a very close friend went home in "pinas"to celebrate x'mas and attend his brother 60th b-day. i asked him to mail letters to my brothers and friends. since it is x'mas, i enclosed monetary gift plus our x'mas family photo greeting card.
as soon as he arrived, instead using the local postal system, he sent it thru DHL. in "pinas", it is a given fact that any letters that comes from abroad if it looks thick and was mailed thru the post office, the chances are, the letter will not reach the rightful recipient.
since my friend knows this situation, he paid extra and used DHL. he was disappointed when he found out that out of the four letters that he sent out, two of the letters were disturbed. one never receive the monetary gift that i enclosed and the other never got the x'mas photo greeting card.
when you send a package or letter anywhere in north america thru any courier, you are well assured that the rightful recipient will receive whatever is the content of the package or letter. in "pinas", it is the other way around. it is sad but it is a reality.
last x'mas day early morning, coming from tim's house, i found a gift left at our front door and it was addressed personally to me. inside the box, i found a TOWEL. there was no name of the giver. i'm pressuming that it came from one of those practical joker friend of mine.
since the TOWEL was not the big enough to be a bath towel and not small enough to be considered as a face cloth towel, i decided that seyla could use it for her swimming class.
my basketball buddy ely, got the same gift as well from our unknown friend.
another year has passed. maging masagana sana ang ating bagong taon. nadagdagan na naman ang age natin and it meant that my generation is slowly turning into "dapit hapon". how time flies.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Monday, December 15, 2008
TAGLISH
i have thinking of writing my blog in taglish, a combination of "tagalog" and english language. i suggested the idea to "things in life" and she said it is a good idea. it will benefit not only those bloggers who could read "tagalog" and also to non-speaking tagalog bloggers who will be induce to read and understand what the word meant. so from here on i'll be writing in "taglish".
last year at this time, i was in the philippines attending my 40th high school reunion. health wise, i was good for the first week of my stay. during the night of the reunion, there was a dish that was part of the courses that turned my whole stay into a dreadful experience.
as i recall, months before the reunion, i was trying to lose 10 lbs. from my weight so i'll be looking good for those classmates that i haven't seen after our high school graduation. after the night of the reunion, i was in bed for almost a week suffering from "food poisoning". it took me only a week, i lost more than 10 lbs.
if it is not for that incident, my short stay could have been a joyous experience.
i always take my holidays at this time of the year. i just don't want to get near shopping malls. and if i do so, i'll do it first thing in the morning.
friends of the commander-in-chief wants to order five of my ham each. mind you, i could dictate how much i want for it. i just don't want to do it because i feel that if i started selling it, it will be commercialized. lets just leave it the way it is, "personal and labour of love " is always attach on each of my ham.
i hope that the canadian economy will rebound quickly from this slight turn around of events. it will be a little bit rewarding if the employer will give you some sort of a severance package for those people whose job became of a redundacy instead of escorting an employee out of the building. some employee take it personal when they got demoted from their job instead to be thankful of what they have rather lining up with UIC.
on the sad note, my brother in law- pat, passed away the day before the american thanksgiving. last year before christmas, he fell in and was given the "last rites". he survived and went on remission. he was able to enjoy the company of his family thru travels and was able to attend tim and lou's wedding last september. he was able to prepare himself mentally, emotionally and most of all SPIRITUALLY.
pat was a very generous person especially to my commander in chief. it was unfortunate that the commander in chief was not at his side in his dying hours (not like last year) and also during the interment due to unpreventable health issues. nawa'y ang Ama at Panginoon bigyan siya ng walang hanggang katahimikan.
last year at this time, i was in the philippines attending my 40th high school reunion. health wise, i was good for the first week of my stay. during the night of the reunion, there was a dish that was part of the courses that turned my whole stay into a dreadful experience.
as i recall, months before the reunion, i was trying to lose 10 lbs. from my weight so i'll be looking good for those classmates that i haven't seen after our high school graduation. after the night of the reunion, i was in bed for almost a week suffering from "food poisoning". it took me only a week, i lost more than 10 lbs.
if it is not for that incident, my short stay could have been a joyous experience.
i always take my holidays at this time of the year. i just don't want to get near shopping malls. and if i do so, i'll do it first thing in the morning.
friends of the commander-in-chief wants to order five of my ham each. mind you, i could dictate how much i want for it. i just don't want to do it because i feel that if i started selling it, it will be commercialized. lets just leave it the way it is, "personal and labour of love " is always attach on each of my ham.
i hope that the canadian economy will rebound quickly from this slight turn around of events. it will be a little bit rewarding if the employer will give you some sort of a severance package for those people whose job became of a redundacy instead of escorting an employee out of the building. some employee take it personal when they got demoted from their job instead to be thankful of what they have rather lining up with UIC.
on the sad note, my brother in law- pat, passed away the day before the american thanksgiving. last year before christmas, he fell in and was given the "last rites". he survived and went on remission. he was able to enjoy the company of his family thru travels and was able to attend tim and lou's wedding last september. he was able to prepare himself mentally, emotionally and most of all SPIRITUALLY.
pat was a very generous person especially to my commander in chief. it was unfortunate that the commander in chief was not at his side in his dying hours (not like last year) and also during the interment due to unpreventable health issues. nawa'y ang Ama at Panginoon bigyan siya ng walang hanggang katahimikan.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
ODDS AND ENDS
last sunday, my parents celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary at their senior's apt. rec. room. most of the grandchildren were there except tim and lou who happens to be in barbados for their long anticipated honeymoon. everybody brought dishes that everybody could partake.
poleng prepared her specialty "kare-kare" and "bopis" which was cooked one very spicy and a regular. i was able to take some home and that was my dinner the next day.
during the party, the siblings had a discussion re the situation facing mom and dad about their apt. which as of writing is being fumelgated every 10 days for bed bugs which is rampant on seniors home not only in the city but as far as ottawa. it was agreed that the siblings will take turns in looking after mom for one week. dad is staying foot at my sister nita's place while mom will be moving from one house to another until their apt is out of bugs and livable.
my godson christopher, who works at future shop, bought me a discounted computer tower for $200 which include keyboard and a mouse. the hard drive has 360gb and the memory has 3072mb. i really don't know much about computer but when i told my teacher "tracy" the price and size of the hard drive, she too said it was a good buy.
computer is just like a car, every year there is always a new upgraded model. mind you, my old computer still works but you have to wait for about 15 minutes before it warms up and takes command what you want him to do. it is just like a guy i know that he needs his first shot of caffeine before anything else in the morning or else he will be in the mood like a woman with her monthly visit.
on the sad note, i wish my friend who is currently admitted at north york hospital pull through and recover from his present condition. may the healing grace of our Almighty God shines upon him.
poleng prepared her specialty "kare-kare" and "bopis" which was cooked one very spicy and a regular. i was able to take some home and that was my dinner the next day.
during the party, the siblings had a discussion re the situation facing mom and dad about their apt. which as of writing is being fumelgated every 10 days for bed bugs which is rampant on seniors home not only in the city but as far as ottawa. it was agreed that the siblings will take turns in looking after mom for one week. dad is staying foot at my sister nita's place while mom will be moving from one house to another until their apt is out of bugs and livable.
my godson christopher, who works at future shop, bought me a discounted computer tower for $200 which include keyboard and a mouse. the hard drive has 360gb and the memory has 3072mb. i really don't know much about computer but when i told my teacher "tracy" the price and size of the hard drive, she too said it was a good buy.
computer is just like a car, every year there is always a new upgraded model. mind you, my old computer still works but you have to wait for about 15 minutes before it warms up and takes command what you want him to do. it is just like a guy i know that he needs his first shot of caffeine before anything else in the morning or else he will be in the mood like a woman with her monthly visit.
on the sad note, i wish my friend who is currently admitted at north york hospital pull through and recover from his present condition. may the healing grace of our Almighty God shines upon him.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
GRAND CANYON TOUR
last oct. 16 -20 the "neck" and her siblings met in last vegas for the celebration of ate babes and her b-day. i was fortunate not only that i got invited for the celebration but also accepted the title the "back up", financially for the neck. as you know, i'm the chief executive and financial officer of our household while she earned the title of the "chief disbursing officer".
we almost not made it in las vegas due to the "neck" sudden change of health on the eve of our departure. fortunately, we were able to contact her former boss who is a doctor and he called "shoppers" for the prescription drug that she requires. it was almost closing time when i was at the counter receiving her prescription. thanks to you tony.
we've been to las vegas so many times now and we haven't been to grand canyon. so as soon as we arrived that afternoon of oct. 16, i phoned that place that the "lonely travellers" recommended for the tour. the "neck" didn't make it to the tour due to her condition that time, so i was by myself among the passengers who went in pairs.
it was a beautiful experience especially walking to that west rim "skywalk". it cost me $38us extra to have that walk on that glass and seeing whats below me. some people will think twice before they will take that option but since i'm already there, i took the option so i won't deny myself and got no disappointment of my expectations of the grand canyon.
it was a whole day affair. we left the bus depot at 8:30am and came back to the hotel almost 8pm. going home, our bus broke down in the middle of the dessert so another bus has to come. it was frustrating since we left grand canyon early. we were stranded for two hours. as soon as i reached our room, there was a note left by the "neck" that i'm suppose to follow the "group" at venetian hotel inside the tao restaurant.
the food in "tao" is excellent. the place is suited and designed for the young. the amount of food that we ordered and the bill that we paid, personally, i rather go to magic wok. the food at "wynn's buffet" is almost identical to the one we ordered at "tao". it was my former hs classmate and friend, buddy jose and wife, rosie, who brought us to wynn. it cost $40/person for the buffet and there is a wide selection of food.
oct. 20, i met my first cousin bembi, who i haven't seen for 30 years. he treated us for brunch at rio's. we met his wife annie for the first time. they have six gasoline stations and convenience stores spread out as far as boulder city. it was annie who brought us to the premium outlet after brunch, the neck and belen went shopping.
we catched the red eye flight to chicago and arrived toronto next morning at 9am.
during our absence, our furnish and air conditioner were finally RELOCATED to their proper places. i thought it will be done by spring of next year which i mistakenly predicted. the furnish is in high efficiency mode while the airconditioner is still disable waiting to be charged up and hooked up electrically. thanks to tim and co worker for job well done. i'm just waiting for a new programmable thermostat to be installed and cover for my disable air conditioner.
Friday, September 26, 2008
recuperating/relocated
i'm just taking my sweet time right now whatever i intend to do before the big wedding which i was not able to accomplish. i'm making a things to do list in winter so aside taking our two four legged son and daughter for their evening walk, i got something else lined up.
me and the "neck" (new term for the commander-in-chief) were so busy entertaining the people from the west coast before and after the wedding. when they left and i returned from my two weeks holiday, the only thing that i want to do then was to take a nap in every way i can and hit the sack as early as i could. i think we should get at least 99% for hospitality.
we invited eric b and his family from california plus the cruzada of course for a dinner at our place. as usual, everyone's favorite "crispy pata" were there. i did promise eric when we were in california that when i come back that i'll cook "crispy pata" for him to taste. in truth, "crispy pata" is so hard to make. there are so many preparations to make. it is just like the x'mas ham. and speaking of ham, it will be around again in the next two months from now.
as you all know, i had a deck built just this summer. it was big and made my house looks longer. i'm just waiting for the hot weather again so i could put a sealer on it.
when the deck was built last may, tim, the new head of the family, removed our air condition to make way for wider deck and it will be RELOCATED to the other side of the house. it is officially "fall season" now, there is a new air condition and furnace for the house which at the present time, both RELOCATED at the garage to be RELOCATED eventually to the other side of the house. only time will tell. i may be wrong, but i have this hint that it might be
RELOCATED sometime in spring HOPEFULLY!!!
this year it will be my turn to be treated for a nice "magic wok" dinner for picking boston celtics as the nba champ. one of the "treaters" predicted that the team that he is going to pick this year will be the next nba champ and hoping to be treated next year. so i said that my prediction is that i will be treated for sure first at "magic wok" before him.
grandma had an episode of blackout one morning. if it was not for the quick thinking of grandpa i think grandma had signed off. he gave grandma mouth to mouth resuscitation to revive her. after 3 tries, grandma were revived. jokingly, i told grandma that good thing her false teeth didn't interchange with grandpa during the resuscitation process. she is getting better now and hopefully it will continue.
we are closing another month in the calender and hoping i will be able to blog in three to four weeks time.
me and the "neck" (new term for the commander-in-chief) were so busy entertaining the people from the west coast before and after the wedding. when they left and i returned from my two weeks holiday, the only thing that i want to do then was to take a nap in every way i can and hit the sack as early as i could. i think we should get at least 99% for hospitality.
we invited eric b and his family from california plus the cruzada of course for a dinner at our place. as usual, everyone's favorite "crispy pata" were there. i did promise eric when we were in california that when i come back that i'll cook "crispy pata" for him to taste. in truth, "crispy pata" is so hard to make. there are so many preparations to make. it is just like the x'mas ham. and speaking of ham, it will be around again in the next two months from now.
as you all know, i had a deck built just this summer. it was big and made my house looks longer. i'm just waiting for the hot weather again so i could put a sealer on it.
when the deck was built last may, tim, the new head of the family, removed our air condition to make way for wider deck and it will be RELOCATED to the other side of the house. it is officially "fall season" now, there is a new air condition and furnace for the house which at the present time, both RELOCATED at the garage to be RELOCATED eventually to the other side of the house. only time will tell. i may be wrong, but i have this hint that it might be
RELOCATED sometime in spring HOPEFULLY!!!
this year it will be my turn to be treated for a nice "magic wok" dinner for picking boston celtics as the nba champ. one of the "treaters" predicted that the team that he is going to pick this year will be the next nba champ and hoping to be treated next year. so i said that my prediction is that i will be treated for sure first at "magic wok" before him.
grandma had an episode of blackout one morning. if it was not for the quick thinking of grandpa i think grandma had signed off. he gave grandma mouth to mouth resuscitation to revive her. after 3 tries, grandma were revived. jokingly, i told grandma that good thing her false teeth didn't interchange with grandpa during the resuscitation process. she is getting better now and hopefully it will continue.
we are closing another month in the calender and hoping i will be able to blog in three to four weeks time.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
dad's b-day
my dad will be celebrating his 90th birtday on monday. for his age, he could still perform "fred astaire" moves, cooks their daily food, do their grocery shopping and some housekeeping.it just shows you that what ever you did during your younger years to your self, the result at the end will give you what you planted.
it is safe to say that dad did not abuse his body during his youthful years. he smoked but quit when he was ahead, drinks when pride was at stake hit the sack at least by 10pm if there is no party scheduled.
tomorrow all the children and grandchildren will be at their party room to celebrate his 90th b-day. the mama's (ate bernic, ate nits and my commander-in-chief) are in-charge for the food preparation. there will be some visitors from the pillar's association (dad's organization) and there will be a surprise visitors from chicago, uncle bien and ate gloria (dad's remaining brother).
i really don't know how my dad will react. it has been years now since my uncle came over for a visit. i think it will be an emotional reunion not only for my dad but also for my mom, who is not in the best of health lately. they haven't seen this couple for some time now and i know uncle bien and ate gloria will be excited to see them also. it will be nice to hear beautiful stories that happenned long time ago one more time.
i hope dad will live up to 100 years. ninety is already a milestone and i don't want to miss this. i will be LONELY [TRAVELLER'S] if i won't be a part of this occassion no matter what. nobody knows what is instore for tomorrow and we will be all blessed if we could reach the age of ninety still capable of doing things that we like to do even though we are in the twilight of our time.
as ella would say [6 months ago] "great granddad amidst the gifts".
happy b-day dad!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
VACATION
we just came back from our 10-day vacation from california. actually, it was a vacation and at the same unite with the commander-in-chief siblings. i was honored and humbled also that i was chosen to be one of the sponsors at marie and james' wedding which was held last july 19.
james is the commander-in-chief nephew and it was way back 1999 when he first met marie during our 25th wedding anniversary. i think it was love at first sight. they walked around my neighborhood so many times that night after the celebration and they don't seem to care even though the weather then was cold. frank (marie's dad) was going around in a circle for two hours looking for her. nobody seems to know. marie's circle of friends were playing see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.
so many things happened during the course of their courtship. it was a test of how strong their relationship. and at the end, great love for one another prevails.
we went to las vegas in between our holidays. ate babes and ray were the winners while belen, the commander and myself were not fortunate enough. i'm not that fortunate when it comes to casino. it seems to me i have this mole around my behind. if ever i go back in vegas in the near distant future it will not be on their hot weather months. i just can't handle hot and humid temperature. maybe next time, i will make sure that i'll schedule myself for a"grand canyon" trip.
friday, july 25, a milestone b-day celebration of the four siblings of the commander. ate rose-65, lynne-60, eric-55 and dennis-50. it was held in one of oakland's golf country club. belen was the emcee that evening and she did a good job. an extenporaneous speaker just like my commander in chief when she does her adlib when she is mad at me.
it was a reunion of siblings and family and it could have been more joyous if my mother-in-law and brother-in law, cito from texas could have made it to the occasion. milestone celebration comes only once.
saturday, july 26, everybody still had their hang over. i met my h.s classmates and friends in pacific asia rest. in hayward for a mini reunion. the lovebirds - ogie and naomi, danny and jean were able to come. it was nice to see them again after we reunite in san francisco two years ago. they all agreed that the next time we see each other will be in toronto. i think i could handle that.
we arrived from california monday, july 28 at 1 am. i was able to report to work on that day even though my sleeping pattern has changed. next time, i'll make sure that i'll be off the day before i go back to work after a holiday.
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