Merry Wishes

Have a very Merry Christmas! May Our Christmas be Jolly and Bright!

When time was with her... She came early at last!

It was an advance birthday celebration (December 22 is the exact date) and a Christmas get-together rolled into one. I was leaving the next day for a Winter Holiday with my siblings and I cannot afford NOT to party with my Sistahud.

If you’ve been following our dates, you’ll know our side remark regarding the birthday girl, Mary Ann aka Marianna. She walks a lot. If the meeting place is in the Makati area and it’s a work day, she’ll definitely walk her way to the venue. Given the proximity, yes, it is good to walk but guess what, she always comes in late. So, for this date, I applaud Marianna. She came first to the venue. Hooray! December 17, 2008, a sure date to remember!

Yes, she still walked going to Tony Roma’s. I, on the other hand, was the tardy Sistahud. I got caught in terrible traffic coming from work and they were already eating appetizers when I reached TRG4. I cannot blame myself entirely for my tardiness, it’s the holiday season and everybody’s out for last minute shopping finds.

Once settled, we immediately got busy eating our ribs, seafood and steak dinner. Yum! Yum! Since we love the freebie bread with herb butter from TRG4, we asked another serving and just munched them away. While we are having dinner, we talked about updates regarding career, family and of course, love life. This is always a necessity! Tsismis Sa Gitna Ng Tsibog!

You bet we do have our colorful love stories especially the birthday girl’s love life. All along she didn’t know that we’ve been talking about her in her sister’s blog. Even her Mom was part of the conversation. See, Marianna, you’re very famous! Charing!

Before we finished dinner, I brought out Rachelle’s Christmas presents for Elline and Marianna. Mom brought home from LA the gifts and I was really intrigued with them. Elline got the white bag and Marianna got two music CDs. Wow!

We also exchanged Christmas presents and gave Marianna’s birthday treats as well. In return, they gave me Rachelle’s Christmas presents intending to bring them with me when I leave the next day.

It was another year of good food, tons of laughter and precious moments with the Sistahud.

The next cycle of dates will be my birthday celebration unless Rachelle decides to visit Manila before June 2009, we will definitely book a weekend all together and bond!

Mary Ann - wishing you every good thing that life can bring, on your birthday and always.

A Really Great Brother

When we were growing up, we had our little ways of driving each other crazy.
You knew how to push my buttons, and I knew how to push yours.
I also knew that if I was ever in trouble and really needed someone’s help, you’d be right there for me – and you were, time after time…


I realize I probably never thanked you or let you know how much it meant having you for my brother.
But there’s no better time than your birthday to say it…


Thanks for being there for me.
Knowing that I had you to count on made all the difference in the world… it still does.


Happy 23rd Birthday, Reyboy!!!

For The First Time

It was a spur of the moment, fast-paced but fully-loaded dinner and it was their first time. Yes, for the first time in their lives, as they mentioned to me during our dinner, that it was their first time to eat in Glorietta 3 and in California Pizza Kitchen (CPK).


Maricel and Malou are friends and former officemates of Jannice Bautista-Vejerano. Jannice is my former staff in a former workplace and a friend and a kumare as well. I met Maricel and Malou through Jannice.



Maricel is an assistant of Jannice in CSM and I’ve met her since 2006 and then I met Malou during Jannice and Roger’s wedding day in December 2006. We bonded and both are such sweethearts.



Malou now works in a specialized school library system. Her only son, Aaron is such a cute boy and very playful. Just like Jannice, Maricel is also my kumare. We are both godmothers of Jannice’s son, Paulo Matteus.

I only had a few open dates before my winter holiday so when I had an opening and I can have dinner for a few hours, I called both girls and we met at Glorietta 3.


We had dinner at CPK and devoured the sumptuous BBQ Chicken Pizza, Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, Fried Calamares and Fettuccine Alfredo. Of course, we had to have dessert. Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae was such a treat and even both girls enjoyed their Raspberry Iced Teas.

I tried calling Jannice to join us that night but she won’t answer my calls. It would have been nice if she was able to join.

We had fun catching up with various stories and promised each other to visit once everybody is free. It would be Maricel’s birthday on January and she would love to have another get together.


We parted early that night, it was getting late as well and we live in different parts of the Metropolis. We exchanged Christmas presents and Malou even made personal Christmas cards and what’s written inside the card made me shed a tear.

Maricel and Malou – thank you so much for the laughter and the gifts. I’ll treasure all of them. Have a great holiday and see you soon!

2008's Christmas Song

I got this earlier from a friend who works for a multinational firm. Let us all sing together to an old song with new lyrics…

The Christmas Song
The Investment Banker Version

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise
Recession is coming to town
It's worthless if you've got shares.

It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake, HEY

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town!

Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake, OH

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

Catchy. Funny. So true!

Power on Encouragement

Another good one from the mails…

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they yelled to the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling to them to stop, that there was no hope.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued jumping as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop his jumping and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, (after taking a needed rest) the other frogs’ clammered, "Didn’t you hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

From this we learn two lessons:

A. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

B. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.

Words have the power of life and death. Be careful of what you say. Speak words of encouragement to those who cross your path. It is often difficult to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

Let us be that special person.

Christmas is Almost Here!

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more..."
-Dr. Seuss

Wishing you all a Great Holiday!
(22 days to Christmas)

Origins of the Internet

Let’s see…

In ancient Israel, it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com did take unto himself a young wife by the name of Dot. And Dot Com was a comely woman, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed, she was named Amazon Dot Com.

And she said unto Abraham, her husband, "Why dost thou travel far from town to town with thy goods when thou canst trade without ever leaving thy tent?"

And Abraham did look at her as though she were several saddle bags short of a camel load, but simply said, "How, dear?" And Dot replied, "I will place drums in all the towns and drums in between to send messages saying what you have for sale and they will reply telling you which hath the best price. And the sale can be made on the drums and the goods can be delivered by Uriah's Pony Stable (UPS)."

Abraham thought long and decided he would let Dot have her way with the drums. And the drums rang out and were a wondrous happening. Abraham sold all the goods he had at the top price, without ever moving from his tent.

But this success did arouse envy. A man named Maccabia did secrete himself inside Abraham's drum and was accused of insider trading. And the young man did take to Dot Com's trading as doth the greedy horsefly take to camel dung. He was called a Nomadic Ecclesiastical Rich Dominant Siderite, or NERD for short.

And lo, the land was so feverish with joy at the new riches and the deafening sound of drums that no one noticed that the real riches were going to the drum maker, one Brother William of Gates, who bought up every drum company in the land. And indeed did insist on making drums that would work only with Brother Gates' drumheads and drumsticks.

And Dot did say, "Oh, Abraham, what we have started is being taken over by others."

And as Abraham looked out over the Bay of Ezekiel, or as it came to be known "eBay" he said, "We need a name that reflects what we are."

And Dot replied, "Young Ambitious Hebrew Owner Operators."

"YAHOO," said Abraham.

And that is how it all began.

Ha, ha, ha!

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

"Bless friends and loved ones, near and far, with all the nicest things there are."

Wishing each and everyone the happiest moments and warmest traditions during this holiday season. May Thanksgiving bring all good things to you.

Time to gobble!

Happiness Forever

As parents, you set a wonderful example of the things that really matter in life – things like taking time to laugh and love and listen…


Thank you for the closeness we have as a family, for all the good times we still share, and especially for the first and best lesson you ever taught – how to love.

Happy Anniversary. Have a Wonderful Day!

Happiness

"The secret of happiness is the realization that life is a gift, not a right." Once we understand this axiom of life, our perspective on everything changes. And once our perspective on everything changes we become more fulfilled. And once this happens, we become much happier and realize that our life is different than it was before.

And not that just our life is a divine gift, but everything in our life. While of course we have to work hard to earn something, whether it be financial reward, a college degree on someone’s respect, these are still all divine gifts that should be appreciated as such.

Imagine everyday is your birthday and throughout the day you keep receiving unexpected gifts. How would you feel. So now try to convert this same sense to your everyday life, and appreciate everything as a gift. I’ll guarantee you will be a much happier person.

Try this for one day – and see where it takes you.

Fantastic Dad

For his 55th birthday, I have things to tell my Dad…

1. He was right. About pretty much everything.
2. Money really doesn’t grow on trees.
3. I was too listening.
4. Kids don’t forget the good stuff.

5. Take time out and relax.
6. Thanks for the lectures and the love.
7. You’re way above par.
8. I love you in a BIG way!

Have a Happy 55th Birthday, Dadi! Enjoy the weeklong vacation with Mom in the entertainment capital of the world!

I Don't Wanna Work

Another cute one…

1. My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned. I couldn't concentrate.
2. Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.
3. After that, I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it - mainly because it was a sew-sew job.
4. Next, I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting.
5. Then, I tried to be a chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme.
6. I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it I couldn't cut the mustard.
7. My best job was a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.
8. I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience.
9. Next, was a job in a shoe factory. I tried but I just didn't fit in.
10. I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.
11. I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.
12. So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.
13. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian - until I realized there was no future in it.
14. My last job was working in Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.\
15. So, I tried retirement and found that I’m perfect for the job!
    

Tee Hee! What a laugh!

A Great Historical Moment

Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.


A change was called for and, tonight, it came. Whether this is a good thing for the United States, no one knows. Yet, as some said earlier today, the air felt crisper, the sky brighter, the spirit of the community jointly lifted. Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President on January 20, 2009.

Welcome, President Obama.

Breakfast Delight

The other week, I was eating breakfast while waiting for the bank to open. I asked Yaya Juvy if she heard my name being called. Somebody was calling “Ralline, Ralline, Ralline!” I was busy browsing the newspaper… then I looked up… and saw a familiar face.

Josephine Ragunton-Galang, commonly known as Jheng during our elementary and high school days, was on the other table. She was waiting for her husband, JM (Jose Maria), and their breakfast as well. Jheng works as a Relationship Manager in the bank and JM goes to a telecommunication company nearby.


“Makikita ko na ba yan mamaya sa Facebook or sa My Space”, Jheng said of the pictures taken. But, it took me almost two weeks before I could upload the pictures. Still, I can still recall the chitchat as if it were yesterday. It was nice seeing Jheng again, even though I am used to see her in bank, but seeing her as a wife and a mom, that I still have to get used to. Nevertheless, motherhood suits her; I see a certain glow with her smile.


Today is Jheng’s birthday and she’s spending the week with her family in Hong Kong Disneyland.

For Jheng: Wishing you a beautiful birthday and a lifetime of beautiful tomorrows!

Big Booty of Treats

Boo! It's Halloween and it's time for trick or treat!


All you need to do is say "trick-or-treat," smile, extend your Halloween bag and voila - Halloween candies!


All the kids had their fair share of a bagful of nice Halloween treats.


Have a Fa-boo-lous Halloween!

Fantastic Mommy

It’s your birthday and if I could wrap love in a ribbon, it would be my gift to you.

Mommy, we’ve shared so much,

I have enough memories to fill my heart for a thousand years.

I hope you’ll always know how very special you are and how lucky the world is to have you in it.

Happy 55th Birthday, Mami!

Workplace Language

This is cute…

Blamestorming: Sitting around in a group discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.

Chainsaw Consultant: An outside expert brought in to reduce the employee headcount, leaving the top brass with clean hands.

Cube Farm: An office filled with cubicles.

Prairie Dogging: When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.

Elvis Year: The peak year of something's or someone's popularity. "Barney the Dinosaur's Elvis year was 1993."

Idea Hamsters: People who always seem to have their idea generators running.

Mouse Potato: The online, wired generation's answer to the couch potato.

Ohnosecond: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a big mistake.

SITCOMs: What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids. Stands for Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage.

Starter Marriage: A short-lived first marriage that ends in a divorce with no kids, no property and no regrets.

Stress Puppy: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.

Tourists: People who take training classes just to get a vacation from their jobs. "We had three serious students in the class; the rest were just tourists."

Xerox Subsidy: Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.

Alpha Geek: The most knowledgeable, technically proficient person in an office or work group. "Ask Trisha, she's the alpha geek around here."

Assmosis: The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.

Beepilepsy: The brief seizure people sometimes have when their beeper goes off (especially in vibrator mode). Characterized by physical spasms, goofy facial expressions and interruption of speech in mid-sentence.

Depotphobia: Fear associated with entering a Home Depot because of how much money one might spend. Electronics geeks experience Shackophobia.

Flight Risk: Used to describe employees who are suspected of planning to leave a company or department soon. Irritainment: Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying, but you find yourself unable to stop watching them. The O.J. trials were a prime example.

Percussive Maintenance: The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.

Seagull Manager: A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, sh-ts over everything and then leaves.

Uninstalled: Euphemism for being fired. Heard on the voicemail of a vice president at a downsizing computer firm: "You have reached the number of an uninstalled vice president. Please dial our main number and ask the operator for assistance." See also Decruitment.

My absolute favorite – Idea Hamsters. As for myself, I’m a self-confessed Mouse Potato.

A Woman's Dictionary

Copied and reposted…

Argument (ar*gyou*ment) n. A discussion that occurs when you're right, but he just hasn't realized it yet.

Airhead (er*hed) n. What a woman intentionally becomes when pulled over by a policeman.

Bar-be-que (bar*bi*q) n. You bought the groceries, washed the lettuce, chopped the tomatoes, diced the onions, marinated the meat and cleaned everything up, but he "made the dinner."

Blonde jokes (blond joks) n. Jokes that are short so men can understand them.

Cantaloupe (kant*e*lope) n. Gotta get married in a church.

Clothes dryer (kloze dri*yer) n. An appliance designed to eat socks.

Diet Soda (dy*it so*da) n. A drink you buy at a convenience store to go with a half pound bag of peanut M&Ms.

Eternity (e*ter*ni*tee) n. The last two minutes of a football game.

Exercise (ex*er*siz) v. To walk up and down a mall, occasionally resting to make a purchase.

Grocery List (grow*ser*ee list) n. What you spend half an hour writing, then forget to take with you to the store.

Hair Dresser (hare dres*er) n. Someone who is able to create a style you will never be able to duplicate again. See "Magician."

Hardware Store (hard*war stor) n. Similar to a black hole in space-if he goes in, he isn't coming out anytime soon.

Childbirth (child*brth) n. You get to go through 36 hours of contractions; he gets to hold your hand and say "focus,...breath...push..."

Lipstick (lip*stik) n. On your lips, coloring to enhance the beauty of your mouth. On his collar, coloring only a tramp would wear...!

Park (park) v./n. Before children, a verb meaning, "to go somewhere and neck." After children, a noun meaning a place with a swing set and slide.

Patience (pa*shens) n. The most important ingredient for dating, marriage and children. See also "tranquilizers."

Waterproof Mascara (wah*tr*pruf mas*kar*ah) n. Comes off if you cry, shower, or swim, but will not come off if you try to remove it.

Valentine's Day (val*en*tinez dae) n. A day when you have dreams of a candlelight dinner, diamonds, and romance, but consider yourself lucky to get a card.

Oh, what a vocabulary, oh my!

The Queen Comes To Town

It has been six years and eight months since the last time I saw my “Sister Taba.” A very long time indeed but communication was always present through long handwritten letters to emails to SMS. These became our bridge to our sixteen years of friendship.


Sister Taba or the Queen Bee in the famous Big Family of UP College of Baguio (now UP Baguio) is Maria Reyna C. Villacarlos. She’s the middle sibling from our elite group. Kuya is Atty. Menard Almazan and Ate is Bb. Jane Erese. You got it right, I am the Little Sister of the family.

Why the Big Family? Back then, we were all “BIG”. Even the other members of the family are also big and fabulous.


Now, Sister Taba is no tubby-tubby anymore. I totally did not recognize her when I fetched her at the Ayala-MRT Station last Wednesday. She got sick a few years back and went on a strict diet. In addition, being NGO worker affected her lifestyle. She’s now many pounds lighter but her face stayed the same. The bubbly smile even the voice was the same as I remember during our first days as blockmates.

We spent the whole day of October 8, 2008 together since I just came back from a previous engagement and she had to go back to Baguio before heading back to the Cordilleras for her work. I treated her to an Italian breakfast, two hours of pampering at a spa, strolled throughout the Greenbelt malls, a late American lunch and before sending her off back to Baguio, a sumptuous Filipino dinner.


For that whole day we spent together, we called the rest of the Big Family members – oops, only the ones that I have in my mobile phone. Some numbers were not anymore available yet we got lucky to call some of the big ones. We woke up Jane in Dubai, caught Menard in a court recess, Kit in a workshop, Peter on the way to Binondo and Alovel who just had dinner. It was fun even though we miss the rest of the Big Family. We tried calling Oli in Cambodia, Jojo in Singapore, Nhore in San Francisco and Joseph but all we got were voicemails. Sayang!


Maybe next time we’ll have a bigger Big Family reunion – we’ll get to see Cynch, Rhodz, Chris and also the rest of the EconBlock 3-A gang. (Hopefully on the 5th of December!!!)

But for meantime, I am treasuring the day spent with my Sister Taba. I just wish that we get to see more often rather than wait another six years.

Reyna, having to miss work for a day is incomparable to spending a day well spent with you.

Ice Cream Power

Last week Richard took his children to a restaurant. His six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As they bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby he heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, Richard’s son burst into tears and asked him, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As he held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.

He winked at Richard’s son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" Richard’s son asked. "Cross my heart." Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, Richard bought his kids ice cream at the end of the meal. His son stared at him for a moment and then did something he will remember the rest of his life. Richard’s son picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

Do not let anyone tell you how to pray. Ask for what you want. Tell God why you want it and in the process of saying WHY you want something, you will already know a little more whether you will be getting your wish or not. And if the reason isn’t a good one, than sincerely change your reason, or change what you want.


And if you want ice cream, ask for ice cream. Personally, I like chocolate ice cream.

The Secrets to Happiness

Live beneath your means and within your seams.
Return everything you borrow.
Donate blood.
Stop blaming other people.
Admit it when you make a mistake.
Give all the clothes you haven't worn in the last three years to charity.
Every day do something nice and try not to get caught.
Listen more; talk less.
Every day take a 30-minute walk in your neighborhood.
Skip two meals a week and give the money to the homeless.
Strive for excellence, not perfection.
Be on time.
Don't make excuses.
Don't argue.
Get organized.
Be kind to kind people.
Be even kinder to unkind people.
Let someone cut ahead of you in line.
Take time to be alone.
Reread a favorite book.
Cultivate good manners.
Be humble.
Understand and accept that life isn't always fair.
Know when to say something.
Know when to keep your mouth shut.
Don't criticize anyone for 24 hours.
Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present.
Don't sweat the small stuff.

We all should strive for happiness – but we all also need to WORK ON IT.

The Ten Conyo-mandments

Saw this from Meyan’s blog and forwarded the script to my cheeblings.

The Ten Conyo-Mandments
(taken from The La Sallian-Menagerie)

Conyo here, conyo there, conyo everywhere! Here at La Salle, conyospeak has become an unofficial language as a good chunk of the student body knows, or maybe even mastered the socialite tongue. However, one must never forget the basics of the conyo and we thusly bring you: The Ten Conyomandments.

1. Thou shall make gamit "make+pandiwa".
"Let´s make pasok na to our class!"
"Wait lang! I´m making kain pa!"
"Come on na, we can´t make hintay anymore!"

2. Thou shall make kalat "noh", "di ba" and "eh" in your pangungusap.
"I don´t like to make lakad in the baha nga, noh? Eh di ba it´s like, so ewww, di ba?
"What ba? Stop nga being maarte noh!"
"Eh as if you want naman also, di ba?

3. When making describe a whatever, always say "It´s SO pang-uri!".
"It´s so malaki, you know, and so mainit!"
"I know right? So sarap nga eh!"
"You´re making me inggit naman, I´ll make bili nga my own burger."

4. When you are lalaki, make parang punctuation "dude", "tsong" or "pare".
"Dude, ENGANAL is so hirap, pare."
"I know, tsong, I got bagsak nga in quiz one, eh."

5. Thou shall know you know? I know right!
"My bag is so bigat today, you know."
"I know, right! We have to make dala pa kase the jumbo Physics book eh!"

6. Make gawa the plural of pangalans like in English or Spanish.
"I have so many tigyawats, oh!"

7. Like, when you can make kaya, always like. Like, I know right?
"Like it´s so init naman!"
"Yeah! The air-con, it´s like sira kase eh!"

8. Make yourself feel so galing by translating the last word of your sentence, you know, your pangungusap?
"Kakainis naman in the LRT! How plenty tao, you know, people?"
"It´s so tight nga there, eh, you know, masikip?"

9. Make gamit of plenty of abbreviations, you know, daglat?
"Like OMG! It´s like traffic sa EDSA."
"I know, right? It´s so kaka!"
"Kaka?"
"Kakaasar!"

10. Make gamit the pinakamarte voice and pronunciation you have para full effect!
"I´m like, making aral at the Arrhneow!"
"Me naman, I´m from Lazzahl!"

One Cheebling replied: “So loka tlaga, u knw. Its so lyk gawa ng Lazalista yan, ryt. Make pdala 2 my mail nmn s YM, its so kul kc. Pra pdala q s mga friendships q, u knw, my frendly frends”.

I had fun reading the whole set and receiving a reply from Cheebling No. 2. So funny naman, I’m making tawa-tawa na. Ha, ha, ha!

Words of Wisdom

I got this from Tita Carol…

Six Pinoy Words of Wisdom

1. Lahat ng problema may solusyon, kung walang solusyon, wag mo nang problemahin.
2. Always remember, kung kaya ng iba, ipagawa mo sa kanila. Don't force yourself, make life easy.
3. Hindi lahat ng gwapo may girlfriend ang iba sa kanila may boyfriend.
4. Don't face your problem if your problem is your face; umiwas sa lahat ng bagay na nakakaaninag- - salamin; microwave; stainless steel na kawali, kaldero, kutsara, tinidor.
5. Di bale ng tamad, di naman pagod.
6. Praktis makes perfect but nobody's perfect, so don't praktis
   

What do you think? True or False?

The Sand Castle

Hot sun. Salty air. Rhythmic waves.

A little boy is on his knees scooping and packing the sand with plastic shovels into a bright blue bucket. Then he upends the bucket on the surface and lifts it. And, to the delight of the little architect, a castle tower is created.

All afternoon he will work. Spooning out the moat. Packing the walls. Bottle tops will be sentries. Popsicle sticks will be bridges. A sandcastle will be built.

Big city. Busy streets. Rumbling traffic.

A man is in his office. At his desk he shuffles papers into stacks and delegates assignments. He cradles the phone on his shoulder and punches the keyboard with his fingers. Numbers are juggled and contracts are signed and much to the delight of the man, a profit is made.

All his life he will work. Formulating the plans. Forecasting the future. Annuities will be sentries. Capital gains will be bridges. An empire will be built.

Two builders of two castles. They have much in common. They shape granules into grandeurs. They see nothing and make something. They are diligent and determined. And for both the tide will rise and the end will come.

Yet that is where the similarities cease. For the boy sees the end while the man ignores it. Watch the boy as the dusk approaches.

As the waves near, the wise child jumps to his feet and begins to clap. There is no sorrow. No fear. No regret. He knew this would happen. He is not surprised. And when the great breaker crashes into his castle and his masterpiece is sucked into the sea, he smiles. He smiles, picks up his tools, takes his father's hand, and goes home.

The grownup, however, is not so wise. As the wave of years collapses on his castle he is terrified. He hovers over the sandy monument to protect it. He blocks the waves from the walls he has made. Salt-water soaked and shivering he snarls at the incoming tide.

"It's my castle," he defies.

The ocean need not respond. Both know to whom the sand belongs...

I don't know much about sandcastles. But children do. Watch them and learn. Go ahead and build, but build with a child's heart. When the sun sets and the tides take - applaud. Salute the process of life and go home.

Be child-like, not childish, but having the enthusiasm of a child who saw something or built something for the first time.

Red. Hot. Chili. Elline!!!

We usually don’t select a theme for our birthday celebrations but a few years back, we had Japanese for the whole year, then Chinese and then finally we got tired from the same cuisines. We experimented with fusions of dishes and yet we still craved for more. However, whatever the choice, it still is good as long as we are filled with good company and laughter.

For Ella Elline’s post birthday celebration, she craved for a Tex-Mex flare. Where else did we go but Chili’s Grill and Bar in Greenbelt One. The three of us cannot remember the last time we ate at Chili’s. We had a fun time guessing when but, at the end, we failed. (Now I have to check the big albums to know when.)

I came first so I got a good table, with a good view too -- the Legaspi Street and a very weird couple having early dinner. I wasn’t able to get a snack so I gladly ordered some appetizers and by the time I had company I was a little bit full. Elline arrived next and since Mary Ann was running late we availed of the Wi-Fi services of the restaurant. I gladly helped Elline solve her biggest problem to date and she savored the free Wi-Fi.


While waiting for Mary Ann to arrive, we were making fun of her. You might ask why, because she always came late whenever we have gatherings within the Ayala area. Why again, because she walks around the Makati Commercial Business District. Nevertheless, we salute her for her enthusiasm. How I wish I had the drive of Mary Ann!!!


It didn’t take long for Mary Ann to arrive. So when se did, we ordered our choices. While we enjoyed dinner and shared our stories, we missed another Sistahud. I just wish by the next celebration she’ll be able to join us, perhaps on her birthday. You know who you are and do visit us soon!

Before we parted ways, I gave them my “pasalubongs” and we gave Elline her birthday presents. We even checked our calendars for Mary Ann’s birthday blowout. Since I won’t be here for the Holidays, we’ll have an advance celebration for the Mary Ann Birthday and Christmas treat. Another Sistahud event that’s worth waiting for!

Elline – happy birthday to an ageless beauty! For the Sistahuds - let's do this again soon!

New Show Premiere Dates

I wonder what will make it till the end of the season...

Tuesday, Sept. 2
90210 (CW), 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 3
Sons of Anarchy (FX), 10 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 5
Samurai Girl (ABC Family), 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 7
True Blood (HBO), 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 9
Fringe (Fox), 8 p.m.
Privileged (CW), 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 10
Do Not Disturb (Fox), 9:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 22
Worst Week (CBS), 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 23
The Mentalist (CBS), 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24
Knight Rider (NBC), 8 p.m.
Gary Unmarried (CBS), 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 3
The Ex List (CBS), 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 9
Kath & Kim (NBC), 9:30 p.m.
Eleventh Hour (CBS), 10 p.m.
Life on Mars (ABC), 10 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 10
The Starter Wife (USA), 10 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 13
My Own Worst Enemy (NBC), 10 p.m.

My money's on 90210, Fringe and Knight Rider. Crossing my fingers.. very tight!

Fall TV Premiere Dates

Here goes...

Tuesday, Aug. 26
Greek (ABC Family) 9 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 1
Gossip Girl (CW) 8 p.m.
One Tree Hill (CW) 9 p.m.
Prison Break (Fox) 8 p.m. - 2-hour premiere

Wednesday, Sept. 3
Bones (Fox) 8 p.m. - 2-hour premiere

Sunday, Sept. 7
Entourage (HBO) 10 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 8
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox) 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 16
House (Fox) 8 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 18
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) 10 p.m.
Smallville (CW) 8 p.m.
Supernatural (CW) 9 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 22
CSI: Miami (CBS) 10 p.m.
Heroes (NBC) 9 p.m. - 3-hour premier
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 8:30 p.m.
Two and a Half Men (CBS) 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 23
Law & Order: SVU (NBC) 10 p.m.
NCIS (CBS) 8 p.m.
Without a Trace (CBS) 10 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24
Criminal Minds (CBS) 9 p.m.
CSI: NY (CBS) 10 p.m.
Lipstick Jungle (NBC) 10 p.m.
The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) 8 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 25
ER (NBC) 10 p.m.
Grey's Anatomy (ABC) 9 p.m.
My Name is Earl (NBC) 8 p.m. - 1-hour premiere
The Office (NBC) 9 p.m. - 1-hour premiere
Ugly Betty (ABC) 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 28
American Dad (Fox) 9:30 p.m.
Brothers & Sisters (ABC) 10 p.m.
Californication (Showtime), 10 p.m.
Cold Case (CBS) 9 p.m.
Desperate Housewives (ABC) 9 p.m.
Dexter (Showtime) 9 p.m.
Family Guy (Fox) 9 p.m.
King of the Hill (Fox) 8:30 p.m.
The Simpsons (Fox) 8 p.m.
The Unit (CBS) 10 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 29
Chuck (NBC) 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 1
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) 10 p.m.
Friday Night Lights (DirecTV 101) 9 p.m.
Private Practice (ABC) 8 p.m.
Pushing Daisies (ABC) 9 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 3
Ghost Whisperer (CBS) 8 p.m.
Numb3rs (CBS) 10 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 6
Samantha Who? (ABC) 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 9
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS) 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 30
30 Rock (NBC) 8:30 p.m.

Whew! Another season of Tivo-dependent shows! Just a few more winks and we're off!

On the Road

I am still in my one of my adventures right now and will be posting my pictures and stories soon! Wait for it.

I know you're waiting... you know you want it!

The Coffee is Brewing

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

All the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself, adds no quality to the coffee in most cases, just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups...and then began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee, and the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups... enjoy your coffee. Do not to get caught up in the trivial material side of life. Enjoying life’s abundances is a blessing, but don’t confuse it with the bigger picture.

Words...

... don't come easy to me - ha, ha, ha!

Thanks to Wordle!