I did not know of the details of the tourist hostage in Manila not until yesterday.  This is the bad or maybe the good side of living a life without TV and having an internet connection that will take several minutes to download a newspage.  After learning about it all -  my Chinese friends came to mind.  Though i don’t have Chinese friends in Hongkong, the fact that they are chinese and they are under one country PR China, I am sure all Chinese felt the same – sad of what happened and angry at the Philippines.  Angry towards the Filipinos.  Hearing the news that one woker in HK was sacked by her employers after the hostage aftermath.  I can just imagine the anger in the minds of Chinese people.  Thankfully my kumare’s employer is a foreigner so she won’t experience some untoward treatments.

While thinking about the Chinese in general i can’t also help to think about MY CHINESE FRIENDS.  I wonder what do they think of me.  I am hoping that they haven’t forgotten i told them to always be open minded and that whatever be a person’s race, color, beliefs he or she should always respect.  Respect of one’s opinions and beliefs can cause harmony, i told them that is why am so close with my Chinese friends.

I have several close friends whom I was keeping in touch lately but I haven’t heard from them.  But today morning, I got one from Jane.  Jane is one of my adult students  during my first year there who later became my friend.    So funny because after she heard of the news — she thought of me and tried to contact me.  So here is her letter and also I wanna share to you here comment.

Letter:

Dear Arlene:

I finally got your blog adress yesterday, and am so happy.

I got the sad news happened in your country about the Hk tourists killed.

So worried about you and your Dimple

Trying to e-mail you again but I found that I got no reply for your birthday congratulations. That make me nervous. So I tried to search your blog but failed. Last trying I got some information and a picture.

Wow,it is yours. I am so excited.

From your blog I know you and your daughter are fine. So happy

good luck

Jane

from Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China

Comment from jane456187:

am so happy that i can get your blog address again Arelene. in fact from here i know you and your dimple are ok,that is very important. i sent a email before your birthday but didn’t get a reply.this morning i got the bad news of the hk tourists, i felt sad and worried about you very much.

I am so happy to hear from her.  So very sweet of her.   I felt that i should be the first one emailing them but for this case, she was the one. I already wrote her back and I hope i will hear from her again.

After this I feel the need to write to Frank, Penny, Larry, Liu Ben, Helen Zhao, Helen Lili Min, and Henry.

Anyway, i hope all will be well soon so that i can still be granted for a visit visa next year.

If i say that i don’t mean to be unthankful for the blessings of rain.  But there are just moments that I wish it won’t rain.  This week is the Pasingot week i wish it won’t rain.  Yesterday, the opening program was cut due to the rain and this afternoon, instead of cancelling the cheer dance, they had it at the mph (4th floor)  I don’t like going up there so i missed the cheer dance.

Today is also slated as OPEN HOUSE day at the Boys Dormitory and Girls Dormitory.  We slept so late last night and final touch of the decluttering was done only this morning before the opening past 10.

I am not feeling well.  I caught the flu virus and the best place i wanna be right now is a dark and quiet bedroom.

First of all i lacked sleep. Slept so late last night waiting for the water.  It came almost 1 am.  We need to stock water because the water’s flow is unpredictable.  In spite of the daily trips to Timoga for tank refill, the shortage of water had gone worst.  So this morning, in spite my sleepy state i have to get up for an 8 o’clock class.  I can’t afford to miss a masteral class plus the fact that it’s another teacher for our two other subjects.  So i look forward to the meeting but i was not the bubbly me. I was tired and sleepy.

Then on my way to school, i met one of the staff of the maintenance and asked him about water scheduling because their was a worst water outage last week and even this weekend.  If we are on schedule then they should schedule us on times when there are people in the dorm or when people are awake.  That means they should not give us good flow of water at 2 am.  Of course that would be a waste as everyone is asleep and maybe some have turned on their faucets during their awake time and forgot to turn it off — so they should give us a reasonable schedule that will make the occupants of the dorm enjoy their stay.  Anyway, i also came across this rfid blocking wallet and i still need to read it. Am sleepy now and in few minutes the connection will be cut due because the unlimitted use time will be over at 2:28. Just few minutes more. So i will get back later to start doing my homework for August 23 and then browse through miracle wallet.

I know i barked at the wrong person – but i guess due to lack of sleep, i was not able to think well. I was a little bit upset of the situation.

I woke up very late already because slept past 1 am because i had a date with The Last Song.

I did not have big plans that day in relation to the birthday because I was at work. I did not file for a leave reserving it for the coming months during the time i will use my self birthday gift. I wont’ mention it now what’s the gift but i will when the right time comes.

Anyway, my boss bought me a pizza (we ordered vegetarian) but when the pizza arrived it has beef toppings and the only thing that belong to the vegetable family are the tomatoes. hehehe. I then had a simple lunch with it. 2 slices of the pizza made me feel so full. I did not had the time to take a nap anymore because at 1 pm, faculty and staff meeting has to start and i have to faciliate the program. Me and my boss and the wife were at the Conference Room very early but we started at 1:30 already because the assigned to lead the song service was late (she forgot the exact time).

Anyway, we had a wonderful afternoon listening to one of our resource speaker, Madam Visminda Murcia who spoke on Grammar lapses. We just love her time as we listen to her and realizing our mistakes in pronunciation and use of words in speech. Time was not enough but Dr. Zamora shared some important points regarding Ethics in the workplace.

I then proceeded home after office hours with a plan to cook spaghetti with hot and spicy Tuna. Only to discover the we ran out of gasul. So instead of cooking, i ordered some birthday pancit and sweet and sour fish fillet at Lai Lai Restaurant. Waited for my girl to arrive from the Academy so we can pick the ordered food together but they it was getting late. When i arrived home later, mom and my girl were already home.

Had dinner. Chit chat. Watching a bit of TV and then decided that i should get going.

Spent some 2 hours online to start working on saving the url of posts. I started with my health blog. The loss of 7 months posts kind of a nightmare. Imagine the day after i realized that many posts were gone, an advertiser wrote me that he wants a refund. So i forced my mind to think on what to write again. The day after i made a new post, the lost posts were back! That really made my day sunnier in spite of the grey clouds. Lesson learned from the experience: always copy and save every post made.

When i arrived in the dorm, it was past curfew already so i just get ready for bed. Red the week lesson first before falling asleep.

Unforgetables that day:

The special prayer of Dr. Zamora (it was a lunch prayer plus my birthday). It was a very nice prayer. It was not the first time a special prayer is made for me by my bosses but his is one of the unforgetables. So touching and so inspiring that i have a hard time swallowing my first food. hehehe

The next unforgetable thing, the overwhelming birthday greetings in facebook. I did not count how many of them but they are so much. I can’t help to read each greeting because i had to reply to each greetings with thanks. Thanks to FB for making that possible.

There were a few persons i expected to call me that day. Good thing one called. It was a nice feeling being remembered sweetly. Har har har

Cebuana Lhullier managment greeted me too through sms. First time in two years. lol

Several online clubs am in also greeted me. One digisrap club sent me a birthday gift kit. I so love it!

It took me some days to pick my favorite post from the 400  plus posts (actually 438 at the time when the Week 5 contest started)  of the blogger, Orman.  As part of his blogsary contest, a participant has to post what is his or her favorite post in the ever kagandahan na blog called GandaEverSoMuch.com site.

I really think that this blog is one of the most influential blog in the face of the earth. Why? Because as i’ve said in my previous contest entry, his readers (isa na ako dun) kept coming back for more of his posts.

From his long list of categories, two are my faves and that is the Tips Ever and Love Ever. Those were the first categories I read after i was tagged of the Week 5 Contest in Facebook.   Bakit Tips Ever?  Because Orman’s tips ever posts are most of the posts i come and read even before his weekly contest started.   Another reason is, his tips are very practical for every day living.  Bakit love?  Because his lovelife is very colorful and everyone can relate lalo na ako.  Iba talaga ang babae ma inlove and Orman is so great at that.

So, let’s come to the main point ~~~ What’s my favorite post of all the posts?  I had 3 to choose from and took me a hard time to pick the best.  I felt that all 3  were nice but after many hours of thinking, I decided that this gonna be my favorite post.  Drum roll pleaseeeeeeeeeee tang ta dang…

At ang paborito ko na post ay ~~~

SAMPUNG DAPAT GAWIN PAG KAKA-BREAK MO LANG NG SYOTA MO

Bakit iyan? Dahil ang mga tips nya dyan ay para sa lahat. Ma babae ka or ma lalaki pag kaka-break mo lang sa syota mo pwede mo yan gawin.

This particular post made me smile the first time i read it. Why? Because they are so practical, can easily be done, yet never ever in my life i have done it kahit gaano kasakit. I have healed of past painful lost loves but i mused to myself  now bakit hindi ko ginawa ang mga tips na ito? Imagine i still have notes, letters, memorablias in a scrapbook of all my past relationships? Sounds tangingot but ganun lang siguro ako. So nag comment ako sa post na ito na maybe in the future, when i love the next time around and lost it afterwards, i might do these tips.

All the 10 tips are favorite but the best advice ever are the following:

Magpakitang-tao ka! Show to the world na carry mo ang pagiging single uli.  Ano ka, affected?  Esmyuski lang.  Rampa ka to the max.  Go ka sa mga gimik left and right.  Saka ka na lang umiyak-iyak pagkauwi mo at pag nasa loob ka na ng kwarto mo.  Don’t forget the tissue.

Hndi ko ito magawa dati kasi feeling ko dapat pa ako magpaalam kahit hiwalay na. Haii lokaloka talaga ako.

Palitan mo na ang pictures ng ex mo sa naka-display na picture frames. Start with a clean slate.  Kung di mo kayang punitin, sige, itago mo muna.  Pag nalulungkot ka, utang na loob, wag mo nang titingnan ang mga pictures nyo together.  Palitan mo na ng pictures nina Ninoy at Cory Aquino.  At least hindi ka talaga nag-iisa nyan.

(let me add: alisin mo rin picture nya sa wallet mo!)

Buy something for yourself.  Buy something expensive. Take note, dahil sa ex mong yan, andaming naunsyaming things-to-buy ang buhay mo.  Now is the time.  Keber nang mahal basta para sa sarili mo dapat at wag mo na syang bilhan ng para sa kanya, gagah!

(this advice is really a great hit for me coz when i am inlove during my younger years, lahat makita ko sa mall or saan saan ay nice things for my guy. nothing for me. lol!)

Magbakasyon ka. Pero please lang wag kang pumunta sa mga lugar na pinuntahan nyo ng ex mo.  Iwasan ang mga lugar na pwede kang tumalon at magpasagasa.  Wag kang over-acting dyan.  Get a real vacation.   Isama mo ang pamilya mo.

(i think this is really going to be a great treat to oneself.)

Wanna read the complete ten tips? Click here!

So ayan, alam nyo na kung bakit ko fave ang post na ito.  Makakrelate din ako ano?  Am sure lahat kayo dyan ay na inlove din at some point in your life, you have grieved, did foolish things in the name of a lost love, and also moved on.  Kaya from now on, if you need some thoughts to perk your gloomy day dahil ka break mo lang, or ala kang pera at ala kang magawa, o gusto mo pumasyal ng General Santos, o gusto mo lang talaga maki osyoso sa buhay ng mga magaganda then don’t forget to visit GandaEverSoMuch.com ~~ and surely you will say life is too short to be grumpy, angry, and sad.  There are lots of things even the simplest things in this world that will you smile or make your heart feel lighter.

We’ve been blessed with rain almost everyday in this part of the woods.  Although we have sizzling heat of the sun as early as 8 am, yet in the afternoon, our earth is being cooled off by the rain.  Yesterday, i went on an unexpected errand to Cagayan de Oro City.  Halfway through the trip, we met a very very strong rain with strong winds.  Almost zero visibility so drivers have to turn on the vehicle’s lights so that they can be seen.  I can’t help to get scared for a moment.  I texted an office mate and she replied that it was so hot as hell in Iligan.  Hmmm so i was hoping that it was not raining cuts and dogs when we reached the city because i forgot to bring my umbrella.

Thanks to the rain, CDO was cool so cool that afternoon.  I just had 2 stops – one for lunch at Consuelo (an eat-all-you-can place for 99) and at Capitol University.

Good morning!

It’s a beautiful Monday morning.

Happy 4th of July to all my friends in the United States of America.

Happy Philippine-American Friendship day to all Filipinos here and abroad.

and

Happy birthday to someone of the past today!

and Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their birthday today.

When i was younger like 20 something, i only weigh 92 pounds.  BUt as i get older plus 2 pregnancies plus years of  depression, so my weight just went up and up and if  i will not be careful now i will really triple that 92 pounds. 

I am in an obese state and this year i wanna go back to a healthy category by being mindful of what i am eating and also do a regular exercise. I am still several month on the once a day one cup rice serving and 4 times a week exercise and i already can see improvements. So some friends are telling me to try to check out best weight loss supplements because it might help me in my situation. I told them i need 3 months more to do my routines and we will see how much i’ve lost and if i need those supplements i will have to consult the doctor and if she recommends i can take it then maybe i will.

At my age (i will be a year older in few weeks) it’s not easy to lose weight but am trying hard and i know if am determined to reach my goal then i will reach my ideal weight.

One of the things i am wishing lately is going to a big book shop.  A bookstore!   A shop where shoppers are allowed to sit down in a corner and read a book.  I have checked out several big book stores here in the Philippines and they don’t allow that.  So when I worked in China and saw that I can go to the book shop and stay there whole day if I want to, I can!  They allow shoppers to read.  They even have corners wherein you can buy some food in case you became hungry.

Books in China are very cheap – except for those hardbound imported copies.  But their local copies are so affordable that if i come across a person who have not experienced reading, then maybe he is a very lazy person.  Every week, the shops orders catalog printing to be distributed to consumers during the weekend. Reading books does not stay long in shelves. I realized that Chinese children – young and old loves to read.

I have my own library over there but when i moved back to the PHilippines, I just can’t carry them all. So until now, they are still in a boxed. I just can’t give them away the time i left because some of those books are gifts. I should have carried them home instead of my DVD collection.  Oh well, one day, I will ask Dimple that we will go to a bookstore to browse for books that’s worth reading.

She now loves to read mystery books like Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew.  Hmmm been at that stage.

A new school year is just starting and by God’s grace we have a handful of new students.  I think more than what we were expecting.  The Lord is so good.  The new students are getting time to be familiar with the school facilities, the classrooms, rates of books, rates of services but not term life insurance rates. It’s our finance people who are checking on life insurance rates because there are several workers who are being introduced to insurance agents. I thought that with the hard life these days, it is not yet a high time to subscribe for life insurance or any insurances.

It’s Friday once again and time for weekend bonding with friends and family.  It’s the first weekend back at the dorm for our dormitorians so, some are planning to go out this weekend to avail the saturday night rate at a fun club.