From China with Love

I can vividly remember the time i posted this card for my family here in the Philippines.  I posted it a week after i visited the Great Wall of China.

I love my China days and up to now i still miss many of my happy memories out there.  Even the bad ones, they are still worth reminiscing.  It was also there that i have discovered how important natural appetite suppressants are to Chinese women that is why they are as thin as the bamboo stick. But really, i always tell my chinese girl friends to eat well and eat healthy so that they will look more beautiful.

Long Time No Talk

Thanks to YM because it connects me and my family to family and relatives who are residing in other parts of the world.  But lately a cousin has been offline for almost a month now because they were busy packing.  She emailed me the other day telling me that it is so tiring when doing a long distance moving. They are moving to California. Their things were moved out of their home in Spanaway and today they left their home on a long long ride towards San Diego. AT the moment they are on the road and later they will check into a hotel for a night’s rest then off to their new home the next day.

8 – 12 Midnight

AT home there was no electric power from exactly 8 am to 12 midnight or a bit more.  We at the office are fortunate because there was the generator.  Though we don’t have the aircon yet we were allowed to use electric fans.  I came home almost 7 pm and was running on the way for safety.  Someone told me to be careful because there might be snatchers or thieves hiding along the sideways.  We thought it the power will be back at 8 pm.  Then we heard it will come at 10.  It came at 11.  We were all happy.  We turned off the candles, turn on the fan, and turn on the pc.  I was the first in line to on the pc.  Before windows could finish opening up the power was off again.  We all laugh because we took sometime to find our candles and the box of matches.  The baby was also fussing (it’s mainit!)   Then after awhile, we just decided we are going to sleep.

Am still online now because i have a hard time sleeping so when the power came back i decided to check my FB games.

Now am off to bed!  Nite nite world!

September 26, 2009

Sorry if it took me some days to make this post. I felt i had a tiring weekend so i rested and then my week just start now.

Anyway, i was looking forward to last weekend because it was the weekend my beloved D turned 12. Her birthday was really 26th but since it was Sabbath so it hindered us to prepare something nice for her. We agreed to have a little celebration the next day. She agreed of course but on the 26th morning, a surprise arrived! Her friends from the MAS serenaded her. So i was forced to get up so that I can join the worship. When i went out of the room, my daughter was looking out at the window really appreciating the songs sang for her. She gave me that sweet smile and in my mind i mused “you really like this, huh!” But it her day so i just kept my mouth shut. I did not worry about food as i was thinking I will invite them to come back the next day for the food. After worship, we only served them the Rambutan my cousin brought in from Bukidnon the night before.

Here are some photos that day:

- the group worshiping with us -

-  group pic before they went home -

After they’re gone, i cooked food for breakfast while Dimple took bath to prepare for church.  Here’s what we got for breakfast:

-  stir boiled canton with vegetables -

I just made sure she had that that day.  No chocolates nor piece of cake as i told her she will have nice food only the next day. lol!  I always think that noodles represent long life.

After breakfast, she dressed herself to church and i guess i went back to sleep while she prepared herself.  I was still so sleepy.  But i woke up when she went out of the door – i told her i will take some photos.  So here she is:

- fitting her new slip-on.  My gift for her. –

I think that is my shoe size when i was still in highschool.  I feel she is going to have a bigger and longer foot size.  It’s like am marvelled at how fast she has grown for her age.

- The birthday girl -

Happy happy 12th birthday, Pol!

OWM # 5 – Sick Baby & the Cook

Last week, my 4 month old nephew was admitted due to very high temperature. Tests showed he got UTI. I spent my time almost whole day Friday and evening of Saturday (whole night) while Dimple in school cooked some vege recipe during the culmination of the Nutrition Week.

He can be an energetic and noisy babe when his temperature is normal.  When am the one with him i always keep his arms with the IV away from him.  I can giggle watching him putting anything (everything) he can hold inside his mouth.

An hour later after this shot, his temperature rose up to 42 and he was really restless and got a sound that really tells us he is not feeling well.

In school, my daughter’s class were divided into some group and they were told to cook the food (viand) they like to eat for lunch. My daughter’s group is composed mostly of girls and many wanted to eat vegetables so they brought fresh vegetables with them.

While the others make fire -

Some others did the task of dehusking  or deboning the malunggay -

Dimple being the leader of the group was only tasked to bring kitchen utensils and the firewood.  She proudly told me that she cooked (sautee) eggplant and string beans:

- garlic in the heated oil then followed by the vegetables.

when i saw this photo in the camera and saw water i asked her if she put in the water after putting in the vegetables. she said yes and i told her to correct it next time. i told her to put in water after the vegetables are partly cooked.

I asked her if it tasted nice and she proudly said nice because they used Magic Sarap! hahaha.  She said that she wanted to bring some for me for a taste but her classmates loved it so none was left.

Well, it does not matter. I was able to taste their noodle soup with malunggay and eggs.  It tasted very nice only to discover they have used up all the seasoning powder plus magic sarap.  Ohh my gawd, i told her, yeah the simple viand tastes so heavenly but it will cause us to die early. hahaha

Here’s the group leader with her teacher:

Happy Sunday to all and i hope you enjoyed these simple photos of our weekend last week.

His Dream Car

One of my cousins in the States have more than  one car.  They were not new models but they are cars.  If in the Philippines, cars are luxury, over there, nah, it’s a necessity.  Some have nice cars, some have the coolest cars on the block, and some have just so so cars.  As long as it run – it’s still great.  I told her that my favorite car to have in the future will be the red mazda 6.  I guess it’s because of the red that made me attracted to it.  That is just my wish.  If God will give me that exact wish, as long as it runs then for sure it’s a blessing.

Jim just arrived in the states and he is starting from scratch.  Let’s say that at the moment he is still in scratch.  He mused that over there is much different in the Philippines.  If in Philippines you can walk to your appointment, and in Bangkok you can ride a bus to meet your appointment, well over there, you got to need a car to reach an appointment.  I told him that he should work hard to buy a car in the soon future.  Guess what’s his wish?  A bmw m5!

See that?  It’s so cool.  I think the coolest brand for this year as far as i know.  Am not much into cars except i will be asked what kind of car would i want in my life.  I told my cousin, this car is just for him.  Not for everyone of his relatives left in the mountains of Manticao.

Anyways,   there are more cars out in the market this time.  The 2009 Acura rl will be one of the top model of luxury cars that will be out in the market this year.  And bmw of course is not behind the scene.  They now have too their 2010 series.  In spite of the recession in America, there are still people who won’t fail to buy the newest model of luxury car.  Who can blame them, they can afford it very well.    I thought that maybe i would be a car dealer incase i will land in America in the future. (wishful musing)

Cancelled Plan

Last night, while relaxing, i mentioned about jogging.  Since i don’t have time for Kettlebell workout, i thought i would just go jogging when time allows. So i announced that we will go on jogging this morning. Much to my daughter and mom’s delight! But it was canceled because i woke up very late. Imagine 7:30. I slept very at 2 am. Did not sleep right away because i ate too much chicken yesterday that my allergy woke me up. All over my arms and almost to the pits is very very itchy. I have to get up and put on some ointment. Plus the period makes me doze off and on for sleep. My daughter got up at 5:3o and she was mad that i have to cancel and she said she’s going back to sleep. hahaha

Because of this “must” report at the office durin g Sunday made my Sunday a not-me-time anymore.  But will start doing light exercise soon.

The Girl is Sick

I don’t like to say “again because  the last time she was sick was due to chicken pox and it was last year.  Now she is sick with high fever due to inflamed tonsils and productive cough.   Sounds productive but i did not heard her coughing the past days.  It was only early this morning.  Well, she is sick so i got in very late at work.   I feel bad she missed school today.  But somehow she will get well tonight so she can attend class tomorrow.

This is a candid portrait of her i took months back.  One of my favorite shots of her that evening.  She likes to pose when in the mood but if not in the mood well, i really can’t take one good photo of her.  Have you ever heard about the  Fort Myers photographer that take very good portraits.  Check out her site and blogs and you will find lovely shots taken by a very professional photographer.   I checked that out myself and am recommending it to my soon to be wedded friends and even the preggy friends.  I so love her  style.

Broadway Tickets for Him!

I got an excited news from an aunt yesterday.  My cousin who applied for a visa to attend a seminar in NY got a visa yesterday!  He was so happy.  He was given several several months and it means he is going to spend his birthday there and one thing he wants to for a birthday gift in that far away land are broadway tickets for several shows that he is coveting to watch.  I am so happy for him…and i envy him!   He is a close first cousin you know.

Broadway tickets are not too much to wish for in these times of recession.  Many still think that broadway shows gave wholesome entertainment to those who can afford.  Being inside the theater makes you forget for sometime the worries and cares everyone is having.  The more it will be felt for those who got the tickets for free!  If others can’t get it for free then they settle for discount tickets.  And to get that discount tickets, they should check the broadway shows site for updates on how to avail broadway shows tickets at discount prices.  NY Broadway shows are not to be missed especially if one is already there. Right?

I wish my cousin a safe trip and have a blast in NY.  I hope he can also heed to California to meet friends and other cousins.

Back to School

The daughter is now back to school.  School time again and it was her first day yesterday (June 1, 2009) in the 6th grade class.  If she passes then this is going to be her last year in the Elementary school.  She went to school very early though she was not enrolled yet.  I went at 7:30 but the teachers were still having meeting so i attended the CEU first then came back at 8:30 to enroll her.  I don’t have enough money for down payment but in my mind in case they give me a hard time enrolling her, then i would pull her out from that school.  For financial reasons, i do want to pull her out but since it’s her last year, it is not not a nice year anymore to do some adjustments in a new school.

Luckily she was enrolled with less than 2thousand money in my hand.  I received a 1thousand 13th month minus tithes so i had 900.  Luckily i was the one who answered the phone last Sunday morning when my aunt called to give the mtcn number to my aunt and for that i was given 20 dollars when she knew my situation – to add up to my money at hand for dimple’s enrollment.  It was a small amount but it already helped because i was really doubting if my D can be enrolled with just nine hundred pesos.

Anyway, she is now back to school.  No books though.  The books is worth more than 3thousand.  So am still thinking heaven and earth where to find that amount so that she will have her books – if not all at least her science, math, and english books.   The only new thing she got this time is her binder notebook, 2 pcs pens, and pencils.  Good thing her uniforms can still fit though she needs a good 2 pcs of white blouse.  Well well, i know God will let me find a way.