thankful for the water
that washes clean
that refreshes and quenches
that's ever giving
no thought to taking
i have much to learn.
Christmas
thankful our God is full of grace and truth.
thankful too He has been very faithful in providing us our needs and generous in giving us our wants.
thankful too He has been very faithful in providing us our needs and generous in giving us our wants.
windows
must be named such because they let the wind in.
i am thankful for the big windows at our place.
our table is beside them, so i look forward to mealtimes.
blinds, unblinded and tucked to the center --
allowing sunlight and cool wind to come through.
ah the joys of al fresco living, in a condo.
i am thankful for the big windows at our place.
our table is beside them, so i look forward to mealtimes.
blinds, unblinded and tucked to the center --
allowing sunlight and cool wind to come through.
ah the joys of al fresco living, in a condo.
lucky me
George, the landlord, comes by the building almost everyday this week.
Since the other company moved, he has been very busy with fixing stuff around the building.
George has a dog named Lucky who goes wherever George goes.
So Lucky's here. In the building. And he drops by my place every once in a while.
He must have figured I fancy him. He lets me pat him, pick him up and he sits on my lap.
I miss my doggies back home all the more.
TJ was almost a mom. She gave birth to a puppy boy, but it died.
Guess I have to wait some to be a grandmom.
Since the other company moved, he has been very busy with fixing stuff around the building.
George has a dog named Lucky who goes wherever George goes.
So Lucky's here. In the building. And he drops by my place every once in a while.
He must have figured I fancy him. He lets me pat him, pick him up and he sits on my lap.
I miss my doggies back home all the more.
TJ was almost a mom. She gave birth to a puppy boy, but it died.
Guess I have to wait some to be a grandmom.
barefoot liberation
i have always wondered why sydneysiders are so fond of going around barefoot.
today, i stopped wondering:
i wandered about without my slippers on.
rode the bus, went to bondi beach and even shopped for bread barefoot.
and oh, today's my first time to swim at an aussie beach.
butter and bread pudding
thankful for the ride around the eastern suburbs.
thankful for conversation with friends.
thankful for good food.
thankful for the walk along the beach.
thankful i am reunited with my yellow chuckies.
thankful for conversation with friends.
thankful for good food.
thankful for the walk along the beach.
thankful i am reunited with my yellow chuckies.
no to anti-ageing cream
i thank God for laughter and the laugh lines that go with it.
but i say yes to sunscreen.
but i say yes to sunscreen.
ever learning
friday night was lem's company's christmas party.
being only 3 months in sydney, we were plunged into the social scene.
it was a nice time of many firsts.
the event meant dressing up and meeting a lot of people.
we cruised the sydney bay on a ship up to qstation.
chitchats, cocktails, dinner conversations.
ate raw smoked salmon, medium rare roast beef slices, salmon caviar and a sour plum dessert with cinnamon! the dinner conversation was very informative. we were seated with the company's big wigs (most probably because the younger ones didn't want the place). they talked about raising kids, traveling europe, labor unions and stock prices falling.
on the way home, the reef goddess had a propeller trouble,
we were transferred to a water taxi.
thankful for broadening horizons.
too bad we were not able to take any pictures.
being only 3 months in sydney, we were plunged into the social scene.
it was a nice time of many firsts.
the event meant dressing up and meeting a lot of people.
we cruised the sydney bay on a ship up to qstation.
chitchats, cocktails, dinner conversations.
ate raw smoked salmon, medium rare roast beef slices, salmon caviar and a sour plum dessert with cinnamon! the dinner conversation was very informative. we were seated with the company's big wigs (most probably because the younger ones didn't want the place). they talked about raising kids, traveling europe, labor unions and stock prices falling.
on the way home, the reef goddess had a propeller trouble,
we were transferred to a water taxi.
thankful for broadening horizons.
too bad we were not able to take any pictures.
seeing double
we usually do our groceries at woolworths. the cashier near the entrance looks very much like mama. and we'd go in snickering, thinking that mama is here. obviously we miss mama and i think she'd be thrilled to be here.
last friday, we queued at her checkout counter. she had a slight problem with the customer before us. she called to a colleague, asking what to do, in filipino! i was ecstatic! when our turn came, i said, "kumusta po kayo?" smiling. she was obviously thrilled too, "uy, pilipino rin!"
when she finished with the checkout, we said our goodbyes only to realize we were hand-carrying a roasted chicken we had not paid for. we laughed and said, "ay eto pa po pala!" and hurriedly paid for the item. we left laughing some more, knowing now that mama-look-alike is pinay.
it's always nice to see a kababayan. and better still if the warmth shared melts the coldness that usually comes with a big city.
last friday, we queued at her checkout counter. she had a slight problem with the customer before us. she called to a colleague, asking what to do, in filipino! i was ecstatic! when our turn came, i said, "kumusta po kayo?" smiling. she was obviously thrilled too, "uy, pilipino rin!"
when she finished with the checkout, we said our goodbyes only to realize we were hand-carrying a roasted chicken we had not paid for. we laughed and said, "ay eto pa po pala!" and hurriedly paid for the item. we left laughing some more, knowing now that mama-look-alike is pinay.
it's always nice to see a kababayan. and better still if the warmth shared melts the coldness that usually comes with a big city.
alarm me not
i have always disliked being woken up by the sound of alarm clocks.
but like most people trying their best to be responsible and punctual, the cost of my staying-up-late luxury is being jolt out of bed following few hours of sleep by loud alarms.
so i am thankful for weekends, where my body tells me i have had enough rest. and it is sweet revenge shutting my alarm clock up --- even just for several days a week. hmmm, maybe i should try shutting it up more and more.
but like most people trying their best to be responsible and punctual, the cost of my staying-up-late luxury is being jolt out of bed following few hours of sleep by loud alarms.
so i am thankful for weekends, where my body tells me i have had enough rest. and it is sweet revenge shutting my alarm clock up --- even just for several days a week. hmmm, maybe i should try shutting it up more and more.
soapy
i love the liquid hand soap at work.
it leaves a very nice scent that lingers long after the washing.
someone told be little things entertain me.
he may be right.
it leaves a very nice scent that lingers long after the washing.
someone told be little things entertain me.
he may be right.
grapefruit is pomelo
happy that lem convinced me to get the mason cash ceramic citrus juicer.
i now enjoy freshly squeezed orange and/or grapefruit juice at home.
happy too i get to watch csi vegas and new york on tv.
today is ma's birthday. calling her in a few.
i now enjoy freshly squeezed orange and/or grapefruit juice at home.
happy too i get to watch csi vegas and new york on tv.
today is ma's birthday. calling her in a few.
super windy day
on my way out of the train station, ears plugged, sarah mclachlan singing
"a very long day isn't it?"
removed one earphone and smiled, "yeah it was."
"i woke up 15 minutes before i had to leave for work.
that meant i had to dress up really quickly.
then told myself 'what the heck', stopped to have a smoke,
arrived 10 minutes late for work. only to find out there was a meeting,
and they were all waiting for me. and my boss is quitting.
and i am most likely to quit when they'd hire the 2 new guys i don't want to work under."
"i hope it will get better."
"it can only get worse."
"i don't think so."
"remain positive. haha! may i?"
she reached out and touched my right cheek, "you are sweet."
"have a great night!"
"see you later."
i went off to the library.
"a very long day isn't it?"
removed one earphone and smiled, "yeah it was."
"i woke up 15 minutes before i had to leave for work.
that meant i had to dress up really quickly.
then told myself 'what the heck', stopped to have a smoke,
arrived 10 minutes late for work. only to find out there was a meeting,
and they were all waiting for me. and my boss is quitting.
and i am most likely to quit when they'd hire the 2 new guys i don't want to work under."
"i hope it will get better."
"it can only get worse."
"i don't think so."
"remain positive. haha! may i?"
she reached out and touched my right cheek, "you are sweet."
"have a great night!"
"see you later."
i went off to the library.
expo sure!
last week i helped out manning the company's booth for the visual impact expo.
it was a nice experience --- dressing up, time out of the office, people watching.
"hi, would you like a brochure?"
"right, what do you have there?"
"we are a software company and we do online proofing..."
"interesting.."
"what do you do?"
"i am a builder."
"a builder?"
"ya, i just dropped by to look around."
"are you feeling the economic crunch?"
"actually, business is alright. i got a call from a mcdonald's branch."
"that's good news! so you'd be building for them?"
"nah, that would mean i have to work 7 days a week."
"haha! so how do you find the show?"
"i got a poster printed for my son."
"i'm sure he'll be thrilled. you have a good day."
"see ya later."
contentment. priorities. lessons i pick up along the way.
it was a nice experience --- dressing up, time out of the office, people watching.
"hi, would you like a brochure?"
"right, what do you have there?"
"we are a software company and we do online proofing..."
"interesting.."
"what do you do?"
"i am a builder."
"a builder?"
"ya, i just dropped by to look around."
"are you feeling the economic crunch?"
"actually, business is alright. i got a call from a mcdonald's branch."
"that's good news! so you'd be building for them?"
"nah, that would mean i have to work 7 days a week."
"haha! so how do you find the show?"
"i got a poster printed for my son."
"i'm sure he'll be thrilled. you have a good day."
"see ya later."
contentment. priorities. lessons i pick up along the way.
unknowingly
earlier i sat at my desk musing about my work
i have been thinking of doing something else
no more software development for me
then i thought of doing puzzles i enjoy
text twist, jigsaw, crossword
my work is just like that
problem solving
and i am getting paid for it
i am going back to work tomorrow,
content, thankful.
i have been thinking of doing something else
no more software development for me
then i thought of doing puzzles i enjoy
text twist, jigsaw, crossword
my work is just like that
problem solving
and i am getting paid for it
i am going back to work tomorrow,
content, thankful.
micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
welcome me back, corporate world
30-minute hassle-free commute
thankful.
and it rained on my first day
it rained yesterday and today too
happy.
thankful.
and it rained on my first day
it rained yesterday and today too
happy.
optimist pessimist
the other day, i learned that it is nice to engage myself in a conversation with children.
samuel, a 6-year-old boy, had been constantly kidded about grown-up talks:
"sammie, is this container half-full or half-empty?"
"uhrm, half-empty?"
"sammie is a pessimist! ate joy, is this container half-full or half-empty?"
"half-full!"
"girls rule!!!! we are optimists ate!"
we spent the morning trying to clean up the garden. weeding a bit here and there. come lunch time, we settled in our designated places around the table. after saying grace, sammie blurted out,
"my bowl of soup is half-empty!"
"we can see that..."
"no, when you are taking from the bowl, it becomes half-empty. but if i am pouring juice into my glass, then it is half-full."
urhk. i wonder why i never thought of it that way.
samuel, a 6-year-old boy, had been constantly kidded about grown-up talks:
"sammie, is this container half-full or half-empty?"
"uhrm, half-empty?"
"sammie is a pessimist! ate joy, is this container half-full or half-empty?"
"half-full!"
"girls rule!!!! we are optimists ate!"
we spent the morning trying to clean up the garden. weeding a bit here and there. come lunch time, we settled in our designated places around the table. after saying grace, sammie blurted out,
"my bowl of soup is half-empty!"
"we can see that..."
"no, when you are taking from the bowl, it becomes half-empty. but if i am pouring juice into my glass, then it is half-full."
urhk. i wonder why i never thought of it that way.
fried ice cream
who announces shifts to daylight savings time? we found out today that dst started yesterday when ate wimmy, who we were supposed to meet at 11am for a day out, called us up at 10am[according to our watches] asking us where we were. good thing today's labour day and we weren't late for a job interview or something like that. thankful!
background music: abba
sneezes and runny nose and headaches. just when i thought not getting colds back in the philippines was enough guarantee i wouldn't get it here. thankful i am getting better.
spent a warm time with jlao, bath, cindy and marv last night. we had a spicy dinner at tandoori palace. [their after dinner mint was a delightful surprise.] walked around the city in a cold night after dinner to make space for a passionflower dessert. i had black pearl: black sesame and azuki ice cream topped with black sesame coated glutinous rice balls. warm, hot, cold, cold, cool!
spent a warm time with jlao, bath, cindy and marv last night. we had a spicy dinner at tandoori palace. [their after dinner mint was a delightful surprise.] walked around the city in a cold night after dinner to make space for a passionflower dessert. i had black pearl: black sesame and azuki ice cream topped with black sesame coated glutinous rice balls. warm, hot, cold, cold, cool!
child's play
today was yamble reserve with sara and sammie.
in the playground, i went down the slide 3 times!
[i remember not being fond of slides ever, so the first one down was to appease the children's prompting, the second one to conquer the un-fondness, the third for sheer bliss.]
i got static, after all the slide was made of plastic.
then there's the scooter. tried it too and didn't fall.
this one's for yesterday:
"The truth is I'm getting old, I said. We already are old, she said with a sigh. What happens is that you don't feel it on the inside, but from the outside everybody can see it." - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
in the playground, i went down the slide 3 times!
[i remember not being fond of slides ever, so the first one down was to appease the children's prompting, the second one to conquer the un-fondness, the third for sheer bliss.]
i got static, after all the slide was made of plastic.
then there's the scooter. tried it too and didn't fall.
this one's for yesterday:
"The truth is I'm getting old, I said. We already are old, she said with a sigh. What happens is that you don't feel it on the inside, but from the outside everybody can see it." - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
uhm
i guess i will never learn how to go about interviews.
i have never been confident about technical terms. and interviewers ask exactly those.
thankful for interviews though, glimpse of a job.
thankful too, mcdonald's soft serve cones sell for 30cents, happiness is almost free.
i have never been confident about technical terms. and interviewers ask exactly those.
thankful for interviews though, glimpse of a job.
thankful too, mcdonald's soft serve cones sell for 30cents, happiness is almost free.
unblocked
when i say i am not currently reading, i mean not reading a book.
magazines do not count. nor does the Bible or devotionals, newspapers and catalogues.
if writers have writing blocks, i have a reading block for the longest time ---
i pick up a book, read through the words, try to make sense out of them, but the letters just seem to float and my mind drifts.
i love the the musty smell of old books as much as the crisp smell of new books in a bookstore. i frequent these places to indulge. then there's the feeling of the books' texture and the flipping of its pages. i continue to do this even during my not-really-reading times.
3 weeks ago, i started going to the library. like a writer who wants to overcome a blank page, i started to browse through "easy readings". graphic novels proved to be a nice way to start. after reading neil's mr. punch [which i liked very much], i read a couple more [taller tales and jodi's wonder woman] which didn't meet my expectations. yesterday, i ventured to the fiction section [ah, shelves lined with books] and went home with 3 books.
i am currently reading mick jackson's ten sorry tales. i am thankful i am not sorry.
magazines do not count. nor does the Bible or devotionals, newspapers and catalogues.
if writers have writing blocks, i have a reading block for the longest time ---
i pick up a book, read through the words, try to make sense out of them, but the letters just seem to float and my mind drifts.
i love the the musty smell of old books as much as the crisp smell of new books in a bookstore. i frequent these places to indulge. then there's the feeling of the books' texture and the flipping of its pages. i continue to do this even during my not-really-reading times.
3 weeks ago, i started going to the library. like a writer who wants to overcome a blank page, i started to browse through "easy readings". graphic novels proved to be a nice way to start. after reading neil's mr. punch [which i liked very much], i read a couple more [taller tales and jodi's wonder woman] which didn't meet my expectations. yesterday, i ventured to the fiction section [ah, shelves lined with books] and went home with 3 books.
i am currently reading mick jackson's ten sorry tales. i am thankful i am not sorry.
still wishing for a dog
it's been over a month. sydney is getting warmer each day and i am starting to warm up to the city as well.
yesterday, i spent a lazy afternoon at bondi beach. [lem wasn't so lazy as he was taking pictures.] i, on the other hand, stretched on the mat, read some tourist booklet on sydney, listened to vienna, munched on seedless grapes, soaked in the sun, touched the sand and enjoyed the scent of the ocean foam made by waves crashing down to the shore bringing with them a herd of surfers.
suddenly i felt a chill in the wind as the sun started to set. we packed up, walked a bit north where the sun's rays were still visible, and saw the sun setting. not behind some grand mountain ranges like i am used to, but behind a group of buildings of another coastal suburb.
a sunset is still a sunset. i am thankful to see yet another day ended and hopeful for the day that's about to begin.
yesterday, i spent a lazy afternoon at bondi beach. [lem wasn't so lazy as he was taking pictures.] i, on the other hand, stretched on the mat, read some tourist booklet on sydney, listened to vienna, munched on seedless grapes, soaked in the sun, touched the sand and enjoyed the scent of the ocean foam made by waves crashing down to the shore bringing with them a herd of surfers.
suddenly i felt a chill in the wind as the sun started to set. we packed up, walked a bit north where the sun's rays were still visible, and saw the sun setting. not behind some grand mountain ranges like i am used to, but behind a group of buildings of another coastal suburb.
a sunset is still a sunset. i am thankful to see yet another day ended and hopeful for the day that's about to begin.
r-e-s-t
i am thankful for this time of rest.
i am getting at least 8 hours of sleep everyday.
last saturday was movie-marathon day.
finished 2 coloring pages.
read magazines.
yogurt and potato chips made everything more restful.
i am getting at least 8 hours of sleep everyday.
last saturday was movie-marathon day.
finished 2 coloring pages.
read magazines.
yogurt and potato chips made everything more restful.
walkie talkie
i am a couch potato. [i think so because i do not have a regular sporting activity] however, i love to walk. i am thankful sydney is a good place to walk around a bit. [and a bit more!]
helps fight the cold too. temperature is dropping again tomorrow.
helps fight the cold too. temperature is dropping again tomorrow.
sunny day
spring is here, so are lots of possibilities.
the past week has been mostly surfing on the net for jobs, looking around the neighborhood, meeting friends from the philippines, eating out, and buying a new pair of boots!
hah! and i also was able to cook bistek tagalog (used lime juice instead of kalamansi) which looked liked what ma cooks and tasted quite okay too. happy!
i am thankful for hope.
the past week has been mostly surfing on the net for jobs, looking around the neighborhood, meeting friends from the philippines, eating out, and buying a new pair of boots!
hah! and i also was able to cook bistek tagalog (used lime juice instead of kalamansi) which looked liked what ma cooks and tasted quite okay too. happy!
i am thankful for hope.
pilipinas kong mahal
when i was in japan, sam showed us videos of japanese traditions. the videos are funny. now, 6251 kilometers away from manila, i am watching videos of filipino traditions.
the day before we left for sydney, ate belle delivered the dvds she promised as going away gifts. the dvds contain glimpses of how filipinos live everyday. it is a flemish production, a funny take on philippine culture, which makes my heart burst --- i am proud to be pinoy! we can converse in english very well, have superb and distinctly pinoy humor, and ah courageously face each difficult situation with happiness. and oh, i personally saw the candyman featured in the production! [i was starstruck!]
you should watch "Radio Filipinas". it is distributed by 11.11.11 - Pilipinas. [22 Matiyaga St., Brgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines with numbers (02)4344931 and (02)4261579]. if you have family or friends abroad, this DVD pair would make a great gift.
"Filipinos love noise... a sign of dynamism, of fiesta, of movement, of lives being lived."
the day before we left for sydney, ate belle delivered the dvds she promised as going away gifts. the dvds contain glimpses of how filipinos live everyday. it is a flemish production, a funny take on philippine culture, which makes my heart burst --- i am proud to be pinoy! we can converse in english very well, have superb and distinctly pinoy humor, and ah courageously face each difficult situation with happiness. and oh, i personally saw the candyman featured in the production! [i was starstruck!]
you should watch "Radio Filipinas". it is distributed by 11.11.11 - Pilipinas. [22 Matiyaga St., Brgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines with numbers (02)4344931 and (02)4261579]. if you have family or friends abroad, this DVD pair would make a great gift.
"Filipinos love noise... a sign of dynamism, of fiesta, of movement, of lives being lived."
smooth sailing
having arrived in sydney 3 days ago, i am sitting in chris hia's sala.
it is sunny and very windy. cold cold cold winter. minus the snow.
i thank God for:
1. the safe flight; no excess baggage; no quarantine issues.
2. free board, lodging and internet by chris hia and family.
3. medicare, bank account and mobile numbers were applied for, stress-free.
4. own place is waiting tomorrow.
5. applied for our own electricity account with energy australia through phone.
6. lots of sleep!
7. your prayers.
"so you think you can dance?"
in a new place? i say, why not?
it is sunny and very windy. cold cold cold winter. minus the snow.
i thank God for:
1. the safe flight; no excess baggage; no quarantine issues.
2. free board, lodging and internet by chris hia and family.
3. medicare, bank account and mobile numbers were applied for, stress-free.
4. own place is waiting tomorrow.
5. applied for our own electricity account with energy australia through phone.
6. lots of sleep!
7. your prayers.
"so you think you can dance?"
in a new place? i say, why not?
rush hour
i thank you, friends, for making us feel special. and i apologize for sometimes rushing through our times together lately.
emotions rushing. hours ticking by.
and we are still packing.
emotions rushing. hours ticking by.
and we are still packing.
skilled services
today was dentist [dr. jaime sangalan jr.] and endocrinologist [dr. sjoberg ang kho] day for me. i am blessed with two very kind and highly skilled doctors.
i used to endure the bi-annual teeth cleaning, now i actually enjoy it. i don't bleed much and my teeth are so squeaky clean afterwards i hesitate to use my teeth for a time. dr. jaime made sure i take care of my teeth while away:
dr. j: "the dental services abroad may be a lot pricier compared here, so take preventive measures, brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash."
me: "mouthwash won't make my teeth brittle and weak?"
dr. j: "try the alcohol-free ones. the acid in the mouthwash prevents plaque buildup."
waiting for my turn to see dr. sjoberg makes me officially a patient. loooong queue. but the wait is worth it:
dr. s: "you've lost some weight, otherwise you're all good. stressed?"
me: "a bit. we are leaving next week, that's why i had to see you."
dr. s: "what you have is surgical hypothyroidism. just so you'd know. and remember you are not to stop taking the thyroid hormone meds. bring enough meds with you because being in a another country, i don't think you'd have medical insurance immediately. may take at least six months after getting yourself employed. and see and endocrinologist there, specially once you're pregnant."
me: "we plan to come home once a year."
dr. s: "pay me a visit then."
i'll definitely miss them. such passion for their work is to be aspired for.
i used to endure the bi-annual teeth cleaning, now i actually enjoy it. i don't bleed much and my teeth are so squeaky clean afterwards i hesitate to use my teeth for a time. dr. jaime made sure i take care of my teeth while away:
dr. j: "the dental services abroad may be a lot pricier compared here, so take preventive measures, brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash."
me: "mouthwash won't make my teeth brittle and weak?"
dr. j: "try the alcohol-free ones. the acid in the mouthwash prevents plaque buildup."
waiting for my turn to see dr. sjoberg makes me officially a patient. loooong queue. but the wait is worth it:
dr. s: "you've lost some weight, otherwise you're all good. stressed?"
me: "a bit. we are leaving next week, that's why i had to see you."
dr. s: "what you have is surgical hypothyroidism. just so you'd know. and remember you are not to stop taking the thyroid hormone meds. bring enough meds with you because being in a another country, i don't think you'd have medical insurance immediately. may take at least six months after getting yourself employed. and see and endocrinologist there, specially once you're pregnant."
me: "we plan to come home once a year."
dr. s: "pay me a visit then."
i'll definitely miss them. such passion for their work is to be aspired for.
tale-ble
ivy and i went to japan surplus for a dining table to replace our 7-year-old one. we found a very nice one and 2 chairs to go with it. a treasure-hunting place. thankful too that we got all of those plus a wooden beach chair for 4300 which included delivery to our place.
later in the afternoon, a saw a babaeng mambubuko. first time. natuwa ako. of course i bought from her.
later in the afternoon, a saw a babaeng mambubuko. first time. natuwa ako. of course i bought from her.
stretching
finally moved ivy to the unit 2 floors below. thankful for the help ahia allen lent us. got her new curtains too, cozy room, had my afternoon nap there earlier.
after transferring most of the stuff last night, i sat down and watched the dogs breathe while sleeping. what joy - watching them stretch contently. i watched them again when i woke up this morning.
packed 2.5 baggages out of 4. i guess i would still need to repack as there seems to be more stuff we want to bring than what we are allowed. think think think some more.
after transferring most of the stuff last night, i sat down and watched the dogs breathe while sleeping. what joy - watching them stretch contently. i watched them again when i woke up this morning.
packed 2.5 baggages out of 4. i guess i would still need to repack as there seems to be more stuff we want to bring than what we are allowed. think think think some more.
teething
it's a sony ericsson k530i. soft keys. warm silver. happy. :)
thankful too for bluetooth, was able to transfer my address book smoothly.
i woke up and watch our doggies stretch. [they wake up when we do.]
it is a good way to start the day. i have yet a lot to learn from them.
thankful too for bluetooth, was able to transfer my address book smoothly.
i woke up and watch our doggies stretch. [they wake up when we do.]
it is a good way to start the day. i have yet a lot to learn from them.
birth days
yesterday was ta's birthday. and we celebrated it by going shopping with him.
it was a nice time at trinoma. we had dinner at suking mann hann afterwards.
cindy's a mother! can't wait to see anton isaac. thankful for the safe delivery.
celebrating life with them.
it was a nice time at trinoma. we had dinner at suking mann hann afterwards.
cindy's a mother! can't wait to see anton isaac. thankful for the safe delivery.
celebrating life with them.
mundaneness
visited quiapo to buy beads for the barefoot sandals i am making for kate.
was wandering it's streets and knew i would be missing the place big time.
i also cut our dogs' nails [and some hair too]. glad i can do those.
thankful for the commonplace that keeps me sane during these times.
was wandering it's streets and knew i would be missing the place big time.
i also cut our dogs' nails [and some hair too]. glad i can do those.
thankful for the commonplace that keeps me sane during these times.
lonely planet
it has been raining four days in a row. manila is somehow cooled and cleaned.
and i have been inside the UP campus most of the time. i likey.
i thank those who supported our garage sale.
it's for a new phone initially. [i might get a SEK770i]
then for helping the earth by recycling.
then there's cleaning the house.
realized it is also community service - 2 feeding bottles for a new mom for 5 pesos and she got a free disposable diaper.
had dinner with isawmates last night. "what's a chook?". went home with a book.
bliss to have friends celebrate changes. thank you.
and i have been inside the UP campus most of the time. i likey.
i thank those who supported our garage sale.
it's for a new phone initially. [i might get a SEK770i]
then for helping the earth by recycling.
then there's cleaning the house.
realized it is also community service - 2 feeding bottles for a new mom for 5 pesos and she got a free disposable diaper.
had dinner with isawmates last night. "what's a chook?". went home with a book.
bliss to have friends celebrate changes. thank you.
tasty goodbye
whoever thought of pinoy-style despedida, i thank you.
late this afternoon, the whole astra company gathered to celebrate july birthday-ees and to bid us farewell.
15 months:
lem and i experienced japan - what it's like to live alone, to work together.
[a prelude to the australia trip we are taking next month.]
i got to experience working inside the up campus - snails, trees, a breath of fresh air.
at a very emotional time, we got to share a meal of pancit malabon, pork barbecue and chocolate cake.
overflowing drinks and laughter. thank you all for wishing us well.
late this afternoon, the whole astra company gathered to celebrate july birthday-ees and to bid us farewell.
15 months:
lem and i experienced japan - what it's like to live alone, to work together.
[a prelude to the australia trip we are taking next month.]
i got to experience working inside the up campus - snails, trees, a breath of fresh air.
at a very emotional time, we got to share a meal of pancit malabon, pork barbecue and chocolate cake.
overflowing drinks and laughter. thank you all for wishing us well.
adrenaline rush
on the eve of my last day of work, i am short of emote time.
[bugs are still waiting to be fixed.]
i am grateful for this job. reminded me there are still a lot to learn.
[was able to take a nap too :)]
[bugs are still waiting to be fixed.]
i am grateful for this job. reminded me there are still a lot to learn.
[was able to take a nap too :)]
breathless
i experience palpitations every once in a while. [ever since i got this thyroid thingy]
i have always wondered if my heart could take the speed of the wayward beating.
so far, so good. amazing machine. thankful to the Creator.
i have always wondered if my heart could take the speed of the wayward beating.
so far, so good. amazing machine. thankful to the Creator.
do not delay
growing up in a culture where business is personal and personal life is serious business,
it is refreshing to have discussed a prospective project objectively and quickly --- no drama.
laid our cards on the table:
he wants a developer based in manila.
i am leaving manila next month.
he would have wanted to work with me.
i would have wanted to give his project a shot.
he bid me to take care, "sorry didn't get to work with you earlier.."
i wished his project well, "i should have advertised earlier :D"
that's it. a good morning.
it is refreshing to have discussed a prospective project objectively and quickly --- no drama.
laid our cards on the table:
he wants a developer based in manila.
i am leaving manila next month.
he would have wanted to work with me.
i would have wanted to give his project a shot.
he bid me to take care, "sorry didn't get to work with you earlier.."
i wished his project well, "i should have advertised earlier :D"
that's it. a good morning.
bouillabaisse
[i bet you also don't know how pronounce the title. :p]
had dinner with 25by8 pips at crustasia rockwell powerplant last night.
reminiscing brought so much laughter: we were young, clueless, financially tight,
and we used to order half chili garlic calamari at Q's for 50 pesos (whole was for 85 pesos).
thankful we are still young, and can order new things (no half orders this time) on the menu.
[and i still don't know how to pronounce the title.]
had dinner with 25by8 pips at crustasia rockwell powerplant last night.
reminiscing brought so much laughter: we were young, clueless, financially tight,
and we used to order half chili garlic calamari at Q's for 50 pesos (whole was for 85 pesos).
thankful we are still young, and can order new things (no half orders this time) on the menu.
[and i still don't know how to pronounce the title.]
tabby
lem, jo and i have a suki cat during lunch time. [we don't know her name and we didn't ask.]
most of the time her berks tag along for a free lunch. and they almost always get the first bite.
today, we came out later than usual. she was already waiting.
ah, this is what taming is, [as the fox described to the little prince].
i wonder if she'll miss us after next week.
i am thankful we got to share lunch with her.
most of the time her berks tag along for a free lunch. and they almost always get the first bite.
today, we came out later than usual. she was already waiting.
ah, this is what taming is, [as the fox described to the little prince].
i wonder if she'll miss us after next week.
i am thankful we got to share lunch with her.
celebration
i don't have problems with wanting to acquire more.
realized wanting to do more is my discontentment issue.
not that it's bad.
it's just that being discontent (in whatever way) makes me miss out on enjoying the good things i have or have done.
thankful i have quite a lot to celebrate.
may i remember to pause and rejoice. then move forward.
realized wanting to do more is my discontentment issue.
not that it's bad.
it's just that being discontent (in whatever way) makes me miss out on enjoying the good things i have or have done.
thankful i have quite a lot to celebrate.
may i remember to pause and rejoice. then move forward.
clipped wings
"If you would find freedom, learn above all to discipline your senses and your soul."
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
an old man once commented about my having clipped wings.
i think he was referring to some rather well-behaved carefree spirit he saw.
"Discipline is not so much the way by which we are restrained, but the way we channel our energy in a particular direction." - Charles Ringma, Seize the Day
my gratitude to those who did the clipping.
the clipping hurt, but clipped wings sure are easier to handle in flight.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
an old man once commented about my having clipped wings.
i think he was referring to some rather well-behaved carefree spirit he saw.
"Discipline is not so much the way by which we are restrained, but the way we channel our energy in a particular direction." - Charles Ringma, Seize the Day
my gratitude to those who did the clipping.
the clipping hurt, but clipped wings sure are easier to handle in flight.
music minor
me: "teecher john, dami ko mali!"
teacher john: "joy, mali kapag alam mo na tapos mali mong ginagawa. marami ka pang hindi alam, hindi mali yun. aral ka pa at practice."
thankful he knows what to do with me. [especially when most of the time i don't.]
i'll miss him.
teacher john: "joy, mali kapag alam mo na tapos mali mong ginagawa. marami ka pang hindi alam, hindi mali yun. aral ka pa at practice."
thankful he knows what to do with me. [especially when most of the time i don't.]
i'll miss him.
flooded
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
i was reminded to rest. stop struggling and rest.
it was good to see manong willy and manang dolly beaming with good health.
[they survived some 'Jaroing' experience.]
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
i was reminded to rest. stop struggling and rest.
it was good to see manong willy and manang dolly beaming with good health.
[they survived some 'Jaroing' experience.]
travelling light
being given 40 kilos to pack everything for sydney
i am thankful for the crash course on letting go.
realized i don't really need much
and most of the things i have deserve better homes.
so i sort and sort some more. melancholy piling up.
good thing they won't be weighing the memories i'd carry with me.
i am thankful for the crash course on letting go.
realized i don't really need much
and most of the things i have deserve better homes.
so i sort and sort some more. melancholy piling up.
good thing they won't be weighing the memories i'd carry with me.
circus
it pains me each time i am reminded that most of what gets into the news is a circus fabricated by politicians.
for example, many are already rehearsing for the main parts of the 2010 presidential elections
[which happens to be the opening date of the actual show].
it pains me more to observe that when the show is ongoing, what actually happens is the reverse of the rehearsals.
but then again, pedestrian overpass are being built and OFWs illegally recruited are being helped and sent back home.
thankful there are rehearsals. sana wala na lang actual show.
for example, many are already rehearsing for the main parts of the 2010 presidential elections
[which happens to be the opening date of the actual show].
it pains me more to observe that when the show is ongoing, what actually happens is the reverse of the rehearsals.
but then again, pedestrian overpass are being built and OFWs illegally recruited are being helped and sent back home.
thankful there are rehearsals. sana wala na lang actual show.
dry ice
funny when i try to cling on to dear life i seem dead
and the moment i choose to die the death i have been dreading
i am jolted back to life.
today, i saw a rat swimming in a river that overflowed.
thankful i wasn't in the same waters.
and the moment i choose to die the death i have been dreading
i am jolted back to life.
today, i saw a rat swimming in a river that overflowed.
thankful i wasn't in the same waters.
love love love
sang the beatles' all you need is love with prends
last saturday at centerstage ktv.
we celebrated:
- my birthday [and the new adventure ahead :P]
- the coming of cindy's baby boy
- pen's marriage
- aimee's motherhood [and matt!]
- rosemarie's travels
- tet's plans [tet flew all the way from cebu!]
ah, the joy of celebrating with friends.
last saturday at centerstage ktv.
we celebrated:
- my birthday [and the new adventure ahead :P]
- the coming of cindy's baby boy
- pen's marriage
- aimee's motherhood [and matt!]
- rosemarie's travels
- tet's plans [tet flew all the way from cebu!]
ah, the joy of celebrating with friends.
prayer full
"pinagdadasal ka namin." ate eddy greeted me sunday morning.
i am moved each time somebody says that to me.
i think i wouldn't be who i am now without loving prayers.
an expression of love, and this is a glimpse of the depth of that love.
hoping i can say that too - honestly and frequently.
i am moved each time somebody says that to me.
i think i wouldn't be who i am now without loving prayers.
an expression of love, and this is a glimpse of the depth of that love.
hoping i can say that too - honestly and frequently.
ya ya sisterhood
ya. i have a sister. a very good friend.
she came home 1am this morning,
just a little while after i got off a 2-hour phone call from hansel.
[thank you dave! always refreshing to chitchat with you.]
we talked till 4am, over santol and peanut butter; tea and water.
i'd gladly give up sleeping hours,
moments like these, priceless. ya.
she came home 1am this morning,
just a little while after i got off a 2-hour phone call from hansel.
[thank you dave! always refreshing to chitchat with you.]
we talked till 4am, over santol and peanut butter; tea and water.
i'd gladly give up sleeping hours,
moments like these, priceless. ya.
striking lighting
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. [Gen. 1:3]
whenever i pass by g. araneta avenue on the way home,
i gape at the Sanctuarium.
i find the play of lights and shadows beautiful.
and i'd like to think God thought of me when He created light.
whenever i pass by g. araneta avenue on the way home,
i gape at the Sanctuarium.
i find the play of lights and shadows beautiful.
and i'd like to think God thought of me when He created light.
UP Ikot
a sampling of the current generation of students can be observed while one is riding the yellow jeep.
they wield ds lites (with r4ds), wear havaianas (mojos have long been forgotten),
talk so loud (their ears are plugged with earphones)
and a number of them carry laptops and use jansport bags.
i ride with them, and am fascinated, thinking how different the campus has become because of them.
gone were the days of loose shirts, grunge looks (shorty shorts and skinny jeans rule these days).
pancit canton is being served by fishball stalls and sunken garden is a frisbee place.
yesterday, a guy got in the jeep and bumped his head on the lamp mounted on the roof.
he cried "Ouch!", found a seat, rubbed his head and smiled a lot.
though i would have said "Aray!", i was already smiling a contented smile ---
i am comforted that some things remain the same.
they wield ds lites (with r4ds), wear havaianas (mojos have long been forgotten),
talk so loud (their ears are plugged with earphones)
and a number of them carry laptops and use jansport bags.
i ride with them, and am fascinated, thinking how different the campus has become because of them.
gone were the days of loose shirts, grunge looks (shorty shorts and skinny jeans rule these days).
pancit canton is being served by fishball stalls and sunken garden is a frisbee place.
yesterday, a guy got in the jeep and bumped his head on the lamp mounted on the roof.
he cried "Ouch!", found a seat, rubbed his head and smiled a lot.
though i would have said "Aray!", i was already smiling a contented smile ---
i am comforted that some things remain the same.
cabbies
morning commute to work is either on a taxi or an fx then a taxi.
and drivers are as varied as the cloud formations that day.
some are slow drivers, fast talkers.
others are speed maniacs and nontalkers.
today, manong cabbie lectured on why we should be taking edsa and not q. ave.
and for every traffic light we passed, he never missed the chance to tell us why.
for every car that blocked his way, he honked so hard and swerved so enthusiastically,
my head throbbed violently with my heart.
i would have appreciated it if he had given us a quieter ride.
["parang awa nyo na manong, ang aga aga pa e!", was on the tip of my tongue throughout.]
but arriving in one piece, i am thankful -
they fight hard battles every single day, still they deliver me safe and sound.
and drivers are as varied as the cloud formations that day.
some are slow drivers, fast talkers.
others are speed maniacs and nontalkers.
today, manong cabbie lectured on why we should be taking edsa and not q. ave.
and for every traffic light we passed, he never missed the chance to tell us why.
for every car that blocked his way, he honked so hard and swerved so enthusiastically,
my head throbbed violently with my heart.
i would have appreciated it if he had given us a quieter ride.
["parang awa nyo na manong, ang aga aga pa e!", was on the tip of my tongue throughout.]
but arriving in one piece, i am thankful -
they fight hard battles every single day, still they deliver me safe and sound.
hot water
i don't mind not having hot water for bath. (but it sure is welcome anytime)
but i mind it a lot not having hot water for drinking.
the water supplier at our office long delayed fixing the water dispenser.
took them more than a month. finally today, a technician came to fix the problem.
i find it more difficult to swallow cold water than hot water. (room-temp water is okay)
but water is water is water is water.
thankful i know another thing about myself.
but i mind it a lot not having hot water for drinking.
the water supplier at our office long delayed fixing the water dispenser.
took them more than a month. finally today, a technician came to fix the problem.
i find it more difficult to swallow cold water than hot water. (room-temp water is okay)
but water is water is water is water.
thankful i know another thing about myself.
awestruck
the God of grace i've read in the bible proved and is proving Himself to be so.
over and yet again. Stubborn Love.
Grace made tangible, obedience is the only loving response.
i ask for wisdom and lots of courage.
over and yet again. Stubborn Love.
Grace made tangible, obedience is the only loving response.
i ask for wisdom and lots of courage.
oh my darkling
i delight in nibbling on dark chocolate.
its bitterness amplifies its subtle sweetness.
thankful for life's simple pleasures.
[however, being simple entails so much complexity. teehee :)]
its bitterness amplifies its subtle sweetness.
thankful for life's simple pleasures.
[however, being simple entails so much complexity. teehee :)]
midnight snacking
the caloocan care group goes to manila every so often, ever since ahia alex and achie debs moved. and after an hour and a half of fellowship (singspiration, bible study, thanksgiving and prayer time), merienda follows. the length of time for it is indefinite.
if everybody is up to it [only time is the issue as it is almost always unanimously alright to eat dimsum or shabushabu together as an excuse to catch up on each other's lives or it could be the other way around :p], we go to golden fortune in soler or in wanchai benavidez or to any new cheap yummy chinese food place in the neighborhood.
last night, it was shabu shabu in golden fortune.
i celebrated with them, life. thankful i have them to exchange notes with.
if everybody is up to it [only time is the issue as it is almost always unanimously alright to eat dimsum or shabushabu together as an excuse to catch up on each other's lives or it could be the other way around :p], we go to golden fortune in soler or in wanchai benavidez or to any new cheap yummy chinese food place in the neighborhood.
last night, it was shabu shabu in golden fortune.
i celebrated with them, life. thankful i have them to exchange notes with.
paper white
in last week's youth fellowship at glory evangelical church,
i shared what i try to live out and know about care giving.
i stood in front as someone who is running the same race,
not as a better runner.
if life were a clean sheet of paper and every sin an ink mark on it,
mine would have been marked with ink blotches and smudges.
i am thankful Love covers a multitude of sins.
i shared what i try to live out and know about care giving.
i stood in front as someone who is running the same race,
not as a better runner.
if life were a clean sheet of paper and every sin an ink mark on it,
mine would have been marked with ink blotches and smudges.
i am thankful Love covers a multitude of sins.
sleeping beauty
i had flu and pneumonia vaccine shots last tuesday
and got a raging migraine from thursday to saturday.
after a late breakfast and popping meds on saturday,
slept from 12nn to 2pm.
that sleep worked miracles -
healed the body as it did the soul.
and got a raging migraine from thursday to saturday.
after a late breakfast and popping meds on saturday,
slept from 12nn to 2pm.
that sleep worked miracles -
healed the body as it did the soul.
pistachio ice cream
yesterday's lunch was pistachio ice cream, jollibee champ burger and more pistachio ice cream.
do i eat my dessert first before the main course?
not usually, but i am glad i can choose to when i want to.
do i eat my dessert first before the main course?
not usually, but i am glad i can choose to when i want to.
playing favorites
twin reminded me that in college, i used to say i am God's favorite child.
around 8-9 years out of college,
and after our latest episode of catching up and filling in each other with details of our lives,
we giggled and exclaimed that that's actually true!
haha, i don't believe God plays favorites. :)
i just coined the term as an acknowledgement of God's goodness.
i am blessed indeed.
around 8-9 years out of college,
and after our latest episode of catching up and filling in each other with details of our lives,
we giggled and exclaimed that that's actually true!
haha, i don't believe God plays favorites. :)
i just coined the term as an acknowledgement of God's goodness.
i am blessed indeed.
shelter from the storm
typhoon frank hit the metro, and not just the metro, violently.
many are left homeless, a number, lifeless.
angsts* and sense of relief** don't mix too well.
i rest, believing, God is sovereign.
*[typhoons visit this country every single year and several times at that, don't we learn at all? can't we at least be ready of some sort?]
**[people i personally know are spared from harm]
many are left homeless, a number, lifeless.
angsts* and sense of relief** don't mix too well.
i rest, believing, God is sovereign.
*[typhoons visit this country every single year and several times at that, don't we learn at all? can't we at least be ready of some sort?]
**[people i personally know are spared from harm]
bows and pieces
so i had my scheduled monday night violin lesson with teacher john yesterday.
so i had been trying to play around 2 months now.
so i enjoy playing it.
so we are working on the canon piece and i don't sound any way near it.
so teacher is sticking with me, despite.
so thankful.
so i had been trying to play around 2 months now.
so i enjoy playing it.
so we are working on the canon piece and i don't sound any way near it.
so teacher is sticking with me, despite.
so thankful.
time well spent
friday and saturday nights were with ading and tso respectively.
talked about work, travel, family and life in general.
thankful for friends who share my zest for good conversation and good food.
the stormy weather made the time warmer.
i thank you both for spending time with me.
talked about work, travel, family and life in general.
thankful for friends who share my zest for good conversation and good food.
the stormy weather made the time warmer.
i thank you both for spending time with me.
middle fiddle
a conversation piece during dinner yesterday went something like this:
"so the rice shortage show might have been staged to cover up the zte thing, now who is lozada again?"
"it is rather sad to see people queuing whole morning (some start at 3am) to buy 2 kilos of nfa rice... we passed by such queue along amorsolo earlier."
"and the irony of rising gasoline prices and porsche and audi and imported gas--gusler SUV filling up the metro. quite a handful are feeding on the poverty of the masses. tsk."
being in between is not all that bad. grateful.
i think of both extremes. prayerful.
"so the rice shortage show might have been staged to cover up the zte thing, now who is lozada again?"
"it is rather sad to see people queuing whole morning (some start at 3am) to buy 2 kilos of nfa rice... we passed by such queue along amorsolo earlier."
"and the irony of rising gasoline prices and porsche and audi and imported gas--gusler SUV filling up the metro. quite a handful are feeding on the poverty of the masses. tsk."
being in between is not all that bad. grateful.
i think of both extremes. prayerful.
i can see in color
last night, watched Arashi no Yoru Ni (あらしのよるに) or On a Stormy Night.
the scenes in Gabu's (the wolf) mind, when he was trying to remember who he was,
were in black and white.
today, to show my gratefulness to the God who thought of colors,
i am wearing a shirt with differently colored long sleeves.
the scenes in Gabu's (the wolf) mind, when he was trying to remember who he was,
were in black and white.
today, to show my gratefulness to the God who thought of colors,
i am wearing a shirt with differently colored long sleeves.
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