Dahil Summer Na, Halina't Maglakwatsa!

Well guys and girls, summer na dito sa British Columbia, at tama lang ang sunshine. Di masakit sa balat ang sikat ng araw, and often, it rains every one to two weeks for a day or two, kaya, di gaanong natutuyo ang mga halaman sa paligid.

At siyempre, kapag ganito ang klima, well anufangaba ang trip ng barkada, e di..... lamyerda, di ba? Although bago pa nga lang kami dito sa Canada, marami na rin kaming mga bagong friends, and take note,...so far wala pa naman kaming nagiging frenemies.... so most of the time laging masaya. At dahil itong BC ay nature province, I mean, the sun, the sea, the mountains and parks are just nearby around you anywhere you go, lalo na dito sa napuntahan naming lugar, ay naku, mabusog na lahat ng senses mo. Ang iyong mga mata, refreshed na refreshed, each time you visit a theme park, at kung malakas ang loob mo, mamitas ka na rin ng mga blueberries, raspberries, etc na nariyan lang sa paligid. Kaya lang ako di ko kinakain, ang isip ko kasi, naku baka kung sino at ano pa umihi dyan, di ko alam noh? I mean, malay ko, baka may squirrel o skunk na type diligan ang mga yun...... alam nyo na.

Anyway, andirito ang mga pictures na kuha namin sa adventures namin sa Chilliwack Lake. Doon naman ay may fresh water lake by the mountains. Masarap at malinis ang tubig. Sarap mag picnic, at mag unwind.

una, ako lang.

aba, may sumunod na Jessica

hanggang sa gaya na rin ang James

At manguna sa pagtampisaw

At akitin ang mga bata

Hamunin sila kung sino malakas ang loob

Ayan, umubra na ang technique ni Gracia
Pagkatapos ng saya, kahit giniginaw na, pose muna sa puno.

At hayaang matapos ang maghapon at maubos ang lakas nila.

Pasensiya Na.

Mga kaibigan, pasensiya na talaga at pinabayaan ko na itong aking blog (feeling may mga readers, no?). Ilang buwan pa lang kasi kami rito sa Canada, at siyempre, kahit feeling settled na kami, di pa rin maiwasang may mga bagay na dapat i-prioritize more than blogging. Pero, kahit ganito ang kalagayan ko sa ngayon, madalas pa rin akong dumalaw sa mga paborito kong bloggers. Mas gusto ko pa nga magbasa ng blogs kaysa magazines, eh. Pakiramdam ko kasi, ang blog, totoo, no holds bar. Eka nga, ang mga writers, basta isinusulat ang nasasaloob nila, kesehodang makasakit sila, di ba. Why not? E kung totoo naman ang sinasabi, di ba?

Anyway, I have decided to make this blog more personal. Dati, kumikita ako sa blog na ito sa pamamagitan ng pag-blog ng mga sponsored reviews, but from this time on, napagtanto ko na di ko na kailangan muna yun, instead, I will just blog on whatever my heart should content. Kasi naman, mas feeling ko may intriga kapag idea ko lang ang isusulat ko di ba? may laman kumbaga! Unlike kapag paid reviews, pilit lang ang paggawa mo ng contents ng entry na yun, at the same time you have to meet the requirements para pumasa ka sa advertizers quality control. Feeling ko, nadidiktahan lang ako, and I am one person that doesn't like to be dictated. Meron pa naman natitirang disisyon dito sa aking kukute, kaya sabi ko sa aking sarili, samantalahin ko na muna, bago pa ako magkaroon ng dementia.

Kaya folks, I promise, madadalas na naman ang aking pagpo-post simula ngayon. In fact, napakarami kong topics na gusto i blog lately kaso nga lang talagang busy ako sa trabaho, kaya napapabayaan ko na itong blog ko ng husto. Di bale, from now on, dadalasan ko na ang pagdalaw.

O siya, sige.... mamaya ulit.

See ya!

Tumpak!

I have read this essay from the Inquirer.net, and lo, I would not add anymore. Just as it is, nothing more, nothing less. Tumpak!

Flag day seeks to promote love of country. These days, everywhere, we see big flags emblazoned with the words, “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”
But do we really love our country? Maybe so, but we certainly have a funny way of showing it.
The Philippines is blessed with an abundance of natural resources—forests, seas, rivers, lakes, and marine and wildlife. But what do we do?
We pollute the air we breathe, ravage our forests, defile our lakes and rivers, ruin our corals and poison our fish and aquatic life. We litter our streets and dump garbage on our waterways. We treat our natural resources as if they do not belong to us.
Many behave as if they have no pride in being Filipinos. Four out of 10 Filipinos want to leave the country and reside elsewhere. Many are even ashamed of being identified as Filipinos when they go abroad. Our so-called educated avoid speaking their native tongue. To speak with a pronounced native accent is considered “un-cool.” Many struggle to speak English, no matter how broken, because not to be able to is looked down upon.
We are unmindful of our responsibilities as citizens. We close our eyes to the corruption around us. We blatantly break the law, traffic rules most especially, every chance we get. We love to stress our individual rights, but we ignore other people’s. We clean our own backyards, but dump the trash on our neighbor’s side of the street.
We sell our votes and elect plunderers and nincompoops to the highest offices. We give known cheaters seats of honor. Our public officials behave like masters, forgetting that they are public servants. They abuse authority, take bribes, get involved in scandalous contracts, take liberties with public funds, and treat our institutions with utter disrespect.
James Fallows once said that we remain underdeveloped because of our “damaged culture,” having been under Spanish, American and Japanese rule for the last 500 years or so. Randy David puts it this way: “This trait goes by other names. It is the barbarism of mindless profit-seeking, of getting something for almost nothing, of doing brisk business on the despair of others. It is the culture of shabbiness, of mediocrity, of neglect, and of perpetual improvisation. It is the absolute contempt for the public.”
Why do we have no pride in being Filipino? We are so unlike our South Korean neighbors who, when their country was in dire straits, donated their jewels and precious possessions to help fund their government. We are so unlike our Japanese neighbors who care and hold sacred their hills and mountains. To them, the faintest suspicion of wrongdoing can make top officials jump off a cliff. To them, one’s honor comes first, and failing to do right by their country is unforgivable.
The flags we are displaying these days should remind us that we are no longer under foreign control. It is time for all of us to wake up and behave like true Filipinos who could truly say with pride and dignity, “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”
—OSCAR F. SANTOS,Coconut Industry Reform Movement (COIR),84 Masikap St., Teachers’ Village, Quezon City

A long lost friend......found at last!

Because you're my Best Friend..

When you are sad, I will dry your tears.

When you are scared, I will comfort your fears.

When you are worried, I will give you hope.

When you are confused, I will help you cope.

And when you are lost, And can't see the light.

I shall be your beacon Shining ever so bright

This is my oath. I pledge till the end.

Why you may ask? Because your my friend.

author Monica Mai -Chua Lo

nag sisentimyento na naman ako sa mga oras na ito, paano po kasi, nahanap ko na rin ang nawawala kong kaibigan. Matagal na ring panahon ko siyang hinanap, in fact, to be exact I left her without paalam in February 1992, few weeks before kaming gumradweyt sa high school. Oo na, talagang masama ang aking ginawa, bad girl kasi ako, walang modo, at di marunong sa mga madramang goodbyes'. Actually, when I left our place, nobody knows that I am leaving that day. I went to my class who were just practicing graduation songs that day, it is very hard for me to say the truth that I am leaving in the afternoon for Manila. The decision was made on a Wednesday that I am going to Manila for College, my dad got me a fare ticket on a Thursday afternoon for a Friday voyage. Kaya, talagang mabigat sa aking puso ang sabihin kahit kaninuman na ako'y lilisan, at di alam kung kailan ako babalik. At totoo nga, hanggang ngayon, di pa rin ako nakakabalik doon.

Malinaw pa sa aking isipan ang aking high school life. Sa ngayon, lagi-lagi kong kinukwento sa aking nagdadalagitang anak ang tungkol sa aking matalik na kaibigan, kung paano namin hina-handle ang aming mga kalukuhan, at kung paano namin asarin ang aming mga titser, at kung paano kami tumatakas sa school sa oras ng lectures, at kung an-ano pa. So at least she's been warned, I have been through it before, therefore I would know if ever she would do it, and yeah, that's a kinda warning her! and I guess, she knows.

Anyway, back to the topic: So I left our province, punung-puno ng pangarap at pagmamahal. Sa totoo lang, lungkut na lungkot ako ng mga oras na iyun. Di ko mapigil ang aking mga luha sa pagpatak, kasi di ko alam ang aking magiging buhay sa aking patutunguhan, ngunit ang aking nalalaman ay, yun lang ang aking pag-asa upang ako ay makatungtong ng kolehiyo, kaya lakas loob akong dumayo sa masikip, masalimuot na buhay siyudad.

So nag-college nga ako, aking tinapos ang pagka-nars, kumuha agad ng lisensya, nag-asawa, nag-anak, nagtrabaho, and here I am right now. Pero sa loob ng mahabang panahon na iyon, lagi-lagi kong ninanasa, na sana, minsan matagpuan ko ulit ang dati kong kaibigan. Ang sarap gunitain ang matatamis naming tawanan, asaran, at siyempre may tampuhan. Di rin maiwasan ang selosan. Yes, selosa ako, gusto ko ako lang ang kaibigan nya, at kapag nag-ha-hang-out siya sa iba, masama loob ko. Pero di ko inaamin yun sa kanya, baka kasi isipin nya tomboy ako, o kaya naman baka masakal siya sa akin, kaya sige na nga, and of course, may pride din ako, na kadalasan di naman umuobra, I kept telling myselft then, well, if she is happy with her/him, I'll find another friend..... huh! Kita nyo na kung gaano ako kamaldita! Wag ka, madalas, di naman epektib, because at the end of the day, my heart says, she is still the friend I need.

Noong isang linggo, I found her on the net. I am so excited kaya kahit oras ng trabaho, sige internet ang beauty ko just to catch up with her. Palitan kami ng email. Katulad ko, may pamilya na rin sya, at masaya. Kung di lang malayo ang kinaroroonan ko ngayon, malamang, nandoon na ako sa bahay nila para maki-tsismis. Parang biglang nabuhay ang aking highschool life and memories. Ang sarap-sarap balikan.

Nasa Trabaho Ako Ngayon!

Yes!, nasa trabaho ako ngayon at alas tres ng madaling araw, pero eto, dilat ang mata at gising na gising ang diwa. Umpisa pa lang kasi ng shift ko, etong ICU ay super busy, para bang lahat ng pasyente e gustong pumanaw na, at kami namang mga manggagawa, e ayaw silang payagan, ngeeeek! Porke moderno ang siyensya, eto ngayon, push button na lang lahat ang ginagawa para magbigay ng mga gamot, pero di ibig sabihin e, magaan ang trabaho namin. Kulang na nga lang aking hilingin na ako sana ay mayroong sampung pares ng mga kamay para mag control ng lahat ng mga gadgets na ito. Para ma gets nyo, isa-isahin ko: walong volumetric pumps, isang epidural pumps, isang ventilator, tatlong drain, isang feed pump, isang overhead monitor, isang central monitor, at dalawang suction, may catheter, at flexiseal or fecal collector. Lahat ng yan minomonitor ko at ino-operate kada ora, at lahat ng yan e nakakabit sa aking nag-iisang pasyente na ilang araw ng ayaw gumising. But of course, all those things does not come first but the patient. Imagine na lang ninyo kung ilang beses akong paikut-ikot sa bedside ng pasyente ko, palagay ko di bumaba sa isandaan bawat shift. Pasensiya na, di ko binibilang e. Dagdag numero lang yan para sa lumalabo ko nang utak. Minsan na curious ako, nag-ipit ako ng stepcounter sa aking bulsa, out of 12 hour shift, I have done more or less seven thousand steps! Wow, kaya palang ang lalaki na ng mga binti ko at may nakikita na rin akong mga maliliit na varicose veins.
Sa loob-loob ko, pwede ko kayang i-sue ang aking employer for work-related overfatigue? Nya....if I started one, perhaps everyone will either laugh at me or follow me. Sakit sa ulo siguro nun.
Pero kahit ganun pa man, mahal ko ang aking profesyon. Di naman sa pagmamayabang, sa labin-tatlong taon kong pagiging nars, bilang lang sa numero ng mga daliri ng aking mga kamay ang namatay na pasyente na aking ni-luk after sa aking shift, at yun e talagang doon na talaga ang punta, kaya di na ako nagre-ak pa ng sobra, baka kasi ako'y balikan e, takot kaya ako sa multo no?!
Anyway, tonight, buti na lang at at this hour medyo nag-calm down itong unit, pero too late na para ako'y mag-break. Gawa ng adrenalin rush, higly energized ako this time, kaya ito, nagba-blog pagkatapos kong i-organize lahat for the next shift. Hay, buhay nars.

Jessica on the Catwalk

Just A Little Thought!

Last October 2008, my family and I went home to the Philippines for a vacation just before we came to Canada. For six solid years out of seven, I only seen my home country in the news online, The Filipino Channel, and the occassional newspaper or magazine available in asian stores once we have the time to check on them. On those years, I was thinking, the Philippines has improved economically. I am so glad that it is developing and supporting infrastrature projects, the people are more up front when it comes to changes being made. I thought, that is good; Filipinos are becoming involved. Hence, there is this excitement in my little heart to come home.

Anyway, soon after we landed, here comes our pick up. Two cars, and a truck. Just enough for the truck to carry our luggage, the other car to accommodate the people who came to pick us up and the last car for us. I felt really VIP, and to make matters worst, our convoy has got hazard lights on. I thought to myself, can people here in the Philippines really do this practice? If it is in England, police will be behind you soon if your hazards are on. I ask our relative, is it alright? He answered with an assurance, "yes, just to let others know that we are convoy".

Then, here comes the discipline. I have warned my two kids to always say "po and opo" to everyone older than them, which they did religiously. I am glad, I wasn't shamed. But then, few days later I have observed, my kids are polite and are so nice, yet I can hear other kids yelling back to their elders, yes they use "po and opo" but are not really making sense of it. In fact, my daughter commented, "Mom, I thought you said kids in the Philippines are nice, how come they have no respect?"

And she meant a big picture of everything. She grew up in England, and is used to respecting everything, in fact well versed of the 'Do's and Don't's" that leads up to caring. She cried when she saw her cousin kick a poorly chick in the backyard, she was so upset when neighbor hurt their dogs, was shocked to see that seven people ride in a five-seater car, young and old alike throw their garbage just anywhere, when her brother and herself has to keep their litter in their pockets until they see a bin, if not, it comes home with them.

Those are just few things I thought have changed, but I guess, it got worst. Our politics and government would never ever improved despite big efforts, if these minute little attitudes don't get addressed. If our young generations now are these "non respecting little rascals and brats" then I don't feel that Philippines has got a chance for change. It would be nice, if parents would make sense of respect in all its meaning, rather than just imposing it by words. Sure it is easy to memorize words, but doing it what it meant is another story, which I hope should be addressed soon.

My Drive....

Even before I learned to drive, I already have this fascination on great powerful
cars in different sizes. My heart starts to pound when I see some king of the road offroader 4x4 big trucks. I can not stop thinking, if I am the driver of that huge vehicle, it's like having power, and control.

Not only on big trucks, I also love the power of being fast and safe. I am a responsible driver, but it does not mean I am not having fun. Take a look at what Driving a Ferrari 360 could offer you. I am just so glad that there is a racing school that we can turn on to. Admit it, not all of us can own a Ferrari 360, but sure we could drive one. With the help of this company, you could have a very unique and "to tell about/brag about" experience. C'mon, it's to a priviledge few, and sure you can be one of them, just like myself.

And to think I am a woman?, well, it does not make any difference for me. The thing is, I have this passion, and I like to live it well. Sometimes, we just have to have great real life experience for us to be able to tell the tale. Right now, I am driving a powerful V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 Laredo, and guess what, I am loving it.

Nursing dito sa Canada.....Masaya!

O mga kapatid, salamat at nadalaw kayo, este, ako pala ang absent for a while. Pasensiya na, mahirap kasi ang mapadpad sa ibang bansa at sinlapad ng walang hanggan ang area, e mangangawit ka talaga sa kapaplano ng mga araw-araw mong lakad para lang malaman mo kung nasaan ka. Anyway, never mind that nonsense comment. Wala lang kasi akong maisip na sabihin to start this document.
So far, we are slowly settling in British Columbia Canada. Well, sa bahay, medyo okey na kalagayan namin. Nangungupahan lang kami sa ngayon for several reasons. Unang dahilan, siyempre pera. Kailangang pang mag-impok ng limpak limpak na salapi ang byuti ko para makapagdown sa magiging susunod kong mansyon, pangalawang rason, natural lang sigurong alamin kong mabuti ang lugar no? hindi ba kayo? Of course importante sa akin na malaman ang mga crime statistics, aba, magaganda yata ang lahi ko, baka kako mapagdiskitahan, e sayang naman di ba? At pangatlo, aba, dapat lang na masigurado ko na dito na talaga ako tatagal, baka mamaya eh, pagkatapos ng lima, pitong taon e, lipat na naman....nakupo! kahirap kayang lumipat at mag-umpisa from scratch.
Sa trabaho naman, di hamak na mas magaan ang trabaho ko ngayon. Maluwag dito sa hospital na pinapasukan ko at di regimentado, minsan nga naguguluhan ako e. Sa pinanggalingan ko, talagang masasabi kong may kalidad ang treatment at care namin sa mga pasyente, pero dito, iba namang anggulo ang tinututukan, halos lahat ng kilos ng pasyente namin ay kailangan ng doctor's order i.e.when they can eat and/or start mobilizing... naalala ko na ang clear diet, soft diet, diet as tolerated, activities as tolerated, bed rest with/without toilet priviledges, etc. Wala nyan sa England, pero sa totoo lang meron kaming long term na patient dito sa ngayon, as in he is already here in the unit since I started in November last year, mind you, ni wala siyang pressure sore. Tagal nya ng nakaventilator ha.
Other than comparing our way of treatment here to where I come from, one of the best is our way of shifting. As of now, I already know what shifts I am working until Feb 2010. Believe it or not, yes, and I have a print out of my schedule, and even if I haven't I still would be able to know because it is so predictable. I am only working two days 12 hour shifts followed by two nights twelve hour then the most exciting part is the five days off! Bwala...and back to two 12 hour days two 12 hour nights then five days off, ulit, ulit, ulit. What can you ask for? Isn't it great. Kahit na kakaunti lang ang number of vacation leave dito sa BC, if you think it over and over again, I still feel having more. Just think if I book a week's holiday, with the days off included, I can actually have at least three weeks off work in total. He he he he more days also allowed for overtime. There you go, chance for more money, kaya huwag kayong magtataka kung bakit ang sasakyan namin dito kahit bagong salta pa lang kami ay brand new from the showroom 2009 Volkswagen Routan. Hindi ako nagyayabang ha, proud lang. Di naman namin binili ng cash yun, utang din yun for three years, but comparing the amount I should be paying: here, I am only paying 1.9% interest rate to the capital amount whilst if we were in the UK, I probably will be paying at least 14-28% interest rate on a car loan, now can you spot the difference? Do the maths. And to think that this is in Canadian Dollars, its not bad feeling at all compared to Sterling pounds, diba?
O siya sige. I shall then conclude that I feel better off dito kaysa sa Englatera. Maganda din sana doon, kaya lang may mga anak pa akong palalakihin at pag-aaralin e, kaya saka na lang muna ang Europian tour and memories, kapag ka silang dalawa ay okey at secured na. Afterall, di naman ako nagmamadali. Di pa naman ako ganun katanda sa ngayon. Actually, ngayon naiisip ko, mainam na lang pala at maaga akong nagpamilya, e di ngayon, career ko na lang ang aking inaatupag ng walang break, break. I do not know about your priorities, but according to my experience, I can say that having a family at an early age is not as bad as you think, though there are some disadvantages, meron din advantages, nasasapagpaplano at diskarte lang yan e.

Life in the Snow, and the White Christmas

It is Christmas time again, and guess what? We have it white here in British Columbia. Very unusual, I was told, but here it is. Apparently, this is only once in 5-6 years, often, winter here is mild, just less than a centimeter deep of snow and will be gone by midday, but look at us on the video, really digging in and having fun right in front of our house. Actually, these photos were taken last week, and until now it is still snowing, it is knee deep!!!!! Jessica and James were having fun everyday, and because it is school break, they get to do things in the yard. I just wish we could share this moments to everyone, and we'll have fun and celebration each time, just like this season has to offer us. Merry, Merry Christmas to you all.

My First Forerotogo!

View of the sunrise at White Rock BC taken from my workplace, 4th floor Peace Arch Hospital

Well folks, we finally made it to British Columbia, Canada. Beautiful place, with lots to fill your eyes, soul, and of course stomach. Pero,hindi kami nagbabago. First few days we're with new friends who showed us around, got us to nice and fancy restaurants. Kain, chibog, lafang, salu-salo, name it, we have it. Sarap ng buhay 'no? After four days, we are on our own, like our own place, lumipat na kami sa aming lungga. Aba, mas maluwag at talagang di hamak na mas malalaki ang mga gamit. Impression ko nga, eh, ang oven ko dun sa England kaysa mag lechon ng baboy, dito, ask mo? Kaysa ang baka!

Anyway, one day, kaming mag-anak nabagot sa aming lungga. Eh ano pa nga ba ang gagawin. We don't drink, we don't smoke, but we eat a lot, he he he he. So larga kami sa isang mall malapit sa pinapasukan ko, umikut ng umikot hanggang sa nagutom. Siyempre, kakain! Dahil nagtitipid muna para siguradong may allowance kami (just in case hindi ako sasahod at ang lahat ng ito ay panaginip lang pala), we found ourselves at the food court. Magkakatabi ang A&W, Japanese Restaurant, Chinese Restaurant, etc. The kids opted to have noodle type food so we let them queue at the Chinese' whilst ako, dahil malaki mata at natakam sa magandang presentasyon ng sushi, pila ang beauty ko sa may Hapon. When it was my turn, I asked for a seafood combo. Easy! then he asked me, "forerotogo?", "Wa'?" I answered, mukha yata akong hinahapon ng kumag na ito, bulong ko sa sarili ko. Napanganga siya, di rin yata ako naintindihan ng sakang, naalala ko ang "Wa'?" pala dito sa Canada ay "WHAT?" with a T. Sa Englatera kasi, lalo na sa pinanggalingan namin sa old Suffolk, they do not pronounce the T! So sabi ko nalang, "Pardon?" So he slowly spoke "For here or to go?" Naalala ko tuloy ang magaling na blogger "Ellababe". Ay sus, yun lang pala yun, aba eh siyempre "For here please" ika ko na lang. Hay naku, ang pagkakaalam ko sa England, "Dine in or take Away" yun. We enjoyed the food pero maraming tira. Lesson number two, ang lalaki ng mga portions dito compared to the UK kaya next time sabi ko tear and share na lang kaming mag-anak, lalong nakatipid di ba?

Kawawang Alejandria, Na-istak sa Englatera!

Ako, at ang aking pamilya, nandirito at na-istak sa Englatera. Hindi makakilos at wala ng pera. Ang sakit sa ulo, ang passport namin ay nakabinbin sa Canadian Embassy. Ang sabi, normally ang visa application will only take six weeks, kaya I have decided to submit my notice of resignation from my job on the second week following my application for the Canadian entry permit. Hay! dumaan at lumipas na ang over eight weeks, nada pa rin ang anino ng aming mga pasaporte. Also meant na I have been unemployed for just over three weeks, huhuhuhu, tulo na sipon ko, stiff bored pa ako. Pwede na nga siguro mag-aplay ng unemployment benefit, eh!?!?!Nakupo, di ko yata magagawa yun, eh kung yung benefit nga na pwede sa mga anak ko, di ko kini-claim, eto pa kayang komplikadong benepisyo ang iisipin ko. Baka naman pwede na akong mag-diclare na homeless na rin ako, pati na rin kaya si Mister, unemployed na rin siya eh. Asusus! Hala sige, mag-isip grasya!

Anyway, eto kasing Familia Alejandria, makakati ang mga paa. Settled na sana sa Englatera, eto at nag-apply pa Canada. Nakakaloka talaga. Eh kung kayo kaya ang nasa kalagayan namin, baka nauna pa kayo sa eroplano kaysa sa amin. Noong isang araw lang nais naming mamili ng kaunting pagkain sa ASDA, aba, kalahating laman ng maliit na shopping trolley tagpas ang 70 sterling pounds sa card ko samantala kung ikkukumpara ko noong kami'y bagong salta dito, ang aking mga anak ay nag-gagatas pa at nagda-diaper, ang biweekly allowance namin including these ay 60 to 70 pounds lang, ngayon, di na namin kailangan ang mga ito, mahigit pa doble ang gastos namin sa lingguhan. Nakakatuyo ng utak talaga, samantala, sa Canada raw, ayun sa aking magaling na source of information, ang mga bagong Filipino-British na bagong salta doon eh nagrereklamo with all big smiles kapag darating na ang sahuran, namumrublema at di pa raw nila nauubos yung huli nilang sahod. O ano? Masaya di ba?..... Dito, itanong mo? On the day ng sahod mo, simut na sa direct debit ng bills mo katulad na lang ng renta or mortgage, council tax, life insurance, critical illness insurance, mortgage repayment insurance, road tax(Oo, ang mga kalye dito, naniningil ng tax kapag may sasakyan ka), building and contents insurance, TV license ( korek! dito sa UK, kailangan mo ng lisensya para manood ng TV, at monthly or yearly ang bayad nun!), telephone, internet, mobile phone, car insurance, at kung anu-ano pa. Bago pa nga lang sa sahod mo, halos quarter of your gross ang ibinawas para sa national insurance, at tax eh.

Hala Grasya, huwag ng mag-atubili pa, larga na sa Canada, sa US kasi may retrogression at kung anu-ano pang mga sion-sion ang meron kaya sige, run as fast as you can, get out of England!
Well, nag follow-up naman ako sa Canadian embassy and it resulted to an apology kunyari from the automated email na reply sa enquiry ko. Apparently, they have so much applicants at this time of the year because it's the start of the school term, and you know it, when it comes to education, Canada is world class, kaya if you have the dosh doon ka na.

Anyway, kaya kaming pamilya, interested na makita si Mr. Postman everyday, baka kasi dala na nya ang aming pinakahihintay na visa. So far, lagi naman kaming may natatanggap sa aming postbox, kaya lang usually mga unwanted stuffs. Kaya eto, lagin na lang dismayado. Baka one day, I will just scream like this: "I am a celebrity, get me out of here!"

The Doomed Chain Letters!

Punyemas namang mga tao at walang magawa sa buhay, panay ang browse sa internet at check ng email nila, and most of the rubbish they got sya pang pinu-forward! Katulad na lang ng mga natanggap kong forwarded messages today, puro mga walang kwenta, at meron pang mga threats katulad na lang ng bad lucks, death in the family, sickness in the family, etc. etc. etc.

I have received so many emails like this, so they called chain letters. Even before the internet world nuong ako ay nasa elementary pa lang, nakakatanggap na ako ng mga ganito, and I am proud to say, that anything like this, has got to stop on me. I have never forwarded it to anyone. Ano ako, messenger? Tanga? at tagahawak ng tadhana? I refuse to take the responsibility. PERIOD! FULL STOP! Once it reaches me, it will never be passed again. I am so sorry for those of you, stupid people, who got my email address, and uses it for something like this, you can not tell me nor dictate me what to send or who to email.

Ako'y nababanas kapag ako ay nakakatanggap ng mga ganitong uri ng kalokohan. Para bang sinasabi ng mga walang kwentang messages na ito, na ang kapalaran ko ay nasusulat sa isang email lang. For all I believe, from the moment I was created, no one BUT GOD ALONE holds my future. So why would I forward so many copies to my friends and contacts, and bother them, or perhaps even send them a threat? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Of course nungka! I am a responsible keeper of my contacts and addresses, kaya I do not send them such garbage and nonsense stuff.

And should I say, wala pa namang nangyayaring masama sa akin at sa aking mga loveones, afterall those years na nakakatanggap ako ng mga ganito. And I am more than 100% sure na wala talagang effect ang mga ganitong kalokohan. Katulad ng sinabi ko kanina, ang Maykapal lang ang may hawak ng ating kinabukasan, kaya Siya lang din ang nakakaalam ng tadhana ng bawat isa. Kung nagkataon at may nangyaring di kanais-nais sa akin o sa aking mga mahal, hinding-hindi ko iisipin na dahil ito sa walang kwentang mensahe ng isang walang kwentang email na ipinorward ng isang walang kwentang tao sa akin! Ang aking pananampalataya sa Panginoon ang siyang magbabantay sa akin at sa aking kasambahay sa araw at gabi.

Eto ang aking diskorso sa mga ganitong bagay; kung ikaw ay nakatanggap ng ganitong chain mails, ipo-forward mo ba? Bakit? Para matanggap mo ang biyaya at makaiwas sa sakuna at malas na kakambal ng sulat na iyon? Hindi mo ba naisip na kapag ipinorward mo ang mail na yun, ikaw na ang pinanggalingan ng "CURSE" of that email? Why, because you send it because of your selfish thoughts. Hindi mo ba alam na kapag nagsalita ka ng curse to anyone, it brings curse to that someone, and if you say blessings to anyone, that someone would be blessed. So why all these emails have curse at the end of it? Hindi ba pwedeng blessing lang or kaya kung talagang meron kang mensahe na warning, warning lang at wala ng etseboretse at kalokohang ganito, in fact all these nonsense emails that I got, I just trash it and forget about it, because I just viewed it as a curse in total, kaya di ko na siya pino-forward, bakit pa ako mandadamay ng mga nananahimik ng mga tao sa contacts ko, di ba? If I am doomed, let it just be me, no one else. But as I said, I have a great faith in GOD, and I always rebuke this kind of mails.

Kung minsan tuloy, naiisip ko, sana magakaroon naman ng kaunting talino ang mga taong nagpapadala ng mga ganitong klaseng emails, wala na ba kayong magawang mas may kabuluhan pa kaysa magforward at magforward ng mga ganito. Kung ako sa inyo at eto lang pinagkakaabalahan nyo sa internet at email services nyo, better shut your computer off and do something more worthwhile, nakatipid ka pa ng kuryente at oras mo.

Ang Tagal Na

Ang tagal tagal ko na ring di nakapagpost dito. Sa hirap ng buhay, araw-araw kailangang kumayod, hindi lang according to my schedule, kundi maniobrahin ang sariling rota, at baka pwede pang isingit ang nicely paid overtimes such as night shifts, weekend shifts, and some shifts with unsocial hours. Huh, buhay ng nurse dito sa abroad. Kayod dito, at doon, trabaho ng early shift 7-3 pahinga hanggang alas otso ng gabi tapos pasok sa overtime night shift 10pm to 8 AM, at kung medyo malakas pa tuhod at sinuwerte, uuwi lang para matulog, at babalik ulit for the late shift, 3pm to 10 pm. Otherwise, pag di kaya, phone in sick.

Well, di ko sinasabi na madalas akong mag off sick. Honest akong tao no? Kapag ako nagkasakit, talagang may sakit. Hindi katulad ng kakilala ko, dati ko siyang friend, ngayon hindi na....eh aba, binibilang sa sarili nya ang kanyang sick times, at masama ang loob nya kapag sa isang buwan ay di siya nakakapag off sick....sayang naman daw at entitled naman daw tayo to paid sick leave. Oo nga naman, bakit ka magpapakahirap magtrabaho, kung pwede ka naman magshopping somewhere far para di ka makita... Nag enjoy ka na, bayad ka pa... Ano yun????? Prosti!

Pero hanga din ako sa ibang kababayan na todo kayod, para lang may maipadala sa Pinas sa mga mahal sa buhay, pero kung minsan parang umaabuso din mga loveones diyan sa Pinas. Porke may nag-aabrud sa pamilya, feeling e may gripo na sila ng pera... na kapag may gusto e bukas lang ng bukas, kung minsan pa nga pinababayaan pang tumatagas lang. Aba eh, sa totoo lang, kung mayroon lang opurtunidad dyan sa PI na katulad dito sa abrud, hinding-hindi ako mag-iisip na dumayo dito, no? OO nga't malaki ang palitan ng pera dito kapag naipadala diyan, pero naman, di ibig sabihin e lahat ng sinasahod namin e kailangan i-convert nyo at saka nyo iisipin na wow,.... almost quarter of a million pesos pala ang kinikita namin in a month. Kung ako ang titingin sa figure, talagang mapapalaway ako... pero di ba namin kailangan magbayad ng bahay, tax, kumain, at magdamit dito? Nakausap ko nga ang aking magulang minsan, at ikinukumpara ang padala ko sa kanila (peace tayo pang, example lang ito. alam ko mababasa mo rin ito) kaysa sa kapitbahay na nag-aabrud din. Bakit daw nakapagpatayo na sila ng mansyon, at bongga ang buhay ng mga loveones doon, samantalang ako, bihira ang padala, at ni isang improvement sa amin ay wala akong ginawang project, well, liban sa pagpapaaral sa kapatid. Ako ay nag-isip, ang aking sahod at gastos dito, pag may natira, tama lang pambili ng saplot. Imagine, sa isang taon dito, ilang beses mag-bago ng weather, at siyempre, ibagay mo ang gamit sa kumportable ka.... alangan naman magjacket ka ng pang winter, eh spring na o kaya autum palang, o kaya mag summer clothes ka sa pagkaginawginaw na paligid, aba eh, di lang katawan mo ang magkakasakit, pati utak mo na rin ay mababaliw, lalung lalo na sa kalungkutan.... natural gagawa ka ng paraan para makausap mo sila hala sige, kuha ka ng cellphone, telephone, at internet para lang may means of communication ka.... dagdag gastos, at kahit anong pag-iisip ang gawin ko at pag dagdag bawas sa maths ang kalkulahin ko, wala pa rin.... Unless I will do something else, katulad ng ginagawa ng iba riyan, nagpuputa! Pasensiya na di ko masikmura ang bagay na iyan. Conservative ako ano? Kaya kahit hirap ang buhay, angat ang noo ko. Wala akong itinatagong baho.
Maiba ako, kapag ang mga pinoy ang nag-aabrud, meron kaming tinatawag na PDOS o pre departure orientation seminar kung saan, ino-orient kami kung ano ang aming mga aasahang kalagayan, rights, at kung anu-ano pa. Sana, meron din seminar ang mga pamilyang naiwan para ipaalam sa kanila ang dapat gawin kapag meron silang taga-abrud. Nang sa gayon, e di winawaldas ang pinadadala sa kanila. Masuwerte ako at ang aking mga mahal ay may malawak na pag-unawa. Di katulad ng kaibigan ko, ayun nangutang ng nangutang ang magulang niya, at eto siyang naging tagapagbayad at guarantor. Para bang isinanla siya porke nasa abrud ang mokong. Hayun, kayud sa araw, luha sa gabi. tsk. tsk. tsk!

"Work like you don't need money; Love like you've never been hurt and Dance like no one's watching..." ?

A good reminder of God's Love.Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. Theboy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, "OK, dad, I'm ready." His Pastor dad asked, "Ready for what?""Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out." Dad responds, "Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain." The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, "But Dad, aren't people still goingto Hell, even though it's raining?"Dad answers, "Son, I am not going out in this weather." Despondently, the boy asks, "Dad, can I go? Please?" His father hesitated for a moment then said, "Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.""ThanksDad!"And with that, he was off and out into the rain. his eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract. After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted. Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch! He rang again and this time the door slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, "What can I do for you, son?" With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, "Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE." With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. "Thank you, son! And God Bless You!"Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit. As the service began, he asked, "Does anybody have any testimony or want to say anything?" Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet. As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, "No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live. So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, "I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away." I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly. I thought to myself again, "Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me." I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder. When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, "Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU." Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up tomy attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more. You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell." There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated. He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One. Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named. Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.Don't let this message die, read it again and pass it to others. Heaven is for His people! Remember,God's message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you. Please share this wonderful message... "Faith is the affirmation and the act that bids eternal truth be present fact." ColeridgeJust 3 Words Three things in life that, once gone, never come back - 1. Time2. Words3. OpportunityThree things in life that can destroy a person -1. Anger2. Pride3. UnforgivenessThree things in life that you should never lose-1. Hope2. Peace3. HonestyThree things in life that are most valuable -1. Love2. Family & Friends3. KindnessThree things in life that are never certain -1. Fortune 2. Success 3. DreamsThree things that make a person -1. Commitment2. Sincerity3. Hard workThree things that are truly constant -Father - Son - Holy SpiritI ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today; to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way. God's love is always with you, God's promises are true. And when you give God all your cares, you know God will see you through.

Ang Aking Munting Pangarap!

Simula pa noong ako'y bata

simpleng buhay ang siyang aking hangad

Di ako mahilig sa luho,

at di rin nais magpagarbo!

Ngayong ako ay edad trenta,

Naghahanap buhay na at may pamilya

Buhay na aking nais sana

Ay di pa rin natatamasa

Simpleng bahay ang aking gusto,
Malamig, at sa paligid ay puro puno

May kaunting gulayan

At makulay na hardin

Ngunit nasaan ako ngayon

Nandito sa ibang bansa

Walang ginawa kundi kumayod

Bilang ang oras ng tulog

Gayundin ang panahon sa pamilya

Kaya sa tuwing ako ay nakakakita

Ng larawan ng isang bahay kubo

Di ko mapigilan ang mahalina

Sana naman ako ay makauwi sa Pinas

At itayo at tuparin

Ang aking mumunting Pangarap.

We went to watch WALL-E on Cineworld last Monday. It was good fun, but when it was about to end, when WALL-E seemed to have lost its charge and mind, and EVE is trying to get him back by solar- recharging him, my son kept quiet, and a few more seconds, he started to cry.... huhuhuhuhuhuhuh. Well, it's normal for him. He get easily attached to his toys and wholeheartedly care for them.... I would not wonder when he grows up that his attitude would be exactly like his Dad.

After that we went to Nando's and enjoyed a meal. Well three of us did, while my husband just forced himself to join us. It's always like that... he wants to try somewhere else, while I would say Nando's is nearer and he disagreed at first because we have been there several times and want to go somewhere else, so as usual I rallied my kids and said; "Kids, where do you want to eat, I think, Nando's fine." and that usually do the trick. Three versus one is so uneven and easy decision , ain't it? LORRRL! (laughing out really, really, really loud!).

Gathering the Memoirs

Sorry guys, I have not added anything to this blog for a long long long long time. I have been concentrating on my review for my exams on October. I am very grateful for your visits, and although I have not updated this for sometime I knew who comes and goes.
So today, I have uploaded some photos to add some colours and memoirs.

The old church in front of Buttermarket Shopping centre

Dad and James in front of the Old Town Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK

Same old spot as above

Quisha Bustamante, on Sidegate Primary Summer Sports Fest '08.

James, Perfect handstand on Sidegate Primary Sports Fest '08

Jessica, Black Groupleader Sidegate's Summer Sports Fest '08

Picnic time at the School's grounds with the Bustamante Family. One family is missing, we used to have them with us last year, and years before that. Missing you, Mariano Family. Hope to join you soon in Canada.

Quisha, also showing off her perfect handstand! Who says only boys can

What about like this?

Joke Ulit

Praying for 10 Pesos
Sa loob ng simbahan ng Quiapo, isang batang pulubi ang mataimtim na nanalangin sa Diyos.

Pulubi: "Panginoon kung maaari po sana ay bigyan ninyo ako ng sampung piso dahil gutom na gutom na lang po ako."

Narinig sya ng isang pulis na kasalukuyan ding nagsisimba at bumilib sya sa katatagan ng bata sa pananampalataya sa Diyos. Sa kanyang habag ay dumukot sya ng limang piso at iniabot sa bata na ang sabi: "Amang, narinig ng Diyos ang panalangin mo at heto tanggapin mo ang perang ito at ibili mo ng pagkain".

Tumingala ang bata sa pulis, kinuha nya ang limang pisong iniabot at muling yumuko para manalangin: "Panginoon, salamat po sa pagdinig ninyo sa aking panalangin, pero sana naman po sa uli-uli wag na ninyong pararaanin pa sa pulis, kasi malaki na ang bawas".

__boy balakubak
London, UK

Last Day of my Week's Annual Leave

It's Saturday, and it's my last day of my week's annual leave. I could not believe how the week has gone so quick. Nothing special happened. I am just at home most of the time because we can not go somewhere far because the children are still at school, and besides, I am not perfectly well for the first few days of the week. As usual, not feeling 100% after three days of Tonsillitis, having tremors and jittery and not on my usual strenght. I feel that I am not getting any younger, and everytime I am not well, it takes longer time to get back to my usual self. Getting and going old, for short.
Last Thursday's crabbing, we thought of riding the ferry today, but this morning the wind is strong and the sky is grey, so I thought of our safety immediately, and although the children are disappointed, they understood after I explained to them my concerns.
Anyway, we will just stay indoors, rent a film, stroke the rabbits, play nintendo DS, oh, and saying that, I am hooked to Brain Training. I would not tell you how old my brain is but I am working towards it.

Fashionable Eyewear

Are you needing prescription glasses, or perhaps thinking of getting a new pair? Well search no more because the answer is here at Zenni Optical. They offer prescription glasses with excellent quality frames at excellent prices. In fact their services have been featured in FOX News .

ZenniOptical.com is a website that offer and sells stylish prescription glasses from as low as $8.00. They have a huge array of frames, with single vision lens, sunsensor (photochromic) lens, tinted sunglasses lens, bifocal lens and progressive lens; all with affordable prices, and would not hurt your budget. They could provide you with huge savings because they only sell their own manufactured frames direct to you with no middlemen, therefore you are getting the best for your money with no hidden charges.

Another Good Time

Today, I am so bored, so when the children came home from school, we decided to have some fun and do what Novie did last Tuesday.... Gaya-gaya ba.

Is that how you live your life..... Crabbing?

Just being nosey

Dad, Jessica, James: all busy getting crabs, making sure only the big ones goes to the bucket.
Watch out for that cunning seagull up there, it's after your catch.

Bored, because he's got no luck with crabs, and felt that monkeying about is gonna make it!

This seagull is patiently waiting to get hold of our bait leftovers

Fresh and live, kasarap gataan! Huwag maingay, ang mga puti kasi, kapag nanghuhuli nito, binabalik din sa tubig pagkatapos, di ba naman mga aning! Basta kami, sarap ng hapunan!

BRAVE?

I have always been adventurous since being a young girl, and now that I have my own family, I'd like my kids to experience the same, and become confident and overcome their fears. But in our modern world now, I could not help but get paranoid about what they are getting themselves into. I do not know how to explain this, but I feel that danger is just lurking around all the time, and so I check, plan, risk assess, and a lot more before I could let the children run free or join activities. And as I do this, I feel I am limiting the fun. When I was young, I am brave to try almost anything such as mountain climbing, swimming not in the pool but rivers and ponds, and lots more without supervision, but now that I'm grown up and became a mum, I am fearful all the time, not for myself, but for my family. It's very hard to let go.

Look Cool with your Shades

Years back, when I was still in grade school, everytime I see someone wearing spectacles, I would immediately think that the person is either a genius ( read a lot, think a lot), or the person has got something wrong in his/her eyes or vision. But now, I think otherwise. Having an eyeware is now becoming a trend and part of overall outfit, specially if your glasses have got its designer's tag on it. Just like clothes and bags, and shoes, glasses are becoming part of today's fashion, so it is very important to get the right frame and suited to the person wearing it. You do not need to have something wrong with your eyes so you could wear one, in fact sunglasses is a must this summer season. Tell me of big names in the fashion industry, and for sure they have got something to shade their eyes, and most of the time, it is to match their outfit. Don't they look cool?

Male or Female?

As you are aware, ships have long been characterized as being female (e.g., "Steady as she goes" or "She's listing to starboard, Captain!")
Recently, a group of computer scientists (all males) announced that computers should also be referred to as being female.
Their reasons for drawing this conclusion follow: Five reasons to believe computers are female:
1. No one but the Creator understands their internal logic.
2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else.
3. The message "Bad command or file name" is about as informative as, "If you don't know why I'm mad at you, then I'm certainly not going to tell you."
4. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later retrieval.
5. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.

However, another group of computer scientists, (all female) think that computers should be referred to as if they were male.
Their reasons follow:Five reasons to believe computers are male:
1. They have a lot of data, but are still clueless.
2. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem.
3. As soon as you commit to one you realize that, if you had waited a little longer, you could have obtained a better model.
4. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
5. Big power surges knock them out for the rest of the night.

They're in season and thery're red hot!

It's finally summertime, and although British weather is so unpredictable, the temperature is still confirming summer season, and with this, I am so excited in getting different fruits into my fruit basket and prepare them each meal we have.
Tonight, I have the pleasure to open up and slice a huge seedless watermelon for which we have tucked into after our dinner. It's such a sweet red darling that I can not help but take a photo of it.

Just having a bit of this lush in the table make our dinner special. To be honest, we're all bored and tired with apples, pears, oranges, and all those plums, and nectarines, berries and the like. They looked nice and beautiful from the supermarkets, but once they arrive into our fruit bowls, nobody touches them, so I feel I am just wasting money. But being a mum, I feel obliged to feed the family at least five kinds of fruit and vegetable a day. So this summer is just great for different tastes in the table, hmmmmmm.

The Good Ole' Days

These photos are over three years old, but still keep their colours, so before they fade, I might as well store them online for better keeping. The one above was taken at the basement of Harrods' in London.... Tribute to the Princess Diana and Dodi.

Above, with friends after having tear and share food because the picnic was unannounced so most haven't prepared anything. Frankly, I quite like that kind, no stress, and just be carefree.

Taken at one of the London underground tunnels. Trying to find our way out perhaps, or figuring which way to our next tube.

Another unannounced picnic by the carboot sales. Lots of Filipino friends came and joined us with no preparations whatsoever, yet we had a good time together.

Winter snowballing, and just being carefree.

Becoming tired from roaming around and nowhere to sit but the stairs.
The original basketball team players. Some have gone to other places, but the spirit is still here.

Another photo taken at Harrods' - London's elite.

Interview update

Few friends learned and asked about my interview the other day. Well, as usual, I have the butterflies and bees buzzing in my stomach the whole day, the tension is just too much for me. I tried my best to get prepared, but none have helped my nervousness, until the time has come five o' clock dead on, the phone rang, and presto, my interviewer on the other end. Obviously she verified my identification, spelt my name correctly, asked my d.o.b., etc, and we had a nice chat, basically. All the frequently asked questions from google did not come at all. You probably can imagine me, sitting on the floor (buti na lang carpeted) in our lounge with all the papers laid around, with all my possible answers written down! hayyyyyyy.... none of it came. Anyway, the whole interview appeared positive, so I am just waiting for another one this time. Hopefully this week. I sure will update you guys.

Siya Si Alfredo. Subukan nyo lang ang kwento nya.

Ang kanyang tunay na pangalan ay Alfredo dela Cruz Alejandria, ngunit sya ay bantog sa palayaw na Freddie, ang aking kabiyak sa buhay. Kami'y nagkakilala sa pamamagitan ng telepono, at sa mga panahong iyon ay kasalukuyan siyang tagu ng tago dahil me babaing nagtangkang pumikot sa kanya, at duon na nakatira sa mga magulang niya simula nung araw na siya ay nilasing nitong babae, at pagkat talagang ayaw niya sa babaeng iyon, napilitan siyang umalis at lisanin ang tahanan na kanyang kinalakihan. Sabi nya sa kanyang sarili, di bali ng walang masilungan, wag lang mapasubo sa isang bagay na sa simula pa lang ay alam nyang di nya gusto. Ilang buwan din siyang palipat-lipat ng tirahan, nauuwi lang pag may pagkakataon halimbawa e kung ang babaing iyun ay lumuwas papuntang probinsiya, o kaya eh umalis sandali, at siya naman ay sikretong tumatawag sa kanilang telepono upang alamin kung siya ay pwedeng makasaglit ng bahay. Kahit anong pangaral sa kanya ng kanyang mga magulang at mga kamag-anak, kanyang pinangatawanan na hinding-hindi siya pakakasal sa babaeng iyon. At sa gitna ng krisis na ito, kami ay nagkakilala sa pamamagitan ng kanyang tiyahin na aking naging kaibigan sa telepono at siyang nagpasa sa kanya. Simula noon, di na naghiwalay ang landas namin. Naalala ko, nuong siya ay nanliligaw pa lang, aking narinig, o kaya kanyang sadyang ipinarinig sa akin, na kanyang tinapat ang babaeng iyon sa telepono at sinabing hinding-hindi siya pakakasal dito sapagkat alam niya sa kanyang kalooban na hinding-hindi niya mapipilit ang kanyang sarili na ito ay mahalin. Mga ilang araw ang lumipas, may balitang buntis daw itong babae, ngunit buo ang loob ni Alfredo, paninindigan at susuportahan nya ang bata, pero hinding-hindi pa rin ito pakakasal. Lumipas ang dagdag na apat na buwan, napatunayang di rin pala buntis itong babae at gawa-gawa lamang nito ang kwentong iyun. Hanggang kusa na lang lumisan itong babae sa kanilang tahanan at umuwi sa probinsiya. Kusa rin nitong binura ang kasong kanyang isinampa sa barangay noong panahon na unang umiwas si Alfredo.

Sa mga panahong ito, di man niya sinasadya, aking nakilala ang kanyang pagkatao. Siya ay may matigas na paninindigan, at kahit na ito ay mali kung minsan, basta't kanyang dinisisyunan, di na ito mababali pa. Ni hindi rin siya marunong magbalat-kayo. Sa simula pa lang ay alam ko na kung ano ang kalagayan nya sa buhay, walang pagtatakip o tangkang itago ang kanyang estatus. Ngunit ganun pa man, marami pa rin ang nabibihag sa kanyang kapilyuhan. Siya ay natural na "flirt" at daig pa ang malanding itik kapag nakikipagkatuwaan. Bagay na kung minsan ay bumibighani sa mga puso ng ibang mga babae at umaakalang siya ay may gusto din sa kanila. Me ilang beses na rin na akin siyang inaway dahil dito, pero alam ko ang katotohanan. Hanggang sa aking napagtanto na walang silbi kahit siya'y aking awayin, alam kong dahil lamang sa aking pagseselos e aking sisirain ang aming pamilya. Ganuon talaga siya. Ilang beses na ring me babaing nagtangka kaming paghiwalayin, meron ako mismo ang tinitext upang sabihin lang na kaya niyang bilhin si Freddie, hindi kagaya ko, ni isang kusing e wala. Sa loob-loob ko, ako'y may tiwala sa aking asawa, hindi siya isang bagay lamang na may presyo at nabibili. Meron siyang pag-iisip at sariling disisyon. Minsan din, ako naman ang ginagalit at halatang gusto kami pag-awayin, kaya upang matigil ang kanyang pagti-text, sumagot ako ng ganito, sandali lang ha, aawayin ko muna siya (ngunit ang totoo, ako ay natatawa). Aba, isang buong araw yatang natuwa at di na nagtext ulit, hayyyy salamat. Talaga naman, kung minsan itong mga babae, parang mauubusan ng lalaki sa mundo, at kung sino pa yung may asawa na ang siya nilang gusto. Minsan sa aking inis may sinagot ako ng ganito. "Hoy miss, ganyan ka na ba kadesperada, at walang nagkakagusto sa iyo, at pati ang asawa ko ay gusto mong subukin? Kung ganyan ang sitwasyon mo, eh lalong wala kang pag-asa sa kanya, pagkat ang mga tipo nya ay yung mga pinag-aagawan, at di katulad mo, napag-iiwanan!" Ang taray no? Pero walang biro, nasabi ko talaga iyon. Ako kasi ang klase ng babae na bukas ang pag-iisip. Palibhasa, kaya kong maghanap-buhay at buhayin ang aking mga anak, kung sakali na nagbago ang pagmamahal ni Alfredo at hindi na siya masaya sa akin, aba eh, walang pilitan. Ayaw na ayaw ko na maririnig sa kaninuman balang araw, na ng dahil sa akin ay naging miserable ang buhay nya. Ganun pa man, di ko naman ibig sabihin na madali nyo lang maagaw siya sa akin, patunayan niyo munang kayo talaga ang kanyang gusto, at di na ako. Madali ang usapan. Pero kung sakali at pinatulan nga nya kayo pero kanya naman kayong inililihim at ikinahihiya at pinagsisihan at bakit nya napasok ang ganong gusot, aba eh mag-usap tayo. Di ako iskandalusa at mapagkatha ng kwento. Di katulad ng iba diyan, nakalabit at nakatawanan lang sandali, aba e inakala ng head over heels daw sa kanya si Alfredo, tsk tsk tsk. Ang lakas ng loob na ikalat sa buong bayan, parang celebrity gossip baga. At siyempre, eto namang mga mister at misis na mahilig makinig ng drama, mahilig magbasa ng magazine, mahilig magtsismisan, either nadagdagan o nababawasan ang kwento, kumporme sa kung sinong nagkwento...... hmmmmm ako ay natatawa at naiiling na lang sa inyo. Sa tanda kong ito, malakas na ang pakiramdam ko, alam ko ang kwentong may halong personal na interes. Di sa pagmamalaki, naging editor ako minsan ng school publication namin kaya nararamdaman ko ang tono ng bawat report sa akin.
O sige, patuloy tayo kay Alfredo. Sa amin namang pagsasama, di kami perfect couple. Mabibilang sa daliri ng isang kamay ko na kami ay nagsagutan, sapagkat kapag kami pag nag-aaway, tahimik. Di nagkikibuan at dedmahan. Pareho yata kami ng strategy kapag galit. Siya, wala lang, tahimik, at may selective hearing. Kahit sigawan mo yan sa tenga kapag ayaw ka nya kausap, wa effect ang sigaw mo..... (Ngunit kapag iyan ay nag-uumapaw na sa galit, nanginginig ang boses nyan). Katulad ng nabanggit ko kanina, malandi siya. Mahilig maglambing, at kung minsan kahit naiirita na ako, di pa rin makahalata. Tipo bang gusto kong nananahimik pero ayan siya at pabiro-biro, pa sweet sweet, at kung anu-ano pa animo'y bubuyog na kumakampupot. Madalas nagpapatawa yan, at dahil sa mahigit isang dekada na rin kaming nagsasama, alam na alam ko na ang style nya sa mga jokes, kaya kung minsan, di na rin ito mabili sa akin, bagamat aking napapansin sa mga pagtitipon, kapag siya nag-joke, nakukuha nya pa rin silang mapatawa.

Pagdating sa pamumuhay, si Alfredo ay masinop. Sa mga gamit, lagi siyang maalaga, di katulad ko, di naman burara, pero kapag ang isang bagay ay nasira, di ako apektado masyado kasi prinsipyo ko, gamit lang yan may sell by date yan o kaya hanggang dun na lang siguro ang silbi nun, samantala siya, gusto nyang optimized palagi ang gamit ng isang bagay, kaya napakaingat nya. Katulad lang ng cellphone nya, di basta-basta silid lang sa bag nya, baka raw magasgas kaya kailangan ilagay sa tamang lalagyan doon sa loob ng bag nya.

At sa usaping bag naman, si Alfredo ang taong di makalakad nang walang dalang bag. Sa simula pa lang ng kami'y magkakilala palagi na lang siyang may sukbit na bag. Ang laman naman ay di naiiba, wallet, ballpen, maliit na notebook, tarheta, kunting barya, at kung anu-anong mga resibo. Kung nawawala sa paningin ko si Alfredo at hawak ko ang kanyang bag, alam kong nandiriyan lang siya sa malapit, o kaya babalik at babalik din siya ilang saglit lang. Kung baga, parang may magic spell, kambal tuko sya dun sa bag nya. Kakalimutan na ako wag lang ang bag niya. Pero di sya mahilig mangulekta nito. Bibili siya ng isa lang at gagamitin ito ng ilang taon hanggang sa ito ay masira, saka lang siya bibili ulit. Kaya imagine, kung ang kanyang bag ay lumang luma na pero di pa sira, at kami at aatend ng pormal na party, ke gwapo nya sa kanyang terno, pero ayun at sukbit pa rin si bag nya!

Ang kanyang tanging luho ay pagkain. Mahilig yan sumubok ng pagkain sa iba't -ibang restaurant, kaya kami nananaba pareho. Hindi sya mahilig pumorma. Basta siya ay kumportable, wala siyang pakialam sa sasabihin ng mga tao, ke gusot at di naplantsa ang suot nya. Di rin siya gumagamit ng pabango o kahit cologne lang. Meron syang natatanggap paminsan-minsang regalong pabango, ayun ginagamit kong air freshener sa bathroom namin. Mahilig siyang magbutingting kaya meron siyang koleksyon ng mga tools, pero di siguro naiiba iyon sa ibang mga boys. Ang nakakatuwa, siya itong may nakalalamang ng bilang ng pares ng sapatos kaysa sa akin. Siya itong Imelda sa aming bahay.

I went to see my GP (family doctor, General Practice) today because I have had sore throat for the last three days and feeling under the weather. All I thought is it's just an ordinary viral tonsillitis which will be gone in a day or two, but last night aside from fever, chills, and aching all over, I felt I have to breathe through my mouth, and my nose is blocked, so if I need to talk, I have to speak in half sentences, and I've been drooling (like asong ulol) and my neck glands are getting bigger by the day which made me panic..... Just the thought of our patients being intubated due to laryngitis...... Scary!
So here I am, off sick again from work, on antibiotics and anti inflammatories, and been banned by my husband to drink soda (well, only if he's around).

I've been Dished Away!!!!

For the past few days at work, I felt being dished away. Last Thursday, I was working on a 12-hour day shift, but half of that day was spent in Accident and Emergency (A&E, ER). I was asked to help the department because they got so busy and although they have enough staff for the day, there were about seven ambulances which arrived at once due to a road traffic accident. Well, I'm not moaning, (nurse tayo eh) I am more than happy to help out of duty and passion. And today, again I was working the same twelve hour day shift, and by two o'clock in the afternoon, apparently, our shift coordinator have drawn our names in the hat, and she pick mine up, so I was sent down to help in one of the wards. Well, what shall I say? Okey! fine, no problem, I don't want to argue, I don't wanna moan, get on with it. Thank you very much. Saying that, the afternoon went well. I actually enjoyed working in the ward. It's been a while now that I've not work in other departments. The staff thought, because I work in the Intensive Care, I knew lots of stuff! Hmmmmmm, lols, you just don't know....... I dunno nothing, too. hehehehehehe.

Siyanga Pala

Siyanga pala, I am officially announcing na I will be writing in Filipino na rin, at di lang english language. That include tagalog, ilonggo, cebuano at ilocano dialects. I will try my best to post articles in different dialects, kasi, baka makalimutan ko ang mga ito, sayang. Dito kasi sa bahay, either tagalog between me and my husband and english or tagalog between our children, eh paano naman ang salita kong bisaya at ilocano? Ako ra na sya magamit kung ako nagtawag sa akong mga ginikanan o sa akong mga igsuon. Ang akong asawa, palipit ang dila, di gyud na sya makasabot, pwede gani nako na sya ibaligya. Pero, kung ako nagluto ug sud-an nga lutong bisaya, sus, lami gyud na iyang kaon, pati mga bata,....lagi.

Nati - Tense Ako!

Walang dyo, kanina pa ako paikut-ikot dito sa lounge namin, dahil ako lang mag-isa dito sa bahay, di ko naman magawa ang gusto kong gawin. Nung pagkahatid ko sa mga bata sa school, naibangga ko sa poste yung front bumper ng kotse, kaya nagalusan sya. Buti na lang at madahan lang naman, pero sigurado ako, magdadakdak na naman si Panget (my husband) mamaya pag-uwi nya, pero palagay ko di nya naman mapapansin, kasi parang kaskas lang, anung paki nya, akin naman ito, buti sana kung yung kanya ang nasira..... Arrrrggghhhhh, ano ba, kanina pa ako ganito, in fact, kagabi pa. Di ako mapakali, I think, dahil may interview ako mamaya, alas singko ng hapon, over the phone from Canada. Di nown load ko nga yung most asked questions during interview from google, pero di ko naman binabasa. I tried to do some relaxation techniques, pero di effective. Ngayon lang yata ako naduwag ng ganito. Pinakain ko na ang mga rabbits namin, pati na rin ang isda sa aquarium sabay kausap sa kanila. Ano kaya, hugasan ko kaya lahat ng mga plato ulit, paborito kong gawin yun, eh.... pero malinis na sila. Siguro, kung di lang carpeted ang bahay ko, naglampaso na rin siguro ako, kanina pa.....May nakuha akong opportunity sa PPP pero wa ako sa mood magsulat. I don't care, and I don't give a damn. Kasi naman, okey na sana at settled na kami rito sa UK pero itong Alfredo (asawa kong Panget) aba eh, narinig lang sa mga kaibigan na mas maluwag daw ang buhay sa Canada, ayun at katakut-takot na persuasion ang ginawa para lang ako mapapayag mag-apply, kesehodang mas maganda daw ang magiging business nya roon, ke mura daw ang bilihin, etc, etc, etc...... ayan tuloy, eto ngayon ako, di malaman ang tension na nararamdaman sa isip (meron kaya ako nun?) at dibdib ko. Pero in fairness, excited lahat kami lumipat, etong hanep lang na interview na 'to ang sumisira ng araw ko ngayon.

Fancy some Olives?

Just posting this so succulent, mouth watering olives. They're my favorite starters or say appetizers, well, unless someone would kindly offer me some seafood gourmet. I've never like this kind of stuff before. I only used olive oil in the kitchen, but other than that, I didn't like its fruit, until we tried the greek salad with olives, only then I fancied the taste of these beauties. Add to it some pickled garlic and succhini, yum, yum....Just by looking at these, I feel like I'm craving for some now.

"Buko"

My husband and I went to an Indian shop this morning to get some fresh asian vegetables such as ampalaya, okra, opo, saluyot at sitaw. And to add into, we saw a few young coconuts (buko). To our delight, we got one although the size is no bigger than my son's head. It cost £3.00. So expensive! When we got home, I told my husband to cut it, but he said, not until the kids are back from school because he'd want them to see it..... it just dawned on me, my poor kids, didn't experience what I had when I was young. Coconuts, climbing trees, swimming in the backyard's fishpond, digging shallow wells, cooking grass in tin cans, fetching ducks and chickens eggs etc. etc. I can only tell them stories.

To make matters worst, my colleague at work, he's into plenty of holidays, but only realized lately that coconuts grew tall, all his life 'til then thought they were like pineapples! How sad is that? I have invited him to come to the Philippines, especially in the fruit basket Davao, so he'd see and taste fruits he probably haven't imagine.

Tag Time

Shiela Tagged me this So chained myself along. Come and connect with us, too.

:::Start here:::1. Sojourn 2. Pinay Mom in Czech Republic 3. See Me for what You Will 4. LAINY’S MUSINGS 5. OUR JOURNEY TO FOREVER6. My Paperless Writings 7. As The World Turns 8. My Daily Discourse 9.From This Side 10. Our Family Adventure! 11. Shopaholic Ties the Knot 12. FunFierceFabulous 13. My Precious 14. My World in My Own Word 15. Observer's Eyes
Are you deeply in love with your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend? If you do, let’s try how well you remember the moment of your life with him. But before you put yourself in the hot seat please read the rules of this tag first.
RULES:

1. This tag should be pass on to your friends.

2. Visit the blog of the person you’ve got this tag.

3. Leave a comment on her/his tag post. Be sure to thank her/him for this tag.

4. Highlight and link all the list of people who accepted this tag by visiting their blog site.

5. There are 10 questions that you need to answer but you will be the one to write the 10th question for the next person you want to pass this tag. Here are the questions. Be honest with your answers.
Lets Start:

1. How did you meet your husband/wife or boyfriend/girlfriend?

On 1996 new year's eve, going to 1997 I dialled a number on the phone not knowing what it was, and someone on the other end sound so handsome so asked him to be my phonepal and since then, I am still connected, online, offline, by text, email, post, at home, at heart, at soul etc. etc. etc.

2. Where did you go on your first date?

We went to church.

3. When was your first intimate kiss?

April Fools 1997. Did not realize it then, it just happened spontaneously but after that I was so scared knowing the date.... but I am just so lucky, he does not know anything about April fools, so I just kept quiet.

4. How many girlfriends/boyfriends he/she had in the past?

I am his sevententh!!!

5. What is his/her ethnicity?

Pure Filipino, Tagalog from Gapan Nueva Ecija.

6. What is his/her favorite food?

He loves Filipino Delicacies, specially if it requires kamayan.

7. What is he/she like if he/she is mad?

Quiet, with selective hearing, so better be careful with my words. He is a man of very few words when angry.

8. What are the things he/she did you thought is the most romantic thing he’d/she’d ever done?

Well, he is pretty flirt and does small sweet nothings most of the time, and he makes me laugh regularly.

9. Describe how he/you proposed to you.

He proposed to me few weeks after that April Fool's, but I was so young then, just graduated and qualified as RN so didn't know how to handle his proposal so I turned it down, but he has persevered, like asking me he can wed me anywhere, and if I'm in doubt, I can cut open his heart, and even bended on his knees. No effect to me until one day, inuwi ba naman ako sa kanila, di ko alam, tanan na pala yun.......Alam nyo, for two weeks, di talaga ako lumalabas ng kwarto, just imagine, ano na lang sasabihin ng mga tao sa akin, all those sort of thoughts. So ashamed of myself, so confused, Being a Bisaya, di ba, our dignity is so precious, di ba?

When did you know he was the ONE?

I always knew he is the one from that April Fool's day because I have seen him how sticks to his routine, principles, and words. I saw him in his real colour without any masks or make up to impress me, he just came as he is.
:::End here:::
I am now going to tag PinayMama, Mira's A Moment to Exhale, Asawa's Heaven, Joy Burlinson

I have to Do It.

Following days of turmoil fixing my blog with no success, I have to extract some of its functionalities such as my guestbook, news archives, adsense, and change the whole template. Finally, it is back with the basic functions and perhaps, I just need to get used to its new look, though, not very great for me, I should say. I am just as happy to see my cbox so accessible instead of going to through the bottom to find my messages as well as my friends and neighbors. In the next few days, I will try and find a better template which would look like my persona. So for now, my apologies to friends. You haven't come to a new blog, it is still the same me, just with a new design. Hope you'd come back again.

PACQUIAO This Sunday!!!!

Yes, it's gonna be this Sunday 28th June 2008, Manny Pacquiao will again be in the Boxing ring to fight another ultimate winner David Diaz. Of course, it's a much awaited fight and my husband is trying to secure a pay per view from TFC, but they would not confirm they can give us it, so he said, if you can not assure me until Wednesday, don't bother, I'll get one from HBO. Tough! I can not blame him. It is PACQUIAO we are talking about!

Something is Wrong

I have been trying to sort this out since yesterday, but I find my blog has got something wrong in it. I lost all my friends and neighbors list as well as the archives of my post on the left hand side. Tried my best to check on the layouts, and looked at settings, too, but nothing helped. I do not know what else to do, helpppppppp! I do need help. This blog is my only leisure in life at present. I love what I am doing with it, but now it's into pieces.
Please, I am desperate to get it back to its usual self.

Trouble with the Police

This is a photo of my husband and kids with the police, and boy, don't these people looked so cool when they are on their winter outfit . I think every man should have a gear like theirs. It speaks of authority, power, service, adventure, loyalty, law, and personal grooming.

Every time I see a Policeman, I always look at how he walk, talk, and carry his stunt. His gadgets add a good impression. Even the tiniest detail such as his watch, his head gear, the badges.... all add up to create such a respectable image.

But mind you, though he look gorgeous and so manly, make sure do no mess on him. He's up to no mischief, you know.

Just posing, nothing special.

Just Me
The next high street models
Up close and personal
With a little friend to pose with

Why I Blog?

I would like to address this post to my fellow bloggers...

When you created your blogs, what was your goal? Can you tell me of the great reasons why you are blogging?

Well, for me, I have plenty of ideas and thoughts that I needed to bring out. Perhaps, it's just honest fact to say that I am a frustrated writer. I used to join essay writing contests at school, I became the editor of our high school paper, and I am more expressive if I write things down, than saying it. If I can turn back time, and my personal circumstances then is different, and money is not a problem, I probably have taken a course and pursued a career in writing. My parents kept telling me when I was younger, a writing career is difficult, you can't even earn a living from it, unless you are super bright and famous, and be able to sell lots of your articles, otherwise, you'll just one of those lonely ones. I suppose, they are just concerned of my future.

Anyway, I grew up, had a family, and didn't regret what direction I followed, but the love of writing is still here, deep in my heart. That's where Blogging became very very alive in front of me. I can express my thoughts, I can scream, I can cry, I can emote, I can be sentimental, I can laugh, I can be angry, I can be nobody, I can be somebody, I can be anyone, a person, a thing, a poem, a song.... in fact anything! And yet I can make sure that I exist through the posts, articles, and prints.... that's the power of publishing. And what do I get here????? like a computer, sometimes you get filled up with information therefore you wanted to store these information in your memory, but as a human being, our brains do deteriorate as we grow old, and eventually we will lose our memory. Such a shame that it happens, unlike computers, when its memory fills up, it can have added storage. So what was I exactly pointing out in here????? Have you ever thought of what your next generation will learn about you? This is the very reason why I am Blogging. I want to write about real things and happenings in my life and family, my work, my affairs, in fact anything that I feel worth writing about. So when my descendants will ask about me, they can just log on the Internet and find out for themselves, first hand information, and not being relayed by anybody else where things added on or taken away.

Another reason why I am blogging is, the beauty of being in a social network. I have expanded my "personal universe" a lot since joining SocialSpark , I made several friends and actually socialize with them virtually by sending and receiving messages. Not only being nosy by reading and hopping by their blogs, I have learned plenty of tips on how they live their lives, ran their families, spend their money, enjoy their time, express their humour, and so much more. The list is endless.

And with all these reasons, I can get paid if I want to. Now tell me, who says that being a writer is a sad, penniless, loner? In SocialSpark , I get to write on things around our lives (they call this opportunities). Advertisers put up opportunities with price on them, and if you take that opportunity, you just need to write about it and publish it in your blog, and boil'ah! you get paid!!!! And because it is a social network, articles written are 100% real opinions where blogger talk about how they feel about it, 100% Transparent which means no hidden agenda, 100% auditable In Post disclosure which blogger disclose their interests such as if are they talking about a paid or sponsored post, and the best thing is it is 100% search engine friendly.

Family's Pamper day, My Labour Day.

Well, I had a lovely day off yesterday, and to make it extra special, I brought the whole family to dine out. Just being together as a family is worth celebrating. All of us enjoyed being served at a local restaurant, but unfortunately I forgot the camera so wasn't able to take photos of the place and the food, but it's superb. Then we went to Asda to buy some groceries to start with, but ended up looking at the charts and DVD's. Kids also got a new game for their Nintendo DS's. We went home exhausted but thrilled.
Just before bedtime, I got my foot spa kit out and gave my two kids and husband a good treat each, plus a much needed soothing massage. Ahhhh, joy! I ended up with worn out hands and arms, but seeing them relax and enjoy is a perfect sight.
And guess what? Today, I was on a late shift at work, from 13:30 to 20:00 PM, and soon as I got home, my boy asked me......Mum, are you gonna give us a massage? (Me): What??? Yeah I will, for fifty quit, have you? He just laughed.

Social Spark, New Internet Experience.

I have just joined this community and got a very good response straightaway. I am amazed how Social Spark has given me confidence in becoming more proactive in blogging, after all, I love what I was doing, and to actually know that there are people out there who are reading and knowing your thoughts is worthwhile. Isn't it nice to have an online community, reaching out for those people you don't normally socialize physically into? This social network has just brought another level of Internet experience. In fact, I am just so excited to get things moving, and as I must say, being a member of Social Spark, I am taking this opportunity to invite my viewers/readers to join, and you surely would enjoy your online presence. Being in Social Spark Network, you get to see what other bloggers are up to, have new friends, and more.
One of Social Sparks' features is creating a relationship between advertisers and bloggers, for which both benefits evenly. For example, I, for one, a blogger, can take on opportunities and blog about it, and I get paid for it... isn't it great? And for the advertisers' part, they are able to reach readers and let them know what they can offer. Either way, there's great chance of creating a very good media.

This is a sponsored review.

Loose Weight?

I have been blog hopping for the last few days before I go to sleep, and most women bloggers are talking about their weight, excess fats, unwanted shapes and corners. Well I can relate to them, because I am also seeing it in reality to myself. I thought, I should really loose a bit here and there, but how could I. Exercise? yes I've been there, diet, nahhh.... irrelevant. I've just come back from a party! In fact yesterday as well, and another one coming this Wednesday. Invitations coming from left and right, and although I do not attend to all of them, I still get to go to some and the food are always irresistible. I eat more and more each time. Everyone has got something to offer, how could I loose weight. Someone said, just discipline! I don't think so.

My Family and Children's Health

Being a mother, and a nurse, I am aware of the importance of my children's health. I am always making sure that my family eat healthy and balanced diet, have adequate physical activities daily, and secured emotional and mental environment. I believe in the saying that goes "every ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure". When my kids were borne, I brought them to every appointment with their pediatrician, let them have every vaccine necessary, and took their Doctor's advice diligently. I could not take any risk when it comes to my children's health. They say that mothers know best, but I say, I agree but, with someones professional guidance, it couldn't be better.
I became a mom at a young age of twenty two, but it didn't hinder me to become a better, responsible, cautious, and meticulous mother. And over ten years now, I still am learning. I read books about children's and family health, be vigilant about any problems, such as infections and diseases. We do not have to be ill to see our doctors. Regular health check ups and screenings are as important as anything else. I was just watching this video Dr. Paul Offit from Youtube and I could not fault any of his words.
I am aware, being a nurse working in the Intensive Care, that research and developments on health practices are done and published frequently, therefore, the information we need are so accessible nowadays. Yet, I am also aware, that there are still health myths existing around. We need to educate ourselves and be open to change, especially if it is scientifically proven.

This is what I really, really wanted to do.

When I finish my night shift tomorrow morning, I would like to do this. And I don't care what you say, but for me, it's hahahahahahaha!

.

Got tagged by Heap UP. Thanks!
Here are the Rules for this tag:
Remove one (1) question from below and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag people on your list. List them out at the end of this post.
1. What is your favorite food?
Plenty and depending on my mood. Something cooked and served for me specially.
2. What was your happiest moment when you were a child?
Able to build my own playhouse made of sack and have authority over it.
3. Where is the place that you want to go the most?
Anywhere. I believe, every place has got to offer something.
4. Do you think you are worthy to be saved by God?
Yes, He loves me, there's no doubt about it, and even if I am a sinner, He still sees my worth, therefore He gave the best chance, and I am having that chance with no second thoughts.
5. When you encounter a sad moment, what do you do?
Pray and Sing.
6. What are you afraid to lose the most?
My family!
7. If you win $1 million, what would you do?
I don't know. In the first place I do not bet on anything, therefore theres no chances I am going to win anything. But if I am given $1M, I will give part of it to the Mission of our church, part of it to secure my childrens education and homes, and a little token for me and my husband to remind me I have been blessed, and that I am sharing that blessing with him, probably a platinum ring for each of us.…
8. What is the saddest moment for you last year (2007)?
I can not remember.
9. Which actor/actress would you like to play you in a movie?
Harrison Ford
10. How do you cope with boredom?
going to places near or far, taking photos of anything at their spontaneous moments. I don't like planning or posed pictures.
11. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most?
I can't think of any.
12. What type of person do you hate the most?
A liar!
13. What is your ambition?
to become a nurse consultant in five years time.
14. If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
I wish that every people should have genuine love in their hearts and are able to share it.
15. How did you celebrate New Year?
I roasted a huge turkey and trim it with usual veges and gravy and plenty of fruits, got all of us, my husband, two kids, and myself dressed casually special, and have a nice dinner and conversation in our home, lights dimmed to bring on the beauty of the candle lights.
16. What has been the craziest thing you’ve ever done in your whole life?
Driving on a motorway at nigh time in the UK with my friend to a Christmas dinner, knowing that I am not allowed to drive yet as I have no license or insurance, and upon going home at midnight, drove home without my lights on. It's crazy and stupid!
17. What do you look forward to in 2008?
Sell our house from the UK and move to Canada.
18. If your life is a song, what title best fits it?
Friend
19. What is your inspiration in life?
God's creation....Real, live, beautiful, Perfect!
20. If you were to change one event in your life, what would it be?
Nothing, every event I had served its own purpose, some sad, some happy, but I believe each has brought every colour I have in me now.

I am now tagging, Shiela, Ella, Novie, Letlet, Malou

Just venting, otherwise it's going the other way!

I have one of the crappiest night shift last night....not because we are busy (take note, I thrive under pressure and challenge) but because we have a crap coordinator who thinks she is good, but I think, it's only in her thoughts. Did you get me????? I could not believe how she manage her staff, it feels like come what may, no plan.... C'mon, let me do your job and I'll show you how to do it well! Grrrrrrrrrrrr..... The only consolation I had is that I know that she would not be back tonight. So much better. Don't ask me who is it, because I will never ever mention names of people not even worth writing about. Huh! Anyway, let me make my statement clear and straight. "Some people are born leaders, and when they lead, they lead well. While some are just made leaders, and when they lead, they lead according to their theory qualifications. Their character remain of an ordinary."

On nights again

It's gonna be tough. Yeah, I am on night shifts again from tonight until Saturday. You all know how I hate working nights, but I have to do it as my fairshare. If only my physical body agrees to it, it shouldn't be a problem. Also, I am a kind of person that doesn't want to do unnecessary fuss. Hope my nights just go by smoothly. See you soon. The rose, my daughter's subject from our garden. Taken at dusk.

I am hired!!!!!Roll down the red carpet, get ready for my BIG Entrance

When I started blogging, I thought it was such a nice idea for using my spare time. Blogging is like publishing your own magazine, or newspaper... you need to have readers, viewers, commentators, etc..... and for few weeks I have posted personal views, campaigned for something, and have influenced people who came and read my articles. I am happy everytime I received comments, and notes from people whom I don't know personally, yet have become my friends online. They are my customers.
Then someone encouraged me to join Pay Per Post to monetize my blog. At first, I was skeptical. Who on earth would waste their money because I was doing what I enjoy? Who would care about it? Then she explained to me how it works, etc. etc. etc. I thought, uhmmm, if I give it a try, I will lose nothing... so I did, and today, I got an email saying my very own Observer's Eyes is now approved, and I can start looking at paid oppurtunities and can write about them,.... that easy! And guess what, just by writing this alone, I got $20.00!!!! Honestly, I can't stop thinking what this blogworld can take me to, and the extra money, just imagine, I AM GETTING PAID just because I am doing what I love to do. What could be better than that????? Join Now!
'>'>'>get paid to blog

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

We watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull last Monday, and I am impressed for its creation. I am a great fan of films directed by Steven Spielberg, and knowing that he did this one, I know, when we (my husband and two kids) agreed to watch it in Cineworld, we are up to great adventure, awesome actions, and spectacular backdrops.... and indeed, it is. I don't look at who's doing what. I am not into celebrities, you know...... but I am more of who wrote the story, who chose the casts, and who is the man in the chair.
Every detail of the film is well thought, colours, and lighting well balanced. I could not find any fault and although rated 12A, I have no qualms in recommending it to kids over seven years old, whose age are into adventure. Well, it's not up to me to say this, but truly, films like these are worth checking out. In fact, though we've watched it in the big screen, I will get a DVD copy of it for my collections' sake. Happy viewing.

There is no other Time but NOW!

I was just watching the daily news from TV Patrol in TFC, and it is saddening to know that teachers in the Philippines are underpaid, degraded, and never has been rewarded for their efforts, following years of service to the country in educating the next generation. I feel so sorry for these people who are giving their "all" to provide information, develop skills, boost confidence, and shape the future of the Philippines.

I am a nurse, and have left the country to find a better life abroad. I have not asked for a luxurious life, but at least be secured enough to think that my kids will get the best chance to be able to stand strong in their time. If I have stayed in the Philippines, I probably would not get this security. I am aware that there have been thousands who have gone the same path as mine, leaving a gigantic shortage of nurses in the Philippines.

I will not be surprised if someday, these teachers will decide to leave Philippines, too. There have been promising jobs lurking around the world, with better pay, working lives, and benefits. If this will come to pass, I am so scared of the aftermath. What will happen to the next generation? What is the country's future? What ? What?..... You probably know Why!

As a country, I have nothing against the Philippines. Indeed, I still stand firm and proud being a Filipino. I am a great campaigner of its beauty, and exotic destinations. But it angers me to the max that it is being exploited, corrupted, and governed by people who have no other intention but to get their personal gain. Each leader have their own agenda, blaming each other, and just like crabs in a bucket, wanting anyone who goes up gets clipped down.

Well, what else can I say? Can I do better than this? I am an ordinary person, probably non-existent to the eyes of the Philippine Government. But I do believe in Tesco's "Every little helps". I am here to influence your thoughts, ask you to think, and get involved. Our beloved country needs people who have the pure heart to serve - not politics, not people's power that leads to misunderstanding and division, people who sometimes just join because they are paid to participate, but not realizing what they are into. Our beloved country needs people who are clear of their service, transparent of their intentions, etc. My fellow countrymen, there is no other time, BUT NOW.

Just the Closer of us

Jessica
James
Jessica & Me
James & Me

Daddy

My tribute to Daboy

I would like to pay tribute to the late Philippine actor Rudy Fernandez. He was one of the best in the industry, and truly had a great talent. I could remember when I was still a little girl, my Dad would take us for a family day out regularly, but that day out can be extra special if he takes us to see a film, and being a solid Daboy fan, we get to watch pictures if Rudy Fernandez is on it. I grew up and Daboy's name remained great. He was a great actor, father, husband to Lorna, personality, celebrity, model, and in fact just as he is. Learning that he has passed away yesterday, had brought sorrow to my heart.
Although not in anyway related to him or personally knew him, I can say that he is in fact part of "myself" being a Filipino. I would like to send my sincerest sympathy to all whom he left behind.

Weekend Diary

This Sunday, we are going to Church in London at the Jesus Miracle's Ministries, and we will be joined by Steve Kuban in the Praise & Worship. I am excited to meet and speak to him personally. As we are gearing to move to Canada this year, I might as well talk to him as he's borne and bred from that beautiful country. I will be posting more about this meeting next week. For now, it's time to go back to Cambridge to cheer for the Ipswich Tigers. Should we win this one, we will just be waiting to the Finals, otherwise, four more games - which obviously is a least desired option. If we win, I will surely get Evening Star and BBC LookEast to cover it. Hep hep hooorraaayyyy.

Stick your thorns out

BBQ, Waiting for the sun

It's June and middle of the year, yet it's wet, wet,wet and WET.... almost everyday. Last year, it was the same. I could not believe it's summer here in Great Britain. Should be the time to enjoy some sunshine (moan, mon, moan !!!*&$3£). In fact, in anticipation for the sunshine, I am ever ready to bring out the BBQ, I have patiently skewed last night, so that any of my friends pop to ours, I have got something ready, or perhaps they might call me just to see their garden in blooms and ended up having a sit down, I could just bring it on. Poor skewed pork, has to live in the freezer until the sun is up.I hope the rosemary's would not decide to root up or bloom in there.

Test Mic test...

When there was me and you. How romantic melody. Just telling me right now, yes, we get to age, and more mature, but once you hear that music of your heart, you stop and just rewind your youth.

I could not believe this! My kids' mischief.....

Well, I am on my own today. Kids at school, husband in London, sooooo...... I sat in the sofa, and logged in to my blog, investigated who came and had tea at my post, and then I've realized, yeah, I did help the kids set up their own blog, few days back, linked to me rather than them creating their own. So I went to check them out. I am impressed with Jessica's despite some of her spellings are wrong, she proved able to speak her mind. To be fair to her, she has been so proactive with school's activities such as swimming, tug rugby, being a carer, music shows, etc...., so I said to myself, I'm not going to be hard on this, afterall she's only ten. Huh, she's just pimped our search page.
Then to James' site, hmmm, not much. He's a boy and typical seven, into his nintendo DS and some weird toys such as the monster egg which he kept in an eggshaped container filled with water. It looked like an ordinary egg inside for the first three days, then I saw it cracked a little, and finally, it turned into a monster.
Well, at least it is still contained in that eggshape home. Mind you, he's never told anyone about this aside from his partner in crime, sister Jessica, and they both hid this in our wardrobe, so that just before they go to bed, I could hear them fussing about something in our bedroom, so I went to check out, and they just told me they're looking after their pet and it should be in the dark. Okey.....
And triops, and little stuff toys, which at first, I thought are a bit softee and costs more than what you'd get, then I realized there's more to them. Lately, he told me that those toys have got access codes to online games.
And the worst bit of it all is..... shame on me, he got a link of the High School Musical 2 from youtube. I could not believe this. I started blogging around a month ago, and I do not know how to copy and post tags, let alone a video from youtube.....and he could???? What on earth is going on? I am supposed to tell them or teach them "how to" these things, but I guess, I have to ask my son to teach me it this time. I am sure, I could still catch up on how this techie bit work..... Well, hopefully.

We are moving In...

We are finally moving in. Yes, we have waited this long, and finally, the new build is through, and we can finally move to the new state of the art, very modern, and sophisticated Garrett Anderson Center, and yes, I am one of the staff who will move. The intensive care unit is just so "WOW", high technology, and most of the nearby hospitals of the county are eager to see it as well. Oh, I just can't wait.... It will be this Tuesday, 10th June 2008... See you there.

A Day to Bond

Freddie, Jessica, and James.... Shame, I can't join because I am holding the camera

We had a very relaxing day out today as a family. Again, it is our priority to bond, despite our busy lives. The kids are going back to school after a week's half term, Freddie is as busy in his business, while me, well, full time intensive care nurse.

Dad and son, walking as bestmates.

This is the only photo taken of me, and yes, a stolen one also by my hubby, caught me unaware whilst keeping an eye on the two kids running around. Well, not moaning, kind of good one anyway.

Indeed, it was a fantastic day. We started swimming with friends, then decided to have fish and chips, and ended with spending few pennies at the Pier Casino. Though we didn't win anything, we had a great time.

Again, being the camera holder, unable to join them part two. It's not fair at all!!!

Youd do not have to spend huge bucks to be happy, it's how you share time and joy to each other.

The fish and chips. Pure British.

After a wholesome but leg aching day, we only have a couple of these special chocs to bring home....Stupid, ain'it????

Hmmmpppp. Nakakainis!

Well, it has been a very busy week for me. Monday to Tuesday, I am at work, nursing. Wednesday and Thursday, my days off, we originally planned to go to the Annual Suffolk Show but then my friend Lotis invited us to go to Cadbury World in Birmingham, but as soon as the morning came, it was pouring out rain, and paddles everywhere, and indeed it is on both days. GGGGGrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!(Banas, Yamot, galit, and too many dabog) all over the house I did. Even the vacuum cleaner, napagdiskitahan. And today, Biyernes, and Tomorrow, I am at work. What a week. Nakakainisssssss.

jessica blog

hi you know me Jessica ........................ i told you i was going to make my own blog and this one is linked to my mums blog clever isn't it you will come on my blog wont you hua hua hua!!!! and also write a letter please..........................

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO TO DASHBOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mobile Phone.... More Dangerous than Smoking????
(click on the Title to read more)

uPdate, UpDate on Voting for 7Wonders

Hello folks, as I have mentioned before, I am urging everyone to cast your vote for the World's New7Wonder. Today, I have checked the ranking and you'll be pleased that Tubattaha Reef is now rank fourth, likely, Chocolate Hills, Puerto Princesa Subterranian River National Park, and Mayon Volcano are on going up and possibly securing more places. Indeed, a great honour to our country and Paradise.

Basketball Game 25 May 2008 Tigers vs ADS

Introducing me, me and oh me

Hi i'm jessica my mum let me go on this blog and soon i will be able to make my own blog when my mum finds out how to do this, in school i'm in a company called holiday haven and as you can see i've got a certificate for being employee of the month!!!, in history i like the ancient Egyptians and that links in with being an employee because we're selling holidays to egypt.

here are some examples or what i wrote....................

for example ............
do you want to get away from the stress of city life then go to sharm el shaikh
have a relaxing, luxurious and amazing time as well.

i guess you think i'm really boring

but i love music from
kelly clarkson
don moen
leona lewis
and so on

and i also love animals too especially dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

now what do you think of me ..............

Visit to Cambridge City, United Kingdom... Wet! wet! wet!

Jessica and James under the rain. Yeah, it's such a wet day, but it didn't stop us just enjoying beautiful sights.

This big tree is just a very nice background for a girl trying to show her "growing up" pose for the photoshoots.

This is Jessica, James, and friend Kyle in front of St. Catharine's College.

King's College, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city of Cambridge.

The troops in front of Anglia Ruskin University - one of modern Universities in Cambridge .

Just a pose whilst waiting for the rest of the gang.

The kids, by the entrance lawn of Corpus Christi.

Visit to City of Cambridge part 2

The Reception Board in front of King's College, Cambridge
This is also a very nice overhead sculpture by the gate of one of the historic building in Cambridge. So breathtaking, and amazing, you could actually see the effort done in creating such a nice piece of art.

Jessica and James braving the rain. Lakwatsera at Lakwatsero na rin.

Ellen De Generes Wedding

US President Bush' newly married daughter has offered her ranch for the wedding venue of Ellen De Generes and long time girlfriend Portia de Rossi. Know her? Yeah, the famous TV host where Charice Pempengco showed an impressive entry to the International Singing World.

Friends around the world

This TAG was sent to me by Jenn and would like to share it to friends.

::Start Copy Here::

Rule:
1. Copy from ::Start Copy Here:: through ::End Copy Here::.


2. Add your blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. Just make sure to post this to each of the blog you added in the list.


3. Tag other online friends you know.You don’t need to be tag in order to join. If you want to join just post this one in your blog.


4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.That way, everyone is happy and can meet new friends too!


5. Come back once in a while to get the master list! Let’s see how this makes our Technorati and PR goes up!


6. DO NOT REMOVE THIS: scrap page made by Yen. Using alphas and tapes from Kate H., flowers from Ida,paper by Catrine.

1. Me and Mine 2.Creative In Me 3.Little Peanut 4. Pea in a Pod 5. Sugar Magnolias 6. Chez Francine 7. Le bric à brac de Cherie 8. La Place de Cherie 9. My Sweet Haven 10. Malejandria 11. ADD YOUR BLOG HERE.

::End Copy Here::

I also would like to tag Shiela, Noveline, Phoebe, PinayMama, Pinay American Journey

Employee of the Month

This certificate was given to my daughter today on her achievements on working hard in selling holiday packages. Imagine, she sold several packages to her mates and teachers. I just wish, it's all real business. At school, children are taught how to engage themselves in a sensible conversation, and be able to show creativity in expressing their views. On the above activity, my Jessica's class were asked to group themselves and do a presentation on different products. Jessica did a holiday shop and was able to convince her "customers" that her "tailored holiday packages" are just right for them. Hhmmmm, impessive. I wonder if she could make a sale on me? Probably not, probably.... well.

At the end of it, only Jessica got the certificate. Wow. I have to give her a good pat on the shoulder, and a hug.

Mind Bogglers.

This was a post from Proud Mommy and is quite interesting. Try it.

I’m One of the 55. Are You?

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mni d deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

Campaigning for Tubbataha. Please vote.

Mga kakusa, kababayan, and kabloggers, please, may I solicit your participation in voting for Tubbataha Reef to be included in The New7 Natural Wonders of the World. Whilst writing this, it is already ranked 7th place. It would be a great honour for the Philippines. Included are some pics to awe you the beauty of it. My household and I have already done our part. Thank you so much. Please go to Tubbataha Reef and vote. Afterall, this is true nature without a doubt, with no human artificial touch can add, aside from us just taking care of it.

Jessica on Stage!

I am so proud of my daughter Jessica, she has participated in her school's Summer Musical Concert. She played the guitar whilst singing. Honestly, she has a "Voice", though I won't brag about it right now. Her other mates played the violin, electric guitar, and other musical instruments, which I can not name because I do not know them. I do not play any musical instruments myself so I don't know how to support my daughter in this area, but she did well. I knew she'd be good because I could see how much effort she puts everytime she practices at home, and all I could do is to make honest comments. Anyway, the concert was successfull, and well attended. I am just so proud of her, and I'll say it again, I am just so proud of my daughter, Jessica. Well done, Babe.
Photos to follow. Will also tell you sometime about when she did the "Kids on the Catwalk"... Well, she's only ten now, but is a good achiever. Kanino pa magmamana, di bah?!!!!

Just Before Good Night.

Just before I'll go back to bed tonight, I thought I'll just add this up. I have been asleep until four o'clock this afternoon because I've just finish nights, and to make matters more complicated, I have to come home a lot later this morning because I have to go on a patient transfer to Neuro Critical Care Unit of Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, so dizzying experience, because the paramedics are also not happy to go that far, when they are just about to go home when they were called to come with their ambulance....Well, I held myself so much not to argue. I could understand their point, in fact, we are in the same situation.... but hey, it's nobody's fault.
Anyway, I have a good sleep, and when I woke up, I went to check my blogs and enjoyed blog hopping and posted few virtual card pieces, forgetting about the time. The two children downstairs are trying their best not to make any noise, thinking that I am asleep, and everytime they needed to come up and use the toilet or go in their rooms, I could hear my daughter telling her brother "ssshhhhh, mum is asleep, be quiet"... how thoughtful of her, both did not realize I am already awake, and so silly of me, seeing that it is still bright outside (SUMMERTIME IN UK) made me think it's still early. I only realized when my daughter knocked on our door to ask if I am waking up because she is hungry.... Poor girl, so I rushed down to find, there's no quick fix, so I just experimented on few bits and pieces I could get in the fridge... and presto! t'was a hit. When my husband came home, we all enjoyed dinner, though non of us could name what I've just cooked. In fact, I've taken a photo of it while it's hot. Here it is.

href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1hlCnz_xSGQ/SDH8uWX2uFI/AAAAAAAAAGA/OIDHeURz_GE/s1600-h/DSC02212.JPG">

Thank You Bro

Nakakahiya mang aminin, pero I am very neophyte to the virtual world. If I haven't started blogging, I am forever unable to read the messages that my friends and family in Friendsters has sent me from the time I have created it. Duh!!!! Just like the one thank you message above sent to me by my brother..... I would not have known what it was until I learned to copy and open it. There are so many other more, but I'll better keep it for myself. The point is, I learned something nice and technical today. Yippppeeeeee!!!!!!! Hep, hep hurraayyyyy.

Mother's Day

Friendster - familia alejandria: "
Another card from a family in USA, only opened today. Thank you very much.

"

Birthday Card

This was a virtual card sent to my daughter Jessica on her 10th Birthday on May 12. Imagine, we are only able to open it today. Anyway, maybe late, but greatly appreciated. Thanks Evangel.

Myspace Happy Birthday Comments


Happy Birthday Jesicca..Greetings coming frm..Nanay & Tatay...and also me Tito Evangel...be a good girl palagi ha!!!God Bleess you!!!!"

I'll Pay You.

Last Sunday, we went to London, and on our way back to Ipswich, it was my turn to drive, and it's my rule that if I'm behind the wheels, the two kids should shut up or sleep kasi madali akong ma irritate. Anyway, okey naman ang journey namin, but as soon as we entered the roundabout from A12 to Ipswich, Jessica suddenly noticed and said;

Jessica: look Daddy, James made a hole in the back seat
Daddy: Now look what you've done, James!!! Humanda ka mamaya sa bahay ha, dumapa ka!
James: No please, Dad, I'm sorry.....
Daddy: Hindi, dumapa ka....
James: Nohhhh (mangiyak-ngiyak), please
Daddy: Anong No? Dapa ka, sumusobra ka na, di ka na kasi nakakatikim, eh!
James: No (iyak, hikbi..) I'LL PAY YOU....

Made me laugh to death, as well as everybody. James was already teared down, but laughed at what he himself said, which brought him para lumobo yung ilong nya dahil nagkataon na may sipon din sya.

Picnic at Easton Farm Park

Just having a nice picnic, munching sandwich, cheese, crisps, boiled egg, ice cream, sausages, and what have you, under the sun. Great and inexpensive way to bond. It would surprise you when kids talk. Just listen, and you would learn a lot from them.

Jessica, James, and Friend Alex on their busy tractors while roaming the farm.

Jessica and James trying to climb that giant tree. Whoever gets up first will be told off big time. Tigas ng ulo!!!Pag nalaglag kayo, kuba kayo forever. Hala, babA!

Me, carrying this goat, really cuddly. Just wishing to have a farm like this one day.

Jessica and James busy working, feeding the animals

New Pair of Shoes

After driving these two around and trying to find a place where I could exhaust their energy,
I have actually found myself a couple of nice girly pair of shoes.















Well, my daughter got herself two nice girly bags, while my son got himself some toys and art stuff.


Then we have a bit of dinner just before heading home.

Afterall, we had a great morning until midafternoon fun by Clacton on Sea Pier rides and Ice Cream. Definitely sorted them out. Soon after we arrived home, I haven't heard any argument on who's going to brush teeth first, or who's gonna get the milk out of the fridge or who's turn it is to get the glasses for the milk. What a relief!!!!!.

If you have a boy and a girl of ages like mine, everyday is a battle. Saying that, I do not know life without them. I can only say, I have such a wonderful life with them.

Insecurities

Summertime is here and it's so nice, bright coloured tops and bottoms displayed in so many shops, and I could not help myself from getting few pieces to add into my wardrobe. To my dismay, recently, I have inspected my legs and saw more varicose veins bulging. I am only in my mid 30's, but how come I've got so many? So difinitely shorts are off, no matter how fashionable they are. Then I tried to put my two piece bikini on from last year, looked at the mirror, again, I needed new one, not because it's old, but because I could see few more bulging belly coming out, so no more two pieces, definitely just a straight one, plus a sarong, would do the trick, I told myself.
Walking around town the other day, bright and sunny, I shouldn't think so bad about myself, there are people who just do it, wearing things comfortably, and yes, compared to mine, they have worst varicose veins, big bellies, not so good legs, but how come, I can't???? Hey, out there, have you got a medicine for insecurities? I need it badly. Should drug manufacturer think of making insecurity pills, well, if they created many for depression, can I not have one for my disability? Disabled to wear shorts and mini skirts, Disabled to wear sleeveless tops, disabled to wear anything daring? There must be something wrong with my head, and paracetamol does not help...... Perhaps, ....................................................I could do better with blogging. Yet, should you know a thing, buzz me.

Extra Large

You'd better believe me when I say this, because I would not exaggerate. I have today, I looked after a very huge middle aged man. Being a nurse, I have taken care of different shaped and sized people, but it was my first time to see a 34 year old man with a BMI (body mass index) of 59 which is around 200kg..... and it's not muscle, it's all FAT!!! I could not think of how he got into this size, he's only young 34. Well, at least, he is in the hospital to tackle this problem, he has had a gastric bypass. And whilst in the hospital, he brought with him his own chair, and his own commode, because, although he is mobile, he wouldn't fit into an ordinary chair, or even toilet seat therefore he has to have something made for him. And to get things exciting, he is married and have four children. And his wife????, a mere UK size 10. Just wondering, imagine them two in bed, can she still breathe? Anyway, I am just a nurse, my brains shouldn't go that far ahead. sssshhhhhhh. Mind you, no offense to anyone, I just could not believe that our body could stretch that big.

This is Shadow, our beautiful guinea pig. He lives with two rabbits and all them three loved terrorizing our shed house at the back garden, probably because there is their food and home. Bow is such a character, that, even almost a quarter smaller than the two rabbits, he's the boss... He can call our attention by calling out so loud everytime he senses that anyone of us is around, while the two rabbits just wait quietly. He screams Wit, wit, wit, wit, wittttttttt. And often, I answer back Wit, wit, wit, wit, witttttttttt. and give them all their favorite cucumber. Huh, the joys of having a pet....endless.

Kung minsan, di ko maiwasan MAINIS!

I am Filipino by heart, by blood, by upbringing, and ways. Although I am living and working in the United Kingdom, together with my family, I could not deny my roots, and I am not trying to, not even thought of it. But, often, when I watch broadcasts and news from the Philippines, I can not help myself from being annoyed of how economics is going on. Our economy has declined, and continues to do so. It's is so painful to think that as an OFW, part of our job is to send home money because we have got love ones. All we wanted is to share to them what we have. Yes, and we do this without grudge. We are not rich, or well off. We live just like any other people around. We pay tax, tax, tax, tax, and neverending tax, and if we don't go the extra mile of doubling our time for work, or getting another job, we end up with nothing left in our pockets but debts adding up in our credit cards. But as a natural Filipino, we are as hardworking and tough as ever. All we see is the monetary reward we could get during payday, so our kapatid, Nanay, Tatay, pamangkin, inaanak, lolo, lola, tita, tito, anak, bunso, kuya, ate, kapitbahay, boyfriend, or whoever we think is especial, can feel that indeed they are special to us through sending them some sort of allowance or gift. And the joy that it brings them is enough thank you, afterall, we do not ask for any return.

The main reason I am discussing this matter in my blog is to ask where does the money go after it leaves our love one's pockets? My family there usually spends it back to the Philippine markets, which means, that money goes back to the Philippine economic circulation. Imagine, how many overseas Filipino people send money home every month? How much money do they send in total each time? How much of this money is brought to the Philippine economic circulation? Why on earth can't I see any improvement to our economy?

I was just watching the crisis of rice going on a few weeks back, and our government there looked so stupid from watching them from here. They argue, they discuss, they try to formulate solution to the crisis, but at the end of it all, crisis remained the same. I feel so sorry for those people who needed to queue for a long time under the heat of the sun to get just a couple kilo of rice, and they have to do it over again the following day. I honestly say it is very stupid, ridiculous and revolting. Why on earth can't the government take over in distributing this staple in an easier way? Being the government, they should have authority and control, and of course the resources to make this process better and more convenient. I suppose, I will be routed back to the old and unchanging reason the government have "Walang Budget Para Dyan." Argument finished. So, you'd better shut up. Fine, whatever. But still there's this burning call from within me to call upon my co Filipino overseas worker to think about our contribution to our Philippine economy. We should come forward and be heard and influence the decisions our government makes. Afterall, we are the ones that bring greatest flow of money to them. And I believe, we all have the desire, that someday, we go home and retire there. Of course, of the years we live our life abroad, we get used to the ease of doing our daily chores, and when that time comes, we think it's nicer because in the Ph, we can get yaya, helper, or anybody... and we could live a quiet and peaceful life. But what about those people who have always been poor? You can not blame them, because of their status, they could not get education, and the reasons piles up like the gulong ng palad, paikot-ikot, minsan nas itaas, minsan nasa ilalim. But did you ever thought that that gulong (wheel) will someday gets pudpod (thin)? and becomes useless. Poor gulong, never experienced a better life. From the moment it decided to become the wheel, it carried a whole load all its life.

day out

this photo was taken on our simple day out to the beach

and this


and this!!!!!

Pasahe
Sa Isang Jeep

Pasahero: Mama, Magkano Po Yung Pasahe?

Driver: 7.50 Yung Minimum

Pasahero: (Dumukot Ito Sa Bulsa Para Kunin Yung Pera Niya, Ngunit sa Di Sinasadyang Dahilan Kulang Yung Pamasahe Niya.) Patay, Kulang Yung Pera Ko. Paano Kaya Ito? (Nag Isip Ito At Lumingon Sa Driver. Napansin Niya Na Duling Ito. Sabi Niya Sa Kanyang Sarili, Tama Duling Yung Driver Sigurado Pag Nagbigay Ako Ng 3.75 di Niya Mapapansin Na Kulang Yung Pera Ko. Kasi Doble Yung Paningin Nito. Inabot Niya Sa Driver Yung Pera.

Ngunit Laking Gulat Niya Nung May Sinabi Yung Driver Sa Kanya.

Driver: Kulang Ito!

Pasahero: Anong Kulang? Di Ba Sabi Mo 7.50 Yung Minimum?

Driver: Oo Nga 7.50 eh Dalawa Kaya Kayo.

Patay! Akala Mo Lusot Kana ha?

Sender: Sargentlover@yahoo.com
copy from pinoy jokes

And More!

Siyempre, Winner!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi folks, as promised, I will tell you of what has happened on the basketball game last Saturday. Ipswich Tigers (our team) won against Barangay WJM by 20 points. That's a huge tambak to their group. Ang sakit-sakit. Arayyyyyy! They were not able to catch up, Tigers already scored well above from the very first quarter, talagang di na nakabawi, ni hindi nga nagawang makalamang man lang kahit isang point lang at anytime. Anyway, just to be fair, wala kasi silang mga cheerer, whilst us, talagang kita ang suporta ng mga nanunuod. We also have pompoms, and children cheering and screaming for their dads. And their energy is so contagious, making the mums to dance with them, too, despite hesitations, di na napigil. Hala labas ang giant braso at bilbil. Di bale, worth it. Panalo naman.

Here are the Pics. Only few, kasi pati ako, isa na rin sa mga nag-cheer kaya nakalimutang mag take ng photos.

Joke lang

Why Did the Chicken Cross The Road
By Juan Walker
Posted: Jan 13, 2001
www.gin.ph

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER: To get to the other side.

CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has gone before.

SIGMUND FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.

BILL GATES: I will soon release the new Chicken Office 2002, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook.

CHARLES DARWIN: Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected and evolved over time in such a way that they are now genetically endowed with the capabilities required to cross roads.

RALPH WALDO EMERSON: The chicken did not cross the road. It transcended it.

BILL CLINTON: I did not, repeat, did not have sexual relations with the chicken.

ERAP: Ang media ang may kasalanan diyan!

MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO: " Aha! I know it! That chicken crossed the road to provoke me. I move to permanently hold in contempt that chicken. I request for a restraining order, your honor, so that the chicken would not be able to cross the road again!"

RAMON REVILLA: "I concur, your honor. You see, may timbangan ako ng manok sa bahay. Doon ko nga nalaman na 96 grams ang 1000 na bills ng 1000 pesos tomake 1 million pesos. See 96 grams? 96 grams talaga! Malapit yun sa isang kilo...eh sa 96 grams talaga eh...Pero huwag nyo akong tanungin kung ilang kilo ang manok na nagcross ng road. Eh, di ko nakilo eh. I guess, takot syang pakilo. Baka kulang sya ng 96grams. In short, kulang sya ng isang kilo."

EMMA LIM: Para po uminom ng iced tea, your honor!

CHAVIT SINGSON: Eh, nililito nyo lang po ako, your honor. Di ko alam kung bakit nagcross yun ng road. Wala naman sa ledger ko kung bakit. Nililito nyo lang po ako. Nililito nyo lang po talaga ako.

CLARISSA OCAMPO: It crossed the road to go to the office of, I am sorry, Mr. Estelito Mendoza.

ESTELITO MENDOZA: Whether I will quit as a defense lawyer of the president or not, shall depend upon the decision of the president himself, not the crossing of the road by the chicken.

RAUL ROCO: It is a noble profession to be a chicken and to cross that road!

CHIEF JUSTICE HILARIO DAVIDE: Unless there is an objection, the chicken can cross that road.

Migration or Migrating?

I can relate to what is going on currently here in the UK, seems that most of the Filipino Nurses, who were once very excited to come here, are slowly finding their way to other countries such as Australia, Canada, and the USA. I even heard that someone went to Dubai, UAE, following becoming British. Apparently, there's more income oppurtunity over there. Well, I can't argue enough. I could not deny the cost of living here in the UK...it is very, very expensive. A litre of petrol now is over a £1.00, whilst couple of years back, it's only 50p, meaning all the prices have gone double. Our weekly grocery now costs around £80-100, and that only includes fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy, bread and daily needs for pack lunches of the kids and myself. This budget does not include the bulky stuffs such as washing powders, home cleaning agents, and clothes. It used to be just around fifty pounds. Yes, prices have definitely doubled, yet our salary have only increased by around 4% in total since we're here. Disgusting isn't it? A pity!!!!!


I am also thinking of migrating to Canada, after doing some weighing up between Australia, New Zealand, US, and Canada. Four years back, I have started to apply to the US, and submitted all the requirements, and when I finally got my ATT for the NCLEX, I just lost interest. I honestly don't know what happened then. Soon as I got the letter, I just set it aside, and kept quiet. I didn't regret my decision, in fact, I felt relieved. Although I have loving family and friends and people that I knew living and working in the US, they are not enough reason that I should go there as well. So USA is out immediately. New Zealand, I tried to contemplate about,but does not sound so appealing to me. Australia, better. Wider place, nearer the PH and nice sunny weather, yet I can not see myself in there, under. Looking at the globe and maps and imagining myself and my head pop up from that huge land does not show a good outlook. Huh, seems weird, but that's how I feel. I have lots of friends and colleagues that are already there and obviously said about nice things about it, but still, these news would not get me there. And lastly, Canada. Easy decision, because there's nothing left...... No. I have to evaluate and compare it to the UK, read forums and blogs about it, just like what I've done with the others, and presto, Canada weighs far beyond the others. I have based my decision on the lifestyle. I am a kind of person that wants a laid back, quiet, yet accessible life. Where my kids can grow up and enjoy the wonders and scenes that God made. I do appreciate that each country have something to offer in this category, but I feel that Canada has got more to offer than anyone else. My husband and kids agree with me about this and we are all getting excited. And the best thing is: We all have promised each other that, should we make a mistake in going to Canada, no one is to be blamed. We must, otherwise, support and work together to make it work, and if not, we can easily go back to the UK.

Basketball

Well, tomorrow will be an exciting event for most of the Ipswich Filipino Community because of the basketball league being held in Cambridge. There is a hardfight between two Ipswich teams, the Ipswich Tigers and Barangay WJM. Ipswich Tigers is my husband's group and Barangay WJM is the other group headed by Erwin Manan.

Both groups have two wins and one loss, so this is definitely a close fight. And guess what, the wives and children are getting so excited, too. Of course they should be there to cheer and support their husbands'. I don't know about myself, feeling this rough doesn't help, just praying hard I'd be there to take good shots.If that is the case, then I shall be able to post nice pics in here. Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!!!! including the latest gossips, you know, just like celebrity players, our local teams have lots of it, too. Hep, Hep, Horrahhh, Ipswich Tigers Champion na. Hep, hep, horeeyyyy, panalo na kami... ang kalaban walang silbi!!!!!

Still Ill

Unfortunately folks, I am still feeling under the weather. I could not get comfortable last night trying to get some sleep. I ache all over, especially my headache, it's bad. Paracetamol 1g doesn't help me anymore. I feel shivery inside, but firey on the outside....to be honest, I can't explain it, and I keep on sneezing. It is flu, I guess. I am not allowed to take Ibuprofen either due to my asthma, therefore I kindly asked my husband to give me a massage, which did help a bit, and I woke up this morning feeling the same (at least I had some sleep).



The sunshine outside is so nice and inviting, but just going down the stairs is so unsafe for me at this time, I feel everything is spinning.

I tried to eat, but I could only take chicken noodles which is absolutely tasteless as well. I have to decide that I should eat, to make me better. In this situation, I need more energy to fight this. As a nurse, I should know this better. And I am drinking plenty of fluids too.

Anyway, to cheer me up, I will just upload this turkey and fruit photos I have taken myself, and boy, don't they look professionally done? I am just glad technology nowadays are getting better each time, and my camera is one of them. Although I love to take photos, I just do not have that professional touch, should I say should I try harder to get that extra edge?

This is Jessica on a morning ready to go to school. Taken from in front of our house.

This is James playing in the park whilst there is some snow. The trick is, when it snows, play while it is fresh. Do not wait when it's melting, otherwise you will just slip.

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introducing my kids, jessica and james

This photo was taken when we were so excited we have nice sunshine on the day so we went to Colchester Zoo unplanned, but by midday, the sun is scorching hot, my James got so grumpy..... and everytime he does, he looked so much of a photocopy of my husband. What a life a woman has. You already have to put up with your husband's tantrums, then you will have to deal to yet another one like him? Well, I am not complaining, they are still the greatest blessing I ever had. I'm just lucky that my daughter looked like me, so I have got a fair share. YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!

Off sick

It is my day off today from a night shift yesterday morning, but felt so ill that I could not even get up from bed, and when I did, the world around me was spinning. My husband got the two kids ready and send them to school, and when they're gone, I'd tried to go downstairs to see what I can have for breakfast - there's sunny side up egg, bacon, toast, and baked beans. All are nicely presented, but the thought that I will be sick afterwards put me off. So instead, I just grabbed a bottle of water from the garage (not used as a garage, but a stock room) and a liter of tropicana orange juice from the fridge. This should sustain me all day, I guess, than being sick, which I hate terribly. Just think of my diaphragm muscle aching afterwards!!!! Huh, no way.....

Anyway, I felt so rough that I have to call my workplace and let them know I could not make it tomorrow for a 12-hour shift on a day. I don't think I would get better so soon. Our nurse in charge could sense it from my voice, I do not have to explain. I took paracetamol this morning, which made me feel a bit better, plus our aircon on full blast. Saying that, as a normally active and early person, lying in bed here make my back achy... what I am gonna do?

Blogging after a Night shift...Nightmare.

Being a nurse in ICU is such a rewarding career, but of course, there's this one thing that I could not really get on.... And that is doing a night shift. No matter how quiet the shift was or how fun the night has been after catching up the latest gossip from a colleague, soon as I finish the shift, I feel so rotten. I keep telling myself, I should get used to this following over ten years of nursing experience... but hey, it is always the same. Yeah, there's always chance of career change, but I honestly do love ICU nursing....I do, I do, I do. No matter how much I tell myself not to, but I do, I do. Probably, will retire doing the same thing.

Anyway, now that I have started blogging, I have something to look forward to opening my laptop when I get home aside from reading the latest news frontpage. I don't mind it today because it is my day off from this morning and I have got nothing to do. Hah, the kids are at school, and my hubby...o my beloved hubby, he's gone to work, bless him. He has got a business and owns his time therefore often I arrive from work seeing him doing his accounts or his marketing from home, but today he is not here.... He has actually gone to his warehouse, and guess what when I checked in the kitchen, there's also breakfast ready. How sweet! There's scrambled egg, fried eggplant, and dilis (anchovies)... SARAAAAPPPP (deliciousssssss). Here I am again, lost the appetite to try the latest diet craze I've been thinking for the last few days. My friends keep telling me I have double my size and I need to lose it ASAP. That is really cruel, but in fact is true. And to retalliate to them I often say, "yeah, I know I need to lose weight, but dieting is not part of it!" I would rather excercise... but then I have once joined a gym, but only attended times counted by my fingers in one hand, and gave up. My poor husband once convinced me to join him jogging, as he loves running and basketball, which I kindly gave into. You know what happened? I was walking halfway through, mind more the going back! Such a pity to myself, my legs are in so much pain I have to go off sick the following day. I honestly could not walk. But now, I am getting better each time. Who knows, I will lose few pounds and get comfortable wearing summery clothes soon. Afterall, summer is here.

Welcome

Hello to the one reading this blog. Your visit is very much appreciated because this is my very first attempt to blog. You may notice the difference in how I introduced and wrote on this one. In fact I have been wanting to create a blog for years following having fun reading other people's blogs. Not only having fun, but also getting interesting information about almost anything. Yes, it really does help a lot in learning little things everyday. Anyway, I better introduce myself before I get too excited.

Well, foremost, my name is Mary. I am 32 years old, married, and have two children. I am a nurse by profession and working in the intensive care unit of one of the UK's NHS Trust. I am born Filipino, yet now obtained, together with my family, British Citizenship. I would say, I am honest, humble, God-fearing woman. Also a passionate mum to my two kids, and a very loving wife to my husband and responsible and helpful daughter to my parents and a truly dependable friend to my brothers and sister. A loyal person, and always looks to the bright side of everything. I always say: "Everyday and everything is beautiful as soon as you decided it will be." No matter how dull and gray a moment is, once you made up your mind that it will be better, it will be better, isn't it?

I am interested in general information, I love to share ideas about things that will make our lives easier, and surfing the net during my free time.