Overheard:
Nanay Ev: Doctor Joel said Caehl is a smart boy. Are you smart, Caehl?
Caehl: No, I'm Globe. Tita will get mad.
Nanay Ev: No, smart means intelligent.
Caehl: No, it's a load.
Epilogue:
Nanay Ev runs an e-load biz together with Ate Doobs, my other angel, while Caehl's Tita (my sister Lea) is a Globe manager.
When it comes to writing stories from life's natural everyday situations, no one does it better than The Good Girl. Now she is telling all...touching, true-to-life, heartwarming tales that tell the world about her life, love, and lessons learned, with her usual delightful brand of humor and drama. Follow me @therealgoodgirl (Twitter) @talesofthegoodgirl (Instagram)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The winner takes it all
The 6/55 Grand Lotto jackpot, expected to reach Php535M, remains elusive.
Almost everyone I know has placed their bets, hoping to bag the biggest ever jackpot prize in PCSO history. Veteran and neophyte bettors line up to the nearest lotto outlet. “Libre naman ang mangarap,” they would say.
Alex’s aunt texted him a couple or three sets of numbers to bet on. I too asked my helper to place a bet on my behalf, only to find out my sister has asked her earlier to do the same. Pabalik-balik na siya sa lotto outlet.
According to Inquirer.net, “The odds of winning a 6/55 lottery are mind-boggling—one in 29 million.”
Believe it to win it, says another Inquirer article.
There was a time when I said aloud in the office, “Wala pa kong kilalang nanalo na sa lotto.” At least I was referring to those who won more than Php20 (balik-taya) or 500. Then, Abi, who seats a few feet away, replied, “Kami.”
It turned out her father is a longtime lotto believer. I can’t remember how much they won but she said in jest that if you compute their winnings versus the money spent on previous bets, “Baka mamaya, break-even lang.”
Dette, another friend, said in her FB page that she too went to a lotto station to bet, and she didn't know what to do.
So what will you do if you win Php535M?
Some people say it’s too much. To win even half of it is already adequate. “Kahit may kahati ka pa, ok lang,” said Nanay Ev.
Me? I’d pay off my loans, get more insurance policies, buy more properties, and give what my parents and siblings want – no questions asked, no conditions.
Was it Donald Trump who said, “Everything in life is luck”?
Whoever will win it is surely the luckiest guy in the Philippines. Balato naman!
Almost everyone I know has placed their bets, hoping to bag the biggest ever jackpot prize in PCSO history. Veteran and neophyte bettors line up to the nearest lotto outlet. “Libre naman ang mangarap,” they would say.
Alex’s aunt texted him a couple or three sets of numbers to bet on. I too asked my helper to place a bet on my behalf, only to find out my sister has asked her earlier to do the same. Pabalik-balik na siya sa lotto outlet.
According to Inquirer.net, “The odds of winning a 6/55 lottery are mind-boggling—one in 29 million.”
Believe it to win it, says another Inquirer article.
There was a time when I said aloud in the office, “Wala pa kong kilalang nanalo na sa lotto.” At least I was referring to those who won more than Php20 (balik-taya) or 500. Then, Abi, who seats a few feet away, replied, “Kami.”
It turned out her father is a longtime lotto believer. I can’t remember how much they won but she said in jest that if you compute their winnings versus the money spent on previous bets, “Baka mamaya, break-even lang.”
Dette, another friend, said in her FB page that she too went to a lotto station to bet, and she didn't know what to do.
So what will you do if you win Php535M?
Some people say it’s too much. To win even half of it is already adequate. “Kahit may kahati ka pa, ok lang,” said Nanay Ev.
Me? I’d pay off my loans, get more insurance policies, buy more properties, and give what my parents and siblings want – no questions asked, no conditions.
Was it Donald Trump who said, “Everything in life is luck”?
Whoever will win it is surely the luckiest guy in the Philippines. Balato naman!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
If you can't beat it, don't click it
In one of my Whatchama-CAEHL-it entries, I wrote that my bedroom-TV knows only one channel - GMA-7.
One weekend, Alex bought a remote control as the one we use for the living room-TV is already defective.
I think it took him four trips to Pacita to finally have a unit that is working.
"Eh yung remote mo sa kuwarto, Mommy?" he asked. "Ok pa ba?"
"Daddy, I don't need one, remember?" I reminded him. "Hindi naman ako naglilipat ng channel."
"Katotohanan
Magpapalaya sa bayan..."
Mommy is singing GMA News and Public Affairs, Caehl commented.
Whatchama-CAEHL-it XXXVI
While waiting for Glee last night, Cae channel-surfed for a while and chanced upon Disney’s Hercules. “Caehl, who’s that?” she asked her brother. “That’s Hercules,” she answered her own question. “Do you know Hercules?” “Yes,” said the little boy. “How did you learn about Hercules?” “From mythology.” “How did you know about mythology?” “From the almanac.” “Who’s the flying horse?” “Pegasus.” “Who is the king?” “Zeus.” “Mommy, bakit alam ni Caehl?” she asked me. “Ewan ko, alam mo naman yang kulet na yan,” I replied. |
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Purple, pink and silver thoughts
When I came home from work one day last week, I was surprised to see the Christmas stockings and bears on the wall.
My helpers said Caehl asked them to pack away the four season-frames and replace them already with the stockings.
“Naku, nagdidirek si Caehl sa amin,” I was told.
Christmas na, Caehl said. And who can argue with that?
But that was all. My helpers wanted to prepare and clean the living room ceiling first before putting up anything. This is the second year that we are using the purple, pink and silver theme. And so we waited until over the weekend when everything was ready.
We needed to bring in some holiday cheer as three loved ones passed away one after another just recently – Tito Prime, Ma’am Ophie, and Tita Flor.
When we arrived home Sunday night from Heritage Park, I was delighted to see the Christmas lights all set up in our terrace window and the pine garland already in place. In one corner of the living room, our 7-foot tree stood tall.
Nanay Ev said Caehl himself adorned the tree with the purple, pink and silver balls and holly, and wouldn’t stop until everything was in order. He didn’t want to put the tiny silver balls as he insisted they were for the garland. Cae also asked where she should put the pink bell chain. It’s too short to be placed around the tree, she said.
Ah yes, the chain is for the garland and Caehl was right, the silver balls are indeed for the garland, and not for the tree. Funny (and remarkable) how Caehl could still recall those details – a proof that he is truly his mom’s son.
The poinsettia garland, tacked on the ceiling cornice, served as border.
Last night, I saw that the deep pink lights have been placed around the tree as well. According to Nanay Ev, she liked how the tree turned out this year. “Better than last year. Parang mas maganda ngayon."
Maybe because the kids put it up.
Maybe because it was put up with pure and trusting love and hope.
Maybe because everyone wanted things to be better.
Purple and pink are my favorite colors (they were our wedding color motif, too).
Together with silver, they make a pretty combination indeed.
They evoke happy thoughts, happy memories.
And yes, our departed loved ones are in a better and happier place now.
My helpers said Caehl asked them to pack away the four season-frames and replace them already with the stockings.
“Naku, nagdidirek si Caehl sa amin,” I was told.
Christmas na, Caehl said. And who can argue with that?
But that was all. My helpers wanted to prepare and clean the living room ceiling first before putting up anything. This is the second year that we are using the purple, pink and silver theme. And so we waited until over the weekend when everything was ready.
We needed to bring in some holiday cheer as three loved ones passed away one after another just recently – Tito Prime, Ma’am Ophie, and Tita Flor.
When we arrived home Sunday night from Heritage Park, I was delighted to see the Christmas lights all set up in our terrace window and the pine garland already in place. In one corner of the living room, our 7-foot tree stood tall.
Nanay Ev said Caehl himself adorned the tree with the purple, pink and silver balls and holly, and wouldn’t stop until everything was in order. He didn’t want to put the tiny silver balls as he insisted they were for the garland. Cae also asked where she should put the pink bell chain. It’s too short to be placed around the tree, she said.
Ah yes, the chain is for the garland and Caehl was right, the silver balls are indeed for the garland, and not for the tree. Funny (and remarkable) how Caehl could still recall those details – a proof that he is truly his mom’s son.
The poinsettia garland, tacked on the ceiling cornice, served as border.
Last night, I saw that the deep pink lights have been placed around the tree as well. According to Nanay Ev, she liked how the tree turned out this year. “Better than last year. Parang mas maganda ngayon."
Maybe because the kids put it up.
Maybe because it was put up with pure and trusting love and hope.
Maybe because everyone wanted things to be better.
Purple and pink are my favorite colors (they were our wedding color motif, too).
Together with silver, they make a pretty combination indeed.
They evoke happy thoughts, happy memories.
And yes, our departed loved ones are in a better and happier place now.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Whatchama-CAEHL-it XXXV
I've always enjoyed praying with Caehl not only because I love and enjoy praying, but to hear him recite the prayers I know by heart ever since I was a kid and prayers which he himself "invented" is such a joyous experience.
Last night, I told him we were going to pray for Lolo Prime (one of our dearest Titos in the neighborhood) and Tita Malou (one of my BFFs) who are both confined in the hospital.
Lolo Prime is the lolo of Mikaela, he said.
I opened the Bible to the Book of Psalms (Psalm 41, The Prayer of a Sick Man) and I asked him if we could read it together. I was surprised when he said, "Mommy, can we sing the Psalm?"
Do you know how, I asked.
Yes, he replied.
And so he did.
Of course he just invented the melody, but perhaps it was indeed beautiful music to God's ears.
Last night, I told him we were going to pray for Lolo Prime (one of our dearest Titos in the neighborhood) and Tita Malou (one of my BFFs) who are both confined in the hospital.
Lolo Prime is the lolo of Mikaela, he said.
I opened the Bible to the Book of Psalms (Psalm 41, The Prayer of a Sick Man) and I asked him if we could read it together. I was surprised when he said, "Mommy, can we sing the Psalm?"
Do you know how, I asked.
Yes, he replied.
And so he did.
Of course he just invented the melody, but perhaps it was indeed beautiful music to God's ears.
Monday, November 1, 2010
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