C and I have been friends since high school. She's one friend I know who will always be there for me no matter what... For a time we've lost our connection. Somehow, I blame myself, because I assumed she's only a phone call away. I knew her contact no. and address. But how time flies and a lot can happen in a month, 6 mos. or a year...

After 2 yrs. I didn't realize we haven't really seen each other, perhaps we're both busy with work, or our schedules seemed impossible for us to set time to meet. She just started a new job, and in a relationship. In the same way, I'm so wrapped up with school work and busy taking care of hubby after office hours. I guess, by this time...we drifted apart.

Last March I came home, I had to see her. I missed our "chika-time". I tried calling the last 2 cell phone nos. I have of her. Zero....then I tried their 2 home nos., wrong number, both of them! I felt sad... I wondered how is it possible for us to drift apart and forget our friendship. Is the advancement of technology to blame? You know how easy it is to buy several sims and change cell nos. in the Phils. I changed mine, because I had to shift to a prepaid one (which is valid only up to 6 mos) and gave up my line since I was leaving the country soon. I thought of going to her house, but I was afraid to go by myself, with all the rumors of bombings... it was a good thing i didn't pursue the idea of looking for their house since they moved to a new home and surprisingly, near our house in marikina.

I tried several means, like chatrooms, search for old schoolmates or the alumni org. of our h.s. .... no sign of her. Later I searched for her at a new, and USO na website (friendster), even wrote some with the same last name... still no reply. I just hoped to trace her back when I go back home at the end of the year.

BUT GUESS WHAT! I searched once more at friendster, typed C's name...zero result. And another name (her sis) thinking she might be a member...YES! right nick, right profile...i found her sister!!! Of course, I inquired if she was so-and-so's sis...who studied in...etc. Then the following morning, I got an email....from my bestfriend and her sister! I was so happy!!!

Now we are emailing each other almost every day. And I hope that we can spend some time this Christmas together and now... i keep a neat record of her new contact nos.... ;)

sa wakas....makakahinga na rin kami.

during the past month or so, a trip to another country...with the option of living there...or not? all these in God's hands. the uncertainties of life...who can tell
what's in store for us tomorrow...the next day...or the next year?

but we (hubby and i) appreciate that God is in control of all things. knowing Him has given us the security that whatever He has lined up for E, who is in the verge of resigning and wanting to move to another job/country has better plans for us.

we were still abroad when his company asked him to renew his "working pass"? our lease on the place we were staying also hanging, because at a moment's notice we thought, we can go and move. we wondered why God has allowed us to view this "country of milk and honey" which we toured for 3 weeks. E, given an interview for a possible job offer. but in the end the final interview didn't push through.

i am blessed by how God has allowed things to happen (or not), making me realize He is indeed in control. like just recently we had to look for a new place as our lease was up, and they increased our rent by $100...wow! that i believe is way too much! anyway, we wanted a place of our own and we decided on a small apartment 2 bedroom with a hall for dining, living room and a lil kitchen. also has a neat toilet and bath...

1 september, we were scheduled to move. but somehow, even a deposit we made was not a guarrantee...2 days prior, we were advised that the apartment was no longer suitable for housing us since there were leaks and repairs had to be done. so what can we do? after purchasing an aircon...scheduling the movers...cutting the phone lines...and settling with the present lease? PROBLEMSSSS....(later we were tipped by former tenants that the company favored another couple over us...how can that happen? to an approved apartment...)

that afternoon i bought a newspaper from a nearby 7-11 store, seeing one area i liked because it was near the city (E's place of work), near our church and home cell...i encircled one ad. as soon as E arrived home, i asked about the details of the cancellation of our tenancy... had a few mins ranting. marvelling about how we could sue the company or ask for damages etc. then i asked E to call the ad from the newspaper, to our surprise, they said we can view the place that same night! and we did, we loved the place and the apartment was very well kept. even the landlady was so nice. so we struck a deal with them! same night we had the news of our cancellation, the Lord gave us another apartment...His best!

this is another new skin...
yep, decided to try out a new template for the time being.

for some time i have not been writing in this blog (just occasionally) because of so many things happening, one was our move from our old apartment: which was "enblocked", meaning, the buildings (5 of them) are either being remodelled or being renovated. our block situated at the very end and facing the main road was first to be renovated, we had to move fast.

we realized that "being enblocked" here is not really new. most old buildings are sold and once the new buildings are done, the owners rent out these apartments at higher prices. E (hubby) and i see the non-stop building of new hdbs (high rise apartments) and condos/flats in this part of asia. we are in awe of how the government can come up with the non-stop rise of infrastructures, coming from a country that a simple road repair takes months to finish.

we have made our move from our old flat to a new one further from the commercial centre.
we've been busy setting things up. buying new stuffs essential for our daily routine. tidying up the place is difficult due to limited space and my many "ahbubot" (scrap stuffs, crafts, etc.).
but the cabinets will have to do. more flat stories next time... ; )

i'd like to share a poem and some
funny stories from another site. in the past, i get lonely bouts ---
you see, i lost my baby a few years ago. but today i'm determined
to celebrate this special day with all women.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Mother's Day Poem and Funny Stories

Three old ladies were sitting around a table. The first says, "I'm getting so forgetful­ I was standing at the top of the stairs and I couldn't remember whether I was going down or had just come up."

The second lady says, "You think that's bad? The other day I was sitting on my bed and I couldn't remember whether I was going to sleep or getting up."

The third lady smiles smugly. "Well, I have no memory problems at all, knock wood."

She raps the table. "Who's there?"

---------

There was an elderly lady whom was in the waiting room with her daughter.The nurse entered the waiting area and announced for the elderly lady to go on back to see the doctor. The nurse spoke louder but still she could not hear.

The elderly lady's daughter leaned over and said, "mother let's turn your hearing aid up." Then she yelled in shock,"That's not your hearing aid, its a suppository!

The elderly mother replied,"Well, now I know where my hearing aid went!

------------

A man rushes into his house yells to his wife, "Martha, pack your things. I just won a million bucks!"
Martha excitedly replies. "Shall I pack for warm weather or cold weather?"
The man responds, "I don't care. Just so long as you're out of the house by noon!"

------------

These are real absence excuses sent to school from the parents of kids at the Wells Branch School District.

Dear school please accuse John from being absent on January 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33.

Please excuse Dianne from being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps.

I had to keep Billie home because she had to go Christmas shopping because I didn't know what size she ware.

Please excuse Johnny for being. It was his father's fault.

Mary could not come to school because she was bothered by very close veins.

Chris will not be in school cuz he has an acre in his side.

John has been absent because he had two teeth taken off his face.

Excuse Gloria. She has been under the doctor.

Lillie was absent from school yesterday because she had a going over.

My son is under the doctor's care and should not take fizaca ed. Please execute him.

Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part.

My daughter was absent yesterday because she was tired. She spent this weekend with the Marines.

Please excuse Joyce from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday she fell off a tree and misplaced her hip.

Please excuse Ray friday from school. He has very loose vowels.

Maryann was absent December 11-16 because she had a fever, sore throat, headache, and upset stomack. Her sister was also sick, fever and sore throat, her brother had a low grade fever and ached all over. I wasn't the best either, sore throat and fever. There must be the flu going around, her father even got hot last night.

Please excuse Blanche from jim today. She is adminstrating.

Please excuse Pedero from being absent yseterday. He had diah/ dyah/ the sh*ts.

George was absent yesterday because he had a stomach.

Ralph was absent yesterday because he had a sore trout.

Please excuse Wayne for being out yeaterday, because he had the fuel.

Please excuse Sarah for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot.

---------

Mom, I loved you yesterday, I love you tomorrow and everyday.
You were there for me my first day of school, to hold my hand and give me courage to go.
You listened to me when I needed to talk, you talked to me when I needed to listen.
You let me grow and learn from my own mistakes.
You never left my side when I was feeling down, I knew you would be there to pick me up.
I wish there was a way I could repay all the things you have done for me, but there's nothing great enough to repay the greatest mother of all.

It's Chinese New Year over here! All red stuffs floating about this side of the world... money trees every where... For some it's back to work today-like the malls. Which is a good thing because what is a holiday here in Singapore with all the shops closed? Tourists should really see the shops here...so grand and beautiful! Been here a year and I'd say I caught only a glimpse of some...

One of my favorites now (aside from my fave craft store: SPOTLIGHT) is the FAR EAST PLAZA. I guess this is one place you can get your money's worth, you just have to really search for the stuffs you need like shoes, bags, watches ...for me it's BOOKS! They have 4 secondhand bookshops where you can rent or buy books for less (about $4-6 off the regular price). But for hard to find books one ought to try BORDERS, where you can come, take a seat somewhere and browse through.

Another shop that surprised me the first time I got here was Takashimaya. They have one level devoted for art and crafts. Sometimes I just love hanging around and just letting the juice flow... This is where I get most of my projects from. My prayer is that when it's time to move on to another place or go back home, we can still find similar stores/shops for my projects.

I remember one Chinese New Year at home. Actually, we didn't know it was ... my friends and I just wanted to go to Binondo(our Chinatown) to buy some Chinese medicine for my friend's mom. And after learning we were going, one or two had us buying other stuffs for them too like tikoy or sticky rice cake in a variety of flavors. Next thing we knew we had to go against the crowd, not where the dragon and his band are going. It has been a tradition for them to welcome the New Year with the dragon dance, they go to different establishments like shops and hotels. And the owners for good luck give ampao or the small red envelope filled with new bills.

ok...so i gave in to the Christmas rush! fun day!!
i set out to have a look at the jap shop, Daiso (always $2), indeed! all for items for $2! maybe except for a 135 film which was for $4. nonetheless, i was browsing through before i knew it, i was there for almost 2 1/2 hours just looking around.

one item that caught my attention was this test tube mounted on a wooden block. different...maybe a few of our friends will find them cute, a display in their room? also got a bunch of incense and potpourri here and there....what i really enjoyed were the wooden things: like miniature chairs, utensils, holders and baskets. had to stop myself from buying a lot of stuffs, saying to myself...next time....next time! (maybe a few days after christmas? lol!)

my sched for today: buy christmas wrappers....probably some more gifts for the home cell members. what would you give a family? probably cookies? choco? today i'll target the mall, for some groceries. aha! marks and spencers? we'll see... the queues were not so bad...the secret was you pay for your stuffs and you bag 'em!

i'm having some problems downloading pics these days but anyway...it's a few more days before Christmas. shops and malls are sure to be full of people. been busy the past week thinking of ways to do gifts and cards for friends - maybe to save some $ but somehow... i'm on the late mode and zero thoughts as to what gifts to make...(gave it all i guess, making the anniv album...lol!)

it amazes me sometimes how the Lord gives ideas and how to do them. in my mind the procedures seemed so real and grafic...easy-to-do stuffs. now all i could think about is going on a "research-tour". this is what i do when lacking in ideas...
1. frequent bookstores in my area and research...browse through project/activity books.
2. visit my craft stores or websites for projects
3. pray real hard for ideas before starting out....
4. relax. don't be frustrated....if things don't work out. maybe tomorrow...

i'm not usually the planner who schedules all her projects way ahead of time. i'm more of the "cramming-type" like, i do my best work when pressured...sounds like an excuse, but true...

of course, i've got to have all my materials on hand like buying them in advance. i have the habit of buying stuffs i like and may need. if they're a bit expensive, would probably come back after saving enough for it. for example, have this round puncher for $13 and a flower puncher for $6.50 - i'll be weighing them down today...to buy or not to buy! maybe an early christmas gift for myself?

my real passion is PAPER! patterned paper. must have's.....there are no specific wants, i just pick them out randomly. although i truly love all colors... i'm more of the pink, blue, brown and black person. love playing around with what goes well with what.... my real problem is: USING THE PAPER.  since i started scrapbooking last year i have more or less a hundred (patterned papers) now, all neatly packed in pink plastic carrier bags from MADE WITH LOVE.

i'll probably venture out to DAISO today. a shop in the east where they sell everything for $2.
there would be a lot of people today...we'll see. but first, we'll see about some application....hmmm....

Pahabol Singit: i remember keeping 5-7 pieces of little notebooks for journals...ano kaya ang pwedeng gawin...isip...isip....

our big 1-0 wedding anniv (yesterday)! as the Lord would bless us with an early bonus, hubby E was given an early time off...so we met for lunch, i was doing our anniv gift the day before, i had to delay our date to finish off some details on our album (the secret gift)...as i was saying...we met at the mall, dressed in my new skirt and sleeveless blouse. E had sirloin and i enjoyed the salmon-mashed potato combo. we were first to get in the cinema, at 1 pm KING KONG the movie...i guess, with the new techno it can be a hit... but i'd still go for HARRY POTTER the goblet of fire any day...it was a 3 hours plus movie. walked through some shops and off we went to the pier for our dinner reservation around 5:30pm. funny thing though every time we went for a train at the mrt, we missed our train just by a few seconds (3 times?) so the 4th time going to harbourfront we made sure we got in as the train was stopping we made a run for it! just in time!

i saw some weird stuffs from the local people here...yes, they were really into music, IPOD style...to the extent of singing out loud and almost dancing..."shoulder-rocking"...really weird. anyway, we were just on time for our dinner reservation....the last to bolt! we were amongst the korean group, but we were happy to note that the staffs of the dinner cruise were Filipinos. we were given priority being the only couple there-the rest were in tour groups...first in the dinner line. great food: salad, bread, pasta, breaded chicken, thin slice beef in special sauce, satay with peanut sauce, kimchi, vegetable and mushroom, dessert....after dinner we enjoyed the sea air and sites....breath-taking. i was so sorry didn't have our camera with us....i simply forgot!

great day! got home early 9:30 pm and E dozed off. after my teleserye, i worked on the album
until 4 am...finally, wrote a msg on my clipboard for E HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY...READ THIS -----> arrowing the album! spent the day with E at home, bec. he had to work mid-shift on our day....which was ok, we celebrated earlier anyway. he worked. i attended a home cell christmas celebration....then another surprise gift from him! that.....is another story! = )

it's my anniv this week being
in a place for
over a year.
wow! great blessing
from the
Lord!

so a new year
i thought a change
of template
would
be a nice fit...

NICE title....at the moment I am on a standstill. My waiting time. Resigned from work and trying my wings possibly in another field. Something I'd always wanted to do...or not...? Most of my waking hours back "home" all I had was my duty as a wife and my job as a teacher. I have always wanted to be an artist, a dancer, a designer or even an entrepreneur... The list could go on...and on...but a teacher...hmmm. Maybe an ART TEACHER...can...

This is something I've taken for granted. A comfortable position in school. There I met great friends...Now, I miss the kids as much! My kids...those who made my hair grow silver and gray!!! and show all my "litid" sa leeg....

SO...THIS is how it feels...

it's november 2! the world celebrated halloween october 31-november 1...while i stayed at home, slept and read two books (SOUTH BEACH DIET and Sue Grafton's A....for ALIBI) .

hubby, E and I spent two weeks in manila to visit some friends, family.... to file some documents for school and take care of other pressing stuffs like fixing our "waterfalls" at the extension room and kitchen. we had them constructed once and for all...seeing mushrooms growing and red ants all over the "kisame"- it was really a blessing that the Lord has given us enough budget to get them done. He has also allowed no rain even it was the "wet season" for 3 days and on the last day when the carpenters/workers finally laid the quick-dry cement, it showered only a little....how powerful is He????

we had time to go around SM (not a commercial, mind you!) fairview for days ...remembering how we would shop and sometimes just browse ...some days we would watch a movie, a last full show... try some new resto, or meet up with family since everyone on E's side live in the area.

time in manila seemed so short...but we, through the Lord's blessing was able to make the most of everything. indeed, He provided opportunity to bless and be blessed... to see clearly, God is in control of every single detail in our lives. How he allowed and disallowed things to happen...
made us more excited to live in His purpose!

August 12, we set off to take the mrt to punggol, wait for the bus to a pier and finally our ferry ride to the ubin resort. akala ko pag sinabi mong "...cc", yun na yun! hindi pala iba pala ang club sa resort. sa country club there are facilities like gym, resto, boating, function halls etc. but in the resort there are team building areas, dining, session halls, bike and trekking areas ...of course the lodging or sleeping areas. dito pwede ka magkamping...

at the pier, merong mga speedboats at iba pang boats na nakasabit at syempre nakalutang sa dagat. my first time to see na pwede palang ihaus ng ganon ang mga boats, kinakailangan ng forklift para mailapag sila sa dagat.

isang bagay na hindi ko malilimutan ay ang napakalaking isda (apat sila) sa lagoon na ito, na nang makita ko ay bahagya ata akong napaatras sa takot na baka SILA LUMUNDAG at makain ba kami....parang sa cartoons....hanep talaga sa laki! siguro isang dipa ata ang haba ng pinakamalaki. super din ang mga rooms, ganda ng mga furnitures (antique-style)me cable pero hindi naman namin maintindihan ang mga ito, news lang...malay, indian at instik kasi.

the food was great too, loved the fish in light sauce for lunch with salted rice and barbeque dinner. grabe! tumaba na naman ako banda riyan... we had to cook our own barbeque, it was another unique experience! konti lang ang mga tao sa side ng aming room halos karamihan ay nandoon sa campsite sa kabilang ibayo...a co. event.

i missed swimming...hindi makalangoy kasi pangit ang tubig madumi....ang nakalagay nga duon "SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK" hehehhe! kaya hayun... may i read nalang kami sa may gilid ng lake (na karugtong ng dagat) at pa ikot-ikot sa mga lodging areas...

after a lazy afternoon of reading and preparing the barbeque dinner, we slept in an "over-busog" state (ang dami pala nun eh, good for 4 ata!)....nagbreakfast uli kami sa tapat (resto yan) at nagmasid habang naghihintay sa lagoon. we checked out at about 11 a.m. and set off at about 12 past... ventured towards chinatown for bun-takeway and uwi na via outram.

conclusion: like in life, you can't have everything. may maganda, may di ganoong kagandahan... and basically it depends on how you look or view things. pwedeng "ok sana...kaya lang...." o kaya "kala ko maganda pero mas maganda pala"??? o plain " OK, aprub! walang problema!!!" hehehe! ang rating ko: OK! APRUB! kulang lang sa beach!!! scale of 1-10...siguro mga 7! ano kaya kay E...(hanyo, itatanong ko!)

wow! it has been a year since my first step here in the lion city. i recall it was only for 4 days that i came over for my weekend with my hubby. so blessed that the Lord has allowed certain things to happen for us to learn...it doesn't really matter where...of course wag lang siguro sa mga delikadong lugar. ang mahalaga magkasama kami....kahit saan.

nung una nga akala ko airport palang sasabit na ako pag-alis ko noong august 2004, kasi hinanapan ba naman ako ng leave form ko...weekend lang pa-leave form-leave form pa? buti nalang at pumayag din na ako'y paalisin... sabi naman, next time hindi na pwede. ang lupit ha! first time paglabas ko pa naman ng bansa yon, kala ko papalpak pa. anyway, nagpasalamat pa rin ako lalo na sa Panginoon dahil kundi Niya pinalambot ang puso ng mamang immigration di sawing-palad naman ako.

paglapag ko naman dito...eh walang problema...diretso palabas, mabait pa nga ang malaking indianong immigration officer. sabi, "ah filipina.... maganda...." sabi ko, "yes, i am filipina"...tumatangong ibinalik ang passport ko...thanks, ika ko....

isang hangang-hanga ako ay ang kanilang airport, sa Changi napakagara. para akong nasa rustans, o shangrila mall... first class! ayaw ko pa sana lumabas para hanapin ang aking asawa pero dali-dali ko na hinanap ang palabas dahil wala din naman akong luggage. ang dami naming napag-usapan daang pauwi sa taxi. halatadong miss na miss ang isa't-isa.

dahil huwebes ako dumating, kaya may pasok pa ang aking asawa, si L, aming flatmate ang nagpasyal sa akin ng kinabukasan....sa Lucky P, Great W at sa iba pang mall na hindi ko na matandaan ang mga pangalan. at noong sabado na, sa ibang island kami namasyal- naka-cable car pa!...sana ay overnight pero parang hindi kami mag-eenjoy sa tubig ng dagat dahil hindi pwede magswim. e di umikot-ikot na lang kami sa monorail at sa bus nila. nakakatuwa ang mga pink dolphins, at may area din for barbeque at camping...with matching ahas at peacock with blue feathers...say mo! nakarating din kami ng zoo. napakaganda at malinis....

first time ko rin kumain sa lau pa sat at maikot hanggang mahilo sa esplanade. kakapagod din pala dito ng maglakad. di tulad sa maynila...konting lakad, may jeep....ayaw maglakad...may tricycle o sidecar. pag gusto mo na bumaba....sigaw ka lang: PAAARRRRRRAAAAAAA!
di tulad dito lakad ka ng lakad at sa tamang babaan ka talaga ibababa ng mga bus.

wala akong masabi kundi enjoy ako talaga nung una kong salta dito. para akong lagi maliligaw kaya may dala akong (1) MAPA (2) PERA (3) MRT card and the most important of all (5) ang aking asawa....baka ako maligaw pagwala siya. pero nakakatuwang isipin na sa ngayon ay mas gulat siya sa mga kaalaman ko sa tamang pagsakay ng MRT at ang pagtuklas kung paano makarating sa isang lugar. ( hanggang dito "navigator" pa rin ang lola niya! ako yun!)

matapos ang isang kakaibang weekend sa abroad, balik trabaho ako. hindi makapaghintay ng Nobyembre para makasama ko na uli si E. Mataas ng phone bill, at kuryente sa aming internet at sa overseas calls, para lamang maibsan ang lungkot ng aming pagkakalayo. kaya ng dumating na ang takdang panahon...napakasaya naming pareho! hay! isang taon na pala mula....

this blog has somehow turned into a scrapbooking/hobby blog...well, i guess that is becoz it is part of who i am. i have to do something creative...otherwise i feel nasasayang ang araw ko. if it's not bracelet or jewelry making....it's scrapbooking.

i praise the Lord for this part of me that needs to express itself. and i realised that all our talents and abilities are from God. As He has made man for Himself. His enjoyment, to worship Him and to fellowship with Him. i am in awe how God has filled man with such great talents like singers, musicians, artists, etc... but yet man does not need to have great capabilities to please God. He wants a "man after His own heart".... a heart willing to be molded into what God wants us to be.

these are the stuffs I have been busy with these past few days.
bracelets and bible cover.

wow...how time flies when you're having fun...or not! well, if you know me i'm into a lot of stuffs ... mainly, my priorities nowadays are scrapbooking and making cards/gifts. wanted to scrap and post them in one sb site, maybe hope for a good review or two...

i'm also recovering from my cough and colds... malapit na pala maubos ang dinala kong mga books dito...can't believe i'm running out! dami ko pa naman binili sa booksale. this is something i miss from home. dito kasi parang wala akong nakikitang mura na books kundi sa CLOSET NI MRS. CHONG. this is a place here where you can get second hand stuffs for a dollar or 2. in manila, never dadaan ang 1 linggo na hindi ako nakakatungtong ng booksale sa sm. bibili man o hindi (kadalasan 3-4 pbooks pa!) mura eh....you can buy one for 15 pesos to 100 + pesos... for me i pick according sa fave authors like STEPHEN WHITE, SUE GRAFTON, MARY HIGGINS CLARK and the last is King of the Torts by JOHN GRISHAM. most of my books are suspense and detective type.

napamana ko na nga ang mga fitness books ko sa aking dear sister... na buntis ngayon! sayang, yun dapat ang naipahiram/bigay ko sa kanya...mga preggy books and clothes!!! kaya nga lang masyado naman magastos para ipadala ko from here to palawan....hehehhe! eh kailangan ko pa kunin sa pinas....magulo teka! anyway, i am praying ang hoping for the best for this godchild of ours!

Been quite busy the last few days, and into a lot of things. For one thing, I have found a new passion that is jewelry making from my long list of things I would like to learn. Was able to buy cheap accesories from home, like beads and earring stuffs. Mas type ko ata ang bracelets....where I get to be creative in styles and combinations. There is this store where they have housewares, to sewing materials, scrapbooking, other arts and crafts. A blessing indeed.

nasa erport na kami ng PAL ng mga 12:30 pm. last flight kami (2:50 pm) for singapore. pumila kami ng kahaba-haba, parang uod na paliko-liko....sabay-sabay ang mga tao papuntang HAWAII, CHINA, SINGAPORE, HONGKONG....etc. may isa pa kaming napuna, may mga tao na parang VIP sa gitna sila pumipila at nakakalusot naman para sumingit sa amin. kaya ayun! dami nang tao na umiinit ang ulo! may isang mama nga na nagalit noong may isang lalaki, he's about 50 years old, na pinapasingit ang mga kasama niya sa tour...eh ang dami nila about 10 people at madami pang boxes and luggages...hindi pumayag ang mamang naka-"green" dahil more than 30 mins na kami nakapila...parang ipaglalaban niya ng patayan ang "stand" niyang iyon...with matching hanap sa manager....

nakakatawa na nakakainis ang ating mga sistema sa erport...biruin mo iisa lang ang umaandar na xray machine sa may entrance ng erport? maitatanong mo sa sarili mo....ganon lang ba tayo kahirap na iisa lang ang ating machine? eh kabago-bago pa lang ng centennial terminal 2 na yan ng PAL.

magche-CHECK IN na kami ng aming luggage...hinanapan naman si E ng documento as an OFW e walang maipakita kaya kinailangan pa magbayad ng P 1,620 para sa akin as "dependant" for travel tax, at pinapupunta pa sa terminal 1 para ayusin ang OWWA papers niya...naku po Panginoon! eh 10 mins lang aalis na ang erplano namin....pupunta ka pa sa bangko para magwidraw....ang inaasahan lang namin ay magpapalit lang kami ng sing dollars para pang terminal fee namin....(tig P 550)

wala namang ATM at ang forex ay nagsara na. pinapalit na namin lahat ng meron kami, naghahanap pa ng barya para sa akin...KULANG na ng P 6!!! nakakaawa naman kami!!! naiiyak na ako sa inis!!! hindi mo maintindihan kung kami ay napaglaruan ng tadhana o sadyang napag-initan lang. dati rati naman ay hindi naman kami dumadaan sa ganitong problema...naka-2 beses na ako pabalik-balik, ok lang naman. isa na lang ang aking iniisip...na mas naghihigpit sila (CHECK IN) dahil sa malaki rin ang nawawala sa mga nakakalusot sa OWWA.

wala kaming nagawa kundi pakiusapan ang PAL supervisor na rebook nalang kami para kinabukasan at habulin ang aming mga bagahe sa flight 503 na iyon. tinawagan na namin ang kuya ni E para kami pick upin, maghanap ng ATM at lakarin ang mga papeles sa OWWA.
matagal din bago namin nakuha ang aming luggages kasi hinukay pa sa paalis ng flight...hinabol pa sa may runway na malayu-layo at inabot ng mahigit sa 1 oras bago nakuha. may kasabay kaming 2 pang pares na dapat paalis din pasingapore e....nagparebook na din. tiyak na delayed ang flight na yun!

kahindik-hindik na pangyayari! parang lahat ng malas na maiisip mo ay nangyari....pero sa isang banda, bakit ba pinahintulutan ito mangyari ng Panginoon? marahil para ipamukha sa amin na SIYA ang may hawak ng lahat ng situasyon sa buhay ng tao...sa KANYA nakasalalay ang bawat disisyon kung ika'y mabubuhay pa ng isang araw o hindi na...at kung hindi ka makasakay sa araw na iyon, naisalba kaya Niya ang iyong buhay sa tiyak na kapahamakan?
nakakatuwa isipin na kinabukasan....

matapos namin matulog na lamang sa malapit na hotel, dahil 1st flight na ang kinuha namin....5:00 am nagpahatid na kami. before 6:00 am nakapila na kami...maikli pa ang pila..... nagcheck-in at pinakita lahat ng documento ni E sa OWWA, kahit na may konting pila sa POEA, cool pa ang mga tao....heto ang SMMOOOOOTHHH SAILINGGGGGGGGGGGG!

nagbayad na ko ng aking terminal fee (P 550), si E libre na for being an OFW... at wala ng tanong sa IMMIGRATION after makita ang aking "green dependant card" at nasa loob na kami waiting for boarding without a "hitch"! ika-nga eh walang kahirap-hirap!

meron akong napuna na sa check-in counter na isang lalaki na dumaan din sa pinagdaanan namin kahapon, pero dahil sa maaga siya, nalakad niya ang lahat at nang makita ko ay prente na siyang gumagala sa waiting area at umiinom ng kape. ayos na!

nakatulog ako ng husto sa aming flight...siguro sa tension na inabot ko...
pagkalapag sa singapore, ang pakiramdam ko....HAYYYY SALAMAT PO!!! walang problema! pumila lang sa singapore immigration, maayos naman dapat lang ay pwede na kami sa dulong counter....para lesser ang pila (FOR RESIDENTS OF SINGAPORE). at may maganda pang sumalubong na nag-aalok ng candies...laking kaibahan sa erport natin...

dapat sana ay darating/aalis ka ng RELAXED...eh kung galing ka sa pinas, tatayo lahat ng buhok mo at dadami pa ata ang wrinkles kung mararanasan mo ang nangyari sa amin....the moral/s of the story is: GET TO THE AIRPORT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE....YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT AWAITS YOU!!! SO BE READY! and BRING EXTRA CASH!

WOW! we're really back!
umuwi kami last april 9 for a 3 week vacation sa pinas. little did we know na sa loob ng 3 linggo parang bitin pa rin...napakarami pa ring gusto sanang gawin. but the most important thing is that we had time to bond with our families. nakakamiss din kasi ang mga kaCOOLitan ng mga kapatid! at malakad ang mga bagay-bagay na kailangan para maayos ang lahat.

nagkaron kami ng pagkakataon para makarating sa Cabanatuan church para madalaw ang aming inaanak sa kasal Ptr. D and I, his wife. we spent 2 blessed days there. naalala ko ang isang bahay ni lola na ipinakita ng mag-asawang ito at ang isang magarang restaurant kung saan kami nag-hapunan.

nag-swimming din kami sa GROTTO V sa bulacan. masaya and relaxing outing with E's family. another time kasama naman namin ang aking bunsong kapatid na si GM at ang kanyang asawa (minus kuya A, dahil busy siya) dinner naman sa megamall. masarap talagang mag-ikot sa mall kasama si GM, grabe ang resistensiya niya....nakarami rin ako ng binili pauwi dito sa singapore. mga anik-anik sa paggawa ng hikaw...mga butones at ilang ribbon para sa aking scrapbook. nakakaaliw mamili dahil ang laki ng deprensiya sa presyo ng pagbili dito at sa pinas...

lastly, from 25 april to 28 april nasa bohol kami! we arrived at 5pm at alona kew beach resort...wala nang masyadong magawa kundi maglakad...explored the place and to look for a place to eat. kinabukasan we sunbathed along the whitesand beaches of alona ....we went dolphin-watching, island hopping, snorkling and swimming on our second day and had a relaxing massage afterwards (sarap!). on the next day nag-choco tour naman kami sa chocolate hills. 8am we started off with our tour guide/driver si mang DORO, this tour includes visits to 7 scenic spots in bohol eg chocolate hills, baclayon church, a hanging bridge, and finally a historic river where filipinos hid in caves during the war. nakakita din kami ng TARSIERS, ang pinakamaliit na nilalang na parang "bat-rat-and monkey". and later got to eat lunch along the riverside resto. sarap! kakaiba!!!! in the afternoon we swam kahit na low tide na, ISA lang ang pintas ko ....malumot! di bale napagtiyagaan pa rin mag-swim...kahit low tide at halos nakaupo na sa buhangin ang mga bangka.

wala kaming maisip gawin paghapon kasi walang tv kundi maglakad....sa may gilid ng beach, umupo kunyari nagpapaaraw...magpa-picture...pansinin ang mga naglalakad na mga tao...kundi naman ay mahiga lang at magpahinga....mag-isip kung ano ang masarap na kainin....grabe! tumaba na naman ako pagkakauwi na yan!

kakaiba ang lugar ng hotel namin, di mo aakalain na ganon ka-advance doon dahil sa may tinigilan namin may internet cafes(3), souvenir shops with money exchange, tour offices for tourist who wish to take the different tour packages/paggagala sa bohol, at napakaraming mga restaurants...may mura at may medyo mahal din ang mga presyo. at sa halos lahat ng areas ng beachfront sa alona ay may mga diving tours. yan sa palagay ko ang pangunahing raket dito.

nakabalik din kami sa maynila ng maayos at walang problema. nakipagkita kami kay kuya A, aking panganay na kapatid sa greenhills para mag-dinner. ang aming huling pagkikita...kumain kami sa GERRY'S GRILL...sarap! tinext ko na rin si GM, na umuwi na ng palawan....iniinggit ko....sabi ko ANG SARAP ng kain namin....! maya-maya pa ay nag-uwian na kami.

ang aking hinarap naman pagkauwi ay ang pag-eempake ng mga gamit, pinamili at mga pasalubong. gayundin ang pag-aayos at secure ng mga gamit sa binabagyong parte ng aming extension tuwing umuulan ng malakas...(may waterfalls). kinailangan ayusin para next time na umulan ng malakas e...di mabulok ang mga gamit ko sa likod o stockroom namin. kinabukasan friday, 29 april, naglaba ako ng maaga at si E naman ay nagpaayos ng sasakyan....tapos unti-unti ko nang iniligpit ang washing machine, mga upuan sa labas...mga batya atbpang gamit. at muli na naman ako nalungkot.....pakiramdam ko..."heto na naman...iiwanan na naman uli ang aming bahay...malungkot na naman dito bukas...."

umandar na naman ang aking pagiging sentimental.... pati laman ng ref...dinefrost ko na para bukas io-off nalang. ililigpit na ang kwarto't ibabalik na ang mga nakaimbak na gamit. tatakpan na ang sala set para di dalawin ng makapal na alikabok.

dumating na ang araw ng pag-balik sa singapore....maaga pa nagkakanda-kumahog na ako sa pagprepare ng agahan....last minute pag-aayos ng maleta na baka ma-excess baggage pa...9 am dapat nakaalis na mula sa bahay sundo ng maghahatid sa aming kuya ni E.

ang akala namin ay maayos na ang lahat...kumbaga ay smooth-sailing na....ngunit hindi pala!BUKAS NA YANG KWENTONG YAN!!! ang masasabi ko lang ay...salamat sa Panginoon sa kabutihan Niya!

E and I are on vacation, we intend to make the most of our stay
at home. madaming bagay ang nakakamiss....

it is a great blessing that we came home the same time as GM and her
husband...

(posted: 19 april 05)