A One Way Voyage....

BORA '09

2010-04-04T08:57:00.007+09:30

Four months ago(December 09), my son and I packed our bags for a well earned holiday. My then new job was too overwhelming and since I had taken the step to come out of my comfort zone, it brought so much stress on my own personal life. Thus, the Philippine holiday was as much a refuge as it was a holiday.

We left Darwin on the 5th of December, arriving in Manila on the
10th (after side sneaking two other countries). We were picked up from the airport by my cousin Bing (Thanks mucho Bing and Nikos), whom I am so grateful to. My sister also came to Manila for some shopping. Whilst Bing offered a room or two in her huge, newly renovated (her renovations and expansions never end- so far managed to buy three or four surrounding lots) house, we opted to stay at Dusit Thani for a couple of nights while we did a little bit of shopping and dining because it was right in the middle of Makati (neighbouring Glorieta, SM, etc.).

We were also joined by my Sis in law, Vina and my nephew, ARF. Both, I have not personally met until then. Amazingly, Arf looks so much like my brother. He is the most talkative, the most imaginative and the most candid kid I've ever met. He has this unbelievable attention to details. Things normal people don't notice or hear, he does...Then he tells you about it, and you go, "Ohh...yeah, how'd ya see that?"

Anyway, missing all Filo dishes, and craving at the thought of all the popular fast food chains only available in America and Philippines, we, basically gobbled every food that we see along the way. Jashkah had already set an aim for Jollibee months prior to our departure from Darwin . Of all the restos we've dined in, CHILLIS BAR AND GRILL topped my list, only because I love cheese and chilis together, and just about everything on their menu are smothered with cheese and chillis.

On the 12th of December, we boarded another plane heading to Bacolod city, where my sister resides. For those who've never been to Philippines, it's an archipelago casting 7,107 beautiful islands. These islands are grouped into three sections - LUZON, VISAYAS AND MINDANAO. Manila is in Luzon, Bacolod in Visayas, Cagayan de Oro City (my home city) and Bukidnon (my home province) in Mindanao. Although Philippines is geographically fragmented, every horizon is outlined by the same primal beauty no matter which Island you're in.

Adding to our excitement was KATRINA HALILI, who was on the same flight to Bacolod. She's an actress who recently faced notoriety because of a sex tape scandal. I told my son to go near Katrina so I can take a photo of her, to which he responded, "This girl is in a sex scandal, and you want me in a photo together with her...What the h**l mum". That left me laughing because his reasoning was so bizarre. I didn't know what he meant or suggested that would happen if I took a photo of him and Katrina...Yes, WOT DA...

We arrived in Bacolod around 4PM. That left us with only the night to rest before the drive to BORACAY early the following morning. We had to leave the next day because Jashkah and I had prior arrangement to do SCUBA lessons on the 17th of December in Dumaguete, which is at the other end of the Negros mainland...This is so we could go diving with my sister and her whole family, who have become ardent divers.

Richard, my brother in law, drove his new toy (KIA SPORTAGE2010) all the way to the jetty point of caticlan, where you board the 15-minute banka (small island boat) ride to the frontier of Boracay. A very comfy drive indeed. Altogether, it was a six-hour trip including the 2 hour barge ride and the final 15 minute banka ride.

All throughout the trip, I was fighting exhaustion and sleeplessness from all the plane rides we've been on since the 5th of that month. Though silently, I was appreciating the all too familiar greenery and the streets' well coordinated histrionics. I began to realise that I was actually in the country I grew up in. Travelling from Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro city in my younger years was pretty much the same as that trip. You see sun-burnt people, children included, walking up or down the hills carrying chopped woods or sacks of I-don't-know-what. Children playing, men drinking along the side of the roads, men and women toiling the lands-planting rice, working on ponds.

My son got to see something which amazes him every time we go to Philippines-an over loaded vehicle. Most of the time, we see trucks or jeepneys with gazzilion passengers. This time, we saw this motor bike with a side cart full of people. Ridiculously full, that all you see are heads and hands holding on to dear life. Even the driver was on a standing position just to accommodate more passengers....Only in the Philippines.

My sister made prior reservation at CHALET Y (h ttp://www.chalety.com/index.htm), situated in station 1, the high end of the island. The whole chalet is for P24,000.00 (AU$600.00)a night, but as I've said on my facebook site, it pays to have a connection like my sis...(konek konek maski walang dial tone) Hahaha. No we did not pay P24K!!! Instead, it was just a tiny weeny fraction of that...probably just for the maids, boy/guard, etc. The service was superb. For a long long time (since 2004-when I came to Oz), I have not had the assistance of maids. I had to do everything...literally everything.

Here at Chalet Y, the feeling of getting pampered was all coming back to me. Although it felt so wrong to wait for someone to re-fill your drinking glass, there was that feeling of delight...here in Oz, you fill it up yourself. If you're half way having your dinner and you forgot...say, soy sauce...you stand up and get it yourself. Having lived here down under for almost half of my life, conforming to the norms is inevitable. 'SARILING SIKAP' is very much a part of our daily lives. So all these little pampering that felt wrong somehow felt so nice!

Anyway, as expected...If you're in Boracay, water activities are endless. Scuba diving, swimming, sailboat, parasailing, all kinds of water rides, shopping...did I mention Scuba diving?Ohhh...Just basically the beach bum's life.

What I found mystifying with Boracay is that it's like a little city along a long stretch of white soft powder-fine sand without the hustle and bustle of the usual city. Not a lot of cars, no jeepneys. It's basically a city where you can go around without the worries of what to wear and the fear of being nabbed. Adding more excitement is the possibility that you might just bump into someone you only see on TVs and movies (specially at station 1). Even my son somehow recognised Toni Gonzaga from TFC in a tricycle

The island boosts it's requisites with the most laid back mall I've ever been to in my life. It is called D'MALL. D'Mall is conveniently situated between Station 1 and 2. Shoppers donning bathers, shorts and just about anything you'd only wear in the privacy of your own home. Part of the mall is floored with nothing but the abundance of its' credulous white sand.

It basically offers the convenience of all the modern facilities we can never do without in the real world. ATMs, grocery shops, fish market, fruit stands, etc. Several eateries that offer international cuisines-Mexican, German, Swiss, and of course Filipino- interspersed among the other shops/boutiques. They even have STARBUCKS! Mang Inasal, Andoks, McDonald's, KFC and Wendy's, I've noticed, were the most packed restos.

Shopping was great but limited compared to Manila and the other major cities. Most of the shops sell beach wears, souvenirs and other beach abobots. D'Mall however has a LONELY PLANET shop. For those who love speaking out about travelling around the world and on Mother Nature's behalf, there's no better way to verbalise your heart than through Lonely Planet shirts...Lonely Planet in Boracay is a shop not to be missed.

Thousands of beach drifters accommodated by legions of beach-side bars pulsates the night life in Boracay. On our first night, we dined in this place called OBAMA GRILL BAR AND RESTAURANT. There, my son had his first taste of Krispy Pata. He didn't really understand what it was, but since the word 'krispy' is attached to the other word, he ordered it. Obama's krispy pata is actually something you should not miss if you're in Boracay. Since then, wherever we dined, Jashkah would always look for the 'krispy pata' on the menus. Oh, I also recommend their baby back ribs, they're nice...Well, that's all I remember about it... that it's nice because by the time we had it, we've already had two buckets of San Mig lights.

Anyway, the service was also superb and the ambiance was such that it allows you to loosen up and simply enjoy Boracay's boundless horizon.

There, we saw ERIC CHUA, the whistle blower of the earlier mentioned KATRINA HALILI scandal...Nope, nothing much to say about him. Good looking? Yes, he is but definitely not super good looking. He looked fit though.

Going back to the island itself...Boracay was once voted as the best beach in the world and is currently one of the top ten beaches worldwide. The island used to be a secret hideaway to a few travellers. It was not until the 70s that Boracay came into full view to the world when foreign movie makers accidentally discovered this awe-inspiring rim off the northwest tip of Panay Island.

Technically, this was my first time in Boracay. I'm saying 'technically' because I've actually been to this island before but never got to put my foot down on the soft white sand that it is widely known for. I was on a ship that did a detour stop to pick up some tourists off the coast of Boracay. Back then, I thought what's the big fuss about this place? It's crowded with tourists...just another beach.

Last December, I was in for a crude awakening. I did not realise, I was going to be one of these 'tourists' mesmerised by the beauty of Boracay one day...I had no idea I was born in a country with uncanny semblance to a paradise. I thought where has my life been?

Like all good things in life, there comes a time when you have to leave and move on, otherwise, it

just becomes too mundane and ineffectual as the first and could be lasting impression.

Halfheartedly, after three days, we packed our bags once again to head back to Bacolod City. Conceding to the inevitable but anticipating my future 'come-back', I shall return, I thought . We wanted to extend our stay, but because of the prior arrangement with a dive instructor at Dumaguete, we had to leave the island and get back to Bacolod late that day.

Upon arrival in the main island, we went straight to the 'P150.00 per-day' garage where we've parked my sisters' car (just a few meters from the pier where you board the 15-minute banka ride). Then, my sister received a text message from the dive instructor informing us that he can't do the course with us as he had an emergency call from Apo Island. However, he's arranged for another dive instructor to take over and certify us. He said, he'll never hand us over to someone he does not trust, and apparently, this other dive instructor is one of the best....

We thought...SHIT! Could've stayed in Boracay longer....But too late. We've already left the island. I wasn't really looking forward to diving to be honest, because I almost died twice in water and I have developed this biggest fear specialy in open water. But because I promised Jashkah we'll do this diving course together, I thought, I can't disapoint my son. And worst of all, I don't want to be left behind in every dive that my sister, her family and Jashkah will be doing, waiting for all them to resurface each time. So, I thought...Go! Go! Go!

We left Boracay with sad but hopeful feeling that we will one day visit this paradise again. Unbeknownst to Jashkah and myself, we were in for a bigger, brighter, more exciting ocean adventure.....An adventure, no doubt, will be part of my life for as long as I live.................

NEXT UP:

OUR DIVING ADVENTURE.........

SUNRISE OR SUNSET?

2009-12-24T08:49:00.009+09:30

"I've been so busy...It's been a while since I last posted..." has become so much of a cliché in this blog. As I've said in my previous blog, my postings are going to be far and few between. Well, it has. I would have loved to share every moment of my life, but a lot has happened that are so private and emotional I can't even begin to talk about it.

I've left Darwin on the 5th of December, went to Singapore, then Malaysia (Genting) and back to Singapore on my way to Manila.

Arriving in Manila on the 10th of this month was such a great relief. I thought I'm where my heart is. It felt like hearing that 'CLICK' when you push a clinch in a lock and you know that it fits, it's right and it works. Knowing this holiday is some sort of a retreat for me, a time to reconcile with my self, my past and time to re-evaluate the future. In spite of that, I fully intend to enjoy and make the most of the two months I have with my family and friends while I'm here.

So far, I've been appreciative of what's come my way, not thinking about the vexations in life. We've been to Boracay, Dumaguete and Apo Island. We'll be heading off to Dipolog on our way to Cagayan de Oro after Christmas.

Of all these places I've gone, a monumental event occurred in Dumaguete and Apo Island where I have confronted an ugly thing of the past. I'd like to think it was a success but the real test will have to happen before the new year, away from Dumaguete and away from the person who's aided me the most to conquer this curve.

I will blog about all my experiences and the beauty of Philippines next time. But for now, have a safe Christmas everyone. Thank HIM for the beauty and all the blessings instead of the paroxysms in life for this ain't Disney World. You only get one go on this ride.

ZERO DEGREES AND FALLING

2009-09-20T09:45:00.004+09:30

I can't believe my hubby's nephew, Ferdie, is making it good out there in the music world. I remember him as a young man when he stayed with us in our old house for several months. I knew then he's got potentials because he really had a great voice.

He used to lock himself up in his bedroom and just sing his heart away while playing his guitar. He writes his own songs too. Now, he's got a band. He's the lead vocalist in this band called ZERO DEGREES AND FALLING, while his brother, Bong Bong, is the drummer. I am closer to their brother Murray though because he's stayed with us longer and we were pretty much on together to so many craziness (like setting him up dates and stuffs).

But it's really good to see him doing well. Good on yah Ferdie and Bong Bong. Hope you make it big out there, and hope to see you in MTV soon. Good luck with the new CD to be released....

ROAD OF UNCERTAINTY

2009-09-18T18:31:00.006+09:30

Right now, my future really looks uncertain. Though this new journey is something that I asked for, fought for, competed for and worked hard for, the triumph is still to be had. Countless agonizing headaches and unbearable frustrations are expected. But as always, I remain positive but cautious.

Today was my last day at work...somehow, I still can't say 'my previous work'. I have been in this area for almost ten years now, and some people I have worked with since I don't know when...forever. It was hard leaving the place. I am not certain whether I'll be coming back. I wish, financially, I won't. But emotionally, there is that feeling of security when I am amongst these people, and I will be longing for that refuge and comfort.

My comfort zone had been well protected since I last had a major issue in life. But two of my bosses pushed me out of it and made me more audacious. All of a sudden, here, I found myself braving the outside world on my own...without them, and out of that comfort zone (on the nail).

Deep within, I know it's a rusty nail. Something I have to get out of. But somehow I really found it hard to leave work today because I know that whatever I will be doing here in my next journey, I will be doing my damnedest best...And there remains a possibility that I might not be coming back.

Today, I went against the tradition. When someone leaves, the staffs usually give a morning tea for everyone. I refused to do this because I owe a lot to my colleagues. I, instead put in a morning tea for everyone ( hey, that was with labor and love staying up all night cooking!!!) as my thanks to everyone for being nice, kind and respectful to me as a person, an alien(being of a different racial background) and a team leader.

But hey, who got surprised? Me! I can't believe they would give me a yellow and white gold earrings. Hayley, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I will treasure and guard this with my life, I swear. Apart from that, they also gave me a plant(well, someone knows me too well...), two crystal candle holders, scented candles and SCRATCHIES!!!!!! Someone truly knows me, it's scary!

To everyone who's put in for this and to everyone who were really good to me....THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Nikki, Lynette, Peter, Melanie, Robyn, Alyshia, Marg (hope everything's OK darling), Brenda, Matthew, Liz(THE MAGICIAN, I know sweetheart), Erin-lee, Sue, Vicki, Leanne, Hazel, Yvonne, Janine and to my mentors and to my praised gurus...Cheryl O (thank you boss), James (thank you ex-boss), Harry (thank you for teaching me so many things.)...........Thank you all for making me feel, I do belong. I will be missing you all. But for as long as we are all in Darwin, then there will always be a 50/50 chance of bumping into each other somewhere. So, see you all soon.

As I've said, I might be back next month...............hope not though.

TEN THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE

2009-09-13T17:17:00.007+09:30

1. To sky dive

2. Get a licence to fly a plane

3. To see at least 20 more countries and experience their culture

4. To be able to take care of my Mum and Dad and see my son in a comfortable and secure life

5. To be able to change at least one life for good.

6. Be able to truly forgive and be forgiven

7. Feel love and be loved again

8. Loose 20Kilos

9. Conquer a fear

10. Be at peace with God

UPS, DOWNS AND DECISIONS TO MAKE

2009-09-12T08:10:00.021+09:30

I do realise my blog posts are getting few and far between. My life's generally gone into circus the last few months. A little drama here and there...within the tribe, within my family and within my workplace. 'Just like the sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives'. But nothing too hard to handle, really.

First off...Yes, once again, Tribung Tralala has conquered the 2009 Darwin Barrio Fiesta. And YES, our stall was the best that night. Unfortunately, FAANT forgot to take the judges around to make a decision on who's won the best stall for the night. It's a bit of disorganisation on their part, but hey, the queue of customers spoke for itself. Unofficially though, we were told by a committee member that they will find a way to bestow us the price money because it was way too obvious that our stall was the best anyway. Hopefully, technicalities aside, the other stall owners will just admit to what was evident that night.

No, it was not all flowers, bright colors and smiles. We did confront several internal issues. In a group flourishing in numbers as well as prospects, factions are but an inevitable reality. I am just hoping that our long history of friendship will predominate what other vexing elements there may be.
Anyway, it looks like we've surpassed the initial hurdles we have encountered last year. Meeting the demands, no wastage and lesser drudgery. Altogether, we have transcended into a better working group/company rather that better friends, unfortunately. Sad to say that we started this out of fun, but this time around, it's become more of a conclave with conventions to adhere to.

With all honesty, I am still hoping that we'll get over the pangs this event has caused the pioneers of the Tribe. May we always remember the good times instead of the bad. May we always rise to the merit of our friendship rather than the worth of $$$. We acknowledge, we as individuals have flaws, but I hope our flaws will instead make us amenable to others.

We all have gone through so much together, helped each other in times of need and laughed so much together that no words nor whatever little money value there is should put any contentions between us. If friendship sustains, then all the back ache I've felt after the fiesta are all worth it. Knowing all the pioneering members by heart, I am sure we will one day put aside differences and embrace the invariable history we have shared...One day...as it starts healing today.

Anyway, enough of the Tribu dramas, and more about me....

I have won another job in the Department of Justice. I am not sure whether I should rejoice or be sad. I love my current job. I know it by heart, the ins and outs. I love the people I work with. I love every bit of it. But as they say...move on before it gets too comfortable, you are highly dependent of it. My former boss always tells me, "Get out of your comfort zone". Well, the time has come. I thought I'd never be able to explore if I don't get out. I'd never be truly comfortable if I am not familiar with what's outside the box.

So, I applied for this job. It was not an easy application. A lot of people from within and outside the government applied. Three got short-listed for an interview. I am one of those three. So I went to the interview armed only with what knowledge I have from my current job. Apparently it was very hard to separate the three candidates and the panel could not come to a conclusion, so they employed DRAKE INTERNATIONAL to conduct a test/examination for the three of us. This is not a common HR process that the NT Government go through...actually, it's the first I've heard of.

I almost pulled out my application because the stress level that I was experiencing back then was too much. I thought I'd never be able to handle it. But someone told me to just stick to it 'till the next day because one or the other two applicants might pull out before me. So I decided to wait it out.

Yes, I do believe so much in God. I may not be religious, but my faith is unquestionable. The first and last thing I do everyday is pray. Every time I wake up in the morning, I pray and thank God. Before I go to sleep at night, I pray and thank Him again. At that point, I secretly prayed in front of my computer while working. I asked Him for guidance. My staff might laugh at this if they ever read this...

But anyway that same morning I was told to ring Drake International for an appointment, I was talking to a friend at work (Maggie) about the stress this process is causing me and she was trying to convince me to go for the test. At the same time, I was generating a daily exemption report in my work computer...then out came the very first vendor on the report...Guess what it is! DRAKE INTERNATIONAL! Maggie and I laughed at it. Then that same morning, in just a matter of hour, a query was passed on to me by one of my staff who've been tracking down an employee...Guess who the query is about! My very first EXCEL teacher at 'JOB FIND' when I was still looking for jobs over ten years ago. I remember her name so well. So I ran and told Maggie about it. Again, we laughed. Coincidence or not, who knows, but that was the sign I asked for.

Anyway, be that the deciding factor or not, I went to this test (abstract reasoning-more of an IQ test, Accounting and Excel) couple of days after. I thought, I may hate failure so much, but what have I got to loose? I have a job no matter what. (But I still hate failing!)

A week after, I was told I nailed the test and killed the other two applicants. WHHHOooaaahhh! I was not happy I got the job. I was happy I passed the test. Boy was I proud of my self!!!

Then came the realisation that the decision is in my hand whether to accept the offer or not. My ex and current boss are very supportive, they are the two people who have pushed me to go on further and tackle on more responsibilities. They are the two people I ask guidance from when it comes to work because these are the two people who truly believed in my capabilities. So, decision came easy with their advice.

I spent the last two days( Thursday and Friday)in the new workplace, which is, in itself very intimidating. The office is inside the prison here in Darwin, in the middle of nowhere. New office, new staff, new weird environment, new daily route, away from shopping centres...Which I think is the biggest incentive. Food's cheap...cooked by prisoners...Hey I wasn't game enough to eat them, but I was shown how they're prepared and cooked and the security involved while they are in the kitchen. I think it's air-tight. So I ordered my lunch from the prisoner's kitchen during the two days that I was there.

This coming week will be my last week with my current work. I'm sure it will be busy and hectic...and sad of course.

But as always, I look forward to a new journey. It might not work, I might not be able to deliver what's expected of me, but I will most certainly try my best.

So for those who believe in me....you know who you are...Thank you all. Hope you will all remain my friends in years to come...'till life itself ceases. I value all my friends, so even if you won't see me as often as you used to, remember, I am just a phone call away and all our experiences will forever be treasured in my heart.

I meant friends at work, friends in the tribe and around the world.

ABOVE ALL, MY FAMILY.

(I probably won't be able to post blogs as often as I wish, but I regularly visit facebook, so hear and talk to me there everyday.)

THE UNADULTERATED PRESIDENT Jan 23,1933-Aug 1 2009

2009-08-01T11:52:00.011+09:30

I pay tribute to another brave, strong, smart and graceful leader. Former Philippine President Corazon Cojuanco Aquino, the first female president in Asia. A house wife to the late Benigno (Ninoy)Aquino, a vocal critique to the Marcos regime who was later assassinated when he went back to Philippines from exile in the United States. Ninoy's death cultivated the way for the Filipino's awakening and uprising.

She is probably the only President Philippines has ever had who did not seek power, but was propelled to the office when the country called for her service. The whole nation is thankful to her for valiantly answering a call from Edsa .

I was in grade school when the Edsa revolution eventuated. It was also called the yellow revolution due to the yellow color which dominated the streets, from yellow shirts to yellow ribbons and yellow flowers. That was my first exposure to a political upheaval which marked my social standing and awareness.

She was called upon to help remove the then incumbent, President Ferdinand Marcos who was known to have held an authoritarian and corrupt government for twenty years. The revolution was nonviolent and brought the whole nation together.

Towards the end of her appointment, she was urged by so many to run for the office in the following election, but she decently stepped down, appeased by the fact that democracy is back on the hands of the Filipinos. It was the cleanest hand over of office, unprecedented, yet, never seen again thereafter.

Cory Aquino died today after over a year of battle with colon cancer. She's left a country grieving but grateful for letting the nation experience, though briefly, a leadership free from corruption. Her character was not suited for politics, yet she was undoubtedly born a true leader.

To you my dear President,

SALUDO AKO SA IYO!!!

Right: (Me and) Some of my Filipino friends here in Darwin Australia watching the news
about Cory's demise

Cory's picture from:

http://allecoallende.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/

A BRILLIANT MIND ON ITS GRANDEST QUEST

2009-07-28T15:00:00.000+09:30

Dino Rex Paller Laurente, Nokee as we so fondly call him, and Ki-Kiw or Kiw to those closest to him. Who would've thought that at 38, he'd be fighting the greatest battle most of us could never even comprehend? For those who've known him in grade school and high school, he'll forever be remembered as one hell of an intelligent guy.

Yet today, he battles with colon cancer. Early last week I received a post on my facebook account regarding his condition. I was dumbfounded. He is not just a childhood friend and someone I look up to with envy for being so blessed with such intelligence, but he is my cousin as well.

My family used to live on the same street in CMU as their family and another relative (The Santiagos-whose matriarch is Nokees' Mums' sister) lived. I admit, they were the fondest memories I have, where innocence lingered, intellectual moldings embarked and where principles started to engage.

We've marked that street with so many bike tracks as well as 'Bulan-Bulan' (moon)circles, a game we had so much fun playing during full moon. It was on that street that I have come to my consciousness and my very first memories do include my cousins Bernie, Nokee and his two siblings, Lora and Dollee. I, myself shared a near-death experience with his sister Lora. Whatever that incident was, we are glad we came out of it living.

While all of us would be skateboarding up near the cemetery, Nokee usually kept to his readings. During mid-term breaks we'd all go mountain climbing (up Musuan Peak), Nokee still preferred reading. Over the yearly three-months summer breaks from school, we'd all (along with his sisters) go to our aunties' house in the city for holiday, fun and shopping...Nokee would still read. My memory of Nokee was that he's constantly reading either a book or a magazine (Readers Digest, Time, etc).

I also remember we used to climb up the guava tree or the santol tree in front of their house and Nokee and I would spend hours discussing just about any social issues while perched in one of the branches. I loved listening to him. He made topics interesting even when they seemed too dull at first glance. He is very informative.

I remember we dug up the back of their house to make a fish pond, but while digging, he said that he can make a swimming pool out of the pit he's dug. That's his kind of thinking. He sees the bigger picture, he thinks outside the box. He discerns the many possibilities out of one originally simple plan...But of course the excavation stayed as a pond.

In grade school, he graduated with honors. In high school, he's shown his talents in leadership, writing and public speaking. But you will never want to see him dance. He's like someone with a pair of feet not made for each other. No, that wasn't his forte, but his academic excellence gained him one of the top honors during graduation. He was also the EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE AWARDEE.

Nokee is also an excellent writer. His degree in Dev.Com is so befitting to his talents. His was an organised mind. He sees things and events and writes about them in a system more logical and comprehensible rather than a haphazard collection of events. Had he chosen to become a journalist or a professional writer, he, no doubt would have excelled in this field too. The world had so much to offer to him. Now, I feel sad that at such a young age, his future is hanging in a balance.

There is vaguely any memory of him getting into mischief, apart from when he annoys the crap off his sisters by teasing them and playing tricks on them. All these added on to his loving personality as a 'KUYA', not only to his siblings but to us his cousins too.

After high school he went to the University of the Philippines Los Banos where he got his degree in Development Communication. When he came back to CMU, I've already left for a university outside of Bukidnon and I've lost track of what he'd been up to. But what ever it was, I am sure he still did it for the country. If there is one thing I am sure about Nokee, it is that he is one true Makabayan (patriot).

Nokee is one of the most brilliant minds I've personally known. It is sad to know that he is going through such hurdles and is having difficulty accepting his condition right now. I wish and pray that he will strengthen his faith and pull through this difficulty.

His sister, Lora Mae, who is a nurse in Canada, informed me that he'd been through surgery and he will be undergoing chemo therapy as soon as he is strong enough for this procedure. Apparently the surgery incision has become infected, so I really really hope he's going to get better and stronger for the chemo.

For us who remain ignorant of this decease, here are some of the symptoms as per WIKIPEDIA, "There may be a change in bowel habit (new-onset constipation or diarrhea in the absence of another cause), and a feeling of incomplete defecation (tenesmus) and reduction in diameter of stool...including the passage of bright red blood in the stool...as may the increased presence of mucus..."

It is said that colon cancer is the cause of "655,000 deaths worldwide per year, it is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorectal_cancer)

My son and I have just been to the Doctor because he's having diarrhea. I asked our Doctor what causes colon cancer and she said, "...eating too much meat". That got me worried. My son hardly eats anything else but meat. I told Jashkah about Nokee and colon cancer and we both have agreed we will put more vegetables in our diet from hereon. So should you...

There is so much more I could say about Nokee, but not one of them would ease the pain that he and his family is going through right now. So for you couz, please be strong and have faith. As Eric Epie said, "Science and Faith go hand in hand". I say, have more of the later, for without it, nothing is possible and hope decimates.

My love and prayers are with you. Thank you. Thank you for sharing so much wisdom when we were young. You might not know, but you have embedded some principles in me.

Get well soon.

One of his classmates back in High School posted a Dylan Thomas quote on the Dino Rex Laurente FIGHT AGAINST COLON CANCER facebook wall which I like so much. "Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light". I hope Nokee gets to read that post. So right and true.

Here is that poem.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death,

who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

photo of the colon specimen from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_cancer

HOLY MOLLY BROCOMOLY NEW MOON TRAILER IS OUT

2009-06-02T17:35:00.003+09:30

OML! It felt like a century of waiting... Now I'm back up from slumber.

Finally the NEW MOON trailer is out. It's about time Edward and the rest of the Cullens come back to my life. I've been reading all sort of books since I last opened Breaking Dawn so I could stop re-reading all four books over and over and over again. Ive had my workmates borrow and pass around my Twilight books so I can stop thinking about them. As expected, everyone fell madly in love with the saga. One even said she did not want to return them to me.

Then this morning, my son went screaming like crazy, "Vampire! Vampire!" ,while I was dressing up for work. It freaked me out because I didn't know what he was screaming about. So I rushed to our entertainment room where he was waiting for me, without my eye glasses. Not seeing anything! But the moment I heard Edwards voice in the TV...I just knelt down right in front of it like I was praying (because I could not see without my glasses)...but was also really thanking all saints, gods and goddesses for bringing back the Cullens.

Hell...What this thing does to me!!!

This is not fair. I am so anxious for November to come....Please please please let it be November already.

MTV Shows

videos from MTV and YouTube

THE SATURDAY DINNER

2009-05-24T17:09:00.007+09:30

Jashkah's real birthday as you know was last Thursday, but we celebrated it with friends yesterday here in our house. Last Thursday however, we took Jashkah to his favorite resto-NOODLE HOUSE.

Some of the staffs in the restaurant are friends of my husband, and they surprised Jashkah by singing along with the stereo while they brought out a little cheese cake for him as we were about to leave. Well, yeah...Jashkah was so embarrassed but thankful anyhow.

Just an update on his birthday wish...that I sign the parental consent on his McDonald's application form...Yes, I did. I said yes but with too many conditions, mainly:

That he only works on certain days and certain hours.
That he maintains his school marks-if it goes bad this term, it will mean automatic resignation. No more explanations to be heard.

He said he'll even make it better...Let us wait and see.

I asked him how much he'll be earning per hour, then we calculated how much he'll be earning in a week. Then I said, "...less the tax that you're paying...", he went, "What tax?"

He cringed after I explained what tax is and said, "That's not fair. Is the government really allowed to do that?"

My oh my.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF THE ADULTS AND REALITY MY SON!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR SON

2009-05-21T00:06:00.001+09:30

This afternoon, Jashkah presented me with a couple of forms from school that he said, I needed to sign. One of which is an application form for McDonald's. As in McDonald's the globalised fast food franchise.

I knew my son's 14th birthday is coming up, but I didn't realise part-autonomy, independence and self-sufficiency comes with it. It bothered me a lot, because I've always told my self I will never send my son to work while he's still in school. I will never allow him to experience the satisfaction of earning meagre amount of money because he might think it can readily sustain him for the rest of his life. I wanted him to finish school and get the education that he so rightfully deserve. Education was prime and foremost. Money later.

I decided back then that I will bear all cost and provide him with every single thing he may one day need and want for as long as he's in school. When he's done with his schooling, then he can work and earn his own sweat.

That was my principle...back then.

Then along comes the realisation that part of that education is how you earn your own money, because what comes with it is the learning of the value of your own hard work.

So now, I am in a quagmire of ambiguity. I've been debating and arguing with my self for the last 6 hours since he came home from school. He recently told me that I am 'OVER PROTECTIVE', and that I should let him out a bit...I am lost here. Am I the only mother being accused of being over protective?

But then again...he is now in fact a 14 year old MAN.

I do realise I need to allow him space for some decision-making in his life. It's the only way for him to experience the facts of life.

Back to his overture...more like argument and rationalisation as to why he should work: we are going to Philippines this December for a holiday. He needs spending money.

My argument is: he's got $25.00 allowance every week, therefore he will have spending money if he knows how to save.

His rebuttal: It's not enough.

Mine: Clean up my car and the house every weekend and I'll pay extra.

He, no doubt, wasn't happy with how that ended. As usual, I had the last say...So should all mothers;=)

But it doesn't mean mothers should always win. We should all open our minds and consider their arguments and all avenues. I might sound like a condescending mum, but I am usually a very broad minded mum. I allow reasoning and contemplate on it. And I do not make decisions simply to demonstrate my power. I make my decisions based on arguments presented to me...PLUS...logic.

I haven't made my decision yet, but my son does not know that. He probably thinks that was the end of the discussion.

It really is not easy to be a mum...a mum of a teenager at that. But I am glad that he is now exercising his self-reliance and individuality. It may be too hard to admit, but he is starting to grow his own wings...and I have the responsibility to show him how to make use of those wings and fly...and SOAR HIGH gracefully like a falcon.

So, SOAR HIGH MY DEAR SON...

You will only understand a parent's love once you are one yourself.

Happy birthday Jashkah. I love you so much.

A MOTHERS LOVE

2009-05-10T08:18:00.004+09:30

Today I thank my Mum

She who nurtured me

who protected me.

I thank her for loving me then and forever.

I thank the woman

who defied the impossible,

wo made sacrifices

beyond the neeless anxiety

Thank you so much Mum.

I love you forever...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

THONGS AND THONGS

2009-04-20T17:56:00.013+09:30

I am currently stuck with so much to blog about but so little time to do it. From the Easter Egg Hunting that we did for the kids, which was the other weekend, to the lakwatsa that we did over the weekend that's just gone.

I am, however, more excited to show you first what we, Tres Amigas, did last Saturday...

Anyway, last Friday, Cat got her DHL box from Pinas. It's got her late pasalubong for us from her holiday back home. She's got me a bag, some knick knacks, a shirt and some pinoy seasonings (I left it back at her place-Actually, I think someone's pinched it off my bag...Jehehehe).

But the feature pasalubongs are: JARRRRAAAANNNGGG!!!

HAVAIANAS!!!

It's brought the number of my HAV thongs to five. Had two from my sis and my cousin Bing. Another two from Cat, and one from....guess who!

PAPA E!

Thank you very much Papa E.

Papa E is Cat's beau...Actually, boyfriend...No, fiancee na pala. He's also given Mona a pair of Havaianas. I don't think he's just trying to suck up on Cat's friends here in Darwin. I think he's just a genuinely nice, thoughtful, caring, worthy, congenial, admirable, responsible, favorable, amiable, agreeable (huff. huff), commendable, sociable, affable, amicable, distinguishable (huff. huff) gentleman...any other adjectives you can add? I'm hoping that every adjective will be converted to a pair of Havaianas when Cat goes back to Pinas...very soon!!! Yehey! Another pair...Bait bait ni Papa E. Sabi ni Mona you're now one of her official sponsors...I-endorse ka daw nya palagi...

Kiding aside, thank you very much Papa E, from the bottom of our bottom...este hearts pala ni Mona.

No need to impress us. We know you're highly capable of looking after our friend.

Anyway, last Saturday, Cat, Mona and I went to this Bra and Knicker sale at the Darwin Show Grounds. Cat's bought gazillions of lingerie and Dolce and Gabbana thongs- getting ready for the big event huh Cat?

Mona was just happy to try every single kinky outfit that she saw and pause for the camera. She ended up buying a D&G thong as well...Wanna bet? That g-string you bought will just end up as Xander's sling shot! I bet my butt crack that Thong won't see the light of day. Baka ipapa frame pa nya yan together with the Havaianas that Papa E gave her...

I was not able to get anything for myself because I'm a Jammy kind of gal. I love my pyjamas and I can't stand G-strings. PERIOD.

However, I got that black leather kinky outfit that Mona's trying on above. Nope, not for myself but for a photo shoot that I am still trying to negotiate with these two sexy ladies. I also got these really cute thongs for my sister. I'm hoping she'll wear them cuz she loves wearing sexy low cut jeans. These thongs will be good to look at just in case her butt crack accidentally pops out of her jeans.

She's slim and athletic, so I think these will really look good on her. Warning though...these pretty thongs can cause you to be a bit of an exhibitionist sis.

But that's okey 'cuz I'm sure her butt won't look like this butt...like mine would .....

Uhhhgghh.

No that's not me...and that's not mine down under. It's some unfortunate soul we've spotted at McDonald's. Very good example of why we have to be very careful and make sure that even our undies are sexy and nice just in case it pops out, right?

Shocks...I think I really look like this...

OH MY LORD. THIS IS WHO?

2009-04-13T11:50:00.003+09:30

OMG! OMG! Look at what I've chanced upon this morning in YouTube...

That garage door looks incredibly familiar!!!

HAPPY EASTER

2009-04-12T11:50:00.004+09:30

(Some of our Easter Eggs for egg hunting tonight)

Peace and happiness is what we need today. May you feel His presence as He who has risen will never forsake. Rekindle your faith for His triumph is all ours to own and appreciate. A blessed Easter to you all.

-Cheryl and Family

SALT SUGAR RICE AND WATER

2009-04-10T00:12:00.010+09:30

Don't get injured during Good Fridays, or it won't get healed.
Don't have sex during Good Fridays, the penis will get stuck inside the vagina forever.
Don't sleep with your feet directly facing the door or else you will die.
When you are pregnant, you should not eat a Siamese banana or else you will also have a Siamese twin.
On the very first menstruation, girls should jump three steps in a stair way. Not sure what the reason was for this.
They should also wipe their bloodied knickers on their faces to prevent pimples from appearing.
When you get lost, turn your shirt back to front, then you will find the way.
You are inviting bad luck if you sweep the floor at night time.
Don't cut your finger nails at night time or you'll constantly fight with your parents.
If you dream of someone dying, go bite a tree to prevent it from happening.
When you go past a big tree or a dark place, you have to say "Tabi Apo" to warn spirits you are going through their territory, thus avoid bumping into them and making them angry.
When you hear someone gritting their teeth while asleep, smack their face with a rubber thong to prevent bad luck then chuck that thong out through a window...Geees, I wish there is a Scientific explanation to this. Would give me lots of excuses to smack my hubby's face!

These are just a few of the many superstitions I've grown to hear during my younger years. Some Filipinos bring these weird and funny beliefs even here in Australia. Some superstitions have gone up to a different and 'higher' level...the Feng Shui.

My friend, Mona and her family moved into their newly bought house today. Advices came flocking in with regards to when/how they should move in. The one that probably reverberated the most was about what they should first bring into the house. Salt, sugar, rice and water. Apparently, this is also supported by the Feng Shui studies(is it even a study or an art?)

These four items signify the most basic needs in living, and should therefore be taken into the house before anything else so the household will have abundant supply of the basic commodities. I admit, I have also fallen victim into this folklore when we first moved in our house. With the number of people telling me this is what we should do, then I thought it might be disrespectful to those who wished us good. So I dutifully brought all these items in before anything else. I laid them to their respective spots because that's where they're meant to multiply.

Surprisingly, only after that was dramatised did I truly appreciate and vanquished on the realisation that we have finally bought our first home. I could easily compare the feeling when I first conquered the top of Musuan Peak. Then I had calls from friends asking whether we have brought the salt, sugar, rice and water in...I felt I wanted to say, "THE EAGLE HAS LANDED" to be even more dramatic. When I went back to the kitchen, I got the shock of my life when I saw it was raining with rice inside the freaking house! My husband was throwing the rice by a handful (each time) in all corners of the house like a priest blessing the bloody house!!!

I screamed like a wounded witch who was about to pounce on a trespasser in my domain! I think my husband wished he said 'Tabi Apo' right that minute. I asked him what the hell was he doing...He said, "Isn't that what we're supposed to do to have a prosperous life?"...Then I saw bunch of coins spread out in the four main corners of the damned house!

Oh My Lord. A variation of the superstition I've been told. Well, apparently these superstitions vary in all the different regions in the Philippines, and from the sounds of it, it also evolves.

Well, when my friend, Mona, moved into their new house this afternoon, she's done the same thing I did, but the Monaliza way. Her timing is apparently better because the full moon is up today (or tomorrow?), which is said to be another magnet for good luck and prosperity.

I know there is no scientific truths to any of these, but what's our loss if we follow? I did it to make everyone happy, and because of the fact that it's already part of our custom. I've always believed in preserving customs and traditions (only the good ones)we have inherited from our forefathers. Besides, it's fun having to do some kind of ritual during big occasions in your life, such us moving to your newly bought house.

What the hell...I need all the lucks in the world I can get in paying back the mortgage, I might as well do all the rituals even if it means I need to chop off a chicken's head!

The salt, sugar, rice and water ? We still run out of them from time to time. Could it be because I vacuumed all the rice from the floor? When you throw away food, you're meant to say "Porya Gaba"...Oh my...I didn't say that. I'm cursed! That's probably why they don't get automatically replenished...

UNVEILING TALIBAN'S SHARIA LAW BRUTALITY

2009-04-07T23:53:00.007+09:30

I have finished reading 'A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS' last night and I found it very disturbing. I thought I've seen very backward places and met too many ignorant people, but nothing's compelled me to swear like I could kill with my mouth, as much as these atrocities did.

I searched You Tube if this fictional plot lays even half the truth of what's happened in Afghanistan during the reign of the Talibans. Whala! I found thousands of videos showing the injustices these Mother F*****s have done on the face of the earth. I have never been so ashamed of a fellow specie like I am now. How can these self righteous, sanctimonious bastards be classified as human beings? They are nothing but PIGS! PIGS-pretending to be so divine and better than the rest...

Religion does not do this...It's the society who allows this to happen. Yet they claim to be civilised! Hah! Children are meant to be protected, not abused. Where is civility in that? Women are supposed to be cherished and respected. Where's decency in that?

Fuck Talibans and fuck the men who do this! The world can do without your kind. It will be a much better place without you animals!

Women flogged for showing an ankle, hair, face? Kiss my big fat ass all you defective crap of a human being that you are!!! Women are not possessions, we are human beings too, just like men. But hey there might not even be any use in writing more about how sick these monsters are because they probably can't read anyway. As illiterate as they are.

I've heard a lot about gender apartheid but I've never personally searched you tube for violence in any way, shape or form. Now it's suddenly become all too real.

I've never wished for anyone to die in my whole life. But I do now...Die all you coward women-oppressors!

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini-worth every time in the world.

"The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race." —Susan B. Anthony

KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL

2009-04-03T17:46:00.008+09:30

Bravo to Deborah Rodriguez, the author as well as the first person of the book. This is by far the best book I have read this year. Yes, I have fallen so blindly in love with Twilight. It was some kind of a mental refuge to venture towards the fictional world for which I have always painted in my mind to be the ideal reality I want to be a part of. But no matter what we do, Twilight will remain a mere fantasy.

Kabul Beauty School is reality. A reality we can all be a part of if we choose to and if given the chance. It is a true account of the author's experiences in Kabul.

Last month (March) was Women's Awareness month. It's good that I've read the book last week, which was still March. It reminded me of women's rights, issues, struggles, success and future.

For most modern women, myself included, we have come a long way. From the afflictions that our gender had gone through, to the beginning of the women's suffrage movement in 1848...then now. What rights we enjoy at present are products of the egalitarian spirits of women who fought for social reforms. It is however very unfortunate that this crusade did not slither successfully towards the East, Afghanistan specially.

With Taliban gaining power in 1996, complete ban of education for girls was imposed in adherence to a very strict Sharia law (Islamic Law). This marked the beginning of the end of women's rights and protection in Afghanistan.

Women get stoned to death if they are as much as accused to be committing adultery. Yes, in all forms of morality adultery is considered foul, but we don't get stoned to death in public for this. We don't get sent to jail because someone raped us. We do not get beaten because we've shown our face to someone outside the family. We do not get sold by our fathers to supplement their needs. We are not forced to marry at the age of 12 to a 45 year old man so our family can collect dowry. We don't have to hide inside the house and inside the burka when we're outside the house because the Taliban's might grab us off the streets...

When NATO Forces started occupying Afghanistan in October 2001 in response to the 9/11 attack, Afghan women started seeing hopes again. Part of these optimisms are caused by the arrival of the many NGOs in Afghanistan to help rebuild the country and the people. Deborah Rodriguez went to rebuild the spirits of women.

The burka clad women have been locked away for so long in these outfits which we, westernised women might consider a jail cell. For them, it is a protection. It's their hiding place from being seen by Taliban extremists.

Debbie Rodriguez is a hair dresser and a beautician. How in the world did a beautician help women in a world where not even a strand of woman's hair is to be seen by the public? Teaching people how to be beautiful in a place where beauty is not visualised is like teaching a bunch of people with amputated arms to paint.

She started a beauty school which clearly stepped over the cultural divide. The school hatched a number of (now)successful women entrepreneurs. But her journey was not without tears...lots of it. This is not to say that there was no laughter and fun though. Her book illustrated several comedic experiences. One instance was when her best Afghan friend, Roshanna, got married.

Roshanna is no longer a virgin (she was raped during a previous engagement). If you are a single Afghan woman and is no longer a virgin, the odds of you getting chosen as a first wife is dire. Her fiancee, whom she hasn't seen before does not know this. They have this consummation ceremony after the wedding, where the couple are meant to make love over a white handkerchief for the first time while the mother of the bride stands guard outside the door. The bride then hands over the white handkerchief (stained with blood) to her mother so she can proclaim and prove that her daughter is a 'wholesome-respectable virgin'.

In Roshanna's case, it was impossible to produce a bloody handkerchief. Roshanna and her husband tried several times, but Roshanna always ends up pushing her husband away. When the husband was about to give up, Debbie stepped in between coaching time and love making time. She clipped her fingernails too short so she cuts her flesh and spilled blood for Roshanna. She drained and wiped all the blood she could possibly force out into the handkerchief and handed it back to Roshanna and said..."Here's your virginity!" . They hid the handkerchief underneath the pillow before another love-making trial session... After a few minutes, off went Roshanna's mum screaming, "VIRGIN! VIRGIN!"

Her beating the odds in reshaping the outlook of women is perhaps the sweetest success the female population in Afghanistan has achieved in decades.

Afghan women have a long way to thread through, but there is always a start. The Kabul beauty school started and ignited the influx of self sufficient and independent Afghan women. Most of the graduates are now earning more than what Doctors in Kabul earn. Doctors generally charge 10 Afghani per visit, where beauticians charge up to 300 Afghani to do a bridal make-up.

She currently lives in California. It is very unfortunate that Debbie Rodriguez could not return to Kabul just yet. There had been many accusations and threats against her. The school was accused as a brothel. She'd been accused of so many things but a true emancipator of the long suffering women of Kabul.

Like her, I have this ardent wish to be able to do something big. I've always thought that if I'm able to change a life or two for the better in this lifetime, then I have not lived a meaningless life.

I have yet to fulfill that wish. Right now, I am in search of that path.

This book reaffirmed my belief that anyone can make a change. Specially a woman.

WELL DONE! VERY INSPIRING!!!

Photo of the burka clad women from this site:
http://www.afghaninjustice.com/articles.htm
Photo of Deborah Rodriguez from this site:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/reviews/2007-04-11-kabul-beauty-school_N.htm

MORE BOOKS FOR THE WEEKEND

2009-03-27T18:58:00.005+09:30

Another glorious day done and gone. Another week completed. Three books read and two to go for the weekend. This week was a quiet one. I spent more time reading than anything else other than working.

So far, I could say only 'THE KITE RUNNER' was worth talking about. The other two I've read wasn't as interesting. James Patterson's Double Cross was ok. However, my reading of the book was more of a thrill induced rather than a curiousity ilicited fixation . There wasn't much of a substance to it. Unlike The Kite Runner, you learn about another culture, place and dogmas. Usually, when it's thrill induced, you sort of know the ending even when you're still in the middle of the book.

The view right now from our bedroom window

Yearning for a more daedal anthology (probably due to my inability to withdraw totally from Twilight), I rang my sister for more book recommendations, and she said '...find Kabul Beauty School and A thousand Splendid Suns'. So off I went and got the two books at $24.99 each.

I got told by the sales lady that she's seen the documentary of the Kabul Beauty School and she said it's awesome...So I've decided to read Kabul Beauty School first.

I can feel a migraine looming over the weekend, so I'm hoping I can get through before I get totally debilitated by the resounding-throbbing pain and sensitivity to light and sound. Yes, I'm one of 'em unlucky ones...

Anyway, I hope you all have a fun weekend. Enjoy and be safe.

THE KITE RUNNER

2009-03-23T17:39:00.003+09:30

My sister sent me a book by Khaled Hosseini, which I got last week through Kuya Boy. Most of you may have already heard of it because it's been produced as a motion picture by Dreamworks. I haven't. I only read it over the weekend, and boy was it an awakening weekend. The title of the book is 'THE KITE RUNNER'.

Afghanistan- First thing that comes to mind is: Al Qaeda...War...Terrorists.

This book gives out a different picture, a smoother backdrop, a more ethnic awareness and even the point of humour from a country now so perceived as riddled with evil and inhuman acts. This is a book about the Afghanistan before the Russian Invasion, the aftermath, and the present Afghanistan.

It's about the humanity in Afghanistan and the culture within back when freedom was not an exorbitant commodity but rather a conventional bystander, one , which was often taken for granted. Now an impossible dream.

I don't want to impart much of the plot because some of my friends already expressed interest in reading the book. I'd rather they read the book and perceive their own natural conjectures based on the status quo of Afghanistan. Midway of reading, I am sure they're in for an educational awakening.

My sister's also sending me a DVD copy of the movie. I just hope it'll get here as quick as my patience can hold, because right now, I am so wanting to go to Video Ezy to rent a copy of the DVD.

Thanks sis.

PROCRASTINATING TO THE MAX

2009-03-15T16:07:00.030+09:30

It's now Sunday afternoon. My procrastinating days are over. I'm due back to work tomorrow and I do expect a busy week ahead. But with the full intention of making the most of my time off from work, I wasted no time in wasting all of it in gallivanting around with my hubby and friends.

This car goes well with this booty

Most of Saturday was spent in my car driving around for garage sales to looking for Cat's prospective car-to-be then test driving a V8 Holden Statesman, to ransacking a Filipino Farm in the rural area half an hour drive from my house-well, really, about 3 hours drive wasted on looking for the right way after getting lost several times. Thanks to the GPS in my Nokia N95/8G, we found the right farm and our way out.

Mona got dropped off by her husband here at my place about 7:00AM. Cat arrived shortly after with her laptop on tow (not intending to let Papa Eric miss out a bit of her day-owwwsssweeeet), then we had breakfast before we started the never-ending drive.

Negotiation Skills at its best comparable to that of a Hostage Negotiator

We went to some garage sales looking for essentials to furnish Mona and Allan's newly bought house (another hang-out-to-be). Although it was not as productive as we hoped, we somehow saw an area just right along Stuart hi-way full of private vehicles for sale. Cat is currently looking for a new car because her Emina is already starting to falter on her. She's only had one look at this V8 Holden Statesman and she's fallen in love with it. So typical of her. So Cat and my husband joined forces with their negotiation skills...in translation, BARATAN talents...the Statesman was being sold for $22,000.00. Cat managed to get it down to $19,000.00...But my husband has an unbeaten talent in BARATAN, he got it down to $17,000.00.

Cat: Yes! This is better than any man!!!

Mona: Buti pa to pati upuan leather.

They arranged to meet with the owner, then we went ahead and pursued another garage sale in one of the rural communities here in Darwin. Again, without any luck, we decided to go to Kuya Leo's farm (a Filipino Farmer here in Darwin).

We've been to his farm so many times before (specially during Mango season), but amazingly, just one missed turn then we were lost. Anyway, yes we found the farm and raided from it cooking bananas (Saba), pumpkins (lots of it), kalamansi and banana blossoms, which Cat later on cooked with Gata (Grabe Sarap! Swerte ni Papa E).

The Banana Plantation

Mona will never survive in a farm... She stayed most of the time inside the car, scared of such a gentle creature...Earth Worm. Snakes are rampant in the farm, but she wasn't scared of that, she was scared of Earth Worms. She'd probably kill an Earth Worm with a full Magazine of UZI if given the chance. For some strange reasons...she loathes these creature with the absolute degree of loathing.

We came back to Palmerston and headed straight to McDonald's McCafe for some very refreshing Frappe. In the afternoon we test-drove the V8, Cat falling in love with it more, but hated the owner for being such a DH. So she decided to give it a miss. Geees, she would have bought it had he given her extra attention. Looking back, I think she made the right decision anyway. A V8 is so costly in fuel consumption, plus the fact that it runs like a wheeled missile...Not a good choice for someone with 4 little kids. The sound of the car alone sounds so intimidating.
Pumpkins and bananas for the matatakaw.
We spent the rest of the day cooking and eating here in the house...and oh, consoling Ate Luz with her love problems. She came here late at night in tears, so being the good friends that we are, we had to lend our ears. But like most marriage problems, friends can only listen and give assurances

By 10:00PM we've all fallen asleep in my family room, probably due to exhaustion...
Xander up in a mango tree-braver than his mum
Ate Luz having a nightmare while Cat is in la-la land

Well, that's how my cookie crumbled on Saturday....

Early this morning, we decided to go to the Sunday Rapid Creek Market, bought food then went to the Nightcliff Jetty for some fresh Air. It probably did good in Ate Luz's system because she started smiling and laughing again. We've made bets on the odds of 'someone' either coming back to Darwin this week or not. Unfortunately, shortly after we've closed the deal, we found out the answer...my group lost. So we have to shout the other group a lunch at the Sky City Casino next week.

The showbiz mother and son

Cat in la-la land again

So there goes the finale of my week off from work...Exhausting but good. Productive? Not really. But that was the intention for taking this time off from work...rest and cruise around.

Who's taking who to lunch again? I think I said he's coming back....

I'm now looking forward to the April holy week long weekend....Ang sarap pala ng walang ginagawa kundi lakwatsa ng lakwatsa....

3 DAYS PRINGLES BINGE

2009-03-12T14:51:00.011+09:30

It's been a while since I've last eaten Pringles. Although it used to be my favorite past time junk food, I must've had too much of this at one point years ago, that I simply got too sick of it.

But long time ago... My sister used to get a lot of Pringles from her suitors, boyfriends and admirers. Back in Pinas way back when dagohoy ruled, Pringles was so expensive, so it really is a treat having this junk food. My Mum never wasted money on junk foods, so Pringles came few and far between. I only depended...well, prayed so often that my sister will have more rich admirers so I can have more Pringles. The richer the admirer is, the more pringles she gets. Not that she gave me often...I'd have to beg for it...to the extent of even stealing inch thick worth of Pringles each time from her bed room where she keept all the goodies from her admirers.

I'm telling yah, desperate need means desperate measures. It's like Mission Impossible having to bribe a cousin as a lookout in exchange for a couple of chips of Pringles, or any quid pro quo. It was like the most precious 'caviar' while living in CMU.

When I came to Australia, I had such a bender, over indulging in Pringles. That's how my revulsion came about. One day, I hated Pringles so much. I could not even stand the smell of it at one point. I was sick sick sick as in sick as a goat with Pringles.

Anyway, I've taken three days off from work starting yesterday (I am due to go back on Monday). So last Tuesday, I went to buy some groceries intending not to leave the house but stay home and rest/procrastinate/watch TV/read books/listen to music/surf the net/eat-all five days, weekend included.

Guess what I found. Yes a SIX-PACKER of Pringles. I don't know what made me do it but I bought it anyway....

Believe it or not, I am back binging again. My hubby even got surprised when he saw this box and asked me, "How come you bought Pringles?"

Well, maybe I'm having this 'BACK TO THE FUTURE' moment.

It's still the same yummy old crispy Pringles that has, no doubt, a lot of MSG.

OH MY LORD, three more to go....

Please note, all photos are mine, modelled by my friend Cat. It's not an AD from Pringles.

GREATNESS AND TALENT

2009-02-26T06:39:00.005+09:30

Maybe I'm just really one of the less endowed population in the world who are unlucky enough not to possess any talents at all.

One of my friends told me recently that when I want something, I tend to obsess about it. Her words were, 'KINA-CAREER'. She's right, you know. I often find my self totally engrossed in things that I find interesting. And guess what! I find it so hard and long to get over these things. When I like something, my focus gets out of balance. It's like loosing my periphery on my whole personal entity and social life.

Notwithstanding my dedication and perseverance, I still fail to deliver brilliance in anything I put my hands, mind and heart into. I'm now starting to think I really have no artistic inclinations nor have I managed throughout the years to circumscribe my self into any creative forte.

I've tried sports (tennis) during my younger years...Don't ask me about it. I sucked so bad!!! It felt like having two arms and two legs but attached to the wrong side of my torso.

I've tried the literary gridiron during my high school years...It's never receptive to a mediocre intelligence like mine.

I joined a cultural dance troupe in college, but managed, once, without great effort to bring down the group into a comedic parody in a concert that was meant to be a portrayal of a Bukidnon legend.

I tried cake decorating, which I really enjoyed the first few steps of the way but rendered me despondent towards the end.

Now, I'm laying my hand on photography, and I've not been thinking of anything else the last few weeks, but concentrating earnestly on getting a compelling subject. Yet, I feel I am failing to deliver...Again.

What is so wrong with me???

What am I really destined to be? What am I good at? I know for a fact that what I do for a living right now, is not a pursuit I'm hoping to ascend upon and look back to when I'm 65 years old and could honestly cerebrate and possibly say, "Wow, I did good in something I truly loved doing". Yes. I will forever be grateful for such a blessing. God bestowed me such a decent, respectable and a relatively easy job. It can be stressful sometimes, but overall, it's not something that consumes me and my life. I will forever be thankful for having been given the opportunity to do public service.

Behind all gratitude, contentment and comfort, there is that incite that keeps on prodding in my being to do better. To reach the zenith of my capabilities. To do something grand. Not for financial bliss but more so an act of mental, emotional and social dissection. Testing my own yardstick, so to speak.

Unfortunately, it looks bleak right now. It seems that the benchmark I've so far established is not that eminent just yet.

But I have recently realised that the criterion for greatness is not relative to the perception of others, rather, it is the act of seeking greatness. It is the acknowledgement of the fact that individuals can take on anything yet fail on everything, but realising that testing oneself is greatness in itself.

Life is too short, if I don't put my toes in any murky waters, I'll never know what and how it would feel on my skin. I will continue to be scared of failure and be forever entombed in a small narrow world.

So now, I've decided I will not question my ability. Instead, I will go on and explore this vast macrocosm, the many possibilities, appreciate the beauty of the diverse humanity and never be scared to test any waters.

Come my deathbed, I can say, " I tried that, I failed...I tried those, I failed...But at least I know what they are, because I've tried them."

I don't want to become like this flower that holds no memory of what it once was...

So for my 'pangangareer' in anything that fascinates me...onward I go. I say, bring it on!

What's next? Maybe write a book???? Oh-oh

HAPPY VALENTINES

2009-02-14T11:57:00.003+09:30

Happy Valentines day everyone!!!

Hope this day brings a lot of love and romance in your life. Enjoy.

THE AUSTRALIAN SPIRIT AMIDST THE FIRE

2009-02-11T21:00:00.001+09:30

The embers still glowing, smoke rising and fire surging. The bushfire in Victoria has stupefied the whole nation. Families torn. Houses destroyed. People died and some dying. Identities erased. Personal belongings charred.

It is hard to understand the intensity of this catastrophe when you're merely hearing it from the news. Although bushfires are fairly common here in Australia, nothing has prepared anyone to this severity. Brought about by changing weather, several heat waves whipped across Victoria and Adelaide the last few weeks. The actual mass fatality from burning and smoke inhalation was precedented by deaths from exhaustion and dehydration due to the rise of temperature down south. It's alarming when you see articles in the news saying Northern Territory is the coolest place in Australia nowadays, when Northern Territory should be the hottest this time of the year.

Bushfire warnings were issued as experts anticipated these kind of occurrence during bushfire seasons. But the breach between warnings and apprehensions has proven to be as devastating as it is when Tsunami hits a shore. No one can ever predict the fervor of any calamities irrespective of any forecasts.

The death toll stood at 181 this afternoon but experts warned it can go up to 250, as the search goes on for the 80 who are missing. There were reports that dead people were found inside cars trying to get away from the fires but got caught

in the deluge of blazes. Those who escaped compared the torrent of fire to that of a tsunami, which was impossible to outrun.

One town with 200 inhabitants lost 15% of it's population to the fire. In my almost 15 years of residency here in Australia, I've witnessed cyclones, floods and bushfires. However, they are nothing near in comparison to this. This is by far the biggest devastation I have ever witnessed since I came here. I am not in Victoria but I can feel the percussion this bushfire has befallen in every Australian.

A politician here in the NT, one who witnessed cyclone Tracey as well as this bushfire, said she'd rather relive Cyclone Tracy than this.

It started over the weekend when an arsonist started the Gippsland fires which somehow spread across the state. Coupled with strong winds and extremely high temperatures, it was the perfect concoction for a super bushfire.

There are photos surfacing of people deliberately lighting fires around bushfire prone areas. You sort of wonder what are in the minds of these people. What do they expect? What do they get out of it? Do they have some kind of fantasy to get burned? Why?

What we know is that this act is nothing short of MURDER, worst than murder. It's mass murder. I strongly suggest that the arsonist responsible for this bushfire should be burned to death. When I saw the desolation the victims were going through, looking for loved ones and trying so desperately to salvage anything from the ruins that may help them prove who they are at the very least...I thought to my self, why am I complaining about my old, atrocious and faded quilt cover?

Although we get a lot of rain here in the Northern Territory, we also have the dry season, which can also lead to bushfires. These photos I've posted are actual bushfires that happened in front of our house last year after we've just come back from holiday. It's the area where I took the sunset photo, which I've posted previously. It may look safe because you could actually see a fire truck containing the lit area. But it still looked and felt scary because I can physically feel the heat and hear the creaking sounds even when I was several meters away from the fire.

In times like this, you can really see the Australian spirits trying to surge amidst devastation. You can also see in them the 'bayanihan' spirit that we, Filipinos, so nurture within our society. It's this spirit that made them survive Cyclone Tracy, the Bali bombing and the Port Arthur massacre.

Estranging my self from my roots and culture is virtually impossible. I even make sure that my son knows and understands more of it than he's meaning to take on. But in tragedies like this, I am very appreciative of the fact I am also an Australian. An Australian who feels the pain that the whole nation is feeling right now. How the nation stands so dignified after the many catharses it's gone over and around throughout it's young history is a classic example of real Aussie vitality. Something to get inspiration from, and something to learn from.

Filipinos might say, " mabuhay ang Pilipino!!!"

Aussies go, "AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI! OI! OI!"

More better, "NO WORRIES MATE!"

GET WET IN DARWIN

2009-02-03T18:53:00.007+09:30

I'm lovin' the weather here in Darwin the last few days. It's wet, it's gloomy but it's cool. (Like Forks!!! Ahahahaha! Singit na naman).

Edward can live here anytime...I'll shelter him from the sun! Free board and lodging. Anyway, he does not eat, and I love dinugoan...and he doesn't sleep. He can always sneak in our masters bedroom when my hubby's away...

Anyway, Queensland's had a cyclone, Adelaide and Melbourne had heat waves, but Darwin's welcoming the wet. Monsoon trough brought extended rain period this past week. It's cooling down this normally humid season and giving every Darwin household a free garden re-hydration. The only drawback is, our yard has become an oasis for Cane Toad wanderers. It's not safe for my adopted son to go out on his own even in our own backyard. He hates their croaking sound and would love to tear their skin out...which will be fatal for him. If you have read my post loooong time ago about cane toads being pests here in the Northern Territory, Queensland and West Australia, you'd know why. I suppose there is no hope for these disgusting looking toads to be eradicated.

I'm hoping this weather's gonna go on 'till May...then we'll have the cold southern winter wind. Wouldn't it be good....

I'm getting sleepy now with the tripitraptrap sound up on our roof...Good night.

Oh, how are my pictures? Any comments?

COLECCIONES DE ESTANTE

2009-02-02T18:08:00.007+09:30

My sister's just about done reading the first three books of the Twilight saga. Last time I spoke to her, she told me she's slowly reading ECLIPSE because she does not have BREAKING DAWN. She got sucked into the frenzy too, and so did my cousin, Bebz. Once you've gone past TWILIGHT, and started on NEW MOON, there is no stopping anymore. I hope my sis have finally found the last book because I know how it feels to search every corner of every bookstore you get into for the missing book. In fact, I have searched the whole of Australia for ECLIPSE back in December (or something). It's an atrocious experience. I had nightmares!!!

Anyway, my sister told me she's really going to put the whole series of books on he 'ESTANTE'. It's funny, because she's never the kind who parades books as some form of house decors for people to see in her lounge room. It's also funny because I have done exactly the same thing. I have a book shelf full off books in our study, far from guests sights. But since that book shelf is so full already, I have decided to fill up another bookshelf in our first living room with only my favorites, if not my first choice(s).

Now, they definitely look like house decors. Weird and...just weird. But there is no better place for them to be in right now but somewhere where people/guests will recognize straight away that whoever is living in this house is a TWILIGHT addict...and they better not criticise the saga and Stephenie Meyer, unless they want to be thrown out of the house!

For the longest time, I have not read a book that has really impressed me the way these four did. The last ,I think, was ' THE DA VINCI CODE' and ' ANGELS AND DEMONS'. I've read a lot of books since then, but nothing that made me think, how the hell did this writer come up with such a plot?

If you want to know how piteous I've become when it comes to this saga...here's an approximation...how about reading all four books 5 times since December?

God, I need a shrink!

Here's another Stephenie Meyer's which I bought today, THE HOST. Is it the weekend yet? Don't think its a good idea to start this one now. I Won't be sleeping tonight.

Monday down....Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to go...........

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-01-30T19:50:00.005+09:30

This is the beauty of digital photography...If you did it wrong, you can always go back and correct any mistakes. Any flaws captured, you can always eliminate. Any unwanted objects, you can delete. It makes me think however, one does not necessarily have to be artistic, one just needs to be techno-savvy to create something brilliant out of a flawed and amateur composition.

My bro and sis pointed out to me in my previous post not to put a subject right in the middle of the photograph, which really makes a lot of sense after reading "THE RULES OF COMPOSITION" . So here is an edited version of the 'Lilly' photograph which does not break the 'RULE OF THIRDS' anymore.

Here's an even further enhance version of this photograph. Notice the difference in colors? It's a lot stronger and more pronounced. Wonder what else I can do with this picture? Maybe put a butterfly on the flower? Oh...sis, can I borrow that broken winged butterfly?

For someone like me, with creative aptitude deficiency, I dare say, thanks God for digital photography and editing!

STALKING THE GECKO

2009-01-29T17:45:00.017+09:30

One of my models (CAT) went for a holiday in 'Pinas', so I'm left with only my camera to experiment on. Although Mona's still here, Cat left some threatening words just before she left..."NO PICTORIALS WHILE I'M AWAY". Mona's not taking that threat for granted, and we intend to make true to our promise to wait for her before we experiment further along with photography and modelling.

But she did not stipulate anything against getting a new model. So while sitting in front of our house in Farrar, waiting for the sun set, and hoping to get another twilight view, I caught sight of this magnificent creature. I thought this is a better model than Mona and Catrina...Someone who does not bewail about clothes and make-up and does not ask for copies of photos for FRIENDSTERS and FACEBOOK!!!

Please welcome, THE GECKO!

One lonesome and unsuspecting lizard, traveling past my driveway while I was armed with my new toy. There is no better way to waste time, but stalk a gecko. I felt like an idiot looking like a paparazzo around my own backyard. My neighbors must've thought I was spying on the neighborhood. Unbeknownst to them, I found a more intriguing subject than human form itself.

I am still determined to learn how to make use of this camera. So here goes more of my practice subjects... No idea what I was doing...All I was trying to achieve was to get a clear photo. Any constructive criticisms are welcome.
I wake up each morning with this view across the street from my window. Our suburb is a very young residential area, so most of the lands are still up for grabs. But there is an existing covenant protecting this very land that I took a shot of. There will be no building/housing structures to be erected in the next 5 or so years. I think they intend to just make this a nature strip. If you're lucky, kangaroos and Dingos do pop out of this mini-jungle from time to time.

When we walk our adopted son, Ikki, out (that's actually his toilet right there), specially at night, we do carry with us a piece of stick to whack on a dingo, should one come out and decide Ikki is looking delicious.

The sun sets straight across the horizon from our bedroom window. It's a view to die for. Above photo is what this view looks like during day time.

Right down the bottom is Ikki. He got invited to a pug birthday party this

coming weekend. We're hoping we could go, so Ikki can have fun too...smelling and kissing butts out there.

Anyway, I have to go, take some more photos... Who knows, I might chance on a subject worth millions.

Yeah Right!

Ikki, go fetch a vampire!!!

Now, that would be something to see!

PRACTICE WITH A TWILIGHT TWIST

2009-01-24T23:14:00.014+09:30

Being the first long weekend of the year (AUSTRALIA DAY), I am determined to learn something about my newly acquired toy from my brother. Took a lot of photos...with models of course....inexpensive ones (free actually)

I tried so dang hard to forget about Twilight, unfortunately, it just keeps popping up in my head. We went to the casino (mind you, I'm not a big gambler), and I saw this machine with a big Wolf theme. So I decided to forget and let go of a ten dollar note in my purse...just wanting to see the Wolf cry....Well wadayaknow! Made an eighty dollar return in my purse! All the while, only thinking about Jacob. Hah!

Anyway, I took some shots of my friends Mona and Cat. Then I decided to create a TWILIGHT theme on one (of the hundreds) of Cat's photos. This is my blog's version of Bella Swan-The Vampire....

The photos do not look professionally edited just yet, but give me a couple more months...or a year, I'll master this craft. I would like to say I love the camera, but how can I love something when I still don't know how to use it to it's full potential?

I am enjoying, however, the company of this powerful toy. If you have not noticed on this blog, my peer group has no shame, what so ever when it comes to facing cameras. We can already see projects lining up for my models...They've even got costumes ready, women magazines to study and locations to explore...Feeling professional kami lahat!!!

But in fairness, bagay naman sa kanila di ba? Tingnan nyo naman, Pang Twilight talaga.

Just have a look at Cat's transformation...

See below...We've already got a New Moon Version...Actually, NEW MOON CAKE version. That's Monalisa, dressed up like an oriental Bella Swan. Took Cat a few minutes to do Mona's make-up. Then, she did hers as well trying to impersonate a glamourous photo of Angelina Jollie, only to end up looking like a vampire...Pero pang Twilight na Vampire no!

NEW MOON CAKE

EMMETT'S TRUCK NASA FARRAR!!

ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU

2009-01-20T18:21:00.010+09:30

I know I know...I'm a bit of a spoiled brat. If you remember long time ago, I posted something which advertised my dire need of a new camera. Well, someone's heard my prayers...Hah!

My brother, Bong sent me his old camera...which is not so old for me by the way. He's now got a Nikon D300, so he's abdicated his old toy. And guess who's got it?

Yes, lucky ME, MOI...

I've absolutely no idea how to operate this DSLR camera, so I'm still sort of an amaurotic photographer. But I am determined to learn and make full use of this new toy.

I am so used to using the 5MP camera on my Nokia N95(8GB) phone. Whent I got the camera yesterday from Ate Luz (who's just returned from Pinas-Thanks for bringing the camera ), I fiddled with it straight away. I was trying to take photos but wondered why the subject does not appear on the screen while I'm taking the shot. It only appears after the shot has been taken...Well, I feel like an idiot now that my brother has explained to me one of the DSLR functions...Man, I've got a lot to learn!

Now that I have a new best friend, I don't think I'm going to get bored after the TWILIGHT frenzy. As they say, WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER DOOR OPENS...kaya may bintana din!!!

I'm not dumping my old friend, Nokia N95 though. It's still a good friend. I've only got a new found best friend...Who says you can't have two at the same time huh?

My First Model-Xander the Great

I bet my sister's whining right now....hihihihi. Sorry Sis, my turn to have a nice treat from Bong!

Bong, thanks. I've never had a good camera in my whole life, so I will definitely take care of this one. If you get tired of your new Nikon D300, I'm just here, and my place is a good dumping ground for that...

Hmmm life....

My first shot

What's next? Oh, I'm in bad need of a new car too. My car's buggerd up already. Maybe you want to send me your Toyota FJ Cruiser too...

Now, I'm taking a looonggg shot...ano sabi nila? 'Hampas sa buwan' ba yon? Hihirit pa talaga....Tsk Tsk Tsk.

Ask and it shall be given nga kasi, di ba?

WEEKEND COME AND GONE

2009-01-18T19:04:00.013+09:30

Dang! Weekend's almost finished.

Yes, I have finished Eclipse in 26 hours. Hardly slept Friday night... I slept at around 3:00 AM and woke up at 6:AM Saturday, then started reading again... Nope, I haven't done much household chores over the weekend.

Right after I finished the book last night, we went to Dr. Ed Aralar's birthday, which was sort of a big relief and heart lightening event...Only Tribung Tralala knows why...Thanks guys for understanding....We do value every friendship, specially this group. Anyway, Happy birthday Daddy ED...Hope you will have a healthier year ahead and more kakanin na lulutoin para sa amin.

Now that I have finally read all the Twilight series (except Midnight Sun, which is still in a thought process), I feel so sad. As pathetic as it may sound, but I have already read Twilight three times and Breaking Dawn twice. I don't want to re-read Eclipse...So I decided to go fishing with my husband today. Cat and the kids came with us to the Channel Island, about 10-15 minutes drive from home.

We were literally under the sun the whole day through. We planned on staying there for just an hour, but for those who know what fishing's like...That is impossible.

Moses with his catch for the day, Spanish Flag & Myself,

Cat, putting a bait on her line.

Well, look what's happened to my skin....I look like a lechon. Got sun burnt beyond recognition.
We got some fish, but not as much as we wanted though. So I'm not sure if this sun-burn is worth it.

Anyway, I'm glad to have gone out today and forgot about my TWILIGHT life. I think I've gone far too obsessed with the saga already. Time to get back on track...My own voyage.

Tomorrow, back to reality. Work is where I get to think that life isn't all about fun. Life has to have a financial source to have fun....

FINAAAALLLLLLY!!! THE LONG WAIT IS OVER...

2009-01-16T18:32:00.005+09:30

Over a week ago I reserved a copy of Eclipse in almost all book stores out of desperation and fear that all copies might get sold out again. Then this afternoon, while I was at work, BigW, yes the shop I was planning to rob rang me...Guess what?

I HAVE GOT MY ECLIPSE!!!!!

I felt like going AWOL, leave work and head straight to BigW.

BigW, thank you so much. They're the first to ring me...

...and I also managed to snag a copy of the Twilight soundtrack...

Mona picked the book up for me since she was in Casuarina this afternoon.

Just an hour ago, my friend Cat, the ever annoying CAT(!)...buzzed me in the Yahoo Messenger and said, Xander (M0na's 2 year old son) dropped the freakin book in the Toilet!!!
I told her...I'll never forgive Mona...But I'll still have the book and read it (even if Xander pissed on it).

But, here it is....My Eclipse! Safe, sound, in tact and most iportantly...DRY!

So friends and families...you won't hear from me in the next 24 hours. I will be readin' and listenin' all niiiiggghhhht looooonnnggg....

No YM tonight. No calls to be answered.

Bai Bai.

OMT!!! (Oh My Twilight!!!)

2009-01-15T22:02:00.004+09:30

I would have dug my face into mounds of cow's dung if I knew I was to win the bloody VOLVO!!!

Or actually, even just to hug Edward and Jacob!!! The VOLVO??? Icing on the cake.

Watch the Tyra Banks 1 first, before Tyra Banks 2...It's so funny. Takes your mind away from Rob's hair.

IF GODS MUST BE CRAZY THEN VAMPIRES MUST BE STINKY

2009-01-15T17:38:00.003+09:30

Honestly, he looked better in Twilight. Now, c'mon yall... I know you're with me on this one. This image can't be anywhere near Edward Cullen. I don't know how Catherine did it, but she definitely did a good job... Oh he's cut his locks just a couple of days ago. No need to worry about him looking like a vampire on meth.

Robert Pattinson on Jay Leno - 11/26/2008
Uploaded by melbdanger

THE WORLD OF THE LUCKY DAMNED HAS ENDED....NOT QUITE

2009-01-11T09:08:00.011+09:30

Yes and No.

Yes, I have reached the end of the Twilight saga. And No, I haven't had any luck in finding ECLIPSE. You won't believe what I've had to go through trying to find a copy of the third book, but even bookstores down south are waiting on back orders.

It's very unfortunate that I don't have Edward Cullen's self control. Yes, I did try, waited, and was unusually patient for a while there. But when my friend, Cat, texted me saying,

"THERES ECLIPSE AT COLES AND TARGET"

...I thought, my prayer's been answered, finally. But I did wonder for a moment why they are selling ECLIPSE at COLES. For those of you who don't know, Coles is a chain of grocery stores here in Australia. Yes, they've got meat there for Jacob.

Anyway, I thought nothing much of it but I was getting my self so hyped up and ready to drive away to buy a copy.

Then guess what the big joke was!!!

MINT GUMS!!!

HaHaHa! Very funny Catrina!

How gullible can I get when it comes to this??? That did it!!! I've had enough! Enough waiting and looking and searching and calling... I'm gonna read BREAKING DAWN!

And so I did...

Now, Ive finally reached the conclusion of the whole saga without reading bloody ECLIPSE...

Having read BREAKING DAWN and not reading ECLIPSE first, I don't think it's detrimental to the big finale. Each book has a story of it's own, in a way. Yes, one should read TWILIGHT, then NEW MOON, then ECLIPSE, then BREAKING DAWN ideally. But if you do decide to skip, I'm happy to advise, go for it.

I seek Daniel Pennac's Readers Bill of Rights:

1. The Right to Not Read

2. The Right to Skip Pages

3. The Right to Not Finish

4. The Right to Reread

5. The Right To Read Anything

6. The Right to Escapism

7. The Right to Read Anywhere

8. The Right to Browse

9. The Right to Read Out Loud

10. The Right to Not Defend Your Tastes

(taken from: http://sally906.blogspot.com/)

Please refer point No.2...right to skip. I exercised this right.

I honestly do not think it's going to affect my 'could be' reactions and feelings for ECLIPSE, should copies of the book be out this coming week. Had I read BREAKING DAWN before NEW MOON, it would not have made such a big impact on my perception of the saga. I'm pretty sure I'll still be able to fit the pieces together the way they should be.

Oh, I also seek RBR No.10... The right not to defend... This entails, yes the genres of the books I read, and in this case, how I read it.

So for those who bludgeoned me for having cheated and skipped...like the friend who sent me the ECLIPSE GUM picture...and Mona, who got talked into reading TWILIGHT post Twilight movie...EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!! I've read it...I'm finished...and I'm re-reading them all!!!

Head high...Chin up...walk straight and say...Beeeee!!!! (tongue out)

ABS-CBN & STAR CINEMA...PLEASE LEAVE TWILIGHT ALONE

2009-01-04T14:27:00.010+09:30

I was watching Entertainment Live on TFC this morning, while my husband was, I think, in the computer room playing poker on line. All of a sudden I let out this bloodcurdling scream..."NOoooooooooo!!!$$%#@!!!"

I could actually feel the house in tremors. Then he came running down frantically asking...why? what happened? what's wrong?

What's wrong?!!! Rumours about ABS-CBN paying $1M for the rights to produce a local version of TWILIGHT...What’s wrong? Shaina Magdayao and Rayver Cruz coveted to play the role of Bella and Edward...What’s wrong? The supposedly new title is the literal translation in Tagalog, TAKIPSILIM...What’s wrong? Everything sounds wrong! My first thought was...Hell NNNOOOOO!!! Then reverberated to, WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY THINKING? ARE THEY STUPIDLY SERIOUS?

Apparently ABCCBN has availed the rights...But it’s good of them to clear out unfounded rumours and stump on gossip mongrels

I have so much respect and admiration for ABS-CBN and Star Cinema for making movies well suited for the Filipino audience. I love a lot of their films, and I am sure there are more people around the world who share my feelings, but that is not enough to substantiate a call for a local version of the much loved and embraced vamp anthology. Star cinema creates movies that tickle us the Filipino way, Twilight is not for Star Cinema. Twilight is a surreal world altogether, a world that only belongs to Stephenie Meyer’s mind, imparted to those who have read the books.

Lobo, I followed so ceremoniously. But, not even PioloPascual can do justice to Edward’s absolute flawlessness and mysticism. Even in my previous post, I did mention that the movie is not as good as the book, even though the Hollywood version did justice to the story. With all due respect to ABSCBN and Piolo... But how can ABS-CBN possibly out-do Summit Entertainment? I love Piolo like a god, but a god is nowhere near a fictional Vamp who’ve won my heart and the world over...To hear that Rayver is playing Edward...My heart sank like it was never gonna beat again. No offence to Rayver and Shaina, I have no doubt they’re brilliant actors ...But it’s just wrong.

It’s the impossibility of Edward’s Utopian faultlessness that we want to hold on to in our minds. Not the textbook reality of show business. One face for each character (Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and them mob) is enough to hold a little bit of mortality in all the Twilighter’s imaginations.

I feel very protective of the images of all the characters in my head. It’s something I would not want to be degenerated by images of famous real people. I am sure other Twilighters feel the same way.

As I’ve said, ABS-CBN refuted this rumour...So thank you ABS-CBN. To you, I give my reverence. I just hope that if ever the opportunity arises for you to obtain a copyright, you will not do it. Please don’t attenuate the power that this creative work has embedded in our imaginations. It’s a beautiful story which, no doubt in my mind, will attain the same stature as any given well adulated literary classic. This creative work will be around for as long as the Cullens live.

Having said all that, I am also hoping that Stephenie Meyer won’t sell copyrights to any other production company but SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT. I am hoping she won’t be blandished by any monetary offers...especially not at $1M. Her TWILIGHT is priceless. The one with Kristen and Robert is enough. Let there be no other players and versions on this beautiful piece of endeavour... No more...

No other versions...Please.

TWILIGHT TRAILER

2009-01-04T11:47:00.003+09:30

Nope, I haven't tracked down a copy of ECLIPSE yet. Robbing BIG-W remains an option. seriously contemplating this prospect.... :))

I'm gonna need Edward Cullen's help though...

TWILIGHT OUTAGE

2009-01-03T07:41:00.012+09:30

My first biggest disappointment for 2009 occurred yesterday when I literally drove around Darwin like a maniac, hopping from one book store to another trying to secure a copy of :

1)ECLIPSE

2)BREAKING DAWN

I wanted to read the whole Twilight anthology before I go back to work on Monday because when I start on Monday, I will probably have no more time to read...And of course, the main reason is that I am so missing the characters, specially Edward, Bella and Jacob.

Why have I been caught up in the ensuing frenzy of this cult hit when I have absolutely no previous history in reading vampire books/stories?

First, I went to the nearest shopping Centre, about 3 minutes drive from my house-TARGET. They don't have any copy....SOLD OUT.

Then I drove to the biggest shopping Centre in Darwin-Casuarina Shopping Centre which is about a 25-30 minutes drive from home. There are five book stores in that mall. I went to K-Mart first, where Cat and I bought the first two books. All SOLD OUT.

Then I went to Dymocks- All SOLD OUT....Bugger!

Walked all the way to Angus-All SOLD OUT...Damn! But the lady offered me a hopeful advise...Try Big-W.

So I hurried to Big-W...Then I spotted TWILIGHT... YES!!! I went around that book shelf where several copies of Twilight was sitting hoping that my sight will catch the word ECLIPSE... Nothing. So I went around again to double check. Nothing. Then again...Why is life so hard??? I finally asked one of the attendants if they've got ECLIPSE, and she asked me whether I have reserved a copy of Eclipse or if I ordered any at all... Merong ganon???

I was so tempted to say yes. But I know that's not going to help. I simply asked, " so you've got copies here? but they're all reserved?" I tried so badly to persuade her to give me one of the copies they're holding on for someone else...NOPE! But she has one more extra copy of BREAKING DAWN which was meant to be for her, and it's in the back room. That's good...OK I'll have it.

OK, my optimism is not withering off that easy, I went to a big News agency that sells books... Hoping they'd have ECLIPSE...SOLD OUT. These two words were starting to really irritate me yesterday.

So, I came home with a copy of the last book-BREAKING DAWN. I did not know how bad this move was until I got home, because I was just literally staring at the unopened book, unable to read it. I was seriously contemplating whether to go ahead and read it... or even just the first chapter...Then I decided, I'm not giving up. I'll get ECLIPSE one way or another...maybe rob BIG-W, with a toy gun and demand one of the reserved copies of eclipse...

NEWS HEADLINE:

AN ASIAN FEMALE, EARLY 30'S, OVERWEIGHT, ROBS BIG-W, HELD A STORE ATTENDANT HOSTAGE FOR A COPY OF STEPHENIE MEYER'S BOOK, ECLIPSE.

How bad would that have been?

That is how desperate I am. Hopefully, today, I'll find a copy somewhere...

I've never fallen in love with a book, a story and the characters therein, like I am with this whole series. Twilight runs the gamut from falling in love with the wrong one, trying to make it work, danger, leaving-to protect the loved one, unbearable promises, reconciliation, then facing danger again, to negotiations, pitfalls, exposure, fitting in and the whole package. It takes my very rare romantic imagination to a whole new level. Fall in love with a vampire or fall in love with a werewolf?

I have never heard of Stephenie Meyers previously, but now that I have, I will surely watch out for more of her creative works. I have already decided, I am one of the million fanatics of this anthology, joining Ivy Aralar and millions more...And hopefully when this ends, she'll be able to create more work that will have my mind think as the first person in the story and take my imagination to a different world.

For those who have not read the book yet, please do. It's better than Romeo & Juliet. The Romeo & Juliet element is but a tiny touch of this saga. It uncannily mirrors the Shakespearean tragedy in NEW MOON but, with a different shade and spice. J.K. Rowling, move over!

Well, what are you waiting for? Go find a copy and start reading...I'll go, resume my hunt for a copy of ECLIPSE...

Happy reading.

TWILIGHT SAGA-NEW MOON

2009-01-02T08:29:00.009+09:30

"I am the world's best predator, aren't I? Everything about me invites you in-my voice, my face, even my smell. As if I need any of that!"

Edward's description of himself does not justify the magnet that he, the other characters, and the twilight saga as a whole has for me.

I've finished reading the second book ,NEW MOON, two days ago. I am so 'thirsty' for the third one. In fact, I am on my way today to buy the other two books, ECLIPSE and BREAKING DAWN. We also watched the twilight movie last night and this might sound a bit of a cliche but yeah, it's not as good as the book. Of course not! The movie was excogitated from the book, so obviously the book was alluring enough, warranting a movie production out f it. Personally, I felt the movie did justice to the story. It might not be as good, but it's definitely put faces on the names and backdrops where it stood merely as far as my imagination can go. I am happy with the movie. Added bonus:

Robert Pattinson is so H-O-T!!!!

New moon left me gasping for air when Edward broke up with Bella in the hope that he will put Bella away from the danger that his world comes with. He was literally just in the beginning and the end of the book. In between is where Jacob Black has planted a seed in my mind. I did not like him at first, but as the pages started to deflate, I kept hoping for Edward to come back...then falling slowly in love with Jacob, but not knowing which category of 'love' exactly-confusion!!!.

Stephenie Meyer wrote it to hit exactly how Bella feels. It was eerily almost as if I was feeling unequivocally the same way as Bella. You sort of keep hoping and hoping...and hoping...for Edward to come back. Then you get tired, and take a step to move on...

I love this book better than TWILIGHT, but as my young friend Ivy told me, Twilight is important because it introduces you to the characters. But the real action starts in NEW MOON. In deed!

I am looking forward to the movie and I'm dead hoping they won't change Robert Pattinson as Edward. There had been talks about Gaspard Ulliel playing Edward in the other sequel. I can't get over the fact that Gaspard played Hannibal Lecter in one of the movies I've seen on TV just recently. EEeeeeoooowwwwssshhhhoccckkkkssssyuk!!!

Anyway, a piece of advise, if you have not read the book, DO NOT WATCH THE MOVIE!!!

"...for this to be the twilight of your life, though your life has barely started. You're ready to give up everything"- Edward Cullen

MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU GUYS

2008-12-26T17:52:00.003+09:30

Hello pips.

I know...I know...It's been a while since my last post. I'd been really busy with work and...actually, should have also been busy with homework. But I did not even get around to do any of it because of other rockin' and rollin' happening with my life.

Oh, by the way...Merry Christmas yall!!! How did your christmas go? Mine was pretty normal. Just like last year, we spent it at the Aralar's residence with the whole Tribung Tralala. It was unfortunate (for us)though that Ate Luz decided to spend Christmas with her kins in Cebu. Other than that, As I've said, everything was normal. We had Allan as the Santa this year. However, the original plan was for Mona to be the Mrs Santa, but we could not find an inexpensive outfit for a MRS. We found a couple...guess where...in an adult shop. $145.00!!!!

We thought it was too much...

The hosts, Mr & Mrs Aralar

Mrs. Santa's outfit aside, we enjoyed the Christmas celebration as usual. It was another good excuse to have a photo-shoot, so very typical of the Tralala ladies...any occasion is a photo-shoot spectacle. Mona, for one would do anything, bend and stretch her back and legs to model for any camera. Hey, we're actually turning good in this! Cat was anything but shy! Have a look...she's got her trademark pause now!!! If only Ate Luz was here...

Oh, by the way, I am on leave from work for two weeks. I will be back on the 5th of January. If you've emailed me on my work email address, you must have received an auto response by now, saying I'm off from work. Well, that's ok, I can still read my emails wherever I am.

I intend to make use of these two weeks off from work to do the things that I am unable to do while working...like the homework for example! And of course posting something on my blog to let everyone know I am still alive. Oh, I also had the chance to read 'TWILIGHT'. Ivy Aralar, my young teenage friend told me it's a good book, so I bought the book for $19.95, and my friend, Cat bought the next sequel (Can't remember the title). I am to hand her TWILIGHT when I'm done, then she'll lend me the book that she's bought. Chinese way of saving! Filipino-Chinese po kasi si Cat.

All the while, Ivy has the whole series. We could have just borrowed it from her... and not spend anything at all!

Anyway, I am dying to watch the movie, but Cat might cut my head off if I do when she's still reading the book. So the best option is wait for her to finish, then we can watch.

I'd give the book a rating of 7-8 out of ten. Reason is, I am not so fond of teenage love stories. This one however has an edge to it...the teenage characters being vampires. I expected more because I'm more of a Harlan Coben, Sydney Sheldon and Robert Ludlum (may his soul rest in peace) fan. If you've read their books, you'd know what I mean.

Twilight, I can very much compare with the Sweetdreams collection or to that of the Sweet Valley High( Remembering my primary school years, where I'd save up just to rent or if lucky buy any of these books). But as I've mentioned, twilight has a thousand times more thrilling elements.

Overall, I am happy with the book, and I am looking forward to put faces on the names. Hope I can give this book to Cat tomorrow (when she picks me up to go to garage sales) so she can finish it, then we can watch the movie.

This holiday, I was planning to do my garden, but somehow feel so tired everyday. Each morning when I wake up, I feel like I just want to rest and savour every moment away from work.

My friend, Cat has just resigned from work after 19 years of service and unquestionable dedication as an assistant manager to a hotel. She's also just bought a unit! Now, tell me who can do that? Buy a house, commit to a mortgage, then resign??? Only her! So, almost everyday, she comes and picks me up and we go around town...doing what? Seems like everything! We're actually organising her birthday-Hollywood theme, in a Chinese resto, with all pinoy guests!!!

I did very little Christmas shopping this year. Work has taken so much of my time. I've only really had a 'life' from the 22nd of December, which was too late to do serious Christmas shopping. The malls were full packed and I hate having to struggle in maneuvering my self with the movement of crowds.... PLUS, I think I got struck with the world financial crisis...I AM FEELING IT TOO!!!!

I gave the kids money instead, except for the kids below 5 years of age. They are the ones who appreciate a wrapped box more than an envelope. The most expensive present I bought was of course for my son, a 16GB Ipod touch. I got it on sale for $400.00 from $449.00. He dreams of an I-Phone...but there is no way he's getting that from my own pocket. He's got a well functioning phone, and I don't think there is any reason for him to get another one...When he opened it, he thought at first that it was an I-Phone because it looks so much like an I-Phone. Anyway he's so happy with the I-Pod, so I'm glad (Cuz I can borrow it ;))

Well, I, definitely, won't run out of anything to do during my time off from work. If I don't get to post anything until after the New Year, I wish you all a good, prosperous and a very safe New Year...Be well and be kind.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New Year Friends and specially Families!!!!

Filipino movie shoots in Top End. 19 Nov 2008. Rural Online. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

2008-11-22T17:08:00.001+09:30

Filipino movie shoots in Top End. 19 Nov 2008. Rural Online. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Hey Hey Hey...Another Piolo Thingy!!!

2008-11-22T16:08:00.007+09:30

I found this from an ABC Site.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeKKKKKKK!!!!!!

Even the voice is so sexy!!!

He got interviewed by ABC??? How come it was not shown on local TV? Maybe because the budget wasn't as big as Baz Luhrmann's 'AUSTRALIA'. Oh well, thanks Carl Curtain from ABC!!! You made my day.

I feel sorry for these guys. They came here just when the weather is building up so bad. It's humid. It's scorchingly hot, Its stinkingly sweat drenching time of the year. To think that they were out in the bush for two weeks... Gosh, I hope PJ's still got some sweat left.

I'm trying to upload the MP3 Piolo interview by Carl Curtain, but it's always failing to upload. Sorry.

Go to this site instead, there's an MP3 file down in the bottom of the page. Click on it and you'll hear the sexiest voice ever!

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2008/s2424153.htm

LAND DOWN UNDER FULL TRAILER

2008-11-22T13:54:00.001+09:30

I know, I know...This blog was not intended for Piolo. But hey, I'm only human...and a hot blooded woman at that! Aha aha aha!!!

Anyway, this movie is showcasing the both places I call home. BUKIDNON and DARWIN. And I'm proud to show people these two beautiful places which I have not chosen for my self, but, destiny has chosen for me...I am honestly anxiously awaiting for a DVD copy of this film. For the meantime, watch this teaser. ENJOY.

REACHING STARS AND MOVING MOUNTAINS

2008-11-16T10:25:00.006+09:30

I have given our friends a dilemma no one seems able to solve. Everyone's put a hand, effort and ideas on this problem, but it remains seemingly unyielding to any amount of pressure applied to it.

MISSION: Move this boulder from the delivery drop off point, which is our front yard, to our newly done-up backyard.

DISTANCE: 15 - 20 Metres

COST OF BOULDER: $80.00

EASIEST SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM: Hire a crane

Cost: $250 an hour

bugger it!!!

I was already at a point where I'll just leave it where it is, and work around the boulder instead. But it seems to have bugged every one's brain.

My husband was so cranky when I bought this boulder. He asked me what I think of him... Superman? His initial reaction was... 'BS' I'm not moving that. There's no way I can move it.

I told him..."well, you said you can reach the stars and move mountains for me...how come you can't even move this bloody rock?" Hmmm...Men.

So I rang another friend, Kuya Boy-who's a well rounded handyman, asked him for advise. He chucked in his idea. After that, everyone's thought of wild ideas. Mind you the boulder might look easy to pick up and move, but damn...I've never tried lifting anything this heavy in my life. I don't know how heavy it is, but I think it's somewhere near the half a ton margin. It's freakin heavy!

It's tickin' off even my neighbors brain. This morning, he asked where we want to put this boulder. They themselves have bought a boulder but dropped it from the trailer straight to where they wanted it, so no hassles came about. He offered to help too, but in the end, agreed he'll just lend us any equipment na meron sya. That's about all the help he can give.

During my birthday party, all my friends tried to accomplish this task. Unfortunately, the rock would not move. Tried all the ideas that came up to no avail.

Then this morning, Bill, my husband's friend, rang up and said he'd been thinking about this problem last night and he has an idea. I was like, OK, lay it down the table...Let it be different, because I've heard it all...

He showed up an hour after. then...WHALAH!!!!

How they did it? PERSEVERANCE...I love perseverance, it does move boulders. Love never moves mountains...Its one lousy bull crap concocted by BALAGTAS!!!

LATEST BUZZ ABOUT PAPA P

2008-11-15T10:10:00.002+09:30

Oh dear God, Please don't let this pass...Para nyo na po'ng awa.

The ABSCBN crews have left their vehicles at a friends place down at Katherine. They needed 4WD vehicles papuntang cattle station na pinag sho-shootingan nila...

When Kuya Ernie rang my husband up about this info, tawag kami kaagad kay Kuya Johnny sa Katherine, kahit very ungodly hours na ng gabi. Sorry kay Kuya Johnny nagising tuloy sya.

Anyway, I've heard from a very reliable source kung saan mahagilap si Piolo tomorrow morning...................EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry guys, swapang ako!!! Lalo na kay PJ. Kung gusto nyo makita si Piolo bukas, sama na lang kayo sa akin. Ayokong sabihin exactly where dahil ayokong lalong dadami ang tao don bukas!

Crossing fingers....tight and shaking....and bleeding

Sana darating ka Papa P...suot daw uli ni Mona yong suot nya nong Saturday, with the hair fascinator....Ahahahahaha!!!

Ako, bloggers shirt lang. baka maka avail ng kahit 5 minutes interview kay PJ...Pwede na akong kunin ni Lord.

photos taken from this site: http://piolopascualadiks.multiply.com/photos/album/133/110208_Welcome_To_London_Piolo#5

again, thanks Piolo Adiks for all the photos na nanakaw ko sa site nyo...

PIOLO DARWIN UPDATE

2008-11-10T18:06:00.007+09:30

At last!!!

The demigod has finally touched down in Darwin! There's been a sighting down at Katherine Woolworth's. Another pinoy shopper's recognised a pretty face roaming around woolworth's getting groceries to take with him to the cattle station where they will be filming the rest of 'THE LAND DOWN UNDER', an hour and a half away from Katherine.

I'm still trying my luck with Kuya Ernie, who knows a lot of ranchers around the NT. Hopefully he can direct me to the right spot and hopefully, he knows someone working in that cattle station. Hope is such a big word for me right now. But what can we do without hope? Maybe this weekend, we can drive down there and get even a quick glance of this oh so yummy man. Cat's willing to wear 8 inch heels and another eight inch high cap to add height to her so petite physical structure.

Cat, maybe you should borrow Mona's mini skirt and Ate mary's hair last Saturday, Piolo will surely notice you...for the wrong reasons though.

Oh, last Saturday, we had a party/disco/ karaoke night here in my house...Birthday ko nga kasi. I can't begin to tell you what's happened and what's gone wrong. I don't know where to start. But one thing for sure...we had a ball!!! Imagine staying back 'till 5:00 AM....

Wait for my next post. The video will speak for itself.

Anyway, what happened to Papa P's sexy bod? Juice me, durog na ang katawan, sarap pa rin lamutakeeeennn!!! Kahit siguro poso negro 'tong taong to, yayakapin pa rin ni Cat...at ni ako, no hesitation...

Will keep you up-to-date kung may i u-up date man tungkol kay piolo....

Pictures taken from this site:

http://pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368734&page=4

From 1974

2008-11-04T18:46:00.012+09:30

I'm no messenger, a prophet nor a saint. Born near winter of '74. A mediocre to strive in life ahead, undefeatable by nature but by allegiance so unbending. Stages of zeitgeist molded the core.In retrospect, witnessed these social chronicle, though the first five years may seem a blur.
Nonetheless, was an indistinct bystander who never discounts, instead peruse reasons of why we are here.

Ted Bundy attacks. Watergate. Nixon cites executive privileges.
Golda Meir resigns. Coldwar remains bleak bringing chills all around.
Last Jap Soldier operating in Philippines surrenders.Where the hell has he been?
Isabel Peron replaces Juan. Kings Arms bombed right after awakening. What's it got to do with my being?

Jaws blockbustered the year after. Not that I cared back then. Sara Jane Moore, the would-be-Ford-assassin jailed for life. Who is she again? 1977, A guy named William H Gates arrested in New Mexico. My God, what could the world have been without Microsoft?

Funk and disco re-emerged. Several hijacking of air crafts by Islamic militants. The trail of terror by a leftist revolutionary, Illich Ramirez Sanchez-Carlos the Jackal. He reads novels? Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Here, Bin Laden fought arm in arm with Uncle Sam. Who might he be in years to come?

People's Temple mass murder in Jones town. Death of Elvis in 1977 and who would have thought the eclectic early '80s will bring Lennon down? Holy crap, I actually remembered the day! Obscure and indistinct, but I actually have a recollection of the day. Hearing it on the radio, was it my brother Bong or my aunts who stopped and gave attention? Geez, I wish I can recall every day since I was born.

I remember a shampoo commercial on TV that made magic, but lied-something about sunny drop. Flor de Luna, Wonder Woman, Super Friends and Six Million Dollar Man graced the early evening Telly.

Remembered my Dad, on several occasions, with sense of urgency in his voice, told us to go up in the bedroom while he entertained some worn, weakened and scrawny but intellectual sounding guests. Then I learned what NPA means. Aquino assassinated in August of '83. Who dares forget the image of a lifeless man on the tarmac of an airport now named after him? I wouldn't, because it was my first social awakening.

The snap election in 1986, followed by chaos around the country. Ramos and Enrile teamed up. The catalyst of all modern Philippine revolutions eventuated, the Edsa People Power. Yellow flags, yellow bandannas, yellow flowers, yellow shirts. Marcos fled, Cory took over. How many shoes did Imelda leave behind?

AIDS heralded as the most feared STD. Berlin Wall no more. The Chernobyl cataclysm reinforcing fear of nuclear war. Remember Mustang Sally? Ride-Sally-Ride...First American Woman in Space. Can't beat the Russians. Indira Gandhi assasinated. Space shuttle challenger a goner.

First Gulf war in the 90s. Liberation of Kuwait. My nephew's name was going to be SCUD, geez, what was my sister thinking? Lucky she got enlightened. I could have nicknamed him TOMAHAWK.

Dr Jack Kevorkian assisted his first euthanasia, violating the Hippocratic Oath, "...I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked nor suggest any such counsel...". Where Kevorkian failed, Dr Philip Nitschke from Darwin succeeded.

Pinatubo erupts and lowers the global temperature. Nelson Mandela a free man. Popular expansion of the internet from the 80s to the hi-tech DOT-COMs in the '90s then WWW on line in 91 . Emails flowed, then cellular phones innovated.

Iron Curtain has fallen, Yeltsin must've had too much Smirnoff on hand. But hey, we were thankful, now the world can rest. Bosnian war killed over 90,000 people. Ethnic cleansing but Poverty still rampant and old land mine clean-up proved just as deadly as war. Escobar surrenders, to a jail that turned out to be his making. Jeffrey Dahlmer's 13 years of sex with corpses ended.

Princess Diana died, I felt like her friend, I cried. Magic Johnson tested positive in HIV a day after my birthday in 91. Peace in El Salvador, but Middle East brewing.

OJ got away, not for long anyway. Gotti and Tyson found guilty. Bill and Monika spilled some juices, Oh my, identifies his DNA. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold massacred Columbine High. Moral panic against goths. WACO disaster. Who really did it? FBI give us an answer.

Arafat and Rabin shook hands, followed by the first explosion in the World Trade Centre. New word created, BOBBIT which means penis removal. New Kids on the Block came like an explosion, then dissipated like a dust.

Black Hawk down. IRA peace talks. Jackie Kennedy died, then Jacko married the king's daughter. TV show, Friends, came on air.

Timothy McVeigh went under the needle for the Oklahoma Bombing. Thanks God another pariah gone. Area 51 exists? Clinton says so. Estrada's come and gone. Has he done anything at all?

gave birth to my son in 95, the happiest, yet most painful day of my life-first masochistic experience.

Dolly the sheep cloned. Kobain commits suicide. Michael Jordan retires. Who would forget the Y2K scare?

Then 9/11 happened. Sure everyone remembers what they were doing that very moment. I don't. I was drunk like hell. Didn't know till the day after. Depressed me more. Invasion of Iraq. What was Bush thinking? Bin Laden remains in hiding.

World financial crisis. Obama save the world....

What a milestone I have gone. Darwin is my life, but my heart's still in Bukidnon.
Now I'm 34...

WEAR A BLOGGER

2008-10-23T18:48:00.006+09:30

At last!!!

A parcel, long awaited...well, a week or so...

I finally got my blogger shirts straight from the google store in Great Britain. I've been reading a a blog and it has a photo of the blogger wearing a blogger shirt. So I instantly googled 'BLOGGER SHIRT' and came upon this google shop's site:
http://www.google-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=105

Well, what's a woman to do with her 'PLASTIC' friend??? It wasn't that expensive anyway. 5.99GBP each, which is about AU$18.00... Not bad huh?

Now I can proudly wear a shirt that points to a site where I have freely expressed my self for nearly two years...Thank you Sergey Brin and Larry Page...and oh, my sis too who talked me into starting up a blog...

I actually ordered two shirts because I wasn't quite sure with their sizing system in UK. I thought if I get the small one and it's too small for me, then I can give it to a friend, who's also a blogger, for Christmas. But I thought I need to have a back-up at least. If the small shirt does not fit me, then I should still have something for my self, so I also ordered a large one. If it's too large for me, my son can have it because he's also got a blog here at bloggers: http://ikkisworld.blogspot.com/. He's never touched it though since he's opened it. I do encourage him to blog and express him self, but instead, he's opened a bebo account where he can get connected with his friends...It's his choice.

Anyway, it looks as though the small shirt fits me, so, yes my son can have the large one.

Nothing fancy with these shirts. Just plain and simple, yet, very expressive shirts!!!

As it says in the google shop, when people see the logo, "They may not be sure just who you are, but they'll know you've got something to say. Bearing the bold "B" logo of Blogger.com across the chest"

........LOTS TO SAY, IN FACT.

Come join the bloggers world!!!

FAMILY DISGRACE

2008-10-17T21:03:00.007+09:30

A young Italian girl was going on a date.

Her Nonna said: "Sita here ana letame tella you about this-a younga boy. He's agonna try ana kiss you, you are agonna likea dat, but don't let him do dat. He's agonna try ana kiss your breasts, you are agonna likea dat too, but don'ta let him do dat eeda. But mosta important, he's agonna try ana lay on topa you...you are agonna really likea dat, but don'ta let him do dat for sure. Doing thata willa disgraza our family".

With that bit of advice, the granddaughter went on her date.

The next day she told grandma that her date went just like she had predicted: "And Nonna, I didn't let him disgrace our family as you said. When he tried to lay on top of me, I just rolled him over, got on top of him, and disgraced HIS family!"

Nonna fainted!!

PHOTOS TAKEN FROM THESE SITES:
www.blackplanet.com/angel-goddess21/
humorsection.blogspot.com/2007/01/funny-pictu...

FIRST MANGO

2008-10-11T20:21:00.010+09:30

I've just had my first mango of the season before I had my dinner. It's

that time of the year again when you simply pick out mangoes from your neighbor's tree or along side the pedestrian pathways around Darwin when you're having a stroll or while riding your bike.

Yes it's the Golden season, yet again. Having a tropical climate do have its perks. We get to eat as much mangoes as we want. Unlike down south, where a mango (one single mango) can fetch up to $12.00 to $20.00. I've always been perplexed as to why we can only have one mango season in a year in Darwin. The reason why I said that is because back in Philippines, we seem to have mangoes all year round.... I wonder why...

Mangoes seem to rot everywhere. Last year, our friend went mango picking and ended up bringing a tarago full of mangoes, then the following week, another friend brought over boxes and boxes of them. It can be sickening sometimes because your stomach seem to continually digest mangoes. From Mango ice cream, to mango mousse to mango cheeze cake, even pork with mango.

We have a friend who owns a farm and they have a number of mango trees, so we usually give them a visit when it's this time of of the year. Maybe next week??? As you can see, I still have a lot of mangoes here....

How genetics have advanced in the last decade is just equally mind boggling. They have somehow crossed mangoes with apple, or guava, or paw paw. I wonder if they can cross mango with pineapple, or maybe banana, or durian??? Oh well, they've just recently done a limb transplant and grown legs from stem cells, so what's to wonder about?

But I still feel and think the best mangoes are found in Philippines, the 'CARABAO MANGO '. Small but juicy and sweet...

Hey I'm not complaining....

PIOLO AND ME IN BUKIDNON, THEN HE'S FOLLOWING ME HERE IN DARWIN...(in my dreams)

2008-10-05T17:04:00.010+09:30

Ay Cata, nahuli ka...I had a rendezvous with someone this week...look, we look good together huh? Looking like we're in an ethnic wedding ceremony di ba????

I was gonna make it look more believable...I pho-photoshop ko sana, kaya lang baka maniwala ka na....at ang buong pinas. Ayokong ma issue....

EHEKHEKHEKHEKHEK!!!!!!!!

Got Piolos pictures from this site anyway: http://piolopascualadiks.multiply.com/

Wala pa rin balita where in Darwin???? Text us if you see him in town huh? Don't text me kapag ka nakakita ka nanaman ng new cake shop, dahil nau-ubos ko ung cake nila!

FEELING LIKE CRAP

2008-10-03T07:25:00.006+09:30

Yesterday, I went to work to drop off some keys, then I had to come right back home because it was by far the crappiest day of my life this week. I've had this asthma-tight-chest feeling since Sunday. I went to the Doc yesterday afternoon and he said I've got this upper respiratory tract infection, a bug that's been going around a lot lately with the change of weather. If you're asthmatic, it usually ends up as asthma.

I hate it when I feel I'm deprived of air!!! Have you ever had that feeling? We seem to take air/oxygen for granted, but when you have an asthma attack, it feels like you do not need anything else but air...

Oh, well... Here goes to show that there used to be only my laptop right next to me in bed, but now, there are two other more important things on top of my laptop.

They are so important, in fact, they are my three best friends for the rest of the week.....

CRAP!!!

DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT?

2008-09-23T17:23:00.003+09:30

David bought a donkey from a farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day.

The next day he drove up and said, 'Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the donkey died.' David replied, 'Well, then,just give me my money back.' The farmer said, 'Can't do that. I went and spent it already.'

David said, 'Ok, then, just bring me the dead donkey.' The farmer asked, 'What ya gonna do with him? David said, 'I'm going to raffle him off.' The farmer said, 'You can't raffle off a dead donkey!' David said, 'Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead.'

A month later, the farmer met up with David and asked, 'What happened with that dead donkey?' David said, 'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $898.00.'

The farmer said, 'Didn't anyone complain?' David said, 'Just the guy who won, so I gave him his two dollars back.'

David now works for the government!

Only smart people works for the Government!

ADIK KAY PIOLO

2008-09-19T18:27:00.022+09:30

When the Tralala ladies found out Piolo is coming to Darwin, we felt the gods of Ayers Rock and the Katherine Gorge, have somehow woken up, moved, watched and listened to our Bar-B-Q offerings during the Barrio Fiesta...

Ilang lingo ba naman hindi humilom ang sakit sa aking high powers na hita at aking ‘ RAP-GUYS’ booty...Imposibleng di magigising sila Barraiya, Birrahgnooloo at Eingana sa tili ni Catrina....Kung halos punitin na ni Mona ang mga botones sa v-neck na suot nya...

We sort of went into a trance. Nag ‘Operation-Piolo-Look-Out’po kami. We said that if he’s gone to Katherine or even Jabiru, we’re gonna go driving there just to have a glimpse of Papa P. (nagiging parang bakla na po ako-nakakahawa si Cat!)

Pero ilang lingo na po ang nakakalipas, wala pa po kaming nakita o narinig, ni anino ni Piolo...parang natulog yata ulit ang mga Aboriginal gods and goddesses....Maawa naman po kayo’t ipaalam na kay Catrina kung nasaang lupalop ng Darwin nag tatago si Piolo!

Si Catrina po ay na loloka na sa kakahanap. Kita nyo naman kung gano na ka bored ang itsura nya sa kaka antay na makita ni Piolo ang beauty nya. Mukha yatang nag a-araw araw sa mall hoping na (take note)makita ni Piolo and beauty nya...Hindi para makita nya si Piolo. Instead, she found another cake shop na yummy daw! It is so depressing!!!
May chocolate shop pa doon called 'PURE INDULGENCE" kung saan hand made halos lahat ng mga chocolates...

Ang Northern Territory po ay napakalaking lugar, pero nong sinabi nilang paparito si Papa P sa Darwin,ang akala po talaga namin...dito sa Darwin...E kung 3 hours drive to a grocery Shop yong pinag sho-shootingan nila, e, hindi po sa Darwin yon! Nasa land of Borroloola-ala na yon.

Baka akala ng mga tao yong Darwin nasa itaas ng Ayers Rock, o di kaya nasa kalagitnaan ng Jabiru, Alice Springs, Katherine, o di kaya ng Kakadu...

Bakit naman kasi sinabi ni Papa P na dito sila sa Darwin mag sho-shooting? Eh kung sa land of the walalalalala naman pala ang shooting, hindi po Darwin yon. Ang laki ng deperensya. Di pa po natin alam kung anong mga sceneries ang lalabas sa movie nila ni Angel.

Sana naman po ay wag nilang sabihin na Darwin yong mga nakakalokang desyerto sa kalagitnaan ng NT.

Darwin looks like this:
Ang Darwin po ay nasa pinaka tok-tok ng Australia, right on the edge of the Timor Sea. Capital city sya ng buong Northern Territory.

Sa buong Australia po, ang Darwin ang pinaka less populated na capital city, kaya naman po hindi biro kapagka sinasabi nilang pupunta sila Piolo and Angel dito dahil honestly, bihira ho talaga kaming maabot ng kung ano mang kagalakan na palaging tinatamo ng mga malalaking ciudad ng Australia.

Kung sila Piolo, Sam, Gary V at kung sino sino pang mga artista ay palaging dinadawi ang Melbourne, Brisbane, etc., eh, dito po sa Darwin ang tanging naka dalaw sa amin dito ay sila Rico Puno, Pelita Corales, Raymond Lauchenco at ang Reycard Duet.

Yong si Raymond Lauchenco nga nandito, si Catrina halos himatay-himatayin na sa kakakuha ng picture... Imaginin nyo na lang po kung si Piolo pa!

Ganyan ho kami kauhaw ng mga Filipino celebrities dito.

Kaya ho, utang na loob, kapag sinabing pupunta siPiolo sa Darwin, wag nyo namang bigyan ng Sakit sa Puso si Catrina...Baka ma Cowdy Ward na po yong kaibigan namin sa kakaikot ng Darwin sa kakahanap kay PAPA P, yon pala nasa Broome or Jabiru. Hindi po Darwin yon!

Kung ganito po yong mga views sa movie nila...Nasa Darwin po ako, hindi ho ganito ang

itsura ng Darwin. Baka lalong matakot pumunta yong kapatid ko dito. Wag naman.

Pero in fairness huh(boses ni Kris Aquino), very rich ang culture ng mga Aboriginal (natives dito). Very interesting din po ang kanilang history na tinatawag na ' The Stolen Generation'.

Eto po yong generation ng kabataan noong 1869-1969, na tinangal at inagaw ng Australian and State Government para i-indoctrinate/educate, hence, fascilitate the European values and customs sa lahat. But the truth behind it is, winipe-out po ng mga Puti yong mga Aboriginals dito. Pinag papatay po talaga. Pero siguro natauhan sila, binago nila yong pamamaraan ng pag wipe out. Kinuha nila yong mga aboriginal babies para palakihing kasama na sa mga puti at ipa pares na po sa mga puti para ang anak, magiging 'half-cast' na. In the long run, ang aim po nila was to totally wipe out the colour ng mga Aboriginal.

Very controversial po tong generation na to. If you want to open your imagination sa Australian History ng 'Stolen Generation', please do watch 'THE RABBIT PROOF FENCE'. A superb movie....

Balik tayo kay Piolo....Nasaan na nga kaya si Papa P? Kung kayo po ay may kaalaman kung nasaan o kung makita nyo man dito sa darwin ang taong to... Ipag bigay alam po dito sa blog na to at may makukuha po kayong pabuya......BBQ chicken ni Alan!!!! Isang kahon!

Glossary:
Barraiya -Barraiya is a god in Australian aboriginal mythology who created the first vagina with a spear so that Eingana could give birth.

Eingana-In Australian aboriginal mythology, Eingana is a creator goddess and the mother of all water, animals, and humans. She is a snake goddess of death who lives in the Dream time. She has no vagina; she simply grew in size and, unable to give birth to the life inside her, had the god Barraiya open a hole with a spear near her anus, so that labor could commence. Eingana holds a sinew that is attached to every living thing; if she lets go of one, the attached creature dies.

Birrahgnooloo -In Australian aboriginal mythology (specifically: Kamilaroi), Birrahgnooloo is a goddess of fertility who would send floods if properly asked. She is married to Baiame, with whom she is the mother of Daramulum.

Piolo- Tralala god. The women behind the tralala worship and fantasize this perfect image of a MAN.

Infos about Aboriginal gods and godesses taken from this site: http://lowchensaustralia.com/names/aborgods.htm

DARWIN SKY CITY BASHING

2008-09-15T19:58:00.006+09:30

I've just been told that the lady who got bashed at the Darwin Sky City Casino is a neighbor of mine. We don't really know her, but they live right next to us.

It's sad when women, in random, get bashed in public places by wackos who should never be let out in the first place. Adding pain to injury, the man has surveillance photos all over the casino grounds, yet, protected by privacy laws... Where in the hell does this woman's right stand in the Justice system? What comes first? Privacy rights of someone who violated the rights of another individual? Or the right of a woman to seek and bring to justice the man who violated her?

I just hope that the Northern Territory Police Services are doing what they're paid to do. Catch idiot like this! I really do hope that they've already got copies of these surveillance tapes and act on it...or maybe they have not even tried getting a copy???

The woman's face is black and blue...several broken teeth...broken nose...

I certainly do not want to see anyone else harmed by a 'Privacy-Laws-Protected-Violent-Moron' who probably got violent after loosing money in gambling.

For more information about this story, click on this link: http://www.casinobashing.com/

If the photo of the man in question looks familiar, ring crime stoppers on 1800 333 000

HELP SOLVE CRIMES!!!

Both photo taken from my neighbor's website

MY NEW BEST FRIEND-WORK, PERSONAL, STUDIES AND BLOGGING BEST FRIEND!!!

2008-09-14T11:20:00.007+09:30

FINALLY!!!!

A Toshiba Satellite P300/U01

Liked how my sister asked me what this is....What sort of an animal is that????

"Unsa man nang mananapa?"

-Shnaggy

Well, sis, It's a Great Dane- Not a pug!!!

TRIBUNG TRALA-LA CONQUERS DARWIN BARRIO FIESTA

2008-09-05T18:40:00.011+09:30

Tribung Tralala, not an official organization as such but simply my group of friends (my foster family here in Darwin), had organized, yet again, another venture. Not for profit, but supposedly for fun and quality bonding experience. It's the same group whom we traveled with to the Gold Coast and Melbourne and had fun with throughout the whole journey.

Another success and a job well done to us all guys!!!

Tribung Tralala conquered the 2008 Darwin Barrio Fiesta last Saturday, 30th of August at the FAANT Community Centre. Remember the Aprons that I made? We have worn them with pride finally, along with used (disposable) kitchen hats. From the sewing of the aprons to driving here and there to buy supplies to organizing the Environmental Health paper works, down to washing chicken wings, skewing pork meats and whacking flies... It was downright draining. Had we prepared two months before, it probably wouldn't have been as exhausting. We started the preparation three weeks towards the actual event, and I reckon it was way too short a time to organize the kind of stall we had.

I myself, have never been as busy this year as I was last week. With homeworks to be done for my course, and the new project I've been given, I did not really want to take some time off from work because I did not want to disappoint my new Boss. But I have put in my leave request and it was approved before I was given a special project. So I took last Thursday and Friday off from work to organize our Tralala stall.

Three weeks prior, we started making the atsara under the direction of Ed Aralar (atsara expert). Cat's family from Philippines were here for a holiday/wedding and were available to give us a hand, which we are so thankful for. Kuya Tootsie, the architect, designed our 'TBIBUNG TRALA-LA' karatula which Kuya Boy, Mona and I colored with glittered paints. Thanks Kuya Tootsie! Yong mga tao-tao nga pala, for next year, request ni Eda, lagyan mo daw ng 'tribung tralala' sa likod. Balik ka ulit dito para mag drawing lang nong mga taong tribo. All expenses paid...sa pagkain lang and accomodation. ehekhekhekhek.

Every Saturday for the last three weeks, we skewed pork meats the best way we can. It was done in a special way, so as not to dry up the meat and burn the BBQ sticks. In other words, it was a painstaking process.

We only started skewing up the chicken wings three days prior to the event. We bought nine boxes of frozen chicken wings from the meat shop, each box weighing 16 kilos. Clara, Mary and myself had to carry these boxes. Imagine the hard work! Buti na lang andyan and brand new Hyundai Tucson ni Clara na talaga namang na binyagan namin ng totoong dugo ng manok!!!

Then the whole process starts, from defrosting the chooks wings to washing and cleaning them up, then slicing them, Allan's way. Marinating them. Skewing them. putting them systematically in containers. Trying to fit gazillion containers methodically in a 1mtr x 1mtr upright freezer(or maybe even less) ni Ate Luz. Buti na lang may nag pahiram kina Eda ng empty upright freezer about the same size nong kay Ate Luz. But still, it was not enough. So, we had to find another one, which, we had so much difficulty in finding by the way!!! Mary next year, lagot ka, ikaw na ang ilalagay namin sa BBQ stick!!!

Ate Sussan's duty was to shoo the flies away and look after Xander (did she fall asleep while on duty?).... No wonder Xander did what he did! Out of fright maybe or vengeance!

What ever happens in Dorrigo stays in Dorrigo. A secret recipe will never be revealed... The skewing must go on.

Came Friday, I drove around with Ate Lydia and Mona to buy bits and pieces we have forgotten about, then went back to Dorrigo to paint the last four remaining aprons and the Tralala 'bill board'. Friday night, we all helped put the stall up and decorated it ready for the next day. Thanks nga pala kay Lorie and his bro for helping us out nong Friday and Saturday.

When I woke up Saturday morning, I had this massive head ache. I thought I won't make it. Had it turned into migraine, then I would not have been able to watch the stall along with the whole Tralalas, which we all looked forward to doing talaga. It's where all the fun is...or so we thought... I had to drive from Palmerston to the FAANT Saturday morning to help the ladies with the finishing touches, such as setting the table cloths, etc. It was stinking hot that day. I really thought my head ache will turn into a full blown migraine. I stayed home and slept from 1:00PM to 3:00PM to give my self a little bit of rest, then drove back to FAANT in jeans and white shirt.

When I got there, every thing's set. Eda's cooked her yummy Butse and Puto. She spent Saturday morning doing that. Ate Luz spent that morning cooking rice. Allan and Mona prepared their secret sauce. Cat organized the bain-marie's delivery. Ate Lydia and Ate Sussan helped with the table set-up. In other words, everyone's put sheer effort to make it happen.

Anyhow, complemented and praised as 'looking so neat and professional', we felt every effort, sweats, late nights, bloods and pains (I've got a splinter still stuck on my finger right now...it's starting to swell up) from Allan's draconian quality control in skewing of pork and chicken meats all paid up.

We looked like we had 'vendor franchise for sale' written all over our stall. We even called our main meal, the VALUE MEAL (a cup of rice, two BBQ of their choice-pork & chicken, and Atsara). When someone orders the meal, we had fun yelling out, "One Value meal Please!!!"...Then the trail goes, one puts atsara on the styro plate, then passes it on to the next person to put a cup of rice, then passes it on to the next for the BBQ. Like we're so professionals! But when the going got tough, everyone just sort of bumped into each other. When the BBQ came less and the customers started queuing up in masses in a disorganized manner, we all sort of retreated towards the back to avoid confrontation with them. It may sound funny, but we definitely learned from this experience.

Mona earlier on said she's got something to flaunt to attract customers, but when crunch time came, the cleavage was soon forgotten. But here's a photo of her practicing on how to serve male customers...

Not wanting to face the anxious customers, we instead helped the boys behind the scene to try and cope with the demand.

The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Hon. Paul Henderson graced the 2008 Darwin Barrio Fiesta. He, himself complemented Allan's BBQ as the best BBQ he's ever had in his entire life. He also congratulated our group for being so organized and looking so professional. When he came over our stall and hanged around us, spoke to us and joked with us, I think all the exhaustion disappeared. Everyone, specially the boys felt rejuvenated.

Hon Paul Henderson with the Tralala Boys

Waiting....waiting....waiting....then run away!

Around 7:00 at night, I felt the whole Filipino population in Darwin swamped our stall wanting to have a taste of Allan's BBQ. It was massive!!! When I say massive... I meant we literally could not cope with the demand. We've run out of food, as soon as a BBQ gets cooked, people seemed to fight over it (even us, to give to the customer we have served) that it rarely ever got to the bain-marie at all. Our bain-marie was literally empty most of the night. Even the Aussies queued up!

First. we've run out of Pork BBQs, then the rice came scarce, and few and far between. Ate Lydia cooked more because we brought a number of rice cookers with us. Unfortunately, the generator is not coping with the demand of electricity from all the other stalls. We plugged it in in another building, but even that did not work. It kept on tripping off. So we've run out of rice... Then the BBQ chicken also got wiped out. We were just hanging on next to the grills waiting for any cooked BBQ to serve to the customers. They were willing to wait for 20 minutes...but I think some of them just got frustrated, tired and angry at some point, so they've left.

But even when they've left, they still kept on coming back to check whether we have more cooked BBQs. Unfortunately, as I've said, we were not able to cope with the demand. Nag loloko na po yong grill na gawa ni allan. Napuno na po ng ashes kaya humina na ang apoy.
Ire-design daw ni Allan to for next year and dadagdagan ng another three??? Ang daming dapat nating i improve ano? Ano pa nga ba yon Ed? Get rid of the liabilities? Mga hindi assets? Heheheh. Jok! Jok!

One of the three custom-made grills ni Allan.

Have a look at how the customers engulfed our stall

Si Mona naman po, patuloy po talagang chini-cheer up ang buong grupo. Kahit pagod na pagod na, sasayaw sayaw pa sya sabay sabing, "It's for fun, di ba? It's fun...It's fun...It's fun..."

My feet were aching like crazy. We all ate in a rush, just enough to refuel our bodies. When it was not as busy anymore, syempre picture picture na naman. Di mawawala yan. Nakakapagod po talaga, but in the end, we all agreed it was all worth it.

Monetary wise, we got back the money we've spent and an extra on top of that. But if you consider the time and effort we have put into the realization of this stall, hindi po sapat yong pera. But the bonding experience and the fun that we had, has made it a venture, everyone agrees, worth planning for again next year...except me I think. Seems like I have not gotten over the exhaustion yet. I am definitely open to all possibilities for next year, providing we make it better. We've pointed out all our weakest points that night during a meeting over dinner at Dorrigo the following night. We have identified aspects where we need to fine tune and improve. So hopefully, it'll be a lot easier and less stressful the next time we do it.

JOB WELL DONE TRALALAS!!!

Start skewing for next year.... Para mas maraming...

...pang Tasmania next year ...

...Oh, here's the prettiest girl of them all...

Black Eyed Lil' Miss Pink.

more photos:

THE DYNAMIC WORLD OF ME

2008-08-16T07:03:00.022+09:30

Hiya Pips.

Well, what do you know...I've been gone for a couple of weeks and when I came back, we've got more toys in the bloggers world. Bloggers have added on the 'GADGETS' on the layout, which are so cool. Games, texting wares, etc...

I am so excited to read through them and maybe upload them here on my blog. But I can't do that just yet because life is still so hectic.

This is just to let my family (and others who are interested) know of what's been happening with my life, and to notify them that I am still alive and breathing. Although I have not logged on to the YM for a while, you're not forgotten Mum! I know you think I don't care anymore...LOL
Kidding. I know you understand. Maybe Jashkah's on-line from time to time, but that's not me. You can leave a message with him, and tell him to pass it on to me, otherwise, he'll just delete the message.

Anyway...Life's drastically changed. I have now moved office. Well, on Monday, that is. I've been given a special project by my nice, lovely, beautiful, and too trusting ex-boss who will effectively be my boss again as of Monday. I will be working once again out in the big smokes! After so much resistance from my current-almost-ex-boss, my ex-soon-to-be boss again won!!! Hak Hak Hak. If that makes sense.

I will be assisting her to do up a policy and procedures manual for a specialized area (can't say which one)in Finance for the whole of the NT. It may even involve traveling to the regional offices (according to the product manager) to train staffs. It will be a very interesting job, yet very daunting and challenging. I don't know why she's given me this much trust when I could not even give my self half of the trust she's given me over the years. But then again, she's always proven her decisions to be right, so I have given her my full trust yet again. I don't know if I can do it, but I will certainly do my best. She once asked me if she's doing the right thing...the only answer I could give is..."I don't know. It's your decision, and I trust your decision" ....So help me GOD!

It was so sad leaving Casuarina Plaza yesterday(I bet someone's happy too). No one knew I was leaving. I did not want to tell them, but if I didn't, and simply vanished without goodbyes, it's pretty much the same as signing my resignation letter and my death warrant.

When they found out late yesterday afternoon, they went into a frenzy! prepared a very late afternoon tea and gave me a send-out-good-luck plant, which does not grow here in Darwin. How ironic. Maybe if I can make this plant live even for just a couple of months, then it will signify that I can get out of this project alive and successful. On the other hand, it probably signifies IMPOSSIBILITY.

Hayley, Margaret, Maria, (and the lot)... I will miss you guys. Thank you so much for all the support you've given me while I was the team leader. Had it not been for all your help, I would have taken a lot of James's wraths!!! Joke! He's a nice boss, a good bloke. Look after him for me and Cheryl. As I've said, I'm not dead! I'll be back.

Honestly, I am embarking on a very scary endeavor. Dark and musky, vast and deep, I will be crawling or swimming in an area so far fetched from the realities and comforts of my current job description. By God, I might come out of it without a pulse or come out of it with a flag! So CherylO, please do not leave me....Oh, my boss's name is also Cheryl. She gets called Cheryl O and I get called Cheryl M....It will Be one interesting journey.

Another affair I've been busy with is the 'MARKETING STRATEGIES' for the Darwin Barrio Fiesta. The TRALA-LAS will be having a food stall during the event. We had a meeting last Saturday night, then we went shopping for the styro-plates and our uniform materials last Sunday. In spite of the frantic schedule, somehow, Cat and Mona still found time to give out a showdown of voices and butts! Mga Tralala talaga!!!

Showdown Madonna & Cindy Lauper

Guess what else I've been busy with???

I come home from work at 8:00PM almost every night (overtime), eat dinner, take a shower, then what do I do? Sew aprons! Hek Hek Hek...Lots of them! This is going to be our uniform for the Darwin Barrio Fiesta at the end of the month. This will be fun!

(5 down, 10 more aprons to go)

My son's been to a camp for three nights and four days. When he came back home...He's a changed man!!! Whatever that means, Only I will know. But he's definitely grown a lot...Oh my.

Did a group study for our Certificate IV in Frontline Management too. Assessment for the first two units are due on Wednesday, so tomorrow, I will definitely be 'heads down-bum's up' with my assignment.

Today, I will be going to Ate Luz's house to get some stuffs ready for the Barrio Fiesta...And oh...Bugger! I am late...I have to cook something to take there.

K Catcha dunno when....

Busy Busy Busy

2008-08-02T13:20:00.003+09:30

Well, guys, I haven't yet posted the photos in Melbourne. I do want to, but time hasn't been kind to me the last two weeks.

I've started a six-months-studies, which hopefully will give me a certificate 4 in Frontline Business Management by December of this year. My employer (NT Govt) sent me to this course, all paid for-of course-so I can sharpen my 'managerial' skills, so to speak. I can put it in practice in my current employment(that's the intention), and it can also be very useful if I do decide to work in a private sector. So who am I to complain if I was given a golden platter?

Even if my life's a bit constrained right now, I am so thankful I was given this opportunity. As they said, I got chosen because I am a ' manager material' !!! HAH!!! manager my BFA! Not my alley. I am more of a person to go out and do frontline work...the actual killing fields! Not behind a desk, inside an office and pray that the workers are actually working. I wanna walk the walk, not talk the walk... But hey.... I am flattered, happy and honored.

So see what I mean?

Life's been good.

I am not interested, but I know it's going to better me as an individual, so there is no logic in declining an offer so rarely given.

I've been working really hard too, working overtime almost every day. A massive restructure in our area has left us with big challenges to undertake in the months ahead. Well, i can see light, so it should be OK, very soon I hope.

Anyway, I am hoping that by February of next year, i will also be starting the Web Design (writing HTML) course, which, I am more interested in. It'll be fun!

This weekend's a long weekend, so I've decided not to work. It's the last long weekend of the year for NT. The next one will be Christmas. So I though, I might as well savor this moment.

Well, I'll show you the Melbourne photos one day, when and if I can find the time to put them together.

Bye for now.

THE REST OF GOLD COAST AND BRISBANE

2008-07-26T16:27:00.000+09:30

It's very unfortunate that I was, yet again, unable to enjoy another water park. The White Water World.

This time, we opted to go shopping (again) even though we already bought the tickets to get into the White Water World. It's just a neighboring park of Dream World, and our pass allows us to go back and forth from Dream World to White Water World for two days.

Remember, when we went to the Wet N Wild, I did not even as much as dipped my feet ankle-deep? It was too cold for me. Since I did not enjoy the first water park, then I figured I won't enjoy this one either. So I decided to go shopping instead.

Ate Luz, Ate Lydia, Mary, Allan, Mona, Xander and my family went to Australia Fair, back to Harbour Town, etc, while the Catuncans and the Aralars pushed through. Above are some of their photos taken from the said park.

After all the park visits, Ate Luz's mob left for Darwin, the Catuncans stayed at Gloria and Bernie's house in Brisbane...And then there were two families left. Ours and the Aralars.

Surfers BeachSide Apartment's pool and spa

We stayed in the Gold Coast for three more days, but of course we also went to Brisbane for a little bit of shopping, house hunting and sightseeing. We got invited by my son's ninang to have dinner at their place in Brizzy. Mae and Nelson, who is like a brother to my husband have now settled in Brisbane along with Gloria's family. I would
like to thank Gloria who took pains in driving us around Brizzy looking for dream houses, shopping in the Airport DFO, Mount Kuta and everywhere... She really took time off from work to show us their hospitality...Thanks again Glo. Ohhh...dare I not forget...her house??? It's not a house...it's half an inch short to become a mansion!!! Huge! Rose Hancock...eat your heart out!

(above left) Gloria's house (below) her neighborhood

House Hunting in Brisbane. Prospect move out Darwin.

Mount Kuta overlooking the Brisbane Night Line.

We had the pleasure of having been visited by old friends from Darwin who are now residing in Brisbane. Emy Antalan and Ate Tess's family are now happily settled in Bisbane. Our kids, when they were younger (may have been 5 or so years ago since they said their Goodbyes to Darwin) used to play and hang around together. This time around, someone has to crack the whip to make them talk to each other. The distance barrier seemed to have taken it's toll on friendships. The girls, Merryl, Tin Tin, Ailish and Leah seemed to have grown a lot and changed so much. These outback girls from Darwin have now turned into beautiful big city girls, while our kids seemed to have embraced goths, shuffling and I don't know what else....

Awkward at first, but I think, friends will always be friends. All it took was 'TIME ZONE'. We dropped them there so they can sort of have a 'Night Out' for the underage and get the bonding fired up again....Well it worked because by the time they all got picked up from Time Zone, they were already talking to each other, and seemed to have really enjoyed each other's company. Now we can talk about weddings....WWHHAACCkkkssshhhh!!!!

With Emy and Ate Tess.

Last day in the Gold Coast.

The 10th night, we headed back to Melbourne for another big & cold adventure....

Infinity photo...coming right up( needs scanning).

4TH PARK: DREAM WORLD-THE BEST PARK EVER!

2008-07-19T19:33:00.010+09:30

Kahit hilo na sa mga rides, basta picture picture, posing pa rin.

During our first holiday to the Gold Coast, we were unable to visit DREAM WORLD due to the fact that we were there only for seven days. I opted to go shopping after the three major parks, so we've run out of time.

This time around, I thought I'd visit all the 5 major theme parks, and boy was I glad I went to Dream World. It's got the best ride ever: THE GIANT DROP.

The Giant Drop is the tallest free fall ride in the planet Earth!!!Imagine that ladies and gents...The tallest! It stands at 119m tall (400feet=39 structural stories)) and shares the same tower with the 'TOWER OF TERROR', which I also hopped in. The fact that the two rides are sharing the same tower made it more terrifying when you're on the 'GIANT DROP' because when you're right on the top waiting to be dropped (it stays there for a good 30 seconds or so), you can actually see the other ride zooming up, feel the whole tower shake, and hear the magnet holding the seats creak and crack. It's pure mental torment. It plays with your mind for a while, until the magnet lets go, then it's pure adrenalin rush!!!

The TOWER OF TERROR shares the same tower with the GIANT DROP

When I went on all the other rides, I was fully conscious of what was happening and whether I was up-side-down or not. But on this ride... It felt like my spirit was left behind up on the top and only caught up with my body when I was back down on terra firma.

You get into this 'gondola-like' seats along with seven other thrill seekers. You get pinned down by a rock-hard mechanism so as not to allow you from getting thrown over board. Then, you resign your self to fate, the inevitable plunging, and just await the vertical lunacy that is about to befall you. A magnet pulls this 'gondola' up, and it takes about two minutes to reach the top. So for a minute or so, you get to hover your gazes across the horizon while your feet hangs freely on air and your brain anticipating the GIANT DROP. When you reach the top, it stays there for a good 30 seconds or so, taunting you and making you feel like shitting your pants...sorry for the language, but there is no other way to explain how I felt. I guess it's that smooth sailing trip upwards that made it feel really intense...it's like it's teasing you.

That's me third from the left, then Mona. I think this was taken when the electromagnetic brakes were hankering on the ride to stop before it hits the ground at terminal velocity. Just look at Mona...parang tulala pa. ako naman nag mumura na!

...see how small the gondola looks? It's so tall.

Anyway, when it dropped...it dropped inexorably. No stopping for about 8 or 10 seconds. You can't scream, you cant smile, you can't think, you cant shout, you can't cry....no, you can't pray!

I waited for what seemed to be like eternity. It's probably the biggest inhale of air I've ever done in my life. I could just feel my lungs filling up with more oxygen than it can take. The velocity was so rigid, it forcibly whops your feet upwards.

To think that it's only 8-10 seconds, and should therefore not be as gut-wrenching as the lethal weapon ride in the Movie World, is plain stupid. It is what happens to your brain during that 8-10 seconds that matters. When we were back down on terra firma, that's when I screamed, shout, swore like it's my native tongue and pulled my hair out like Sisa!!! My spirit's back in my body, where it should be, at last!

Got this photo of strangers from the Internet. I just want you to imagine how it feels. Tingnan nyo naman itsura nila...parang nakaharap si kamatayan. Yong itsura namin ni Mona mas matindi pa dyan.

Guys, if you have heart problems, don't try this... If you don't, you're a chicken not to even try it once. I definitely wanna get back on this one. 5 stars rating from me!!!

Well, here are more photos from Dream World. I will be posting more when I get the chance to compile more photos taken by my friends and the ones taken from my dvd cam.

The motorcoaster...it's like a roller coaster, only that you're like driving a motor bike. Look at my hubby sa likod...parang na totorete!

Inside Dream World

This guillotine would be good for men who misbehave...and it's not the head that comes out of that hole...not the head with brains at least...ohhh...where are men's brains located nga pala...I forgot. Don din pala. ehekhekhek!!!

Mr Magoo and I.

Dream World Train Station

Vintage cars...that's my hubby driving his vintage.

This is the closest I'd get near a tiger's ass.

The Big Brother cafe, near the BB House.

The Log ride and THE CLAWS (photo of the claws taken from an Internet site)

a Wombat

Well...That's not all folks. As I've said, I've got more photos to add on as soon as I get them scanned.

catcha later...

KC Hilton & Net Feline

2008-07-14T22:35:00.005+09:30

I have these two little friends who've been bugging me why they don't have their solo photos in my blog. Sorry guys, I'm putting the Gold Coast and Melbourne photos in order, and unfortunately, I haven't had the time yet to organize those ones... I will post your birthday photos lil' miss pink, I promise!

But in the meantime... I have two awesome and cool photos of you NetNet and Lil' Miss pink...

Do you like 'em???

HAPPY 46th BIRTHDAY MISS EDA!!!

2008-07-12T22:04:00.000+09:30