ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Kahirap kong i-install yang aking blog-look tapos papalitan ko lang? No way, highway! One of my weaknesses as you may have noticed is my penchant for old and shabby things (like my look  dito sa Ninang...)...kaya stick na ko dyan....(sorry, no relevance...) Just when I was opening my blog..a pop-up msg got me started...lol!

Today, I woke up feeling I miss SINGAPORE! Ewan kung bakit...I just do.  Maybe if I just talk about it....I won't feel this melancholy, na parang gusto ko bumalik even for a day with E. As some of you may know, we were stationed in Singapore for almost 5 blissful years....What made SG so special in our hearts?

We love the food. Have you tried going to Lau Pa Sat? There's this BBQ place we frequent (like every Saturdays and special occasions?) our favourite dishes were bbq crayfish, bokchoy with garlic, chilli crab and grilled stingray. Or the scrumptous beef noodle at Plaza Singapura...parang nalalasahan ko na...(mouth-watering...) Lol. Who wouldn't miss the Indonesian Chicken at Lucky Plaza with matching avocado shake...ay sus, patok ah!

Our SG home at Bukit Merah was very ideal, as I've shared before. Our place was walking distance to the community library, the grocery, KFC (my fave chicken place), Mcdo (with 24 hour library...ops, internet connection....ginagawang library ng mga bata doon hahhaa)...and of course, the hawker centres or food courts. Kahit saan ka umikot sa SG, sa ibaba ng mga housing laging me food court, where you can buy lunch for $2 (PHP66) like the yummy CHICKEN RICE. (Nagutom tuloy ako...) And our authentic roti with cheese breakfast and teh! Champion!!! Kapitbahay ng lugaw na me century egg..hay!

Where can you buy a $1.95 for a pair of undies? (ops, sorry po sa kumakain...hahaha) You got it? Only by our nearby market stall at Bukit Merah Central. Mura talaga ang bilihin sa SG in comparison dito ha. Well, clothes are expensive. If you want a new pair of undies  (paumanhin uli) the cheapest would be NZD5. Of course, maraming factors bakit mahal...as in namasahe pa ang galing Asia, napagod...(joke lang) at taxes..In SG you can buy cheap notebooks anywhere (gawang Japan or China) with lovely materials...pero dito hay, meron din pero frustrated ang lola ninyo dahil ang mamahal. I can't imagine na ang mabibili mo ng SGD10 at Borders ay bibilhin mo dito ng doble!  But I must say, mura dito ang meat and milk products. 

Yesterday, I went shopping at Spotlight, dahil nga halos every week they think of SPECIALS or discounts...kaya I got a new set of cutting board and a rotary cutter at 20% discount. And after browsing through my idea books of projects, I slept last night comparing our SPOTLIGHT over here (NZ) and the one in SG...missssss ko pa rin ang sa SG. Bakit? I love the location, the SG Spotlight is situated in a mall, (and you know how I love going to malls!) next to the bookstore...and DAISO, the $2 shop....the movie house at mga kainan. Need I say more? More importantly, next to E's workplace. So any time we meet, I don't mind if he's a little late dahil makakapaglibang naman ako sa Spotlight. Our Spotlight here is like a warehouse, so I guess they have more stocks. I can spend probably half a day in there and NOT get bored. My only problem is it IS THE LONG WALK, yes, 20-30 mins. walk from my bus stop.  On the plus-side, Red Cross Shop is along the way, so I can also walk in like I did yesterday...bought $10 worth of sewing materials (cloth). I was so happy! Kaya di pa umabot sa Spotlight dami ko nang bitbit! hahhaa. (me isa for 50 cents, $1 ang  2 meters for a bag material, and $2 for the interfacing material naman...etc) kaya I'd  say umuwi din akong tagumpay!

I could go on and on....about the things that made our lives in SG so memorable, but I can't forget the friends and family at Zion we met. They added so much flavour, colour and blessings in our lives. How we miss you guys....I wish one day we can visit and maybe we can once again gather at the nearby hawker centre...eat our hearts out and share how God has blessed us and kept us....until then...I'll be praying and dreaming....ONE DAY... 

SHE SEEMED FRIENDLY ENOUGH...or IS SHE? Questions I asked myself when I first saw this new girl in petfood aisle. We'll see then...for I had acquaintances from my previous employment, some nice and others not so. (Sorry!)

Days turned into months.... and I found myself waiting for you during our break time...or sitting eagerly swapping stories with you during *FACING time in the store. Oh, how we talked and shared parts of ourselves. Past experiences and present...family...love...life and I dunno what else. Hahaha. I said to myself, " Aha...she is indeed a lovely and friendly lady."

Remember when we started our new shift? How I dreaded coming in....not because of the morning schedule but moreso I'd miss our old friends. We had such a GOOD TEAM, you always say. Later on, I realised it was not that bad. Working side-by-side (hahaha, "facing") with a friend makes the job more colourful...enjoyable and FUN! Something that is really important to me...otherwise, work would just be a boring meaningless routine or something I needed 'cause it pays the bills.

I wish you can stay longer. (WAIT! Did I APPROVE YOUR RESIGNATION? I THINK NOT!!! just kidding!) But today is your LAST DAY....I don't know what else to say, but YOU WILL BE INCREDIBLY MISSED...by us, your friends. (You have made loads of them in different departments.) Especially by your partner over here. Who will I turn to during Sundays and there's no other lady fillers around? Who will teach me how to make the yummy coffee and cakes??? N, I am blessed by your warmth and friendship. I thank God for you. (teary-eyed...)

Don't you worry, I'll be fine....It's you I'm worried about, all the cleaning and packing you have to finish. I wish you and your family well, my dear friend. This ISN'T goodbye...even if you told me, you won't go back even for a visit in Palmy. I'll pray that you'll find some reason to come see us. SEE YOU LATER, DEAR! God bless!!! Love, MINDFULL

*FACING TIME - bringing the products forward to make the shelves look good and easy reach for the customers. We spend generally 3-4 hours a day facing depending on how many we are on specific days.

Guess what! I've got a "new" laptop now...yeah, he's a few years younger than HP (my Hester Panulat) but...he has his good points too. My new toy is E's old Compaq,which I named "Q" a few years back. A "hand-me-down" but a good one...even if I have 'things' to say about this one...(shhh...I'm using Q right now...lol)

E's got a new baby Q of his own...one I'd call a hybrid, HP Compaq. So does this mean...on with the new and "out" with the old???? I don't think so....For 2 days, I have been installing...downloading...trying to transfer files, programs like the moon and the stars above...Ay sus! But nothing seemed to work right in one computer. EACH ONE HAS IT'S OWN PROBLEM.

Kaloka! In life, you can't have everything and nothing is perfect, right? One has to make the most of what the Lord has blessed us with. I don't know, I just felt like editing and uninstalling the programs here....So for now, I'm holding on to Hester. I would still use her for my scrapbooking, photo-editing, music and artsy stuffs. And as for Q, he's in for the tougher job. (No wonder my migraine is worse...hahaha.) Kidding. I'm still hopeful that I'd find peace in both laptops...like world peace.  So help me, God! (Amen.)

Hester and I have come a lonnggg way. A bestfriend. When I needed someone to keep me abreast with life's going-ons...she's always there! I only had to go to her. Hester and I have been together for more or less 5 years. She knows my inner thoughts and my memories. I can't help but feel really sad, that somehow time has come for her to go....so soon?

By the way, Hester Panulat is my 5 yr old HP500 laptop. Paano na kaya ang buhay... she's gone ALL WHITE! She has all, if not most of my photos ( me back-up naman ako), several softwares/programs, vids and documents. She's quite ancient but i love her. Sure, it takes her at least 15 mins for her internet to open, but patience is a virtue. Who knows one day it becomes one of mine. Only this morning, I've tried to log on 6-7 times...ayaw talaga nya! Kaya heto....I'm using E's...(hindi kami magkasundo masyado nito e..)

Well, E  (hubby) will have to do something about this matter (find what's wrong with her...sabi nya she's probably had it.). I hope and pray she still has enough life in her. Yesterday, she was feeling out...as in kumukurap-kurap na, but I still got her going.

Teka...E!!! BAKA PICTURE TUBE LANG!!! (lol...biro lang....)

E has been doing a song and dance...persuading me to watch JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR for a week. So in the event of our 15th year anniversary, as a couple, I relented to his singing, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR...(in a high pitch voice, too!)

The musical started promptly at 7:30 in the evening (Saturday, 21 August) as we thought it would be best to dress for the ocassion. In my black N white dress and coat, E in his handsome knitted ensemble we sat on the end of  the fourth row from the stage. (right in front of the speaker...)

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is a well-known musical production with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.  It was initially produced as a musical album and then found its way as a stage production to Broadway and to London's West End followed by numerous wouldwide performances. This musical event brings the depth of local talents to the city's "big stage". (from Maurice Rowe, Chairman of Regent Theatre Board of Trustees)

In my younger years, I used to hear songs from JCS during Holy Week, featured in several noontime tv shows. But last night, we were in awe as we heard 27 songs complete with a live orchestra. The music and lighting were brilliant! I even felt E tapping along! (and I was humming familiar tunes, too! hehehe) I especially loved the costumes and the sets they used.

I asked E which character he would see fit for himself, because as some would know (our churchmates), he has acting in his blood...lol. (maarte!) He saw himself as HEROD. Herod was portrayed by Damian Thorne, taking his character like the lead singer from the rock band, KISS (minus the make-up) with furry top and skin-tight pants. We can't help but applaud him for his short but memorable rendition of KING HEROD'S SONG.

Jesus performed by Peter Flynn starred as Judas in the 1996 Jesus Christ Superstar Production. He along with Judas, Andrew Jamieson,  had the challenging roles as the lead actors they sang most of the high pitched vocals. I must say, the overall performance left a good impression on us that we still find ourselves singing...JESUS CHRIST...SUPERSTAR...

I give JESUS CHRIST THE MUSICAL 4.5 stars with 5 being the highest.  A great night...A different cultural experience...our first, definitely not our last. I wonder when GREASE will be in town....

     Three or four years ago in Singapore, I thought of using this name NINANG NI SAM for a photo blog. Yes, it still exists but I seldom add new pics now. Maybe it's rather difficult to manage 2-3 blogs with our current internet connection...o, kay bagal! (so slow!!!) or is it just my 5 yo computer. MAYBE I need an UPGRADE...(E!!!! maybe we can...kidding!) ANYWAY...

     WHO IS SAM? He is my 5 year old godchild and favorite nephew. And I'm his "ninang" (godmother) or ANG, as he and his mom lovingly calls me. (and he calls his tito, ONG, short for "ninong" or godfather). I have decided to make a handle of NINANG NI SAM for this blog...becoz it was either that, or NANAY NI BRUCE. (Bruce, as some may know, is our doberman who passed on some years ago).
 
     This blog may be all about our travels...family...love...work and the Lord. A few rants..or raves...bloopers and great experiences/adventure. Mainly about how we as a couple, face life here in our new environment we call, home.
 

I JUST realised it's my FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY @ work today! (4 August 2010)
What a way to celebrate, on my DAY OFF!!! (ohh, so happy!)

Last Friday, 30 July, we had a farewell gathering for our co-workers who have resigned and it was also a "farewell" (or "see you later") for the rest of us who were staying on. Our pool of 22 male and female workers were split into 2 groups. Five of us were chosen to do the day shifts (period from 8am to 9pm) and the rest would be doing the part-time and "graveyard shifts" (8pm to 12pm and 8pm to 6am). It turned out to be a melancholy parting...I'm just sorry I missed out... because my tummy didn't agree with me that night. I was sent home after 5 hours of work. :-( (they had cakes and coffee, too)

ADIEU OUR FRIENDS!!! TILL WE MEET AGAIN. GO SHOPPING, PLEASE!!! (we work in a supermarket...lol!) We MISS you guys already!

I'm blessed I have my very good friend, *NIEVA*, (not her real name) doing the same shift. Having a friend beside you makes work interesting, light and FUN...we get to be partners when times get tough like "looking for the needle in the haystack"??? (or hard to find products).

When asked (by our manager and supervisors) how we found the new job...I must say it is really challenging for us...CONFUSING, and CHAOS BREWING on every palette...lolz. (We started the new shift last Sunday, 1 August) But our supervisors assured us it will get easier IN TIME. On that note, we're keeping our fingers crossed and praying hard. ;-)

March 2009, nang isinulat ko ang post na ito (sa kabila: friendster blog: KAKAISIP)....ating balikan...

Halos dalawang Linggo na rin ngayon na nakapasok ako sa isang supermarket (Wellington) dito sa NZ. At hulaan ninyo kung ano ang akala nila sa akin……isa akong chengwa.

Wala naman akong pintas sa mga Intsik in general. Sa loob-loob ko pag-ako napagkamalan pa ng isang beses…malapit na ako maniwala. Noong una, customers ang gusto kumausap sa akin ng sarili nilang lengguwahe.

Ngayon nalang araw na ito, tatlo sa ating mga kababayan (Pinoy) na kasama sa trabaho ang nag-akalang miyembro ako ng “yellow race” hahha. Sagot ko nalang, “HINDI AH, MATAGAL NA RIN AKONG PILIPINO…MGA 45 YRS. NA.” biro lang.

Tama naman ang sabi ng kasama kong tunay na Instik, na karamihan naman sa mga Asiano ay magkakamukha…features tulad ng singkit at fair comp. At ganun din ang tingin natin sa mga Caucasians na parang magkakatulad din sila. Pano mo ma-differentiate ang British from Americans (na di kailangan magsalita ha) o kaya mga taga-Ireland kumpara sa Canadians…me point sya di ba?

Mabuti na nga lang nung gusto akong kausapin ng Intsik andoon ang 2 kong kasamahan na sumalo sa akin. Eh baka ang maisagot ko lang sa kanila eh..SIRIT!

UPDATE: Magpahanggang sa ngayon, halos isang taon na ako na nakalipat sa pangalawa kong trabaho, supermarket pa rin...akala nila: CHENGWA daw ako, nung isang araw THAI...aba nung isang linggo naman ay KOREAN...o di ba? Mahilo kaya sila...? Pero pag-narinig nila ako mag-ingles dun nila nalalaman na Pinoy! Hehehe. Bakit? Tunog Americano with a touch of Pinoy English-slang (SLENG??). LOL!

Naisipan ko na namang magbalik dito...sumulat muli ng blog. Di naman sa walang panahon, o walang maisusulat. Siguro lang ay "wala sa mood". Pero nitong linggong ito, naisip ko why not? Hehehe...

Matagal-tagal na rin ang lumipas na panahon nang huli akong sumulat dito. Sa "kabila" (friendster) may ilang entry ako from 2009 pero pa sulpot-sulpot lang. Ngayon ewan ko lang...

Tulad nyan...papasok na naman ako. Kailangan na naman magmadali...magluluto pa ako at maghahanda.
O well...ganyan talaga ang buhay! Kailangan me panahon para sa lahat...panahon ng pagluluto...paghahanda...pagkain at pag-alis...sige baka ma-late pa ako.

NINANG NI SAM...yan ang ipinalit ko sa dati kong blog na MINDFULL REFLECTIONS. Bakit? Parang mas may dating di ba? Ano sa palagay  nyo?  (sige, go na ako...) see yah lata!

Two months ago, we have decided to file our Permanent Residency here in SG. I did the research, E (my hubby) made queries at work. But somehow delays...a few things that needed our attention came first. Work and/or a much needed holiday? hehehe...More delays....
Funny how things really work out (or don't), arriving from our short vacation, E received an email from NZ stating that we are considered for a Work to Residence status. Finally! After waiting for more than two years. Great news! We were delirious...so happy!

Then came the 7:00 pm news.....

"10,000 March for Violence Against Asians in NZ". E sits with his computer, instantly viewing the latest on NZ. Will this news keep us from moving? Will it make us so afraid that our plans are more likely to change? Our first plan of action (SANA) was to sette in Auckland and try finding jobs there. See how the lifestyle would suit us.

I guess, every where there can be racism, xenophobia (that is, phobia of foreigners) even violence. And it is the Lord who holds us, his children safely in His hands. Wherever we are, in Manila...SG...at work or at home...anything can happen. Moreso, the Lord will give us the wisdom to keep ourselves safe and practise the fruits of the Spirit in dealing with others. Love, peace, joy, long-suffering/patience etc.

Don't you check yourself at times when you come across a person then pass a comment like "nakakainis itong mga ....(the race) na ito...masusungit." or "ang itim nila"... o "feeling-superior ito a.." Isn't it a form of discrimination? That is, generalising only in reference to one or two not-so-good experience? O baka naman comment lang...I'm not sure. Well...this is only my observation...(you are free to give your views on this..) That's me, being human...hehehe.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A WILLING HEART. Sinabi ko na nga ba, there is a reason why this phrase strikes a heartstring as we turn to the July page of our table calendar (next to our computer). We are willing. Soon we will be packing our bags...but for now, we are praying that our last few months here will still be fruitful as they have been with our friends and the churchmates. Getting ready for the next adventure. At heto pa rin ako, wishing for more time with our family and friends back home. Possible? Well...Nothing is impossible with God.

Glory to God. ;-)

Last year, we had a series of tests done for some application. Unfortunately, I had to do a repeat test for the Liver Function. Liver function tests (LFTs or LFs), which include "liver enzymes", are groups of clinical biochemistry laboratory blood assays designed to give information about the state of a patient's liver. Then on the day of pick up (for the result) I also had a "review" appointment with a doctor and he tried to explain to us the relevance of my elevated GGT, SGPT and Alk Phosphatase.

Naku, ano bang malay ko sa mga abbreviations na yan. Masyadong SCIENTIFIC! Buti na lang at may internet dahil kahit papano ay nagkaron ako ng idea at natutunan tungkol sa mga standard liver panel na ito. Itong GGT,SGPT at Alk Phosphatase ay ilan sa mga items ng LFT. O kay LuFeT!!!!

A friend of mine, who is going through some liver problems of her own encouraged me, "Madali lang yan! Ingat ka lang sa kinakain mo". Kumain daw ako ng veggies and fish. Control sa pagkain sa madaling sabi. It's easier said than done. Lalo na sa mga adik sa chicken (na tulad ko), o kaya mga porkchop and liempo lover.

Kahapon dumaan ako sa supermarket after paying off some bills. Dampot ako ng fruits, a pack of crabsticks, 2 kinds of leafy-green vegetables, snob ko ang chicken at kinawayan ko na lang ang mga pork...(hello, ms. piggy!) diretso sa seafood area. Timbang ng lapu-lapu at 12 pirasong hipon. Aba...mahal din.

Panay-panay din ang offline ko sa bro-in-law kong doctor,asking about this stuffs GGT, SGPT at Alk. phosphatase achuchuchu. He's given us a backgrounder that once I have my gallbladder taken out, my liver enzymes will normalise. Kasabay nito ang aming dalangin for the right schedule, the best doctor to operate, and the Lord's provision for the financial side of the surgery/ hospitalisation. He (the bro.) has also advised me to do a little walking (as per advise ng obgyne) ewan ko lang kung me restrictions sa MALL...hahaha. I know the important thing is to keep on moving.

Grabe na ito…wow, 5 hours of non-stop banging, oldies songs and those I can’t understand. You see, may lamay (wake) sa ibaba namin, sa ground floor. Kahapon it was all quiet although you can smell the food. Pero today, dhay! Maloka ang tenga ko….I think it’s the last day of the funeral service. Palagay ko may kaya itong “uncle” na ito (man siya) dahil magarbo ang presentation ng banners, I believe it’s the announcement of the deceased affliations.

From one side of our building to the other side meron siyang mga parang pinagdikit-dikit na tela na may sulat na intsik at meron pang mga naka-mount sa mga metal na bars, parang mga painting ng mga taong nag-mamartial arts or may mga gawain I’m not sure kung ano, puro may glitters ito at nababalutan pa ng plastic cover dahil umuulan. Maganda naman sila, mga 5-6 ito. Bukod pa sa mga quilt na may naka-pin na salita na nakasabit malapit sa mga naiwan. I think I’d ask our church mates ano ang relevance nito.

Ayan nagkakantahan pa rin…o, well, it has to end some time….

has it been a month since my cystectomy operation? time flies...but i guess for us who have undergone an operation, we wish days would go reallllyyyy fast! (...woosshhh!)

the other day though i had some light spotting. not sure if it's my menses becoz it's due next week. i read somewhere that sometimes spotting is normal and that the operation somehow causes our system go haywire. so for now, hubby and i are observing. 3rd day spotting, very light. also got stomach pain, don't know if this is from gas again or probably just hunger.

just praying the Lord will help me through all this. so far, minimal pain (sharp pains sometimes) and healing well. Praise God.

COFFEE PLS...

FIRST thing that comes to mind soon as i wake up is COFFEE. i've been a "coffee-drinker" ever since i can remember. minsan nga naging bansag sa akin ay "miguel"...we had this neighbor before, si miguel. he has downe-syndrome but a very gentle and friendly person. i guess he's in his 30s then...who can tell? pagpumasok yan o kumatok sa bahay ninyo ang unang hinihingi niya ay kape. tapos saka siya nakikipagkwentuhan.

"may kape ba kayo?" o "pahingi ng kape." aniya. BLACK. kadalasan binibigyan na lang namin siya, black talaga...kasi kahit kami sa bahay black din walang cream o gatas. my barkada knew him, kaya pagpumupunta ako sa bahay nila dahil wala naman kaming pambili ng coke o softdrinks, kape ang request ko...thus the name, "oy, miguel...!" (yessss?)

sa ngayon at 44, ang iniinom ko na ay milo kundi ovaltine. yes, may caffaine pa rin daw, not that strong. dahil sa aking kidneys pinagbawal ng doctor. don't worry, they're both fine now, the stones passed. but i'm still off a lot of my comfort foods like peanuts and taho. strawberries...and a whole lot more.

THE REAL THING....

another one i miss is coke...the COLA. natatandaan ko noon pag kumakain sa school, (teacher na, lakas na ng loob umutang sa kantin) yan ang padulas ng pambara (lunch). there was a rumour going around the water was not safe, something that has to do with a cat....(nyeee!) kaya imbes na uminom ng tubig, softdrinks o mineral water ang order namin.

dahil hindi mo namamalayan na pati ang sistema ng katawan ay apektado, kundi pa bumigay ito...saka mo marealize, tama nga sila kailangan nga ng 8 glasses or more of water sa araw-araw. advantages: (1)ganda ng sistema ng katawan, since most of our body is made up of water...replenish! (2)good skin (di tuyot) (3) kidney feels good. sa tutoo lang!


BOOKS..books..books!

after a year here in sg, i realised i spent half of my allowance on books. i frequent fareast plaza, an interesting mall. mura ang tinda nila. they have shoes, bags, belts, clothes and second hand books! but there is a cheaper option. be a member of the national library, one can borrow 4 books/magazines for a fee. this is for a period of 3 weeks per item. ayaw ka pa niyan..laki ng menos sa budget. eh ang isang bagong paperback dito $16+ (SGD) converted, mga P496 din yun...

anyway, madalas ako sa community lib malapit sa lugar namin mula ng nagmember ako (walking distance lang) pwede ka tumambay at magbasa on arts and crafts... photography...news...at kung ano pa ang interest mo. and free aircon din.


SCRAPBOOKING

i can remember mahilig ako mag-gugupit ng maliliit na picture tapos ididikit ko sa notebook o sa album. minsan may photo album ako na binili on sale kasi, P10 ang isang bundle ng refill....ang gagawin ko lalagyan ko ng makapal na cardboard bilang cover at mapaganda ito ng hallmark na pambalot. plastikan...at meron na kaming photo album.

next step, halukayin ang mga naghambalang na mga litrato. idikit sa madikit na refill...at lagyan ng palamuti na pinaggugupit mula sa mga stationaries na luma o yung bang mga pinag-malian. imbes na itapon kadalasan hilig kong itabi. o cute di ba? dagdagan ng mga old bookmarks o mga remembrance na galing sa camp from your camp barkada. kundi naman mga movie tickets, ribbons/string o kahit ano pa man na may relasyon sa pictures na naka-feature dun.

scrapbooking na yun. pero ngayon natuklasan ko ang mga SCRAPBOOK PAPER. heto na ang bumili ako tuwing maliligaw ako sa mall na may tindahan ng scrapbook materials...ang nakakatawa sa akin ay nanghihinayang ako gamitin ang mga ito. bibili ako tapos nakatago sila sa mga folders/plastic according sa kulay at gumawa. meron na din naman akong mga natodas na binili ko for specific projects like my doggy album, birthday and anniversary albums. sa itinagal ko dito hindi ko namalayan ang dami na pala ng abubot ko. may ilang bags na ang laman ay pintura, mga bulaklak, threads, buttons, beads, tela, pens, brushes, etc. mahirap na i-itemize..

sa ngayon, tumigil muna ako bumili ng mga papel at burloloy. hay salamat. pagnaliligaw ako sa mga craft store, pumipikit nalang ako...hehehe.


ARTS AND CRAFTS

Latest project: felt snowman and "caught"... (this is rudolf CAUGHT in a frenzy of christmas lights. lolz)

isa pa sa hilig ko ay ang pananahi. pangarap ko kasi ang maging mananahi. yung designer ba...hehehe. naalala ba ninyo pag panahon ng exhibit sa school sa H.E. o arts class? nagkakandakumahog tayong nagpapagawa sa nanay ng ating mga art projects?nung elementary, ako ang isa sa laging nauna mag-submit at nae-exhibit...hindi siguro dahil sa maganda ang gawa ko, kundi halatang gawa ko talaga...maaring hindi tuwid ang tahi, wala sa ayos ang kulay, o baka nakita lang ng titser ko na magiliw kong ini-submit ang aking gawa.

mahilig kasi ako sa pagkulay (crayola o watercolor), pag-crochet, pagburda, pag-beading. naalala ko nga ang project namin na ginawan ng frame ng tatay ko. isang beaded na fairy (grade 4 ata ako) dalawang beses nabasag ang salamin dahil napapabayaan ko. pero natutuwa naman ako sa tatay ko dahil supportive siya sa mga hilig ko. pagmay natapos akong painting, o tulad ng aking "fairy", i-fre-frame niya. buti nalang marami ata syang frames.

sa nanay pala ako nagmana manahi. noong buhay pa siya ay lagi kaming may ternong damit ni G, ang aming bunsong kapatid na babae. naalala ko siya, tuwing may pagkakataon isinasama niya ako sa palengke. bumibili siya ng tela, ayaw na ayaw ko sana sumama pero dahil ako ang madalas buntot ng nanay, sama ako kahit na masakit sa mata ang kemikal ng mga tela sa palengke. parang ako ang hilig ko tahiin ay mga blouse, pajama, shorts, bags at kurtina. kaya ng nawala na si nanay, ako na ang nananahi ng kurtina, kobre kama at kung anu-ano pang pwede para mapaganda ang bahay. ayun, medyo hindi pa rin tuwid ang tahi at mapusyaw ang kulay...hehehe


INTERNET

nahalata ko noon ang addiction na ito nang kaming mag-asawa ay inaabot ng madaling araw sa pagko-computer. naging member ako sa iba't-ibang site yahoo, hotmail, g-mail, icq, etc. iba hindi ko na matandaan...natuklasan ko na rin ang paglalaro ng mga games (scrabble, text-twist, bookworm etc.) gayundin ang mga trivia online. another form of addiction...

ang kagandahan pala ng may internet connection, any time pwede kang mag-check ng email, at sumulat din. mag-blog, sumali sa mga forums at mag-research. mas mainam kaysa maghulog ng sulat via airmail at mahihintay ka ng ilang araw bago makarating sa kaibigan mo at maka-respond sila uli. eh kung tamad pa sumulat tulad ng mga kilala ko...(ops.... nagpaparinig) baka mamuti lang ang mata natin sa paghihintay.

TODAY: i saw this old draft from my files. thought i'd post it here...thanks for looking

NOW I know how it is when they say, you would SEE YOUR LIFE FLASHING BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES. I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts, on right side the size of an orange (big) 8.8 cm and on the left was 6 cm. My doctor advised us to have them taken out because they have not changed in size after 8 mos. of observation.

I struggled. Hubby and I prayed, and sought others for prayers. I was afraid. A few months ago, a friend passed away unexpectedly from liver cancer. She was my peer in church and I was older by a year. What if it's time for me to check out too? Am I ready? What about E (hubby)? My family? Am I done here? So many questions...

Then as the time for my surgery approached, I received encouragements and prayers from friends by emails. The Lord has given us the financial provision here in Sg, otherwise we had to return to Manila for the operation and without the medical benefits. Can’t just imagine the bills and we have to stay longer. E reminded me, when we had his gallbladder taken out his recovery period was 1.5-2 months.

Finally I had the surgery last NOV 7, 07 at 7am. That morning I didn't have much sleep. But I was ready. The Lord was in control. He will see me through. That time I was lying on the gurney on my way to the operating room, in my head, I was singing gospel songs...praying...(commenting: ANG TAGAL NAMAN! ) then more...gospel songs...verses: even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for YOU ARE WITH ME….

When I came to, I was at the recovery room for the longest time. Next thing I knew, I was in the room with E. Later that evening my doctor came, showed us 2 pictures of the cysts. She told us they were able to take out all the cysts and that they are BENIGN, meaning not cancerous. PRAISE THE LORD! Then she gave us more advises for faster recovery and will come again to check up on me the next day.

I was more than rejoicing when it was time to go home! I was beside myself….(so happy!) makakatulog na rin ako ng maayos...or so I thought...at least now my sleeping time has increased to 4 hrs. (hehehe)

We thank the Lord for everything. For His care, guidance, love and healing power. He has also shown comfort through our family and friends who were praying and encouraging us. We are blessed. Not yet time to “check out”, therefore God has other “things”, HIS purpose lined up for me, as an individual…and for E and I, as a couple.

LOVING LIFE? Guess not, Living Life with a purpose. GOD’S.
A tall order? For somebody who came close to death's door , at one point or another you will ask yourself: what is my purpose in life?

these were questions my churchmates and friends asked me yesterday. i have to praise the Lord for His goodness. i am fine and not experiencing any pain at all. aside from the feeling of being bloated I'M DOING GREAT! sometimes i just feel nauseous because of all the air, parang busog ako all the time and i want to burp all the "wind" inside. hehehe.

seriously, i'm taking things slow. but still doing all my routine chores and my crafts. i love staying at home. this is something my girlfriends here, ask me "how to you do it?" i guess the husbands want to know as well how i cope with my being home all the time.

first, you've got to love your home. hehehe. our home is a small cozy hdb. not all grand and stuff but, we love it. simple and neat (that is, if i get around cleaning the place which is at least 2x a week...hehehe). our landlandy is so cool as well. anyway, we love fixing the place up. and the location is very ideal and accessible to our church, hubby's work and of course, the cbd.

second, got my interests to keep me going. i love to read. our place is three blocks away from the community library. usually once or twice a week i spend my afternoons browsing, reading, sketching, returning and borrowing more books from the lib.

i also enjoy emailing friends and blogging. thanks to technology we can keep in touch with our families and friends (daily). i send emails as much as i can, kahit hindi sila sumasagot. hats off to my relatives/friends for their prompt and fast reply. sarap din mag-blog even if i only have a few things to say.

arts and crafts: i'm in to scrapbooking, drawing and painting, want to go into carpentry...takot lang sa lagari (saw) kaya i can handle mga minor pukpok, screwing (the nails etc), can do a mean dressed up table or chair. sewing now has reduced to LILIP tamad kasi, no more dressmaking or cross stitch. masakit na rin sa mata. but if i need to make a purse or curtain...shorts or blouse pwede pa rin.

now i'm into jewelry making. last time i was home, yan ang naging pasalubong namin sa girls ko. sabi nga ni E, yun ang isang kilo mahigit na nagpabigat sa maleta namin. hehehe. they are more of semi-precious stones, plastic, and metal bracelets/connectors/hooks/blings. at di lang 10-15 pieces but MORE. i guess, i went overboard...yan kasi ang naging libangan ko since march 07 ata. maganda eh, i mean it is a relaxing hobby in a theraputic kind of way...hehehe.

sabi ko nga sa kanila..(my friends) i can think of a lot of things to do at home...kaya i can stay at home and still enjoy my time. hehehe. manuod ng korean drama, ibahin ang ayos ng bahay na pag-uwi ni E nagkapalit na ang ayos ng sala sa dining...ganun bang klase. or mag-telebabad. you know those sort of things.

you have to be creative. now that christmas is coming up you can start your decorations early. hehehe. tulad ng nakwento ko before, my sister and i visualize our christmas setting as early as the months of BER (september). tapos we decorate our house in mkna by november 1. sayang naman ang decors kung dec. lang ilalagay di ba?

o siya, got to run along...may therapy session pa ako sa labahan ko. hehehe... ayun pa pala you can try running, exercising and pilates/aero. coming from a person who haven't exercised in 2 weeks or so...at least i plan to...kailangan lang simulan...PS. umuulan pala, so postpone ang labada (baka hindi maganda ang tuyo). probably just clean up and do more jewelries. i saw this bracelet from the library the other day....lol!

LIFE is so complex as man is. recently, hubby and i had time for a holiday back home (manila). hectic but still had a great time with our families. we had a routine check-up and ultrasound. for this year got a 2nd one, becoz i experienced a sharp pain in my lower abdomen which lasted for a day. my doctor here, advised me to observe. she gave me some pain killers and a referral in case it was appendicitis.the 2nd scan says I have 3 gallstones, 2 kidneystones and cysts in the ovaries.

so we decided to have myself checked out. face my fears. last week, i had 3 consultations: gen. physician who gave us the referrals to a general surgeon (gallstones/kidneystones) and an obgyn.today, our main concern is the ovarian cysts. we are praying that the cysts are benign and they won't have to take out an ovary. they have grown considerably, the left one as big as a baby's head. so the specialist advised it to be taken out soon.

at present, i have so much on my mind. i can't think straight. i am so afraid. but i keep thinking how the Lord has proven Himself in our lives. how good and gracious He is. He is in control of everything and that He will give us the strength to go through difficulties and uncertainties in life. i thank God for the friends who surround us with His love and comfort. We can rest assured that no matter how things turn out, we can always rely on the Lord for He is in control.