reminiscing

i remember when:

1. TV programs start after lunch and our tv was a black and white with an accordion like cover

2. Our landline had a party line

3. My first cellular phone was bigger than a walkie talkie

4. Irc, YM....

5. And as recent as two years ago,I used a telephone wire and jack attached to the modem so I can use my laptop (that had no wifi connection yet)

earthly treasures

after 12 years, i decided that it's time to repaint our bedrooms. then we had to take out all our stuff and i realized that i had accumulated so many things over the past years. unbelief was my first reaction because i always followed the policy of getting rid of one stuff if i buy something. i guess it did not work.

i should live by this:

(picture from: http://www.biblepicturegallery.com/Pictures/Moneywar.htm)

Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 HCSB

giggles and laughter

while agonizing how long till i can wash my hair (keratin treatment post), my mood was slowly getting dark. then i heard kyla giggling and raymund laughing heartily while watching wiped out. i realized how "mababaw" shallow i am. i was the one who decided to have the keratin treatment and the consequent 72-hours no shampoo condition, so i have to grin and bear my greasy hair.

BUT, in fairness, my scalp and hair are not so oily this time, oscar blandi really works! have to get more of it.

keratin treatment

I have fine, limp hair that gets oily at the roots but is so dry at the ends that it gets frizzy when I do not blow dry and style it. Having done the keratin treatment twice in the past and very satisfied with the result, I did it again two days ago.

Now, It's been 50 hours since I last washed my hair but who's counting?? Me, that's who!!! I couldn't last more than 48 hours without washing my hair and keratin treatment specifically prohibits washing your hair for 72 hours upon first application. That's why it takes me a long time between treatments. I hate the oily/greasy hair effect.

Fortunately, I was more prepared this time, I have read about on how to use dry shampoo, and luckier still that I have Oscar Blandi dry shampoo on hand. Sue enough, my scalp was less oilier this time, and I only have 22 hours more to go till my next shampoo.

Can't wait!!

sorry again and goodbye

we learned that you passed away while we were on our way to watch a movie. at first i thought raymund was just fooling around with the caller as he is fond of making weird sounds when talking to his friends. but when he suddenly cried, i know someone very close to him has died. i heard him say that the body was found in the office, and i could only think of two persons who would work on a saturday afternoon - tato and tiny.

when i learned that it was you, tato, who passed away, a wave of emotions washed over me. i felt guilt, sadness and shame.

guilt because i never really told you that i forgave you.

sadness because you passed away without knowing that i am eternally grateful for the gift you had given to raymund and me

shame because of the manner i treated you. i am so sorry. my words are mere hollow sounds because you are not here to hear them....

we had our differences and i have been unkind towards you in the past as you have also been unkind towards me, but to be fair, you were unkind to me ONLY once.

we last saw each other about 4 months ago and it was a hurried dinner for us all. you greeted me and i also chatted with you for a few minutes.

if i had known that you will be gone in a few months, i would have been kinder, i would have let you know that all is well between us. i am sorry, again.

the good husband

Saturday afternoon, it was raining when we had coffee. You held the umbrella with one arm and with your other arm, held me close to protect me from the rain. After coffee, you walked me to the passenger's side and again held the umbrella with one hand and opened the door with the other hand.

On Sunday, you opened the passenger door when I was about to go down.

I couldn't hide my surprise as you have never done this in the past. We have been together since we were 16 years old, more than half of our lives. Being demonstrative and chivalrous were never your trait.

I guess separation brought by work has its upside, it made you more affectionate and loving.

I love you back.

Why am I so tired.

I feel so tired today :( I couldn't breath, my body feels as if it is being squeezed. I Felt depressed. My carpal tunnel didn't help either. I could not even lift a folder.

I went home still feeling depressed but as soon as I changed my clothes, it's as if the whole burden was lifted off. It's then I realized that I had taken off my SPANX!!!

forgiveness

for more years than i care to remember, i harbored hurt and resentment towards a high school teacher.

we were all quite while she ranted and raved ( i forgot about what), then my classmate JM whispered something to me and I told her to be quiet because I was afraid of MsC. unfortunately, MsC saw me and shouted her unforgettable words: "STOP FANNING YOURSELF, IT IS HOTTER IN HELL".

Her words burned to my mind.

Even after graduation and where I am now, her words still sting. I was so hurt by the unfairness of it all. Isn't it that I was only being a good student by asking my classmate not to talk to me?

I saw that she was my classmates' FB buddy but I did not take the step to befriend her.

A few weeks ago, she just appeared at my office. I was so taken aback and my first thought was that she needs my professional help. But my vanity was soon dashed when she said that she just happened to pass by and saw my name and just decided to say "hello". She wants nothing. I hugged her and then thanked the Lord for paving the way for this burden to be lifted. In His due time, my hurt was finally erased.

keys keys keys

(photo from www.dreamstime.com)

there are twelve doors in our house, and about 2x that many door knobs and deadbolts. Since we built our house more than a decade ago, i had organized our rooms' keys about twice only. i had put off re-labeling them for the longest time but on this rainy afternoon, i took the plunge. it took me more than an hour just to sort, label, and throw away unknown keys.

sounds corny but the act of sorting and throwing out junk keys acted like a catharsis. when i saw our streamlined key cabinet, i felt so relieved and proud to have gotten rid of all those junk.

my next project is cleaning out my closet, cross my fingers on this

apple and me are not meant to be

there seems to be a jinx when it comes to my relationship with apple:

my iphone: a week after i got it, i accidentally dropped it while trying to protect my new manicure grrrrrrrrrrr repaired for 8K at greenhills

macbook: just died :((, no signs of trouble the night before, but when i woke up the next day, it just looked at me with a black and blank stare. i sent it to apple service center and they told me the logic board has to be replaced - for 29K, no way. brought it to greenhills and it was repaired for 3K!! ironically, i had to bring it all the way to greenhills and the shop owner - who's also an ilonggo-told me they have a shop right here in bacolod city, duh!!! who knew???

and the latest - my ipad2 : a day after i got it, it refused to switch on. i hear the clicking sound when you switch the screen on, but there is no image at all, just plain black. i returned it to our suki and they said it's the lcd - what is it with apple lcd and me??????????

the good news is that they replaced my ipad2

with all of these experiences, do i even dare buy the much anticipated iphone5???????

van's hello kitty

on my two day business trip to manila, i saw a billboard along edsa promoting vans hello kitty. i grew up collecting hello kitty and little twin stars and this is something that i want kyla to experience too.

confused at the choices, i asked the guy at VANS Glorietta for some advice, he said Heart Evangelista bought this:

(photo from www.vans.com)

heart is sweet, and so is kyla :)

Scents and senti

When I put on these scents, they take me down memory lane:

(photo from www.asia.shiseido.com)

shiseido energizing spray - i wore this the whole time we were on vacation in the US in 2002

(photo from www.polyvore.com)

jo malone nectarine blossom & honey cologne - i wore this while on vacation in singapore just this year

i think what make these two scents special is that they both bring me back to the happy times i spent with my family - no work, no worries.

if only i have harry potter's pensieve..........

rude (dis)service

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A SCIENTIFIC STUDY, THE OPINION STATED HEREIN IS THAT OF THE AUTHOR ALONE (jejeje)

what impressed me with the service staff i had encountered in singapore and hongkong is there politeness. i cannot speak for others but in my personal experience, when they hand me back my credit card, they hold the card with outstretched arms, both hands and offer it to me. i am touched by this gesture.

now, last saturday as i was handing my terminal fee coupon to the female staff manning the booth at naia centennial 3, i was taken aback when she tossed it back to me. she had this bored and pained expression and looked like she would rather be somewhere else. well, hello, here we are being forced to pay the terminal fee which is peculiar only to our country, and you are actually an EXCESS PERSONNEL, the least you can do is be polite in your attitude towards passengers who are in reality paying for your salary.

mafia wars

it is with a heavy heart that i am bidding you farewell, we had lots of fun together :) i remember i even cut short my swimming at the beach just to check my energy level, i made lots of online friends because of you. but our time together has to end, farewell :((

maybe when my carpal tunnel is healed we might rekindle our relationship

my one day ipad 2nd gen

someone gave me an ipad first gen 32G wifi only. i upgraded it for an ipad second gen and had it jailbreak with paid apps. one day later, my ipad goes on and off and gives me a black and blank face :((, husband tried to be helpful and undid the jailbreak but still no effect. wahhhhhhhh

i already called our suki seller and she has agreed to take it back, what went wrong????

my ABC blessings

my small group friend, sis rochelle, asked me to enumerate my blessings from A to Z, i am excited to start this assignment as I have very recently received such good news from a colleague.

i will update this post as soon as i finish listing them down, one day, i hope to read this post especially when times are hard and be again thankful for God's blessings and generosity.

cherish each moment

My only remaining sibling in the country has left for the US to get his green card. While he is away, he left Papa under my care. Papa is 91 years old, and considering his advanced years, he is quite healthy.

We are temporarily staying at their place while we are doing some repainting at home. But next week we are moving back to our place. While staying with Papa, I enjoy having breakfast with him each day. I count it a blessing that I have the time and opportunity to enjoy a leisurely meal with him daily. I cherish these moments.

be content with whatever is the circumstance

i woke up very early today to the incessant alarm clock. nanay (our trusted caregiver) forgot to switch it off again. we are sleeping in the same room at my father's house for a week now. we are repainting our bedrooms and have to stay with papa because of the paint's smell, plus, my brother just left for the US to get his green card.

It was raining hard, and normally, rain lifts up my spirit. It means no scorching heat. But today, aside from the alarm clock, my daughter was wailing "It's unfair that I have to get up early while you still sleep!!" Wow, when I was her age, I wouldn't dream of saying that to my parents.

Then, after her shower, she ran back to the room and asked me to print her assignment. I told her the printer doesn't work and why didn't she do it last night when we were at our home.... She gave so many excuses that by the time she finished my migraine was starting to act up

I made my daily devotions and i read that: Come to terms with God and be at peace;
in this way good will come to you (Job 22:21)

Ultimately things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out. - Barbara Johnson

I sat down and wrote a letter to my daughter, I don't know if I will give it to her. It's just my way of letting go my frustrations. After writing it, I cannot honestly remember what I read for my devotions and I have to sit down and pray for God's guidance and comfort to lead me today.

Getting ready to go to the office, the phone rang. It was our maid telling me that the painters discovered many holes on the roof and that the computer room's ceiling was dripping with water..... I tell myself, bring it on.... I will lift up everything to God today and tomorrow

Going to work, my good friend Gina M texted me with comforting words. I realized that God has already began answering my prayers by sending friends who do not know how I feel but yet has found the time to send me comforting messages

Thank you Lord.

snap out of it

(photo from google.com)

been depressed these past few days, just a random phone call and a wrong query have sent me spiraling into fear and depression.

today, salamat Lord You lift me up once again

be calm

Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt: Matthew 24:6 "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."


Earthquakes, tsunamis: "I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things." Isaiah 45:7 ESV

God is in control.

not so fast

has it really been 11 years 8 months 3 days since you were born? thank you for coming into our lives,

before you were born, life was ok with just your papa and me, but with you, we experienced joy beyond words.

how i wish i could always spare you from life's harsh reality but i know you have to face them soon or maybe you already have....i just pray that you will be able to withstand them and place your faith and trust in the Lord

i love you

it's nearly summer

i am at my desk slaving over the minutes for a board meeting two weeks from now. to break the monotony, i am browsing the pictures taken last summer with my buddies at the sagay marine sanctuary... ladies, where shall we go this summer?

what i want as of now

Modekungen by TheStrawberryFields on Polyvore.com

Dodostyle
$18 - yesstyle.com

Wedge heel shoes
80 EUR - modekungen.se

Wedge heel shoes
80 EUR - modekungen.se

Wedge heel shoes
80 EUR - modekungen.se

Wedge heel shoes
80 EUR - modekungen.se

although i live in a very humid country, there are rare instances when rain falls incessantly, and during these rare moments, i long to wear these type of shoes. they're wedges, and i need all the height i can get!

for now, what i have is this:

people i remember

i transferred to another school during my freshman year, a friendly "competitor" of my old school. i reconnected with a few of my elementary classmates in college. now as i grow older, the broken circle is beginning to reconnect.

the long haired "blond" lady beside me was, and now, is my best friend. she tells me anecdotes about things we did when we were 6, 7, 8, 9 till 12 years old. she is my complete opposite in character. i am reserved while she is very, very outgoing. she lives in vegas while i live in the city of smiles. she earns a living being hospitable and charming, i earn a living by swimming with sharks, lol

the guy behind me was my playmate along with his cousin (edmund). we went to the same church and the three of us would often play together. he now lives in arizona while edmund works for a computer company in the land of the rising sun. me, of course, i'm still here in the city of smiles.

till next time friends!

another transfer

in just 18 months, rj is again transferred to another city, how will this play for us? i am just thankful that it's nearer our home but still across the sea

Still thankful that God is our constant in all these transfers

my siblings

i have a half brother and a half sister in california. in 2008, i met my half-brother for the first time. he traveled at least 10 hours from LA to meet us at San Francisco. He looks a lot like my father :) Even though it was our first time to be in SanFo, I did not go around that much as my father wanted to spend more time with his son (thank you my dear husband and darling daughter for understanding)

when it was time to leave, my brother walked away from us at the airport without hugging us :( he just turned around abruptly but i saw him crying as he left. my heart was crushed.

my father left his homeland for the 1st time when he was 13 years old. he went back when he was 16, got married and had two children. he never got to see his two children grow up as he returned to the Philippines, made a new life for himself and had a family. the plan at first was to follow his father in San Francisco but papa did not make it to the US until 1970 when he was petitioned by his daughter who had already migrated there. he visited them but declined the petition and return to us in the philippines.

fast forward 40 years later, my mom, sister, and two brothers have migrated to the US although mama is coming home for good this year. papa, doc (my brother the confirmed bachelor) and I are the only ones left here (of course my husband and my daughter are here with us). last week, doc's immigrant visa arrived. he is going at the end of june. he has a very successful medical practice here and i asked him why is he leaving that for the uncertainty there - he said that he does not want to look back later and ask why he didn't even try when there was an opportunity.

i am sooooooo sad

walang bayad mangarap

dreaming is free :)

B o R i N g by Naomi N featuring cropped tops

Balenciaga Printed camisole top
235 GBP - brownsfashion.com
Cropped tops »

Acne Romantic cotton skirt
150 GBP - brownsfashion.com
Ballet skirts »

Chie Mihara Erica
$300 - piperlime.gap.com
Leather shoes »

Oversized Alexa
$995 - mulberry.com
Mulberry bags »

restful sleep

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating
the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."
Psalm 127:2 (ESV)

my life is far from perfect, like the waves below, I experience turmoil. I used to rely on my own strength till I surrendered my will to God, it is not easy. I have a lot of prayer requests that are unanswered but in God's perfect time, He will answer it. Probably not all to my liking :) yet, everything according to His will

boracay 2010

sis and family came home to celebrate papa's 90th birthday. we went to boracay afterwards. i wish there was a shorter way going there but since we live in the island across panay, the only available way to travel is by boat AND by land. boat trip takes an hour, it's the land trip that's a killer - about 4 hours :(

dinagyang 2011

change of plans, rj said over the phone. join me here today and let's return home together tomorrow. so that's how we were able to join the dinagyang 2011 at the last minute.

stayed at westown hotel at smallville. KR enjoyed the short stay because of the pool and the slide. she also made friends with some lovely korean girls about her age.

new year celebration

this is the most memorable new year celebration for me. the place is lovely but more importantly, our family is together.

we miss mama and siblings who are in the US :(

celebrating new year

my brothers decided that it was time to break away from tradition and spend new year away from home. doc chose mactan shangrila.