Monthly Archives: August 2005

Hurricane Katrina

Posted by on August 31, 2005 11 comments

One of the most devastating natural disaster to hit the United States in decades, almost a century in fact. Hurricane Katrina is wreaking havoc on Louisiana, Mississipi, and Alaba, and its effects are far-reaching.

Gas prices have broken the $3 mark here in Texas and its expected to go higher.
Thousands are dead, millions more are homeless, and disease threatens those still alive.

Prayers and donations are urgently needed right now. This may be the land of the plenty, but right now, we’re also hurting and need help.

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Meme Time: What was I like?

Posted by on August 30, 2005 14 comments

This is for naomi

20 YEARS AGO:

5 years old. I thought I was the shiznit. I was the first grandchild, the first girl, a little princess. I was very maldita (a little devil) and I remember our maids quitting because I was so mean to them. I threw a glass of water at one of our maids once. And once, a maid was so frustrated with me she was crying. She threatened to hit me and I told her to go ahead cause I would then tell on her. I saw the time, my aunt would be coming home soon, I tossed a towel to her and demanded she wipe her tears so I wouldn’t get in trouble.

I’m not that unfeeling anymore thank God!

15 YEARS AGO:

I’m 10 years old. I got my period at the end of the year and I have no idea why people think this is such a good deal especially since i now have to wear this bulky pad. This is also my last year in the Philippines as we have our Canadian visa. The whole family comes over from different parts of the country to bid us goodbye. Our small cramped apartment is filled with people and you have to step over them while they sleep. They come to drive us to the airport and oh my, this is probably the saddest day of my young life now that I look back. I miss my family. It’s the last time I’ll see my grandmother healthy.

10 YEARS AGO:

I’m fifteen and boy do I feel alone. I’ve never quite gotten the hang of flirting so boys don’t flock to me. I feel like I can’t connect with anybody. My mom is so strict. No to parties, no to having people over, no to sleeping over. A lot of no’s. I really feel restricted. My mom and I have good days and bad days. It seems like a lot of bad days.

FIVE YEARS AGO:

I am in school. I just met a boy who I know my parents will not like. He’s not Christian, not Filipino. I hide our relationship from my parents for a few months and all hell breaks loose when they find out. Yikes! I never thought I would like this guy. I thought we would have nothing in common. But we are so great together, complementing each other very well. We are already starting to talk about marriage a few months after knowing each other. Oh, and his (nick)name is Woody.

My mom and I still don’t get along.

THREE YEARS AGO:

I’ve graduated and I’m in the working world finally. I am glad to see my school days behind but I think I’ll see the inside of a classroom again someday. I’ve moved out of the house and my mom and I definitely get along better. Woody is a staple in my life and everybody knows it. We’re engaged!

LAST YEAR:

I’m finally married to the love of my life and we’re adjusting to each other. We take a trip to England, probably the highlight of the year. We also, gulp, decide to buy a house!

THIS YEAR:

We moved into the house earlier in the year. Ain’t she a beaut? We have very much nested in this place and we’re loving every minute of home-ownership. Well, maybe not the mowing the lawn part. We’ve had a house-warming party that was a blast. And then off we went to Philippines for a 3-week long trip. We had a blast!

YESTERDAY:

Yesterday was a Monday. The true start of rush hell at our work. You can see people tensing up, raiding the breakroom cupboard for the supply of Advil and Tylenol in there. Don’t sneak up on someone or they might just snap your head off. Yes, even I might be capable of it. :twisted:

Good thing that I have some cool female co-workers to go the gym with. We walked to Larry North Fitness for lunch (everyday). Its 2 blocks away. We work out and then feel refreshed when we get back.

LAST NIGHT:

I had dinner at a friend’s house. Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, crescent rolls. Yum! We also watched the premier of Prison Break, which looks promising.

TODAY:

I need to spend some time with hubby. I miss him. We didn’t get to spend much time last nite cause he didn’t come to dinner with me.

TOMORROW:

Tomorrow is hump day, and that’s always a good thing. (Its halfway to the weekend).

NEXT YEAR:

We’re planning on going to Cancun, Mexico! We’re also, double gulp, planning to have a baby.

FIVE – TEN YEARS FROM NOW:

Have 2 kids, a better job career-wise. Have another certification, working on a master’s maybe. I hope to visit Paris, go sky-diving, white-water rafting all before I turn 30. I hope to be a fit mama! And a loving, more patient wife (???) Stay tuned for progress. :grin:

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Dancing Queens, Kings and Kids

Posted by on August 23, 2005 28 comments

My favorite thing about the Philippines, what I miss most about the Philippines, is my family, especially my little cousins. The sense of humor that brand my, my brothers, my mom, is eviden when I visit. They are confident, they take pride in themselves and they can dance!

I have already written before, elsewhere, about my family’s passion for dancing. It’s in the genes, its in every limb and sinewy muscles of my family. Some are better than others, but what they lack in skill, they make up for in enthusiasm.

Aside from that, they are a loud bunch. Everyone in the family’s got great vocal chords, let me tell you. If they didn’t, they would never be heard, because they would be drowned out by their 8 siblings, scores of cousins, and a growing number of nieces and nephews. And when they get together, you can be sure of having a fun time. Walang tulugan (no sleeping)!

When I visited, pretty much the first thing everybody did was urge the cousins to dance and showcase their moves. My cousins on my mom’s side are all 12 and under, and all have better moves than me.

Here’s Geca. She is a very confident 10 year-old and unbelievably responsible. When I was little, my mom had to tell me multiple times to do something before I did it. She could predict what her mom wanted done and would take the initiative to do it.

Here’s Charlene. She’s 12 years old and refreshingly still child-like. Kids here in the States, in my opinion, are in such a hurry to grow up and I wonder why?

Here’s the dynamic trio, Yan-yan, Geca and Geca’s brother Gelo. They have routines for pete’s sake!

And of course, the adults, I call them the Tres Marias (my grandparents had 3 girls before they had a boy), couldn’t leave all the dancing to the kids! For shame! That’s my mom, the eldest of the brood, in the middle.

When it was time to say goodbye, I cried a little. My mom cried a lot. Who wouldn’t miss these people?

My inaanak(godchild), Aaliya

Danica and my other inaanak, Makki

The three cousins, inseperable during the trip, Mikko, Jedd and Charlene.

The smiling boys.

We miss you guys!

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Hold your tongue

Posted by on August 22, 2005 7 comments

The Wika ng Buwan Buwan ng Wika issue of PinoyExpats is up and you should check it out. It celebrates our mother tongue, and languages in general and as usual, have a wide variety of articles and interviews. I always say this about the latest issue, but it’s my favorite one yet!

Oh, and need I encourage you (especially the men but only cause we want your input) to submit articles (and even apply to be a contributor)? Go and send an email to pinoyexpats@gmail.com.

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Candelaria, Quezon

Posted by on August 18, 2005 53 comments

Candelaria was the scene of many childhood summers for me. Back then, to the younger me, it was an escape from school, the hustle and bustle of the city and from rules! Especially if I visited just by myself, and my aunts/uncles/parents had to go back to the city to work, many adventures awaited me.

My world was so small back then. “Candelaria” in my mind, was made up of only the street where my grandparents lived, the church and the school close by (Lady Mediatrix Institute) and the burger joint called Busy Bee. My daily routine revolved mainly on my street though. Lived and played (titser-titseran in the big dirty kitchen at the back) and ate in my grandparents , bought snacks at the sari-sari store across the street, visited my grand-aunt’s house two doors down, and my small cousins across the street.

My how it’s changed!

My street is smaller than I remembered, the place is now as busy as the city with pesky tricycles everywhere, there’s nomore sari-sari store across the street, no more Busy Bee hamburger joint, no more small cousins Brian and Karl across the street.

The house is different as well. My grandparents are no longer there. My aunt, the aunt who helped raise me when I was little, now lives there with her husband and three adorable kids. The vibe is different and I can hardly believe this is the same house. The dirty kitchen’s been torn down, the kitchen has been remodeled, gleaming, beautifully new.

I didn’t take much pictures. I was enjoying family. My little cousins did a dance routine for us on our first day there. Woody got the manicure and pedicure (for dirt cheap) that was on his list of things to do while in Philippines. Then Woody and I trekked to Lucena’s SM Mall and got a full hour couple’s body massage, facial and foot spa for $20 each!

By the way, my dad said his masseur asked if he wanted his ding-dong massaged. Ahem. I’m glad I was with Woody!

We also visited my grandparents’ grave. Miss them so much, but especially my grandmother. I often wonder if Mommy is so content and that’s why she never visits me in my dreams…

Up next, dancing kings, queens, and kids…my family LOVES to dance and how!

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