Cebu Pacific Seat Sale Alert : 50% on International Destinations

HALFy go lucky! Your chance to grab 50% off on all international destinations!

It's your lucky day! Your chance to grab 50% off the lowest fares to any of our 16 international destinations for travel starting April 1 to May 31, 2011. The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) will maintain zero fuel surcharges and putting up 120,000 seats for this 50% off seat sale from now until January 31, 2011 or until seats last.


This destinations are Kota Kinabalu, Taipei, Singapore, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Macau, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh, Brunei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Jakarta, Busan and Osaka.


CEB remains the only Philippine carrier to offer fares without fuel surcharges. Visit our website at www.cebupacificair.com now!


Grab great deals on Cebu Pacific Fun Tours where you can combine your lowest roundtrip airfare with the cheapest hotel accommodation in your desired destination.

Source: cebupacific.com

January is Stalking National Awareness Month

January is almost over but it is never too late to post this blog. 

January is Stalking Awareness Month.

According to Oregon  Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence:

"Young women 18-24 are at the greatest risk of being stalked. Despite its prevalence, stalking is little understood by many people, who may think only celebrities are stalked or that stalking isn't harmful. On the contrary, stalking is a dangerous crime that takes a profound toll on its victims, who are often afraid for their safety and try repeatedly to escape their stalkers. Stalking can happen to anyone and most victims know their stalkers. 

Recognizing this serious crime, President Obama became the first President to proclaim January as National Stalking Awareness Month."

What to do when someone is stalking: 
 
Think about your safety first and foremost. Go to a safe place, call your parents or family and the Police right away. 

If you know the stalker (usually he or she is a former boyfriend/girlfriend, a fan or a turned-down suitor), tell him/her to stop right there and then. 

Lastly, be knowledgeable. Read books or search it online everything about stalkers and stalking to get more information.

As parents and concerned citizens, let us spread this campaign against stalking.

According to www.ncvc.org/src,

"It's not a JOKE. It's not ROMANTIC. It's not OK."

Nevada Shoe Tree in the Middle of Nowhere

Just last month I read an article in a Reno paper about a shoe tree somewhere in US Highway 50 (America's Loneliest Highway) that has been cut down by vandals. I showed it to Ms. Wenda, an accounting staff who comes every morning to get all reports. She felt unhappy and she said she had photos of the tree when she happened to pass by that way quite a long time ago.  She explained that passersby  throw pairs of shoes  into the branch or twigs of the tree for fun.

Pretty weird, huh? I got interested and I asked her to post  them on her facebook so I could see and grab them. She did! Thank you Ms. Wenda!

When I searched it on the Internet, these are what I've got:

(Credit to the owner)

 

Wow, it looks like the tree has grown up and bears more pair of shoes already! Many thanks to the weird  passersbys! But sad to say, at this time, this shoe tree is no longer existing after heartless vandals cut it down, tsk, tsk, tsk!

  

Highway Traffic in the Middle of Nowhere

This is the usual Nevada I-80 Highway. No traffic. Wow!

  This is the unusual Nevada I-80 Highway. Heavy traffic! Watch out drivers!

Photos of sheep were taken from my co-worker's facebook account with her consent. Thank you Ms. Wenda!

Just to make you people smile. Hope you have a good one!

10-10-10



A special day?

October 10, 2010 or 10-10-10 is kinda odd date. Well, for some reasons, like for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, business openings, etc., this day makes their celebrations extra special since it comes but once in a century only. 

Last week, my manager had me signed a birthday card for our former co-worker who is now based in Minnesota who will celebrate her birthday today. He said he promised to send her birthday card this year because it is 10-10-10 in the calendar :D And I almost forgot, today is Missy's 21st birthday (a night shift waitress). It is a significant day for her because she can now get drinks at the bar :D

But for other people, there is no significance on this date, for them, it is just another ordinary day except in Canada and USA because today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada and Columbus Day in USA. How about you? Is there a significance on this day for you? If you will ask me, my answer is yes :D As a shopper, I am enjoying the left and right huge discount offers and sales specials in both online and physical stores nationwide :D

Whatever your take on this, I wish you a blessed day not only today but all throughout the year!

Giant Gold Fish: Real or Photoshopped?

I was surfing the web minutes ago when I stumbled upon this photo in one of the  sites. My first reaction was:

Holy Carp!

When I took a second look, it seemed to me that it is not real. I bet the fish is very heavy but how come the person who is carrying it looks like it's just pretty light? I am sure it is alive, why there is no sign of struggling?

On the other hand, if it is real, this person must be very lucky to catch such an incredible creature!

According to the article, after this photo was taken, the giant fish was freed back to the water. Hmm, sounds intriguing to me!

How about you? What can you say? Do you believe that it is real? Or do you think it is photoshopped?

It's for you to judge.

Maria Venus Bayonito Raj: A Filipino Pride

Congratulations to our very own Ms.Venus Raj for bringing the Philippines into the limelight in the recently concluded Ms. Universe 2010 Pageant! We are so proud of you!

Amidst the "after-shock" of the terrible Hostage-drama happened in the country the day before the Pageant, Ms. Philippines made it to the Top 5 among 83 equally-Beauty and Brains candidates of the Most Prestigious Pageant in the whole world. Thanks to Maria Venus Bayonito Raj for bringing such pride.

The Semi-final Results:

The Final results:

I have been following her online from the very start and being the early favorite worldwide is already something! Alas! Many people have criticized her answer during the Q & A portion. For their information, it's not easy to be in front of the crowd. I should know because I have experienced the same when I joined the Search for Ms. Campus Personality back in High School. I had inexplicable feelings that time, how much more on Ms. Raj's case! Come on people, let's take it positively and let's be happy for her and for our country. She did her best and she did a good job!

Again, Congratulations Ms. Venus!

I am very proud of you and I am proud to be a Filipina like you :D

  

Food for Thought

I am fond of keeping quotations and I would like to share my latest keeps which was taken from the site I just visited.

"Great people talk about ideas"

"Average people talk about things"

"Small people talk about other people"

Ahem...

Which of these group of people are you belong?

Now I am thinking critically on which of these people I think I belong.

How about average people?

But I love gossips especially showbiz gossips!

Ayayay!

(Credit to Google for the photos)

Lovelots, Bechay

2010-2013 Famous Members of the House of Representatives

I bet all the staff of the House of Representatives will get starstruck every time our celebrity Lawmakers emerge in the hall to attend the Session :)

I just saw them featured on TV a while ago and I got interested to feature them in my virtual space.

Lucy Torres-Gomez

She is in my first list because I so admired her angelic face. She is an actress, a model, a flamingo dancer and a host. Now, she is the elected Congresswoman of Ormoc, Leyte. At first, it was her husband actor Richard Gomez who ran for Congressman but got disqualified for the reason of no established residency. 

Imelda Marcos

She is a former First Lady of the Philippines. She is the former wife of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos. At the age of 81, she is still beauteous. She represents 2nd District of  Ilocos Norte. Hubby heard about her collection of shoes :) 

Lani Mercado

She is an actress and a wife of an actor-turned-politician Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. Now she is representing the 2nd District of Cavite.

Manny Pacquiao

The People's Champ.The Pambansang Kamao (National Fist). He is the first and only septuple Champion in the boxing history to win  in seven different divisions namely; Flyweight, Super Bantamweight, Featherweight, Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight and Welterweight. He is representing Saranggani Province in Mindanao.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

I put her in the last list because I don't like her. She is representing the 2nd District of Pampanga. 

To Ms. Lucy Torres-Gomez and Ms. Lani Mercado: I will give both of you the benefit of the doubt and I wish you well.

To Madam Marcos: I hope you will make everything up. You knew what I meant.

To Money err.. Manny Pacquiao: I hope the 10-day crash course you have enrolled could be a help on your new "fight".

To Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: No comment. Period.

To my countrymen, GOOD LUCK to all of us!

Fresh Flowers from a Neighbor

I was checking my latest post using hubby's computer in the living room when the door bell rang. I ran to my room to hide because I was wearing my sleepwear and I looked horrible. Hubby opened the door and  I heard a voice of a woman said, "Hi! How are you guys?" It was Marlene's voice, the wife of hubby's long time friend who lived across the street.

Hubby convinced me to come out to say hello back but I declined. I was kinda grumpy already because he was insisting and it irritated me. Hubby said she brought flowers for us that she picked up from her garden. I  thought how thoughtful she was. But I was too hard to move.

I did not come out from my room until she left.  When I saw the flowers, I was touched! They  were freshly picked and truly beautiful! Hubby said Marlene brought them with the vase already. She is such a sweet lady!

Now I am having guilt feelings. I realized how crappy  I was for not coming out to talk to her. I know for sure that she won't  be staying long since she knew that I work night shift and I have to sleep very soon.

I grabbed my camera, took a  photo of the flowers and started typing this post. This is dedicated to her. Thanks for the flowers Marlene!

Hair Loss!

It's been bothering me lately.

I've noticed too many strands of hair fell every time I comb my hair. Pardon me, I know it looks gross, but yes, that's my hair in the photo. I get more if my hair is wet though I use wide tooth comb. Pretty alarming huh?

This really scared me. My hair is thin and I don't want to be bald, gees, I can't imagine myself.

I just done researching  the reasons of falling hair and  its possible natural treatment as well. These are what I have got:

Hair loss is typically normal.

Everyone loses between 40 and 120 strands a day, depending on how much hair you have, your age and your hair's growth cycle. People with fine hair tend to have more of it and therefore will lose more of it than their thicker-haired sisters and brothers. Your hair also thins as you get older, particularly after menopause for women. But unlike aging men, the thinning tends to stop after awhile.

Here are common causes of thinning and hair loss:

1. Seasonality. You'll lose the most hair in the fall -- typically November and December when hair reaches maturity in its growth cycle.

2. Diet. Hair loss can occur through poor dieting. According to dermatologist George Cotsarelis, M.D., director of the University of Pennsylvania Hair and Scalp Clinic, iron deficiency may be the cause. He states in the April 2006 issue of "Ladies Home Journal," it might be worth checking your levels with your doctor and take a supplement if they're low.

3. Aging. As we get older, follicles shrink, producing skinnier, shorter strands; then the follicles start to die off. That rate and the extent of that process is a matter of genetics.

4. Pregnancy. Some women experience hair loss with pregnancy or as part of post-pregnancy hormonal changes. Other women experience hair loss when going on or off (usually off) the birth control pill.

5. Illness or intense stress. Sometimes hair loss occurs as a result of illness. Stress, excessive weight loss, iron deficiency and thyroid problems can also cause hair loss.

Natural treatment for hair loss:

Lime juice can be applied to the scalp and allowed to dry for some time before taking a head bath. This will arrest fling hair by keeping the scalp clean and healthy.

Using Castor oil as hair oil regularly will also help in preventing hair from falling.

Applying coconut milk all over the scalp is also another effective solution for falling hair.

Mix equal amount of warm Castor and almond oil and massage over scalp at least once a week

Daily application of coconut oil mixed with lime juice on the hair is also beneficial.

Aha! I'm having two things in mind now that probably caused my dilemma. I think it's number 2 and number 3!

I would try the lime juice first, err.. no, I will cook "ginataang monggo" today, so I might try the coconut milk instead. The problem is, there is no available fresh coconut milk  here.. Hmm, I would  try the canned one. Or maybe I would try the lime juice first since we can get it fresh here. Maybe Castor oil!  Whatever.

Have you had the same problem before? How did you treat it? Is there any treatment you can share to me? I would appreciate it very much.

Happy Wednesday USA, happy Thursday Philippines!

Food Art!

Somebody has an exceptional imagination!

Bravo to the person who has the talent and the skill to make these amazing "pieces". I do appreciate any form of art but unluckily, when it comes to having it, I am not blessed. I can hardly draw a flower, hehe!

Have fun looking at them!

 

  

Mighty Cucumbers!

A friend sent this and I want to share it with my readers and "followers."  Cucumber or "Pipino" is one of those affordable veggies we can get  from  the market. Check this out!

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!

What a SHIP!

Do we really need that much of from China?

The Emma Maersk, part of a Danish shipping line, is shown in the photos below.
This monster transports goods across the Pacific in about 5 days!!!

15,000 containers and a 207' deck beam!

The crew-size: 13 people on a ship longer than a US aircraft carrier (which has a crew of 5,000).

Notice that 207' beam means it cannot fit through the Panama or Suez Canals .

It is strictly transpacific. Cruise speed: 31 knots.

The goods arrive 4 days before the typical container ship (18-20 knots) on a China -to- California run.
So this behemoth is hugely competitive when carrying perishable goods.

The ship was built in five sections. The sections floated together and then welded.

The command bridge is higher than a 10-story building and has 11 cargo crane rigs that can operate simultaneously.

Additional information:
Country of origin - Denmark

Length - 1,302 ft

Width - 207 ft

Net cargo - 123,200 tons

Engine - 14 cylinders in-line diesel engine (110, 000 BHP)

Cruise Speed - 31 knots

Cargo capacity - 15,000 TEU (1 TEU = 20 cubic feet)

Crew - 13 people !

First Trip - Sept. 08, 2006

Construction cost - US $145,000,000

Silicone painting applied to the ship bottom reduces water resistance and saves 317,000 gallons of diesel per year.

A recent documentary in late March on the History Channel noted that nearly all of these containers are shipped back to China , EMPTY. Yep, that's right.

We send nothing back on most of these ships. What does that tell you about the current financial state of this country? Just keep buying those imported goods (mostly gadgets) until you run out of money.

Then you may wonder what the cause of unemployment (maybe even your job) in the U.S. and Canada might be?

Biometrics

Biometrics- I simply understood it as high tech finger printing. It is one of the things you will go through in applying for a Status of Adjustment or a Green Card.

My son's apppointment is July 7, 2008 at 3:00pm, mine is on the next day at 8:00am while my daughter's appointment is at 10am on the same day.

Hubby was working that time so he asked his sister to come with us. We can reschedule the appointment as we are allowed to but Ricardo doesnt want to. He cannot wait to get another appointment again.

So my kids and I went to Reno last July 7 together with Carol, my sister -in- law, at around 9am. We got there at around 12 noon. We looked for the USCIS address first and have found it before we headed for lunch. But before we got there we lost many times already. We looked for a resto in the vicinity to eat lunch but we find nothing so we headed to the next street, turned to the corner and to the other street again until we found a place to eat. Then we got lost again more times, as in more times, shall I say 5,000 times (just exaggerating) going to the USCIS Office. USA has confusing roads and highways. They have Interstate 80 east and west freeway (even number) and 395 freeway, north and south (odd number) and there are different exits. If you happen to take the other freeway or exits, then it will be hard for you to get back to the same place where you took the wrong lane.You may drive ahead and look for another road to take you to freeway again or you have to go around 5 miles to get back again. It's really very confusing for me especially that I am very poor in sense of direction.

At long last, we got there in USCIS at around 3:03 pm. When we were about to enter the door, a man asked us if we have an appointment, we said yes and he asked what time, we answered 3:00pm, he looked mean and said "you are late". My sister-in-law apologized and admitted that its her fault because we got lost many times and that she was driving the car. Another man popped up and then he looked more mean because of the same reason. I was so nervous that we will get denied to enter the door but finally the first man said we can go inside if we have the appointment and ID Card or Driver's License.I gave him our 3 passports and Carol gave her Driver's license. We passed through the X-ray machine. Carol was checked 3 times because the machine buzzed when she passed. The man found out that it was because of her sandal's metal strap.

Anyways, the other man gave me a priority number for Jun. Although he looked unfriendly to me, I tried to ask him if Jen and I can have our biometrics also considering that we are family and we applied all together and so that we will not come back the next day and get lost again. I sensed that the man was still disappointed and displeased because of what happened but I talked to him straight to his eyes although a little bit hopeless already. But I believed in the saying "Everything is not meant to be but Everything is worth a try". And I did try. I was surprised when he gave me another 2 priority numbers! Carol was suprised too! Whew! I was happy that he considered my request. He was talking to me nicely that time. Thank you Lord! He asked me our passport and the appointment letter only then he gave me 3 forms to be filled out and said to fill them out shortly. The 3 of us filled the forms out hurriedly but carefully. We don't want to be in trouble again, gosh!

The following are the required data in the form. (I hope I remembered them all):

Name, Birthday (be careful because the birthyear is the first being ask not the month or date), Alien Number and Application Number( you will find these 2 numbers in your appointment Notice), height, weight, address, name of mom and dad, place of birth, country of citizenship, contact numbers then you have to encircle the benefits you applied, I encircled I-1485.

I was told to sit down in a chair in the corner to wait for the finger printing. The he requested me to stand up and he put liquid to his hands and told me to do the same before the finger printing. Then he held my fingers in my left hands and pressed it in a tiny window of some kind of a computer machine, then the fingers in my right hand. Afterwards, he took my thumbs and my other fingers one by one, rolled them from left to right until the computer says it is done already. Then he took picture using a web camera.Then he let me affixed my signature using an electronic pen stuck in the machine.

After a few minutes, he handed me the appointment I gave to him earlier with scribbled notes therein and said to keep it and dont let anyone to make a copy of it and wait for the green card in my mail. I am not sure if I heard the latter right. I was expecting him to tell me to wait for an appointment for interview because I came here using K3 Visa. I was too occupied to having conversation with him.

By the way, we were talking while doing the biometrics. I said I was grateful for his consideration and that I salute Americans for being a time conscious people unlike Filipinos. He was so nice to me and even shared to me that he is going to the Philippines next year (February) for a golf competition together with 9 other guys from here to compete from different countries. I jokingly said that I thought he's gonna meet up his fiancee there. He was smiling at me and admitted that somebody from here who got a business there in our country will introduce him to filipino lady. He said he is divorced for 12 years already and he heard that filipino girls are caring and wife-material, etc... I knew it.. He became nice to me when he learned that I am a Filipino.

After everything was done, we thanked him and said goodbye and before i forgot, I said goodluck to him for the golf game. He thanked me then gave me a hand shake.

When we were outside the building, we felt relieved! We are not gonna come back the next day!

Americans are always on time. When you have an appointment here you have to come on time or else you will get into trouble. Lesson learned.

So, don't ever be late!

Filipino Party in Winnemucca!

Venue: Swimming Lesson Bldg., City Park

Date: June 15, 2008

Time: 4:00 o'clock PM

I was sleepless the night before. I was too excited. Hubby said he couldn't come with me because he has to go to bed early for his work the following morning. Jen and Jun declined when they learned from their dad that he is not coming. So I was expecting to come alone. Okey fine, whatever.

Nath and i decided to bring foods with us to the party. She choose to bring her yummy Leche Flan (i love it!) and I asked Ricardo to buy me "lechon manok". Since I was coming alone, Nath and Randy fetched me. But when Ricardo learned that Randy is coming and other hubbies are also coming, he promised he will come to the party later.

We got there at around 4:30pm. Only few people were there yet. Children were swimming outside. Emy was there smiling at us, she was too accommodating, we exchanged hellos. From the corner of my eyes, i was looking for Ate Henny and the other older woman whom i met at Raley's. Not yet around. But I saw more or less five "grandma"- looking women in the center table. I doubted if they were Filipinos. As I listened to their conversation, they were speaking English language. They looked like Americans, though.

A smiling lady approached us and offer a hand shake. I talked to her in Tagalog, "saan ka sa Pinas?" and she shook her head and made a gesture. She did not get what i meant. She said she only knew few Tagalog words, only basic words. She asked us about what the Filipinos are famous for, about being coming late always... Nath answered, "Filipino Time!" and she got it right, hehehe! Everyone laughed!

Here came Ate Henny and Ate Solidad, Sol for short (the older woman whom Emy was with at the Raley's) with their respective hubbies and kids. An hour late! And my Ricardo came in too. And more people were coming. They were bringing foods too. Speaking of foods, wooow... pure filipino foods were being served! Lumpya, bihon, bistek, gulaman, empanada, adobong manok, atbp! BUT No lechon baboy. Sigh.

Hubby and I went back to the house to get my teeners because everyone wanted to meet them too. Its good that the park is close to the street where we lived. I was happy that everyone cared to meet my teeners, hehehe. But when they saw them, I heard someone said, "oh.. anak mo ba talaga ang mga yan? o mga kapatid mo?" Ahahahaha! Ahem! I took it as a compliment ha!

Ricardo and Randy were just sitting in the corner, observing us the whole time, smiling... Randy tried to eat the foods. Ricardo declined politely when somebody offered him foods. Gosh!

Anyways, we introduced ourselves to everyone. I only remembered few names (except Henny, Sol and Emy). Josie: her hubby is a Geologist. She has 2 kids. She was very funny. According to her, she has a struggling English but it helps her somehow to teach her kids a Tagalog words, hehehe. I liked her because she is too honest and so i admitted it to her also that i am struggling the same way. Her family will soon move out for Australia. They have been in Canada before they came here to US. She got to travel allot of countries because of her hubby's job. Lucky for her!

Sharon: (pronounced as Sherine daw), is the woman who knew few Tagalog words but she is trying to teach her kids to speak our language (I wonder how can she do that hehehe, she only knew few Tagalog words, right?). She said she danced Itik-Itik and Tinikling last month as presentation in her kid's school activity and she is planning to dance "Pandango sa Ilaw" next time. She is a very proud mom to her daughter whom a champion and a scholar in a dance school here. Her hubby was not around but she said he is a Mining Engineer.

Jen: a Chemical Engineer, single and bubbly! She called me and Nath "Tita". She works as a chemist in one of the mines here. She shared her experiences about being late twice going to work. Such a Filipino she is! She could have get fired. But good she was not. Well, mining needs a chemist after all.

Anita: very short but motherly among the Pinays around. I think she was in her mid 50's already. She was still 3 months old when she got here. Cannot speak Tagalog. But in fairness, she got a very tall and pogi hubby, hehehe.

I forgot the name of the host of the party, as in! Bad me. I think the party is kind of a thanksgiving party because her son has just graduated in High School. Her son was there of course and he was recognized and introduced to us but i could not just remember his name either. Shame on me.

The "oldies" in the center table i mentioned earlier has their own world, hehehe. They did not introduced their names.They were too occupied talking with each other. But when I asked them for a picture taking they were readily projected and smiled in the camera. I learned that they were all Filipino but are now "americanized". I called them "the old filipina generation". And I claimed that the rest are the "new Filipino generation". I guess, I am right.

In between our conversation, somebody confessed that at first she was hesitant to talk to me and nath because she thought we were not Filipinos. She thought that Nath was a Chinese and that I was a Mexican. We were kinda "shocked" to hear that! "Whaaaat?" And everyone confirmed that they really doubted us at first, hehehehe! Its good that we know how to speak Tagalog!

It was a nice experience for me. As sociable, extrovert, exposed and as friendly as I am, the party somehow made my boredom and homesickness diminished... diminished lang... not vanished! Haaay... truly, there is no other place like HOME!

Kababayans

Hubby and I went for a breakfast in Model T Hotel n' Casino's resto this morning. A Filipina-looking waitress approached us and before she could ask our orders, hubby has already asked her "from where are you?" and the woman said "California". That time, I was thinking she was a "kababayan"! but when I heard her answer, I was wrong then. But hubby is too nosy hehehe. Every time he see a short, brown-skinned, black haired woman he always approach and ask "Filipina ka ba?" but this time he said to her that he was thinking she was a Filipina. I was a bit surprised when she said both of her parents are Filipino but she was born in California. We are right after all. I am so happy to know that she is indeed a "kababayan", I smiled at her and ask if what province in the Philippines her parents from and she said she doesn't know, all she knew is that she is a half-Visayan and half-Ilokano. I asked her if she can speak and understand Tagalog word and she answered, "no, I can't speak and I can't understand tagalog, my parents did not teach me". I was a bit startled. Tsk,tsk,tsk,tsk! I feel so sad that the woman is a pure Filipino by blood yet she cannot speak Filipino words.

Anyways, when we are done with breakfast, she approached again and asked us if we need anything and we said "no.. nothing, SALAMAT". She smiled and said she didn't understand what is "Salamat". We said "it means thank you". She grinned. Poor poor lady. Hubby gave her a big tip (tipping is a must here) and we left.

We headed to shop at Walmart and there.. we saw another short, browned-skinned, black-haired woman in front of the cash register, Geez... Filipino lady again... "kababayan". I guess, I was too lucky today! And then, as expected, Ricardo asked her "Filipina ka ba?" And she replied, "Oo!" with a big smile on her face. She spoke Tagalog! I was too happy to know that this woman can speak and understand Tagalog, hehehe. Her name is Emy. She is from Aklan.We exchanged "nice meeting you, see you next time, bye" words, and waved each other.

At around 8:30 in the evening, we were on our way home from a Picnic at my sister-in-law's house, we dropped-by at Raley's, a supermarket store here, to buy ice cream. And there... I saw Emy with two other Filipinos! What a small world, right? There are only few Filipinos here in Winnemucca so every time i meet one from here, i will feel very happy. I knew one of the two Filipinos she is with, she is Nathalie's friend named Henny. Henny's husband is working in the same mine where Randy (Nath's hubby) works. So we exchanged "hi and hello", etc. Hahahaha! I couldn't believed it, I have met 4 Filipinos in a day, shocks! It was really a lucky day for me!

But wait, I will be meeting more Filipinos tomorrow! Because they were inviting me and Nathalie for a Filipino Party which is to be held in the City Park! There will be swimming for the kids and I guess, allot of Filipino foods too,hehehe! I am soo excited already, yippppeee! You know what, when you are in a foreign land and when you get to see or meet "kababayan", you will really get crazy!

I can't wait to meet them all tomorrow!

Words to PONDER

As I browsed the messages in my CP tonight,  I have found these nice quotables quotes which i would like to share:

"Not Everything is Meant to Be, But Everything is Worth a Try"  by Anonymous

Well, personally, I have always believed that there is no harm in trying. I bet you would agree with me.

"Laughter is not Always the Best Medicine, sometimes It is The Best Disguise" by Anonymous

Yes, I agree. Happened to me before.

Filipina: Expensive Wife

Yes, it is so soo true.

Filipina has a renowned beauty: brown skin, black hair, short and slim body. Her loving traits and caring dispositions and having family values made her a desirable choice of single foreigner men, particularly, the American men. Proof is when you sign up in a Filipina Dating Site, you will meet allot of American members who want to get a wife from the Philippines.

I am a filipina and I am very proud to be one. My hubby is an American. He is providing me and my two teeners 101% of our needs, as in, 101%!

When my teeners and I were still in the Philippines, my husband provided us everything. I forgot to mention, even before he was not my husband yet, he provided us everything already. He sent me money for my annulment case, for our daily existence, for my daughter's tuition fees, for my son's school project, for my sari2x store and boutique, for everything.

During special occasions like birthday, Mother's day, Valentine's day, Christmas, etc., I always got something from him like bouqet of flowers, boxes of chocolates, box of tropical fruits, cards and Postal boxes with allot of stuff inside like clothes, shoes,etc..

He spent $$$$$ for his airfare going to the Philippines, for our Wedding, Visa fee for the three of us, airfare, hotel and medical fees during the Medical Examination and Visa Interview. He spent more bucks for our airfare going to this foreign land. I took all my husband's money!

Now that we got here, well, my husband still spending more for me and for my teeners! He did everything to please me (hmm.. maybe!) and to make me and my kids happy!

Last month, he spent $3,010.00 for our Green Card application! Poor hubby. I really feel sorry for him.

He also provided me my own computer for me to use anytime I want to and even bought me my own celphone though I thought I dont need one. He really provided everything. And I thanked the Lord for giving me such a responsible person like him, in the truest sense of the word.

Rice is scarce globally and it is now very expensive anywhere, the more here. Jasmine rice is pretty expensive here compared to Uncle Ben's and other ordinary rice but hubby chooses to buy Jasmine rice for us. Asian foods are expensive here, but he always buy them for us. We even drove to Reno just to buy more Filipino foods in an Asian Store and even drove all the streets just to find for a Filipino Resto, which unluckily, we never find one. So sad.

Not to mention the TFC Subsciption. Because we want to get updated about what is happening in the Philippines and because we want to see our favorite Filipino celebrity. Hubby will spend more or less additional $30.00 every month for TFC.

During my month long stay here, I have had chatted, talked and met allot of filipinas who are living with their respective husbands in the different States here in US. And I have a filipina friend here where i lived. Nathalie. Her hubby always teasing her to be an expensive wife. Nath's hubby spent $60 for a kilo and a half for a Dried Fish alone!

En-en, a sweet girl from Bukidnon said her hubby thinks the same way too. And I am sure, aileen's, nora's, cecille's, glenda's, cheryl's, mae's, and elizabeth's hubby think the same way as well! The names I mentioned above are my filipina friends who married yankee guys too. And I know for sure that their respective hubbies spent the same or more if not less than my hubby's spending for me and for my kids.

See? Filipina wife is indeed expensive!