It's one of those days when ya gotta ask that question - for several reasons:
Reason No. 1 - It took me 45 minutes (vs. the usual 20 minute drive) to get to the BART station in El Cerrito because of the thick fog in Hwy 80.
Reason No. 2 - Add to the low visibility the extremely slow schmuck driving in front of me. I can understand if the person is an elderly or a woman, or if the person in front of him is slow also. But when I passed him by, he was on the damn phone!!!!!
Reason No. 3 - Because of Reasons 1 and 2, I missed the train by a nanosecond. Right when I was at the door, it closed on me! I wanted to scream but it just left - with me standing in shock! I also missed it by a couple of minutes yesterday. Again, because of very slow drivers in front of me - right when I'm close to my exit!
Reason No. 4 - I couldn't find my checkbook anywhere! Over the weekend, I ran out of checks so I replaced it with a new stash. I was a bit late leaving the house because I was busy looking for it this morning. Now I have to call the bank so they can cancel those checks. It's a hassle too because I don't have any other record of my check transactions - what has been cleared, etc. I know I should've maintained my Microsoft Money log. But hey, you can't blame the girl for keeping a manual filing because when my PDA crashed, I lost almost everything - then my old laptop crashed too that I had to end up reformatting my hard drive. Oh well, damn if you do, damn if you don't!
Reason No. 5 - I need to scrap. It's my escape from my daily routine, and my form of relaxation. Try it - it's therapeutic.
Reason No. 6 - Hubz told me last night that electricity at my mom's house has been cut off because they didn't pay the bill. It's a long story but to sum it up, we give them their monthly allowance and they still neglect paying their bills. I can understand if this is the first time this happened 'coz maybe, they just forgot, but if it happened numerous times, I think I have the right to be suspicious.
Reason No. 7 - Grandma went back to Pagsanjan last weekend because she had an argument with my mom. She was supposed to wait until next week so the doctor can remove her stitches (she had eye surgery) but because she was so heartbroken, she decided to go home.
Reason No. 8 - I need to finish the thank you cards I'm working on for a friend who's getting married on Dec. 28. She ordered them from me after having looked at the handmade cards I've been making.
Reason No. 9 - L booked their timeshare for Reno starting this weekend. They won't be there until Wed. next week 'coz that's when her PTO starts. She then gave me and my roommate this weekend to get away from it all.... :)
Reason No. 10 - I need to pack my balikbayan box so I can ship it home in time for christmas.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Friday, November 12, 2004
An Exhausting but Exciting Weekend
We had a couple of friends over last weekend. Being the hospitable hosts, we took them around the Bay - from Sausalito, to Marin Headlands for a breathtaking view of the foggy Golden Gate Bridge, to the Palace of Fine Arts, to Crooked Street in Lombard, to Fisherman's Wharf, and lastly, to Ghirardelli Square. We got home a bit late on Saturday but it was really fun. I was just feeling sore because I was given tetanus vaccine the day before (which was really painful). In fact, I had to exert a bit of an effort to drive.
The next day, Sunday, we took them to some wineries in Napa Valley. I have passed through Napa a few times during fall and I know that the colors are beautiful at this time of the year. I just haven't had the chance to stop and take photos. Now, I have tons of photos.... :)
To get an idea of where we've been, and to visualize the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area and the breathtaking Napa Valley (eat your heart out 'coz I live very close to the wineries, tee-hee!) in your minds, I have uploaded some photos. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.
Have a great weekend people!
We had a couple of friends over last weekend. Being the hospitable hosts, we took them around the Bay - from Sausalito, to Marin Headlands for a breathtaking view of the foggy Golden Gate Bridge, to the Palace of Fine Arts, to Crooked Street in Lombard, to Fisherman's Wharf, and lastly, to Ghirardelli Square. We got home a bit late on Saturday but it was really fun. I was just feeling sore because I was given tetanus vaccine the day before (which was really painful). In fact, I had to exert a bit of an effort to drive.
The next day, Sunday, we took them to some wineries in Napa Valley. I have passed through Napa a few times during fall and I know that the colors are beautiful at this time of the year. I just haven't had the chance to stop and take photos. Now, I have tons of photos.... :)
To get an idea of where we've been, and to visualize the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area and the breathtaking Napa Valley (eat your heart out 'coz I live very close to the wineries, tee-hee!) in your minds, I have uploaded some photos. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.
Have a great weekend people!
Monday, November 8, 2004
A VERY BIG Surprise
When I arrived at my desk at 6:15am today, there was a HUGE wooden crate waiting for me from my husband!!!! It was nailed shut and had the word "fragile" all over. The packing slip said "capiz lantern". No wonder when I was talking to him last night, he kept insisting I come to work today (I was telling him that maybe I'd better telecommute after dropping our guests off at the train station because I had an exhausing weekend).
I knew something was fishy, but I wasn't expecting anything (until Friday maybe because Nov. 12th will be our 10th year anniversary as bf-gf). If I didn't logoff early on Friday, I would've known about it because one of my teammates emailed me about a big package at my desk.
My reaction when I saw the crate? I fell to my chair crying! How could a girl be so lucky to have a wonderful husband? He never fails to amaze me with his many unexpected surprises. I wanted so much to call him but I know that he might be sound asleep by now. The least I can do is leave him alone to get a good night's sleep.
Good night sleepy head.... I wish you know how happy you've made my Monday, and possibly the entire week!
I love you sweetheart!
I knew something was fishy, but I wasn't expecting anything (until Friday maybe because Nov. 12th will be our 10th year anniversary as bf-gf). If I didn't logoff early on Friday, I would've known about it because one of my teammates emailed me about a big package at my desk.
My reaction when I saw the crate? I fell to my chair crying! How could a girl be so lucky to have a wonderful husband? He never fails to amaze me with his many unexpected surprises. I wanted so much to call him but I know that he might be sound asleep by now. The least I can do is leave him alone to get a good night's sleep.
Good night sleepy head.... I wish you know how happy you've made my Monday, and possibly the entire week!
I love you sweetheart!
Friday, November 5, 2004
Hodge Podge of Stuff
There's so much to write about because I haven't blogged in a while (again!). Seems like blogging is becoming a challenge to me now. Thus, let me just take a moment to sit tight and blog about the many things that has been going on in my life (which for most people isn't exciting, hehehe!):
On Carly Patterson's visit - Sometime in October, we got the chance to meet Carly Patterson when she came to work for a visit. She won gold medal in Women's All Around Gymnastics in Athens. This time, I have photos to prove I met her (unlike when Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelberg, and Ian Croker came by).
On Scrapbooking - I'm on a roll! I've made three more LOs over the past couple of weeks - You're Invited, Our Love Story, and Viva Las Vegas. I'm slowly starting to scrap our wedding photos - the film based ones. Picking out those that I want to include becomes very challenging. Just imagine, I have to sort and pick out from about 700+ prints! That's enough to drive me to the brink.
On Card Making - Here's another hobby I truly enjoy. It's a theraphy for me (whenever I feel homesick or depressed). In the process, I am also expressing the creativity I never knew I had! I remembered when I was in school, my mom would always do my projects for me because she was afraid that I'd fail if I do it myself. Needless to say I thought I didn't get those creative genes my mom has? :) So, judge for yourselves.
On Guests - One of the reasons why I haven't blogged in a while was because we had guests in and out of the house. First they were my roommate's sister and her family from New Zealand. Next it was my roommate's cousin and her husband from Palm Springs. This weekend it'll be a couple of friends from Texas. In a week or so, another set of friends from Las Vegas. It's never-ending cleaning up and cooking and entertaining. I'm not complaining though. It's always good to have company once in a while.
On Parties - With the holidays just around the corner, so many parties are being organized. In fact, my November weekends are booked to the brim! Last weekend, I went to a birthday and halloween party. Tonight, I'm attending a golden wedding anniversary celebration of a close friend's parents. Next weekend, there are 2 parties I'm supposed to go to (in a single day). The following week, another birthday party. Then there's Thanksgiving.... not to mention Christmas and New Year!!!!
On my cholasterol - I've got to watch out what I eat or my doctor's going to whip my behind because of my cholasterol. Amazing that for someone as petite as I am, I have a borderline cholasterol level (that was last year though!). I guess that was the bad genes I got from my dad. I'm sweating out now because I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I do hope I'd fare well on my cholasterol test.
On the upcoming holidays - The air is chilly again, and fall is coming to an end. With winter looming around, it's becoming more and more depressing. I miss my family, I miss my husband, I miss everyone back home. When I was growing up, Christmas is a big deal in our family. Even when my mom would just repair old clothes to look like new, I came to appreciate Christmas as more than just new clothes, new shoes, new toys. For me, it's being with family that accounts for a wonderful christmas.
In high school, I was a member of the church choir (don't ask me how because I could never figure that out) so the three of us - mom, younger brother, and me - would go to church for the Simbang Gabi (around 3am). Breakfast would consist of puto bumbong or bibingka. At 6:30, I go straight to school (which is located just opposite the church - how convenient right?). On Christmas Eve, we'd have scrap ham - I call it scrap because those are the remnants when they cut ham in the market. There's bread, hot chocolate, fruit salad, and some other modest food on the table. I considered it our most extravagant dish because we never get to taste them on regular days. We don't always get christmas gifts but just being together is a wonderful gift for me.
I wanted to go home for Christmas but I figured that if I'm getting so depressed when I come home in May, the more it'll be depressing coming back after the holidays. Like I said before, coming home is always a torture for me because I go through the crying fit going back.
On grandma's eye surgery - We finally had grandma agree on an eye surgery, or, as her doctor puts it, she'd get glaucoma. When I called her before the surgery, she was crying and asking for an apology because she had to ask for money. Of course I had to help. After all, my grandma was one of those special people who helped me reach my goals. Even hubz was open to helping grandma. In fact, he visited her before the surgery, at the hospital, and when she came out of the hospital. He even dropped her off to Pagsanjan. This weekend, he's going to pick her up from Pagsanjan for her checkup on Monday. Grandma told me she felt that I was home all along - the way my husband doted on her. No wonder I'm so in love with my husband. He's just truly a great guy!
On mom's birthday - Hubz took a day off on mom's birthday so he could take them out to lunch. She turned 55 this year!
On my 7th year anniversary here in the US - November 13 is my 7th year here in the US. Time flew by!
Another anniversary to watch out for - I'll keep this a suspense for now.
Well, that's it pansit! If you're still reading 'til the end - congratulations! I admire your patience.... hahaha!
Have a great weekend everyone!
There's so much to write about because I haven't blogged in a while (again!). Seems like blogging is becoming a challenge to me now. Thus, let me just take a moment to sit tight and blog about the many things that has been going on in my life (which for most people isn't exciting, hehehe!):
On Carly Patterson's visit - Sometime in October, we got the chance to meet Carly Patterson when she came to work for a visit. She won gold medal in Women's All Around Gymnastics in Athens. This time, I have photos to prove I met her (unlike when Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelberg, and Ian Croker came by).
On Scrapbooking - I'm on a roll! I've made three more LOs over the past couple of weeks - You're Invited, Our Love Story, and Viva Las Vegas. I'm slowly starting to scrap our wedding photos - the film based ones. Picking out those that I want to include becomes very challenging. Just imagine, I have to sort and pick out from about 700+ prints! That's enough to drive me to the brink.
On Card Making - Here's another hobby I truly enjoy. It's a theraphy for me (whenever I feel homesick or depressed). In the process, I am also expressing the creativity I never knew I had! I remembered when I was in school, my mom would always do my projects for me because she was afraid that I'd fail if I do it myself. Needless to say I thought I didn't get those creative genes my mom has? :) So, judge for yourselves.
On Guests - One of the reasons why I haven't blogged in a while was because we had guests in and out of the house. First they were my roommate's sister and her family from New Zealand. Next it was my roommate's cousin and her husband from Palm Springs. This weekend it'll be a couple of friends from Texas. In a week or so, another set of friends from Las Vegas. It's never-ending cleaning up and cooking and entertaining. I'm not complaining though. It's always good to have company once in a while.
On Parties - With the holidays just around the corner, so many parties are being organized. In fact, my November weekends are booked to the brim! Last weekend, I went to a birthday and halloween party. Tonight, I'm attending a golden wedding anniversary celebration of a close friend's parents. Next weekend, there are 2 parties I'm supposed to go to (in a single day). The following week, another birthday party. Then there's Thanksgiving.... not to mention Christmas and New Year!!!!
On my cholasterol - I've got to watch out what I eat or my doctor's going to whip my behind because of my cholasterol. Amazing that for someone as petite as I am, I have a borderline cholasterol level (that was last year though!). I guess that was the bad genes I got from my dad. I'm sweating out now because I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I do hope I'd fare well on my cholasterol test.
On the upcoming holidays - The air is chilly again, and fall is coming to an end. With winter looming around, it's becoming more and more depressing. I miss my family, I miss my husband, I miss everyone back home. When I was growing up, Christmas is a big deal in our family. Even when my mom would just repair old clothes to look like new, I came to appreciate Christmas as more than just new clothes, new shoes, new toys. For me, it's being with family that accounts for a wonderful christmas.
In high school, I was a member of the church choir (don't ask me how because I could never figure that out) so the three of us - mom, younger brother, and me - would go to church for the Simbang Gabi (around 3am). Breakfast would consist of puto bumbong or bibingka. At 6:30, I go straight to school (which is located just opposite the church - how convenient right?). On Christmas Eve, we'd have scrap ham - I call it scrap because those are the remnants when they cut ham in the market. There's bread, hot chocolate, fruit salad, and some other modest food on the table. I considered it our most extravagant dish because we never get to taste them on regular days. We don't always get christmas gifts but just being together is a wonderful gift for me.
I wanted to go home for Christmas but I figured that if I'm getting so depressed when I come home in May, the more it'll be depressing coming back after the holidays. Like I said before, coming home is always a torture for me because I go through the crying fit going back.
On grandma's eye surgery - We finally had grandma agree on an eye surgery, or, as her doctor puts it, she'd get glaucoma. When I called her before the surgery, she was crying and asking for an apology because she had to ask for money. Of course I had to help. After all, my grandma was one of those special people who helped me reach my goals. Even hubz was open to helping grandma. In fact, he visited her before the surgery, at the hospital, and when she came out of the hospital. He even dropped her off to Pagsanjan. This weekend, he's going to pick her up from Pagsanjan for her checkup on Monday. Grandma told me she felt that I was home all along - the way my husband doted on her. No wonder I'm so in love with my husband. He's just truly a great guy!
On mom's birthday - Hubz took a day off on mom's birthday so he could take them out to lunch. She turned 55 this year!
On my 7th year anniversary here in the US - November 13 is my 7th year here in the US. Time flew by!
Another anniversary to watch out for - I'll keep this a suspense for now.
Well, that's it pansit! If you're still reading 'til the end - congratulations! I admire your patience.... hahaha!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
A Powerful Book on Filipino Struggle
I have just finished reading "When the Elephants Dance" by Tess Uriza Holthe. It's a gripping tale about our ancestors' struggles during World War II.
In Alejandro Karangalan's own words (one of the main characters) "It is up to Roderick and me to build and to teach the other children that it is better to stand together than to let other nations divide us. We fought beside our Amerikano brothers to take back our independence. It was not just given to us. I will remember how we Filipinos stood together and put our differences aside. I shall remember how strong we were. It is up to us now to keep our pride intact."
Growing up, I have always asked my grandparents what it was like during the war. They would try to evade the topic. I remembered having been reprimanded whenever I don't finish the food on my plate. My grandma would tell me "finish your plate because you are lucky to have something to eat. During the war, we were lucky to be able to have water to drink, if at all". The book has made me realize how true those words were. Hunger and dehydration was prevalent then.
The story is quite tragic, but it reminds us of the precious lives our ancestors gave up just so we can enjoy the freedom we have today. I take pride of my roots. The book stirred in me the patriotism that has long been put to sleep.
On the other hand, there were some light moments - stories and folklores. Our culture is, indeed, rich of superstitions and folklores and illogical beliefs.
This is a must-read - truly highly recommended.
I have just finished reading "When the Elephants Dance" by Tess Uriza Holthe. It's a gripping tale about our ancestors' struggles during World War II.
In Alejandro Karangalan's own words (one of the main characters) "It is up to Roderick and me to build and to teach the other children that it is better to stand together than to let other nations divide us. We fought beside our Amerikano brothers to take back our independence. It was not just given to us. I will remember how we Filipinos stood together and put our differences aside. I shall remember how strong we were. It is up to us now to keep our pride intact."
Growing up, I have always asked my grandparents what it was like during the war. They would try to evade the topic. I remembered having been reprimanded whenever I don't finish the food on my plate. My grandma would tell me "finish your plate because you are lucky to have something to eat. During the war, we were lucky to be able to have water to drink, if at all". The book has made me realize how true those words were. Hunger and dehydration was prevalent then.
The story is quite tragic, but it reminds us of the precious lives our ancestors gave up just so we can enjoy the freedom we have today. I take pride of my roots. The book stirred in me the patriotism that has long been put to sleep.
On the other hand, there were some light moments - stories and folklores. Our culture is, indeed, rich of superstitions and folklores and illogical beliefs.
This is a must-read - truly highly recommended.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
It had been a long time since I last blogged, and for some good reasons.
The first week of October was our semi-annual install and I had been busier than a bee. It was a very challenging release, not only because it's the most complex one we've had, but a high profile one at that! Even after the release, we've spent lots of hours resolving problems that were popping up.
On the night of Oct. 7, I flew to Las Vegas for a weekend trip. I met my roommate there with her sister and her sister's family. I was so excited because for one, I'd be able to get away from work for a little while. Next, I was anxious about the photo op. Third, it had been quite a while since I had last been in Vegas - 1999 to be exact. True enough, I became trigger-happy taking lots of photos. Vegas is an amazing city. I wonder how much electricity is consumed there everyday?! Due to budget constraints, we were able to see only one show - Lani Misalucha and the Society of Seven.
I was left home alone for a couple of weeks before I met L and family in Vegas. It was very quiet at home and I was able to accomplish a lot of things. For one, I was able to do a couple of LOs - Love all these years led us to this.
Coming back to work had been as hectic as when I left. There was even a time when I was forced to take the day off because I was getting so hot-headed. E even told me that I looked disgusted while she was talking to me. My day off had been a productive one - I used it to make christmas cards. L was even teasing me that she'll buy some cards from me to send to her family back home. We'll see....
Is my life back to normal? If normal meant I'm not home alone anymore, and that things has slowed down at work, and that our guests have returned back to New Zealand, then yes, my life is indeed back to normal.
The first week of October was our semi-annual install and I had been busier than a bee. It was a very challenging release, not only because it's the most complex one we've had, but a high profile one at that! Even after the release, we've spent lots of hours resolving problems that were popping up.
On the night of Oct. 7, I flew to Las Vegas for a weekend trip. I met my roommate there with her sister and her sister's family. I was so excited because for one, I'd be able to get away from work for a little while. Next, I was anxious about the photo op. Third, it had been quite a while since I had last been in Vegas - 1999 to be exact. True enough, I became trigger-happy taking lots of photos. Vegas is an amazing city. I wonder how much electricity is consumed there everyday?! Due to budget constraints, we were able to see only one show - Lani Misalucha and the Society of Seven.
I was left home alone for a couple of weeks before I met L and family in Vegas. It was very quiet at home and I was able to accomplish a lot of things. For one, I was able to do a couple of LOs - Love all these years led us to this.
Coming back to work had been as hectic as when I left. There was even a time when I was forced to take the day off because I was getting so hot-headed. E even told me that I looked disgusted while she was talking to me. My day off had been a productive one - I used it to make christmas cards. L was even teasing me that she'll buy some cards from me to send to her family back home. We'll see....
Is my life back to normal? If normal meant I'm not home alone anymore, and that things has slowed down at work, and that our guests have returned back to New Zealand, then yes, my life is indeed back to normal.
Friday, October 1, 2004
Star Struck
Guess who came by the office today? Just Lenny Krazelburg, Ian Crocker, and none other than Michael Phelps himself!!!!!! We had a kick-off staff meeting for FY05 and before the meeting ended, they came out from the backstage and we were on our feet clapping. My jaw dropped to the floor! I couldn't believe they were actually our company guests! I've always hoped they'd (especially Lenny and Michael) drop by the office to thank our company for sponsoring them at the Olympics, but knowing their busy schedules, I doubted that would happen. You can just imagine how star struck I was when I actually saw them up close!
There was an autograph signing and picture taking between 3-5. My friends were there, and they have pictures to show for it, but I, unfortunately, was busy slaving away. Our release went in today and we were having a few problems that I couldn't get away from my desk because I was burried deep with fixes and migrations. I missed that chance! Nevertheless, I will sleep happy tonight because I actually got to see my crushes - Michael Phelps and Lenny Krazelburg!
Guess who came by the office today? Just Lenny Krazelburg, Ian Crocker, and none other than Michael Phelps himself!!!!!! We had a kick-off staff meeting for FY05 and before the meeting ended, they came out from the backstage and we were on our feet clapping. My jaw dropped to the floor! I couldn't believe they were actually our company guests! I've always hoped they'd (especially Lenny and Michael) drop by the office to thank our company for sponsoring them at the Olympics, but knowing their busy schedules, I doubted that would happen. You can just imagine how star struck I was when I actually saw them up close!
There was an autograph signing and picture taking between 3-5. My friends were there, and they have pictures to show for it, but I, unfortunately, was busy slaving away. Our release went in today and we were having a few problems that I couldn't get away from my desk because I was burried deep with fixes and migrations. I missed that chance! Nevertheless, I will sleep happy tonight because I actually got to see my crushes - Michael Phelps and Lenny Krazelburg!
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