This nursy plays dirty and does it with pain...

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Motherhood...

Motherhood ... the greatest accomplishment there is for a woman, I think. After all, the body of a woman is all about reproduction. The woman's body prepares herself every seconds of everyday for the conception of a human being...

According to many internet sources,it was in 1858, when Anna Reeves Jarvis founded Mother's day in West Virginia in honor of her beloved mother. The rest of her life, Anna Jarvis fought what became of the day she created ... the commercial and political exploitation of it.

It was not until June 1873 that the inaugural celebration of Mother's Day happened.

The nine months of carrying a child in the womb is only the beginning of motherhood. From the first day of pregnancy, the mother is faced with many challenges. Challenges that can make the rearing of the child much more interesting and trying...

As in any facet of life, motherhood has it own ups and downs. As a mother, my approach has been I do my best and think what is best of my child. I must say I have been lucky!!!

TO ALL OF THE MOTHERS IN THE WORLD, a toast and a salute to you!!!

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!!!

As the saying goes ...

Monday, March 15, 2010

A CONCEPT TO PONDER UPON...


It has been a long time since my last post. I apologized. I had been in pretty challenging period in my life that took quite a bit of my time and energy. Now I am in the recovery period and feeling pretty good. So here goes.

Here is a concept for you to ponder upon. An older, wiser woman (the mother of a good friend of mine) from the Eastern world shared this with me as she listened to my woes. As I gnaw on the concept and reflect back on what have been happening in my life… I came to the conclusion that she could be right!!! She said: The wheel of life turns about every twelve years. When it turns, CHANGE(S) occur(s) in one’s life. The manifestation of the CHANGE(S) expand(s) to three years. In this turn of the wheel, one loses someone or something … job, wealth, partner and even one’s life. Be thankful she said if it’s not your life you lose because anything else is replaceable. The first of these three years is when gradual, little negative changes occur in your life. You are able to adapt to the “CHANGE(S). The second year is when you hit the bottom. This is when nothing works for you. It seems like everything and everybody is against you. You can not seem to correct these negativities for all your might. You might even wonder about your “faith”. This second year is the period of self realization … to submit or to fight … to the CHANGE(S). Life adjustments occur. The third year is the trip to recovery as slow as it might seem. This is when you start to feel that things are not as stressful or suffocating in your life as in that middle year. This is when things are looking up and those feelings that are positive are back within you again, and life is becoming “good” again… And so it continues for about twelve years … The turn of the wheel and the CHANGE(S), are what makes you that person that you are… What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Hhhhmmmmm … 2010 is my year!!! WELCOME and THANK YOU!!!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Meet my new doggie!!!

This summer Zipper - my dog for about 16 years, went up to Rainbow Bridge. My other dog, Duke did not do well without Zipper. There was marked changes in his demeanor... I felt that he was missing his sissy... Zip. I decided that I would find him a sister or a brother from the city pound.

Another Llasa Aphso mixed breed doggy caught my attention. He was charming as can be. He is 1 1/2 years and grayish/black in color.

After a week-end of wait, Prince came home with me to meet his new brother, Duke.

We found out that this little rascal has much too much of an energy, being a young un. He is into everything that his mouth and teeth can get hold into. And whatever that may be, rest assured it is torn into pieces. Now the backyard is Prince-proof!!!

He sure has made Duke a very active brother by getting Duke to play, get into mischiefs, and be the partner in his "crimes"... Poor Duke!!!
I can't wait for Prince to get older and get over all these stages that young dogs go through!!! Until then, my backyard will never be the same!!! LOL

Zipper, Duke and Prince are doggies from the Llasa Aphso breed.

The Lhasa Apso (lha-sah ap-so) is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. It was bred as an interior sentinel in the Buddhist monasteries, who alerted the monks to any intruders who entered. Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and apso is a word in the Tibetan language meaning "bearded," so Lhasa Apso simply means "long-haired Tibetan dog."

A one year old female Lhasa with short length hair and a slight underbite.

Male Lhasa Apsos should ideally be 10.75 inches at the withers and weigh about 14-18 pounds, 6–8 kg. The females are slightly smaller, and weigh between 12-14 pounds, 5–7 kg. The breed standard requires dark brown eyes and a black nose, although liver coloured lhasas have a brown nose. The texture of the coat is heavy, straight, hard, neither woolly nor silky, and very dense. Colors include white, golden, rust and parti-colored with various shadings.

Lhasas can be with or without dark tips at the end of ears and beard. The tail should be carried well over the dog's back. The breed standard currently used by the American Kennel Club was approved on July 17, 1978. Lhasas can change color as they get older, starting with a dark brown coat which gradually turns lighter.

A movement called the Tibetan Line Breeding Programme exists, to breed preseve the original Tibetan Lhasa Apso. This movement is based on the premise that after 60 years of Western breeding, the breed is losing key characteristics of their original Lhasa ancestors still living in Tibet and Bhutan.





Smelly good!!!

Do you ever wonder how perfumes and cologne got to be??? The word "perfume" is a derivative of the Latin word "parfumare" meaning "through smoke".

Back in the olden times in Egypt, they used fumigations in honour of their gods. They sought wood aromatic, grasses, roots, etc... to create perfumes. They burnt the famous incense called Kyphi, a very odorous mixture composed of the myrrh, Matsic tree, bays of juniper, seeds of fenugreek, pistachio and edible shoveler duck, the whole crushed and mixed with wine and a preparation cooked containing resin and of honey.
The Egyptians manufactured ointments, and essential oils for their religious practices and their personal uses. They applied them to their skin to fine cosmetics or therapeutic. The ointments were preserved in cups or mud out of alabaster. There were also small stone or ceramics bottles.One of the supreme pleasures of the Egyptian women was to place, on their head, of the small cones of greases and aromatic resins, which, while melting, scented their hair and their face.
The Greeks continued the Egyptian practices with new reported fragrances their voyages. They coated the body of oils and ointments during the bath.The Greeks scented the body of their deaths and they buried them with personal objects of which a perfume bottle. The aryballes made it possible to spread the ointment on the skin. The Greek athletes coated the body with them before each test.

The Romans, in their turn, granted a great place to the perfume. They made improvements as for the ingredients and developed the use at the time of the religious, funerary rites of it and of the daily practices. The Greeks thought that the perfumes possessed medicinal virtues. They consumed some with excess going until sprinkling some on the walls and the grounds of their house. A great innovation was the use of the container out of glass.

Even today, France remains the centre of the European perfume design and trade.
Perfume types reflect the concentration of aromatic compounds in a solvent, which in fine fragrance is typically ethanol or a mix of water and ethanol. Various sources differ considerably in the definitions of perfume types. The concentration by percent/volume of perfume oil is as follows:

Perfume extract (Extrait): 15-40% (IFRA: typical 20%) aromatic compounds

Eau de Parfum (EdP), Parfum de Toilette (PdT): 10-20% (typical ~15%) aromatic compounds. Sometimes listed as "eau de perfume" or "millésime".

Eau de Toilette (EdT): 5-15% (typical ~10%) aromatic compounds

Eau de Cologne (EdC): Chype citrus type perfumes with 3-8% (typical ~5%) aromatic compounds

Splash and After shave: 1-3% aromatic compounds

Perfume oils are often diluted with a solvent, though this is not always the case, and its necessity is disputed. By far the most common solvent for perfume oil dilution is ethanol or a mixture of ethanol and water. Perfume oil can also be diluted by means of neutral-smelling oils such as fractionated coconut oil, or liquid waxes such as jojoba oil.

The intensity and longevity of a perfume is based on the concentration, intensity and longevity of the aromatic compounds (natural essential oils / perfume oils) used: As the percentage of aromatic compounds increases, so does the intensity and longevity of the scent created. Different perfumeries or perfume houses assign different amounts of oils to each of their perfumes. Therefore, although the oil concentration of a perfume in Eau de Parfum (EdP) dilution will necessarily be higher than the same perfume in Eau de Toilette (EdT) from within the same range, the actual amounts can vary between perfume houses. An EdT from one house may be stronger than an EdP from another.

Men's fragrances are rarely as EdP or perfume extracts. As well, women's fragrances are rarely sold in EdC concentrations. Although this gender specific naming trend is common for assigning fragrance concentrations, it does not directly have anything to do with whether a fragrance was intended for men or women.
Fragrance compounds in perfumes will degrade or break down if improperly stored in the presence of:
Heat
Light
Oxygen
Extraneous organic materials

Proper preservation of perfumes involve keeping them away from sources of heat and storing them where they will not be exposed to light. An opened bottle will keep its aroma intact for several years, as long as it is well stored. However the presence of oxygen in the head space of the bottle and environmental factors will in the long run alter the smell of the fragrance.
Perfumes are best preserved when kept in light-tight aluminum bottles or in their original packaging when not in use, and refrigerated to relatively low temperatures: between 3-7 degrees Celsius (37-45 degrees Fahrenheit). Although it is difficult to completely remove oxygen from the headspace of a stored flask of fragrance, opting for spray dispensers instead of rollers and "open" bottles will minimize oxygen exposure. Sprays also have the advantage of isolating fragrance inside a bottle and preventing it from mixing with dust, skin, and detritus, which would degrade and alter the quality of a perfume.


So... what is your smell preference???


Monday, April 13, 2009

As you point...

At some points in our lives ... we feel the "powerlessness" and we try to deal with this "lessness" in our own ways.

Some of us get angry, some want to die, some get paralyzed, some get critical, some get righteous, some get philosophical, some get into superiority or inferiority, some come out fighting and some just feel beat up. When in this situation, we take on a role to act it out. This is when we get into the so-called ... KARPMAN DRAMA TRIANGLE.

Wikipedia discusses the KARPMAN drama triangle as a psychological and social model of human interaction first described by Stephen Karpman, which has become widely used in psychology and psychotherapy. The drama triangle shows the dramatic roles that people act-out in daily life that are unstable, unsatisfactory, repeated, emotionally competitive, and generate misery and discomfort for both people, sooner or later. The switching that occurs between Persecutor - Rescuer - Victim - generates the drama and the painful feelings that occur when people have hidden agendas, secrets, and then manipulate for dysfunctional personal advantage.

The unfortunate and sad thing is when we handle the"lessness" by calling it in another person, usually ... the partner or the significant other. It is so easy to see it when another person handles this "powerlessness" this way but so hard to catch ourselves doing it. It is so easy to point a finger at someone, usually, at the person that we love. As a good friend would say ...remember that when we point a finger at that person in front of us, the rest of the fingers in that hand are pointing at ourselves.

BE HONEST TO YOURSELF and so you can set yourself free and thus the domino effect of setting free the people around you!!!

Please don't take out your issues on another being... That other person is not there to be your target area or your punching bag...

Friday, February 27, 2009

I will meet her again someday!!!




On February 25, my longtime, most loved girlie dog Zipper went to Rainbow Bridge...
I miss her!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Andy Rooney's ... WHY CHICKS OVER 40 RULE

I was cleaning up my filing cabinet when I came across this copy of a post made by a member of the message board I belong. I liked it then when he posted it, and I still like it now so I am sharing it here... Since I am one of those chicks over 40.

...by Andy Rooney from CBS "60 Minutes"

This is for all of you girls 40 years and over ... and for the ones who are turning 40 and for those who are scared of moving into their 50 ... and 60's... And for guys who are scared of girls over 40!!!

Andy Rooney says:
As I grow in age, I value women who are over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She does not care what you think.

If a woman over 40 does not want to watch the game, she does not sit around whining about it. She does something else she wants to do. And it is usually something more interesting. A woman over 40 knows herself well enough to be assuming in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 40 give a hoot what you might think about her or what she is doing.

Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserving. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. A woman over 40 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women. Women over 40 couldn't care if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. They always know.

A woman over 40 looks good wearing bright lipstick. This is not true of younger women. Once you get past wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons.

Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 40+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself to some 22-year-old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize.

I know I like Andy Rooney for something...

Saturday, January 3, 2009

My Holiday Season!!!

I hope you all had a nice Christmas and a promising 2009 so far!!!

I was on vacation... (yep!!! those relaxing, stress less and yet poorer me days) for the first two weeks of December. I needed the vacation and I wanted to really go all out with my holiday decorations. Christmas is my very favorite holiday. Last year I did not put any decoration and hardly celebrated the season. My life was so hectic last year that I did not have the time and energy to celebrate as much as I usually do. So this year, I went back in gear...
I was done with decorations and gift shopping and gift wrapping by the second week. And the baking started at that second week as well. So by the time Christmas rolled in, I was ready ... stress less and looked forward to our family get together.

The Christmas Eve get together was wonderful. Thanksgiving reunion was at my house. Christmas Eve was at my goddaughter/niece' house. It was great to see everyone again. We had plenty of food, wine, laughter, hugs and kisses and pictures. I can't wait for this year's Christmas already.

I received many great gifts from family and friends. I felt blessed and loved.

I had to work on my birthday. My co-workers/friends had potlucks in 2 departments in our hospital. I even had two birthday cakes to blow... Neat!!! And the presents were great!!!

My New Year's Eve was wonderful as well. I have always worked on New Year's Eve but this time I had the chance to celebrate it with a bang.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Free as a bird or two...

I always say that if ever I were to come back to earth in another lifetime ... that I would like to come back as a bird. I see a bird as a carefree being. Flying free... however, whichever, wherever, whatever ... it wants to.

There it is with its wings all spread out letting the wind blow ... away the broken dreams. Blow away the sadness and hopelessness. Blow away the madness and frustrations. Blow away the heartaches and mental anguish.

And embrace the hopes of tomorrow. Embrace the new promises and the new dreams. Embrace what there will be..

Would it not be wonderful to soar up in the sky and drop down and away all the baggage that I've been carrying in my life and in the part of my heart that is broken? And land on solid ground and start anew...

How about you? What would you like to be in your other lifetime???

Thursday, August 14, 2008

My absence... apologies

I am one of those that know not to get started on something that will preoccupy me for a long period of time. I tend to "get hooked" on whatever that is and end up neglecting everything else around me. That obsessive personality of mine pops up and take over. Let's say, a book of my interest. If I start reading a book and really get into the nitty gritty of it, I have the tendency to not put it down until I finish reading the very last page of it. And so therefore while in the process of the engrossed reading, I will not look up, well, maybe once in a while, just long enough to see the right spot to sit on the toilet... hehehe!!! until I finish that book.

So I have never ever seen any reality shows nor any soap operas because I already know that if I ever get started on any of them that I will not be at peace with myself if I miss any episode so I don't even try to get started.

And so therefore my excuse, as lame as it is, for not blogging for a while... is just that. My focus was somewhere else that I wanted to work and flourish but as luck would have it... did not work.
Oh well!!!

So now, I am taking a break from my heartbreaks and see if I can somehow share some of my "sleeping" thoughts and ideas for this neglected blogspot of mine... shame on me!!!

Move onward!!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Fidelity ... my take on it!!!

In the matters of the hearts, many variables come into play that make a relationship more challenging. The differences of the man and the woman in the relationship, just as being a man and as a woman - you know, that deal about Man from there and Woman from the other there... complicate the relationship as it is. We are not even going into the outside influences that add to the roller coaster ride in the relationship.

My ex-marriage was not the greatest but fidelity or I should say infidelity never came into play even in the worst of it.

My first personal encounter of this subject, infidelity that is, was when I decided to try a go of another relationship after many years of being alone. The man I thought that could be the second man in my life committed infidelity on his partner of many years. I was deceived, made to believe that he was not in any other relationship beside ours. Come to find out, he was already in a relationship for many years and was still in that relationship when he started chasing me. Eventually, my gut feelings lead me straight into the truth that I was seeking althrough the period of our relationship.

I was glad that I flew over in his world and saw things with my very own eyes... infidelity !!!

Another disguise of this act came into play in my life. The question or challenge that was brought to my senses... how could there be an infidelity when the third party is several thousand miles away???

Good question!!! My concern about this is the emotional effect and hold that the third party has even if she is several miles away. The lies, deceits, sneaking around befits infidelity... my opinion anyway. When I am in a relationship, I choose to be in it and give my all. And expect the same back.... Is that so wrong???

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Has it been that long???

March 25,2007... I just looked back at my very first post on here and shook my head in disbelief!!! Over a year ago had gone by. My dear girlfriend from Arizona who is also a blogger on here sweetly talked me into starting my very own blogspot... and here I am.

What I enjoy the most on visiting my own blogspot is looking at the list of the visitors that come and stop by at this humble spot. Unbelievable!!! People from all over the world have come and read my thoughts and opinions. How neat is that??? I just wish that they would make their visits known.

I have slowed down with my postings for several personal reasons. I would like to try to start posting more.

I hope you are all having a great spring and summer soon!!! I have been in the pool lately...

Monday, February 25, 2008

A Meme Tag: 5 THINGS...

I decided to take on this meme from my girlfriends ... Belle's and Elyani's blogspots.


5 Things Found In My Bag


  • cellphone

  • wallet

  • make-up kit

  • emergency medicines

  • gums

5 Things Found In My Wallet


  • nursing cards - license, certificates

  • money

  • green "lucky" stone

  • plastic money(s)

  • other cards... Starbucks, Costco, Safeway

5 Things found in my room

  • threadclimber machine
  • TV/VHS/DVD
  • mattress pad heater
  • CalKing bed
  • alarm clock/CD player


5 Things I always want to do


  • be a tourist in the Philippines

  • a trip to Gallapagos Island

  • create a secret garden

  • across the country drive in a Mercedes SLK

  • meet in person all of my cyberfriends


5 Things I’m Currently Into


  • school

  • my son

  • home projects

  • 2 volunteer projects

  • a professional change



Sunday, February 10, 2008

Not just a matter of the HEART

February 14, Valentine's Day, the day that lovers express their love for each other by sending card, candy and or flowers. According to my favorite source of information Wikipedia, the holiday is named after Valentine, a Christian martyr. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.


Gone are the days though of handwritten LOVE notes and replaced them with mass-produced greeting cards, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas.

My own personal story on this year's heart day is that I got to celebrate it with a wonderful man. He started it by sending these sweetness the day before the celebration of the hearts...









Then off to the dinner concert of Etta James the following day. The drive to the Bay Area was all worth it. It was such a beautiful night, a great concert, with a wonderful company.



Wednesday, January 9, 2008

2008 - another beginning. A look at New Year's history

According to Wikipedia: New Year is originally observed on March 15 in the old Roman Calendar. New Year's Day first came to be fixed in January 1, 153 BC, when the two Roman consuls, after whom - in the Roman calendar - years were named and numbered, began to be chosen on that date, for military reasons.

New Year's Day is the first day of the year. On the modern Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated on January 1, as it was also in ancient Rome (though other dates were also used in Rome). In all countries using the Gregorian calendar, except for Israel, it is a public holiday, often celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts. January 1 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 14 on the Gregorian calendar, and it is on that date that followers of some of the Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the New Year.

Since the 1900s has become an occasion for celebration the night of December 31, called New Year's Eve. There are often fireworks at midnight. Depending on the country, individuals may be allowed to burn fireworks, even if it is forbidden the rest of the year.

It is also a memorable occasion to make New Year's resolutions, which they hope to fulfill in the coming year; the most popular ones in the western world include to stop tobacco smoking or drinking alcohol, or to lose weight or get physically fit.


I have never been good about making New Year's resolutions. I guess because I hate to set myself up for disappointments. I do try to make some mental notes about I might try doing different in regards to my behaviors or ways of life or a "must to do this year". This way I have them in my brain and yet not putting any pressure on myself in making them happen.

2008, according to my Feng Shui calendar is a great year for a metal rat like me...

We will see!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful celebration. And that you have your positive chi with you in welcoming 2008...

Friday, December 28, 2007

December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 3 days remaining until the end of the year. This is the date I was born, many moons ago. I am one of the two daughters, second to the oldest of four siblings.
In the Philippines this day is called as Niños Inocentes. It is commemorated on December 28 as Holy Innocents' Day or Childermas in other countries. The innocents referred to are the children who were massacred by order of Herod who was seeking the death of the newborn Messiah. In the Philippines, Spain and Latin American countries the festival is celebrated in a manner similar to April Fool's Day.
... so now you know why I am innocent... hehehe!!!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Christmas in the Philippines as I remember it

I don't know how many times in the past I have blurted out about my strange (or maybe not) feeling towards the holiday season. I have been living here in America much longer than I did back home, the Philippines. As Christmas season approaches I get progressively home sick, so badly sometimes that I almost go into depression... go figure!!! I don't think I have any reason. I have my entire immediate family here with me in the US. We, in fact almost always have had great Holiday celebrations.

Is it my inner self that tells me each year to look back at my past when scarcity was it, so that I can stay grounded and thankful for what I have now in my life??? Is it my longing to the nostalgia of my youth when life was not too complicated??? I can't tell you for sure.

I know that Philippines has very long Christmas celebration. The predominant religion is Catholicism, thus the activities are influenced by that. WIKIPEDIA described Christmas season in the Philippines so accurately and how I remembered it...
Misa de Gallo (Dec. 16-24) Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. Known as the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) in the traditional Spanish, and these masses are also more popularly known in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass". The Simbang Gabi is the most important Filipino Christmas tradition.

These nine dawn Masses are also considered as a Novena by the Catholic and Aglipayan faithfuls. This refers to the Roman Catholic and Aglipayan practice of performing nine days of private or public devotion to obtain special graces. In some parishes, the Simbang gabi begins as early as four in the morning. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show the churchgoer's devotion to his faith and heighten anticipation for the Nativity of the Lord. In traditional Filipino belief, however, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God would grant the devotee's special wish or favor.

After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmas delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top and under), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and coconut shavings as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).
Christmas Eve For Filipinos, Christmas Eve on ("Bisperas ng Pasko") December 24 is the much-anticipated Noche Buena -- the traditional Christmas Eve feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola (Span. literally "ball of cheese"; edam cheese), "Tsokolate" (hot chocolate drink) and hamon (Christmas ham), and some would open presents at this time.
In different provinces and schools throughout the Philippines, Catholic devotees also reenact the journey of Joseph and the pregnant Blessed Virgin Mary in search of lodging for the soon-to-be born Jesus Christ. This is the traditional Panunuluyan, also called Pananawagan and Pananapatan.
This street pageant is performed after dark on Christmas Eve, with the actors portraying Joseph and Mary going to pre-designated houses. They chant wika wika bang bang, a traditional folksong that is meant to wake up the owner of the house as the actors ask for lodging. But the couple (actors) are turned away by the owners, also through a song. Finally, Joseph and Mary make their way to the parish church where a simulated manger has been set up. The birth of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with the Misa de Gallo, together with hallelujahs and Christmas carols. Everybody celebrates this tradition happily yet solemnly.

Christmas Day in The Philippines is primarily a family affair. Prior to the ticking of 12 midnight on 25 December, Misa de Aguinaldo is being celebrated. It is usually attended by the whole family. Misa de Aguinaldo is the Holy Mass celebrated to signify the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Roman Catholic Church and Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan) in the Philippines' main means of celebrating Jesus Christ's birth.
Misa de Aguinaldo is also celebrated at dawn or in the morning immediately after sunrise before 10 AM, this schedule is preferred by Filipinos who choose to celebrate Christmas Eve with a night-long celebration of Noche Buena.

Preferably in the morning, Filipino families visit members of the extended family, notably the elders in order to pay their respect. This custom has been an age-old tradition in the Philippines called Pagmamano, this is done by touching one's forehead to the elder's hand saying Mano Po. The elder then blesses the person who paid respect. Aguinaldo or money in the form of crisp, fresh-from-the-bank bills is given after the Pagmamano, most usually to younger children.
A Christmas Lunch usually follows after the Pagmamano. The lunch is heavily dependent upon the finances of the family. Rich families tend to prepare grand and glorious feasts that consist of Jamon de Bola, Queso de Bola, Lechon and other Filipino delicacies. Some poor families choose to cook simple meals, nevertheless still special. When the family is settled after the lunch, the exchange of gifts is usually done. Godparents are expected to give gifts or Aguinaldo to their godchildren.

When nigh time falls, members of the family usually take part in family talks while listening to favorite Christmas carols. Some may opt to have a glorious Christmas feast for dinner.
TO ALL OF THE VISITORS OF THIS HUMBLE SPOT IN THE CYBERSPACE... MARAMING SALAMAT!!! (THANK YOU VERY MUCH). MAY YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON...
MALIGAYANG PASKO!!! (MERRY CHRISTMAS)

Monday, December 10, 2007

Accidental ... whiplash!!!

October 30,2007 ... the great 2 days spent with my mother ended in a not so great note ... my back tire on the driver side blew that caused an accident. The tires were not old at all and the SUV - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport ES just went through an overall check-up. It was around 3 PM, rush hour so the traffic was about the speed limit of 65 mph and there was a Sheriff car behind me so I was "behaving".

After hearing a big exploding noise, this SUV went out of control and swerved to the right to which I hit the middle part of a big semi truck. So then I attempted to correct it while it was shaking like jello. Luckily it followed my guidance to the left side of the road which was the median island. I put on the brake and checked on my mother then myself. I then attempted to get out to check on the damage(s) but could not open my door. The Sheriff behind me stopped alongside my vehicle and pried open my door so that I can get out.

An ambulance and a CalTran worker were around the area so they stopped and asked if they can help in anyway. I informed them that I was a trauma nursy and that my assessment told me that my mother and I were "okay".

The SUV was crunched up in the front and on the back passenger part. All fluids leaked out and the trunk door was ajar and I couldn't close it all the way. So we waited for the CHP (California Highway Patrol) for official report, tow truck and a phone call from my sweet car insurance guy.

We got towed and took the taxi back home from the tow park at the outskirt of the city I live in.

The following days were going for medical assessments and dealing with insurance procedures.

The verdict after 16 days... SUV was officially declared ... not financially reasonable to be restored. Another 4 days and I was told how much I would get for my totalled vehicle. I came ahead by 4 thousands...

So then the shopping for the replacement ensued. And here it is...











2004 Land Rover, Freelander. A certified pre-owned vehicle with free maintenance until 2012. All I have to do is drive it to any dealership and it will be maintained or fixed. It had only 36,000 miles on it and looks pretty brand new. It was used as the dealership vehicle. And it is all paid for. No car payment... the best feature. I could have bought a brand new car but did not want to deal with car payment which I haven't had in many years. The features I like about my new vehicle... the seat warmer and heated windows.

Friendship Award - bestowed by Nursy Fe

I decided to follow this meme from Nursy Fe's blogspot http://maping.wordpress.com/



She is always so generous of thinking of me. Thank you so much!!!

"And The First Class Friendship Award, I’m giving to:
NursyE - a very unselfish friend. She’s one of a kind. We met through a message board long time ago."


MOM (Mother of 2 Munchkins) aka Nursy Fe and I met in a message board turned war zone. Actually it was her darling future husband-to-be that was the co-member and eventually they were entwined and she took over as the active member. She and hubby now blessed with 2 gorgeous children... my cyberniece and cybernephew.
We then moved to another message board that was built by another sweet friend.
Nursy Fe was one Filipina that does not have any problems tackling life changes. She had more than enough education from back home and yet did not have any egotistical qualm about returning back to school for a career that she thinks will give her better "future"... nursing. I can bet to the fact that she indeed made a great decision...
Going to school, being a mother, a wife, a worker... sounds like a familiar story!!!
With that comment, I am bestowing this same award back to the generous giver... Nursy Fe. You indeed deserve this award more than once, twice and many more times over...

City slicker

Three days after Thanksgiving, very early in the morning, I was doing my usual routine of letting my 2 four-legged children out to do their business outside. Zipper was by the door when I opened my bedroom door to let them back in. It was so unusual not to have Duke with Zipper so I called out his name. No answer. I did it 2-3 more times but no Duke - very unusual. So I donned a robe and went out to see what was causing the mischievous Duke to stay outside. I couldn't find him anywhere everywhere the backyard so I started to get very concerned until I heard some rustling by my garden closeby the gazebo. As I was approaching closer, I can see Duke behind the plant looking up the fence. I looked at where he had his focus on and saw this...

I was surprised to see this early fence visitor. I live in a city. I don't see these creatures around here. It was a big surprise.

And it was just sitting there while Duke was so enthralled!!!

Well, he wanted to get hold of it so badly...
























My hunky friend, K, had 6 of these on his porch one morning he said. This is his comment... "They come out at night or early morning.... hide in your trees, bushes. dogs and cats fight them... they have fifty-five teeth.but are harmless. they just look funny... they are more afraid of you. that is why they just stand there a stare at you."

Duke... meet Opossum!!!