Philippine-made

A few nights ago, we brought our tourist friends to the old town. As we were walking by a local cinema, I looked to check what movies were playing. Then I did a double take. Currently screening was "The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros." I got curious. It sounded just about right. Could it be the same movie that was talked about a couple of years ago in the Philippines?

Then, as we walked towards the parking lot, we saw the posters. My doubts were gone. It was indeed "Ang Pagdadalaga..." I never saw the movie, although I really wanted to. All I heard was that it was cute and most of the people I know who have seen it gave high recommendations for it.

As we were looking at the posters, this caught my eye. (Forgive the poor shot -- the lighting was bad, and I was using my cameraphone.)



In case you couldn't make out what it says: "Official Philippine Entry to the 79th Annual Academy Awards." Astig.

One week

I know. I'm sorry. I didn't realize that it has already been a full week without a post. Time moves fast around these areas these days; add to that the fact that all we have been doing is running around.

Anyway, to recap: we headed back south on Wednesday. It was quite a slow move for us. We were torn over spending a couple days more (it felt like vacation) or going home to get things done. Inevitably, we chose the "going home" path. It took us almost the whole day to decide. We didn't leave until the very last minute, and "very last minute" meant leaving around 8pm and getting home around 2am. We could have stayed a day later, but we were afraid "tomorrow" might be pushed back farther and farther until we'd be spending the weekend there. So, home it was.

Since we were already home, we showed up at the round-up registration at D's school even if I called them to say we wouldn't be able to make it. We got her class assignment and got the results of last spring's testing. I was only too happy:


Oh, but it gets better!


So, because of that, she got this:


We really didn't intend on getting one for her, even if she'd been asking for it since around Christmas. I only told her before, "You can't have it just because you want it." But since she did really well in her assessment, and J was decided he'd give her a reward, I had to come up with a fast and safe answer. It was a good choice, after all. The following day, she was up earlier that all of us -- I thought I was hearing voices in my head only to find out she's curled up in the living room whispering commands to her "puppy."


****************


We did an all-nighter waiting for the lunar eclipse. Now, the pictures!

Loitering

I am amused. Right now, as I am working on this, I am sitting in the car parked behind a building somewhere in the Silicon Valley, getting free Google wifi on my cellphone. So, yeah. I am really amused.

The sun is warm, but we are sitting in the shade and with the windows down, the breeze is just wonderful. A little over an hour ago, we were sitting outside the library, and the kids were playing in the water. Unfortunately, they were soaked and we didn't bring any clothes to change into. No toughie. We stopped to get them clothes and all is well. That's a small price to pay -- they had lots of fun.

Sitting here and waiting isn't so bad. It's quite relaxing, actually.

Highway

We have been on the road again. Ha! Surprise, surprise.

Sunday at noon, J decided he wanted to drive north for his Tuesday meeting. Monday was a bad alternative as he also had a phone meeting late in the afternoon so we'd be in a tight schedule if we leave on Monday. Same as Tuesday. So Sunday, it was.

The problem was that I was in the middle of doing the laundry, we still haven't packed, and there wasn't food for lunch yet. He wanted to leave around 4. So, that meant in a span of 4 hours, I would have to feed everyone, finish and fold the laundry (because those are the same clothes we'd be packing), pack clothes, clean up a little, get everyone dressed, load the car and go. I asked J if he can maybe go drive-through for chicken or something. I had rice cooking by then, so it was fine. By 3PM, it was looking promising. I was done with the dishes, almost done with the clothes, and had the last load in the dryer. At 3:30, I was counting clothes to pack. Remember, I am packing for 4 people for 4 days (we're going back home on Thursday). It was almost funny now that I think about it -- At exactly 4PM, I was stuffing clothes into the luggage bags. At 4:30, I was running around the house looking for last minute stuff that we'd need to bring or turn off or unplug. J, by then, was begging me to slow down and take my time. I think he was almost embarrassed because it was his last minute decision. I didn't really care as long as I got things done. Anyway, I was still able to take a quick shower (as it felt like I did a workout), and we were finally able to leave at 5PM.

So now, we are 320 miles from home, sleeping in other people's beds and living off a suitcase. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I get a 4-day break from worrying about food, I don't have to clean the house, and I need not worry about the kids leaving toys on the floor. At least, until we get back home.

Pretty-ful-ness

No explanations necessary.

Corny

I am so bad, I cheated on a pregnancy test.



No, of course, I didn't. But that would make for a really funny story.

Bigot

Nag-iisip pa lang ako kung ano ang magandang i-blog ngayon nang may dumating na email galing sa isa sa mga kaibigan ko. Hindi ako natuwa. Isang article na gawa ng isang ale na masyado atang mataas ang tingin sa sarili. Nag-comment ako, maikling-maikli lang. Masyado naman kasing mayabang. Kaso, me dumating pang ibang email. May kasamang link: click. Lahat na ata ng naisip ko at gusto kong sabihin, nasabi na din dyan.

Nakakapikon, ang yabang-yabang. Hindi na siguro importante kung gaano ka kayaman, wala ka pa ding karapatan manlait ng iba. At ang bruha, nagdahilan pa: click. May punto yung mga nauna, pero basahin mo hanggang dulo. Nagpapatawa lang daw siya. Duh? Kelan naman naging katawa-tawa na pagtawanan yung kapwa mo dahil mura lang yung gamit nilang pabango? Oo na, mayaman ka, pero hindi pa din ikaw ang nagpapakain sa kapwa mo. Yung tinatamasa nila, pinaghirapan nila, ano ba namang igalang mo yung kayang abutin ng iba? At akala siguro nya, hindi pa sapat yung panlalait nya, dumagdag pa ng insulto. Sana daw kung mas makapal sa magasin ang binabasa, baka naintindihan ang patawa nya. Utot nya. So, ngayon, hindi lang siya bastang elitista, ginawa pa nyang tanga ang marunong magbasa. Pero kung tutuusin, nakakahiyang sinasabi nyang mahusay siya, pero hindi nya kayang ilagay sa lugar ang sarili nya. Nakakatawa lang na nagrereklamo siyang sumiksik siya kasama ng mga ordinaryong tao at nakisinghot ng hangin nila, e sa yabang nya, dapat bumibili na lang siya ng sarili nyang eroplano. Witty lang daw. Pwet nya.

Arachnophobia

I mentioned in a previous post the spiders that have been living with us. Last night, we found this:


It was so big, it was scary. I was curious though and wasn't sure if it was indeed a black widow spider. Wikipedia confirmed my hunch. Reading through, this caught my attention:

Pharmeceutical Applications

Research in Chile about increased virility resulting from Black Widow spider bites found spermicidal qualities associated with the venom, in addition to rumored priapism coupled with involuntary ejaculation. "Spider bitten" men anecdotally had "super virility" after recuperating from a spider bite.

Researchers hope to be able to create a topical contraceptive and a marketable alternative to other virility treatments.

Hmm....interesting, huh? But then another magic word from the above statements got me curious. Click here. (Educational lang, ha!)


The spider has since been released into the wild. J could not find it in him to kill the spider, so I asked him to release the spider far from the house -- parang pusa, ba? Para hindi makabalik. Hehehe.

Chocolate

You must have heard how chocolates have stuff that elevates the serotonin in the brain, hence it being a good picker-upper -- I have been thinking about chocolates for a while now, maybe because my body is telling me I need a good dose of endorphins; or maybe because I haven't had chocolates since I can't remember anymore....I am not so sure.

Today, I decided I would have some just to feel better, and looked for my stash while doing the laundry. I grabbed a handful and worked on them while reading blogs off the internet. Before I knew it, the handful was but a bunch of wrappers and I can feel migraine wanting to attack. I guess too much of a good thing isn't too good at all. But at least I can now smile through the headaches. (What a trade-off, you must think? Hee-hee.)

Fair

Growing up, I have been witness to how hard my parents have tried to be fair. Between us siblings, they might have played favorites at one time or another, but I still couldn't undermine the fact that generally, things have been fair.

In dealing with other people, my parents have been fair in the sense that they would avoid taking sides. If we get into a fight, instead of standing up for us, my parents would scold us in front of the other party -- a statement that they are raising us to be good citizens -- and for us, that they do not condone our actions. I remember in high school, when I got myself into trouble and my dad was called in for a conference, my dad only had one statement to say, "Whatever you deem is appropriate punishment, then I agree with you." I admit, I was a tad disappointed. I was expecting he'd try to sway the counselor's judgment by saying how good a child I was. But looking back, I can only imagine how embarrassed he must have felt: sitting with other parents who were announcing how holy their children was, as if implying that I and my friends were the black sheep that led their children to the wrong path. I now understand. I am proud my dad was strong enough to say he wouldn't be afraid to put punishment where punishment is called for. That I am his child and he takes full responsibility for the kind of person I have become.

Fast forward to several years later when I could call myself an adult. I have been witness to how fair other people are. I have been in an argument where I thought the elder would mediate, but I was struck dumb and speechless. After hearing their family's side of the story, I was expecting they'd hear out my side, too (you'd think that was only fair?) Instead, I was met with a dismissing wave and a, "yeah, whatever, we've heard it." It was a smack in the face: "fair" is relative. No, not relative as in "kamag-anak," but it might as well have been.

So with the never-ending excuses, "he's just like that;" "that's his temperament ever since;" and "I know him....even as a kid, he's that stubborn." And it's a wonder to me why they didn't train him to be more tolerant. You can't justify things and expect them to be right just because you said that's how things were and are going to be. You just can't claim that and say that you didn't have any control over things. Yes, I have no patience with people who complain that their kids are too old to be taught anything anymore -- at ages below 10?! Then, why didn't you start sooner? Because the kids were too young to understand? Come on!

That isn't to say I don't like kids. I like kids. I don't mind kids jumping on me. I love playing with kids. It's the undisciplined kids I can't take. And their parents who just let their kids be. I understand they dote on their kids. Maybe they think it's fair that they don't discipline their kids because they couldn't lay a hand on other kids even if they want to. But those are your kids. Be responsible for them and for what they do. I am a parent, too. I know when to put my kids in line. I try to be fair, but fair is handing out punishment when punishment is called for.
Fair is being able to say, I'm sorry, but you were wrong and I have to set you right.

I try to be fair. My kids always fight and scream unfair at each other. I ask, what is fair? I ask them to put themselves in each other's shoes. If you were in a different position, would you still think it is unfair? More often, they resolve their fights upon realizing that they have been unfair to each other. They understand.

Slow

It still feels like the end of the week. The weekend just went by, I didn't even notice. Maybe it was because I was trying to catch up badly with sleep. Thankfully, the girls are really low maintenance. They didn't mind that we just let the weekend pass uneventfully. I think they're even glad for the TV time.

Being a Monday today, I was hoping to jumpstart the week, so we went grocery shopping. It hadn't occurred to me that it was almost a month since we went serious grocery shopping. Which means, it's been almost a month that we were constantly eating out. I couldn't believe that we were THAT busy. Things have gotten really crazy and as much as I'd like to say I want no more of this, it would be unfortunate for me to hope that way -- it doesn't look like it's going to be a breeze towards the end of the year. If, for anything, I should maybe be thankful that we are not getting seriously sick from all this running around, but if I had the choice, I would be glad if we could be left alone. I should say it would only be fair to say we definitely deserve a break. And that break doesn't include anyone who'd wish to tag along. Please lang.

Image

Still have a lot of stuff to do, and not enough time to do it. For now, let your eyes play a trick on you. Let me know when you've had this figured out:

I Didn't Do It

We went to CityWalk yesterday and since C and J were planning to watch a 7pm movie, we agreed to meet in front of the cinemas. They went directly to CityWalk from Y's place, and I stopped halfway to pick R up. Anyway, upon getting there, this is what I saw:

Do you see it? Do you see it?

Flashback

I must admit: I started the day with a bit of dread. I really wasn't looking forward to today, but things somehow changed for the better with one message.

A few days ago, I got back in touch with one of my grade school friends. We have always been in touch even after we graduated and moved to separate high schools, but somehow, a few years ago, we lost contact. I thought it was a done deal, until I found she has a Friendster account. We were exchanging messages for a couple of days and we added each other up. One of my other grade school friends noticed and sent me a message yesterday. We chatted online and I was able to get in touch with another one of them. Of course, it's all good. It was somehow therapeutic for me, it was uplifting. Suddenly, I didn't feel so bad/sad anymore.

And as if that wasn't enough, one of my high school friends (R) also sent me a message. He was in town and would be happy to meet up. Incidentally, I was expecting another HS couple (C & J) to visit. They would be staying with another friend (Y), so we'd all be having dinner together. I remembered to mention that R was in town and that R would be glad to see them, too, so we agreed we'd drive to R's tomorrow.

The most exciting of all, while we were in grade and high school, we pretty much all belonged to different cliques. It wasn't too hard for me; in spite of having my set of friends, an incident later in high school gave me an opportunity to "mingle," hence, I belonged to several cliques at different times throughout. And somehow, after high school, those cliques don't matter much anymore. Everyone is now everybody's friends.

And really, friends can be counted on even when you don't expect them to be. Of all the times, I would say I badly needed a distraction today. I wasn't even asking. I didn't realize I needed it until it was there and everything just felt ok. I didn't get to say how grateful I am for them, I probably don't have to. I am just so overwhelmed I want to cry. Not because I am sad, but because I am extremely happy.

Tagged: Birthday

I never admit my birthday. Not that I am ashamed to have been born, but mostly because it is of no specific interest to anybody else if you are not family or one of my closest friends. It was only recently -- 3 years ago, to be exact -- that I was proud to announce it was my birthday. And that was only because I get a free buffet meal at Todai on that day.

So, anyway, Arlene tagged me on this:


What do I need to do?

1. Go to Wikipedia and type in your birthday (month and day)

2. Write down 3 events, 2 births, 1 holiday, and tag 5 friends.

3. There are five slots in the Birthday meme. As you are tagged, you have to remove the name in the first slot and bump everyone up so that your name can be added to the bottom.

Here's mine:


Events:

• 1943 - Dr. Albert Hofmann discovers the psychedelic effects of LSD. (Aaaah. Cool, ain't it?)
• 1972 - Apollo program: Apollo 16 launches towards the Moon from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
• 2007 - Virginia Tech massacre, the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, leaves 33 dead. (I really felt bad about this. I didn't hear about it until a couple of days after. Come on....it was my birthday, I was out!)
  
• Does it count, too, that I was born on a Good Friday, which makes my birthday fall during the Holy Week every couple of years? I have had a couple of Easter Sunday birthdays, too.
  

Births:

• 1889 - Charles Chaplin, English actor, writer, and film producer (Yep. Charlie Chaplin!)
• 1971 - Selena, American singer
  

Holiday:

• Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C.

I am tagging:

• everyone who hasn't done this tag yet! (I am sorry. I am just too lazy to pick just five names :/)

Birthday List:

1. Gran's Memory Keeping Corner
2. Teacher Julie
3. Mommyness is Happiness
4. Life is what we make it
5. I can dream, can't I

Hah! And I still haven't revealed my birthday! Sneaky!

Baby Smarts

One of my daily regulars posted this on his blog:

'Baby Einstein': a bright idea?
Infants shown such educational series end up with poorer vocabularies, study finds. Researcher says 'American Idol' is better.

Click here for the full article.

I think I may be on to something. Though I grew up with Sesame Street, and my kids now have Dora, I really wasn't too impressed with the Brainy Baby/Baby Einsteins. Unaccompanied (in front of the TV), they would be limited to children's shows on Nick Jr or Disney channel. But if I am available, I usually just let them watch shows with me. Now that explains why they are so chatty. I'm only too glad, though -- wouldn't have it any other way.

Back from Vegas

As they say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," so don't expect me to tell. Haha!

But long story short, we are back home, although I've been really, really tired the past couple of days. We are doing ok, although very parched -- both because of the intense heat and too much of something else -- otherwise, we got back alive and well.

So, for the meantime.....enjoy this fantastic view of the Vegas skyline from our VIP booth:

Productive

We couldn't join J in his meeting, and as time would have it, his meeting was a lunch thing and we had to check out of the hotel at noon. Instead of tagging along, we decided he'd just drop us off at a nearby outlet mall and he'd come back for us after. At least, we'd be whiling time away at a mall and it wouldn't matter if he stays longer than expected. We haven't been there an hour when it was confirmed that it was a good idea.

Going into the mall, we saw rental strollers with toy steering wheels. Since we might be staying for at least 3 hours, I decided to rent one for A. I figured she'd walk but she would get tired after the 3rd hour, and by then, I would be too tired. I wouldn't want a cranky kid wanting to be carried off when I would be tired enough, too. Plus, we would be driving back the same afternoon, so I really didn't want to be too tired when it's my turn to drive.

A short walk (and push) later, we came by a GAP clearance store. I had no plans of going shopping, but seeing as it had a big red "75% off on all items" posted, how can I ignore it? True enough, ticket prices were lower than usual (I think the items were originally for the outlet stores), but they would still take away 75% off the lowest ticketed price at the counter. I ended up buying surf shorts and men's shirts plus a pair of sandals. I was disappointed, though, that they didn't have anything for kids, so I wasn't able to get the girls anything. Again, I was thankful for the stroller. At least I wouldn't have to lug my shopping bag while we go around the store.

Since it was lunchtime already, we continued on to the food court for lunch. It was good that we had plenty of choices. The girls were happy, I was full.

Walking on, we passed by a small shop that sells children's gowns. I remembered I needed to get dresses for when they march as flower girls for J and L's wedding in September. L sent me links to online stores that sell flower girl dresses for cheap, but I was hesitant since the sizes may be all different and I would have a hard time looking for a good fit for the girls. I took my chances and looked through the store. I was elated to find dresses within my budget, and they were available in the girls' sizes. I immediately took pictures and sent a text message for L, asking for her approval with regards to the clothes.

While waiting, we walked on and saw an accessories store nearby. They had pretty-pretty accessories, so I was able to get some we can use for the wedding. By then, L had already replied: while she wasn't able to see the pic that I sent, she said to go for it.

After that was done with, we found ourselves a bookstore, and since I was already quite tired then, I let the girls browse while I just sat nearby. A short while after, J rang. He was already there. We just freshened up a little, grabbed drinks on the way out and started the long drive home.

It was definitely a long day for us, but I was glad that it wasn't time wasted.

Comedy

Early Wednesday, J had a meeting around San Jose. Since he decided he wanted to drive, we tagged along just so we can split the drive between us. It was an almost 6-hour drive from LA to San Jose, and while I have no doubt (and we've done it before), that one person can do the whole drive by oneself, he had to be back home by Wednesday night/Thursday morning. It would be pretty stressful if he goes by himself.

He insisted he wants to take the wheel as long as he can so he can think -- we'd only change drivers when he's tired enough -- so we didn't take our usual mid-way stop. Our only concern was the kids' need to use the bathroom. And of course, we'd stop occasionally for coffee.

Along the I-5 freeway, there were stretches where there would be no gas or rest stops for 20 - 30 miles. Those weren't really of any concern to us since we'd already planned our previous trips perfectly so we wouldn't need to use any facilities while we are at that stretch. Since we didn't take our usual stops during this trip, I asked the girls if any of them had to go bathroom as we approached one gas station off the freeway. I was concerned, too, since below the "Fuel Next Exit" sign, there was also, "Next Gas - 30 miles." They said no, and I assumed it would be ok since it was only an hour since our last stop - we usually go 2 1/2 to 3 hours between stops. About 5 minutes after we passed the last exit, someone piped from the backseat, "Mommy, I need to pee." Uh-oh. "Next Gas - 30 miles" usually also meant no exit for 30 miles. We asked her if she can hold it a little longer, she ok'd; but 5 minutes later, she repeated her request.

J decided to pull over to the side and let A do her thing. As I pulled her pants down and was positioning her under cover of the rear passenger door, Jong opened the front passenger side window and said urgently, "Ma, may pulis! May pulis sa likod!" Oh, shit. In panic, I brought A back inside the car, still with her pants down. I guess the policeman saw and understood our predicament. There was a young lady in the car with the policeman and I saw them laughing. So, I brought A back out and let her relieve herself, by the side of the car on the side of the road, with a police car parked behind us. And I have to tell you, I was scared the policeman might suddenly walk over and hand us a ticket for....I don't know, leaving body wastes along the freeway?

When all was done and I was back in the car, the policeman drove off. It was only then that we got to laugh about it. It was quite an experience for us: we were scared, but then again, she had to go. Looking back, I guess the policeman stayed in case we needed assistance. It wasn't as if he turned on his warning lights after he parked there. Now I am looking forward to when we can tell A of what she put us in when she was young and needed to go on the freeway.

Night Tight

Most of you have probably noticed that I am intensely fascinated with my daughters. But then again, how could I not be?

A few months ago, while giving our goodnights, A told me, "Mommy, night tight.......Say it, say it." I don't know where she heard it from, but I had a hunch of what she wanted to hear so I gave in. "Good night, sleep tight; Don't let the bedbugs bite," I said. Since then, every night, she would insist we bid each other goodnight that way. Tonight, as I passed by their bedroom door, she called out, "Mommy, good night, sleep tight; Don't let the bugs eat you."