Advice I Don’t Get Everyday

“Rhea, I’m telling you now, don’t ever get married.”

It’s not very often that I get this advice from married friends (Thank God for that!). Only when there’s trouble in their marriage.

Of course, I’m for marriage and all that. No doubt about it.

So, why give this kind of advice:

It’s either…

1. …there’s another woman;

2. …there’s another woman; or

3. …there’s another woman.

Of my friends who have had problems in their marriage (or relationships), all of them were because of the presence of “another woman.”

It’s true.

So, you ask, what is my point?

None. I am not trying to make a point.

Actually, I’m quite confused.

It’s just a contrast to what relatives ask during reunions or get-togethers:

“O Rhea, ilang taon ka na nga ba?”

“(muffled answer) po.”

“May boyfriend ka ba?”

“Ngayon po, wala.” My standard answer.

“Aba, mag-asawa ka na!”

“Opo, next week po.”

ANYWAY…I should have titled this entry: Of Marriage, Men and Confusion.

Nonrandom Thoughts #2

Enjoy what you have now rather than want something that you know can never be yours.

Wishes...

Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars
I could really use a wish right now


Have you ever wished real hard hoping it would be granted? right away?
...that you wished something you want will happen?
...or that you wished the opposite happened?
...or that you wished that it did not happen at all?

I have. A couple of times. During desperate times.

When my mom was sick.
When I blew my top over a simple misunderstanding.
When I made wrong choices, wrong decisions.
When something bad happened to my family or my friends.
Or things I regret saying.

I don't think there's anything wrong with wishing or desiring.
But I have accepted the fact that there are things that cannot be undone.
I just leave it all to Him.


First four lines taken from the song "Airplanes" by B.o.B (featuring Hayley Williams)

What's happening Thailand?

It's just so sad that this happened in Thailand.

A lot of properties have been damaged, including Bangkok's iconic landmark, Central World. Lives have been lost. Many are injured.

I pray that everything goes back to normal. I pray for the people of Thailand.

First picture is from the Boston Globe and second and third from the Bangkok Post.

After the Storm

(sharing lang...)

It's very hard to lose a love one, lalo na kung magulang. I should know.

Biro mo, lagi natin silang kasama since nung maliit pa tayo hanggang sa paglaki natin. Andyan lang sila sa tabi natin. Parang pader ba.

I really felt a void after I lost my Dad. It was only after that I realized how much I loved him, how important he was. Nung mawala siya, dun ko na na-realize na kung kahit brown out, na sobrang dilim (uso brown out noon), basta alam kong andyan siya with us, walang rason para matakot. Maliit na bagay pero ang lakas ng dating sa akin.

When I went back to work after a week, I felt some kind of attachment to everyone who was close to me. Ang weird talaga. Call it senti or arte pero totoo ito. I realized and was suddenly afraid I could lose them anytime.

I miss my Dad. I miss my Mama. But I know they are happy. I am comforted with the thought na hindi na mahihirapan si Mama. God is always good and He knows what is best.

A former boss told me, "You're lucky if you still have a parent. You are extremely lucky if you still have both your parents."

Kaya kayo, love your parents.

As for me, don't worry, I'm okay.

'Stronger'

I was on my way home from work around 7pm and I heard on the radio (I was tuned in to RX) that Katie Holmes was able to finish the New York Marathon last November and credited Kanye West's song for helping her finish the grueling race. The first song that came to my mind was Kanye's kickass hit song "Stronger" from his latest CD "Graduation." And I was right.

When I first heard the song from KanyeTalk.com (now renamed KanyeLive.com) before it's official release, I was so sure that it was going to be a big hit, with its catchy, futuristic tune...even if Kanye borrowed some parts of it from Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" and lyrics that I could not understand the meaning even if I search the internet or listen to it over and over again.

Anyway, the point is...I should probably do the same and listen to 'Stronger' on repeat track and check if it will also help me keep going back to the gym.

Oh, how I wish ako na lang si Katie Holmes at meron akong Tom Cruise na inuuwian. *big grin*

Hmmmm...

I want to blog. I miss blogging na.. but I can't think of anything to blog about...maybe tomorrow.

*sigh*

Old Emails...

Do you also get Tina A's daily email? I only save emails that I think are worth keeping...those that have special meaning to me...and this is one of them.
*************

September 11, 2006

Verses of the Day
This week's promise: God gives us strength to cope with hard work
How diligently do you do your work?
Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Romans 12:11 NLT

Personal responsibility comes home
The USS Astoria was the first U.S. cruiser to engage the Japanese during the Battle of Savo Island, a night action fought 8-9, August 1942.

About 0200 hours, Signalman 3rd Class Elgin Staples was swept overboard by the blast when the number one 8-inch gun turret exploded. He was kept afloat by a narrow life belt that he managed to activate.

At around 0600 hours, Staples was rescued by a passing destroyer and returned to the Astoria, whose captain was attempting to save the cruiser by beaching her. The effort failed, and Staples, still wearing the same life belt, found himself back in the water. Picked up again, he was one of 500 survivors.

On board a transport, he closely examined the life belt that had served him so well. It had been manufactured by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, and bore a registration number.

Given home leave, Staples asked his mother, who worked for Firestone, about the purpose of the number on the belt. She replied that the company insisted on personal responsibility for the war effort, and that the number was unique and assigned to only one inspector. Staples remembered everything about the life belt, and quoted the number. It was his mother's personal code and affixed to every item she was responsible for approving.

Books and Food

Monday, 30 July 2007. It was my Dad's birthday. He would have been 63.

We usually have lunch or dinner at his favorite place (Kamayan on EDSA) but since it was a Monday, we just decided to have dinner at home (and also Mama didn't want to go out). Kuya texted and said he'll pass by the cemetery. I also wanted to go after office but it would already be too late, I wouldn't want to get caught there after dark (besides, it also rained). I just heard mass during lunch (I hear mass twice a week, Sundays and Mondays - my thoughts on a separate entry) and was also assigned to buy KFC for dinner (the kids' favorite).

Things I learned from my Dad:
1. Never ever think twice about spending on two things: books and food.
2. It’s okay if your clothes are ripped or torn, as long as they're clean.

Love you, Dad! Sobra!

The Case of the Missing Pakaw

Remember my missing pakaw? You'll never believe it but I got it back.

When I got home Monday night, I mentioned to my Mom that I lost my pakaw last Sunday while hearing Mass because of Regeena. Then she excitedly told me that my uncle found a gold pakaw on the floor in our room earlier that day. When I checked, it was identical to the other pakaw. I was so happy.

Actually, this is not the first time I thought I lost an earring.

December 2002, we went to our friend Maila's family resort/beach house in Mindoro (it was also a despedida for a friend who was leaving for the US for good). That was a 2 1/2 drive to Batangas port, an hour on the RORO and another 1 hour drive to the place. Before night fall, after resting by the beach, without any reason I touched my left ear, and did not feel an earring. When I reached for the other ear, I had an earring on. So I panicked and informed everyone that I lost an earring. Our ever-so-gracious host, Maila's husband Butch, looked for it where we last stayed. To think the place was all sand. Poor Butch. I could have lost it at the port, on the RORO, in the car, by the beach ughhhhhh. As expected, we weren't able to find it. So I just said, "Hayaan mo na nga. It probably got lost for a reason. Let's all just enjoy the rest of our stay." We stayed there Friday and left Sunday.

We arrived in Manila around 8:30pm. After driving for over 3 hours, I was so tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. I was already changing clothes when...well, what do you know, the other pair was just there on top of the dresser. All I could think was, "Oh no, Butch is going to kill me." hahahahahaha. It was there all along. I must have forgotten to put the other one on in my haste to leave the house on time last Friday *innocent grin*

Maybe these series of losing and then finding again must be a sign that it's really meant to be mine (duh? parang love) or that I should take better care of my things or maybe, just maybe, that I'm beginning to be more forgetful? Man, I'm getting old. hahahahahaha

How Much of the Philippines Have You Visited?

Got this from Beboygum's Blog.
I only got a C+. This must be a message from DOT Secretary Ace Durano.
I should take this test again when I come back from Davao in October.
YES!!!!!

My Lakbayan grade is C+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

I don't...

...feel well *dry cough* *dry cough*
I think I should have changed shirts when I watched the ladies' basketball last friday. Because I remember after sweating it out at the gym, I went down to watch the game. That was a good 20+ minutes I had that wet shirt on. Yeah, I think that was it.
Then my throat started to itch come Saturday *sigh* and have been coughing ever since. Sheesh! I even went to the gym and played basketball on Monday, and played badminton on Tuesday. Oh, but I rested yesterday but still went home late... *sigh*
You know, I was thinking, if I didn't get that anti-flu shot a couple of months ago, I'd probably be at home, in bed, feeling weak and helpless, and coughing *dry cough* *dry cough*

Lessons learned:

• Change shirts or wear a sports jacket to keep you warm if you have to wait.
• Have your Anti-Flu shots every year (should be done before the June-July influenza season).
• See your doctor
• Rest

You're Disqualified

It's not that I expect to win (wala akong swerte sa mga raffles) but everyone should be given a chance. Gaya na lang nitong Vend 2 Win promo ng Nestle vending machines. Araw-araw pa naman ako bumibili ng kape nila. I cannot join because my sister-in-law works for Nestle. Under the heading "Redemption of Prizes," item F, it states that "Employees of Nestle Philippines, Inc., all agencies, suppliers, partners and sponsors, including relatives up to the third (3rd) degree of consanguinity or affinity are not qualified to join the promo." The raffle coupons are just either given to friends or are thrown away or naka dikit sa CPU ko. Sayang, gusto ko pa namang manalo ng vacation package o ng kanilang gadget wish. Okay na rin sana sa akin manalo ng PSP o ng portable DVD player, o ng SM Gift certificates, o ng Nokia 6020, o ng Canon Digicam, o ng iPod Shuffle. Kaya lang hindi talaga pwede. Baka pag nanalo ako, pag tinanong ako kung kamag-anak ko si R***** V******, at sasabihin ko na "Oo" (ayoko magsinungaling noh!), sigurado ko ang sasabihin sa akin ay, "Sorry po, according to our rules blah, blah, blah, blah. Because of this, you're disqualified." Arghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

One Ball

Guess what? I recently joined ADB's ladies 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The game has the same rules as the regular men's streetball. Players can be called for traveling, foul, 3-second violation (these are the most common calls or violations during ladies game), etc. and only one side of the court is used. One significant rule in the half-court game is you have to remember to always "clear the ball." Supposing your team has ball possession and your shot attempt is a miss (but the ball touches the ring) and, let's just say the opposing team gets the rebound, that player cannot shoot the ball (same goes for her whole team), no matter how near she is to the ring. The rule is she has to take the ball out of the free throw area (that's "clearing the ball") and that's the only time they can attempt a new play. But if you have ball possession and miss the shot, and your team mate or you gets the rebound, you can shoot wherever you are (does not matter if the ball touched or did not touch the ring). But if the opposing team gets the rebound (and ball did not touch the ring), the opposing team can shoot the ball without "clearing the ball." Errmm, confusing? Just watch the games.

Voltz vs. Gems
Anyway, last 1 June was the first game of the tournament. I was with the Voltz team to play against the Gems. The game was played 2 periods of 10 minutes each. I did not invite friends to watch as I was a bit embarrassed bacause I'm not good at it (although I wanted them to watch because I knew it was going to be fun, well actually hilarious is the more appropriate term). Game time came and I was surprised to find that some of my closest friends came to watch. I was so embarrassed because they kept on calling my name (am not used to that kind of attention) but I was happy each time they cheered when I had ball possession and loudest when I made a basket (well actually 2 shots = 4 points). After 20 minutes of running around the court chasing that round object and trying to throw it on an elevated basket, it left us all breathless, almost zombie-like. It was like running for 2 hours non-stop on the treadmill or 2 hours of aerobics. The score was 33-27 in favor of the Gems. Although we lost, it was one riotous game. Thanks to my team mates, Therese, Mylene and Cynthia for fighting it out till the end and for their constant encouragement. And, of course, to all my friends who watched, jeered and cheered, Thank You. I look forward to the next game. See you on the 29th!!!!

Trivia: Did you know that James Naismith was the Canadian physical education instructor at Springfield College (which was then the Y.M.C.A. training school) who invented basketball in 1891? Under orders from Dr. Luther Gulick, head of Physical Education at the School for Christian Workers, James Naismith had 14 days to create an indoor game that would provide an "athletic distraction" for a rowdy class through the brutal New England winter (from About.com).


*Photos used with the permission of Ruel G.

Wala lang...

Went out with friends last night. Ok na sana kaya lang got reminded again of that guy *sigh* (no, not the 1 week guy, the guy before him. hahahahahaha)

Reminds me of sad songs like Chris Cross' Is There Something...
(the song does not reflect what happened to us, basta sad lang talaga yung song)
*******

Is There Something
Christopher Cross



Lately I see clouds of sorrow in your eyes
Some deep sadness you can never quite disguise
I was scared to ask where it's leading to
But I'm more afraid of not asking you.

Is there something that you want to tell me?
Is there something that I ought to know?
Are we something that's still worth fighting for
Or should I simply let you go?
Is there something I can do to reach you?
Are we something more than history?
I'll find some way to convince you to stay
If you just tell me honestly
Is there something left of you and me?

You've got secrets you've been keeping for too long
I'm going crazy acting like there's nothing wrong
I can taste the truth every time we kiss
But I can't go on
At least not like this.

Is there something that you want to tell me?
Is there something that I ought to know?
Are we something that's still worth fighting for
Or should I simply let you go?
Is there something I can do to reach you?
Are we something more than history?
I'll find some way to convince you to stay
If you just tell me honestly
Is there something left of you and me?

I don't want to lose you
But what's the use of holding on
I don't really have you
If the feeling's gone.

Is there something I can do to reach you?
Are we something more than history?
If there's no way to convince you to stay
Then be the way it used to be.
But there's something that I want to tell you
And I want you to believe it's true
We had something that I'll never forget
Even if I wanted to
A part of me will always be with you.

A Small Black Dot

In December 2005, I read an article by the late Philippine Star editor Max Soliven about his chance meeting with Atty. Alexander Lacson (A Filipino of faith, BY THE WAY By Max V. Soliven, The Philippine Star 19 December 2005). In the article, I was struck by Atty. Lacson's generosity, humility, and most especially, his love for our country. Through his book, “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country,” he is able to send his message to us Filipinos. His list is so simple, you’d think it's not going to make any difference. But if you really think about it, if everyone will follow each one on his list, it actually makes perfect sense. I then thought of getting my own copy if ever it reaches the bookshops.

After a few weeks, my former boss who is Pinoy, came to the office carrying a stack of bright orange books inside a clear plastic bag. It turned out that these were actually the "12 Little..." book. My boss gave me a copy (for free) and told me that he's planning to invite Atty. Lacson as guest on the next monthly lunch he’ll be organizing for other Pinoy bosses. I told him that I read about him in the newspaper and it's a good idea to have him come over. I guess my boss felt I was also interested so he invited me to join them. Wahoooo!!! I'll get to meet the man everybody's talking about.

The book contains forewords written by former president, Corazon C. Aquino, and by Eugenia Duran Apostol, Chair of the World Wide People Power. Mrs. Aquino described Atty. Lacson as one who continues “to be very positive about our country" and that he "believes that the answer to our problems lies in each and every Filipino." Mrs. Apostol was so impressed (Atty. Lacson sent her a manuscript and requested to write the foreword for the book), she even made her own 12 little don'ts about the book.

When I read it, my respect and admiration grew for this guy. For each of the 12 things, he gave concise explanations, noteworthy examples, and easy to understand English, even for the simple Filipino. Whew! What a read…but at the back of my mind, is he for real?

The day came Atty. Lacson was guest of honor. He started out by letting us know that we can all call him by his first name, “Alex.” He then proceeded to explain his background, his experiences, the reason why he wrote this book, and his other plans. As he was talking, answering questions from the group, what struck me this time was that he's such a very soft-spoken person, hindi mo iisipin na lawyer ito. He was speaking most of the time in malalim na tagalog and he wasn’t touching his food. He was dead serious about what he was talking about. So serious that he wasn’t smiling much.

One guest suggested that this should be translated to tagalog and should be given out to jeepney drivers, taxi drivers, practically to everyone in the streets. Atty. Alex told us that he’s planning to do just that but he’s still looking for sponsors so the book can reach the masa.

Questions for myself: Am I up to it? Can I do it?

I think I am up to it but if I do it alone, I don’t think I am going to make a difference. I will just be a small black dot on a sea of white. But a small black dot on a sea of white is better than just a plain sea of white, right? As the late Max Soliven puts it, “When you study them more closely, they are difficult to do. But all of us, together can do them.” So let’s all be a small black dot. Are you up to it?

15 Years...

that's how long he's been with us. Sorry, I'm referring to the 1989 Toyota Corolla that I have been using for the longest time, is gone... My brother just sold him the other day. Di man lang ako nakapag-goodbye...
My dad bought that car for my brother in 1992 replacing the Toyota Celica he was using. I remember my dad asking me to search the classified ads. I also had to call each one of them to ask how much, if the quoted price was negotiable, the mileage, why they're selling it, what color, etc. I think this one's with the lowest mileage because it's only used by the owner's son to and from school (UP). We were told that the car can be viewed at one of the motels in Pasig (duhhhhh!!!). So off we went to see the car. It turned out that the seller is the owner of the flower group of motels and one of those famous shoe & bag repair shops. I remember I was so embarassed because that was the first time I've set foot in a motel. Good thing the car was not parked inside one of those garages (sayang hahahahaha). I went with our trusted mechanic and my uncle. I remember seeing cars entering the motel and passing us. It was I think middle of the afternoon (I guess they can't help themselves *naughty grin*). Anyway, once we got the okay from our mechanic, I talked to my dad on the phone, then we paid for the car right there and then.
I know my brother loves that car. We even went together to Banawe to have the car tinted, and had new equalizer and additional speakers installed. It was loud, man! I thought it was the coolest car.
I have a lot of fond memories with that car, the gimmicks, the out of town trips with family and friends, and the "adventures" *wink wink* But I guess it's about time that we let him go. After all, it's been 15 years.

...on Being Single

I am not sure why my friend Gladdys gave this to me (hehehehehehe). She said it was given to her by a friend in 1993 (before getting hitched). I remember a friend asking me on a car ride going to a dinner, "Do you still want to get married someday?" I readily replied, "Oo naman." But I told her that I'm not in a hurry. If he comes, well and good. If he doesn't, well and good, too.

I'm now used to being single, that the last time I had a boyfriend, I felt too "nasasakal" in our very first week, I had to break off with him. tsk! tsk!

Oh well, if he comes, well and good. If he doesn't, it's not my loss.