Auckland at last!

We're here in Auckland, at last! Arrived here on May 20 via Cathay Pacific. Except for Shannen's ear problem during landings, wala naman kaming naging problem. Mga 1pm na kami nakalabas ng airport but it was really cold in the parking lot (17degrees).

On our first night here, talagang nag-chill ako sa lamig. We had to turnon the heater. I must admit that I underestimated the temperature down here. Di pala kaya ng powers ko.

The 2-bedroom flat we are renting in nice (newly renovated) but a little small for us (ako, Henry, MIL and 2 kids). We pay $310/week to the kiwi landlord. Dapat $290 lang pero pinadagdagan sa amin nang ipaalam ni Henry that MIL is staying with us too.

Last Sunday, my friend Len invited us to her place for a dinner. Uso yon dito. Dapat nakapagdala kami ng pagkain but because we just arrived, next time na lang ako babawi.

By the way, here are my phone numbers - +64 9 4102524 (res) and +64211744990 (mobile). Contact me if you have time... pls.


PS: medyo malayo ang internet cafe dito kaya madalang pa rin akong makakapag-post.

Last day @ work

Although the effectivity of my resignation is on May 12, I am at work today for the final turnover. Di gaya ng dati, nandito lang ako ngayon sa isang sulok at nagtya-tyaga sa isang super lumang pc. Iba na ngayon ang nagmamay-ari ng mga dati kong pribilehiyo. Nakakapanibago...

Wala na rin yung ever reliable kong si YUMMY (my car). Kinuha na sya ng bago nyang boss. Buti na lang pinahiram ako ni Janjing (kuya ni Henry) ng kotse nya.

By the way, I may not be able to post here in my blog for sometime. Wala pa kasi kaming pc sa Auckland. Inuna ni Henry ang pagbili ng mga mas kailangang gamit. Mami-miss ko ang blogging at ang mga blogkada ko. Anyway, tempo lang naman yon, magkikita-kits pa rin tayo. bye for now.....

Calorie Expenditure

Maiba naman ako. Usapan pang-kalusugan naman tayo. Nasa ibaba ang calorie expenditure per hr para sa iba-ibang activities. Ito ay nakabase sa body weight na 50kgs.

Badminton.................... 300cals
Baseball..................... 225
Basketball................... 415
Basketball - Competitive... 445
Boxing........................ 455
Circuit Training............. 380
Cycling @ 12mph............ 390
Racing...................... 510
Dancing.................... 295
Field Hockey............... 405
Football..................... 400
Golf......................... 260
Horse Riding............... 275
Rowing Crew................ 660
Running @ 6.5mph.......... 480
Running @ 10mph........... 690
Skating (inline)........... 285
Skiing (piste)............. 335
Squash..................... 580
Swimming - slow............ 260
Swimming - fast laps....... 445
Tennis - social.............. 340
Weight Training............ 395
Walking 5kph............... 220

Note: Remember that these are only guidelines. Your lean muscle percentage, skill and fittness level will alter your expenditure

Visitor's Visa for MIL - Final Chapter

The end justifies the means.
- Machiavelli

After weeks of getting tensed and all, MIL is finally permitted to travel to NZ for 59 days. Her visitor's visa was released this morning. Yipeee!!! May makakatulong na ako sa pag-i-istima sa mga bata sa trip namin. Aba, mahirap din bumiyahe ng may bitbit na 2 makukulit na bata tapos may iintindihin pang mga bagahe.

Tutpeyst

Noong December ko pa nabili tong tutpeyst (50ml) na 'to. Gamit ko to sa office. Tinitipid-tipid ko ang kuha kasi mahigit isang linggo ko pa syang gagamitin. Tuwing magse-sepilyo ko, kulang na lang pasagasaan ko sa pison para mapiga ang laman. Di bale, ilang tulog na lang, retired na sya.

The doctor is in

24 days na ngayon si Henry sa Auckland. So far, marami nang nangyari sa buhay nya. Nakapagbakasyon na sya sa Matarangi, may work na rin sya (since last week), nakahanap na ng bahay na lilipatan at, higit sa lahat, nasubukan na nyang magpakonsulta sa doktor. His eye got inflamed so he went to see a doctor yesterday. It was 'bloody' expensive! Since di pa sya PR, he paid full for the consultation fee and prescription. Tumataginting na $65 ang bayad kay doc at $38 naman para sa antibiotic and eye ointment. Almost isang araw na sweldo na yon ni Henry.

Nagbilin si Henry na magdala daw ako ng mga OTC medicines (biogesic, imodium, mefenamic acid, etc.) Kadalasan kasi ay kailangan ng reseta bago makabili doon ng gamot. For my maintenance meds, I'll probably bring 3 months supply.

Credentials for Employment

Ilang interviews na rin ang napagdaanan ni Henry kaya alam na nya ang mga dapat dalhin pag haharap sa employer or employment agent.

1. NZQA report
2. Recommendation letter from at least 3 employers
3. Certificate of employment from previous employers
4. Passport showing visa
5. IELTS certificate

Mahal daw ang magpa-photocopy sa NZ kaya dito pa lang sa Pinas, magpa-reproduce na (mga 5 copies each). Pero dapat A4 size ang paper kasi yung ang standard sa NZ.

Henry @ Matarangi

Five days after Henry arrived in Auckland, nasabak na agad sya sa outing. Yun kasing kaibigan namin ay nag-bakasyon nang 5 days sa Matarangi kaya tangay din sya. Tama yon, bago sya sumabak sa trabaho, dapat ma-experience muna nya ang ganda ng New Zealand.

250km from Auckland ang Maratangi. Beach yung pinuntahan nila kaya surfing, boogey boarding and fishing ang naging activities nila. Whattalife! Henry enjoys the outdoor and this kind of leisure really thrills him.

Visitor's Visa for MIL -Part 4

A week after completing the requirements, NZIS Makati emailed my dear MIL to inform that her application is on Managed Queue. Within the next 4 weeks they'll contact her again for her application's processing time and case officer. I don't think she'll face the case officer for an interview. I believe that they'll make a decision based on the documents we submitted.

The end of the 4th week falls on May 10. I hope that a positive decision has been made by then. The kids and I are scheduled to leave on May 19. It would be less taxing for me if she could accompany us on our trip.

Henry's first job interview

Henry had his first job interview today. Although willing naman yung host nya to drive him around the city, he took the bus to know his way around. Nakauwi naman sya in one piece.

The position he applied for is something he would never consider here in the Philippines. But what the heck. It's NZ! When we started our migration plans, we expected that our jobs will be downgraded. This way, he won't get frustrated just esily. Kahit anong trabaho muna sa una, saka na lang yung job na talagang gusto nya.

His interviewer said he overqualified for the position but would still consider him. If they hire him, he'll start on Wednesday next week. I advised him to look for other oppurtunities before saying accepting any job. Malay mo, meron pang mas maganda pa syang makita.

Henry's Day 01 in AKL

Share ko lang ang unang araw ni Henry sa Auckland.

= = = = = = =

Day 01:

Arrived in NZ at 11:45, the airport is in the southern part of Auckland. My hosts greeted me at the arrival exit.

Got a little confused with RHD, felt like the vehicle is always on the wrong side of the road. Never felt this in Bangkok bec. traffic is slow. In Auckland, everyone drives very fast.

We passedby a Korean resto to have lunch. Servings are very large equivalent to 2 meals for me. Noel ordered chicken noodles for me but I only finish half of it. (inuwi ko pa kalahati and ate it the next day).

Nag-rest ng konti then went to Thomas Moore church to attend mass.
Then dinner sana sa vietnamese resto but puno ang place, so we went to pizzahut-request ng mga kids and have dinner.

Went home after dinner and watched the Rex Navarrete DVD I brought. Tawa sila ng tawa kay Rex. Rested after that.

end of day 1.

NESW Auckland

Nagsimula nang mag-submit ng resume(online) si Henry since last week. Noong umpisa, mahirap kasi di kami familiar sa Auckland geography. Naghanap kami ng magandang mapa para solve ang problema (thanks, MapQuest).

Ang titirhan ni Henry ay nasa north (Albany) kaya doon ang concentration ng kanyang application. Pag walang magandang oppurtunities doon, susubukan nya rin sa ibang lugar.

DSWD -Parental Consent

I was talking to Jane of P2NZ yesterday. She was confirming if it's true that minors travelling with one parent doesn't need DSWD travel clearance anymore. Ang alam ko kailangan kasi kumuha kami ng clearance for my 2 kids last Feb. 16.

I made my own research. Tinawagan ko kanina ang DSWD Malate. To my surprise, tama ang sinabi kay Jane. Ang requirement na lang ngayon ay notarized parental consent from the non-accompanying parent. Any lawyer can do this.

Kahapon lang daw ito na-disseminate ng DSWD. Since bago pa, bigyan daw namin ng konting time ang Immigration para maging informed sila. Good news to kasi talaga nga namang sobrang hirap pumila sa DSWD.

Visitor's Visa for MIL - Part 3

Kahit senior citizen na ang MIL ko (she's 68), mukhang dadaan sya sa butas ng karayom sa pagkuha ng visiotr's visa. Nang ipasa ng travel agency yung application form nya, nag-note si visa officer na kailangang mag-submit ng additional requirements - Sponsorship form from Henry, and bank account history. Yung unang hinihingi, impossible. Eh sa April 7 pa lang aalis si Henry. Kahit nasa NZ na sya, di pa rin uubra. Only bonafied residents and citizens can sponsor a visitor. WTR visa lang ang hawak ni Henry.

2 bank certificates were submitted as evidence of financial support. However, account history should be presented. This can come in the form of passbook or bank statement (last 3 months). Don medyo may problema. Pareho kasing bagong placements yung pera ni MIL. Yung isang account ay dating nakapangalan kay Henry na ginamit nya as WTR 'show money'. Yung isa naman ay dating low-interest investment bago naging time deposit. Ang available lang na history nung old investment ay photocopy na galing sa bangko.

Medyo kinakabahan ako sa result ng application na 'to. Kung di namin makakasama si MIL, lagot ako sa byahe :-(

PhP to US$ to NZ$

Next week na ang alis ni Henry kaya mega-prepare kami sa mga dadalhin nya. Isa sa pinaka-importanteng kailangan nyang dalhin ay ang kaperahan. Syempre, no-pansin sa NZ and ating pesos. Pwede ring magdala ng US$ doon pero sabi ng isang new migrant, mas maganda raw magpalit ng NZ$ dito sa Pinas. Di ko na to ni-research, I just took her word for it.

Hindi available ang pera ng mga kiwi sa ating mga suking palitan. I really don' know the reason behind this. Saan nga ba nakakapalit ng NZ$? 3 ang alam kong options - ANZ Bank, HSBC and 'black market'. Hindi ako nag-attemp na mag-resort sa black market pero may kilala ako na nakabili nito somewhere sa Ermita.

ANZ Bank (tel# 818-8117). Kung bibili ka ng NZ$, pwede mo itong kunin in cash or in bank draft. NZ$1000 ang max. na pwedeng bilhin kung cash ang gusto mo. Pag bank draft, walang ceiling pero may bayad na US$13. Ang selling rate nila ay Php31.75 or US$0.6166 (pwede PhP or US$ ang ibayad mo). Passport lang ang hihingiin nila para makapa-transact.

HSBC. Mas convenient sa akin ito kaya dito ako bumili. Actually, withdrawal yon kasi kailangan may acct ka sa kanila. Buti na lang at may Dollar Account doon ang nanay ko na pwedeng i-withdraw in any currency. Ang siste lang, you have to give them 3 days para maka-request sa Head Office nila. Ang US$617.11 ay katumbas ng NZ$1000 (or US$0.6177 per NZ$). Pwede ring bumili sa kanila ng bank draft sa halagang US$30.

Mas maganda ang rate ng ANZ Bank. Aside dito, pwedeng peso at US dollar ang ipambili.

Visitor's Visa for MIL - Part 2

6:50am nasa embassy na ako. Pambihira, ang daming mas maaga sa akin. Sa unofficial listahan, pang no. 23 na ako. 7:00am, dumating na yung guard na taga-lista. Tinawag yung mga pangalan ng di na-accommodate kahapon. Pambihira, naging no. 28 na ako. Siguradong mauubos ang isang araw ko sa paghihintay.

Since 9:00am pa magpapa-akyat ng applicants, pumunta muna ako sa Anscor-Casto Travel para bayaran yung plane ticket ni Henry. Sa April 7 na ang lipad nya via Cathay Pacific. Si Carol ang contact person ko don. Member din sya ng Pinoyz2NZ. Nai-kwento ko sa kanya na magsu-submit ako ng application for my dear MIL. Pwede rind aw na sila na ang mag-lodge non. Uy, maganda yon. Di na ako pipila. Ibinigay ko sa kanila lahat ng docs na dala ko plus the P700 processing fee. Kung kukwentahin ko ang parking fee, gas, leave ko sa office at oras ng paghihintay, di na ako lugi doon. I should have considered this right from the start.

Bukas na nila dadalhin sa embassy yung application form. Sana walang additional documents na hihingin para may interview sked na agad.

Champ

May nagpa-Jollibee kanina dito sa office. Ang laki pala ng Champ. Grabe! First time kong kumain ng burger na mas malaki sa cheese burger. yummmmmm....

Visitor's Visa for MIL - Part 1

Galing ako sa NZ embassy sa Makati nung Tuesday. Magsu-submit sana ako ng Visitor’s Visa application para sa mother-in-law (MIL) ko. 9 to 11:30am ang oras ng pagtanggap ng application form. 8:05am ako dumating, madami nang taong naghihintay sa baba ng bldg. Ang una kong ginawa ay hanapin yung guard na naglilista. Wala! Umakyat daw sabi nung isang guard. Nasilip ko yung listahan, medyo mahaba na.

Habang naghihintay, ilang ulit kong ni-review yung mga dala kong documents. Dala ko yung application form, passport, bank certs, business registration cert., at booking cert. ni MIL. May isa na lang akong kulang, yung Supplemental Questionnaire (one page lang) na sa embassy lang nakukuha. Nang kampante na akong kumpleto ang dala kong documents, inumpisahan ko nang makipag-tsikahan sa mga nandoon. Syempre, mga babae lang ang nilapitan ko.

Girl #1 - Babae na may 2 anak. Family Category daw sila. Nandon na sa Palmy yung mister.

Girl #2 - Visitor’s visa ang pakay para sa kanilang mag-ina. May dala syang medical cert kasi more than 1 yr ang plano nyang stay. Si husband daw ay almost a year nang nasa South Island as Dairy Farm worker. Tinanong ko kung pano nagka-work visa si mister. Nag-apply daw sya at mga kasama sa www.frenz.co.nz.

Girl #3 – May good friend daw syang pupuntahan sa Auckland. Plano nyang wag nang bumalik sa Pinas if ever ma-grant ang application nya.

Girl #4 – Magpapakasal daw sya sa NZ sa jowa nyang Kiwi. Nagtataka ako bakit yung sister ni lalaki ang nag-sponsor sa kanya at di si fiancé.


9:00am nang bumaba yung taga-lista. Pinaakyat nya na yung mga taong una sa listahan. Pagkatapos non, inilista naman yung pangalan ng mga naiwan. Dahil sa walang sistema, naging number 1 ako…. number one sa next page. Grrrrr!#$%^*&^ . Mamayang konti, pinaakyat na si girl #s 1 and 4.

10:30am, yippee, mapalapit na ang turn ko. Medyo nag-retouch na ako (ang arte. he he he). Bumaba na si girl no. 4 (yung may fiancé) na nakasimangot. Kulang daw sya ng requirements, kailangan daw dala na nya yung application fee na P4700 (libre kung ang stay ay less than 59days). Nakupo, wala din ako non. Bayad pala agad. May credit card ako pero bank draft, cashier’s check and manager’s check lang ang acceptable. Takbo ako sa BPI (sa grnd floor din). May account naman ako doon, pwede akong bumili ng manager’s check. Nanlambot ako nang makita kong ang haba ng pila sa teller. Imposible na akong umabot sa cut-off time ng embassy. Kainis, nasayang ang oras ko.

May part 2 pa to. Sa Tuesday, babalik ulit ako sa embassy. Sisiguraduhin king nandoon ako nang 6:45am para mauna akong tawagin.

Happy birthday Lola

Lola Cristina is my maternal grandmother. She’s very special to me because she and my Lolo Ponso took care of me when I was 2 to 4 yrs old. Today is her birthday.

After 96 years (kaya nyo yon?), 7 children, 21 grandchildren and 28 greatgrandchildren, I must say that she’s still a “strong� and independent woman. If not for a bad leg which she got from an accident a few years ago, her physical and mental health are perfect.

Recently, she’s been weakened by pains in her lower body. According to the doctor, it’s osteoarthritis. This makes my mom really crazy. She’s on rollercoaster of emotions lately because of my lola’s condition. In the past weeks, my mom has already made several trips to Agno, Pangasinan. I know in her heart that she doesn’t want to leave lola’s side but she also has a business to run in Bulacan.

Happy birthday, Lola. I wish you more healthy years.

Saying Goodbye to my Staff

After keeping my mum for two weeks, yesterday, I finally decided to talk to my staff about the "inevitable" day. Hindi pa sana pero I know they'll know about it soon. Meron na kasi kaming ads sa Manila Bulletin nung Sunday. Kaya kesa malaman pa nila sa iba, mabuting sa akin na manggaling yung announcement.

Gaya ng inaasahan ko, meron nang nakatunog. May mga natatanong na daw bakit posted yung position ko sa dyaryo. Ipinaliwanag ko sa kanila yung dahilan ng aking paglilihim (naks, ang lalim ng tagalog ko) at kung bakit ako aalis. Walang masyadong reaction sa kanila. Palibhasa, mga shy-type at no-talk itong mga boys ko.

Tuloy pa rin ang mga projects namin. Lahat ng deadlines ay dapat pa ring i-meet. The least I expect to happen is for my group to go in chaos after I leave. I'll make sure that my replacement will be able to pickup from where I left off. Kaya eto ako, busy sa pag-document ng mga itu-turnover ko.

Middle-class na Pinoy

May pinadala sa akin sa email yung isang ka-opisina ko. Nakakatuwa kaya ilalagay ko sya dito sa blog ko. Parang ako yung sumulat kasi I share the very same sentiments with the author. Sana maka-relate kayo.


PAANO NAMAN KAMING MGA MIDDLE CLASS NA PINOY

Ako ay isang middle class Pinoy, isang officer sa isang malaking korporasyon at may asawa...dalawa anak. Di na importante pangalan ko kasi parepareho naman tayong mga middle-class....trabaho 9-5, inom konti tapos uwi sa pamilya, laruin si baby, itutor si ate/kuya tapos tulog na, pag wala na pera intay nalang ng sweldo.

Sa nangyayari ngayon sa ating bansa, lahat nalang ng sector ay maingay at naririnig, tayo lang mga middle-class, tax paying at productive Pinoys ang di naririnig. Subalit, buwis natin ang nagpapaikot sa bansang ito. Pag may mga gulo na nangyayari, tayo ang tinatamaan. Kaya eto ang liham ko sa lahat ng maiingay na sector na sana makagising sa inyong bulag na pag-iisip.


Sa Mga Politiko:
Diyos ko naman, sa dami na nang nakurakot ninyo di na ba kayo makuntento kelangan nyo pa ba manggulo.


Sa Administrasyon:
Hayan ayus na ha pinatawad na namin ang pandaraya nyo sa eleksyon, pruweba dito e di kami umaatend sa mga panawagan ng people power, kaya sana naman gantihan nyo kami ng magandang serbisyo at magaling na pamumuno at malaking bawas sa kurakot naman please para kahit papano maramdaman naman namin na may napupuntahan ang binabayad naming buwis.

Saka Madam GMA, step down ka na pag parliamentary na tayo sa 2007, tignan mo, i-announce mo mag-step down ka kapag parliamentary na tayo, resounding YES yan sa plebiscite at tigil pa ang mga coup at people power laban sayo. Try mo lang.......


Sa Oposisyon:
Di nyo pa ba nakikita na dalawang klase lang ng tao ang nakikinig sa inyo....isa ay bayaran na mahihirap kungdi man ay tangang mga excited na reporter na parang naka-shabu lagi....mga praning e at nagha-hallucinate.

Bago man lang kayo maglunsad ng kilos laban sa administrasyon, pumili muna kayo ng magiting at nararapat na ipapalit sa liderato ngayon. Hirap sa inyo paresign kayo ng paresign wala naman kayo ipapalit na maayos.

Advise lang galing sa isang middle-class na syang tunay na puwersa sa likod ng lahat ng matagumpay na People Power, magpakita muna kayo ng galing bago nyo batuhin ang administrasyon. Wala na kaming narinig sa inyo kundi reklamo, e wala naman kayong ginagawa kundi magreklamo....para kayong batang lagi na lang naaagawan ng laruan.....GROW UP naman...sa isip sa salita at sa gawa.

Please lang gasgas na rin ang pagrarally nyo na katabi nyo ay mga bayaran na mahihirap, magtayo nalang kayo ng negosyo at i-empleyo ang mga rallyista para maging productive silang mamamayan. Sige nga, pag nagrarally kayo yakapin nyo nga at halikan yang mga kasama nyong nagrarally!! Nung People Power namin nagyayakapan kami lahat nuon.

Wala naman mangyayari sa mga rally nyo nakakatraffic lang, kami pang middle-class ang napeperwisyo. Di nyo kayang paghintayin ng 3 araw ang mga rallyista nyo kasi kelangan nyo pakainin at swelduhan ang mga yan.

Kung gusto nyo tagumpay na People Power kami ang isama nyo....pero pagod na kami e, sori ha.


Sa Military:
Alam nyo lahat tayo may problema, pati US Army may problema, 2,000 plus na patay sa kanila sa Iraq na parang walang rason naman, pero nakita nyo ba sila nagreklamo? Wala diba kasi professional sila na sundalo.....yan dapat ang sundalo di nagtatanong sumusunod lang. Kasi may mga bagay na di kayang maintindihan ng indibidwal lamang, at ang mga nakatataas lang ang nakakaintindi ng kabuuan, kaya ito ang panuntunan ng lahat ng military ng lahat ng bansa. Pero parang military natin yata ang pinaka-mareklamo.

Sabi nga sa Spiderman "with great power comes great responsibility"... kaya maging spiderman kayo lahat at protektahan ang mamamayan. Sa totoo lang natatakot kami kapag nagrereklamo kayo, kasi may baril kayo at tangke, kami wala.

Wala ako comment sa mga mahihirap, di naman kasi sila maingay na kusa eh, may bayad ang ingay nila. Saka wala rin naman silang email.

Kaya paano na tayong mga middle-class?? Eto hanggang email nalang tayo kaya ikalat nyo na ito at magdasal tayo na umabot ito sa mga dapat makabasa nito at makiliti naman ang kanilang mga konsyensya.


Signed,

Isang Middle-Class Pinoy na walang puknat na binabawasan ang sweldo ng Buwis!

Ang Pagre-Resign – Unang Yugto

Yung pagpapaalam ko sa boss ko noong isang araw ay hindi ang unang pagkakataon na nag-abot ako sa kanya ng resignation letter. That was actually the second time. The first time happened a couple of years ago.

The year was 2001. May nakita akong magandang ads. Business Analyst for SAP for JAKA ang nakalagay. Tamang-tama sa qualifications ko yung requirements nila. At higit sa lahat, SAP yon. Malaking challenge para sa akin. As in malayo sa Visual Foxpro/Basic applications namin sa office.

So nag-apply ako. After the exam, I was interviewed by the team leader. Pasado naman ako sa kanya kaya pinasa nya na ako sa MIS Manager. Ang huling tanong sa akin “when can you start?�. Sabi ko, “Please give me a month�. Ok daw.

Di nagtagal, nagpa-medical ako (sagot nila yung bayad). Nang-ok ang result ng medical ko, nagpasya akong mag-hand in ng resignation letter sa boss ko. Nagulat sya. May mga pinangako syang “changes� sa akin, baka daw sakaling magbago ang isip ko. Balikan ko daw sya kung decided na ako.

Right after that talk, I got a phone call from my future boss. Katatapos lang daw ng meeting nya with her bosses. Pinapa-hold ng management lahat ng personnel hiring kung hindi rin lang replacement. Ano!!!! Bakit nangyari yon? Natalo kasi sa national elections si Juan Ponce-Enrile kaya naapektuhan ang finances ng company. Pano na yon? Pano na ako? Saan ako pupulutin gayung nakapag-paalam na ako? Kung alam ko lang na magkakaganon, ipinangampanaya ko sana si Enrile.

Buti na lang at di ako kaagad pinayagan ng boss ko. After two days, bumalik ako sa opisina nya. Sinabi ko na nagbago na ang isip ko (syempre di ko sinabing yung employer ang nagbago ng desisyon). A few months later, I was promoted.

I do hereby tender my resignation....

I just had a talk with my boss. I told her that I’m leaving the company to migrate to NZ. Contrary to what I was expecting, di sya mukhang happy/excited para sa amin. In fact, she sounded skeptical. Ba't daw New Zealand (with matching taas ng kilay)? Why are we uprooting ourselves in the Phil for NZ? Ba't hindi sa Canada, US or Australia? Eh di syempre sinabi ko na maganda ang NZ at tingin namin ay maraming potentials. Although she agrees that it’s a beautiful place pero parang di sya elibs sa NZ. Well opinion nya yon, di ko na sya kinontra.

April 22. That will be my last working day. Sana makakuha sila agad ng kapalit ko para naman maayos ang turn-over ko. Ayoko namang iwanan ang trabaho ko na chaotic.

CFO and DSWD

Wala akong pasok kahapon (Kalookan Day) kaya sinamantala namin ni Henry ang pagkakataon para lakarin ang 2 sa pinaka-importanteng docs bago kami makaalis – CFO sticker at DSWD Travel Permit for Minor. Dalawa lang yon at magkalapit pa ng opisina pero inabot kami ng maghapon.

First stop CFO. Dapat one hour before the seminar nandon ka na kasi limited seats lang. Dumating kami doon nang eksaktong 9am. Nandon na si Jes nang dumating kami (of course kasama si mommy). May mga P2NZ members na dumating later on pero di na sila nakahabol sa 10am seminar. Pinabalik sila ng 2pm.

Puno yung seminar room . Nasa 60 to 70 ang tao. 3 kami na going to NZ, 1 sa Japan, 1 sa Australia at isa Spain. The rest, mga papuntang US.

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar or PDOS ang pangalan ng seminar. Pinag-uusapan dito ang mga travel regulations, settlement issues and rights/obligations ng isang migrante. I would like to point out some important things I’ve learned from the seminar.

- A migrant must inform the Philippine embassy in his host country about his arrival.
- Never bring pirate stuffs (i.e. CD, bags, shirts, learning materials, etc).
- Have you passport renewed if it’ll expire in less than 6 months from time of departure
- Lastly, if your passport is damaged (torn page, broken plastic laminate, food/beverage stain, etc.), have it replaced.


2:00pm na kami dumating sa DSWD sa Malate. Inabutan namin doon si Tinay kasama ang cute-na-cute kong inaanak na si Shasha. Papuntang US naman sila.

May customer no. na binibigay yung guard pagpasok sa gate. #126 and #127 ang inabot sa akin. Nag-usisa ako. Ngek, #62 pa lang ang pino-process. Ilang minuto pa, tinawag na si Tinay - #99. Ang siste pala doon, pwede kang magpalista tapos balik ka na lang. Kung wala ka nang tawagin ang number mo, malalaktawan ka pero pagdating mo, salang ka na agad. Dapat pala nagpalista na kami bago pumunta ng CFO.

1 day, 2 accomplishments. Next step, LTO.

Visitor's Visa Reqts

Plano namin na isama sa NZ ang mother-in-law ko para naman di ako mahirapan sa pagdala kay Vince and Shannen sa eroplano (Henry will go ahead of us). Kung nandon na sya, pwede rin akong magtrabaho to augment the family income. Kaya kanina, pumunta ako sa NZ Embassy sa Makati to get the requirements for Visitor's Visa. May mga requirements ang embassy sa Pinas na wala sa website ng NZIS.

Ito po ang akin nakalap.

VISITOR’S VISA APPLICATION CHECKLIST
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
1. Completed and signed Application for Visiting New Zealand form.
2. Supplementary Questionnaire
3. Application fee of P4,700 for Filipinos staying more than 59 days. No fee if staying not longer than 59 days.
4. Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months)
5. One (1) recent passport size photograph
6. Evidence of funds for maintenance in New Zealand (examples below) and/or evidence of sponsorship (i.e. sponsorship form)
..... Bank certificates supported by bankbooks showing savings history
..... Personal assets – land titles, shares, stocks, business registration, etc.
..... Employment certificate showing monthly income, supported by income tax return
..... Is self-employed, provide business registration. Permit, SEC, bank accounts, income tax return
7. Any other information, evidence and submissions the applicant considers show that the applicant should be issued with a visitor visa.
8. Completed TB screening if intended stay in NZ is more than 6 months. Full medical examination if staying in NZ for more than 12 months


ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Old passports to indicate previous travel history
2. Leave certificate from employer if employed
3. Confirmed 2-way booking certificate from Travel Agent/Airline showing onward travel. (We do not recommend you purchase the tickets until your visa is issued.)


HOW TO LODGE YOUR APPLICATION
You can mail or submit the application in the address below
Visa Section
New Zealand Embassy
23rd Floor BPI Buendia Center
Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City 1272
(PO Box 3228 MCPO, Makati City)


VISA SECTION OPENING HOURS
9am – 11:30am, Monday to Friday


EMBASSY CONTACT NUMBERS
Tel: 8915358; Fax: 8915352

PROCESSING TIME
Each application is assessed on its own merits, on a case to case basis. Normal processing time is 5 working days for applicants with good travel history

Aside sa mga gamit at papeles na bibitbitin papuntang NZ, may mga kailangan din lakarin ang mga WTR visa holder bago lumipad. Ito ang pinagpa-planuhan ko ngayon. Oo nga't malayo pa ang departure date namin pero dapat maasikaso na to the soonest possible time.

Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminars
Description: Required to all emigrating Filipinos
Agency: Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO)
Site: http://www.cfo.gov.ph/pdos.htm
Requirements: passport + visa, photo, valid ID with photograph, P250


Travel Clearance for Minors
Description: for minors traveling outside the Philippines, alone or unaccompanied by his parents
Agency: DSWD (tel# 523-9117)
Site: http://www2.dswd.gov.ph/images/articles/mtaformabd.pdf
Requirements: birth cert. on SECPA, marriage contract, passport, latest picture, Parental Consent (notarized)


Driver’s License Certificate
Description: NZ may require this upon application of driver’s lic.
Agency: LTO Central Office
Site: http://www.lto.gov.ph/dlcertreq.html#abroad
Requirements: Driver’s license and TIN


Reduced Travel Tax
Description: entitles children <13 to 50% discount on travel tax (P1620)
Agency: Department of Tourism (tel# 5235383, 5241751)
Requirements: passport + birth certificate + P200 processing fee

Memo on Documentation of Overseas Workers
Description: exempts WTR visa holders from POEA processing
Agency: OWWA

Blue, blue, blue . . .

Our passports with that shiny blue visa has finally arrived. We’ve been praying for this for 4 years now. The best ka talaga, Lord.

Ibang level na naman ng anxiety tong nararamdaman ko. Ang daming aasikasuhin (CFO, DSWD Clearance, LTO license cert., etc) at bibilhin. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Mas gusto ko ang ganito ang pino-problema.

To everyone who has been a part of our NZ dream, thank you. To those who are still in the process of applying, konting tiis na lang at dadating din yan.

Ang utang....bow

Wow! Yipee! Wahoo! Sa lahat ng may utang na P42,767.47, kami ang pinaka-masaya. Bat naman hindi, galing sa NZIS Bangkok yung charge na yon (Migrant Levy). Pero nagtataka ako, bat wala man lang abiso si lovely visa officer namin. January 27 pa yung date ng transaction, sana may email man lang si VO. Naku, wag nyang sasabihing nagkamali sya ng charging, baka magkaron ng masaker sa Bangkok. Anyway, I'm writing her later to confirm.

Para sa iyo ang laban na 'to

Yan ang battlecry ni Manny Pacquiao sa pangalawang paghaharap nila ni “El Terrible� Morales. I’m sure importante sa kanya yung $4M na maiuuwi nya sa laban na yon pero more than that, he offered his fight to his countrymen. Nagpagawa pa nga sya na kanta kay Lito Camu na yun ang title – “Para sa Iyo ang Laban na 'to�. Sabi sa news, it'll be played on Pacman's big night. Di ko sure kung nangyari ito.

Hindi ako boxing fan. Wala akong pakialam kung sino ang naglalaban, much more kung sino ang panalo. Pero sa huling laban ni Manny, I joined the nation in praying for his victory. Bakit kamo, this guy brings so much hope and joy to the Pinoys, babae man o lalaki. Kahit sa sandaling panahon, nakakalimutan nila ang kanilang mga problema at nagiging united. Sa bawat puntos ni Manny, sabay-sabay ang hiyaw at palakpakan. Sa bawat tama sa kanya, napaparay din sila.

Mr. Pacquiao, it was a wonderful fight. More power to you and may you continue to bring glory, joy and hope (and $$$) to your country.

Remembering Phone #s

An average person can memorize about 50 phone numbers. This was 8 years ago when you really need to memorize the contact numbers. Now, we have phonebooks in our pc and cellphone wherein we transfer part of our memory capacity.

When I changed my mobilephone number a few months back, it took me more than a month to stick that number into my head. Sariling phone number ko na yon ha. Kasi naman, ang hahaba ng numbers ngayon. Before, all Globe cp#s start with '0917' ('0919' ata ang sa Smart) so all you need to remember is the 7-digit subscriber's number. Ngayon, you wouldn't recognize kung Smart, Globe or Sun ang isang number. Life is getting complicated.

12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country

Nang mabasa ko yung "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country" ni Alexander L. Lacson, napatango ako. Yes, this nation can be great again. At hindi naman pala mahirap yong gawin. Kaya pakiusap lang mga friendship, pagsikapan nating ibangon ang ating mahal na bayan.

1. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.

2. Whenever you buy anything, always ask for an official receipt.

3. Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.

4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.

5. Respect your traffic officer, policemen, soldier and other public servants.

6. Do not litter. Dispose of your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.

7. Support your church.

8. During elections, do your solemn duty.

9. Pay your employees well.

10. Pay your taxes.

11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.

12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.

My name is Jennifer

My real name is Jennifer. Sabi ng nanay ko, nakuha daw nya yon sa movie noong 1970's na Love Story. Jennifer ang pangalan ng female character at Oliver naman yung lalaki (kaya naging Henry Oliver ang name ng brother ko). Hindi ako nag-iisa. Sa US, Jennifer ang most popular female name noong dekada 1970 to 1984.

Ok sa akin ang nickname na Jen or Jenny pero mas pinili ng nanay ko ang Jinkee (take note, dapat double E). Recently, nalaman ko sa aking tyahin na sya daw ang nag-suggest sa nanay ko na tawagin akong Jinkee. Ang layo non sa real name ko pero di ko na inusisa ang dahilan.

Nickname na nga ang Jinkee, marami akong kaibigan na pinapaiksi pa ito, ginagawang 'Jinks". May iba pinapalitan pa ng spelling - nagiging jinx. Hindi kaya malasin naman ako non? Sa totoo lang, I used to mind that until i learned that it's Halle Berry's name in Die Another Day.

You can call me Jennifer, Jen, Jenny, Jinkee or Jinx basta ba nakatingin ka sa akin sa pagtawag mo.

Koling-koling Bangkok

6 months na kaming naghihintay sa aming WTR visa. Ang unang pangako ay 2 months lang. Yung ibang applicants are lucky to have theirs on time. Yung iba medyo nagkaroon ng delay ng konti pero wala na atang tatagal pa sa paghihintay namin. Actually, 2 kaming members ng pinoyz2nz ang waiting soo patiently. Sya June 15 nag-submit, kami July 8.

When we made a follow-up early December, v.o. Kamonrat said she’ll finalize our application by end December. Dumaan ang December, walang visa na dumating. Henry decided to give our her a call yesterday. Binalaan ko si Henry na maghanda ng bala in case sabihin ni VO na maghintay kami hanggang end-Feb (yun kasi ang sinagot nya sa isa ring nagfo-follow up).

3:30pm, tinawagan ako ni Henry. Obvious ang suya sa boses nya. Tama nga ang kutob ko, end-Feb ang bagong ipapangako sa kanya. Pumalag daw sya pero ready si Kamonrat na sumagot na “you have to understand that we have some delays in the office�. Poor us, we are at her mercy.

Kung end-Feb pa nga yon dadating, April pa ni Henry maiiwan ang trabaho nya. Tsk, tsk, tsk... Malamang na maiba na ang plano namin. Baka imbes na mauuna sya sa NZ for a month or two eh magsasabay na kami. Pag-inabutan si Shannen ng 2nd bday nya sa May, magiging 75% na ang airfare nya instead of 10%. Sayang din yon. Isa pa, parang mahirap na pagdating namin doon eh sobrang lamig na.

Happy New Year

Ang tagal ko ding hindi nag-post. I've been through a great ordeal which made me detached from the "world". Nakalimutan ko ang trabaho ko, ang current events, pag-inom ng maintenance meds, blogging, pati na nga ang pagsuklay. Haaay, na-loka talaga ako.

Shannen got sick a few hours before 2005 ended. Sinalubong namin ang bagong taon sa ER. She had 6 vomits in 3 hours. When this subsided, pinahinga namin sya sa bahay. Ang kaso ayaw namang kumain o dumede. January 2, nag-lbm naman sya. Nag-desisyon na kaming i-confine sya sa Phil. Children's Medical Center (PCMC). When the IV was inserted in her hand, she was crying so loud but now tears would come out of her eyes. Her frail body was dehydrated for sure. Viral infection daw yon. I think it's Rota Virus that got her. January 6 kami pinayagang umuwi ng bahay.

Now I'm back to work. Medyo nangangapa pa kasi talagang naglaho sa isip ko ang office. All that mattered to me was my family. Anyway, Happy New Year!

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.