tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2009-11-23:/MokoFeed2009-11-23T08:28:09+01:00tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2009-01-26:/2009/01/26/losing-and-finding-5447810/prettyma2009-01-26T03:41:13+01:002009-01-26T03:41:13+01:00 <p> i know that the world stopped and watched with bated breath the much awaited oath-taking of the president of the United States of America – Barack Obama. watching the rites on television, i could not helped but admire the great US of A. it is but befitting to call them a superpower. it reaffirmed my belief that there is no place like the US of A, when it comes to democracy – how they welcome the people of different colors into their country, live there and called them their own. and of course, i am but proud to say that, because they welcomed <u>charice</u>, and let her performed in this momentous event. she is not, an American citizen but a Filipino. and she sang GOD BLESS AMERICA! what a feat! i guess it will not be long, <u>charice</u> will become an American citizen soon. and i don't know whether to be sad, for our country will loss a world-class performer or be happy for her that eventually her dreams will come true. anyway, to charice - GOD BLESS!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2009/01/26/losing-and-finding-5447810/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2009-01-14:/2009/01/14/losing-my-parents-5374101/prettyma2009-01-14T03:05:57+01:002009-01-14T03:05:57+01:00 <p>i’ve had a feeling that 2008 dealt me a very bad blow. First, there was the uncertainty of my job. Second, it took both of my parents away. Father left us last April, and mother just last December 30. I’m still feeling the loss. We are. I’ve felt I lost a part of me. A very essential part. And I’m hurting. So much so, that I felt I’m floating and just flowing with the tide. I felt that I lost an anchor. We (my siblings) were so focused on them for years. They were our reason for getting together on special occasions - birthdays, Christmases, new years, coming home, weddings, fiestas, successes, losses. They were our tradition that we are trying to impart to our children. And suddenly, they were gone. Of course, we have our families to turn to. But still the feeling that we lost something vital in our lives is palpable. How can we celebrate again? Maybe that is what Father Andy (a family friend) felt. He administered the last rites of both my parents. He told us that there is a reason why Mama left us on this particular day- she wanted us to be together on Christmas and New Year and continue the tradition. Why Tatay (my father) left us on April – because he wanted us to be together on summer. Where everyone especially the kids are on vacation from school. What remained in my mind during Father Andy’s homily was what he said – that even in death, our parents were still thinking about us – their children. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2009/01/14/losing-my-parents-5374101/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-12-27:/2008/12/27/the-magic-of-christmas-5283058/prettyma2008-12-27T10:12:42+01:002008-12-27T10:12:42+01:00 <p>it christmas time once again! and everyone's busy going to-and-fro, buying-unwanted-things-and-what-not! this is the time of the year that always amazes me. if you read in the papers and hear the news, the world economy is in tumble and how!  yet, when its christmas, everybody, somehow, got what they wish for: a new shirt, a dress, a bag, a pair of shoes, new pants. kids got their toys. food on the table. money to spent. gifts to give. and blessings to share! humanity is awash with kindness and love. everybody is wearing a smile on their faces. and it seems for a day our worries and pains are erased. just saying merry christmas to a friend, to an acquaintance, to a sister, a brother, to the parents begets a feeling of belonging and radiates to the community. sharing one's blessings on this day, has more meaning and deeper impact to the person concerned. it seems that happiness, joy, laughter, prayers and other positive feelings felt doubled or tripled.  the christmas season is abundant with goodness.</p> <p>maybe this is so. GOD is rewarding us with this season blessings to lighten our burdens. recharge ourselves. renew our faith. deepen our trust in HIM. so, that with the coming new year - we will be inspired again to live our lives. appreciate our past and enrich our present. and welcome the future with gusto!</p> <p>merry christmas everyone and happy holidays!!!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/12/27/the-magic-of-christmas-5283058/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-12-09:/2008/12/09/meetings-5187215/prettyma2008-12-09T07:36:30+01:002008-12-09T07:36:30+01:00 <p>for the last weeks i was into meetings.meetings here and meetings there and everywhere. meeting with other agencies. keep updates on different programs and projects. meeting with an old and dear friend. keep up with the lost times. meeting with co-workers. updates on their reports. Meeting with my siblings. renew old ties and reminisce and to keep in touch with loved ones and how they were doing in their lives. meeting with the kids. to see how they are doing in their studies. meeting with the teachers. to know how they are doing in school and coping with the requirements and assignments. meeting with the provincial committees. to know if they were complying with reports. i also found out that meetings were not the same. even if with the same group, there is always that nice feeling of meeting-once again the people you like working with and living with. there is always the excitement of knowing new-news, latest updates, gossips, trends, who’s who, ad nauseum. i’d say am looking forward to the next meeting. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/12/09/meetings-5187215/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-11-06:/2008/11/06/making-history-4991889/prettyma2008-11-06T01:56:43+01:002008-11-06T01:56:43+01:00 <p> we were glued to the television set yesterday, watching the elections in the U S of A. it was history- in-the- making-since-day-one-of-the-campaign-period. watching the coverage in the CNN channel, i can’t helped but be amazed at the technology they employed for the viewing public to understand and comprehend their electoral processes. even my 6th grade daughter said – mama, when was their election held? i replied, today. She answered back-today?why they already have the results! And proclaimed the winner! i said, yes, because they are not in the Philippines, which takes months and years to count the votes and proclaim the winners.</p> <p>i truly appreciated the computerized voting. how i wish that come 2010 when we will be electing our president, voting would be fast and results be known immediately. as far as i know, the bill proposing for computerization of the election process is still at the congress since it-was-filed-jurassic-years-ago. but then, that’s making history, too!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/11/06/making-history-4991889/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-09-24:/2008/09/24/behind-schedule-4771045/prettyma2008-09-24T05:52:23+02:002008-09-24T05:54:39+02:00 <p> i can't imagine how time flies!!! its been sixty, 60, sesenta, days since i had my last blogged. thanks a lot for sending me notice - blog.co.uk. i really was behiiinnnnddddd-of-what's-happening-in-this-whole-wide-world.</p> <p>what-do-you-know this day i had to really sit on the computer to read my mails, and-forward-and-answer-them. my mails were piling up soooo fast. really, i was so caught-up with surviving-and-in-keeping-my-head-above-waters that everybody passed me by. i think even the turtles passed by me. yesterday, a friend from riyadh, called me - she said i haven't answered her emails. as far as i know, i've sent a reply to her email, but she informed me that the address i sent it to was now obsolete. really! and all along i was thinking- why, she hadn't replied to my mails. maybe she's sooooo busy! i guess, i just have slow down for quiet a bit. maybe inhale-and-exhale. admire the flowers. feel the rain. listen to the sounds. </p> <p>mmmmm...just maybe!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/09/24/behind-schedule-4771045/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-09-09:/2008/09/09/passed-by-the-world-4701462/prettyma2008-09-09T03:43:00+02:002008-09-09T03:43:00+02:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"> these days, i’m focused on surviving the rat-race and go through the motions of life. I was so focused on living day-to-day. praying. look for money. food. pray. give thanks. pray some more. money again. food again. pray more and more. give profuse thanks. and on and on. i was so caught up in this world, that when i looked-up the days, months, years had gone by. <img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> my kids have grown. the Beijing Olympics had ended.my sister left for Norway. my niece gave birth. the town fiesta came-and-gone. the American idol-season-7 ended. the amazing race has a new season. the high school musical-is-now-in-their-final-year. tyrone has grown. the oil prices goes up and then down. the prices of commodities goes up. the Peso-Dollar exchange is on the upswing. my first son had his capping ceremonies. i’m missing my second son so much who is studying away from home. and lately, i’ve done some long walks. importantly, i haven’t been laughing for a while and haven’t said i-love-you for a long time. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> GOD really love me. i know that my love ones are still there for me.<img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/09/09/passed-by-the-world-4701462/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-09-01:/2008/09/01/understandinglife-4664269/prettyma2008-09-01T01:50:23+02:002008-09-01T01:50:23+02:00 <p> i am now experiencing what my parents were feeling when we were still in their care - meaning, still depending on them during our growing-up years. and we were eight, at that! </p> <p> me, i have three kids. all in their "schooling-period". two are now in their third collegiate year, while the young one is in grade six and preparing for her high school years. being a mother, i want them to have the best in life - specially education. studying in a public school, i enrolled my children in a private school, buy them toys, clothes and things that we (my siblings) didn't/couldn't afford when we were children. their life now is much more "betterer" than ours. they have computer, ipod, celfons, television-, etc. all those "instant-things of life". they did not have to walk to school, fetch water, look for their younger siblings, share clothes, etc. i know that these are things in the past. but i can't help but look-back at the time when our parents were raising us - eight children! </p> <p> now, they are only three - but this did not make our life any easier. especially when the time came - paying their tuition fees and providing their daily needs. i am hoping that despite the "era-difference" of our times, we have raised them just like what our parents did - strong, loving, responsible, GOD loving, and embracing life to the fullest. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/09/01/understandinglife-4664269/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-08-21:/2008/08/21/preoccupied-4616354/prettyma2008-08-21T05:49:58+02:002008-08-21T05:54:42+02:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> hello, world! i was preoccupied these days - just surviving and trying to keep afloat with what life is dealing these times. but that's not what i'm going to talk about, it will just depress us. there is another thing that kept our community preoccupied. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0"> the whole city of tacloban, is all agog about this phenomenon. one will see people looking-up-and-staring-with-their-mouths-agape. the drivers, were all taking about it. the media discussed it on air. and each-and-everyone-of-the-citizenry-were-giving-their-unsolicited-opinions<br> -and-their-pros-and-cons. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> and what is this that have the citizenry all abuzz? well, our city just acquired their first ever (roll the drums, please!) - traffic lights!!! its a first for this city. so, you well find people congregating in these areas - watching the lights changing from red-to-yellow-to-green. and police officers guiding the people-on-how-to-cross-the-streets. you'd think that in this century-and-age, the traffic lights are a common sight? no, siree! its a first for us. and this pre-occupation will stay until the novelty-wore-off! until then - i'm off-to-see-the-lights! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/08/21/preoccupied-4616354/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-07-21:/2008/07/21/his-name-is-tyrone-4476239/prettyma2008-07-21T02:21:06+02:002008-07-21T02:22:22+02:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"> for the last days, i was stumped of what was happening around the world - soaring prices of the oil, the floods, tornadoes, bushfires, etc. as much as i want to "say" something on this calamities, another one happened. i was stupefied. so i just gaped and wonder what will come mext. and he came. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> tyrone is a gift. literally. at first, i have reservations in accepting him. the husband said - "why, he is cute!" when my daughter saw him, she was ecstatic! she readily cuddled him. when my son arrived from school! he was overjoyed! that leave me - alone. i declared, okey, he can stay, but just a teeny-bit-of-mistake-he-will-be-sent-out-of-our-house. so, i observed the 3 of them with tyrone. my daughter now come home early. she doesn't like going out, because tyrone would be alone. my son made it a point to come home with a piece fried chicken for tyrone. my husband asked "where-is-tyrone?" upon arriving home.and me? secretly, i am thawing. i laughed at his antics. i took pity whenever he looked at me dolefully. i reprimand them whenever they got mad at tyrone. and i asked everyone - "where is tyrone?", when i don't see him around. really, who could resist a cute black and white puppy? you're not that hard-hearted, are you? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/07/21/his-name-is-tyrone-4476239/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-06-27:/2008/06/27/when-will-we-ever-learn-4369744/prettyma2008-06-27T03:50:06+02:002008-06-27T03:50:06+02:00 <p> i was stumped due to what is happening in our country, and the world in general (floodings and wild fires). the Philippines is again in the headlines due to typhoon "frank". i could say "frank" has a mind of his own. he did not conform to his forecast - which-was-he-will-not-landfall-and-that-he will only-cruise-along-the-shores-of-Luzon-then-go-to-Taiwan-and-that's-the-end-of-him.</p> <p> with that reassuring statement from the masters-of-the-weather-agency, we turned back to our ordinary lives. however, "frank" will not do-as-forecasted. he made his own-route. he made landfall. and worse, he made a circuitous way. "frank" was supposed to go to Luzon, but he went to visit the Visayas region. on Friday(June 20), the rains and winds were already pounding our region (Eastern Visayas). we are on signal no.2. power went-off. classes were suspended.and the office allowed us to go home. at home, we tuned-in to the old-reliable-radio to monitor "frank". outside it was chaos. debris were flying around the city. one can't see what was in-front of him because of the rains and winds. my sister texted me that their plane circled for three-hours in tacloban. but they were not able to land so they went back to manila. floodings were everywhere. many were stranded since no transportation were available. we prayed for mercy.</p> <p> we slept through all this. at around 2 a.m. i woke-up. power were already restored. rains and winds had abetted. we turned on the tv and monitored on "frank". he was still in the vicinity, but his wrath was turned on the neighboring regions. then we heard of news on the ship "princess of the stars" that it had an "engine" problem somewhere between manila and cebu. and the next time we heard it has capsized! with her 800 or more passengers. </p> <p> it was like a deja vu! it was like doña paz and doña marilyn all over again! the same shipping line - sulpicio lines. images of crying and angry relatives, bloated bodies, the mass graves, futile-efforts of identifying relatives, rescue efforts, tearful reunions of survivors and families, survivors relating their traumatic experiences, and the after effects - investigations-here-and-there, and the finger-pointing-of-who-is-to-blame.</p> <p> when will we ever learn? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/06/27/when-will-we-ever-learn-4369744/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-06-11:/2008/06/11/i-m-forty-five-4299871/prettyma2008-06-11T04:28:00+02:002008-06-11T04:28:00+02:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> well, what do you know? i'm forty-five years old. i celebrated my birthday last june 4. away from my family. it was a day that i just can't let myself out. i don't have any excuse to take-a-birthday-leave.<br> it was the opening of the 7th trade fair of our department, in line with the 20th anniversary. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"> but, i gave credit to my family. they are very understanding and loving. its okay for them to celebrate my birthday after all my job was done. they, my family made it special for me - their greetings-hugs-and-kisses-and-i-love-you-mama-ilove-you-sweetheart, were all what i need. after the-hard-work-and-backbreaking-task to mount the regional booth.<br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> now, i am feeling my age. some-things-are-just-not-what-it-seems-to-be. and i think a need to slowdown. and take time-out-to-smell-the-flowers-and-feel-the-rain. in all my life, i was busy into-it. that i sometimes neglect myself. i was always the last priority. its-always-the-kids-the-husband-the-siblings-the-others. i think, this is not easy for me. but i'll try giving myself-a-space-a-moment-a-treat,whenever i could. maybe, next time. for now - i'll thank GOD His neverending blessings He showered on us- my family!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/06/11/i-m-forty-five-4299871/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-05-29:/2008/05/29/the-finale-4240787/prettyma2008-05-29T04:01:33+02:002008-05-29T04:01:33+02:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> with the current economic situation we are facing, we need some alternative activity to divert our attention so that we will not be too depressed and stressed-out.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> we did that – we watched the finale of the “American Idol” and sure enough, we forget all the worries-of-the-world and in-fact we were stressed-out-for-a-night-thinking-who-would-it-be? david or david? just-like-what-guru-pitka predicted. i don’t know about you but i was rooting for david . . . cook! he was the best cook! hahaha!</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif" alt=">:-[" class="middle" border="0"> i was fuming mad with simon cowell (he is my favorite judge! really!) when he bashed david cook’s performance. i felt betrayed. and in fact, my belief on david cook's talent “wavered”. i slept that night feeling bad. but, the next day, i got my revenged. the david of my choice won – david cook. i can’t help but rejoice and celebrate with glee. i’m sure for the next couple of days I-was-smiling-like-a-fool-going-around-town. i felt that i-am-a-better-judge-than-simon-cowell (i’ll write about simon cowell next time). <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> i’m looking forward to the next season of american idol – season 8!!! and maybe next year, our economic situation has taken an upswing!!!<br> whatever!!! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/05/29/the-finale-4240787/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-05-19:/2008/05/19/the-marathon-4192680/prettyma2008-05-19T08:59:47+02:002008-05-19T08:59:47+02:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> i (we, including the family) have been sleeping late for the last three days. we were glued to the television set watching the American idol season marathon. although we had been watching the show since season 7 started, we still watched. we loved the auditions portions. especially the part were the-bird-man-cometh a.k.a. renaldo lapuz auditioned. of course, we felt proud because he is a Filipino. i agree with him when he said that he loved simon because simon gave opportunity to everyone to have a-15-seconds-shot-to-fame. he became famous for that exposure by composing the song and singing the-you-are-my-brother-my-bestfriend-forever-you’ll-be-in-my-heart. his youtube exposure were tremendous. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0"> of course, we also got to see the elimination of ramiele. the never-ending-flowing-of-tears whenever a-contestant-got-voted-and-booted-out. but what we really loved most was the American-idol-gives-back-show. it was disheartening-looking-at-the-images-of- Africa-and-the-other-side-of-the-U.S.of A. but at the same time it was heartwarming how-these-people-strive-and-tried-to-rise-from-the-dire-straits-they-are-in. and the overwhelming-response-of-the-public-to-the-challenge-of-helping-the-diasadvantaged. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> the appearance of-the-stars-were-just-the-pudding-in-the-pie. especially, when the “Russian idol” came in. it was hilarious and really made our day. The late nights were all-worth-it. <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> this week, we'll be sleeping late again - its the final week of the AI!!! <img src="/img/smilies/grayshy.gif" alt=":." class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/05/19/the-marathon-4192680/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-04-17:/2008/04/17/writing-30-for-my-father-4054803/prettyma2008-04-17T04:43:48+02:002008-04-17T04:43:48+02:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/grayno.gif" alt=":no:" class="middle" border="0"> i was off for a week. my father died. and our family deeply grieved his passing. my father was a "jack of all trades".<br> he was a boy scout. a radio announcer. a journalist. a tennis player. an administrator. a friend. a boss. a shoulder to cry on. a good provider. kind. norturing. frank. funny. a brother. a layman. an educator. a traveller. a soldier. a loving son. a loyal husband. he, together with mama, struggled to raise us eight (8) children. and we deeply appreciated their efforts. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"> as a child, i fell guilty for not being with him on his last days. he celebrated his birthday last march and a week after he died. i felt that i did not gave my best to alleviate his pain despite what he did to me, to us. i felt so inadequate. though, he was bedridden (so is mama), every now and then my other siblings made it a point to visit them. but me, i was away from home and if ever had the time dropped by the house and visited them. though he says, he understands us, that we have our own family and facing another life to live. <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"> my father was a prominent figure in my life. in a way, i was like him - i became a radio announcer. i wrote for a newspaper. i was involved in media every now and then. forever, i am grateful to him. and we are missing him. his life was worth emulating. as we say in the media it is not the end, but only writing 30. <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/04/17/writing-30-for-my-father-4054803/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-04-03:/2008/04/03/these-hard-times-3988732/prettyma2008-04-03T04:09:06+02:002008-04-03T04:09:06+02:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> for a couple of days now,i've been hearing my husband sighing-and-sighing... i asked him - why? his answer? - he's bothered on the continuous rising of prices of commodities - rice, fish, meat, and other basic commodities. we know for the fact, that in the everyday news we heard and see on television all about these - prices rising. and we wondered how we'll manage in the coming days. our salaries have not-risen, yet almost everyday the prices of commodities rises. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_mad.gif" alt=">:(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> our youngest child (a girl), even told me - "mama,you know i will eat potatoes. so that, we'll not have to buy much rice." she had this idea, because, she saw on television that foreign shows cooking potatoes as their rice. and i told her - "yes, there will come a time will be eating potatoes, pilipino variety - camote." <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/grayuhoh.gif" alt="U-(" class="middle" border="0"> with this predicament our country is facing, i have apprehensions of the coming days and months. i am praying that tuition, come enrolment time will not increase. i don't know how we'll be able to send the kids to school. i don't know what strategy we will be using to manage our meager salaries-just-to-make-ends-meet. aside from the usual process of having "utang" and "advancing our salaries", and in-what-household-expenses-we-can-cut-and-make-tipid, and appealing-to-my-siblings-for-a-loan, and of course - imploring the ALMIGHTY to hear our prayers and asking for guidance and divine intervention... <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> DEAR GOD, WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET. AMEN. <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/04/03/these-hard-times-3988732/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-03-28:/2008/03/28/the-bear-that-wasn-t-3954581/prettyma2008-03-28T02:52:47+01:002008-03-28T02:52:47+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> there’s one cartoon show that I just can’t forget. i saw this at the cartoon network, when the kids were still in the grade school. it was about a bear that went hibernating and lo and behold when he awoke – the world was totally different. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> when winter time came, the bear went to his hibernating place to sleep; they say it was for six months. while he was sleeping, the outside world was into development and progress – building enormous structures and whatever it was that brought glory to mankind. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"> when the bear woke-up, he went out and was shocked to find his environment has changed. tall buildings surround him. there were no more trees. he looked around for food and suddenly a man came. he grabbed the bear, and asked him what he was doing there. the man accused the bear as masquerading to avoid doing his assigned job. the bear was brought to the foreman, the foreman can’t decide and brought him to the supervisor, who in turn brought him to the department head, which brought him to the director. the director brought him to the first vice-president, who in turn brought him to the second vice-president. and still no one believed that he was a bear, they finally brought him to the president… this is the part wherein I can’t remember what happened to the bear… <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> i had a vague idea that he was sent back to the foreman and was assigned a job as a laborer…and still doing his job as a laborer…</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"> really…the kids are now in college and I am still watching cartoon network hoping to see again that cartoon…it is what is happening in our world NOW! <img src="/img/smilies/grayno.gif" alt=":no:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/03/28/the-bear-that-wasn-t-3954581/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-03-17:/2008/03/17/rooting-for-ramiele-3892002/prettyma2008-03-17T02:35:22+01:002008-03-17T02:35:22+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"> we heaved a sigh of relief when ramiele malubay made the cut to the top 12 of the "american idol". though, i disagree with the three judges, ramiele sang the song "in my life" beautifully. but then i'm not a judge. and thanks to the american people, they voted for ramiele to stay.so this week, we are again looking forward to ramiele's performance. i wish though that ramiele could come up with a song that would really-wow-the-judges. she should pick a song that would really showcase her voice. like mariah carey or whitney houston. wherein their voices really will soar and impress simon cowell. please do it ramiele! please, please, please!!! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"> in the meantime, i'll wait with a bated breath! <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/03/17/rooting-for-ramiele-3892002/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-03-10:/2008/03/10/the-gods-must-be-crazy-3845436/prettyma2008-03-10T02:13:18+01:002008-03-10T02:13:18+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"> with the never ending rains that we are currently experiencing, and after praying that it will end soon, one is left with nothing to do but face the television. And hold the remote to look for interesting shows or movies.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0"> this weekend we were lucky. We chanced upon the movie – the gods must be crazy! and have a grand time laughing at the antics of the African bushman and the white men who happened to be working in Africa. </p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> we chanced upon this movie during my high school or college days. I could not forget its description – “ a bottle of coke fell from heaven and Africa was never the same again.” <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> i don’t know if coke made this movie for their promotion, but it was an interesting premise. Out of the coke bottle, many things happened in Africa, that was not really related with the bottle but we get to see. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"> the natives xi who got knocked by the bottle, the leading man who was studying the animals in Africa, the leading lady who was teaching the children in the mission, the debonair guy who runs a tourist safari, the rebels, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"> the family had a really good laugh and fun. Though the movie was long ago, I’m sure it still applies to this day. I bet there are still people who haven’t seen coke in their lives. There’s still a man who feel like a fool when falling in love. There are still people who will take credit for himself even if he is not the one who did it. There are still teachers who are dedicated to teach the disadvantaged. And the rebels, of course, there are plenty of them in the midst of us. <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/graysmilewinkgrin.gif" alt=";D" class="middle" border="0"> to those who had not seen the movie, I say to you – go, see it at star movies. It will surely make your day. The gods really must have been crazy when they made this movie. <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/03/10/the-gods-must-be-crazy-3845436/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-03-04:/2008/03/04/in-the-dumps-3813589/prettyma2008-03-04T04:05:22+01:002008-03-04T04:05:22+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"> for several days now, i'm feeling down-and-out. but i'm trying to overcome this feeling. i don't want to burden myself with negative feelings. because, i believed not to "problem the problem and let the problem solved itself". but, i'm still affected. we (the husband and me) tried to console and cheer each other.<br> <img src="/img/smilies/grayembarrassed.gif" alt=")-o" class="middle" border="0"> praying is a natural way for me in times like this. and listening to music. i've tried to think of positive ways. we tried to prioritized what problem to solved first and the next and the next. maybe our problem is not that heavy like the what the rest are experiencing. maybe its trivial for others. but, this is how i feel as if everything comes at the same time. why don't these problems come one-week-at-a-time? wherein this week a problem is solved and the following, another one to solved. but, life is not like that. our life, especially the unexpected are always beyond us. but then i guess, its not really "unexpected". maybe, we've seen it coming but was not prepared when it came.<br> <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"> well, that's it. talking about it helped me clear it off from my chest. and a little help from my friends lighten my feelings. and the great help from GOD keep me on the right track. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"><br> i'm back to my cheerful self again! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"><br> GOD BLESS for sharing my problem! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/03/04/in-the-dumps-3813589/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-03-03:/2008/03/03/in-and-out-of-baguio-again-3808891/prettyma2008-03-03T07:31:02+01:002008-03-03T07:31:02+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0"> a week ago, i was in baguio, again! baguio city is called the "summer capital of the philippines", the "city of pines" and recently, the "ukay-ukay capital". <img src="/img/smilies/grayrazz.gif" alt=":b" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> since, i felt a "veteran" of baguio, i felt like jaded-tourist. but again, the "city of pines" (though lately the pines seemed sparse) still amazed me. this time, we do the zigzag road route or the kennon road way. a faster way of reaching the city. its called zigzag because of the sharp curves. if you looked-up, you'll see the road and cars traversing it. if you looked-down - you'll see cars and the road that you've passed by. i was very happy to see the "lion". it was a welcome sight! it was rehabilitated. the "lion" is a landmark that you've reached baguio city. of course, the picture-taking is a must. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"> we went to the usual haunts - mines view park, burnham park, mansion house, strawberry fields and for this recent visit the philippine military academy and the "ukay-ukay". having a "grand time" is an understatement. i had a ball. eventhough, i went down with a cold because of the weather-was-soooo-cooollddd!!!<br> i say this again - i want to go back to baguio! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/03/03/in-and-out-of-baguio-again-3808891/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-02-28:/2008/02/28/majority-following-minority-3790933/prettyma2008-02-28T04:21:31+01:002008-02-28T04:21:31+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_neutral.gif" alt=":|" class="middle" border="0"> as of this writing, our country has not yet change president. the people power steam is still on process. support from the different sectors of the society is being solicited for the steam to heat up and the machinery ultimately going. different opinions are being issued and thrown to the public for reflections, to ingest, to digest, to understand, and in the end made them decide to join the power. our country for sure has many intelligent people-wise-assess, wise-cracking, opinionated, ego-istics, full of self-importance, and all has the same want – to be seen and heard. and wanted their one-cent worth of idea be known to the whole wide world. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_neutral.gif" alt=":|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> the opposition wanted the replace the president, asap. the religious group does not call for resignation. the other religious group wanted snap elections. former presidents wanted both. the militants and the frustrated groups wanted to people power. the military does not want to get involved. all of these are happening at imperial manila. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_neutral.gif" alt=":|" class="middle" border="0"> and me? Well, nobody asked for my opinion. maybe, because my opinion does not matter. just like the other Filipinos living in the 7,100 islands in the archipelago, our voices will not be heard and our faces will not be seen. because we are negligible and invisible? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_neutral.gif" alt=":|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"> they say that our country has 83 million people. and if the 1 million people in manila, will decide that our country will have a new president through people power, so be it. and the 82 million people will have no choice but to follow. <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_neutral.gif" alt=":|" class="middle" border="0"> don’t you find it queer? Really… now, its an idea to reflect, to ingest, to digest, to understand, and finally to decide. <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/02/28/majority-following-minority-3790933/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-02-26:/2008/02/26/raining_cats_and_dogs~3781250/prettyma2008-02-26T04:48:14+01:002008-02-26T04:48:14+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/grayuhoh.gif" alt="U-(" class="middle" border="0"> i was away on one of my travels last week. since we left for manila last feb 17 and as of this writing, it has been raining-cats-and-dogs in our region (eastern visayas region). places are flooded. provinces are isolated. roads become unpassable. crops are destroyed. families are evacuated. in fact, the wife of my nephew had her first baby delivered on the car - because the vehicle transporting her to the hospital was stranded due to floods. thank GOD they are both in good health. i am wondering where these rains come from? it seems that the rains is only in our region. the rest of the country is dry and the sun shone brightly. i can't help but relate this to the saying -when-it-rains-it-pours. but, we can only take much. <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> i'll wait for the sun to smile on us. he is most welcome. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/02/26/raining_cats_and_dogs~3781250/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-02-15:/2008/02/15/overpowering_people_power~3729746/prettyma2008-02-15T04:09:19+01:002008-02-15T04:09:19+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"> hello, world!!! by the time you are reading this, maybe, just maybe, if the "masa" heed the urging of the "purists" for people power - our country has a new President. why? because the people who are - leftist, rightist, centrist, pro, anti, militants, n.g.o.s, civil societies, government workers, laborers, students, priests, nuns, politicians, liars, honests, witnesses, the dogs and the ants, including the birds are calling for the resignation of the President.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> it is that easy in toppling down a government, here in the Philippines. and only-in-the-Philippines. if the people doesn't like the face of their leader, they just formed a "people power", and whammm!!! tomorrow-is-another-day.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"> when people power was launched to the whole world in 1986, i was very proud. it shows to the whole-wide-world that there's another way other than coup-de-etat and election in selecting a leader. the Filipinos stood proud and tall. we made history. we made a statement. we made a permanent place in history books.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> other countries followed suit. . . but the glory of people power became passe in the Philippines. we overdo it. we abuse the "people power". in whatever issue, and whenever we don't like anybody, we used "people power". it became a "common" event. just like a market place. we do "people power" just like going-to-market-everyday. the feeling of triumphed was lost. the feeling of ownership was gone. the "luster" was dimmed. the "inspiration" dulled. suddenly, it-feels-like-the-story-of-the-boy-who-cried-wolf. nobody wanted to believe him.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_neutral.gif" alt=":|" class="middle" border="0"> for now, i am resting my case. . . <img src="/img/smilies/grayembarrassed.gif" alt=")-o" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/02/15/overpowering_people_power~3729746/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-02-12:/2008/02/12/title~3714960/prettyma2008-02-12T07:09:23+01:002008-02-12T07:10:48+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> here we go, again! another whistleblower came of the woodwork of the institution called - Philippine government. the Senate is (again!) conducting a hearing in-aid-of-legislation. our television screen is (again!) filled with the images of the "hero", the "judges", the "guilty", the "innocents", the "self-righteous", the "so-sure-of-himself", and the "wanted-to-be-seen".</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/grayuhoh.gif" alt="U-(" class="middle" border="0"> newspapers, primetime and late news are all about this latest "expose " - the anomalies, the corruption, the claiming of the "truth". we, the public is bombarded of these "truth" and "lies" which is like a tennis match - exchanging of accusations left and right. and the networks outdoing each other in coming-up with "exclusives" in different angles.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif" alt=":'(" class="middle" border="0"> me, personally? i don't care. this is the stand i am taking. so what, if it is a billion-dollar-peso-expose? so what, if mr lozano is telling the truth? so what, if the palace is guilty? if i know all these, will it make my life richer? will it make my family happy? will i gain lots of friends? will it solved all my financial problems i am facing at the moment? i think, this is what the rest of the Filipino people is asking themselves. watching the live, delayed and replayed telecast of the investigation will not bring-food-on-my-table nor money-in-my-purse. it is a waste of time. just like the previous exposes. . . what were those, again? there were so many whistleblower and so many Senate investigations that it clogged my brain.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/grayupset.gif" alt=":##" class="middle" border="0"> but frankly, to tell you the truth, why this kind of reaction? because, i'm so tired na. nothing happened. no one goes to prison. no one is convicted. no one . . . wala lang. dead ma.</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> who gains? meralco - for the increase in power consumption. smart and globe - for the text messages circulating. the philippine daily inquirer, philippine star, manila bulletin - for the increase in sales. the tv networks (abs-cbn & gma) for the ratings game!</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/graysleep.gif" alt=":zz:" class="middle" border="0"> hhhmmmmm ..... next expose, please!!! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_yawn.gif" alt=":yawn:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/02/12/title~3714960/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-02-07:/2008/02/07/my_fave_shows~3691105/prettyma2008-02-07T02:35:32+01:002008-02-07T02:35:32+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> the amazing race 12 was over and the team i'm rooting for wins - tk and rachel. but i'm still glued to the tv set because the amazing race asia 2 is still on. of course, the family is rooting for mark and rovilson. the Filipino team in the left in the race (am glad the other 2 got booted out! it was a shame watching those 2 losers). although, watching mark & rovilson antics sometimes turn-me-off. they are too-sure-of-themselves, that when the two singaporeans boys overtook them for two legs of the race, i was glad. it was a wake-up call for mark & rovilson. <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> the other thing that kept-me-going-home-early is the search for the american idol. the family really loved this show since we discovered it on cable tv. it was fun watching the auditions of the-really-talented-and-not-so-talented-to-the-no-talent. and the contestants-come-back-reply-to-simon cowell's-neverending-heartrending-brutally-frank-comments. there is no doubt, that simon's comments make-the-day-of-the-american-idol-wannabes. am looking forward to the finals in Hollywood. and we are keeping our fingers crossed that the Filipina who made the cut will make it to the finals. and to borrow the cliche - welcome to Hollywood!!! <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/02/07/my_fave_shows~3691105/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-02-04:/2008/02/04/manic_monday~3676198/prettyma2008-02-04T05:07:07+01:002008-02-04T05:09:26+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"> As soon as I open my eyes, it connected instantly to our clock. It read 7:15 in the morning. I looked at my daughter sleeping next to me and my husband. Both of them were still asleep. I woke my little girl and asked her – ‘what day is today?’ she replied – ‘it’s Monday.’</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"> My goodness! I forgot what day it was.- Monday. The first working day of the week! How could I? it rattled me as I prepared for work. I was late and how could I forget! I rewind my life for the past week:</p> <p>- a week ago I was in manila, attending training workshop.<br> - Last week I was in a meeting and traveled to the project area<br> - Also last week, my boss was telling me, we had to attend a<br> meeting in cebu<br> - Also last week the husband was in cebu<br> - And last week my daughter has measles<br> - And my eldest son was having his field work for the first time<br> - And still last week, the meeting in cebu was transferred to<br> antipolo<br> - Also last week, I decided that I won’t be going to antipolo<br> - Yesterday I was in the province attending the funeral of my uncle<br> - And somewhere there I was a wife, mother, sister, friend, niece<br> and an employee<br> - And this morning I woke up at home!</p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_yawn.gif" alt=":yawn:" class="middle" border="0"> Whew!!! No, wonder I woke up in a dazed. Maybe it’s my body –telling-me-to-slow-down-and-find-time-to-smell-the-flowers. And I’ll do just that. This week, maybe. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/02/04/manic_monday~3676198/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-01-28:/2008/01/28/sights_aamp_sounds_of_the_airport~3642433/prettyma2008-01-28T06:30:53+01:002008-01-28T06:30:53+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"> hello! i was off-blogged (again!)out for a while. i was into one my travels last week and haven't found time to do my blog. this time, i was quiet early for my return-flight-back-home and has 5 hours to "kill-time". <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/grayembarrassed.gif" alt=")-o" class="middle" border="0"> since, my destination counter was still closed, i took the opportunity of taking a nap. as soon as i closed my eyes, sounds reverberated in my head - chirping of the birds, throbbing of the airconditioners, babel of human voices-in-different-languages, running-of-feet-both-by-children-and-those-late-arrivals-for-their-flights, the wheels of the pushcarts and baggages, the public-address-systems-announcing-of-flight-arrivals-and-departures-and-what-carousel-numbers-to-claims-luggages, the beeping and ringing of celfons, engines-sound-of-arriving-and-departing-planes, laughters-in-different-degrees, car-and-taxis-arriving-and-departing, and whatever-that-is-that-made-the-airport-alive-and-vibrating. absorbing these sounds eventually made me forget to nap. <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"> U- (<img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0"> after thirty minutes of trying-to-forget-the-world, i decided to open my eyes-wide-&-deal-with-the-airport-sights: the harassed-passengers-late-fot-their-flights, the early-birds-passengers-(like me!)-sleeping-without-care-in-the-world, children-running-around, passengers-with-lots-of-luggages-and-baggages, police roaming, airport personnel -busy-with-their-assigned-tasks, utilitymen and women cleaning the premises, birds flying, planes landing-and-taking-off, cars running in the tarmac, pilots-and-crews-coming-and-going, passengers arriving-and-leaving, sniffing dogs-amd-their-trainers, people-talking-to-their-celfons, famous-and-not-so-famous-people-making-the-airport-their-modelling-runway-walking-from-end-to-end-and-back-in-different-mode-of-clothing-from-very-casual-to-very-formal. with these neverending-kaledeiscope-of-colors-and-sounds, it made my waiting for my flight enjoyable and how time flies!!! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/01/28/sights_aamp_sounds_of_the_airport~3642433/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-01-15:/2008/01/15/what_s_amazing_in_the_amazing_race~3578654/prettyma2008-01-15T06:12:48+01:002008-01-15T06:12:48+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" class="middle" border="0"> since, i found "amazing race" in cable tv, my tv viewing habit has not been the same. i've become an instant fan of the show, and later on the whole family. it is a must that each week, the "amazing race" is a date with the whole family. we're gathered and glued to the tv everytime the show is on. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> this season, we've been cheering on the team of tk & rachel. they are soooo coooolll and low-key. they seldom explode-at-each-other. not like the other teams, <img src="/img/smilies/grayuhoh.gif" alt="U-(" class="middle" border="0"> specifically jen-and-nathan-who-were-booted-last-night (yes!) <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"> its quiet tiring watching them bickering & shouting at each other and jen, always making personal remarks on the other teams that resulted in their "alienation". this season 12, the teams that made it to the final race are the teams that one-will-not-expect-to-reach-the-last-leg, two teams are paired with oldies - nick and his grandpa & the japanese looking father and daughter team. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"> in the early leg of the race, i was betting that these "oldies team" will be the first to be eliminated, but i was wrong. they are still there and determined to give their best-effort-to-the-last-drop. i can't helped but admire their tenacity. hurraahh! never-say-old-they-are-young-at-heart. it really proves that a-team-that-is-in-harmony-is-a-big-plus. the father-daughter-team, specially the daughter always-keeps-her-cool-whenever-her-father-is-on-one-of-his-"being-a-father-mode" and do her-best-to-save-the-situation-mode. which is also manifested by the grandson-grandpa team. the grandson made-up-for-some-things-the-grandpa-can't-things. and go-on with their tasks. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"><br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> it is always a treat to see the landscapes and views of the different countries they-are-in-at-the-moment. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> and its a joy to watch them coming up with strategies when they are in a country and don't speak the language. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> the teams creativity always saved the day. the amazing race 12 will end soon. we are keeping our fingers crossed that tk & ratchel won. but the father-daughter team is a dark horse. we're looking forward to the last leg... <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/01/15/what_s_amazing_in_the_amazing_race~3578654/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:ditz-92163.blog.co.uk,2008-01-14:/2008/01/14/getting_caught_in_yearenders~3573426/prettyma2008-01-14T07:23:13+01:002008-01-14T07:23:13+01:00 <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> its fourteen (14) days since 2008 was welcomed. i was a bit slow in my blogs. i was caught between yearender's-reporting. and preparing for year-end assessments. for the last week, i was caught-up in "numbers" and making-graphs-and-analysis of data. i was making sense of all those data-that-were-submitted-year-long. and making-heads-and-tails of what they are trying to tell the management and the public in general. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> and also if the-job-our-agency-is-doing-is-appreciated-by-the-public. actually, we are trying to keep our agency afloat. it was touted since, that the program we are implementing will end by this year. many of us were discouraged-facing the thought of unemployment. <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"> what-ifs had confronted us. what will happen to me? where will i go? what will i do? how can i support the studies of my kids? will i still find job at my age? but, i still face life with exuberance. i tried not to be negative about this matter. i'm positive that-something-good-will-happen-out-of-this. and i have my faith with me. i believe in miracles. and i believe in GOD. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://ditz-92163.blog.co.uk/2008/01/14/getting_caught_in_yearenders~3573426/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>