pinayhekmi

I’m struggling to capture that certain feel-good Holiday feeling.  I’m still working on it.  That’s why I really don’t have a Thanksgiving post.  Nothing upbeat to share there sadly.

I am trying not to be sad about Woody leaving too much and instead focus on the time we have before he leaves for boot camp.  He’ll be gone for 9 weeks, then another 8 weeks for his linguist training.  And he can’t seem to tell me whether he’ll be able to come home in between those two trainings .

This big reason plus a million little other reasons has left me feeling less than in a holiday spirit.

So as not to get down in the dumps, as usual, I try to get a game plan on.

For getting into the Christmas spirit I plan to

• -Take the family to watch the Christmas lights display in neighborhoods across San Diego.  There’s a popular one close to us in Chula Vista.  Maybe watch the parade of lights in San Diego harbor too.
• -Take her for a Santa picture for the very first time.
• -Watch an honest to goodness Christmas parade.  I have NEVER watched one!
• -Listen to Christmas music.

For getting my mind off Woody while he’s gone:

• -Concentrate on my studies.
• -Take Mina to as many activities as I could possibly cram in my schedule.
• -Keep up with the book club I joined.
• -Try to go to my moms group meetups more often.
• -Write, write and write some more.
• -At least try to cultivate new friendships.  Doesn’t come easy for me.

Hope I’m able to keep my sanity through this period.

I giggled like a schoolgirl in a way and in the frequency I didn’t while reading the book.  The chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson is really palpable.

I think I liked the movie better than the book and the main reason is, I didn’t hate Kristen Stewart’s Bella.  I actually really liked her.  A point in her favor is that I didn’t have to listen to her constant obsession over how good-looking Edward is compared to her.  Therefore, the development of their romance just seemed more even.  Kirsten’s Bella gives off a more put-together, capable, witty individual.  (Psst, can someone, maybe Toni, tell me whether she kicked her assailant in the groin in the book as well as the film?)

Read more at the expense of reading spoilers…

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Almusal is Tagalog for breakfast.  I usually have yogurt or cereal for breakfast. I know, boring.  Woody, back when he had an 8-5 job, used to be gone long before I would wake for breakfast.  (For the record, he left at 7:00 a.m.  Mina used to wake at 8 am.  Oh those were the days!).  Since he quit his job, he had a week free before starting his temporary position with the army until he goes to boot camp.  Let me just say, I enjoyed the breakfasts he cooked!  This one is Woody’s fried rice and ham:

He’s back at work now.  His time’s a lot more flexible too.  We’re kind of getting on each other’s nerves. Is that bad?

We had an interesting Saturday. We went to pass the time at Fashion Valley. Strictly to pass the time. Because of numerous reasons, and not merely financial, we don’t spend money on clothes. Well, I don’t spend money on clothes for me. I just don’t feel good trying on my usual style of clothes. I don’t feel fit and my best so what’s the point? That’s my feeling anyway. With regards to Mina, she is exempt. She gets new clothes if she needs it. Right now she has a stash of unused clothing given to her as gifts so she sure doesn’t need any new clothes.

I certainly wasn’t planning on buying anything Saturday, but when I passed by a Jimmy Choo store I did pause. I saw this sexy pair of silver sandals and I had a flash of what my legs would look like in the things.  Here’s a picture.  The silver was more to my liking.

Woody urged me to try it on. I was reluctant, thinking there was absolutely no point in it. But he insisted. So try it on I did. It looked hot! My legs looked fabulous! I walked around the store preening in front of the mirror. Could the sales lady know I had no plan whatsoever on buying anything there? She probably knew. The most expensive item any of us had was Mina’s $100 stroller.

Not able to help myself I asked how much the pair was. “$1295.”

I immediately developed an allergic itch and had to take the things off.

Walking away, I couldn’t help shake my head. Who buys these things? Aside from celebrities and multi-millionaires? If I were already a nurse, and if Woody were working full time, and we were making as much as my nurse parents, would my perspective change? Would I be able to justify this purchase to myself then? Would I want to?

I took stock of my life. I don’t go to fashion plate parties, and my true friends couldn’t care less if I were wearing Choos or a pair of bakya sandals. Who would really appreciate them? Where would I wear them to? It’s not like I live a Sex and the City lifestyle.

I decided right then that my limit for a pair of fabulous shoes would be $300. If anyone would like to give me a pair of Choos as a gift, I wouldn’t say no of course.

Ah well, we continued window-shopping.  But we stayed well away from Jimmy.

I feel like I should make a joke.

What has happened to me? I used to be funnier, light-hearted, more positive. It’s an effort to keep things upbeat around here.

So here goes:

Bill Gates organized an enormous session to recruit a new Chairman for Microsoft Europe.

5000 candidates assembled in a large room. One candidate was MARIO DIMAYUGA.

Bill Gates: “Thank you for coming. Those who do not know JAVA may leave.”

2,000 people left the room.

MARIO said to himself, “I do not know JAVA but I have nothing to lose if I stay. I’ll give it a try.”

Bill Gates: “Candidates who never had experience of managing more than 100 people may leave.”

2000 people left the room.

Mario said to himself, “I never managed anybody but myself but I have nothing to lose if I stay. What can happen to me?” So he stayed.

Bill Gates: “Candidates who do not have management diplomas may leave.”

500 people left the room.

Mario said to himself, “I left school at 15 but what have I got to lose?” So he stayed in the room.

Lastly, Bill Gates asked the candidates who do not speak Serbo- Croat to leave.

498 people left the room.

Mario says to himself, “I do not speak one word of Serbo-Croat but what do I have to lose?”

So he stayed and found himself with one other candidate.

Everyone else had gone.

Bill Gates joined them and said “Apparently you two are the only candidates who speak Serbo-Croat, so I’d now like to hear you converse in that language.”

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