Lolo Charles Hankins

May pinsan kaming nagbigay ng documents sa mom ko on how we could possibly apply for US visa being (distant) descendants of an American serviceman. Di ko masyadong pinansin yung application procedure dahil feeling ko it's a very long shot. But what caught my attention were the details about our greatgrandlolo Charles Hankins. Maraming info don na ngayon ko lang nalaman and some of them actually cleared notions which I thought were facts.

Si Charles ay lolo ng tatay ko. Born in Tennessee on August 16, 1861, this light-blue eyed, brown-haired man earned his medical degree from the University of Texas (akala ko dati dentist sya). He married Laura Crescini who is an Irish (Irish-Italian siguro). World War I brought him to the Philippines. He was part of the US armed forces. Ito ang pinaka-interesting, he was discharged from service because he couldn't march. Why? Because he has flat feet (yes, both feet) and general obesity (kita naman sa picture, halos di mag-abot yung butones ng shirt nya). He later on settled in Odiongan, Romblom. Dun na rin pinanganak yung mga anak nya. My dad's papa, Alexander, is the eldest child. Isa sa mga anak ni Lolo Alex ay pinangalanan nyang Charles.

Isa sa mga documents na nakita ko ay yung request nya to be transferred to a military hospital in Caloocan. Hanep, ang galing nyang mag-english. Nagulat ako sa writing stroke nya, parehong-pareho sila ng handwriting ng tatay ko. Namamana siguro yon.

Nakakatuwa di ba? Feeling ko I unearthed an unkown part of me. If I have the time, I want to know more the family's history which will make me know more about myself.

A man's history doesn't begin the day he was born. It started way before that.

made in China

Sino pa ba ang mas sasaya tuwing Pasko kungdi ang mga bata. Kapag ganyang maligaya ang mga bagets, syempre masaya rin ang mga nanay at tatay. Agree? I'm sure you will.

May isa akong observation sa mga gift na natanggap ng anak ko. Lahat made in China. Kahit US pa yung brand, if you check where it was made, malamang na china yon. Eh bakit nga hindi, ang mura ng items na galing china. But of course, don't expect much from it. Gaya nung Winnie the Pooh toy na regalo kay Shannen. Habang aliw na aliw yung anak ko sa kakasunod kay Pooh, ako naman baliw na baliw sa nakasulat sa box. Wala kayang ng QC sa english non? Ito ang mga actual na nakasulat

- Do you hope to become the friend with me.

- We play together good?

- As action it can fluctuate wiggle

- As action it can fluctuating

- Move along and turning

Like I said, don't expect much from cheap stuffs. Have a nice day!

Merry Christmas

I'm now blogging from home. Kainis, ang bagal ng connection. Dialup lang kasi. I wanted to write something special about Christmas kaya lang I was too busy at work lately.

Anyway, to all my friends, relatives, readers and fellow bloggers, a blessed Christmas to you. Enjoy the reunion with your family.

Hubad na Bayani

Ka-swerte naman talaga ng mga taga-UP . Nasaksihan nila kahapon ang annual Oblation Run sa kanilang campus. Ito yung pagtakbo ng hubad ng mga members ng frat na Alpha Phi Omega (APO). Bago nyo isiping pervert sila, may malalim na mensaheng ipinararating ang "greek" society na to sa kanilang effort. For this year, the issues are budget cut for the tuition, the backpay and cost of living allowance woes of the UP employees; and the implementation of the EVAT.

Konting background muna. Pano ba nagsimula ang Oblation Run? It started in 1977 as a publicity stunt for the play "Hubad na Bayani" which fraternity sponsored. The play was about censorship of the Marcos regime. Naging tradition na ito sa mga susunod na taon. Isinasabay ito sa founding anniversary ng group.

Contrary to common beliefs, hindi neophytes or aspiring members ang pinapatakbo dito kung hindi mga full-pledged brods na nag-volunteer. However, di naman kailangan taga-peyups sila. APO rin yung iba kaya lang from other schools. Nakatakip ang kanilang ulo sa pagtakbo. Syempre, dyahe yon kung may peklat ka sa pwet tapos makikilala ka ng tao. After the run, tumutuloy daw sila sa shower. Kaya para malaman kung sinu-sino ang kasali, abangan nyo yung bagong ligo.

Winter Vince

Ipadala ko kaya 'tong picture na to kay visa officer Kamonrat, mamadaliin kaya nya yung issuance ng visa namin? Sasabihin ko sa kanya na despite warm and humid weather in Manila, my son insists on putting on a fleece jacket. If he continues to do this, he might get dehydrated.

Actually, paka kay Shannen tong jacket na to kaso lang ayaw i-try kasi natatakot. Para nga naman kasing may nagtatagong sheep sa loob. I got 2 pcs from Cristina of pinoyz2nz. P200 ang isa. Medyo hindi kami excited for NZ di ba.

Boys will be boys

Boys will always be boys. Well as far as toys are concerned, that is true. They don't outgrow their love for toys. Nagiging sophisticated lang ang taste nila as they grow older. Kung nung maliit pa sila eh DC comicbooks na P200 each ang taste nila, now DC comicbooks pa rin pero yung mga collectors item na thousand pesoses na ang presyo. I'm sure maraming mag-a-agree sa akin dito. Anong say nyo?

All it takes is 21 days

All it takes is 21 days to start a habit. Yan ang sabi sa akin ng officemate ko. So kung gusto kong maging iba ang eating habits ko, like if I want to omit rice at dinner, 21 days o 3 weeks bago maging normal yon sa katawan ko. Parang madali lang pero when I actually tried this, nakakahiya mang aminin, 2 days lang akong tumagal. Ang sarap kasing kumain sa gabi.

Sa mga nagpa-planong mag New years resolution, simulan nyo na ngayon.

P53.98

As mentioned in my earlier blog, naging super busy ako lately. Aside sa di ako nakakapag-visit ng kahit na sarili kong blog, pati news eh lumalagpas sa akin. The most news I get is from the tsikahan I hear from my officemates about the SEA Games.

Kaninang umaga while having breakfast, nagulat ako nang makita kong P53.98 na ang US$. Ano ito? Totoo ba ang nakikita ng aking mga mata? P53.98 na nga lang ba ang pera ni Uncle Sam? I hope this is good for the country's economy.

P2NZ_WTR

Since madami na ngayon ang members ng Pinoyz2NZ, naisipan ni Mon Pascual na mag-create ng sub-group for those who already have their visas and those who are patiently waiting for one. Di ito break-away group, actually, most of us are still subscribed to Pinoyz2NZ.

Our first meeting was on November 5 in Jupiter St. makati. Mga 20 siguro kaming dumating. Karamihan couples. Ako, kasama ko si Vince dahil may pasok si henry that day. Ang mga napagusapan namin ay tungkol sa mga things to do before leaving. Kasama dito yung pag-punta sa Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) at yung pag-collate ng mga documents na dapat dalhin sa NZ (i.e. school docs, car insurance cert. of no claim, etc.)

Nung Saturday (Dec. 3), nagkita-kita-ulit kami. May mga bagong mukha, may mga datihan na. Nakakatuwa na marami ang nabigyan na ng visa. Ang topic naman namin ay airlines at cargo. Representatives from a travel agency and a cargo co. were invited.

Nakakatuwa talaga yung ganong klaseng meet. Marami na nga kaming natutunan, may mga bagong kaibigan pa kaming nakilala. I'm looking forward to the next meet.

To trust or not

Grabe. Sobrang busy ako the past few weeks. Marami ng nang asikasuhin sa bahay, marami pang problema sa office. Ang resulta, na-set aside ko ang blogging. I really miss blog-hopping.

Ngayong nagsisimula nang umaliwalas ang masalimuot kong mundo, pwede na ulit akong magkwento. Sisimulan ko sa November 29. Mag tinganing-nganing-nganing ulit tayo...

5:00am, ginising ako ni Henry. Hinahanap nya yung susi nya ng owner (jeep). Di man nya madalas gamitin yon, lagi naman itong nasa bulsa nya together with other keys. Medyo na-alarm din ako kaya napabangon ako ng di oras. Pagbaba ko ng bahay, hawak na nya yung susi. Napansin ko na may tao sa banyo. Tinanong ko si Henry kung sino yung nandon, si yaya Amy daw. Nagulat ako ng sabihin nyang kauuwi lang nito. Huh? Nagising pala ang mama ni Henry kaya nagkapagsumbong na sa kanya. Umalis daw si Amy ng bahay bago mag 12mn nang di nagpapaalam tapos kinuha yung susi para makabalik sya ng di namin namamalayan. Aba, iba na yon. I confronted her right after she got out of the bathroom. Inamin nyang di nga sya natulog sa bahay at tinangay ang susi ni Henry. Pumunta daw sya sa kaibigan nya na nag-text na may problema. Grrrrrr.... Lalo akong nagalit. Pati problema ng iba pinakikialaman nya. Gusto ko na syang palayasin that very moment pero alam ko rin ang hirap na maghanap ng kasama sa bahay. Di na kaya ng in-laws ko na mag-alaga ng 2 bata. In fairness, kahit medyo may katigasan ang ulo non, ok naman syang mag-alaga kay Shannen at masipag pa.

Pumasok pa rin ako sa office that day but I was restless the whole time. Di ko alam kung may ginawa ba syang masama sa susi namin. May plano kaya syang masama? First time nga ba itong nangyari? Ang daming tanong na lumilipad sa utak ko.

Nang sunduin na ako ni Henry, pinag-usapan namin kung pano iha-handle yung situation. We agreed to reinforce the door locks. Eh si Amy, papaalisin ba o hindi? We decided to let her stay, tutal kung matutuloy kami sa NZ, ilang buwan na lang naman naming syang makakasama. However, hindi na to pwedeng maulit. Pasensyahan na lang kami sa susunod. Amy was referred to us by our longtime plantsadora who is her mom. Mabait naman si Aling Flor, di iba ang turing namin sa kanya.

Nag-plantsa si Aling Flor the following day, ipinaalam namin yung nangyari and how we feel about it. She’s so sorry for her daughter’s acts. Sinermunan nya si Amy ng todo. Nangakong di na to mauulit.

I’m not sure if we made the right decision. Alam kasi namin ni Henry kung gaano kahirap ang buhay nila kaya malaking bagay yung may mapapasukan si Amy. Tama nga ba yon o ka-engotan na? Lagi ko na lang dinadasal na sana walang mangyayaring untoward incident after this at sana Amy has learned her lesson.

Coding boo-boo

Bat ba lagi na lang akong may problema sa color coding? Nung Friday (Nov. 25), isa na namang nerve-wrecking na pangyayari ang naganap. Tandang-tanda ko pa ang lahat... tinganing-nganing-nganing….

Bibili ako ng plane ticket para kay kawsin na magbabalikbayan ngayong mid-December. Nag-suggest kasi ako na mag-Boracay sya para naman maging masaya ang vacation nya. Tamang-tama, meron akong officemate na pupunta rin ng Boracay pero on a later date. Sabi ko sa kanya, sabay na kaming pumunta sa Asian Spirit ticketing office sa Araneta Center, Cubao para mas tipid (walang credit card sur-charge pag diretso Asian Spirit ang payment). Umalis kami sa office nang lunchtime, babalik kami bago mag alas-tres. (‘window’ or lifted ang color coding from 10:00am to 3:00pm).

Pagdating namin sa ticketing office, may 4 na clients kaming inabutan. 2 ang nasa counter na, 2 naman ang nakaupo pa. Ayos, madali kaming makakabalik sa office, sa loob-loob ko. Ang di namin alam, tutubuan pala kami ng ugat sa paghihintay. Palibhasa, busy kami sa kwentuhan, di namin namalayan ng oras. 3:06pm nang matapos kaming magbayad. I got completely oblivious of the coding scheme. Nag-aya pa akong uminom ng juice kasi natuyuan na ako ng laway sa kakadaldal.

3:28pm lumabas kami ng parking lot ng Shopwise. Not so far away, may nakita akong 2 pulis. Biglang nataranta ang mga brain cells ko. Naku! tapos na pala ang coding window. Nag-isip ako ng mabilis – magpapahuli ba ako para makauwi na o iiwan ko ang kotse sa parking lot hanggang 7:00pm? Kung magpapa-tiket ako, di pa rin tapos ang kalbaryo ko. Siguradong sisitahin ako ng lahat ng pulis/MMDA na madadaanan ko. Abala yon. Iwan na lang si Yummy (nickname ni kotse) sa parking lot, safe naman siguro yon doon. Bigla kong kinabig ang manibela para bumalik sa parking lot. Nag-taxi na lang kami pabalik sa office.

Nang uwian na, bumalik ako ng Cubao. Panay ang dasal ko habang papalapit sa parking lot. Sana nandun pa si Yummy, sana nandun pa si Yummy, sana nandun pa si Yummy. Nakahinga ako ng malalim nang nakita ko syang di natinag. Naglipana ang mga pusakal sa paligid, buti na lang spared si Yummy. Salamat po, Lord.

Haaaay... Another exciting day. Another lesson learned. Pero sana wag nang maulit to sa akin.

Followup with NZIS

Nag-email ako kaninang umaga sa NZIS para mag-followup. This time, I sent it to the officer-in-charge. Nagte-tengang kawali kasi si VO Kamonrat kaya sa kinauukulan na ako dumiretso. A few minutes later, nakatanggap na ako ng reply. Wow ang bilis. Dapat pala dun na ako kay boss nag-followup noong una pa lang.

Sabi ni Kamonrat, ifa-finalize daw nya sana yung application namin noong Nov. 7 pero may mga kulang pa daw na internal verifications. Ano kaya ibig sabihin non? Good sign kaya? Sa huling part ng email nya nakalagay na "Please be patient with us". 'be patient' ka dyan. Malapit na akong maging pasyente ng mental. Nakakabaliw yatang maghintay. Pano ba namang hindi, 6 to 8 weeks daw ang processing time non. Inabot na kami ng 20 weeks.

Anyway, sana naantig ko sya ng konti sa ginawa kong followup. Malay natin, baka i-prioritize nya yung paper namin (wish ko lang). Haaay shiny visa, kelan ka ba talaga dadating?

Puff the Magic Dragon

Growing up, one of my favorite songs is “Puff the Magic Dragon�. To me, it was a song about childhood and friendship. It’s a 60’s hit sung by Peter, Paul and Mary. The way the trio sung it made it more magical. I imagine sparkles every time I listen to the song. Soon the cassettes tape begun to wear. Puff's 'roar' begun to drift. One day, mom decided to throw it away.

1986. EDSA Revolution. I was surprised to hear the song again in the radio. It was played together with other ‘revolution’ songs (Impossible Dream, Tie a Yellow Ribbon, Magkaisa, etc). I didn’t get the connection. How is the song related to the situation? It made me wonder.

A week ago, I heard the song again. Somebody gave my 6y/o son a CD of children’s songs. To my surprise, Vince appreciated the song too. He repeatedly played it, 8 times in a row. When he saw me singing along with the song, he asked me to teach him the lyrics. It was then that I realized that I already forgot some words. The next thing I did was to search it in the internet. Aside from the lyrics, I found interesting facts about that 60's hit. Although the trio said it was about childhood and loss innocence, some people believed that it’s about drugs (PUFF being marijuana). Well, that doesn’t change the way I feel about it. I still love that rascal PUFF. It brings out the child in me.

PUFF, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal PUFF,
and brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff.

PUFF, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal PUFF,
and brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff.

OH PUFF, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
PUFF, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on PUFF's gigantic tail,
Noble kings and princes would bow whenever they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flag when PUFF roared out his name

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And PUFF that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
PUFF no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, PUFF could not be brave,
So PUFF that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave.

Paa na nakadikit sa tao

Although I promised to be positive in my blog, hindi naman ibig sabihin eh puro pleasant things lang ang isusulat ko. Meron din syempreng mga bad experiences.

November 25, 1996 nang may isang traumatizing day sa akin. Kakatuto ko pa lang mag-drive noon. Mas unang natuto sa akin si Queenie, my younger sister. Normally, hinahatid nya muna ako sa office saka sya tutuloy sa trabaho nya. But on that fateful day, ako ang nasa harap ng manibela. In fairness, maingat naman akong mag-drive. Nag-menor ako habang dumadaan kami sa tapat ng isang lamayan sa isang squatters area. Walang ano-anoy may isang pupungas-pungas na babae na biglang natumba. Nabungo ko daw sabi nung isang naglalakad. Nagtayuan yung mga naglalamay. Siguro kung lalaki ako, kinuyog na ako ng mga yon. Dali-dali akong bumaba ng sasakyan. Nakita ko ang pupungas-pungas na si Aling Hilda (di tunay na pangalan) na nakahandusay, sa kamay nya hawak ang P10.00 na pambili ng pandesal. O hindi, nasagasaan ko yung paa na nakadikit sa tao. Si Queenie naman, bumaba din para lumipat sa driver’s seat. Pinasakay ko agad si Aling Hilda. Sumama rin yung 2 kapatid nya. Dumiretso kami sa Orthopedic hospital sa Banaue.

Habang bumabyahe, nagsenyasan na kami ni Queenie. Bakit? Wala pa kasi akong lisensya noon. Student permit lang ang hawak ko. Pagdating sa Emergency Room, dalidaling kinuha nung guard yung lisensya ko este kay Queenie pala. Ako ang nakaharap pero Queenie ang gamit kong pangalan. Mabuti na lang at super inefficient pa noon ang LTO, papel pa lang ang hawak ni Queenie na lisensya. Nakahinga ako ng malalim nang sabihin ng doctor na nalamog lang yung pinky-toe ni Aling Hilda. Medyo masakit pag nasagi. Ang nangyari kasi, nalagpasan na sya ng nguso n kotse pero siguro medyo pasakang syang maglakad kaya nahagip ko yung paa nya.

Bago kami pauwiin, tinanong ni doctor kung magre-reklamo daw ba itong biktima. Tinignan nya ako sabay sabing pano daw ba sya magtitinda nyan (sidewalk vendor sya), pano daw sya makakatakbo pag nandyan na yung mga pulis? Guilty that I was, nagbigay ako ng ‘peace-offering’. P2500. Nanlaki ang mata nya, pumayag agad.

Nang maihatid na namin si Aling Hilda, saka pa lang ako bumalik sa LTO para kumuka ng lisensya. I really felt so bad for breaking the law. Ang pinakamasaklap pa nito, pano kung napatay ko sya (buti kuko lang nya ang namantay). Ilang araw din akong nagigising sa gabi. Naalala ko yung accident na yon. Matagal din akong hindi nagmaneho pagkatapos non. Nakaka-trauma talaga yon. It was a lesson well learned

Travelling with spirited toddler

I posted a question in the Pinoyz2nz forum. Ang title “traveling with spirited toddler�. Parang nakikini-kinita ko na na magiging chaotic kami sa eroplano (feeling may visa na ako). Since isa lang ang nakuha kong tip, I decided to do my own research. Not sure if this is applicable to my super-dooper active daughter.

- Be sure to tell the airline that a toddler is traveling with you. Para naman maka-pagready sila ng kiddie meal (not the one from Jalibi) and safety seat (if applicable)

- Get to the airport early.

- Give her own backpack to put her own stuff inside.

- Bring lots of toys, clay, coloring books and snacks. Avoid sugary food. It’ll make her ‘hyper’.

- Put toys in small packs para hindi sabay-sabay ang bukas. Better if you could wrap them like gifts. Give it to her each hour that she is well-behaved

- Take the front row seats. It has bigger legroom

- If possible, sched the flight that coincides with your child’s sleep time.

- Tag along her comfort toy/pillow/blanket

- Give her a bottle on take off and landing to avoid ear-popping. Swallowing minimizes the trouble.

- Choose an airline with good good in-flight entertainment. Medyo mahal nga lang to. Pwede magbaon ng portable DVD player. Bring her favorite cds – Finding Nemo, Barney, Toy Story, etc.

- If everything else fails, resort to sedation. But be sure to try if before you go. Phenergan is good daw. It should knock her out in 15 minutes.


Kayo, may mabibigay ba kayong tip?

Coding pag Friday

Coding ang sasakyan ko pag Friday. Minsan na akong nahuli. I was very pregnant then. Akala ko makakalusot yung alibi kong magpapa-checkup lang sa OB. Tinikitan din ako (di ako marunong mag-bribe). Since then, kinabisado ko na yung mga daan na walang 'kalaban'. Kaya pag-Friday, normal lang ang buhay ko . I leave the house at 7:30am (7-10am and 3-7pm ang bawal).

Kanina, I almost run out of luck. Mga isang kilometro pa lang ang natatakbo ko nang may mapansin akong pila ng mga sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada. Hmmmm bakit kaya? Wala namang sabungan doon o kaya tiangge. Nag-menor ako. Tama ang kutob ko, may mga 'alagad ng batas' na nanghuhuli. About 30 meters away from them, I decided to make a U-turn ang head back home. Di bale nang late wag lang magkaron ng violation. Pag-dating ko sa bahay, gising na si Vince and Shannen. Nakipaglaro muna ako ng konti.

9:50am sumibat na ulit ako. 10:24 nang dumating ako sa office. Pano kaya mamayang uwian, maghihintay ba ako 7pm? Abangan....

Panakot sa daga

My blog was out of commission for a while, sorry po. May virtual ek-ek problem daw. Di ko alam bakit nagkaganon. I was about to ask help from Marhgil and KU when I realized what could have caused the error. Naalala ko na nag-update ako ng picture. In-upload ko yung pinakamagandang picture ko (thank you, Photoshop). Nang matanggal ko na yung picture, nawala na yung error message. Kaya ayan, balik sa stick-figure ang image ko.

Lesson learned: Pang-takot sa daga lang ang beauty ko.

Be careful of what you wish for

Since 1999, I didn’t bother upgrading my cellphone unit. Happy ako sa Siemens M35. Ok lang kahit do sya colered, walang camera at hindi poluphonic ang ringtone. What matters most is that I can text and call without hassle. Ilang beses ko nang naibagsag yung phone ko. On several occasions, mga 5ft high pa. Pag-dampot ko sa phone ko, tuloy ulit ang texting. Parang walang nangyari.

Early this year, Nakasalubong ko yung mga officemates ko sa mall. Bibili daw sila ng phone. May isang natanong kung buhay pa daw yung telepono ko. Buong yabang kong sinabing ‘syempre’. Sabi nung isa did aw sya makapaniwalang ganun yung phone ko.Nung maghiwalay kami, napag-isip-isip kong parang nilait ata si Siemens ko. Ikinuwento ko yon kay Henry. Sabi nya, it’s about time to upgrade. Tutal bibili din naman ako ng tri-band phone pagpumunta kami sa NZ. Matagal kong pinag-isipan yon.

May 2005, bumili ako ng bagong unit. Samsung E330 ang kinuha ko (di ako Nokia fan). Akala ng marami inspired yung taste ko ng mga sikat-na-sikat na mga Koreanobela. Pero ang totoo, nacu-cute-tan ako sa de-flip na phone. Micro-Tac era pa lang, pangarap ko na yon. Japorms ang dating, di ba.



6 months na ngayon itong si Samsung pero hindi ako masyadong happy. Kailangan ko kasing mag-ingat sa handling kasi baka maging dalawang piraso ang phone ko. Ayoko ng ganon. Hate ko yung kailangan ko pang mag-exert ng extra effort. Ilang beses na kaming nag-away ni Vince kasi ayaw ko syang paglaruin sa phone ko. Kainis talaga. Buti na lang di ko pa dinidispatsya itong si Siemens. Pag-kasama ko yung mga anak ko, sya ang ginagamit ko. Isa pa, naka-plan yon, di nauubusan ng load. Hanggat buhay at humihinga pa si Siemens, it’ll stay with me.

Not so Easy Questions

Tawa ako nang tawa nung isang araw ng tanungin ako ni Vince kung ang lalaking kuba ba ay “kubo�. Kung merong kang kasamang ‘growing wonder’ sa bahay, siguradong maraming ganitong moments na magpapangiti sa yo. Mga pagtatanong na minsan eh hirap na hirap akong i-explain. Here are some that I could remember:

- bat wala ako sa picture nung kasal nyo?
- ilang taong bago mamatay ang tao?
- lahat ba ang tao mas mayaman sa atin?
- ginalingan ko naman, ba't di ako nanalo?
- pwede ba tayong magpakabit ng escallator sa bahay?
- pwede na ba akong mag-girlfriend?
- pwede bang si Shannen (his sister) ang magiging asawa ko?
- bakit ‘fifty’ ang tawag hindi ‘fivety’
- pwede ba akong maging artista sa cartoons

2 Moms, 2 Dads

Ewan ko ba kung bakit bigla kong naalala yung kwento sa akin ng Ate Christine ko about her then 4y/o daughter Sam. One night, Sam approached her and said that she prayed to Jesus to give her 2 sets of parents. Mom & Dad # 1 will go to work to provide for the family. Ito namang si Mom & Dad # 2 will have to stay at home to look after and play with her and sister Bea.

Kids especially the younger ones need not only their parents’ love but also their precious time. If I have my way, I want to stay at home and take care of my children. But this is not feasible. Henry and I have to work to be able to sustain our expenses. Di kasi kaya yung single income lang ang household namin.

Time will come when my children are grown up and have their own lives. Ilang panahon na lang magkakaron na sila ng sarili nilang barkada. They might spend more time with them than with me and Henry. I hope that before this happens, I could devote my time to personally take care of their needs and guide them for their life ahead.

Php88M

Nung isng araw P88,000,000 ang jackpot sa lottlo. Grabe, ang daming zeroes non. Isulat pa lang nakakalito na, bilangin pa kaya. Kung ganon naman kadami ang pera ko, kahit kalyohin ang kamay ko sa kabibilang, ok lang.

Upon learning this, I started to day dream. Ano kaya kung ako yung nanalo? Ano kayang gagawin ko sa limpak-limpak na perang yon? Definitely, I’ll use some of it to help the less fortunate people. Ayoko ng donation, gusto ko, bibigyan ko sila ng livelihood. Sabi nga, “Give a man a fish and you'll feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you'll feed him for life�.

After kong mapaglaanan ang mga pangangailangan ng family ko, syempre yung personal na pangarap ko na ang kasunod. Marami naman yong P88M, maglalaan ako ng P2M sa kapritso ko (talaga nga naman, may figure pa ako). Ano naman ang gagawin ko doon? Eto po, syempre may detalye ng konti para mas makatotohanan, he he he ….

- take my family to Boracay for a week vacation
- bili ng Toshiba laptop
- bili a 6.0mp Canon digital camera
- magpapa-rebond sa David’s Salon
- buy a yellow Ford Ranger (Pinatubo edition)
- buy an acoustic guitar – tamang-tama to pang-karoling
- magpapa-lipo ng arms, belly at thighs - masakit kaya yon?
- bibili ng battery-operated na toothbrush
- Mag-aaral mag-bake ng cheesecake
- bibili ako ng purple na beanbag
- magpapa-executive checkup ako sa St. Luke’s – syempre health is wealth pa rin
- patatanggal ko yung stone ko sa kidneys.
- I’ll buy black+blue Nike rubber shoes – yung Trets ko “nakangiti� na
- alahas, perfume and make-up? – di ako mahilig don


Haaay... ang sarap mangarap. Naaliw ka na, di ka pa gumastos. You can be anybody, go anywhere and have anything. Lahat yan ay imagination lang ang katapat. Teka nga, makabili muna ng lotto ticket para naman may chance na matupad yung mga panaginip ko. Walang pag-asang na magkatotoo yon yung di ako tataya. got to go now.

Henry applied for NZ tourist visa

Magbabalik-tanaw ako sa ginawa ni Henry na pag-a-apply ng NZ tourist visa noong 2004 (di pa ako blogger that time).

January 2004 nang sabihin ng NZIS na 195 ang EOI selection points. Although bumababa naman ito every month, feeling namin malayo pa bago daanan ang 115pts namin. Henry and I entertained the idea of going to NZ as tourist then find a job whilst there. Si Henry muna, susunod na lang kami. When I mentioned this to my friend Len, she immediately sent Henry sponsorship form (NZ citizens na silang pamilya). Dip ala basta, basta sinasagutan yung form na yon. They went pa to the embassy to have it checked/authenticated.

Before going to the embassy, we already prepared the documents they require:
- Visitor’s Visa app form
- Passport
- Booking certificate (iba ito sa plane ticket)
- Emp. Cert
- Financial docs – bank cert, passbook, etc.
- Certificate of assets
- Sponsorship Form

Sa BPI Center sa Buendia ang office ng NZ embassy. Mga 8:30am kami dumating pero di kami pinaakyat agad nung guard. Dapat daw 9am impunto.

Sa itaas, hintayan na naman. Di lang kasi basta nagsu-submit ng documents. May konting interview na ginagawa yung visa officer upon receipt of application (sa may window lang naman ito). Nung kay Henry na, may mga tanong si v.o. na di nya marinig so come to the rescue si stage-wife (medyo ako yon). Nung una ok lang, pero nung second time na nag-coach ako, I was asked to return to my seat. Pahiya ang beauty ko. Henry was holding a slip when he returned to his seat. Nakalagay doon yung interview sked nya, July 13 daw.

Naka-formal si Henry nang bumalik for the interview (syempre kasama pa rin ako sa eksena). Mga 20 minutes tumagal yung interview. Tinanong daw kung ano ang gagawin nya sa NZ, saan sya titira, pano nya nakilala yung sponsors nya, ilang taon na yung mga members ng family ng sponsos nya (?), etc. Medyo nasilip din na ilang beses nang nag-sponsor ng relatives si Len and husband sa bahay nila. Tamang duda yung v.o. Ika nga, guily ka unless proven innocent.

Several days later, bumaba na yung result ng application. Nakakapanlumong denied ang hatol. Ang rason - no incentive to return to home country. However, Henry was given a chance to make an appeal. Dumugo ang utak ko sa pag-compose ng letter. Nilagay namin don na may stable job si Henry, could very much afford to pay for his trip, etc.

July 26, the final verdict arrived. Mag-isa akong pumunta sa embassy. Hindi tatak sa passport ang nakuha ko kundi isang malaking denial letter. Wala na kaming magawa. It is not our right to be travel to NZ, it’s just a privilege. Kung ayaw nila, wala kaming magagawa. Pero sumama talaga ang loob ko. Umuulan noon pero sige lang, lumakad ako papunta sa kotse kahit nababasa.

Isang araw ko ring dinamdam yong rejection na yon. Not sure if Henry felt the same, mas cool yon kesa sa akin. When I went back to my senses, I realized that there is nothing more I can do about it. Dapat na lang naming paghandaan yung plan B which is to wait for the pts to drop to 115. Di nagtagal, bumaba sa 100 ang selection pts. Pasok na kami.

Looking back, it’s good that Henry’s bid for visitor’s visa was not accepted. Medyo magastos din yon at walang katiyakang may trabahong makukuha. God is really good. When He closes a door, He opens a window.

Hyper

I feel so alive this afternoon. Ang taas ng energy level ko. Pano ba namang hindi, I had a high caloric dessert at lunch. It was a slice of cheesecake. yummy....

4 Forks, 3 knives, 2 spoons and 1 teaspoon

I was able to get everything fixed for the party last Saturday. Last minute na nung nag-decide akong magpa-parlor para naman maging pinstraight yung crowning glory ko.

4:00pm yung wedding ceremonies but I got there at 6:00pm so sa reception na lang ako pupunta. I parked at Landmark, mahal sigurado kung doon mismo sa 6750 ako paparada. Ang dami nang tao sa labas ng ballroom when I arrive. They were waiting for the entourage to arrive. Narinig ko na nagpi-picturan pa sila doon sa ceremony venue.

It almost 7pm when the ballroom door opened. We immediately rushed our table because our feet were already hurting. Nalula ako sa utensils na nakahain. There were 4 Forks, 3 knives, 2 spoons and 1 teaspoon on the table. Baka kaya iba-iba pang klaseng kubyertos yon eh pwede namang isang pares lang ng kutsara, tinidor, kutsarita at kutsilyo? Nag-text ako agad kay Henry, asking for help. Syempre nakakahiya namang magtanong sa katabi ko kung kainan time na. Sabi nya, rule of thumb daw, use the outermost utensil first. Ewan ko kung nanghuhula lang ang asawa ko, eh katulad ko rin naman yong once in a blue moon lang pumunta sa sosyalan. Bahala na. I used whatever suits me.

Nung makita kong nagse-serve na ng pagkain yung mga matipunong waiters, talaga namang natuwa ako. Kung hindi naman kasi, baka bumulagta na ako doon because of hydoglycemia. Nabusog naman ako doon sa food. Actually, halfway through the menu eh busog na ako. I really enjoyed the pasta and salmon. May mga nakita akong nagwa-wine pa. Di naman ako sanay don kaya pass ako. Baka mamaya di pa ako makauwi ng bahay. Habang kumakain kami eh may mga kumakanta. Natutuwa ako doon sa nag-perform na galing pa talaga ng China. Akala ko mababasag yung mga baso doon sa tinis ng boses.

The highlight of the program was the message of the bride and groom to their parents, relatives and friends. After that, umuwi na kami. I got home at 11pm.

Sosyalan

Wedding ng officemate ko tomorrow. Anak yon ng president naming kaya talagang bongga. Shangri-la Makati ang reception. There were only a handful of us who are invited, nakakahiyang di umattend.

Matagal ko nang pinoproblema tong occasion na to. Una, wala akong isusuot. Strickly formal daw ang attire. I only have 2 dresses that qualify. One is a maroon cocktail dress I wore on Tinay’s wedding 3 yrs and 10lbs ago. Nang isukat ko, muntik nang di mag-abot ang zipper. Imposibleng makaupo ako nang di bumibigay yung mga sinulid. Last months, I promised myself to loose some weight. Di kinaya ng powers ko. Masarap talagang kumain lalo na sa gabi. Tapos tuwing nag jo-jog or jumping jack naman ako, ewan ko ba kung bakit lagi akong nawi-weewee. 15 counts pa lang kailangan ko nang tumakbo sa banyo.

Dress #2. I wore this in Dec of 2003. No diet nor exercise necessary. Di problema sa paghinga dito. Pano ba namang hindi, I was 5 months pregnant when I wore this. Pangit tignan kasi ang luwag, pero wala na akong time magpa-repair.

Last week, nagdala yung isang officemate ko ng mga damit nyang formal. Buti na lang may nagkasya sa akin. May matching shoes and bag akong nakuha from my mom’s closet. Solve na ang costume ko.

Gift… Gift checks lang ang nasa bridal registry ng couple. Yung ibang officemates ko P2000 daw ang ibibigay. Kainis, wala pa man din akong pera ngayon. Kung pwede sana ang ibang item, madali lang yon, may credit cards naman ako. Bahala na kung magkano ang ibibigay ko.

Yan kasi ang problema sa mga hindi sanay sa sosyalan. Natataranta pag may mga social gatherings. Kung pwede lang sanang umabsent. One thing that I look forward to is rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. May mga tycoons na nandon. Meron din mga politicians. Titignan ko kung pano sila kumain. He he he. Kukwentuhan ko kayo sa Monday.

Apat dapat

Ito yung assignment ko mula kay Flex!J

APAT NA PINAKADAKILANG PILIPINO
1. Ninoy Aquino
2. Ramon Magsaysay
3. Tatay ko
4. Nanay ko

APAT NA PILIPINONG HINAHANGAAN MO SA ANUMANG LARANGAN
1. Bayani Fernando
2. Tony Meloto (Gawad Kalinga)
3. Sen. Mar Roxas
4. Cong. Francis Escudero (he’s brillant, ayaw ko lang na nasa panig sya ni Erap)

APAT NA MAGAGANDANG LUGAR SA PILIPINAS NA NARATING MO
1. Baguio
2. Subic
3. Ilocos
4. Manila Bay (pag sunset, yung tipong di mo na maaninag yung mga lumulutang na basura)

APAT NA LUGAR SA PILIPINAS NA GUSTO MONG MAPUNTAHAN
1. Boracay
2. Amanpulo
3. Davao
4. Sorsogon

APAT NA BAGAY NA PAG-NAKIKITA MO NAALALA MO ANG PILIPINAS
1. Tabo
2. bahay kubo
3. Karitela
4. jeepney

APAT NA PUTAHENG PILIPINONG PABORITO MO
1. sinigang sa miso
2. kare-kare
3. daing na bangus
4. inihaw na talong

APAT NA SALITANG PILIPINO NA KAILANGAN MO NG TALASALITAAN PAG IYONG NARINIG
1. burnik (ito ang word of the day ko courtesy of my friend Jay)
2. salipawpaw – airport
3. pasimano – window pane ata
4.

APAT NA KANTANG PILIPINONG GUSTO MONG MARINIG
1. Lupang Hinirang
2. Pinoy Big Brother theme
3. Sa Kabukiran
4. Bahay Kubo

APAT NA MATATAMIS NA SALITA O KATAGANG PILIPINO
1. giliw
2. irog
3. sinta
4. jowa (ngek!!!)

APAT NA APELYIDO NA PAG IYONG NARINIG NAKAKATIYAK KANG SILA AY PINOY
1. Magpantay
2. Dimayuga
3. Liwanag
4. Munsayac

APAT NA PANGALANG PINOY NA AYAW MONG IPANGALAN SA IYONG ANAK
1. Ambrocio
2. Pogito (may officemate akongyan ang panglan)
3. Junior
4. Baby

APAT NA LARONG PILIPINO NA NALARO MO NA NG BATA KA PA
1. Moro-moro
2. Patintero
3. Tumbang Preso
4. Touch the color

APAT NA BAGAY NA AYAW MO SA PILIPINAS
1. graft and corruption
2. traffic
3. trapos
4. poor health service
5. mga driver ng bus and jipney
6. usok
7. baha
8. basura everywhere
9. Filipino time
....ha, apat lang ba talaga dapat?

APAT NA BAGAY NA GUSTO MO SA PILIPINAS
1. pamilya
2. kaibigan
3. kapitbahay (kahit minsan mga tsismosa)
4. tumatawa ang mga tao kahit maraming problema

APAT NA BAGAY NA GAGAWIN MO KUNG IKAW ANG PANGULO NG PILIPINAS
1. i'll see to it that all law-breakers get penalized
2. Ang penalty, community service
3. supilin lahat ng mga nangongotong
4. Magre-resign ako!


Di ko na maipasa ito, all of my blogmates have already been tagged.

Di mapakali

I feel so awkward today. Di ako mapakali. Nakakailang. Uuwi ba ako ng maaga o hindi. Bat naman kasi na-overlook ko yon.

Magkaiba yung medyas na naisuot ko (I bear boots kasi). Pareho naman ng kulay pero yung isa mahaba, yung isa maikli. One is made of cotton, polyester ata yung isa. Medyo nasasakal yung kaliwang paa ko dahil sa garter, maluwag naman yung sa kanan. Haay, ang hirap ng ganitong feeling. Lagi kasi kaming nagmamadali sa umaga kaya sa kotse na ako nagsusuot ng medyas. Huli na nang ma-realize ko na di pala sila magka-partner. Henry is already late for work, kaya di yon papayag na bumalik kasi. Kaya ako, pinagtyagaan ko na lang kahit magkaiba ng lapat yung paa ko.

Sana uwian na.....

Ang simula ng pangarap

Bakit nga ba kami nangarap at nag-pursige na mag-apply sa New Zealand? Katulad din kami ng iba na gustong bigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang mga anak. At yon ay di namin nakikitang madali kung nasa Pinas kami.

Year 2001 when Henry and I seriously considered moving to a new territory to raise our family. We only have Vince then. Oo nga’t libre na yung bahay namin (we live with Henry’s parents) at stone-throw away lang sa simbahan, school at palengke kaso mo, Malabon naman yon. This is spelled out as B-A-H-A. Kahit siguro mansion ang bahay ko, kung para naman akong nasa island pag high-tide, wala ring kwenta. Nagsimula na kaming magplanong lumipat ng Bulacan (where I grew up). We purchased a lot in a subdivision in Malolos. Nagtanong-tanong ako sa kilala kong contractor kung magkano aabutin ang house construction. My jaw dropped, nakakalula ang presyo. That was the time when we thought of using the money for migration instead. Nice idea di ba.

Lahat kami sa family are fixed income earners, mga bayarang manggagawa 'ika nga. Kung magkasakit ang isa sa amin na matindi (wag naman sana), malamang na pati pamanang hapslip ng lola ko eh maibenta namin. Oo nga’t managerial capacity na kami pareho ni Henry pero sa mga routine and emergency expenses lang napupunta ang kita namin. Nalilimas kami everytime may nagkakasakit o kaya kung may kailangang ipaayos sa kotse. We think that we are almost at the peak of our careers and yet we can’t provide a safe, healthy and secured environment for the kids. Pano pa kung may nawalan ng trabaho sa amin? Nakakatakot isipin.

If my dad is still around, he’ll probably make me think twice. Kahit na puro freckles ang balat at banyaga ang apelyido nya, may pagka-patriotic yon. He never entertained the idea of leaving the Philippines for good. Aba, sasabihin ko naman sa kanya that our plans don’t mean I love my country less. Priority ko lang talaga yung mga bagets. However, if he is able to witness all the controversies our economy and government have been dealing with, malamang sasabihin non “sige anak, suportahan taka�.

Happy 6th Birthday Vince

Medyo masama ang pakiramdam ko since yesterday kaya tinanghali ako ng gising kanina. When I opened my eyes, wala na si Vince sa kama (tabi-tabi kasi kaming matulog, hi hi hi). Pagbaba ko ng bahay, I saw him preparing for school. I gave him a big hug then greeted him Happy Birthday. Sabi ko sa kanya ako na ang magbibihis sa kanya. Aba, wag na raw. 6 years old na daw sya at kaya na nyang magbihis mag-isa. Napangiti ako. Parang kailan lang mukha syang bubwit na kinakarga ko. Ngayon, marunong nang magbasa, mag-toothbrush at magbihis nang walang tulong itong si kuya. Ilang panahon pa, magkakaron na sya ng sariling buhay, sariling mundo. Sana mapalaki namin sya ng tama para tama rin ang mga gagawin nyang desisyon sa buhay nya.

Happy 6th Birthday Vince. mwaaaaahhhh!

I've been tagged

Ito na yung assignment ko kay Marhgil....

01. What is your favorite word (s)? ok, great, please

02. What is your least favorite word (s)? stupid

03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? serenity

04. What turns you off? Kayabangan, pessimism

05. What is your favorite curse word (s)? tangeks, syit

06. What sound or noise do you love? Enya, Parokya ni Edgar, giggles, raindrops

07. What sound or noise do you hate? vacuum cleaner, busina pag heavy traffic

08. What profession(s) other than your own would you like to attempt? Lawyer (like Atty Danny Concepcion), secret agent (parang si James Bond)

09. What profession would you not like to do? Jeepney driver (ayoko ng usok), police officer

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "you did great"

101 Things about me

1- I was born in Manila.
2- I was baptized Jennifer Hankins
3- My father is bisaya with american ancestry; Mom is an Ilokana (from Pangasinan)
4- I am 2nd in the family
5- My zodiac sign is Gemini
6- Born in the year of the Pig (kaya pala medyo chubby ako)
7- Both my parents are teachers (although my dad changed career later on)
8- My maternal grandparents took care of me when I was 2 to 4y/o
9- From Proj. 8, we moved to Bulacan in 1975
10- I was 6y/o when I entered first grade
11- I went to 4 different elementary schools (Isabello, St. James, Barasoin and St. Martin)
12- My younger sister studied piano and banduria but it was I who ended up learning the instruments
13- When I was 7 and my sister was 9, my parents would allow us watch movies in Paramount Theater (just the 2 of us)
14- I was best in Rondalla in grade school.
15- My aunt sent me an aerobics book+tape when I was 8y/o (ang taba ko daw kasi)
16- I was Most Obedient in Girl Scout
17- There were only 32 of us in my 6th grade class
18- I speak a little Ilokano
19- My father thought I wanted to be a nun (he was so wrong)
20- I had rheumatic fever/heart disease when I was 13y/o
21- I enjoy playing Scrabble esp. with my dad.
22- I never experienced spanking from my parents
23- I am not comfortable speaking in public
24- I easily get dizzy in moving vehicles
25- I was angry when Ninoy Aquino was killed
26- I was an 'extra' in the movie Deadly Roses (a movie I never saw)
27- I was a CAT officer
28- In 1984, I had first degree burn on my face courtesy of our pressure cooker
29- In high school, I graduated with honors (20 ata kami noon)
30- I dreamt of being a journalist (di naman masamang mangarap)
31- I had appendectomy in 1986
32- I thought I was good in numbers so I took up engineering (I proved myself wrong later on)
33- My first calculator in college is so cute but not scientific (that's why I failed my first quiz in Trigo)
34- I took up Industrial Engineering in college
35- My student number in MIT is 87117318
36- My very first subject in college is Chemistry
37- I hate chemistry; Chemistry hates me
38- My first dormmate is Eleanor Fejer
39- I joined a collegiate service sorority in 1988 (nasa puso ko pa rin yon 'til now)
40- I got 'bokya' in a quiz bec. my then new calculator is solar-powered. Uso noon ang brownout and my classes were usually in the evening
41- I finished college in Nov. 1991
42- My best friend is Glenda Saludes-Cruz of Mariveles
43- The first time I voted was in 1992
44- My first job was selling (sales engineer for a roofing company)
45- I photocopied my very first salary
46- I lasted only 2 days on my second job.
47- My 3rd job was as an Industrial Engineer in shoe manufacturing company (1992)
48- I had an operation in my ureter in 1992 (stone removal)
49- I worked for Bankard, Inc. for 10 months (1995)
50- I met my husband at Salem Beds where we both worked (sya 5years, ako 3 months)
51- I never had my own birthday party :-(
52- I learn to drive in 1996
53- I once lost my entire bag to a theft in a mall (muntik na akong maglakad pauwi ng bulacan)
54- I got married in 1997
55- I had 2 miscarriages
56- I was devastated when my dad died in 1999
57- I first gave birth in 1999
58- I named my son Vince Mitchell. Vince bec. my dad's second name is Vincent, and I like Mitch of Bay Watch (corny..)
59- My OB Gyne is a good friend from high school
60- I got an educational plan (CAP) for Vince when he was 8 months
61- I switched career from industrial engg to IT in 1996
62- My first IT job was as an MIS Assistant
63- I am good in systems analysis and application testing
64- I studied programming but didn't have the time and patience to practice it
66- I am not into sports (my body is not designed for it)
67- I am scared of dogs, snakes and heights
68- We started our plans to migrate in 2002
69- Australia was our first destination
70- 2003, we appreciated New Zealand
71- We got invited to apply for Work-to-Residence visa on June 27 2005
72- I like Kris Aquino
73- I am not afraid of moomoo
74- The first and only time I had Big Mac was in July 2005
75- My favorite perfume is Beautiful
76- I am not into Nokia phones
77- My phone right now is Samsung E330
78- I collect wonderful quotes
79- I gave birth to my second child in 2004
80- I don't like raisins and pineapples cooked
81- My right thyroid gland was removed in 2002
82- I only had professional manicure/pedicure once (for my wedding)
83- My shoe size used to be 7.0, now it's 7.5 (minsan 8 pa)
84- Waistline - secret!
85- Weight and height - secret pa rin!
86- I have freckles all over my face
87- I completed all payments to CAP despite news that they are 'bankrupt'
88- I don't' drink nor smoke
89- I don't have a night life
90- I don't have a social life (sabi ko na sa inyo boring ako)
91- I am 'matalinaw" (20/20 vision)
92- I have not seen any of the Lord of the Rings movies (dehins ko sya type)
93- I was able to read only one Harry Potter Book, yung #2
94- I have 18 inaanaks
95- My dream vacation is BORACAY
96- My pc at home is so jurasic, a Pentium 1 233mHz
97- After office, I am a full time mom (no computer, no cellphone)
98- One thing that I would like to learn is how to get mad.
99- I love watching CSI (Las Vegas), The Oprah Winfrey Show and Justice League
100- When I was just learning to drive, naka-disgrasya ako ng tao
101- Wala akong favorite color.


* - I got the inspiration from Teacher Sol

Meeting Ka Uro the first time

I attended several meets of the Pinoyz2NZ group but I never felt more excited than the one we had last Saturday. Pano ba naming hindi, more people signed up, we had bigger venue, and of course Ka Uro agreed to be one of the speakers.

Marami nang tao nang dumating ang aming special guest. Kasama nya si Jean, daughter Fides (very pretty indeed), and some relatives. When he stepped into the room, nakilala ko na sya agad. Sa araw-araw ba namang pagbisita ko sa blog nya, hindi ko pa ba sya makikilala. Nung makaharap ko na sya, parang kaharap ko ang isang matagal nang kaibigan. Sa mga nabasa ko sa blog nya, feeling ko marami na akong alam tungkol sa kanya. Hinanap nya agad yung mga kuntil ko sa kamay. Kung hindi nga lang nakakahiya, gusto ko pa sanag ipakita yung marks ng tinanggal na kuntil ko sa paa. Buti na lang nakapagtimpi ako.

Lalo akong humanga kay Ka Uro nang makausap ko na sya. Simpleng tao lang sya despite what he has already achieved. Walang ere sa kanyang pagsasalita. He’s very soft-spoken (ewan ko kung kinakabahan lang, he he he) and very down to earth. Sabi nga ni Henry, halatang mabait na tao. Hmmmm, palagay ko nga.

Gusto ko pa sana syang tsikahin ng matagal kaso lang alam kong madaming naghahantay na makausap sya. I’m sure, hindi lang ako ang excited na makausap sya ng personal. Andoon si FlexJ, Bluegreen, Marhgil, banjan, lito, allan, etc.

Sana may chance na makausap ko ulit si KU. Pero sana sa next meeting namin sa Auckland na.

P2NZ 8th Phil. Meet

Congratulations to Pinoyz2NZ for another successful meet. Actually, understatement yung ‘successful’. It was a blockbuster. Imagine, nasa 200 yung dumating. Sari-saring klase ng tao yung nandoon. May mga umattend para ma-enlighten kung pano mag-apply for NZ migration. Meron namang mga nasa EOI at ITA stages na gustong kumuha ng tips para sa mga susunod na steps. May mga nandoon din na a few steps na lang sa finish line na walang ibang gusto kung hindi makatulong doon sa mga nag-uumpisa pa lang. At syempre, meron din iba doon na fans ni Ka Uro :-)

Kita-kits ulit tayo sa 9th meet.

Mini-Me

Among my siblings, I am the one who has the least number of baby pictures. From age 0 to 5, bilang sa daliri ang pictures ko sa family photo album namin. Yung isa pa doon, taken when I was 6 months old, merong doodles. Ewan ko kung sino sa mga autistic este artistic na kapatid ko ang gumawa non.

When we visited my mom last week, I was so happy to see 3 more pictures of me when I was young. According to my mom, she got those from my aunt’s photo album. Ayun, kaya pala wala akong pictures, kokonti na nga, pinamudmod pa nya sa mga kamag-anak namin. Buti na lang masinop si Tita Nieva kaya eto masasabi kong dumaan ako sa pagkabata.

Buti na lang nakita ko yung mga pictures na yon. I was able to prove to myself and to everyone that my daughter Shannen and I are really look-a-likes. Medyo bilugan lang ang mata ko pero generally, magkamukha talaga kami. Ooooppppsss... walang ko-kontra.

The first picture was taken when I was 2. With me is my sister Christine. The second one was taken when I was about 5 years old. Family reunion ata namin yon kaya kasama ko yung mga cousins ko. Ako yung nasa right na naka-yellow shirt.

NZ in our dreams

NZ in our dreams

Tinanghali ako ng gising kahapon, ang resulta late kami for work. Pano ba naming hindi. I couldn’t afford to let go of my dream. It was so clear, as if it is real. I can still remember the clothes I was wearing, the people with me and the place where it happened.

Ito yung panaginip ko. Nainip na daw ako sa approval ng visa naming kaya I decided to go to the embassy in Makati to make a follow up. The girl in front desk asked me to wait for a few minutes while she checks on our status. I seated on the visitor’s lounge while she digs on her file. Pagtingin ko sa mga kasama kong naghihintay, I recognized 3 people from Pinoyz2NZ. They were also there to inquire about the developments of their application. A few minutes later, tinawag na ako nung babae. She showed me our EOI which was manually reviewed. I noticed some markings made by our visa officer. Ang finale, inabot sa akin yung visa namin na nasa ziploc, 2 passports per bag. O di ba, sino ang gustong gumising pag-ganito ang panaginip mo? Ang tagal naman kasi the balik ng passports kaya tuloy hanggang panaginip yun pa rin ang topic. Pero ok na rin, at least nagkaron ako ng konting enjoyment.

Pag-uwi kagabi, nai-kwento ko yon kay Henry (I didn’t have the chance to tell him about earlier). Gulat sya kasi he also had NZ in his dream that night. What a coincidence! Iba nga lang tema ng sa kanya. Lumipad na daw sya papuntang NZ (uy, mas advance sya). Pag dating nya sa apartment, he was shocked that there were so many Pinoys staying with him in the flat. Sa sobrang sikip, na-claustrophobia sya. Biglang nagising ang aking esposo. Unpleasant man yung feeling nya, at least nasa NZ na sya sabi ko.

Sa sobrang inip namin sa paghihintay, ayun, laman pa rin sya ng aming panaginip. Senyales ba ito na malapit nang matapos ang waiting game? Well I really hope so. Sabi nga ni Walt Disney, “If you can dream it, you can do it.�

Helping others

I'm sharing with you our oppurtunity to help others sometime ago. I don't intend to brag about this, just hoping that it becomes an inspiration to others.

January 2004, we rushed our son to the ER of Phil Children's Medical Center. Matindi kasi ang ubo and asthma noon ni Vince. Di pa naman daw yon pnuemonia sabi nung doctor. He just changed his prescription. Aba, masigla na yung anak ko after the consulation. Nung nasa pharmacy na kami nagulat ako na super mura yung mga gamot doon.

Palabas na kami ng hospital nung may narinig kaming sumisigaw na lalaki. May isang tatay na nagwawala na may karga-kargang baby na mukhang dehydrated na. "Mahirap na nga kami, inaapi nyo pa", yun ang dialogue nya habang umaagos ang luha sa mata nya. Sabi nung guard, di daw nya pwedeng pauwiin yung bata kasi di pa nagse-settle ng P350 bill. Naawa kami doon sa bata. Since may natira pa dun sa baon namin, inabutan ko na lang ng pambayad yung nanay nung bata.

Yung ginawa naming pagtulong ay isang paraan ng pasasalamat sa Diyos na di nya pinabayaan ang anak namin. Sa akin kasi, it's good that you thank God for all the blessings you receive, but if you have the chance to help others, so much better. Sabi nga, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me".

Have a nice day.

Today, I'm broke

Nasubukan nyo na bang lumakad ng walang kapera-pera? Matagal-tagal ko nang di nararanasan ito. Today, that’s my situation. All I have in my purse are coins not more than P20. I realized this only halfway to my office. Ingat na ingat nga ako sa kalsada. Kung mafa-flatan ako ng gulong, kulang pa yung pera ko sa pang-vulcanize.

Last night, I stopped by Mercury Drug to get vitamins and meds for my kids. Sa mahal ng bilihin, nai-surrender ko tuloy lahat ng bills ko sa kahera. Magwi-withdraw sana ako sa ATM pag-uwi kaso, nakalimutan ko na.

Ang hirap ng walang madudukot na pera sa wallet. May credit cards nga ako pero magagamit ko ba yon kung may babayaran dito sa office? Walang problema ang lunch ko, may pa-lunch naman dito. Sa merienda mamaya titiisin ko na lang na di kumain, nakakahiya namang umutang sa canteen. Isa pang problema yung tubig dito sa department namin. Ako ang toka ngayon sa pagbili, di na ako iinom para umabot pa hanggang bukas.

Di naman ako mayaman pero I make sure na kahit papano may 'tao' ang wallet ko. Ayaw kong dumating yung time na may babayaran tapos wala akong mailabas. Gaya ngayon, kakaba-kaba talaga ako. Haaaay, sana uwian na.

Nakakalulang presyo ng gasolina

Maka-ilang beses nang nagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina. Dahil sa may supply ako dito sa office, hindi ko to masyadong pinapansin. Nagulat ako nung Friday nung magpa-karga. Three years ago, my 30- litter ration costs P424. Ngayon, tumataginting na P1008. That's 238% more. Tataas pa daw to in the next days. Naku, wag naman sana.

O kawawang Juan Dela Cruz, gulpi sarado ka na nga, tinatadyakan pa. Pero wag kang susuko, matatapos din lahat to.

8th week wait

last Friday marks the 8th week since NZIS Bangkok received our WTR application. Pinaasa nila ako na hanggang 8 weeks ang paghihintay but why our passports haven’t arrived yet? I check Henry’s credit card balance every day hoping to see the migrant levy charged to his account. Wala pa rin. Lagi ko ring inaantabayanan yung tawag ng bangko namin. The visa officer might ask kasi the bank to validate the bank certificate we submitted. Siguradong tatawagan kami nung bank manager kung may na-receive silang fax from NZIS.

Last night, I told Henry that we might need to overhaul our plans. Instead of Henry flying to Auckland this year, baka sa January 2006 na. Kung October pa kasi namin makukuha yung passports, alanganin na yung timing. He still has to file his resignation upon receipt of visa (mahirap nang mag-file ng wala pang kasiguraduhan). Syempre, may one month na notice pa yon. Aabutan na sya ng summer sa NZ. That’s not a good time for job hunting, baka kasi naka-bakasyon yung mga employers. Kesa naka-tengga lang sya doon, he might as well stay until the end of the year. Matutuwa pa yung boss nya.

“Please be patient with us. We probably take a few months to finalize your application.� That was the advise of the visa officer when I made a follow up. Sa totoo lang, tinubuan na ako ng maraming patience since we started this whole application. Konting intayan na lang naman ito kaya pagtya-tyagaan ko na lang. Patience is a virtue I now have.

The coconut is not a nut

Nagpunta kami sa Megamall last Saturday para ipasyal yung mga bata at yung mother-in-law ko. Nadaanan namin yung exhibit sa Megatrade Hall tungkol sa niyog. National Coconut Week kasi ngayon. Ibat-ibang manufacturers and traders ang nag-join ng exhibit. Andyan yung may dalang accessories, virgin coconut oil, cooking oil, kapok mattress, buko juice, buko pie, vinegar, cocopeat, etc. Nakakaaliw ang variety ng products na nanggagaling sa simpleng puno na nyog.

Medyo nadumihan yung kamay ko sa kakatingin ng mga ladies' accessories kaya ng may nakita akong tubig ay dali-dali akong naghugas ng kamay. Nakupo, hindi pala tubig yung umaagos sa fountain, virgin coconut oil pala. I couldn't open my bag to take out my hankie, sayang naman yung bag ko kung malalagyan ng langis. Ipinahid ko na lang sa buhok. Tutal pampaganda naman daw yon ng hairstrands.

Ilang minuto lang kami sa exhibit then we proceeded to other shops. Pagpasok ko sa Reebok, narinig ko yung babae na nagsabi na amoy ‘lola’ daw. Nag-inhale ako ng malalim. Ngiiih! Ako pala yon. Nangamoy ‘lola’ ako dahil sa lana ng niyog na ipinahid ko sa buhok ko. I immediately went out of the store. Baka maalala pa ng lahat ng tao doon yung mga grannies nila. Pati si Henry umiiwas sa akin. Kakainis!$#^%@()*(^&

Moral lesson: Always read labels and notices.

Kuntils

Kung mawawala man ako at magka-amnesia, madali akong mahahanap ng mga kamag-anak ko. Meron kasi akong kuntils sa tabi ng hinliliit ko. Take note, may ‘s’, ibig sabihin plural. Yup, my both pinkies have this cute little skin tags. Dahil dito, madalas akong natutukso noong nasa grade school ako. Di ko daw dapat kantahin yung “Sampung mga daliri, kamay at paa…�, labing dalawa daw kasi ang sa akin.

Ang totoo nyan, meron din akong kuntil sa kanang paa, sa tabi ng smallest toe ko (pinky din ba ang tawag don?). Sad to say, di sya cute kasi may kuko sya at may kalakihan ang sukat, di nalalayo sa itsura ng kinakabitan daliri. Torture ang pagsusuot ko noon ng sapatos. I’m ok with sandals pero pano na kung school shoes? Wala namang sapatos na mas malaki ang isang paa.

Bago magpasukan ng grade 1, nagbakasyon ako noon sa Pangasinan. Tuwang-tuwa ako nang isama ako ng lolo ko sa Alaminos District Hospital. Feeling ko paborito akong apo. Di ako nag-suspetsya na may binabalak ang mahal kong grandpa sa akin (retired employee kasi sya doon). Mamaya-maya, may doctor na tumingin sa paa ko. The next thing I knew, I was screaming like hell. Goodbye kuntil. Isang bote na may alcohol ang kanyang naging libingan.

Buti na lang spared yung mga finger kuntils ko, di naman kasi sila abala. Isa pa, sabi ng matatanda swerte daw ang kuntil. Ayaw siguro ng lolo ko na maubusan ako ng swerte. he he he. Meron pa nga akong mga kaibigan na nakiki-ambos sa ‘swerte’ ko. Yung iba makikihawak sa kuntil ko bago magsabong o bago tumaya sa beto-beto. Kung sinuwerte man sila o hindi, di ko na alam yon. Wala akong natanggap na blowout o balato ni minsan.

Ngayon, I don’t feel anything unusual sa sarili ko. Natapos na yung mga panunukso, wala na ring nagpapabwenas. Pero sa tuwing nakikita ko yung mga kuntil ko, alam kong unique ako.

NZQA

Mataas ang standard ng NZ pagdating sa education. Gusto nila ka-level ng education nila ang natapos ng isang applicant. Sa Skilled Migrant Category, they actually award 50pts for qualification (yun ang tawag nila sa degree mo). Ang laki nito considering na 100pts ang threshold nila. Kung si spouse ay meron ding maipi-prisintang qualifications, it’s 10 bonus points.

Pero medyo tricky itong point factor na ‘to. Your school has to be on the list of recognized qualifications (LRQ) para kilalanin nila. Kung hindi naman, ipapa-assess mo yung qualifications mo sa New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Nasa list yung schools naming ni Henry (MIT and UE) however, our joklang consultant insisted that we seek certification from NZQA. Kami naming uto-uto, nagpabola. That silly advice cost us P16000 each.

Sino nga ba ang dapat dumaan sa NZQA? First, those qualifications are not in the LRQ. Second, those who took up 4 yr course in an institution included in the LRQ but netted an average of less than 85%. This is equivalent to 2.00 in some schools. So kung nag aral ka ng 4yr course FEU tapos ang general weighted average mo 2.10, kailangan mong magpa-assess sa NZQA. Maswerte ang mga nag-aral ng kahit anong 5yr course sa LRQ, kahit na sinco-lar o bagsaker pa sila, ligtas na sa NZQA. Lastly, kung gusto mong mag-claim ng 5 extra points para sa post-grad course mo. Lahat ng post-grad studies ay kailangan ng NZQA (kahit na recognized pa yung school).

There are 2 types of assessment results released by NZQA – the Pre-Assessment Result (PAR) and the Full Assessment Report. PAR is a short-cut assessment, no documentation needed. Qualification info and syempre bayad (NZ$75) lang ang kailangan. The result is released 10 days after submission of requirements. Buti di na kami dumaan dito (di pa kasi uso yon nung 2003). Kung kapos na sa oras para magpa-full assessment, pagtyagaan mo na itong PAR.

Malaki ang singil sa Full Assessment service, tumataginting na NZ$450.00. 20 days daw na paghihintay for the release of the result. Actually, press release lang yon. Noong time namin, we waited for almost 4 months for the result. Balita ko 7 to 9 months na daw ngayon. Kung gusto mong ipa-fast track, bayad ka ng additional NZ$150.

Dito Full Assessment hinihingi ang mga supporting documents mo like diploma, transcript of record, certificate of employment, etc. Since there exists a University of Recto in the Phils., only original and certified copies are accepted from our country (mag-attach ka na rin ng photocopies para di ka na magdagdag ng NZ$50). Upon submission of documents, NZQA contacts your school to validate the documents you presented. Kapag matatagal sumagot ng school, nade-delay ang resulta. Isa pang pampatagal eh yung mode ng transmission ng verification. Syempre nagtitipid si school kaya snail mail ang ginagamit.

Simple lang naman talaga yung process pero matagal at magastos ang magpa-NZQA. Importanteng malaman ng lahat ng mag-a-apply kung kailangan ba talaga nila ito o hindi para di magkamali. Mainam din na ihanda ng maaga ang mga documentos para masimulan agad ang processo. Good luck.

Malabon Sea-ty

I was able to cacth the representative of Malabon-Navotas District last Friday on TV. I really admire this guy - Cong. Ricky Sandoval. He's not only hardworking but also very optimistic about the future of his area. Kaya siguro nasama sya sa SpiceBoys ng Congress.

He was explaining the flood control project of Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela which will be completed in 2007. This is one of his priorities bec. it greatly affects the lives and livelihood of his constituents. Bumababa daw kasi ang lupa sa coastal areas na ito by 9mm per year. Aba, ang laki non. Kaya pala yung mga areas na dating hindi binabaha ay nalulunod na rin ngayon (only 20% of Malabon is safe from flooding). In the previous years, yung 1.8meters na high tide doesn't really bother us. But now, we have to put our own flood control system para di pumasok sa bahay.

When Malabon was awarded its citihood a few years ago, napataas ang kilay ko. Hindi uunlad ang ganitong communidad kung laging sinasalanta ng baha ang mga bahay, gusali at pangunahing structura. Inisip ko tuloy baka may mali yung criteria nila for judging.

Ilang panahon na lang at 2007 na. Sana wag mahaluan ang corruption at politika ang pagpapatupad ng flood control project. Dahil para sa mga taga-Malabon Sea-ty, ito na lang ang paraan para makaahon.

Isang kagilagilalas na pangyayari

Ang aga-aga kanina, chaotic ang mood ng mga tao dito sa office. Paano ba namang hindi, nilooban yung second floor namin. It’s good thing that our guards conduct periodic roving. The culprit left without his lootbag. Although ransacked yung offices, wala namang ni-report na nawala.

May mga weird sa robbery na yon. Una, ang laman ng loot bag ay pera (di naman masyadong malaki) at 4 bags ng candy. Tama, candy nga. Bakit kaya? Sweet-tooth kaya yung magnanakaw?

Next weird (and gross) thing, nag-poo-poo at wee-wee pa yung salarin sa sahig bago lumayas. Katabi lang naman nung cubicle na yon yung CR, bat kaya sa sahig pa nya napiling magbawas? May isang nagsabi na pamahiin daw ng mga magnanakaw yung umebs sa crime scene para di sila mahuli. Ang laswa naman ng napili nilang paniwalaan.

Kung high-tech sana ang police dito, huli agad yung salarin. Yun bang parang sa CSI na napapanood ko na kukunin lang yung wee-wee o finger print eh huli agad ang criminal. Malayo pa sigurong maging ganon ang alagad ng batas natin. Kaya nga ang tatagal ma-solve ang mga crimes dito.

Wala mang natangay yung magnanakaw sa kanyang attempt, malaking takot naman ang iniwan nya sa mga tao dun sa kabilang opisina. Malaki ang impact ng alam mong na-violate ang privacy mo. Nakaka-trauma talaga yon. Bat ba naman kasi may mga gumagawa pa ng ganito. Naku, bahala na si lord sa kanila.

Kyusi

When I first saw Henry’s birth certificate, I was quite surprised with what I read. Nung time na pinanganak sya, that was in the 60s, Caloocan and Malabon were still part of Rizal. Madam Imelda Marcos formed Metro Manila later on kaya kumalas ang towns na to from Rizal.

Actually, hindi unique tong pangyayaring ito. In 1939, President Manuel L. Quezon fulfilled his dreams of building a modern, wholesome place for the working class Filipinos. That was the birth of Quezon City. He made the city “in the image of a garden, a fusion of nature and art�. Ah, kaya pala maganda ang urban planning ng Kyusi – wide avenues, spacious parks, nice government buildings, etc.

Hindi minagic ni Pres. Quezon ang area ng Kyusi. Syempre, kailangan nyang tumapyas ng lupa from other municipalities. Ito yung mga mababait na contributors at ang kanilang contributions:

Caloocan – La Loma, Galas, Sta. mesa Heights, San Jose, balintawak, Kaingin, Besa, Talipapa, San bartolome, Novaliches, Banlat, Pugad Lawin, Kabuyao, pasong Tamo

San Juan – New Manila, Cubao, Frisco, Kamuning, Roxas Dstrict, Camp Crame

Pasig – Ugong Norte, Santolan

Marikina – Diliman, Krus na Ligas, Balara, Varsity Hills


*today is the 127th birth anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon

My own pito-pito

Here's my pito-pito. Thanks FJ! and Bluegreen for tagging me.

Seven things that scare you:
Snakes
Loosing a family member (it’s devastating)
heights
riding a boat
sharp objects
Skylab (when I was in second grade)
Offend my God

Seven things you like the most:
Playing with Vince and Shannen
Seabreeze (Manila Bay not included)
driving in the expressway
listening to Enya
reading newapaper while having breakfast
hugging my kids
shower in summer

Seven important things in your bedroom:
TV
Phone
DVD player
my purse
Glass of water
Wallclock
Family picture

Seven random facts about you:
My earlobes are allergic to anything
I have “kuntils� in both hands (on my pinkies)
I’m a member of a collegiate sorority
I’m a law-abiding citizen
I call my kids everyday @ lunchtime
I can’t sleep without a blanket
Nakasagasa na ako ng paa na may nakadikit na tao

Seven things you plan to do before you die:
have a pedicure/manicure
See my kids safe and settled
go to a spa
Loose some pounds (no I’m not vain)
Repent all my sins

Seven things you can do:
I play the piano/banduria
Speak Ilocano
Magkayod ng nyog (yup, I can do that)
Operate a sewing machine
Read without glasses (I have a 20-20 vision)
Ride a bike
Magic (but only to my son)

Seven things you can't do:
swim
do sunny-side up (egg)
Create a computer program (though I took several courses on it)
Read/txt while in a moving vehicle
stand Jim Carrey
Do drugs
Curse (kahit galit na galit na ako)

Seven things that attract you to the opposite sex:
can chat with me for hours
Confident yet humble
tall (maliit kasi ako)
clean fingernails
family-oriented
broad shoulders
can protect me (naks!)

Seven things you say the most:
�super-dooper�
“actually�
“Sorry�
“Talaga?�
“ok!�
“shocks!�
“naku�

Seven celeb crushes (whether local or foreign):
Patrick Garcia
Vince Hizon
Marc Nelson
George Clooney
Sean Connery
Tom Hanks
Bill Clinton

Pinoyz2NZ 7th Meet

Another successful meet last Saturday. Many, many thanks to the organizers and speakers of the event especially to Beah, Jes, Atty. Cat, Armi, Lenny, Rhose and Reyjim. Also to Annycel for closing their resto to accommodate us.

A total of 86 kiwi-wannabees attended the gathering. Some of them are still on the researching stage while others are only a few days to their visa. I take my hat off to those who are already in the last leg of the application and yet they still go to the meet to answer inquiries of the new ones.

Beah made me seat next to people who are still deciding on whether to apply to NZ or not. I really don’t know the answer. I just gave them an idea of how the visa processing works and the fees being charged. It was only then that I realized that we spent more than Php210K for our application. This is on top of the Php32K we paid to our unscrupulous immigration consultant. Wow, that’s really a lot of money. I just look at it as an investment with a great ROI (I hope). Having laid the expenses and timetable on the table, I tell the newbies to also consider other destinations like Canada and Australia. NZ’s immigration procedure has become more expensive and lengthy than it used, maybe other countries’ policy is better. But of course they also have to consider the lifestyle and environment NZ has to offer.

Some of the topics discussed are: immigration consultants (is it necessary?), EOI, IELTS tips, WTR, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and of course my topic – Medicals. Though I know my subject matter very well, I am not really a confident speaker. Buti pinag-tyagaan nila ako.

There would be more gatherings like this in the future. The organizers and speakers will eventually pass the torch to others but the essence of the group will always be there. That is to help each and every one realize their kiwi-dream. Mabuhay ang bayanihan!

Nagsabi na si Henry sa boss nya

Finally, on Wednesday Henry told his immediate boss that our WTR application has been approved. Matagal din naming pinag-isipan kung kailang ba ang tamang timing. Does he have to wait for the return of our passports with stamp or much earlier to given them sufficient time to apply? Ang problema kasi, dapat makaalis sya as soon as he can dahil baka abutan sya ng summer vacation ng NZ. Employers might not be on hiring mode pag-summer because I believe most of them go on long vacation. Kung much later na syang aalis, eh di pushed off din ang pagsunod naming mag-iina. Vince would be late for the school opening in January.

Henry holds a vital and critical role in his company’s organization. He just can leave without turning over his duties to the next guy. So kahit di pa 100% na makakaalis sya, nagpaalam na sya. Kung susundin ang batas, 30days notice would suffice but he wants to give his employer more time.

Nakakatuwa yung reaction ng boss nya, he was so happy for our family. He has been to NZ and fell in love with the place. Malayong-malayo daw sa Pinas. Sigurado daw sya na magugustuhan naming ang buhay doon. Well, sana nga. Bago sila magtapos ng usapan ni Henry dun pa lang nya siguro na-realize how thing would change his personal plans after Henry leaves. Ok lang naman daw. Buti naman.

Sabi nga ng kanta “Saying goodbye is never an easy thing�. Mahirap talagang iwanan ang supportive na boss at staff na sobrang sanay ka na. Marami pa sana syang planong improvements para sa planta nila pero di na sya ang magtuloy ng mga yon. The most he could do right now is pray that the transition would be ok. Sana they would found someone who is right for the company and for the people. Ang drama ko.

Bonding ng mag-ama

Henry, Vince and my father-in-law went fishing yesterday. It was raining but it did not dampen my son's excitement. Super saya talaga sya pag magfi-fishing sila. Di ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na syang sumama sa tatay. Minsan kahit may hika, sama pa rin sya. After almost 2 hours, they went home with 5kgs of tilapia in their nets.

Mahilig si Henry sa outdoor activities. This is something he shares with his father. Aside from fishing, they are also into hunting. Dati talagang dumadayo sila sa probinsya gaya ng Norzagaray (Bulacan), Mindoro at Tuguegarao para sa hobby nila. Kaso bawal na yon ngayon kaya mga isda na lang ang pinupuntirya nila. Merong mga fishponds sa Malabon and Valenzuela kaya di na sila lumalayo.

Natutuwa ako na nae-enjoy ng anak ko ang nature. Ayoko kasi na Playstation at computer lang ang alam nyang forms of recreation, mga larong nasa artificial environment, walang socialization. Sa fishing, close to nature na, may bonding pa yung mag-ama ko. Kami kaya ni Shannen, anong activity ang ishe-share namin? Hmmm... blogging siguro.

Bite that tongue

When I was college, I have a friend named Jheff (I hope he's not reading this). One day in our tambayan (sa harap ng canteen), I noticed that he looked upset. On his hand is an expensive-looking calculator. I didn’t see this stuff with him before. I asked him what’s wrong. Bad trip daw sya. May napulot daw syang calcu dun sa last meeting nila ng chem lab. The calcu didn’t have any name. He was clueless of the owner. He picked it up and decided to return it to the owner on their next meet (which is a week later since it's a laboratory class).

It was the day of the next meet, Jheff was a few minutes late for class. When he arrived, he could hear that one of his classmates is fuming mad. She was so sure na may nagnakaw nung expensive nyang calcu on their last meet. Biglang na-confuse ang kaibigan ko, di nya malaman kung itutuloy pa ang good deed nya. Baka pag nagsoli sya, isipin ng classmates nya na ninakaw nga nya yon at na-guilty lang kaya ibinabalik. Jheff kept the calcu with a heavy heart. He’s a good guys. He knew that it’s not right to keep it but he also doesn’t want to be tagged as a theft. Di ko sya masisi. The situation was wrongfully judged.

Lesson learned: Hinay-hinay sa pagbibitaw ng salita. We tend to say the worst things in our worst mood and this could blow things out of proportion. It could add insult to what is already hurting. Learn how to bite your tongue. Mahirap gawin 'to but it works. And when you have properly assessed the situation, speak up. Mas maganda ang resulta di ba.

Feeling Guilty

Di ako nag-lunch dito sa office kanina. Instead, I went to the hospital to get the prescription medicines of my mother-in-law. Nakalimutan kasing ibigay nung doctor bago sya na-discharge kahapon. She had an emergency operation on Sunday to remove her gallbladder (sayang at huli na nang mabasa ko yung binigay sa akin na gallbladder flush ni Felix J!).

Actually, recovering pa rin yung byenan kong lalaki from an appendectomy last month tapos eto na naman ang isang operasyon. Since kami ang kasama nila sa bahay, natural lang na we look after them. They need our tender, loving care. Pero pano na kung matuloy kaming umalis? Sino magdadala sa kanila sa check-up? Sino magbabantay sa hospital kung maco-confine? Sino bibili ng gamot sa Mercury? Sino ang sasama sa SSS office? Naku, mahaba pa ang listahan. Henry has an older brother but he is super busy with his own family and his business. Baka wala rin syang time na nasikasuhin pa sila.

Sa pagpaplano naming mangibang-bayan, we only thought of the kids and us. We never considered Henry’s parents and their feelings. Are we selfish for not including them in our plans? Who will look after them if/when we leave? Kung marami sanang magkakapatid sila Henry ed di na masyadong masakit kung lalayo kami.

Di pa naman sila katandaan (74 and 68) but there are things that they can’t do anymore by themselves kagaya ng doctor’s appointment. Medyo malayo rin kasi ang UDMC from our place. Isa pang iniisip ko eh yung ilalayo namin sa kanila ang mga apo nila. May kakulitan man ang mga tsikitings ko, nakikita ko naman na labs-na-labs sila ng lolo at lola nila. Pag uwuuwi nga kami sa Bulacan ng weekends sinasabi ng bayaw ko na matamlay ang bahay namin. Pano na kaya kung milya-milya na ang layo naming sa kanila.

I don’t have the same problem with my mom. Ok na sa kanya yung tawag at text, at mga twice a month na dalaw. Isa pa, magkatabi lang sila ng bahay ng Ate ko. Tapos kasama pa nya sa bahay yung bunso namin. Kung sa lakaran naman, maraming nunal yon sa paa. Kahit ano nararating nya ng mag-isa. So sa mommy ko, no problem talaga.

Sa totoo lang, sobrang guilty ako. Palibhasa, ako yung mas pursigido na mag-migrate (I did all the research. Approving body lang si Henry). Hindi ko natanong kay Henry kung ok lang na iwanan namin ang parents nya. Di rin naman nya ako kinausap tungkol doon. Pero alam mo na naman ang mga lalaki. I’m sure my in-laws want a better life for us but it will surely cause them heartache. I just pray that they would be fine without us. Walang sakit, walang problema, para naman may peace of mind kami even if we are away from them.

Sabi nila...

Pag-bata ka, ang dali mong utuin. May marinig ka lang na sinabi yung kaibigan mo, maniniwala ka kaagad. Minsan pa nga, malaki ka na di mo pa rin maitapon ang mga akala mong tama noong bata ka.

- pwedeng mambatok kung may nakita kang kalbo o kotseng kuba (Volkswagen)
- may immunity ka naman sa pambabatok ng iba kung naka-peace sign ka
- pag-nabatukan ka, kailangan mong kontrahin yon sa pamamagitan ng pag-tuktok sa baba mo
- di pwedeng magtira ng kanin sa plato. Kung ilan ang natirang butil, yun ang dami ng tigyawat na tutubo sa yo
- Laging magsabi ng tabi-tabi nga po kung dadaan sa tabi ng punso (anthill) o kaya masukal na lugar
- Wag matutulog ng basa ang buhok kung ayaw mong mabubulag ka.
- Bawal maligo pag may monthly period, maloloka ka. ngek!
- Wag papayag na mahakbangan ka ng iba, di ka na tataas.
- Wag magpapakuha ng picture na tatlo kayo, matsu-tsugi daw yung nasa gitna (ang morbid nito)
- Ito ang paborito ko, kung sino ang unang lalaki o babae na makikita mo sa Valentine’s day ang makakatuluyan mo

A letter from my late father

I was fixing my files the other day when I chanced upon a yellow stationery. It was a letter from my dad on his 2nd to the last birthday as a mortal. He was thanking me for the book I gave him (Chicken Soup for the Soul). I knew he'll like it bec. he loves to read inspirational stories.

My dear Jinkee,
I have never read anything in my whole life that melted my heart and me me cry twice is a short a-time. I was so emotionally moved that tears were already rolling down from my eyes while I was reading “Heart Song and The Hugging Judge�. How powerful love really is.
Love,
Daddy

By the way, it’s the 6th death anniversary of my dad on July 31.

Graduation Day Blooper

I just read about bloopers in Bluegreen’s blog. Aba, marami rin ako nyan. The first one I’m sharing happened is the mother of all bloopers. Ang dami kasing naka-witness. Sobrang pahiya talaga ako.

This happened during my high school’s graduation ceremonies. Since special day yon, mga dress to kill kaming mga graduates. I was wearing a green dress tapos naka 2-inch high na shoes. Medyo nakaka-ilang pero kailangang tiisin. Anyway, the program is only for 3 hours at most.

All awardees with parents were called in front (Best in Recess ako, he he he). When my name was announced, my mom and I walked up the stage. Pababa na kami ng mommy ko nang biglang...#@$^*&! Nahulog ako sa hagdan! Saksi ang 500 na batchmates ko pati ng mga kama-anak nila. I stood up immediately to regain my composure. A few steps later, nilapitan ako nung official photographer namin, iniabot yung isang paa ng sapatos ko. Sa taranta ko, di ko namalayan na lumipad ang bago kong sapatos. Gosh, nakakahiya talaga. Parang gusto kong maging invisible that time.

Di pa don natapos ang lahat. A week later, I went to my new school, MIT, to pay my tuition fee. Habang nasa pila, may nakipag-kwentuhan sa akin na sophomore. Syempre, bagong salta ako doon kaya mega-tsika rin ako. After a while, naalala na nya kung saan nya ako nakita. Nandon pala sya sa graduation rites namin for her cousin. Ngekkk, buking ako.

Napapangiti ako pag-naalala ko yung eksena na yon. Things like that add spice to life. It make life more colorful, more exciting. We need this once in a while else, it would be dull and boring. Ngayon pag may kwentuhan tungkol sa bloopers, di lang ako tameme. Pwede pa akong bumangka. Aba, marami yata ako nyan.

What’s happening at NZIS?

The 2004-2005 fiscal yr of NZIS has just ended (June 30,2005). The NZ govt was able to meet their immigration quota. Their 45K target was reached this year. Umabot pa nga ng 48,815. Almost 60% nito ang nasa Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). Ang ibang categories ay refugee, family and business. Dahil wala kaming milyones na pampuhunan o kamag-anak na mag-i-sponsor, dun kami kasama sa SMC.

Year 2003-2004 was not a good year. 45K din ang quota but only 39,017 were granted. Panong hindi magkakaganon eh binago nila yung systema nung Dec 2003. Ready na kaming mag-apply noon pero the points was unbelievable. 195 pts ang kailangan noong nag-open ito nang Feb 2004. Bumababa naman ang points kada buwan. Ngayon nasa 100pts na lang.

After the EOI has been selected, applicants wait for the ITA pack. Nung time namin, 3 months na hintayan lang yon (now it’s 9 months). After submitting the ITA pack, interview na ang kasunod. Hataw sa pag-i-interview ang Bangkok mula March to May 2004. Pati nga yung mga empleyado sa Beijing eh inimport na nila. Naku, pahirapan ang pagpa-pa-move ng interview sked kung natapat sa araw na di ka pwede. Kaya pala ganon ang siste, they were trying to beat the deadline or else kulang na naman ang migrants nila. There was hardly any interview in June 2004. Ito kasi siguro yung time para i-process nila lahat ng info obtained from the interview. Wagi naman ang efforts sila, pasok sila sa quota.

July na ngayon, bagong taong na para sa kanila. They have a slow start, siguro recovering pa from the previous yr’s exhaustion. It is only now that they are inviting applicants for August interview. This is good news to many pinoys I know. Marami dyang ilang bwan ng kakaba-kaba. At least now things are moving. Good luck to you all

Bato-balani

I’ve been feeling this back pain lately. Duda ko, may nangyayari na naman sa lamang-loob ko. The last time I felt this, although not in the same intensity, was in September 2002. I didn’t know what was wrong. The pain was too much for me to handle considering that I already have a high threshold for pain. Henry decided to rush me to the hospital (UST) after I passed out.

After a series of tests, the doctors found out that I have cute little stones in my kidneys. Tama, kidneys nga, kasi parehong meron. Ang tawag nila doon ay nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. Ano ba yun? These are stones formed in my kidneys bec. of too much calcium formed in my system. Hanggang doon na lang ang paliwanag, baka magkamali pa ako. I wasn’t really surprised when I found this out. Noong 1992 kasi natanggalan na ako ng stone sa ureter.

Yesterday, I had a urinalysis to see if I have an infection. Meron nga pero konti lang naman. I’m planning to see my doctor next week. I’m sure sasabihan na naman ako na ipabasag (lithotripsy) na yung mga precious stones ko. Ok lang ako doon kaya lang ang tanong eh when? If I do it now, my company will pay for my hospital bill (wala kaming insurance, medical assistance lang). Kung matuloy kami in a few months sa NZ, nakakahiya naman na pagastusin ko pa sila ngayon. Mga P40K din ata yung procedure.

Libre daw ang hospitalization sa NZ. Mabuti naman. However, may isa pa akong dilemma. I didn’t declare in my application that I have such medical condition. Buti kung mapaniwala ko yung mga doctors doon na bagong tubo lang tong mga bato-balani ko. It may cause setback in our resident visa. Naku, ayaw ko non.

Nakadalawang buko ako kagabi tapos madami akong baong tubig ngayon. 1pm pa lang pero nakaka 7 glasses na ako. Medyo naibsan na yung pain. Sana nga makuha ito sa increase fluid intake. At para siguradong tatalab, sasamahan ko na rin ng isang toneladang dasal. Sana ok yung recipe ko.

Si Lolo Ponso at Lola Cristina

Love na love ko ang maternal grandparents ko (my lolo and lola on my dad's side died early). Nung mga 2 yrs old kasi ako, na-exile ako doon sa kanila sa Pangasinan. My parents had to move to Romblon because of their jobs (they are both teachers). Naawa si Lola Cristina and Lolo Ponso sa amin kaya inaruga nila ako. Naiwan sa parents ko ang ate ko at ang kapapanganak pa lang na si Queenie.

Mabait na bata daw ako sabi ng Lolo Ponso ko. Hindi ako iyakin at lalong hindi pasaway. Ang problema lang nila sa akin, lagi akong nagtatanong. I ask ‘why?’ one after another. Minsan nakakatulugan na ng lolo ko ang pagsagot sa mga tanong ko.

Favorite ako ng lolo ko. Palagi nya akong kabuntot. Habang nagkukumpuni ng bahay, pagpupunta sa bukid (tal-talon), pag namamalengke, pagpupunta sa bangko at marami pang iba. Minsang iniwan nya ako to go to the next town, nabingi ang lola ko sa kaka-iyak ko. I was really unconsolable. Sa inis ni lola, sinilid nya ako sa sako. Of course, tinatakot nya lang ako. Mula non, takot na akong umiyak.

Masaya ako sa bahay ng grandparents ko. Sila ang kinilala kong magulang. Yung mga pinsan ko naman na sina Gigi at Bong ang mga kapatid ko. One day, mga 4 yrs old na ako noon, may dumating sa bahay na isang tisoy na lalaki. Ipinakilala sa akin ng lolo ko. Yun daw ang tatay ko. Di ko naintindihan kung ano ang ibig nyang sabihin. Kaya imbes na tawagin ko syang daddy, 'lolo' ang nasabi ko. 'Papa' ang tawag ko kay lolo. Na-offend dito ang tatay ko. Several weeks later, binawi na nila ako. Hindi na rin kasi ako kayang alagaan ng lolo ko bec. my lola had to go to the States. Maliit pa lang ako non pero I remember getting so confused. I was uprooted. Here are 2 adults claiming to be mom and dad. Tapos may mga 3 bata pa kapatid ko daw. Hindi yon ang kinagisnan ko. Nanibago ako ng husto noong una.

1987 nang mamatay ang lolo ko. Ang lola ko naman still strong and sharp @ 95. To me, they are not just grandparents, they are my second parents. I always thank God for allowing me to be part of their lives.

8th wedding anniversary

Henry and I celebrated our 8th anniversary last week (July 12). No fancy dinner or expensive gifts. We just greeted each other in the morning. On his way home from work, he bought a cake for the family to share. Isang beses pa lang kaming nag-‘celebrate’ ng anniversary namin, that was on our first yr (1998). We watched Godzilla at Megamall (ang romantic di ba?) then dined at Sangkalan in QC. Ang tagal na pala non.

1995 was the year when I met Henry. We were officemates in a manufacturing company in Valenzuela. Akala nya di ko alam na itinanong nya sa HR on my first days if I am single. Oh di ba nabighani agad sa akin. I didn’t stay long with the company (mga 3 months lang siguro) but Henry and I remained together from then on.

Way before I got married, I heard in wedding that one of the keys to a lasting relationship is to respect your partner. That statement stuck in my mind. I don’t always agree with my husband's ideas but don’t nag with him about it. If I don’t approve his act, I tell it to him in a manner na di nagse-sermon. In the things I do, I always consider his feelings. Will it offend him in anyway? If yes, then I won’t do it. If I truly believe in the purpose of something, then I will seek his approval. Kung tingin ko eh di talaga sya papayag, di ko na lang sasabihin. he he he

Our marriage is a work-in-progress. Marami pang problemang haharapin. Marami pang pagsubok na dadanasin. Alam kong kakayanin naming lahat yon because we want to make it work. It’s not ‘you and me’ anymore, it’s now ‘you and me and the kids’. Lagi dapat kasama sa eksena yung 2 bulinggit. They may be too small to understand some things at this point but nevertheless, they should be considered in all decisions of the family. We're 8 yrs now and still growing.

Kiwi Speak

Ibang klase ang 'english' ng mga kiwi. It's unique. Not comparable to american, british nor australian english. They have their own way of pronouncing things. Sa una kailangan mo talagang ulit-ulitin yung word/sentence, nakaka-confuse kasi talaga.

Nakuha ko tong list of kiwi words dun sa isang Brit sa emigratenz forum. Yup, kiwis use long 'e' but not sure if everything else is true. But it's definitely hilarious.

Jungle Bills - Christmas Carol
Ear rowbucks - what alot of women do to loose weight (aerobics).
a medgen - Visualize, conjure up mentally, John Lennon's first solo album.
Brist - part of human anatomy between "nick" and "billy"
Booger - as in "mine's booger than yours"
Choolly Bun - "Chilly Bin", as in Esky (chiller)
Fooshenchoops. "Fish and Chips"
Bedtimeyeradyeraircudiznit. - " It's about time you had your hair cut, isn't it?"
Dimmer Kretz - those who believe in democracy and "Libbernon".
Ekka Dymocks - University staff
Guess - Flammable vapour used in stoves.
Buzniss - Common type of degree
Chick Out Chucks - Supermarket point of sale operators
Jendles - Sandals, thongs, open shoes
Colour - Terminator, violent forecloser of human life
Cuss - Kiss
Phar Lap - NZ's famous horse was christened "Phillip" but was incorrectly written down as "Phar Lap" by an Australian racing official who was not well versed in Kiwi-ese.
Milbun - Capital of Victoria
Peck - To fill a suitcase
Pissed aside - Chemical which kills insects
Pigs - For hanging out washing
Pug - Large animal with curly tail
Nin tin dough - Computer game
Min - Male of the species
Mess Kara - Eye makeup
McKennock - Person who fixes cars
Mere - Mayor
Leather - Foam produced from soap
Lift - Departed
Inner me - Enemy
Guess - Vapour
Fush - Marine creatures
Fitter cheney - Type of pasta
Ever cardeau - Avocado
Fear hear - Blonde
Ear - Mix of nitrogen and oxygen
Ear roebucks - Exercise at gym
Duffy cult - Not easy
Day old chuck - Very young poultry
Bug hut - Popular recording
Bun button - 'Been bitten' by an insect
Beard - A place to sleep
Sucks peck - Half a dozen beers
Ear New Zealand - An extinct airline
Beers - Large savage animals found in U.S. forests
One doze - Well known computer program
Iggs ecktly - Precisely
Beggage chucken - Place to leave your luggage at the earport

My memories of Intramuros

I have good memories of Intramuros. It was my 'home' for more than 4 yrs. I studied there from 1987 to late 1991. Di na rin ako lumayo na tirahan. After a short stay in Lerma (with my friend Ferry), Intramuros na ang bahay ko til I graduated.

Dahil nga love ko ang Intramuros, pinilit ko na sa Intramuros na rin mag-aral si Queenie (younger sister ko). Sa Letran sya kumuha ng business degree nya. Nung time na ni H.O. (bunso namin) na mag-kolehiyo, sa Intramuros din sya nag-enroll (we went to the same school pero di kami nag-abot).

Saksi ang mga adobeng pader na yon sa buhay kolehiyo ko. Pagnare-review ako o kaya may notes na kailangan kopyahin sa ka-klase, pumupwesto na ako sa ibabaw ng wall. Pag may gabing maalinsangan, dun sa ibabaw ng Patio Victoria mo kami mahahagilap. Pag nag-brownout at ayaw naming lamukin sa dorm namin, tumatambay kami sa harap ng Palacio del Gobernador. Pag-bored, pwedeng maglibang sa Fort Santiago. Di na rin lalayo kung magsisimba. Stone-throw away lang ang Manila Cathedral sa tinitirhan namin.

Kakaibang community ang Intramuros. Lahat ng buildings don eh kailangang sumunod sa gusto ng Intramuros Admin na medyo hispanic ang design. Bawat gate na papasok at palabas sa Walled City ay may bantay na akala mo mga gwardia-sibil. Pagdating ng 10pm, sinasara na nila ang mga gates. Oh di ba, parang exclusive village. At higit sa lahat, marami kang makikitang celebrities and prominent personalities doon. Nandon kasi ang office ng Comelec. Tapos sa di kalayuan makikita ang San Agustin Chruch at Manila Cathedral (paboritong kasalan mga rich and famous).

Two yrs ago, bumalik ako sa aking alma mater para kumuha ng school records. Nagulat ako na nakasabay na sa pagiging high-tech ang school ko. Mas nagulat ako sa Intramuros na nakita ko. May McDo, Jollibee at Starbucks na don. Marami na ring sosyal na mga restaurants na nagsulputan. Meron na ring SM Manila na tambayan ng mga estudyante.

Marami nang pinagdaanang pagbabago ang intramuros. From a fort in the spanish era to ruined city in the 1940's, ngayon commercial area na. Pero sa history ng buhay ko, Intramuros is where I enjoyed my college days.