295/365: Sunday Lyrics and Photograph: I Won’t Give Up – A Song Dedicated To My Blog

26th of October

It’s 3AM on a Sunday and I am awake.  I am supposed to be sleeping tight by this time.  You know it’s Sunday and there’s no work, no pre-scheduled plans, no socialization commitments nor out of town or whatever.  A rare Sunday moment that I don’t need to be up so early but here I am up!

Can’t force myself to go back to sleep so up I go and made myself a mug of coffee.  My foot then automatically leads me to my home desk.  Hello my lappy!

Aaah I miss my blog so much!  By this time I already accepted that I failed my own “365 Blogging Challenge”. So far this is the longest time I did not post anything here since I started the challenge. But this doesn’t mean that I’m giving up on my blog or to blogging.

There are two major reasons why I started this challenge anyway.  One is that the idiot in me always love to take challenges which are mostly “Mission Impossible” to succeed. The second reason is that this is one way of me not to give up on my passion.  When I signed for a regular job after four years of being a freelancer, I knew that I will be eaten by the system of having a regular job.  I'd seen that happened to lots of my fellow bloggers which saddens me BIG TIME.  So this is just like the reason why I am not giving up on my running blog for the reason that it motivates me not to give up on my running – something like that.

Jeez I have so much of mixed thoughts that I’m not sure that you are understanding.  Anyway, what I just want to simply say is that I’m not giving up on my blog.  In fact I feel so romantically attached to it right now that I am listening and dedicating a song to it – “I Won’t Give Up”.

The original song is by Jason Mraz and I love all his renditions especially the live ones however, there is one video that I found in YouTube where I can totally relate every time I watch it.  It’s a video of a Scottish boy named Nicholas McDonald auditioning in X-Factor UK.  You may want to watch this video and I also want to share the song lyrics.

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
Well there's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use the tools and gifts
We got yeah we got a lot at stake
And in the end,
You're still my friend at least we didn't tend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn, how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not
And who I am

The photograph is taken while I was shopping with my kids one time.  No the shirt brand is not mine nor I am commercially advertising for it  ha ha.  I was just totally in awe when I saw this hanging in one of the department stores.

You might be thinking that I bought myself one of these shirts but no. Because I am giving the chance to the sweet people around me to spot this and be reminded about me then buy me one ha ha.

Have a blessed Sunday everyone!

230/365: Mailman Still Exists! And He Delivered Lots Of Love From Verona

28th of August

So I was sitting yesterday in the sofa gobbling a variety of food of odd combination plus drowning myself with pure pineapple juice in the late afternoon after doing the (forbidden) laundry, when suddenly I was startled by a fierce knocking on our front door accompanied by the shouting of my full name that can be heard up to the next barangay.

I almost knocked down the foldable table that carries the food I’m gobbling while hurrying to check who the h*ll this intruder interrupting my glutton solitude. (I was eating a lot thinking that I could regain my lost strength for not resting while I’m unwell).

I peeked at the window and found a wrinkled old man with a bag dangling on his shoulders.  The bag looks like as old as the man who is wiping his forehead with his left hand while his right hand is holding a bunch of envelopes. 

Aaaah!  It’s the mailman!  I curiously asked, “Why didn’t you just leave the mail at the gate like you usually do? And the mailman’s reply was…

“Mam mukang uulan baka mabasa hindi mo mabasa ang message postcard kasi”.
(Ma’am it seems like it’s going to rain, this is a postcard and you might not be able to read the message if it got wet”).

My heart melt. So mailman still exist and this one’s got a good heart.  I handed him a glass of water which he gladly accepted.  He then took off whistling and his old shoulder bag seems like dancing with his whistling.  I watched him in awe as he walked away and vanished from my sight.

The POSTCARD!

It’s from my good blogger friend Tripster Guy (TG).  I remember he posted on his blog that he and his friends had this road trip to the northern towns and cities of Italy.

I was grinning from ear to ear while I’m reading the message. So my crazy friend visited the romantic setting of the most stupid love story ever written. Yep I’m talking about Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that happened in VERONA. Remember they died from suicide because of plain stupidity? But don’t get me wrong, I love Shakespeare. I am amazed how he came up with all his stories where almost all the characters died in the end then they became famously known as “Shakespeare’s Tragedies”.

Anyway, back to TG’s postcard.  The subject is “Saluti da Verona”.  Well the curious cat in me checked on a bit of history of the place and let me share with you what I found.

”“Saluti da Verona” – as famous as “Romeo and Juliet” is a lovely pink marble Roman Amphitheatre built in 1AD and still dominates the piazza in the middle of Verona.  It is now a venue for opera rather than gladiator battles and the third largest amphitheater in Italy.  Once it could seat 30,000 but these days it’s capacity is 15,000. (Source: Various web sites)

I love postcards not only because they are sustaining life to the dying postal industry which for me is a far bigger and sadder tragedy than Shakespeare’s. Plus it warms my heart knowing that a friend who is enjoying his vacation took time to buy you a postcard, handwritten (an almost unreadable/lol) message on it and mail it. It is some kind of wonderful thoughtfulness isn't it?

May I also share TG’s message to you which part is talking about his (no) love life which for me is another sadder tragedy than Shakespeare’s ha ha ha.



Okay I’m feeling a lot better now!  I’m not thanking TG for now because I know some more postcards are coming and I’m excited. Yipee!

239/365: Feeling A Little Unwell

27th of August

I’m writing this around 7AM in the morning.  The kids are already out for school. I’m supposed to be out for work also by this time but I decided last night when I woke up around grave yard time that I am not reporting for work today. I was feeling a little unwell for two days now so I thought of surprising my own body and give it a rest day (LOL).

There were number of people from work who were absent yesterday because they were sick.  The virus probably got me and my body decided to go along with it.  Or… probably not!

Why?  Here’s why.

So I slept early last night after taking paracetamol.  In fact too early that I am unable to eat my dinner.  Then what happened is that I woke up before the break of the dawn and I can’t make myself to go back to sleep to rest more as I planned to do the whole day.  I went down and thought of checking my emails using my lappy instead of my mobile phone while thinking that it would also be a good time to check on my blogs.  But that was a wrong move.

Before I am able to reach my lappy I saw the sink and saw that there’s some unwashed cups and glasses so I thought of clearing them first.  That was really a wrong move because before I knew it I found myself beating eggs, opening a can of corned beef, chopping garlic, mashing cold rice, grabbing a wok and spatula.  Then voila! The breakfast table is set up with fried rice, corned beef omelette, coffee and hot chocolate.

I got a uniformed frustrated facial expressions that says “Aren’t you supposed to be in bed resting?” from the whole family during breakfast. But that was automatically erased when they gobbled the omelette.

“So what are you planning to do this whole day?” hubby asked over coffee. I said "I’ll rest" convincingly while contemplating on doing the laundry. Sssh…

What can I say? I’m an OC! (sigh).

229/365: Sunday Quote and Photograph: A Realization That I Got From A Snail

17th of August

Slow down and enjoy life.

It’s not only the scenery that you miss by going so fast

But also miss the sense of where are you going and why.

~Eddie Cantor~

Everyday that I wake up and look at the calendar I always ended up frowning.  It never fails to cause me to chuckle and ask the question “Is it really that date today?”  Everyday seems like I’m days behind to so many things and trying to catch up with time seems not possible.

Am I the only one who feels this way? That everyday that I checked on the calendar I get frustrated that I am unable to do the things that I should have done or accomplished because I’m still catching up with the ones I thought I’m behind?

Or are we all in the same frustration?

A trip, tidying a part of the house that has long been neglected, visiting someone in the hospital (who was discharged before you were able to visit), movie time, shopping time, or just simply buying a bike part or whatever for your son, daughter, sister or for whoever and for whatever? Or coffee time with an old friend, or even a social media status that you should had commented yet failed to do until it got lost in the feed?

Did we even ask ourselves “Why are we even in a hurry?”.  “What are we really trying to catch up with? BIG QUESTION? But so true. 

**~**

The photograph is taken this morning during my regular run this time with my young daughter.  My phone rang and I had to stop running and take the call.  I usually do not use phone when running.  But I was confirming an important seminar scheduled in the afternoon.  After the call I have yet to contact another person.

My daughter was pulling my running shorts to catch my attention while I’m on a call and she was silently pointing to something on the grounds beside my right shoe.  When I take a look I found a snail!

The snail was moving so slowly heading to my right shoe.  Too slow that even when I finished my call it did not even finished crossing the few inches distance between where it came from to my shoe. 

While looking at it, I realized it has been years since I haven’t seen a snail.  But then I thought, I’m not sure if I really did not see a snail for quite a while or I was just too busy to take a look around.  Actually the truth is, I had almost forgotten that there’s a creature called “snail”.

To my daughter’s persistence we observed the snail.  I decided to take a photo and to my amazement the snail stopped moving.  I’m not sure if it’s a part of its cautious instinct or what.  I don’t know anything about snail except that it has always been a simile for the word “slow”.  But it just stopped moving!  In spite of its unimaginable slow pace it can still afford to stop!

If I (we) could just be like the snail…

224/365: Remembering Robin Williams as Patch Adams. (Insert Sad Face Here).

12th of August

Who doesn’t know Robin Williams? And who is not affected by his sudden demise?

Robin Williams probably won’t get the highest score for a survey question “Who is your favorite actor? “ Not because he is not popular in the “heartthrob-kind-of-way” but because he is an automatic favorite.  One need not say that he is a Robin Williams fan because everybody is a Robin Williams fan.  And I’m sure everyone can “dig” what I’m trying to say here.

I guess the best question when it comes to Robin Williams is “What is your favorite Robin Williams movie or character?.”   Genie (Aladdin)? Mrs. Doubtfire?  Bicentennial Man? Or Mork (and Mindy)?  I bet you won’t be able to pick one quickly because just like the man, his movie character(s) is as versatile as the actor.  He has this extra-ordinary talent that leaves a unique mark to anyone who watch his movies.  It’s like an “imprint”. 

Isn’t that when you pick a movie to watch and you saw that it is a Robin Williams film you need not check who are the other characters in the movie right?  Or who is the director or producer of the movie.  It’s like if it’s a “Robin Willams movie it must be good!”  Yes I know you got me!

I love all Robin Williams movies (and character) but there’s one movie that I hold dear to my heart.  In fact it is one among the movies included in my personal list of My Top Ten Favorite Movies Of All Time - PATCH ADAMS.

My original CD of the movie Patch Adams

PATCH ADAMS is a character that I can not imagine being played by any actor other than Robin Williams.  Tailored-fit and perfect are understatements to say for Williams being Adams.  A character and story that is both cinematic and yet real.  A movie that can be entertaining and yet tragic at the same time.  A character that provides an equal amount of laughter and tears in just one movie.  All justified simply because Robin Williams is on this movie.

Aside from all the popular reasons, I have an extra personal reason why I love this movie and character.  I consider it as “healing” movie.

Some few years back I (almost) lost my trust in the medical profession.  It’s a long story that until now I don’t have the courage to completely share the details.  But let me just summarized that I almost died after undergoing a medical procedure.  I was trying to heal myself from the hatred to the country’s medical system and to the medical practitioners as well.  I found the movie Patch Adams and I was thankful. I was thankful that there’s a movie that the medical practitioners and its associations will (hopefully) chance upon to watch.  And I hope that they may get something out of it.

I love how the “medical practice” part of the movie is tackled.  I laughed so hard with the clown doctor character but his life and love tragedy broke my heart. 

Here’s a clip of one of my favorite scene from the movie Patch Adams.

“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where, I love you straightforwardly without complexities or pride. I love you because I know no other way than this. So close that your hand, on my chest, is my hand. So close, that when you close your eyes, I fall asleep.”

I love you without knowing how…

RIP Robin Williams.  Thank you for all the memories.  The laughter… and the tears…  We are so saddened by our loss of one great talent.

Video credits: YouTube

215/365: Sunday Song and Photographs: Sorry Is All That You Can’t Say

3rd of August 

Why people find it hard to say “I’m sorry”?  Even for the most obvious reason?

Sorry

Is all that you can’t say

Years gone by and still

Words don’t come easily

Like sorry

Forgive me

Is all that you can’t say

Years gone by and still

Words don’t come easily

Like forgive me forgive me

But you can say baby

Baby can I hold you tonight

Maybe if I told you the right words

At the right time you’d be mine

I love you

Is all that you can’t say

Years gone by and still

Words don’t come easily

Like I love you I love you

The song is an original by Tracy Chapman released in 1988 which the boy band Boyzone released a cover in 1997.  I definitely love the original than the cover, it is sang more soulfully.  The most striking part of the song for me is the opening line “Sorry” which I dedicate to people who can’t make apologies even for the most obvious reason.

True that it takes a lot of courage to say I’m sorry, so if you can’t make yourself apologize when needed then you can call yourself a “coward”.

The photographs were taken by my young daughter using a mobile phone. She did not only inherited my love for cats but also my passion for taking random photographs.  The subject are the stray cats that roam around our vicinity.

214/365: Philippine Festivities in the Month of September

2nd of August

WAKE UP when September comes because here is the exciting list of festival for the first “ber” month!



HANDURAW FESTIVAL, Leon, Iloilo - September 1
HINIRUGYAW FESTIVAL, Cabatuan, Iloilo - September 1- September 10
VICTORY DAY, Kiangan, Ifugao - September 2
TUNA FESTIVAL, General Santos City - September 5
SINAB’BADAN TRIBAL FESTIVAL,  Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur - September 5- 6
SIPONG FESTIVAL, Bais City, Negros Oriental - September 7
SARAKIKI-HADANG FESTIVAL, Calbayog City, Western Samar - September 7
PADUL-ONG FESTIVAL, Borongan, E. Samar - September 7
TAMBOBO FESTIVAL, Ajuy, Iloilo - September 8-10
MINULUAN FESTIVAL, Talisay City, Negros Occidental - September 8-10
PANAGDADAPUN FESTIVAL (ARAW NG QUIRINO), Cabarroguis, Quirino - September 8- September 10
LINGGO NG BULAKAN, Malolos, Bulacan - September 8- September 15
PARADA NG KAKANIN / FESTIVAL OF NUESTRA SENORA DE ARANZAZZU, San Mateo, Rizal - September 9
BANOK-BANOK MARADJAO KARADJAO FESTIVAL (STREET PAGEANTRY), Surigao City, Surigao del Norte - September 10
SAYAW LAHI FESTIVAL, Naujan, Mindoro Oriental - September 10
BUYLOGANAY FESTIVAL, Ivisan, Capiz - September 6-10
SURIGAO CITY FIESTA (SAN NICOLAS DE TOLENTINO-PATRON SAINT), Surigao City - September 10
ANNIVERSARY – BATTLE OF PULANG LUPA, Torrijos, Marinduque - September 13
ARAW NG SIQUIJOR WITH SOLILI, Siquijor, Siquijor- September 17
BISLIG CITY CHARTER DAY, Bislig City - September 15- September 19
VOYADORES FESTIVAL, Daraga, Albay - September 15
PENAFRANCIA FESTIVAL, Naga City, Camarines Sur - September 17
TALAKUDONG FESTIVAL (STREET DANCING), Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat - September 18
PATABANG FESTIVAL, Tapaz, Capiz - September 21-30
DUMALONDONG FESTIVAL (Tribal rituals), Salug, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur - September 23
ANIHAN FESTIVAL, Dueñas, Iloilo - September 25- September 30
DALIT FESTIVAL, Tangub City - September 29
BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF GEN. MIGUEL MALVAR, Capitol Site, Batangas - September 27
ANIHAN FESTIVAL, Lobo, Batangas - September 27
MEGAYON FESTIVAL (Thanksgiving), Zamboanga del Sur - September 27 - 30
BANIGAN FESTIVAL, Basey, Samar - September 28
BALANGIGA ANNIVERSARY, Balangiga, Eastern Samar - September 28
ANGEL FESTIVAL, San Rafael, Bulacan - September 29
KASADYA STREET DANCE, Anahaw Amphi-Theater - September 27
KAPAKYANAN FESTIVAL, Victoria, Mindoro Oriental - September 14-15
AGAL- AGAL (SEAWEEDS) FESTIVAL, Tawi-Tawi - September 25
BURDANG LUMBAN FESTIVAL, Lumban, Laguna - September 21
KAWAYAN FESTIVAL, Maragondon, Cavite - September 7
BAÑAMOS FESTIVAL, Los Banos, Laguna - September 17-23
DIYANDI FESTIVAL, Iligan City - September 1 - October 2
AM-AMONG FESTIVAL, BONTOC, MT. PROVINCE - September 7-16
MA-TZU FESTIVAL, San Fernando City - Sept 23-25
COCO FESTIVAL, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan - September 20-27
PAGAY FESTIVAL, Alicia, Isabela - September 28
TAMBANIPA, Bonbon - September 9
LANGARAN FESTIVAL, Plaridel, Misamis Occidental - September 10
GOLDEN HARVEST FESTIVAL (Rice and corn Festival), Public Plaza / Gym, Valencia City -
September 14-21
BUNGAG DAGTABINAL FESTIVAL, Misamis Occidental (Aloran) - September 15
GALAAN FESTIVAL, Don Victiriano, Misamis Occidental - September 17
PAGPAKANAUG, St. Michael’s Cathedral, Iligan City - September 20
KASADYA STREETDANCING AND MERRYMAKING
Main streets of the city / and culminates at the Anahaw Amphi Theater
September 27
KOMEDYA DE SAN MIGUEL, Rizal Park, Iligan City Iligan - September 28
HINUGYAW FESTIVAL / COTABATO PROVINCE FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY, Capitol Complex, Amas, Kidapawan City, September 1
FLOMOLOK FESTIVAL, Polomolok, South Cotabato - September 9-11
KASADYAAN FESTIVAL, Tupi, South Cotabato - September 9-11
PEÑAFRACIA FESTIVAL, Peñafrancia Village, Cotabato City, September 18 (3rd Sunday)
PASSINI KAT ABORLAN, Aborlan, Palawan - September 28-October 1
PANGALIPAY FESTIVAL, Magsaysay, Palawan - September 29
TINU-OM FESTIVAL, Cabatuan, Iloilo - September 1-5 (1st week)
TUMANDOK FESTIVAL, Robinson’s, Iloilo City - September (3rd week)
PASALAMAT FESTIVAL, Dao, Capiz - September 20 – 22
UNANG SIGAW NG NUEVA ECIJA, Nueva Ecija Convention Center, Palanan City - September 2
SINGKABAN FESTIVAL, Malolos, Bulacan - September 8-15
FEAST OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS, Church of the Risen Christ, Monasterio de Tarlac, San Jose, Tarlac - September 14
SAMBUKLOD FESTIVAL, Pleasant Hills, City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan - September 25 (last Sunday)
BUSIG-ON FESTIVAL, Labo, Cam. Norte - September 7-8
LAPAY BANTIGUE DANCE FESTIVAL, Masbate City - September 29
KINAIYAHAN FESTIVAL, Dauin, Oriental Negros - September 7
KARANSA FESTIVAL, Danao City Cebu - September 18 (third Sunday of the month)
KABUHIAN FESTIVAL, Ronda, Cebu - September 18 (3rd Sunday of the month)
PITLAGONG FESTIVAL, Argao, Cebu - September 28
SINU-OG ESTOKADA FESTIVAL, Jagna, Bohol - September 29
KARATONG FESTIVAL, Dulag, Leyte - September 7
BEACHURERO FESTIVAL, Tacloban City - September 10
KAPLAG FESTIVAL, Mahaplag, Leyte - September 28
ARAW NG DIGOS, Digos City, Davao Del Sur - September 8
BANSAULOG FESTIVAL, Bansalan, Davao del Sur - September 12-18
ARAW NG BANSALAN, Bansalan, Davao del Sur - September 18
SINAWUG FESTIVAL, Asuncion, Davao del Norte - September 19
PISTA KADIG’GARAN, Digos City - September 8
BANSALAN FESTIVAL, Bansalan - September 15-18
BINULIG FESTIVAL, Panabo City - September 19-25
KIALEGNON FESTIVAL, Magsaysay - September 28


Photo source: Google images / Info Source: DOT website

178/365: Wok With Balut: Vegie Omelette

27th of June

I woke up too early today and thought I could whip something in the wok for breakfast.  Maybe I’m feeling tired of eating quick breakfast of bread, butter, spreads cold cuts etc. And I don’t know but I’m starting to frown for consecutive mornings that I’m seeing my youngest pouring her favorite cereal on her bowl.  I don’t know but I’m not a cereal fan and I don’t sort of believe that kids get enough energy they need in the morning from a bowl of cereal.  I’m still biased with that rice and something in the morning.  I’m Filipino hey!

So with my eyes still half-close:

1. I grab some potato, carrots and chayote, butter and eggs from the fridge
2. Chopped the potato, carrots and chayote in small cubes
3. Sautee them altogether in just enough amount of butter
4. Beat eggs in a bowl then added some salt and seasoning
5. Pour some amount of the beaten eggs in the same pan where I sauteed the cube vegies.
6. Then added just enough amount of the buttered vegies on the half cooked egg.
7. Roll the eggs and voila!



Kids and adults surely do enjoy this in the morning!  And mind you it’s healthy!

170/365: Something About “Joe” On His Birthday

19th of June

Believe it or not I had several units of Jose Rizal courses back in college but if I will be asked “What happened to the remains of our national hero Jose P. Rizal after he was executed?”

– I can not answer that.

Not so long ago I heard the same question was asked in a TV show similar to the concept of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” and nobody among the contestants was able to answer.  I remember researching for an answer for this question but failed to find the answer I was looking for.

So this question remained parked on my head unanswered until one day while I was exploring the historical Paco Park I found the exact answer.

The tomb stone says:

Jose Rizal

Executed 30 December 1896.  Interred secretly in this spot by the authorities on the same day.  Guarded for fifteen days by the Guardia Civil Veterana.  Remains exhumed 17 August 1898.  Placed in an urn made by Teodoro Romualdo De Jesus.  Deposited in the house of his mother in Estraude Street, Binondo.  And on 30 December 1912 laid beneath his monument at the Luneta.

This a special post dedicated to our National Hero José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda who was born on this day - June 19 in 1861 and executed on December 30, 1896.

167/365: Warning: This Is A Rant Post On A Monday The 16th!

16th of June

Rant 1 Prelude
Just when I set my mind that this first day of the week will not just be fine but great.  So I tried inhaling all the positive vibes to start my day right and promised to stretch it through the whole week, then suddenly baaam! it’s ruined!

“I'm no political I'm no showbiz. I say facts straightforward because I believe I don't need to please people in stating the facts”

This is me – always do and always will be.  Sadly most people (especially at work)  will not appreciate your straightforwardness, honesty and frankness.  They choose to hear sugar coated things rather than the truth.  Their stupid egos can’t handle the truth!



Rant 2
Do you know a person who has gotten a minor title (maybe) for the first time in her life suddenly went floating from her own-created hurricane wind and wants everybody to bow down to her “power”? The phrase “I’m the Queen of the world!” is written all over her face?
Well it would be lovely to tell her …

“Jeez!
Get out and expose yourself to the real hurricane so you’ll see for yourself that you’re nothing but a piece of object among the tons that can be tossed around and smashed into oblivion. If you survive then that’s the time you can be proud! But for now keep calm and be humble!

Because if you don't, someone who's experienced enough to handle the worst hurricane will come along and blow the strongest wind right into your face and you'll be tossed and smashed the way you never experienced before.”

Rant 3:
Government offices always have the service that s*cks BIG TIME especially to ordinary citizen like me who happens to be one among the people paying their salaries through my taxes.  But I’ve learned to adapt and be patient to their inefficiency  no matter how frustrating it is.  It was like “for the sake of world peace I will bear with you.”   And then I will just maximized the stretch of my not-so-elastic-patience”.

But when it comes to private service provider it is so d*mn frustrating when you get poor service. You wanted to shout…

“Hey people we are paying you extra!
You see I came from a sh*tty day at work and you’re making me wait here? This is my third visit from my pre-approved schedule for five visits.  Why do I need to wait for an approval confirmation on each visit while in fact it was approved from day one?
I hate waiting especially if the cause is senseless.  Who loves waiting anyway?  And mind you I have another itinerary after this so it’s not funny that you are making me wait for a senseless reason!”

Rant 3!

Traffic!
What else can I say? I can’t do anything about this and it’s stupid to rant – I know right?
The only thing I could do is to wish that this vehicle will miraculously grow a unicorn wing and fly me out of this one-hell-of-non-moving line of horn-blowing metals with wheels so I can reach my destination in time.

Enough said. Enough rant.

By the way, congratulations to all people who’s having a good day today.  You are so so blessed!

166/365: Happy Father’s Day and Happy More

15th of June

Happy Father’s Day to you all great FATHERS out there!

Happy Birthday to my dear blogger friend BLUE! Wish you all the best!

Happy Sunday to all! Or whatever day you are in right now!

Just be happy!

164/365: Randomness On A Friday the 13th

13th of June

Seemed like I woke up at the wrong side of the bed today that I somewhat I feel this day would not be at it’s best.  Well I am not actually hoping for a best or better day.  A good day would be enough for me just as long as it would not be “bad”.

I checked on my calendar and realized that today is Friday the 13th!  And marked on my today’s schedule is a visit to the doctor for my second shot of anti-rabies. Whew!  what a good day to have an injection – on Friday the 13th huh! 

Not that I’m superstitious about this day but… there are lots of days in the calendar hey!  Why does it need to be today?  Injection is not everybody’s favorite anyway.  I’m sure a lot will agree with me that going to the doctors is not fun – emotionally and financially

My husband is one example of a “no doctor visit policy”.  So it’s another challenge today that I’ll drag him to the doctor’s clinic not only to drop me off but also to get that medical certificate that he needs in order to register for the 38th Milo Marathon – his annual physical challenge.  This medical certificate requirement is just a new policy by the way thus hubby didn’t need to go though  a medical check up before he could register to a half marathon.

Anyways, so after (half) successfully convincing hubby, off we go to the doctor.  I automatically cringed at the sight of the wide screen televisions installed in almost all the waiting areas and every floor of the clinic.

We left home that my favorite NBA team Miami Heat is losing.  And now I’m seeing in all corners of the clinic that Spurs’ lead is going higher.  More so my husband decided again not to have the check up (sigh). 

I’m not sure what was more frustrating for me at that moment, seeing the Heat losing or convincing my husband again to have the medical check up (another sigh).

Finally my husband gave in and had the check up which turned out ok.  He’s physically fit to run the half marathon (of course). My injection went normally as well.  The only thing that was not fine for me was the Heat losing BIG TIME at home!

163/365: Happy Independence Day To Us. Freedom!

12th of June

Today the Philippines is celebrating its 116th Year of Independence or as what we call it in the Filipino language “Araw ng Kasarinlan” .

Independence Day (Filipino: Araw ng Kasarinlan; also Araw ng Kalayaan, lit. "Day of Freedom") commemorating the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. It is considered as the country's National Day. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Philippine Independence Day is a legal holiday in the Philippines so most business establishments are closed.  Not for me though.  I’m working today so I will have the independence of being paid in double ha ha.

I invited my BFF who is not working today to come over to my work place in Makati City so we could have some bonding time after I get off from work.

As the nation observed the traditional Independence day celebration, me and my BFF is having our own version of independence.  The independence to…

1. Eat
We ate in a Donut and pastry house. 
2. Stroll.
We went from city to another.
3. Eat again
We treat ourselves to street foods.
4. Register ourselves to two fun runs.
One in this June and another in July of this year
5. Shop.
I bought myself a pouch bag, a new memory card and some more stuff.
6. And eat again.
This time to an Italian restaurant where we had a huge pizza just the two of us!

We went home tired and broke but definitely happy!  Aaah!  This is what we call independence!

What about you?  Did you feel some sort of “independence” today?

161/365: Cat Misery – Bitten!

10th of June

How ironic it is that it was just yesterday when I was sharing a story about the mystery of a dead cat and my usual passion towards stray cats.  Today a very unfortunate incident involving a cat happened again.

It was raining hard all night and it was still raining in the dawn when I woke up today so I decided to get up early and prepare for work.  Living in Manila for years I am certain that heavy traffic is expected on this kind of weather.  Most likely the roads are flooded.  As I was preparing for work I was also stressing myself on how can I go to work early.  Today is an important day and I can’t be late.  Leaving home the earliest is the only solution so I’ll have extra time if ever an untoward incident happens.

So it was still dark when I hurriedly stepped out of our door all dressed up with my heeled shoes on.  Suddenly there was a wild sound from a cat who got hurt followed by a searing pain in my lower right leg.
I stepped on a cat and it attacked me!

I realized that seconds after hearing the cat cry and consecutively feeling the pain in my lower right leg. The cat hurriedly scoured away. It may have seek shelter during the rainy night and probably get comfortable with the doormat on our doorstep.

I took a hurried look on my right leg and saw a mark but I was still hurrying so I really didn’t had a clear look on how serious the wound was.  I went back inside the house and found the bottle of alcohol that I usually use to sanitize my hand when I’m working on my lappy. I hurriedly poured an amount of alcohol to the wound and ouch!  That was really painful I thought.

I then hurried out again because I can see hubby is now waiting holding the gate open for me waiting for me to be out so he can close it and then drive me to work. He asked about hearing a hurt cat and I casually replied that I stepped on tit.

It was still raining and I can feel the splatter of the water on my legs particularly on the wounded part, when I walk the distance from the door to the gate.  Along the drive I noticed that the pain is persistent and when I take a look there seemed to be some blood and that it looked like a prominent wound.  Hubby reminded me to check on it but I said that I’ll just go to the office clinic which I did.

It was in the clinic when I realized how the wound really looked like.  It does looks nasty! However the nurse is unable to tell if it is just a scratch or a bite.  After the interview, cleaning and a lot of “sweet scolding” from the company nurse on the manner I handled the incident I was instructed to consult a doctor as soon as possible. She said the doctor will be the one to examine if it’s just a scratch or a bite.

When I went to the doctor later that day, the doctor took just one look and confidently declared – BITE!



The result?
Two immediate injections for today. One is the first shot of anti-rabies together with the very painful and “arm-crippling” anti-tetanus shot.  There are four more shots to go which will be given in the span of 30 days.  I feel more pain when I was told of the total cost of the injections - a whopping PhP11,000 ($255.00)!  Aaw!  Thank God it is covered by my health insurance. 

I was advised by the doctor to observe the cat for a certain period.  If it dies I’m in serious trouble (sigh and sad face insert here).  The problem is that I’m not sure which among the four cats who adopted themselves on our compound who attacked me. I did not bother to check because I am hurrying to work.

There’s a lot of lessons I learned from this including the very basic that health is important above all else. I exposed myself to a more serious damage because I gave more importance to work rather than taking care of my wound and doing what should be done.  I would gladly share these lessons learned in the next post.

I’m not blaming the cat nor my liking for them will change.  It was an accident caused by my carelessness.  I accidentally hurt it and it defensively bit me.  I know that is part of their being a smart creature.

I’m sure everything’s gonna be alright.  After all I am cat woman!  Meow…

160/365: Cat Mystery

9th of June

My family’s schedule did not match yesterday Sunday which resulted for me catching the last Sunday mass alone at 8:00PM. 

There is just one church is celebrating the 8:00PM mass which is a walking distance from home so I walk myself to catch this last mass.  I was enjoying the traffic-less Sunday night while I’m taking the short cut way to the church along the residential areax when suddenly something broke my peaceful walk.

A dead cat is lying in the middle of the residential street that I’m taking.  It was obviously ran over by a vehicle because I can clearly see the head injury where the blood was still coming out. 

As you know, there are just few things that can make me stop and stare while I’m on the street and one of them is (stray) cat.  When it’s alive and needs help I usually pick them and placed on a safe place.  But this one is dead.   I was considering to pick-up the dead cat but I am aware that it is unhygienic if I won’t be able to wash my hand immediately.   I also don’t know where to put it plus that I will be late for the mass.

I did not notice that I had stopped and was staring at the dead cat for several minutes until one of the residents said something that it was ran over by a passing vehicle.

I left the dead cat as it is and walk the rest of the distance to the church with a heavy heart thinking and hoping that one of the residents would pick up the dead body of the cat so it won’t be ran over again by another vehicle.  I know it is dead but it’s cruel to think that it would be ran over and over again.

When the mass ended I was hesitant to take the same route on the way back because I don’t want to see the dead cat again.  I vividly remembered how it looks like.  The size (estimated age), the color which is the very common color of stray cats – white and orange combination.    The same color of the four cats who adopted themselves on our compound.  I also vividly remembered its head oozing with blood and that it's dead.

I finally decided to take the same route on my way back because that route is familiar and safe for someone walking alone. I was hoping that the cat already resurrected and now consuming one of its nine lives.  Yes I seriously believe that cats have nine lives not because it is true but because I just want the cats to have nine lives or more.

To my surprised I did not find the body of the dead cat from the spot where I saw it.  Also, the street seemed extra clean compared when I took it on my way to the church. When I walked some more miles the mystery of the missing dead cat body is answered. There was an on-going street cleaning and the cleaning people were not only sweeping the streets but pumping the streets with pressurized water hose.  Hmn... this is something strange.  I walk this route on the same instance but this is the first time that I see people cleaning the street this way. Plus it's a Sunday?

Past forward to today…

I came out of the office building an hour over lunch time to eat out. Look at what I found leisurely lying just outside the main entrance of our building.

Seriously?
A stray cat right in front of our building entrance fronting a busy road in the busy business district of Makati City? 

And yes it looks like the dead cat I saw last night….

159/365: Sunday Song and Photograph: In My Dreams

8th of June

There was a time some time ago
When every sunrise meant a sunny day, oh a sunny day
But now when the morning light shines in
It only disturbs the dreamland where I lay, oh where I lay
I used to thank the lord when I'd wake
For life and love and the golden sky above me
But now I pray the stars will go on shinin'
You see in my dreams you love me

Daybreak is a joyful time
Just listen to the songbird harmonies, oh the harmonies
But, I wish the dawn would never come
I wish there was silence in the trees, oh the trees
If only I could stay asleep
At least I could pretend you're thinkin' of me
'Cause nighttime is the one time I am happy
You see in my dreams

We climb and climb and at the top we fly
Let the world go on below us
We are lost in time
And I don't know really what it means
All I know is that you love me
In my dreams

I keep hopin' one day I'll awaken
And somehow she'll be lying by my side
And as I wonder if the dawn is really breakin'
She touches me and suddenly I'm alive

And, we climb and climb and at the top we fly
Let the world go on below us
We are lost in time
And I don't know really what it means
All I know is that you love me
In my dreams

And we climb and climb and at the top we fly
Let the world go on below us
We are lost in time
And I don't know really what it means
All I know is that you love me
In my dreams, oh oh oh oh
In my dreams

The photograph is taken at a local park while I’m cooling down from a short run on a weekend. The insects scared me at first but then their behavior got me curious so I take a photo using my mobile phone.

The song just pops out of my mind while I’m taking the photo. One of my favorites from REO Speed Wagon and is my current LSS.

152/365: The Viking From The North Talks About Norway’s Oldest Stave Church

1st of June

Roffe - The Viking From The North (Norway) is a long time blogger friend.  If I remember it right it has been since I started this blog.  He is one among the few long time blogger friends who still around and actively blogging. 

If you will check on Roffe’s site you will find that he’s been blogging for quite a long time now and he has several blog sites too.  His blogs have quite a number of regular visitors and followers.  No wonder Roffe’s sites also have good page ranks consistently.

I learned a lot about Norway from Roffe.  Its culture and tradition, food, occasion, season and a lot more.  Reading along Roffe’s post is like reading a concise encyclopedia about Norway.  He also shares his experiences and adventures outside Norway.  His blog site is very informative and entertaining at the same time.

What I admire about Roffe’s blog entries is his unique way of posting short yet so interesting posts.  Which is what I have been trying to learn.  He has this unique writing style that makes each entry brief, concise but interesting.   Awesome!

Take for example this guest blog post where he presented a very unique kind of church. 

~***~

Norway’s Oldest Stave Church

The ground under the Urnes stave church is sinking, and this national treasure in Sognefjord has begun to sink at its northern end.

During the summer of 2008, researchers from NTNU worked to determine how much the church could be lifted and stabilized without being ruined. At the same time, dendrochronologist Terje Thun took tree ring samples from the oldest wood. The samples confirm that the church was erected over a longer period in the 1130's.

At the same time it was shown that a portion of the church, - including the northern wall, with its spectacular carvings, was actually recycled material from another church that previously stood at the same spot. The youngest of these timbers were felled around year 1070.

Based on the wood samples, it is concluded that The Urnes Stave Church is the oldest Norwegian Church that has been dated.

~***~

Thank you so much Roffe for granting my request!  I hope you will never stop blogging and sharing your interesting entries to us.

151/365: I Know It's Saturday And I'm Supposed To Post About Churches But…

31st of May

I just finished watching the Game 6 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA and “my” team won!

So… You know I’m a HUGE fan! forgive me I just need to shout this CONGRATULATIONS to MIAMI HEAT – the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals Champion! The  FOURTH! 



Of course a HUGE congratulations also to our very own pride the Philippine AZKALS!

 
Don’t be in despair guys for not getting the gold. We are so proud of you for just merely playing at the AFC Challenge Cup Finals! We know that it was not an easy challenge! The gold will come soon just go on believing!

Watch out for an exciting guest post tomorrow from  the“Viking from the North” about an extra-ordinary church.

Photo credits: Google images

147/365: Happy Birthday To The Only One Who Stole My Heart Away

27th of May

I was a wild young woman, the kind of elusive wildness.  Not wanting someone to hold my reign.  I don’t want to be in a relationship because for me it was just a complication. So I kind of scared the young men around me which in effect made me successful in putting most of them at the “friend zone”. 

Until one brave heart came along. He talks less but does more. He doesn’t promise anything. He just surprised me big time. He was not a knight in shining armor but a “kicker”.  A silent but one deadly kicker. 
Before I knew it “he stole my heart away”.  And until now he owns it.

Every time I hear this song I’m seeing the face of the “Only Man Who Stole My Heart Away”. 
Lionel’s original version is great but I prefer the reggae cover by Big Mountain because that’s what kind of thing that we have – cool!

You stole my heart away
You stole my heart away

Oo baby, let me show ya...

Let me tell you now
All that's on my mind
For a love like yours
Is oh, so very hard to find

Look inside myself
Now I'm very sure
There can only be, you for me
I need you more and more

Chorus:
You, turned me inside out
And you showed me what life was about
Only you
The only one that stole my heart away
I want to do all I can just to show you
Make you understand
Only you
The only one that stole my heart away
When you're in my dreams
When I'm close to you
There's a magic in your touch that just comes shining through
Want you every day, want you every night
There can only be, you for me
You make it seem so right
Oh man 'cause...

Chorus

Baby..
You stole my heart away

In my mind there's no other love
You're the only man my heart and soul is thinking of
Only you
Only me
There can never ever be a love that understands the way that I feel inside

Man you, turn me inside out
And you showed me what life was about
Only you
The only one that stole my heart away

Man you turn me inside out
And you showed me what life was about
Only you
The only one that stole my heart away

You stole my heart away
You stole my heart away
You, the only one that stole my heart away

143/365: The Church of Meycauayan, Bulacan–Parish of St. Francis of Assisi

24th of May 2014

I was imagining the faces of Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara stealing glances with each other at the church patio while the “Guardia Civil” are scattered all over the church yard watching the simply dressed “indio”.  Horses hooves can be heard approaching holding the reigns are the “konstable”.  “Donyas” in thick “colorete” fanning profusely under their ruffled umbrellas hurrying to be inside the church to avoid the blazing heat of the sun. 

Someone called my name and I was jolted back to reality!  I found myself under the blazing heat of the sun wearing jeans and flip flops and holding a camera to document this unbelievably old-looking structure.

I looked at the direction where my name was called and found hubby gesturing me to move a little closer to the structure while taking this photo from another camera and a mobile phone.



That call from hubby confirmed that I was in the modern time. It was during the lent of the year 2012 and I was doing my Vicita Iglesia at Bulacan (Philippines)  area when we chanced upon this church. I was really flabbergasted when I had my first glimpse of this structure.  I remained just standing there speechless and mouth agape while appreciating the beauty of it.  It is so old and yet so beautiful.



The church structure is a story itself.  I was not surprised at all when I found about the the rich history behind it when I did my research back home.

I will let you read by yourself about the history of this church but I can’t help but to particularly mention a part that really amused me.  The acacia tree that is planted in front of the church yard and seen on these photos plays a huge part on its history.  According to records, the late President Manuel L. Quezon played under this acacia tree during his childhood days.  Wow!

The front façade alone made me speechless,  What more when I saw the inner structure?  I don’t exactly know how to describe the architecture and art of this church so I am again letting you to read by yourself through the link that I provided.

What I can share to you are the photographs that I took.

 

I saw some renovation and re-painting was on-going during my visit.  I just hope that it was being done by heritage experts.  It’s a pity to lose the original structure and design of this church.

~***~

Written on the church marker is:

The first church was destroyed by a typhoon in 1588.  The construction of the present church was started shortly after 1628.  The town was moved from Lagolo  to the present site.  Rev. Franscisco Cascueña, O.F.M, who built the belfry in 1600, preached the gospel in China for six years, and on being exiled from that kingdom out of opposition to his religious teachings, returned to Meycauayan.  He served this parish for 31 years and died here on November 18, 1831.  The convent was built from 1731 to 1759.  Both convent and church were seriously damaged by the typhoon of 1882.

For the rest of the history about this church you may read it from here.