UP Centennial Celebration - Congrats mga Isko at Iska!

GMA 7's morning show Unang Hirit is having their Reyna ng Kalsada segment in UP Diliman. I just miss my alma mater and memories are beginning to rush again. Actually, I've been there yesterday to arrange something with PNB but I was not able to see the Oblation Run - this time, it was held around the Academic Oval and not within the Palma Complex (Whew! that around2.5 km-nude-running). I wish I am there today for the motorcade but I am not in the mood anyway. It is also Laguna Day today, so my child Keiichi don't have her classes - it's Jose Rizal's birthday. It's just the right time for us to catch up on our sleep so I let her and Keiichi stay late in bed.

When I saw the UP Centennial Shirt worn by one of the students when I got my transcript in January, I promised myself to save for it and gotcha! I had it in February. Its only P175 and as most UP Shirts, it was made by Maroons. I've first worn it when I went to Pangasinan in February and brought it in Singapore and wore it on when we watched the Airshow.

What do I really miss in UP? Oh a lot! Almost all places there held memories - whom I was with, wat I was doing and what I felt. I'll post my past blog here why the Main Library is what I treasure the most. Actually, I could stay there until it closes at 12 midnight. Of course, the College of Education is my home and I also miss the College of Science which accepted me as freshie hehe and of course, Kalayaan Residence Hall - the dormitory exclusive for freshmen. Kalai was where I learned how to live away from my grannies, brother, cousins, aunts and uncles. I was glad Aunt Rose, Papa's sister just lived beside Kalai, Sanggumay Residence Hall (women residence, mostly taking post gradate courses), so it was like I was not alone because I could go to her place anytime. I made new friends there and they have made my UP life a really fun one.

I miss the places where I ate there. I miss Somos' chicken meals. They would serve us chicken almost everyday in Kalai hehe but nevertheless, their people were really nice to me. I miss the Isawan in Kalai which is just beside the post office. On Sundays, I would just have chicken gizard, some bbq and chicken intestines (isaw!) and rice from the UP Coop. (Somos don't serve us meal on Sundays) I miss the "chao fan" or mixed rice in CS Canteen. If I was really hungry and would want a full meal that is cheap, I would go to Aristocart in Engg Building and I am now missing their bistek tagalog and sweetened banana. I also ate in CASAA especially when I was already in Educ since most the time, the meals in Educ Canteen and infront of Narra Residence Hall were already sold out when I had my break.

I also dined in the Thai Canteen with some of my NEC friends which was located near Romulo Hall and in an exotic canteen near the pool area with my Aunt Rose. They served us something with Ox brain. I also tried FC Canteen and those Ilocano folks made me miss home and think of my Nanay Lydia and Tatay Romeo because they're the only ones that serve dinengdeng.

UP life won't be complete without eating fishballs in SC, Fine Arts (that was when I was working as student assistant in Diliman Information Office), Vinzons, FC and in a lot more places different places inside the campus I could no longer remember. Back in 2003 - 2004, the monay was really hot and they only had cheese as filling. In my last visit in FC, they have various fillings for the monay already. Oh my fave footlong hotdog sandwich! How could I forget it! It is still sold between FC and Chem building.

I've discovered pinipig pandan flavored only when I was reviewing for LET in UP Alumni Hostel. Also, only that time that I was able to eat in the canteen beside the bowling center, to think that I had bowling for a semester!

Chocolate Kiss!!! I just love thi coño place but honestly, its not that expensive. I thought it was so expensive so I did not even try to eat there when I was a student but when I was alreay working and taking my post-grad in UPOU, I tried dining there with my classmate and friend Mae Rosalinas. I just can't forget their Chicken Alfredo and carrot cake! I've also tried their blueberry cheesecake and it was way better than that of Red Ribbon. It's my taste bud speaking so don't argue with me hehehe So now when I wanna treat myself with a good meal and I have money, I would always go to Chocolate Kiss.

Food...food...food...Oh well, how about people that really helped me through? Let me try to remember some and try to shorten my list and present them on my next blog...

Valuing Relationship

I got this email from Auntie Felisa and it did make me cry. Please also take time to visit http://parentswish.com if you wanna cry more :-)

Thanks for being be there, for building a good relationship with me and with my mom and sis. We may have argued sometimes but the sense of belonging you are showing us will never be reciprocated with any wealth. They can have their land, money or material thing but we will have the most precious thing that will never fade - our love and care for each other as family.

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."


I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

FAMILY
Are you aware that if we die tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.


And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?
So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU
----------------

I was furious with my daughter Keiichi because she uprooted my bonsai plant. It has purple leaves. She was holding it and the moment I saw it, my eyebrows met but I was glad I did not say a word. She said it was so cute and it was for me. I was moved and was about to cry so I have to turn around to hide the tears. Then I told her that I was grateful and that I love her so. I don't want the plant to die so I told her that we had to replant it and make sure it will grow bigger and healthier.

Unluckily, one of her playmates found the plant really nice that he uprooted it again and I never saw it again :-(

Chi is sometimes annoying and I don't deny the fact that I am mean and make mistakes at times but for her, I am her supermom.

I don't know how to make a nice conclusion in this entry. I just know I am loved and that I also love my family and friends a lot and I am glad I was able to maintain a good relationship towards a lot of people. As what a friend of mine reiterates in our last conversation, the relationship I have built with other people is what always matters at the end of the day. Other people may say that you are the worst kind, but those whom you've touched compassionately will tell otherwise.

My House Husband... Happy father's day Baby Daddy!

Reposting my blog about daddy Franz... There's more stories to tell but I guess this is enough for now. Many words and stories could be told but one thing is sure, he loves us dearly and we love him as much too. Translation to follow...
_______________________________

As much as possible I don't wanna talk as long as people don't ask me why... but I have my own emotions of course. I keep it to myself though I must admit I divulge it to some people I trust the most.

Aside from my family and my husband's family, only a few friends knows...

This evening he asked me of writing a blog about him...napag-usapan kasi namin ang isang mag-asawang hindi naman na kaiba sa lahat. Syempre, sa lipunang ito e uso pa rin ang machismo, hindi pa rin pantay ang pagtingin sa babae at lalaki which I advocate to change someday...or maybe I have started implementing what I know is just OK.

Ganito kasi yun... nanganak ako dito lang sa ospital malapit sa aming bahay dito sa Pacita pero ang kasama kong pumunta sa hospital (as in nakaya ko pong maglakad pa at sumakay ng trike...) ay pamangkin ni Franz, my hubby. Then, binantayan ako ni Engineer Nina Magsino (binanggit talga hehehe) who was my housemate noon sa UP Bliss. Ni hindi nakalip si Daddy sa ospital. ... kainis pa kasi when my water broke, ginising ko siya and told him na pupunta na akong ospital coz its time... sagot ba naman "timpla mo muna akong kape." wow! (bagong gising...mas ok nga naman sa lasing na nabibigla...)

Everytime na umuuwi akong Pangasinan, kami lang ng anak ko ang nakakauwi with all the bags and pasalubong....kaya nga supermom e hehehe

April 2004, graduation ko na sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Of course, proud ang lahat kaya naman isang van ang dumating galing sa probinsiya, pati tatay kong minsan lang magpakita e hindi pinalagpas ang pagkakataon masilayan ang pagtatapos ng kanyang pinakapanganay na anak. (I hope I am not sounding like Bob Ong...pero ok lang, ganyan talga ang nagbabasa at nangongolekta hehehe) Masaya naman kaming lahat that time, kasama ko din si Keiichi baby ko at s-um-ide trip pa kami sa Megamall.

November 2004, Oathtaking ko naman sa CCP bilang isang lisensyadong guro...mag-isa lang po ako...

It hurts na wala ang asawa ko for those moments and more events na madalas kami lang ng anak ko ang nakakasaksi. He would just be looking at the pictures and listen to his kid's and wife's account of what happened. Is he contented? I know he is not.... if its painful for me and my kid, its more painful for him.

Sabihin na nating di nga niya ako masamahan sa mga ganyang events, wala siya na magbubuhat sa mga bagahe ko o susundo sa akin kapag ginagabi ako... kasi pilay siya (he had contracted polio when he was barely two years old) but i'll never think twice having him as my husband and my kid's dad...

I was still attending UP Diliman when I gave birth to Keiichi on October 9. 2002. I did not stop schooling and took the exams for that sem a week after I gave birth. Then I enrolled the following semester... Who took care of Keiichi? It was her dad and he is still taking care of her until now.

Wag nang sabihing genes lang ang dahilan ng kabibuhan ng anak ko, kasi EQ na ang usapan ngayon hindi IQ. Siguro kung ibang tao ang nagpalaki sa anak ko, hindi siya ganito ngayon - isang batang matalino at may "compassion" sa ibang tao.

Never pa akong nasaktan physically, unlike the woman I love the most who was slapped infront of me and my brother. Franz is grumpy at times but I do understand coz im also insensitive, madalas...

Hindi ako naghahanap ng asawang lasing o nag-aalala kung saang beerhouse na nakarating, sabi yan ng kaibigan ko na dapat kong ipagpasalamat. I am thankful kasi naranasan kong sumundo ng lolong lasing at humabol sa papa ko ng isang kilometro dahil ayaw akong isama sa lakad nila ng kanyang barkada.

Hindi nga nagagawa ng asawa ko ang magbuhat ng bag ko, sumundo sa akin sa labas, o di kaya'y maglinis, maglaba, magluto o umakyat sa bubong...at least me reason na pilay siya,. kesa naman sa ibang daig pa ang baldado na iniaasa lahat sa kanilang mga asawa ang trabaho sa bahay.

Eh ano kung pilay siya? at least he knows what he can do and d it gladly... kesa nga naman sa asawang sakit sa ulo at puso (n)... joke!

Anthology of House Husband

Here's for my uncles who set my standard in choosing my partner. I'm sorry but cannot translate it for now because I am kinda busy. Love you uncles, thanks for being my father...Especially to Tatay who was the role-model of how to be a good dad.

Sabi ng iba, mataas daw ang standard ko ng love, masyadong idealistic. Yun bang you'll fully commit, di naman yung ilaladlad mo ang buhay mo pero yung maging honest ka kapag me tinatanong ka and you're willing to bare your heart, most of your pains and joys and you're willing to show me the child in you. Marunong naman akong tumanggap at umintindi ng kahit na ano, kaya nga kahit extreme personality e nakakaya kong pakisamahan. It's just that I hate purely superficials and most especially plastic.

Wala namang prob sa hubby ko coz I've seen him naked (literally and figuratively) but my friend asked me to elaborate further why I am like this.

I am lucky I guess kasi di ako kagaya ng ibang asawa na sumusundo, naghahanap o naghahatid ng lasing na asawa. I am not yet beaten (sana nga hindi mangyari kundi goodbye agad hekhekhek) and he really take time taking care of our Keiichi which I never experienced from Papa.

Kwento sa akin, natiis daw nila ang pambabae ng mga asawa nila pati ang iba nilang bisyo. Masaya at proud na sila kasi nakapagtiis sila at immune na sila sa sakit ng naghihintay sa taong ewan kung kelan uuwi. I cannot refute kung yan ang paniniwala nila pero I want the whole world to know, na habang ang ibang babae e nag-iisip na pare-pareho ang mga lalaki na kung hindi barkada, inuman o pambabae ang inaatupag e me mga LALAKI pa naman na hindi ganun.

Kahit pa ang papa ko e ganun na nga, kakaiba ang mga lalaki sa pamilya ng mama ko. Ang lolo ko, nabuhay at namatay ng wala akong naalalang napaugnay sa kanyang ibang babae maliban sa lola ko. Siya din ang nagluluto, nag-aalaga sa amin madalas pag wala sa bukid at hindi din niya sinaktan kahit minsan ang lola ko. Ang mga tito ko naman, ok lang sa kanila ang maglaba at wala din akong nabalitaan na napaugnay sa kanilang babae. Puro sila matiisin at higit sa lahat, responsable.

Yung isa kong tito, asawa ng kapatid ng mama ko. nung una e pinagtawanan ng mga kasamahan kasi siya lang daw ang walang ka-table. Ilang beses yun naulit pero wala talagang appeal sa kanya ang mga babae dun kasi tapos na daw siya sa gawaing ganun. HIndi namin malalaman ang insidenteng yun kung di kinuwento ng mga kasamahan niya na proud na proud sa kanya.

Minsan nakakaawa din ang isa kong Tito kasi kahit m-f ang kanyang trabaho sa DPWH Region 1 e naglalaba pa yan ng Sabado at nag-aalaga pag Linggo. Sabi niya, pagod na daw ang asawa nya sa pag-aalaga sa nga anak nila ng m-f kaya siya naman ang magtrabaho sa bahay habang andun siya. galing di ba? super husband hehehe

Yung isa naman, (ito na ang kulang sa akin...) ung panganay nina mama e mabait din. katunayan siya pa lang ang tito kong isinama kami ng kapatid ko para manood ng Batang X sa Urdaneta (CSI ata hehehe basta bata pa ako noon). Wa siya paki kahit siya ang nagiging nanay at tatay sa anak niya habang nasa ibang bansa ang asawa at siya ay nakabakasyon dito. Madalas pag me niluluto ang asawa niya noong andito pa at lalo na ngayon andito na sila, tatawagin kami at papatikimin ng mga cakes, etc sabay buong pagmamalaking sasabihin na "luto ng auntie niyo yan". sweat este sweet di ba? la lang, sana ganun din kayo sa kin hehehehe pero no kidding, ang story nila e talgang "for richer or poorer,in sickness or in health hehehe

You really cannot blame me kung iba ang pagtingin ko sa mga bagay kasi yung normal sa iba e kakaiba na for me. Some husbands would shout at their wives when they need something pero di yun dapat gawing habit. Sa family namin, bukod sa mataas ang pagtingin at pagpapahalaga nila sa mga babae, they also see to it that they get what is due to them - not just those things money can buy but love and respect due for every woman who is a mother, an aunt, a neice or a daughter.

Mababait nga siguro ang lolo at tito ko pero if they can be faithful with their wives, why not others do it too? di ako naniniwala kay Dolphy a basta't inuuwian ka pa ng aswa mo ikaw pa ang mahal niya. Kung ganun din lang, letcheng pagmamahal yan...ipakain mo nalang sa aso kasama ng b*rat mo!

Maswerte nga ako dahil di lang ako basta inanakan kundi inaalagaan din ang anak ko. at least, those things I did not experience from papa e ginagawa ni daddy kay keiichi. Kahit ganun na lang, wag na ako .... pero I'm still lucky coz my house husband is trustwothy enough...palit pa kami ng sim card hehehe

Mariel Got Her Hearing Aids!

I sure am a fast mover and I hate being idle and have time to wallow on depression and hopelessness. I am glad my mom is also a hyperactive and don't want any delays. She loaned us money at once (pay when able, no interest - sorry, that policy is exclusive to LIRA MARIEL, FRANCESCA KEIICHI AND RAE CLARENCE, my nephew). Also, Tita Carol and Lola Chit sent more for this month to cover Mariel's expenses.

Mariel got her hearing aids from Ear Diagnostics Inc. in Taft. Thanks to Ms. Ruby for assisting us. Mariel was able to detect the LRT noise, clapping sound and her name. She did panned her head when Ms. Ruby called her name from behind!

I chose Ear Diagnostics because they offer a much cheaper brand of hearing aid. The audiologists from Manila Hearing Aid and Better Hearing explained to me that brand doesn't matter anyway so I did look for more affordable ones. EDI is also affiliated with EMBRACE Hearing and Speech Rehab Center and I had Mariel wait-listed for evaluation. The earlier the detection and intervention, the better the result of course so why wait, right? Also, EMBRACE offers Home Program for those who cannot visit the center often. Their Speech Pathologists are also extending help by referring their colleagues who are near our area. Maybe after the evaluation, I could also contact SPED schools near us who could refer Speech Paths and who knows, in a month or two, I could role-release already.

Mariel is still adjusting with her hearing aids and I hope it will really facilitate her holistic development. Thanks again for everyone - we could repay the amount loaned and services you offered but the effort and prayers, the moral and emotional support you've given us will never be compensated with any amount.

I just wanna share this message I got from Ayel recently, a fellow alumni-member of UP SMMART whom I never met personally yet but would always call and text me to show how much she really care:

"I asked for STRENGTH, and God gave me DIFFICULTIES to make me STRONG.
I asked for WISDOM, and God gave me PROBLEMS to SOLVE.
I asked for LOVE, and God gave me TROUBLED to HELP.
I asked for COURAGE, and God gave me DANGER to OVERCOME.
I asked for PROSPERITY, and God gave me BRAINS and SKILLS to WORK.
I asked for FAVORS, and God gave me OPPORTUNITIES...
I RECEIVED NOTHING I WANTED but received EVERYTHING I NEEDED."

Here's a glimpse of Iel in her HA.

It's a Behind-the-ear digital HA (Rexton/Siemens). It is even bigger than her ears :-) but she cannot use those inserted onces yet because her ear canals are still getting bigger. She will have her first test three months from now but she can have evaluation with the speech pathologist anytime soon.

Hand-Me-Downs...

So what if I am wearing my mom's shirt or my older sister's clothes? Some may find it uncomfortable since some people may mock you for wearing hand-me-downs but for me, it's a statement of how one takes care of their belongings and for the one who wears it, its a privilege having something to wear that was made older than you are and you must be grateful for they chose you to have it instead of giving it to other people. It may sound like a charity case but looking at the positive side, its one way of saving money and I don't mind wearing old clothes as long as I know whom it came from.

Actually, I don't buy most of my clothes and I don't buy clothes for my kids and my hubby either...unless they need something for a special occasion and of course, personal garments are the only ones I buy. I also set limit for clothing expenses. Perhaps because I was brought up that way. My mom won't mind spending a lot on food but never on clothes. We only buy new set of clothes in December (for the Christmas Program) and in March or April (maybe it was also my gift because we will be going up the stage again to receive my award :-).

Here are some photos of my kids and my sis wearing same clothes. I hope I could find others showing me and my mom and my sis-in-law (she's tall so most of her clothes when she was 15 or 20 are the only ones I could wear hehe) wearing same outfits.

This is for my sister Jade... who would gladly pack and keep her old toys and clothes for her nieces. Thanks to you... Advance Happy Birthday and we are looking forward for the next box you sent. :-)

Pangasinan! Mariel is Coming!

I grew up in Pangasinan and most of my relatives are there. My mom hails from Sison and Papa is from Sudipen, La Union. We always visit them there and Mariel even stayed there for three weeks while I was away and seeking greener pasture in Singapore (unluckily, I was not able to find a good job there or perhaps, something more important is waiting for me to do back home). Ate Keiichi already went to Sison ahead of us last Friday, Tito Ranny, my brother fetched her because our grandmom, Nanay Lydia, misses us all so much especially Mariel and Keiichi.

Three weeks ago, Typhoon Cosme devastated Zambales and Pangasinan. Trees were uprooted, rooftops were either flown out or damaged by nearby fallen trees but luckily, no lives were lost in our family. Until now, they don't have electricity so we are still wondering how we could cope up with the hot weather in Sison. Good thing, Mariel has her battery operated electric fan and there are lots of Aunts, Uncles and cousins who are too willing to fan her and make sure that she is cool all the time.

Mariel is the youngest in the family and she is loved the most because she was considered Nanay Lydia's miracle medicine when she had suffered stroke in February. They were all depressed because of the typhoon three weeks ago but when I dropped the bomb that Mariel was deaf, they felt how blessed they are that only houses and crops were damaged. Almost everyone cried at first and felt sorry for her but when they heard me talking about the possibilities that she could still hear and would soon hear us clearly, they were all excited with the process especially when I required all of them to learn sign language :-) It will be a new experience for all of us.

Keiichi had been away for four days now and we miss her badly. Daddy cannot eat much because he is wondering how his eldest now or if she had already eaten her meal. He kept asking me if I had texted them but since most of the time, they either have empty batteries or no load, I don't expect to hear that often from them no matter how many text I will send to them. I just know she is well-taken cared there - maybe to the point of being spoiled because Nanay would see to it that the kids would like the food and if they don't, she would prepare another one for the choosy kid. Daddy thought he could rest his voice because her "annoying" Keiichi won't be around but mind you, he misses her more :-)