Reunion

Finally in Dubai, after months of waiting for the darn visa to arrive. Welcome to the world of domestic chores and what nots. It is indeed a different level of maturity. It really takes an adult to be able to cope up with the daily challenges, and a child [in you] to keep it spicy. Being with Alain changed me a lot and has taught me to see the world in a whole new light. Well, I still have no work, yet, so the challenge for now is quite little. Wait till I come home from an eight hour job, prepare and cook dinner, also for breakfast the next day and "baon" for lunch, and do that everyday.....then there's the ironing, the laundry, the sweeping, the folding....How comeit sounds like a line from Cinderella?? HAHA, nevertheless, it's all good.

Wig and Moustache Night

Halloween here we come!

This is the best we can come up with despite the limited resources.
Aviator shades from the dashboard. Scissors from our bags.
Cheap synthetic hair.
Viola!

A Stranger In the House

Around July 2008, my husband's mother took in a nephew from Taguig, who was said to be in the hots for some gang members in their place. He was to stay in their residence in Tagum, until further notice.

I met Ronnie** last September 3 when my family visited my in-laws and took Kaw-Kaw (Alain's adopted dog from Emily) home. Ronnie was quite the normal teenage boy, but there was something off, when he came home in the afternoon, drenched from the rain. He said he went to feed the chickens, when Mamang asked where he had been, and went directly to his room. I shrugged it off, thinking maybe he was tired from running all the way home to avoid the heavy rain.

Fast forward to September 28, at 4 in the morning. I was awakened by the ringing of my phone. A text message from Alain. I wondered, why was he still up at this time? So, in the dark I read his 2 paged-SMS: "....Buy Kyla a cake, it's her birthday today, they're going to Davao....Kuya's family will be transferring to another house now...Ronnie came home one night, drunk and threatened Ruda....." Even though I was sleepy my mind quickly tried to comprehend every word. I think I read it twice. And I was even wondering who Ronnie was...then slowly it all came together. I told myself to sleep it off and call Alain in the morning, and ask about it. Later, I found out, that that was all he knew! (I even complained at him from not being too nosy when it came to topics like these) Anyway, I was meeting up with Ruda, Kuya and the kids in the afternoon, by then I could quench my thirst for details!

We met up at KFC. Lady was with me and was also eager to hear the story straight hand. I gave the cake and the gift to Kyla, told them I brought my DVD player for Papang but left it in the car, so we adults left the kids to their granma and walked to the parking lot to get it. Opportunity! I asked Ruda about it immediately.

She was chopping ingredients for fried rice that was for breakfast the next day. At around 12 midnight, Ronnie came home, drunk and perhaps, high on drugs, too. He went to the kitchen and took out a pot to cook what Ruda had prepared.

Ruda told him to cook something else, for that was supposedly for the kids baon to school. Ronnie got irritated and answered sarcastically, "Di ko na nga lulutuin yan! Di na." Ruda, too tired to argue told In-in, another cousin, to tell Ronnie not to cook it and go find something else to eat and went upstairs.

That blew Ronnie's head off! He grabbed the kitchen knife and headed for the stairs, shouting, "Tingnan lang natin sino ang unang paglalamayan!", In-in tried to stop him, "Makukulong ka kung itutuloy mo yan", "Bahala na! Basta, di ako ang unang paglalamayan!", Ronnie answered back. By this, In-in pushed Ronnie, and somehow got hold of the knife.

Ruda didn't go into detail what happened after that. The next morning, they were arranging Ronnie's flight back home to Taguig. Mamang and her brother (Ronnie's father) talked on the phone about the incident. Through that, they learned that he actually had stabbed someone in Manila, that's why he was sent to Tagum for hiding. Also, he was addicted to drugs. They also discovered that there (in Tagum) were nights where he left left the house at 2 am to sleep over at a neighbor who somehow lost his mind because of drug addiction. The people he hangs out with are known to be users, too. Boy, was it time to send the boy packing!

Alain was so pissed at what happened, that he lectured about having relatives at home who bring total headaches and dangerous surprises. In his words, "Ang mga anak gani, wala naghatag ug sakit sa ulo, tapos ang ubang tao pa ang magdalag problema na ingana." So true, even if it's family: daughter, nephew, aunt, cousin, (or even friends for that matter) you never know what they hide inside their closets, well, that is, until you live with them, though.

As of now, Ronnie is set to fly back to Manila this Wednesday. Kuya and Ruda are going to live in a separate house soon. Maybe that is what pains Alain more, them, moving out. Kuya said, it was already being planned out, and because of what happened, things sorta sped up, too.

Time, I guess, ripens everything.

My Maki Kimbap

Went to the grocery today and decided to make Korean Kimbap! It's sushi roll in English and obenko in Japanese. Made some when I was still tutoring Koreans, and they taught me well!

Ingredients:

2 cups of steamed white rice
1 1/2 tbsp of olive oil 5 seaweed sheets
5 crab meat strips cut in half
1 mango fruit, sliced and cut to strips
1 can tuna in oil, drained
1 cucumber sliced into strips
mayonnaise

The Making:

Steam rice with olive oil, and let cool after. While waiting for the rice, start preparing the crab meet, mango, tuna and cucumber and put them all in one plate. Lay one seaweed sheet on a bamboo mat, if you don't have one, you can use any clean flat surface. Spread the rice thinly over the seaweed (Leave an inch on the top and bottom empty to give space for the rolling). Put the crab meat, cucumber, mango and tuna at the center. Put mayonnaise on top of it. Lift the bottom end to cover the ingredients and start rolling. If the end won't stick, put a little water. Make sure you roll it tightly. Cut the roll in half and start slicing! Serve on a plate. You might want to make a "dip" for the kimbap to add taste and flavor:

• Sesame oil - 1tbsp
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Sugar - 1 tsp
  
• Vinegar - 1tbsp

Viola! enjoy!!

I Hate Waiting

Right now, I should have been basking in the desert sun.

Should have been seating like a pig on a street in the Middle East.

Should have started using my new lappytoppy and chatting away with friends from afar.

Should have been beside Atot, while he's reading his IELTS Review Book.

Should have seen Jumeira Beach and danced with its strong waves.

Should have met Von and the rest of the guys he lives with.

Should have gone shopping! [hahaha. peace Atot]

Should have been crying like hell for missing mommy and daddy.

Should have been on that plane ride and have read Breaking Dawn all through out the flight.

Should have been off to a new start.


If only we could speed up things that are actually beyond us. If only!!!

Recall

You never get used to the pain.

Browsing through my older blogs, had me stumble upon an entry dated December 23, 2007.

It has been almost 9 months now since she passed away. Yesterday, while waiting for Emily to arrive at Gaisano Mall, I saw Ate Din-din and tita. An hour after, I saw Randell. Seeing her family and ex-boyfriend in one place had me quite weirded out, I tried to recalling, was I supposed to do something? or perhaps remember something about Betchie? Maybe she wanted me to remember something...but it wasnt a special day yesterday. Hmmmm. My mind roamed for a while and finally settled with the thought of visiting her and bringing flowers! Tomorrow, I'd go see her. Maybe I could bring Emily, Amie and Leng, too!

Chie....I miss you.

Crappy Movie

Mommy really wanted to go see that new movie of KC COncepcion and Richard Gutierrez. OMG. Talk about being so crappy, the movie ha, not mom! No climax! KC's voice was monotonous even. You woudn't know if she was in pain or was whispering a secret. OMG again. It was like stepping on the breaks every 10 seconds! The flow was going everywhere! Coherence? I think ---zero. Was it really that Joyce Bernal who directed that? I thought she was quite good. Maybe it was the bad acting that covered up the whole "act".

Words are not enough. For those who have not seen it and are planning on watching. Save your money for something else worthy.

Photographic Memory

I am trying to absorb everything!

The road to Lougemmar Village. The sky dotted with stars. Coconut trees, too! Cow shit, cat shit, dog shit with the red plastic [eeww haha] Victoria Plaza. Gaisano Mall. Torres Street. Bonsai. Carmen-Jumbo. my bedroom and all the dust it collects. my books who would get lonely without me. my ultra fast as lightning PC. mommy's dance. daddy's weird smile. my pupils. barkers of jeepneys. taho. balot. penoy. autoload and e-load. pandesal. tricycle. samal island. talicud, too! shrine. SM. Central Convenience Store. talipapa. boulevard. obrero. agdao. malunggay. Claveria. Roxas. San Pedro. Kwek-kwek. lubak sa kalye. Sparkol. Tabatha. Popoy. Green. grade III - del pilar. estribo. Red Horse.

Trying to put them all in one clear vision inside my head.

No "Gay-er" Than This

I have always wanted a gay friend. Not the type who wears skirts, puts on make up and appears to be more of a girl than I usually am. No. A gay friend who is smart enough to know that men can sometimes take advantage of almost everything. Who knows the true essence of being a woman and will bring out the best in you. Not be your rival for the hot guy at the next table. Or will embarrass you in public. No, definitely not.

God gave me one! :D

I met Hanz 2 years ago from work. We were both teachers in this school, and realized that we are actually neighbors! 4 houses apart for the last 6 years! We have not crossed paths, since I never go out on the street since Lady moved to Cebu. I only noticed his twin brother, Bruce [passing by our house], who is his exact opposite! Athletic, slim and chinito, while Hanz is chubby, like me! Round cherub face, like an angel if he is trying to be nice. Haha. He is also smart and wise most of the time. People actually get scared of him, though. He can get pretty nasty with his tongue when someone pisses him off, or when he just wants to piss you off! He falls in love real hard! I've seen it. With baby Nana and with a few guys too. It may not be obvious to everyone but he goes all out for friends he really cares about. He can be very frank, too (did I mention the tongue already?) There are times when he can bring me to tears, out of my frustration and embarrassment, and would immediately be apologetic after seeing that he has succeeded in making me irritated. That's Hanz. And that's the way he shows you that he loves you.u.

We were sisters, right from the start. Even though I thought he was straight the first time I laid eyes on him. Eeeew. Hahahaha.

The Power of Positivity

I got this from my highschool yahoogroup email. And I just wanna spread the love! It is the greatest thing to feel and share. Be happy!

******

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment.
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
Let'sHaveFun. ..


LET'S DANCE!

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly,
Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
And never regret anything that made you smile.

Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we're here we should
DANCE!


BUT REMEMBER THE FACTS OF LIFE

The most destructive habit (Worry)
The greatest Joy (Giving)
The greatest loss (Loss of self-respect)
The most satisfying work (Helping others)
The ugliest personality trait (Selfishness)
The most endangered species (Dedicated leaders)
Our greatest natural resource (Our youth)
The greatest "shot in the arm (Encouragement)
The greatest problem to overcome (Fear)
The most effective sleeping pill (Peace of mind)
The most crippling failure disease (Excuses)
The most powerful force in life (Love)
The most dangerous pariah (A gossiper )
The world's most incredible computer (The brain)
The worst thing to be without (Hope)
The deadliest weapon (The tongue)
The two most power-filled words (I Can)
The greatest asset (Faith)
The most worthless emotion (Self-pity)
The most beautiful attire (A SMILE)
The most prized possession (Integrity)
The most contagious spirit (Enthusiasm)

AND ALSO REMEMBER:

THE TONGUE CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMY!

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have
power to create conditions in your life.

What you speak about, you can bring about.
If you keep saying you can't stand your job,
you might lose your job.

If you keep saying you can't stand your body,
your body can become sick.

If you keep saying you can't stand your car,
your car could be stolen or just stop operating.

If you keep saying you're broke, guess what?
You'll always be broke.

If you keep saying you can't trust people,
you'll always have someone in your life to hurt
and betray you.

If you keep saying you can't find a job,
you will remain unemployed.

If you keep saying you can't find someone
to love you or believe in you,
you will attract more experiences to confirm
your beliefs.

If you keep talking about a divorce or breaking up
then you might just end up with it.

Turn your thoughts and conversations around
to be more positive and power packed with
faith, hope, love and action.

Don't be afraid to believe that you can have
what you want and deserve.

Watch your Thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your Habits, they become character.
Watch your Character, it becomes your Destiny.

The minute you settle for less than you deserve,
you get even less than you settle for.

Thought I would share this with you.
"In the search for me, I discovered truth.
In the search for truth, I discovered love.
In the search for love, I discovered GOD.
And in God, I have found Everything.

Be Blessed & BLESS Others - SHARE THIS!

Watch how your circumstances and situations
begin to change when you change the way you speak.

Pass this on to as many people as you can so
they can change their lives, too.

"Life is like melted butter. . .once things
cool down, it can be reshaped!"

"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me."

Pass this on to your loved ones and Let them DANCE!

Heartbreak Night

Went out last night with Emily, Elaine, and Amie. We all met up at Taps Torres to have dinner. It was bowling night after all! We can't go with empty tummies. Except for Leng, who just ate a cookie that Emily baked.

We were all set to play and bash some pins to the ground. I was with three broken-hearted women, and there's nothing more to expect but serious lashings and angry throws of balls. Heavy balls, mind you. We teamed up:

Leng and Amie = The Heartbreakers vs. Nya and Emily = The Broken Face

At first it looked like the Beijing 2008 was hapnin there: China, Chinese Taipei, Singapore and Dubai. [Do I really look like an Arab already, Mie!?] But we settled with the "breaking" team names. It sounded more, uhm, appropriate. The first set was a tie! 125-125. Emily was quite good! and I was failing myself, haha. But the second set, where Elaine was playing well, made it 133 - 97, the Heartbreakers won.

After getting freshened up, we decided to pick up George, our remaining cute guy friend, and headed to Jickongs at Torres. Maan, it was packed on a Wednesday night! Lots of hot men walking around and a few good looking women, according to George. Haha. Emily got sooo drunk with the Margarita and Redhorse. It made her so happy and quiet. We liked that part! Coz usually she gets all hyper and talks really really loud. But then, she started to cry. All of us were talking about moving on, and she deserving someone way better! Aww. If only it were easier said than actually doing it. But we can't help a broken heart. Only distract for a few moments.

New Skin

Alibata alphabet:
ka ta pa tan

I have taken on a new skin! Yes. A new skin.

Something that my hubby would also be taking on, once I get to Dubai!


**The chinese character on the upper left means peace. Done in Hongkong last May 20.

The Oasis Awaits

I finally decided to really do this blog thing --- seriously. My upcoming move to Dubai will definitely be a marker in this lifetime so I'm up for writing down all the events that would happen in that strange city. Now, I feel like Santiago in The Alchemist, but instead of the pyramids, it is just the oasis up in front of me, with Fatima waiting for his return. You see, my husband works as an engineer in a construction company. It has been two years since he started out and for his third year there, we have decided to make me a part of that Santiago-ish journey of his.

I will be leaving by August 28. It is more real now, having an exact date, instead of just having the month. Before, August loomed ahead, and I was half dreading and half excited about it. Mom and dad would be left behind, with no one to drive for them and what nots. I am their only child and they are in their 70's and 60's already. Now that I think about it, it saddens me thinking that I won't be by their side, and vice versa. Leading such a sheltered life has its perks, you know! And all these times, I was so bent on having my independence and eager to actually start living MY life. And now that I am about to do it, I somehow feel --- I don't know what exactly that feeling is. Oh I am such a lousy liar, I feel sad!!! In its most simple meaning. Sad. Twenty-five years of living with mom and dad surely is a warm and happy place... and made me what I am today. This transition from being the daughter to being the wife needs a lot of practice, if I may say so myself! Haha. What I need to focus on right now is that I will be reunited with my loving hubby and that we will be starting anew in that far away place that soon will be home, too.

Oh, Nya!! Grow up!



**Note: This is actually a re-enactment of mommy and daddy's love story, anyway! But I'll write about that next time.

Utopia

The teacher's table had the best seat in the house. The window beside it gave a suburban view that was typically, well, suburban. Windy and quiet, except for a few occasional tricycles who drop off residents in the area. Looking outside gave a sense of serenity, it was as if you are being transported to a faraway place of peace and happiness.

The other side of that view was somewhat quite the contrary. Similar to a jungle, where chairs were facing at all directions with papers and notebooks carelessly left underneath them. Not even the threat of having them thrown out would scare them into being arranged neatly. Ever. Earlier, the view had the noisy buzz of children excited to turn in their papers after racing to finish them off. Not minding whether they wrote a more sensible answer, if not the correct one atleast. It was hard to contain them since an angry mood would result to a heavy heart and a headache. So the children were left alone to frolic in what seemed to be their little paradise a.k.a. the classroom. Playful banter, loud laughter, a few friendly punches were exchanged all throughout the morning. Silence fell only for atleast twenty minutes where everybody's brain were contemplating over malleability and volume. A sigh of relief indeed, for it was the perfect time where one can look outside the big window and feel as if seeing it for the first time. Innocence is definitely bliss. But when you'd turn your head and look at the faces of the children, you'd expect to see that same naivete, but would only realize that they somehow managed to lose it somewhere in Grade 2.

Suddenly the buzzing begins, because of this child doing this to that child and that he did it first.... it is a vicious cycle. Everyday, dancing to the same tune of childhood could either make you or break you. Choosing the latter would definitely mean wrinkles and age lines, so better prefer to letting it shape you into someone fun and exciting. Someone like them. After all, you have the best seat in the house. It would be a crime to let it go to waste.

overworked underpaid

Isn't that the common song of people nowadays? Or perhaps people my age! or is it just me?

I never get to enjoy my atm for too long, because it gets dry after a few days from the blessed 13th and 28th.

sigh

Even though I try soo hard to put something away for rainy days, I have only permitted myself two times to actually save atleast 70%. and I thought I was trying too hard. But that 70% left me almost penniless for the next 15 days. All I could see was the next pay day so I can have some cash to burn whenever i went out of the house. Saving 70% meant that i would have to have four destinations everyday: home and school, school and home. Does that make four already?? As far as I am concerned,it will zero my real human interaction and will reduce my social circle to Friendster, Multiply and Facebook respectively.

Alain has been pounding my head to save up. Ooh, but I'm trying! I swear. Or maybe I am not really good with money. I hate the thought of "needing" things just when there is STILL money left. It feels like the money makes me want to need things.

Oh bother. F*ck this conversation with myself. I am tired. I hate it that I earn so little and that I am giving so much effort into it. Noble? Noble my ass. Nobility never fed an empty stomach, or an empty closet, for that matter! Maybe i am not up for being in the noblest profession in the world. My heart is, I'm sure, but my pocket is screaming.

The Beauty of Not Being Beautiful

I would have never imagined being thankful for this so-called adverse circumstance that I perceive my life was destined to endure! And I am definitely talking about what the naked eye can see, can automatically see. Let's face it, when Nature decided to scatter good looks over the earth, I know for sure, I was in slumber, deep slumber, my friend. And in this very shallow world we are living in now, it is the pedestal for the exquisite and the pits for the not. [or odd, whatever fits.]

And this led me to utter "the beauty of not being beautiful". It was when Hanz, Deinne and I were walking towards Biong's house last night. And along the way there were groups of men (at different locations) drinking the night away. Deinne was still in her uniform and Hanz, well, he was quite dressed as a man (haha). I was wearing shorts with a big shirt, my hair was up, which I think is my ugliest. So I was very confident that they will not bother to make cat calls or shout "miss! miga!" or whatever wisecrack out of their beer-smelling mouths as we passed by.

I thought, hey! I feel sort of safe in my own skin. Haven't felt that in years. I mean, to truly feel it.

Afterall, there is always something good in what we imagined as rotten luck.

tee hee.

The Arcana

This is extremely difficult for me, a person of great and unstoppable talk has to keep a BIG secret!!

could you just imagine how painful it is for me to lie to some of my friends?

But i know that it is for a greater cause which i hope would happen sooner. I hate waiting.

No no no, it is not about pregnancy or abortion, nor theft or illegal logging. Ambot!

It is more complex. Hmmmm...

This shouldn't be too hard.

It Is Finally the Last Leg

I just finished checking the Science test papers. Four failed. Well, it was quite a difficult test because you had to memorize mostly all of the topics under Plants.

What looms ahead is the computation of the grades for the third grading period! but i should be rejoicing, for it meant, that tomorrow, is the start of the lovely fourth grading period! signaling the end of this school-year. The end of my so-called career in DPLC. Not that I didn't enjoy teaching there for two years, it's just that I feel like more is being taken than what i should be getting. Not just with the pay, but also from other resources. yadda yadda. I will not start on bickering about things that made me regret ever applying in that school. Let's look at it positively!

I have gained friends! only a few, but those whom i laugh with and can cry with! Because we all feel the same, over-worked and underpaid. That is our story. Also, let's not forget the parents and co-teachers who made it hellish for us, seeing them everyday and trying to live with them! If not only for their children! Ahck! Well, anyway, the school has taught me how to be really a teacher, all on my own! No mentoring or training could have prepared me to be exactly what I have become as a teacher. Believe me, it is sooooo different once you are standing there infront of kids, some wide-eyed, some doodling, some wanting to be right at home. But it has taught me to be a teacher, a mother, an older sister, a friend to these kids who made the two years of my life unforgettable. Very unforgettable. Haha.

Here's to them all, kids and friends that I have made.

But WAIT! What the hell am I talking about. THERE IS still the 4th Grading Period coming up!!

and as i know it...It is far from being over.