad. Look how my Dad eats, taga-bukid na taga-bukid ano?

Yesterday was my Tata Juan's 22nd death anniversary. My Dad's siblings decided to have a get together at Kuya Ruben's house. It was a lunch date. It's been a long time since I visited Kuya Ruben. I haven't seen him for years.. to think that we are in the same locality. Oh well..

My Mom and her youngest apo, Yzabelle

My Dad and Kuya Ruben, comfortable. I've seen how these two bond together.

I find it amazing to see how affectionate they are towards each other. They don't have much but they were trained by Inang Maria to hold on to each other. Yesterday Ate Nene was complaining of a back problem. I can see that she is really hurt and frustrated. Sabi nga ng Kuya Ruben, hindi daw siya sanay na nakikitang nakahawak sa balakang ang Ate. Sanay daw siyang nakikitang listong-listo ito at kung saan-saan nakakarating. And then he kissed Ate Nene in the forehead. I smiled. Hindi kasi kami nasanay na magkakapatid sa ganung klase ng lambing, sanay kaming nag-aasaran lang.

Ate Nene, my Dad, Kuya Ruben

My Mom, my cousin Miko, Ate Nene, Dad and Tita Baby

Ate Nene, Dad, Tita Baby

Kids!

2008-10-20T17:48:00.001-07:00

My new baby

2008-10-19T01:11:00.003-07:00

I finally got my new baby after a week of torturing myself whether or not I need it!

The Acer Aspire One HDD (120GB SATA with Windows XP Home)Golden Brown UMPC.

Hehehehe! An early Christmas and birthday gift for me I guess. Well, I've got to pay for this for a year. Better get myself ready for lots of work then!

Specifications for the Acer Aspire One includes:
- Intel Atom Processor N270
- (1.60GHz. 512KB L2 Cache,533MHz FSB)
- Mobile Intel 945GSE Express Chipset
- Acer Invilink 802.11b/g WiFi Wireless Network Network Connection
- Microsoft Windows XP Home
- 1GB Memory (onboard 512MB + 1x 512MB Module)
- 8.9" WSVGA TFT CrystalBrite LCD (1024x600 pixel)
- LED Backlight - 262,000 color supported
- 120GB SATA HDD (with one storage slot for SD Card for storage expansion)
- Integrated Acer CrystalEye Webcam
- Multi-in-1 Card Reader
- Built-in 10/100 Mbps LAN
- with 89% full size keyboard
- with notebook sleeve
- Weight: 1.26Kg. (2.78lbs.)
- 6cell Battery
- One (1) Year Warranty (Parts and Labor)
- One (1) Year International Travellers Warranty

Me and my wife chose the color. We do have a lot of things in common.

;)

I'll tinker with it while waiting for my wife to go online.

Good luck

2008-10-18T20:27:00.002-07:00

I woke up late this morning. I've been having trouble sleeping soundly for the past few days. It must be the anticipation and excitement getting into me. So, instead of staying in bed, I got up and took my first cup of coffee for the day. I switched on the TV and found myself channel surfing. Hindi na ata ako sanay manuod ng TV! Ang tagal kasi naming nag-abstain sa paggamit ng TV eh. Hehehehe! I heard the footsteps of Nicole and Ethan. And then, Nicole said Tita BG, good luck na lang ha? Aalis ka na pala sa Thursday! I was surprised. Itong batang ito talaga kung magsalita akala mo matanda na!

I told them that it's only temporary, that I would still come back. I asked them to pray for me. Sabi nga ni Ethan, magpi-pray daw siya para mapadalan ko siya ng mga toys. Sus!

Kids. Sure am going to miss them.

Istayl Oliva

2008-10-17T00:48:00.003-07:00

Men in my family (my mom as well as my dad's relatives) are well-known for their subtlety. They exude a certain kind of appeal that makes women take a second look and fall in love with them. I have seen how my uncles swept women off their feet. I don't know how they do it, they just do.

Being a Cruz and an Oliva heightened this trait. Last Thursday, my mom and I woke up early. We were drinking coffee when she asked me why my youngest brother's car isn't in the driveway yet. I told her I have no idea since I didn't get any message from him. Mom told me that he and two of my female cousins went out for a drink. On a Wednesday night? Weird. I knew my Mom was worried sick so I sent SMS to my brother and asked him where he was. He answered that he was on his way home. I told my Mom about it but still, she's palpitating. My brother already had a car accident once.

I took a bath and was already dressed up when my brother knocked at my door, Sabay ka ba kay Yaku? Lika na. I told him to wait up since Yaku sent me a message that he'll leave a little later. My youngest brother explained that he already went home in the wee hours of the morning and went out early because he had a business transaction. At five or six in the morning? Oh, come on! I knew right there and then that there's something fishy going on. I grinned.

On our way to Mercury-Malhacan he was looking at the mirror profusely. Then he blurted out, Bakit kaya parang may lipstick ako? Eh puyat na nga at nakainom? I wanted to just hit him hard and comment Tarantado, istayl mo! May kasama kang babae kagabi kaya ganyan lips mo! But I opted not to, baka kasi mapahiya at hindi na magkwento.

I told my wife about it and she had the same reaction. Only it came back to me. Manang-mana daw sa akin ang kapatid ko. Ehek!

Runs in the family? You be the judge.

;)

Onin

2008-10-12T23:21:00.002-07:00

I volunteered to take the place of our liaison officer today, she's the adviser of the Sigma Society which sponsored the seminar on RA 9262, anti-sexual harassment law and she couldn't just leave. So, I took her place and went to the city hall to submit our payroll and talk to the mayor regarding a certain request. (Pero sa totoo lang, wala na kasi ako magawa sa school at nababagot ako kaya gusto kong gumala!

I went to the accounting office to submit the payroll, I was asked to submit it in triplicate so I had to photocopy the document. So, I left the room and went to the mayor's office. I saw Tita Chari and she told me to have the letter received by Amy. Tita Chari introduced me to her, that I am the eldest daughter of Lita and Resty.. to which she responded happily Nakasama ko Mami mo sa Bancal nung nagtuturo pa ako, tapos ang Dadi mo naman kabarkada ng asawa ko. Ikaw ba 'yung maliit na bata na kasa-kasama ni Lita noon? At this point, I really have no idea if she was referring to me or my siblings. So I replied, Kamukha po ba ni Nino Muhlach 'yung batang nakikita niyo noon? Her eyes become round and then she said.. Oo nga! Ikaw 'yun batang mataba na bibo!

Funny how people remember me when I was a child. The child wonder look-alike. Buti na lang hindi ko na siya kamukha ngayon! Hahahahaha!

Usapang bata

2008-10-12T02:52:00.002-07:00

Isang araw narinig kong nag-uusap-usap ang mga pamangkin ko. Akala ko naman kung anung seryosong topic ang pinag-uusapan nila, lumapit ako para marinig ko ng maayos. Nakatingin lang din ang nanay ko sa kanila. Nasa may hapag-kaininan kami ng nanay ko at nasa may sala silang tatlo. Ganito ang takbo ng usapan nila:

Nicole (7): Sige nga, si Tita BG ba boy or girl?
Janna (4): Girl kaya!
Ethan (4): Hindi. Bading si Tita BG!
Nicole: Hindi bading si Tita BG, tomboy siiya. At alam ko kung bakit! *sabay tingin sa akin at sa lola niya*
BG: O sige nga, bakit?
Nicole: Sabi ni lola dahil daw sa asawa ni Nanay Ester kaya ka naging tomboy! Di ba lola? *sabay tingin sa lola niya waiting for approval*
Mami: Oo, nangangabayo pa nga yan at sumasakay sa karitela at kalesa. Tapos mga laruan niya baril-barilan at mga kotse.
Ethan: Joke lang. Alam ko naman na girl si Ninang BG. Pero kung boy siya, pogi siya!
Janna: Nakita ko na nga naka bold si Ninang BG eh! Girl siya. Pero parang boy kasi may buhok sa may tiyan!

Hahahaha! Hanggang ngayon pag naiisip ko ang mga usapan ng mga pamangkin ko, amazed pa rin ako. Sa murang edad nila, napapag-usapan nila openly ang tungkol sa gender ko at tanggap nila ako. Buti na lang andun din si Mami, taga-explain sa kanila. Hindi sila sinasaway, gina-guide lang. Ang swerte ko talaga. Tanggap nila ako.

;)

Off to the alternative doctor

2008-10-07T00:29:00.003-07:00

Nagkayayaan kami last Sunday na magpunta kay Tito Ernie aka Dok Ernie. Si Mami at Dadi ang nagyaya. Naglalaba pa ako nung nangulit sila. Narinig ng dalawang bata, gustong sumama. Narinig si Boy, sumama rin. Ang ending? Kaming apat lang ang natuloy. Hahahahaha! Naiwan ang dalawang matanda dahil for sure magtatagal daw kami. True enough, andun kami until four in the afternoon. Nag-reformat kasi ng desktop PC si Boy. Ako naman nagpagamot at nakipagkwentuhan kay Tita Baby.

Pictures namin habang nasa kotse.. sabi ni Misis Tikboy, ang macho ko daw. Hahahahaha!

Photo ops (senti)

2008-10-07T00:21:00.002-07:00

Me and Buniknik
Me, Buniknik and Banana
Me and Banana

Mom's 60th birthday

2008-10-02T00:46:00.004-07:00

We decided to celebrate my Mom's birthday by having lunch out at Max's.

Four emotions

2008-09-30T22:06:00.002-07:00

I opened my email today and read a message From the Masters that is all about the four emotions that can lead to life change, it was written by Jim Rohn. He said that emotions are the most powerful forces inside us. And of all the emotions we are capable of feeling, only four can lead us to life change. These are: disgust, decision, desire and resolve.

Disgust is a negative emotion which can turn positive when you say to yourself "Enough is enough." It could lead to a life changing decision which could alter our lives forever. And whatever decision we make, we must have a desire to want it. And if we really, really want it these words will come out of our lips: I will.

Of all the four, I could say that I once faltered at the last one: resolve. But I have learned my lesson. I know what I want and I am decided to get it. Probably you're going to throw me a question, for how long will it take me to make it a reality.. I would simply say this to you:

As long as it takes.

Decisions

2008-09-27T20:48:00.002-07:00

Last week in my Philippine history class, we were discussing McKinley's benevolent assimilation proclamation and then the Philippine independence missions. I underestimated my students critical thinking skills. I thought that they were just like my former history students who were just going through the motions of complying with the requirements to pass the subject. Otherwise they couldn't graduate from their chosen courses. When they heard of the missions sent to the US Congress in the 1930's for the Filipino's desire to become independent of any foreign power, they told me that it was a waste of time and money. They also asked my why in the hell do we need to get the approval of the United States just to get our so called independence? I didn't even had the chance to answer it because the class did. The Philippines was served in a silver platter to the USA after the Treaty of Paris. At first, they didn't know what to do, whether to accept it or just let us be. That's what Dewey told Aguinaldo anyway during their meeting prior to the Mock Battle of Manila. But they already invested $20 million. And the decision finally came after McKinley's proclamation. They have this herculean task of educating the Filipinos. So he ordered the military occupation.

With the rise of ML Quezon and the likes, the Filipinos clamored for independence. They wanted to prove that they could run the country without the Americans. It took several missions, nine, if I am not mistaken, to bring it to reality. The HHC Act was finally approved by the US Congress and was approved by the President of the USA. However, ML Quezon was not happy about it because he couldn't take the credit for it, that was why he didn't sign it. Then came the Tydings-McDuffie law - and here we are, independent as we claim it.

If things were different, if ML Quezon, Sergio Osmena didn't clamor for independence, we would have been a territory of the USA. We could have been another Guam or Saipan. So, I asked my students if they were in favor of this. They said NO. They want an independent Philippines, much to my surprise.

They were debating about it in class, I was hearing comments and ideas I have never heard nor imagined they were capable of even thinking. Right there and then, I knew that I made the right decision.

In the attempt to ease whatever feeling that I have, they made me feel proud. That somehow, I made a good decision in my life.

That in almost everything that I have done, I have done something good.

Even if I am stupid. Even if I am an asshole. Even if I lied.

I don't want to lie anymore. My heart is full of remorse right now. For not saying the things that I should have said. For hiding the things that I should have exposed. Now, I am having a hard time earning the trust that I had before.

And it is because of my stupid decisions. My mistakes. My lies.

2008-09-27T20:32:00.001-07:00

"Why"

Why, do you always do this to me?
Why, couldn't you just see through me?
How come, you act like this
Like you just don't care at all

Do you expect me to believe I was the only one to fall?
I can feel, I can feel you near me, even though you're far away
I can feel, I can feel you baby, why

It's not supposed to feel this way
I need you, I need you
More and more each day
It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you, I need you, I need you
Tell me, are you and me still together?
Tell me, do you think we could last forever?
Tell me, why

Hey, listen to what we're not saying
Let's play, a different game than what we're playing
Try, to look at me and really see my heart

Do you expect me to believe I'm gonna let us fall apart?
I can feel, I can feel you near me, even when you're far away
I can feel, I can feel you baby, why

It's not supposed to feel this way
I need you, I need you
More and more each day
It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you, I need you, I need you
Tell me, are you and me still together?
Tell me, you think we could last forever?
Tell me, why

So go and think about whatever you need to think about
Go on and dream about whatever you need to dream about
And come back to me when you know just how you feel, you feel
I can feel, I can feel you near me, even though you're far away
I can feel, I can feel you baby, why

It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you, I need you
More and more each day
It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you, I need you, I need you
Tell me

It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you, I need you
More and more each day
It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you, I need you, I need you
Tell me, are you and me still together?
Tell me, do you think we could last forever?
Tell me, why

Word for the day

2008-09-27T20:09:00.002-07:00

Totoo sa sinasabi
Alisin ang alinlangan
Pangako, walang iwanan
Alaala lagi
Taos sa puso

Ito ang natutunan ko ngayong umagang ito - ang salitang tapat.

In today's gospel, Matthew tells a story of a father who asked his sons to work in the vineyard. One said no, but changed his mind and eventually went. The second said yes but didn't even go to the vineyard. Jesus said that the first did the will of his father. But if we are going to think about it, both of them brought sama ng loob to their father.

As I reflect on it, I am reminded that there are two kinds of people who roam the face of the earth. One, those are good who eventually turned bad. And two, those who are bad who eventually turned good.

In the dichotomy of good and bad, of what is moral and immoral, people may have had different definitions. The term could be relative. But one thing is for sure - the innate goodness that a person possesses.

We are all good. For God is good, all the time.

2008-09-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

Not thinking about anything is zen. Once you know this, walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, everything you do is zen. To know that the mind is empty is to see the Buddha...Using the mind to look for reality is delusion. Not using the mind to look for reality is awareness. Freeing oneself from words is liberation.

- Bodhidharma

Anak, buhay ka pa ba?

2008-09-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

That is the exact words of my mom when I got home three nights ago. I don't
know if she senses something, she never really asks. I just kissed her
hand and said, "Wish ko nga hindi na ako buhay eh" and then I laughed
to cover the sincerity of my words.

Funny, I have been awake for the longest time despite the long hours
of work. I just don't want to have a dull moment so that I could not
think. I am tired of thinking. I just want to feel and experience life
unfolding before my very eyes. But as fate would have it, I think I
have run out of time.

I said that I will not choke again, I said that I will keep on
believing.. I believe that it could happen. Whoever wants to ruin
everything will not succeed. I will make sure of that. I will track
you down even if it would cost me my life.

I will not lose hope. I will not falter. I will not choke.

I'm yours

2008-09-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

more music codes @ mp3-codes.com

Jason Mraz - Im Yours [New Remix]

Destined for greatness

2008-09-22T11:18:00.003-07:00

I wasn't paying much attention to my dad this evening because I was busy chatting. He was blabbering about past memories of me and my siblings. He said he couldn't remember a negative memory involving me except for that one incident when they made me wear a skirt when I was in grade three. I told him it wasn't a negative memory, actually it was funny. My dad, mom and Buboy was actually talking about engrams.. their personal engrams. Dad said that he retraced the memory that triggered his negative reaction whenever a baby cries. He'd turned violent and really angry when he hears a baby cry. He said that he now remembers why. He remembered that time that he was made to baby sit my Kuya Jun (RIP) and Ate Maricel when they were babies. And they cried during his watch. He didn't know what to do and he hated myself for it. Until recently, he didn't know that it was that moment which triggered emotions and reactions. Again, he was explaining dianetics.

Mom had a different kind of fear. She was afraid of my dad's car. She said she couldn't forget that moment when my dad pulled her out of the stage while conducting (she was a music teacher) during a performance and told her to get into the car and took off with an alarming speed. Since then, my mom doesn't want to get inside the car specially when my dad's temper is up.

My dad was telling me that he couldn't remember anything negative about my childhood memories. Sabi niya, ewan lang daw nung nag-aaral na ako kasi hindi na niya alam kung ano nangyayari sa akin. There's a lot of things that my dad doesn't know about me. An awful lot.

He was asking me but I refused to answer, I was busy. Then again, for the nth time he said, "Wag mong biguin si Tito Ugin mo." I told him, "Ano?" "Sabi niya sa akin nung unang pagkakita pa lang niya sa 'yo at nakausap ka niya, mas magaling ka kaysa sa akin. I-hone daw kita, i-train daw kita dahil ikaw ang papalit sa akin. Masyado ka lang daw maraming emotional baggage kaya ayaw lumitaw ng galing mo." I just shrugged my shoulders and said to myself. Emotional baggage? I threw them all away. Pagod na ako eh. "Hindi lang kita ma-process kasi anak kita eh. Matinding kalaban ang affinity."

Engrams? I have many. I know it but I haven't processed it yet.

Destined for greatness? Yeah right. The power of positive thinking.

One word says it all. BELIEVE.

Little Devil ko

2008-09-22T10:55:00.004-07:00

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw niya umalis. Ilang beses ko na siya sinubukang bitawan. Pero hanggang ngayon andito pa rin siya sa tabi ko. Alam niya pag mainit ulo ko. Siya kasama ko pag galit ako. Pag naiinis ako. Pag malungkot ako. Hindi pa naman niya ako ipinahamak. Magaling lang siguro talaga akong driver, kahit na nagloloko na siya, nako-control ko pa rin. Kahit nung isang taon na na-disgrasya ako, siya ang total wreck, pero ako walang galos. Ni hindi ako sumemplang. Siguro, ganun niya ako kamahal. Kaya ngayon, kahit gusto ko na siyang bitawan, ayaw niyang umalis.

Kung nakakapagsalita lang siya ngayon, sigurado puro tampo at hinaing ang sasabihin niya sa akin. Ipapaalala niya kung paano ko pinaghirapan na mapunta siya sa akin. Tapos heto ako, kabi-kabila ang pagpupursige para umalis siya. Ipinaliwanag ko naman sa kanya kung bakit. Pero ewan ko ba, ganun siguro talaga pag mahal ka.. at mahal mo rin. Masakit pero kailangan.

Hindi ko pa alam kung aalis siya sa akin o hindi. May isang buwan pa ako para malaman 'yun. Dapat sana kanina kukunin na siya, pero hindi natuloy.

Kaya pala, may ibang mawawala sa akin. Kaya hindi siya umalis.

Anger and hatred

2008-09-22T10:37:00.002-07:00

I tend to refrain myself from blogging whenever I feel this way. I just want to take off and satisfy the need for speed. But in consideration to someone who worries a lot about me, I am drowning myself in this ocean of anger and hatred.

Cool Off
Yeng Constantino

Wag ka munang magalit
Ako sana’y pakinggan
Di ko balak ang ika’y saktan
Hindi ikaw ang problema
Wala akong iba
Di tulad ng iyong hinala

Sarili ay di maintindihan
Hindi ko malaman, ano ba ang dahilan
Ng pansatamantalang paghingi ko ng kalayaan
Minamahal kita, pero kelangan ko lang mag-isa

Wag mong isipin na hindi ka na mahal
Sarili ko’y hahanapin ko lang
At ang panahon at oras ng aking pagkawala
Ay para rin sa atin dalawa

Wag ka sanang lumuha
Sana’y intindihin
Ito ang dapat nating gawin
Upang magkakilala pa
At malaman kung tayo
Ay para sa isa’t isa
Wag mong pigilin ang damdamin
Sa aking pagkawala, makahanap ka bigla ng iba
Ngunit pakakatandaan mo sana
Na mahal pa rin kita, pero kelangan ko lang mag-isa

Sarili ay di maintindihan
Hindi ko malaman, ano ba ang dahilan
Ng pansatamantalang paghingi ko ng kalayaan
Minamahal kita, pero kelangan ko lang mag-isa

Cool Off - Yeng Constantino

Table of organization

2008-09-20T07:27:00.002-07:00

Last Saturday meeting was graced by the Academic Consultant (the former president of the college). I was awed by the profoundness of his thoughts. This guy knows what he's talking about, I muttered to myself. But that thought vanished when he started to repeat what he said after every ten minutes. Parang sirang plaka na. That's when I started to get bored. To flush the feeling out I started asking questions like I was in a classroom setting to which he answered knowingly. Sure I learned a lot of things. That in order to stay at my current post, I need to get 24 units of psychology and take another LET exam for it. I jokingly said that I'd drop the position anytime and go back to teaching. The council reacted. They don't want me to leave the post.

I did that again tonight during the meeting when the president, in an attempt to get my attention (she thought I wasn't listening to the discussion because I was scribbling notes) said that the council could just drop the HR post in the table of organization. I said, it's okay. I'd gladly go back to teaching. But she retracted and said she was only joking, that I was doing a good job at managing people. -Sigh-

Managing people, a challenge it is. Specially if the sub-culture of the college is built on politics. Kakapagod lumaro sa sayaw ng mga pulitiko at namumulitikang tao.

Saturdays and meetings

2008-09-20T07:01:00.002-07:00

I just came from a three hour meeting and I don't feel well. I've been feeling a bit weird for the past few days, I feel nauseous and my heart is acting strange - chest pains and heaviness. I know it's the usual stuff and I am used to it but people have been noticing that I don't look good (still cute, just not the usual cuteness ;) hehehehe) and that I look sick.

My wife says that its maybe because I'm over excited. I've been granted a month-long vacation which can be extended for another month (yey!). Hmmmm.. come to think of it, yeah I am excited! I've been doing the countdown for almost a month now. Hehehehe! I've also been hearing good cheers from people but I want to take it one day at a time and prep myself that it is indeed a vacation. Don't want to get my hopes up (but I really feel that something good is about to come up when I'm there) so I try to down play it as much as I can.

I was tasked to teach every clerk in the department on how to use their 3G mobile phones to connect to the internet and update the desktop PCs anti-virus software. Oh well.. so that's third on my list of things to do for next week. On top of my list is the demonstration teaching that I have to organize on Friday. Funny, I was also asked to attend a seminar in AUF, Pampanga on that day. I'll just confirm it on Monday.

Ah, it's a weekend and here I am thinking of things that I'm going to do for the week to come. I just want to speed things up so that I could take my vacation! Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!

SG Induction & Turnover Ceremony

2008-09-18T22:26:00.005-07:00

Yesterday morning I was advised to go to work earlier than usual because I needed to substitute for the TED Academic Head in inducting the student officers. I obliged. Here are some of the highlights of the event.

Bernard (soon to be OIC of CompLab), Me, Meia (soon to be OIC of HRD)
Me, HRM Head Rose, GTC Head Alex
with Dean Ricky and President Ophen
Induction proper
with Alex Garcia, President of the Teacher Education Society

My Heart and Soul

2008-09-16T04:38:00.000-07:00

2008-09-15T22:51:00.001-07:00

"How simple it is to see that all the worry in the world cannot control the future. How simple it is to see that we can only be happy. And that there will never be a time when it is not now."
- Gerald Jampolsky

Pusong mamon

2008-09-15T03:31:00.002-07:00

I have always been diplomatic in my dealings with people. Before jumping to conclusion I usually give the other person the benefit of the doubt. But when I am pushed to the edge, I fight back. But I still hold back something. Deep inside me I know that we are created in the image and likeness of God. That somehow we are innately good. Experiences may have hardened and toughened us but I know deep inside that there is goodness in every person's heart.

Today, I felt just like that. I have been furious at someone for days because of fraud. I know that there are reasons behind the behavior and the actions of that person but for some reason, I set that aside and allowed myself to be angry. Not with the person per se but with her actions.

Galit ako pero nung nakaharap ko na siya, hindi ko makuhang magalit. May pagka-pusong mamon rin kasi ako.

Fury

2008-09-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you keep thinking "That man has abused me," holding it as a much-cherished grievance, your anger will never be allayed. If you can put down that fury-inducing thought, your anger will lessen. Fury will never end fury, it will just ricochet on and on. Only putting it down will end such an abysmal state.

- Sunnata Vagga

I can't sleep. Darn!

UKG part two

2008-09-13T01:31:00.004-07:00

Inside the Loop Studio with Arnold, Marlon, Bernard, Aries, Gerard and Noel
The Manager, actually di ko alam na kinuhanan pala nila ako. I was at the other side of the set kasi. Nasa jamming session sila with MYMP saka sa cooking portion ng show.
HRM 2A. Jason, Onad, Raymond, Ade, Al John, Jonel, Leo, Bagz, Darren, Tiong and Jerson
The Matrix, alin.. alin.. alin ang naiba. Isipin kung alin ang naiba!

Killer instinct turned liboger thoughts

2008-09-12T02:34:00.002-07:00

Mr. T: Kung gagamitin ko lang katarantaduhan ko, ipinadampot ko na 'yun kagabi pa.
Misis T: Relax baby... Ngayon lang kita nakita ng nagalit na ganito ah... I like it... para kang barbaric.. wild ba, hahahahaha!
Mr. T: Sira ulo ka talaga, napangiti tuloy ako. Barbaric ka jan!
Misis T: Barbaric... and sexy...
Mr. T: Asus at gusto pa pala nito barumbado ako!
Misis T: Hindi no... gusto ko lang na lumalaban ka na. Hindi ka na tatahimik tahimik lang, hehehehe! Gusto mo itali mo pa ako sa kama eh, ehek! (liboger thoughts)
Mr. T: Aba, aba! At pumayag na! Hahahaha.. i'll save this email convo. Hekhekhek!
Misis T: Wag ka na magalit ngarud... relax...Kaya kita mahal na mahal eh... extremes ang dating hehehehe!

It's amazing how we, as a couple, could make each other smile despite of how negative the circumstances are. That's why I miss my wife so much.

UKG

2008-09-07T20:41:00.005-07:00

This morning at Umagang Kay Ganda.

Audience A, mostly HRM students.

Audience A pa rin, inggit ang audience B kasi palaging nasa kanila ang mga host.

Inside the studion with Marie Paz, Rose, Yoly, Tita Sosi and Mam Ophen.

Jamming session with Silent Sanctuary

Mam Ophen with Bernadette Sembrano and Kim Atienza

UP Naming Mahal...

2008-09-07T05:37:00.005-07:00

Congratulations to the UP Pep Squad! The 2008 Samsung Cheerdance Competition Champions. Two years in a row!

Samantalang dati, istorbo kayo tuwing nagpa-practice kaming mga varsity. Ngayon, mukhang kuha niyo ang space namin sa gym! Hehehehe!

JV Duque, ikaw nga ba ang first ever coach nito?

You make us proud!

Last year's performance...

My one great love

2008-09-06T05:53:00.004-07:00

I was trying to figure out the answer to the question Bakit ba kasi mahal na mahal kita? and stumbled upon this article by Lucie Chevalier. The introduction caught my attention, it says:

Some people -- it is not certain if they are the lucky ones or the unlucky ones -- have had One Great Love; a love whose intensity and mutuality allowed no doubt that it was the real thing; a love that never lost its quality of strangeness; a love that, years later, still makes the throat catch when it's remembered; a love whose unfolding remolded the selves of both people, as when a graft on a branch forms a new tree. In some cases -- may they be happy! -- these couples stay together. In others, the couple resist the graft, spooked by the power of the enchantment that entwined them, or disliking the new hybrid. They separate, and the separation is damaging; it is like surgery. The two people stagger off their separate ways, unentwined, fiercely seeking to resume their prior independence, but it cannot be fully restored. They retain the twists of the joint self they formed against the now-absent other half. How can they stop feeling the loss of the vanished lover when their shape still reflects his outline? How can they learn to grow separately, how can they bring themselves to bend to a new suitor? And will they ever find a new graft to complement their hybrid nature?

I was awed. Nicely written. I have tried and tried to answer the question but for almost two decades now I haven't found the answer yet. I don't intend to answer the question anymore though I am intrigued by the depth of the question. Mahirap kasi talagang sagutin. Pero masarap damhin. Time and time again, we may feel that we have given it all for the person we truly love. But it proves us wrong, we can give more than we can imagine. And that intrigues me. The power of love. I cannot argue with it.

Love really does move in mysterious ways.