A Christmas Carol

Last night, I heard a noise outside. Thinking it was Alex or my helpers coming home from a party, I opened the door, only to find that it's a group of carollers. When they heard me, they said,"O, one-two-three." Then they started to sing.

 

At first I was kind of annoyed at myself, and was about to turn my back on them.

 

But, when I saw that the group consisted of teenagers, I was suddenly reminded of my daughter Cae (who is about the same age) and how she would feel if somebody does the same thing.

 

I went to  my room.

 

I waited for them to finish and when they did, I handed the money to them and said, "Merry Christmas!"

 

It was only a small amount but the smile on their faces was priceless.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LXVIII

As I got home one evening, Caehl showed me (and recited) his New Year's resolutions.

 

My 12 New Year's Resolution

1. I will not tantrum.
2. I will always join.*
3. I will not forget to join.
4. I will listen to what my teacher is saying.
5. I will eat healthy food.
6. I will listen to ate doob and Nanay.
7. I will love more my mom and dad.
8. I will play with my classmates.
9. I will go to mall every Saturday.
10. I will be patient.
11. I will just read.

12.1. I will play computer every Friday, Saturday.

12.2. I will not mix the cards.**

 

Later, I asked him how he learned about New Year's resolutions. He said he saw it from (a teaser in) 24 Oras. 

 

"Panata daw," he replied.

 

"What are resolutions ba?" I asked.

 

"They make you a better person."

 

Amen.

 

*join for him means to participate, or socialize

**referring to his nanay's playing cards

 

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LXVII

Last night, before going to sleep:

 

Caehl: Mommy?

 

Me: Yes?

 

Caehl: I'm happy!

 

Me: I'm happy too.

 

Caehl: Why, am I giving you fun?

 

Me: Yes!

 

Then he started squealing and laughing.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LXVI

After seeing the trailer of the movie The Road:

 

Caehl: Mommy, why is the letter R upside down?

 

Me: I don't know.

 

Caehl: Maybe to show that it's horror.

 

Makes sense as usual...

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LXV

Last night, while watching The Dream Cup on TV, Caehl was asking me what the following were: a striker, a midfielder, and a defender. I tried to explain to him although I'm not really a football fan/expert.

 

Who's that, he asked.

 

That's David Beckham.

 

Mommy, can you get me my Soccer Superstars book.

 

When I handed him the book (with Kaka on cover), he quickly scanned it and I saw him looking at the David Beckham page (page 8).

 

Kaya pala, I thought. Alam na pala niya eh. He was just testing me.

 

Aha, I told him, you know him pala eh.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LXIV

Caehl, while watching Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown last night with me:

 

"Hay nako, Geneva!"

 

"Mommy, she's crazy!"

 

I'm sorry, Gen, even my son couldn't stand you.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LXIII

I saw in my cellphone a text message supposedly coming from me for Nanay Ev:

 

EV, PAKICHECK UNG ROBITUSIN NI CAE KASI MAY SICK DAW SYA

KASI SAKIT ULO AT TIYAN.

MASAKIT KASI NAGTUTULOG NG

BUONG ARAW,

KSI NAG YOOYOOESTEE SIYA.

 

One: Binuko ang ate na natutulog buong araw (which she really does and which she really can do - sleep all day!).

Two: Nagkunwari pang ako.

Three: The UST was a give-away.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LXII

Last night, I asked Caehl if he knew when their report cards will be given.

 

I don't know, he said.

 

Me: Naku, ano na kaya honor mo? Sabi ni Teacher She, you're makulit na daw. Dati, 2nd ka. Now kaya?

 

Caehl: Wag na nga mag-card.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LXI

More notes from Caehl:

• Go to school everyday.
• Do not Yakult twice or whole a day; or else your tummy will be full.
• While-a-go is my United Nations. Be happy and relax! Only 2 guests / visitors per child. Because if 3 or more guests / visitors, it is crowded.

In Filipino:

• Kasi nga ang daynahsor hanggang 100 metro. Ang Pilipinas ay maliliit kasi nga hanggang 23 metro. Malaki lang ang Pilipinas kapag titignan namin.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LX

Notes by Caehl:

•  Oops, I burped! Maybe I am full; because I ate too, too many foods.
•  Then after eating in Shopwise Pacita, I will grocery now.
•  Remember: chupa chups, mentos and other candies are for Halloween pa.
• Trim, slim! After United Nations, I went home first to change my clothes; then Shopwise Pacita first we eat because I am tired. I am tired because there is a sun; because it is a sunny day; it is very / too hot weather. It’s too hot in the Philippines, ok, ok.

Attempts to write in Filipino:

• Kapag Oktubre dalawamput-walo, may Halloween na ako. Pero sa opisina ng aking ina.
• Ang daynahsor ay pinakamatakot. Kasi nga ang daynahsor ay malaki. Ang Pilipinas ay maliliit, kasi nga pitumput-walo ang bilang ng mga probinsya. Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay po.

• 
  

Caehl is Mr. Malaysia

Selamat Pagi!

CKLC UN Day*Oct. 22, 2011

Boys will be boys (Tales of The Good Girl)

4 teenage boys inside the van talking to the dispatcher:

Boy 1: Mama, kayo po dispatcher?

Boy 2: Malaki po ba sweldo ninyo?

Dispatcher (sineryoso ang tanong): Hindi, maliit lang.

Boy 3: Dispatcher na lang ang course ko.

Dispatcher (sineryoso uli): Hindi, mag-aral kayo. Dapat mag-aral na lang. 

Boy 4: Eh bakit kayo, di nag-aral?

Dispatcher did not reply, just shut the door. He must be thinking, "I-di-dispatya ko itong apat na kumag na ito eh."

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LIX

As we were about to call it a day last night, Caehl was "pasimple" placing his new toy stegosaurus between us.

M: And what is the dinosaur doing on our bed?

C (patay malisya): Bigay yan ni Mikaela.

M: Ahhhh….but what is he doing here? We cannot fit.

C: Hay nako.

I love you Sabado

Train ride with daddy

at Festival Supermall

Caehl's 6th Birthday Album 2

Oct. 13, 2011
Max's Restaurant Pacita

Happy Birthday, Caehl!

Caehl celebrates his 6th birthday with classmates at CKLC*Oct. 13, 2011

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LVIII

Overheard last night:

"Lord, thank you for being six years old."

I think Caitlin looks like her mom, am I right or what? (Album 2)

Cae's Domestic Tour Sept. 18-20, 2011
Cebu-Bohol

I think Caitlin looks like her mom, am I right or what?

Cae's domestic tour (Sept 18-20, 2011)
Cebu-Bohol

My Library

So many that my Lawrence Sanders books occupy an entire (L-shaped) shelf

Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series

"A" Is for Alibi (1982)

"B" Is for Burglar (1985)

"C" Is for Corpse (1986)

"D" Is for Deadbeat (1987)

"E" Is for Evidence (1988)

"F" Is for Fugitive (1989)

"G" Is for Gumshoe (1990)

"H" Is for Homicide (1991)

"I" Is for Innocent (1992)

"J" Is for Judgment (1993)

"K" Is for Killer (1994)

"L" Is for Lawless (1995)

"M" Is for Malice (1996)

"N" Is for Noose (1998)

"O" Is for Outlaw (1999)

"P" Is for Peril (2001)

"Q" Is for Quarry (2002)

"R" Is for Ricochet (2004)

"S" Is for Silence (2005)

"T" Is for Trespass (2007)

"U" Is for Undertow (2009)

 

My Michael Connelly collection - not in photo is Blood Work

Table for One, Please

I have no qualms eating alone in public. I don’t mind really if I don’t have someone with me. I don’t find it uncomfortable or scary at all. It’s like watching a movie on your own.

Sometimes, after work, before going home, I spend some “me” time doing a little window-shopping at nearby Festival Mall and yes, checking out food, which is also a de-stressing activity.

Just yesterday, I had my cheat day at Sbarro, rewarding myself with a slice of cheese pizza and a large iced tea. Once, I was busily attacking my siomai (from Siomai House) when I realized that across my table at the food court was my preggy officemate, Joy, who was munching on mangga with bagoong. Yaiks, dyahe naman at buntis ang katapat ng katakawan ko LOL. At least she had a valid reason to eat as much.

My usual food trips include Hong Kong Style Noodle House (for a bowl of spicy stir-fried noodles with gulaman), Chummie Shawarma for a large shawarma, Sai-Bachi for an order of takoyaki balls (the best I’ve tried), Dr. Kwek Kwek (the Egg Specialist) for my tokneneng fix, Waffle Time (Canadian Bacon, the best, thanks for the tip, Cae), and of course, McDonald’s and KFC (snack box and Krushers). During my “rice-filled” days, I remember stopping at Ilonggo Grill for a liempo-and-mongo meal, and Chin’s Express / Inihaw Express for a chicken barbecue-and-laing combo or lechon kawali or inihaw na pusit. I have yet to try PotDog Yummy Yes Delights (would you believe, I once rode a van with a guy eating take-out PotDog, with hot sauce and all, I think that was Crab Egg or Lobster Ball. Never mind if it’s so crowded inside the vehicle). The PotDog stall is located at the 2^nd Floor near the escalator (atop National Bookstore), which is quite a busy area and I don’t want officemates to see me making tusok-tusok the squid balls LOL.

Outside Festival Mall, I also recall having coffee and a pull-apart at Krispy Kreme-SM San Lazaro, killing time before going back to UST for Cae’s Domestic Tour orientation for parents. And before that, at Chow King-Dapitan for my favorite orange chicken lauriat.

If you haven’t tried eating alone, you might want to experience it. Well, eating is a social activity I know, but it’s ok. It’s not humiliating or embarrassing, believe me. Eh ano naman kung mag-isa ka and people would think you have no husband or partner, eh di maawa sila, that’s their problem. It’s not lonely (“Lonely table just for one… In a bright and crowded room…While the music has begun…I drink to memories in the gloom…). It’s not depressing. It’s not boring. It’s a good time to observe people, especially if you’re a writer like me and you write about simply anything. It’s not an unusual or dreadful thing. It’s liberating. You don’t have to ask “O, saan ninyo gusto?” since you’re the only one making the decision - unless you are the type who talks to yourself all the time. “O, saan ko gusto?" Puwede din LOL. And that’s another story.

Amici * October 2, 2011

Pizza while waiting for Ate Cae (Alabang Town Center)

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LVII

Just this evening, as I got home (a little bit late coming from my mom's house), I told Caehl, "Caehl, I will go with Mama on Saturday."

 

My mom's aunt, Auntie Crising, passed away at the height of Typhoon Pedring last Sept. 27.

 

"Where?" he asked.

 

"In Tondo," I said.

 

"What funeral?"

 

"The same one I went to, remember?" I said.

 

"What is the name of Mama's tita?"

 

"Lola Crising," I said. "So, wait for me then we'll grocery (sic) in the afternoon."

 

"No, Mommy," he said. "I will make a list and go with Daddy while you're in the dead (sic)."

 

"Are you going to buy our food, even without Mommy?"

 

"Yes, just give me money," he said.

 

Strange but I usually don't let Alex do the grocery-shopping without me, yet I am confident Caehl can really do it.

 

"Samahan mo na lang," I told his Nanay Ev. "He knows what we usually buy anyway. I'll just leave money."

Done deal.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LVI

Yesterday, Caehl said matter-of-factly, "Mommy, if Ate (Cae) was born in March 1994, then she was in your tummy in July 1993."

 

How did you know that? I asked.

 

I counted backwards, he said.

 

How about you? I asked. When were you in my tummy?

 

February 2005.

 

Tama nga hehe

 

Ikaw, do you know how to count backwards?

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LV

He looks like his dad, all right, but in more ways than one, he's my mini-Me.

 

Nanay Ev always says she sees Caehl doing the same things I do.

 

Yesterday morning, he told me he wants to get many gifts on his birthday (sounds familiar). And here's what I found on my dresser mirror (see pic):

 

Ninongs and Ninangs, you know what to do ;p Caehl turns 6 on October 13 ;p

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LIV

Me: Caehl, can Mommy watch a movie?

Caehl: What movie?

M: My Neighbor's Wife.

C: What time?

M: I don't know pa.

C: What time will you go home?

M: I don't know.

C: What cinema?

M: I don't know pa rin.

C: Look it up!

M: Where will I look it up?

C: Click the city! 

 

My Neighbor's Wife is written and directed by Jun Lana (UST AB 1992) starring Carla Abellana, Dennis Trillo, Jake Cuenca, Lovi Poe

http://www.clickthecity.com/

http://www.clickthecity.com/movies/

http://www.clickthecity.com/movies/movie.php?id=13357

My Birthday 2011...Life Begins

Birthdays with family and loved ones ...simply the best!

I should get a loyalty card from Amber - miki bihon guisado, pancit Malabon, BBQ, lumpiang shanghai, fried chicken, pichi-pichi and Goldilocks cakes.

My Birthday Loot!

September 17, 2011
Be careful what you wish for - you just might get them :)

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LIII

Caehl (from our bedroom): Mommy! Mommy!

 

Me (from the living room): Wait, I'm waiting for the Lenovo to stop charging.

 

Caehl: Mommy! Mommy!

 

Me: Wait! Daddy will get mad if I keep it on. 

 

Caehl: I need something!

 

Me: What? What do you need?

 

Caehl: Hugs and kisses and a squeeze.

 

Me: Ikaw talaga!

And life begins...

40 years.

14,600 days.

350,400 hours.

21024000 minutes.

Yes, I’ve made mistakes.  Life didn't come with instructions.

But that was then. This is now.

If I ever make the same mistake/s, wala na akong excuse.

A fool at 40 is a fool forever.

 

Thank you, Lirio, for reminding me that those mistakes, lessons, experiences have made me the person that I am now. I think that’s the whole point of the statement. You get up, you move on, and you make sure that you come out of it alive and better.

 

Thank you, Jopen, for reminding me to “Never reject anybody in your life, because good people give us happiness & bad people give us experience. Both are essential in life.” Perhaps, it’s ok to forget the bad people, but not the lessons.

 

Thank you, Lord, for everything. Thank you for my husband and my children. Thank you for our simple but happy life. Thank you for my family, relatives, and friends, for my work, for our health, and for all the blessings. Even though I don’t deserve all Your love and goodness. Thank you for always being there for us, for guiding us, and for being a forgiving Father. Huwag po sana Kayong magsawa. I am writing this now so I can concentrate on enjoying my birthday tomorrow!

 

It’s also my first birthday without my father.

 

Last year, he texted me: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANAK. LOVE PAPA AND MAMA”

 

Always, after mass, I would call him and Mama and thank them.  Little did I know that it would be his last birthday text for me.

 

I miss him so much but his loss has made our family closer, and my mom stronger. I was not a perfect daughter, nor he a perfect father, but as I’ve said, for the most part of his life, he loved us and lived his life well. That is the papa whom I choose to remember, whom I shall not forget. And I will always be his good girl.

 

40 is a great number and my life begins…NOW.

Sta. Rosa on a Sunday

Paseo Sta. Rosa / Nuvali * 9-11-11
Dinner at Uncle Cheffy

Attention All Shoppers

If you're going to buy a whole damn lot, please don't use the basket. And please don't use the basket lane. It's only for people with a few or handful of items. Gagamit ka ng basket tapos pupunuin mo ng todo, pipila ka pa sa basket lane. Better yet, use a cart and use the cart lane. Please be considerate.

 

If you're using eco or reusable bags, please make sure you wash or clean them regularly - especially if they have been used for wet items. Pagbukas ng bag, it smells. Please be considerate.

 

If you're in the Cash/Charge lane, don't be annoyed if it takes time to swipe a card. Simply go to the cash lane if you're impatient. Please be considerate.

 

If you're paying in cash, make sure you have lots of loose change. Walang barya sa supermarket. Please be considerate LOL

My Limited Edition Havaianas Filipinas 2011

Ako'y isang Pinoy! This limited edition pair comes in navy, red, and yellow.

Where did our Smurfs go?

This used to hold our small DIY water fountain...now it's home for the Smurfs!

SMG MYC IV

SMG MYC III

More SMG 2011 MidYear Conference Photos II

More SMG 2011 MidYear Conference Photos

3rd Insular and Mapfre Insular CEO Forum

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LII

My son is an Eat Bulaga viewer. The top-rating unbeatable noontime show has this new song/dance which goes like, "Jump jump jump jump jump brother..."

 

Caehl and I have fun changing the last word, referring to almost anyone.

 

Last night, I seemed to have called out everyone. From me to Alex to my mom to my sisters to our neighbors to Caehl's tricycle service driver. Even our parish priest was not spared. Jump jump jump jump jump "father". Sounds corny but Caehl would laugh his heart and soul out each time.

 

Then he asked. "Why are you not calling Papa?" referring to my late father.

 

"Because he's dead na," I said nonchalantly.

 

"Why?" he asked again. "Can't he jump?"

 

"No," I said. "Because he's inside a jar." (My father was cremated, fyi.)

 

His eyes grew wide. "Jaaaaar?"

 

Nyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa......Hindi kinaya LOL

Whatchama-CAEHL-it LI

Last Aug. 27, on our way to Ate Cae's dorm, I suddenly felt hungry. I said, "Caehl, do you want to buy McDo? Drive-thru?"

 

"No," the little big boy said. "Later na lang."

 

"You're not hungry?" I asked.

 

"No, later na lang," he said.

 

"No," I insisted. "Let's buy now, you eat later."

 

So I had my way.

 

It turns out that a little after 10:30am, there were no cheeseburgers available yet. Breakfast pa raw, the crew said. I asked for hamdesal but there were only pancake and longganisa meal as available items. 

 

I can't eat that inside the car, I told Alex. I was annoyed at McDonald's. "Wala na pala silang breakfast eh bakit di pa sila mag-prepare ng iba?"

 

The little big boy said, "Sabi sa inyo, later na lang eh."

 

That made me laugh. Oo nga, kulet ko kasi :)

CKLC Pre-School Linggo ng Wika Celebration

Sabayang Bigkas
Selected prep students

CKLC Pre-School Dept Linggo ng Wika Celebration

August 27, 2011

Lost (Loose) Change

Where have all the loose change gone?

They are not with the bank tellers or supermarket cashiers. They’re probably with the jeepney and tricycle drivers and (cellphone) load sellers.

I used to get annoyed whenever cashiers would ask me if I have coins. For example, if my total bill is Php574. 75, they’d ask me if I have 4.75. Yes, the “butal” or the odd part of the total amount, just so they could give me the rest of my change easily. The worst time was when I was in the bank and the money I was depositing had butal. The teller asked me if I have barya. What the - ? I almost yelled, “We’re in the bank, are we not? The money is with you!” What kind of question was that?

It’s as if it’s our obligation to give them exact change each time. I suppose if all supermarkets expect us to provide them with loose change which they should have in the first place, then they shouldn’t price their items with odd amounts. You buy an item worth Php199.75 and you give the cashier 200 pesos, they won’t give you your 25 cents anymore. Asa ka pa? They’d even ask, “Ok lang po, kulang ako ng 25?” But don’t you dare do that to them. Pag sa kanila, dapat either eksakto or sobra ang bayad mo. But you can’t get away with a kulang of 25 centavos from them. Oh no, the cashier won’t let you, kasi siya ang mag-a-abono nun. But, if she gets 25 centavos per customer and there are 100 customers during her shift, that’s 25 pesos for her.

But look at Manong Driver’s cash box. They’re full of one-peso coins and 25-centavo coins.

There was a time when I rode the jeepney going to SM San Lazaro from UST, I gave the driver a 20-peso bill (I didn’t know the exact fare). It was 8 pesos. I was expecting him to ask me if I have barya, but no, his box was ready. The tricycle driver this morning also had so many 1-peso coins and I was like, “Aha – andiyan pala ang mga barya sa inyo!”

Even my helper who runs a load business has a jar full of coins.

It reminds me of the “Monetizing Jose Rizal” article from the National Historical Commission. Replying to the query why our National Hero is on the one peso coin and not on the 1000 peso or 500 peso bills, the article written by Mona Lisa H. Quizon said, “Rizal was placed on the one-peso coin not because he is less worthy than the other heroes and presidents of but because one peso is the basic unit of our currency. Everybody can have one peso.” And we will know who Jose Rizal is.

It also reminded me of an old joke (although not funny to me) that loose change (and old crumpled bills) often find their way to the church box.

Just recently, authorities reminded people to stop hoarding coins.

According to the news http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2011/august/22/news3.isx&d=2011/august/22, Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo says most coins are stored in piggy banks and gaming and vending machines and are not being circulated, hence forcing the central bank to keep minting new ones. The news said the BSP always loses when minting coins with a face value lower than five pesos because the average cost of minting them is two pesos per coin. 

Naku, patay tayo diyan. Ako nga - wala na ngang buo, wala pa ring barya. Ano ba yan. 

Daddy's Birthday

August 25, 2011
Happy Birthday, Daddy!
Spaghetti, pancit Malabon, pichi-pichi, barbecue, golden fried chicken from Amber; chopsuey from Piya; Goldilocks chocolate cake
Tita and Cae - absent :(

Baguio Country Club

August 18-20, 2011

The Planner

I cannot live without my planner...all my schedules, expenses, and what-have-yous are in it...Looks like somebody will be like me someday...I discovered this entry in my planner this evening...

Smurfs, here we come!

Sotanghon Guisado for Lunch

With chicken, tengang daga and toasted garlic chips...on its way to my mom's house...

August 14, 2011

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of...

Caehl's version of Manhattan

CKLC Nutrition Month*July 29, 2011

Prep-Joy

Caehl introduced his class presentation. Missed the event :(

Don't let that moment pass you by

A recent work-related event reminded me of a popular, most popular I should say, quote from the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding.

Michael: Kimmy says if you love someone you say it, you say it right then, out loud. Otherwise the moment just... 

Juliane: Passes you by... 

We always thought we’d be here forever, that sometimes we set important things aside. Important things like spending time with your loved ones, showing them how much you care, or simply telling them you love them.

We always thought we would always have time to do all those things.

I am so bothered because lately, I feel Alex and I have been neglecting each other, trying to do “more important things” like focusing on work, getting office work done, looking for or completing sidelines, and attending to our children and our household needs. We are both so preoccupied with work, especially now that I have an upcoming major event and he has major writing jobs.

I sleep early, he sleeps late. I go home early, he goes home a little bit late. The only times we spend together regularly are those morning rides going to the office. Sometimes we catch up on each other’s activities. Sometimes we’re just silent during the 10- to 15-minute trip. When I get off the car, it’s always, “Babay, ingat.” And that’s it. There are days when we don’t even get to talk to each other, not even an SMS. Or if ever we would text each other, it’s always “Uwi na” or “Gabihin ka ba?”

During weekends, I wake up early, he wakes up late. Although we always spend Saturday mornings in the mall, doing our weekly grocery-shopping with Caehl, we have different weekend habits. I watch my favorite TV shows, he watches his. He watches DVD in the family room, I stay in our bedroom. I use the PC in the library, he dabbles on his netbook. My siesta time differs from his. Oh yes, we do go out and watch movies together, but always with Cae. And he doesn’t mind making me hatid-sundo if I have to be somewhere.

Why am I telling you this? Alex and I have been together for 19 years and we are comfortable in laughter, noise or silence, time and distance. Meaning we don’t have to talk if we don’t want to. We don’t have to be together all the time if we don’t want to. Alex and I know that we’ll always be here for each other and it doesn’t mean I love my husband less.

Maybe it’s the same comfortability level one shares with a longtime friend. You know that even if you don’t always see each other, even if you’re apart, you both know that you’ll always be friends, no matter what. Gets?

I may not be a sweet person and I always say that I show my love in a funny way. But I'm telling you right now, I don’t want the moment to pass me by. There are things happening around you that make you realize you just have to make time for the most important things – or persons, for that matter – in your life.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it L (50th episode - A Tribute to Mel & Joey)

Watching Mel & Joey's final episode last night:

 

Me: Caehl look, Mel (Tiangco) is crying.

C: Why is she crying?

Me: Because it's their last show.

C: Di bale, it's ok naman...Joey has Eat Bulaga pa, and Mel is in 24 Oras.

 

O ha, kaya ninyo yun?

Ms. Mel, I hope you are comforted by my son's words... :)

Truly a Kapuso's son.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XLIX

Sometimes I think I don't know my son.

 

I was munching on a Chowking siopao one afternoon when Caehl entered my room.

 

"Mommy, what's that? What are you eating?"

 

"Sandwich," I replied.

 

"Ah siopao," he said.

 

LOL alam pala niya. Akala ko hindi niya kilala ang siopao eh.

My Daughter the “Dormer”

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.  ~Author Unknown

(Of course, there’s no such word. By “dormer,” I'm referring to a dorm resident, or a person staying / living in a dormitory.)

I remember when our eldest sibling, Ate, entered college (FEU) and my parents decided she would stay in my aunt’s apartment in Galas, QC. She has always been my roommate and although we were 4 years apart, we were close to each other. We didn’t have a landline then, and for the first few nights and weeks, I would call her up using a payphone in the nearest sari-sari store, and end up crying and missing her so.

And then it was my turn. Part of my parents’ plan (that’s why they chose UST over UPLB) was for me to stay with my sister. So that they won’t have to travel all the way from Los Baños to QC each time they would make us hatid.  It was more convenient and they felt more comfortable with the set-up, knowing we were together.

I didn’t realize that at that time, I was giving them a heartache or that I was breaking their heart. To me, it was the most practical thing to do. I knew myself, I could take care of myself, I was capable of doing household chores, and I knew how to commute. But for parents, those could never be enough, I learned. I am learning that now.

My daughter is now living in a dorm. It’s a new dormitory, a street away from UST. It’s a four-person room, but currently she is sharing it with Shae, her schoolmate since Grade One and a fellow CTHM sophomore. We wouldn’t have allowed her if it she weren’t with Shae (and Shae’s parents maintain the same stance). Shae’s mom and I have been acquaintances since the girls' grade school days, when we would both stay in the parents’ waiting area in Colegio San Agustin – Biñan. Yes, that’s how far we go back.

Cae is independent, and she is used to sleep-overs. My aunts would take turns borrowing her from us when she was two or three. She is a smart kid, but I must say, we are very protective of her. All through her grade school and high school life, she was hatid-sundo by a trusted tricycle service. She wasn’t allowed to commute and if she did take public transpo, we were uber panicky and worried.  When she studied at UST, that was the only time she commuted big-time. And we were proud of her learning how to ride the MRT or LRT and even the PNR on her own. When she started feeling the pains and challenges of commuting from our place to UST and vice versa, she complained and suggested dorm-living. But I guess we weren’t ready then. We asked her to try it out for the rest of her freshman year and then who knows, things might change. And they did.

With the 2-hour travel time, plus traffic, plus rains and floods, she was such a pity coming home wet with muddy shoes, kinakaladkad ang sarili while walking, plastado na sa gabi, and with a body brace at that. She asked that we revisit the idea of dorm-living and this time, we were cooperative. She prepared a PowerPoint presentation, with a matrix of pros and cons, even if that was just a formality.  At the back of our minds, we knew we were giving in.

It is a big change. For seventeen years, she was just in the next room. But I guess, we have to go with the flow. Alex is stricter though, laying down the rules - No this, no that. Do this, do that. There were so many reminders. And it’s more expensive. Yet we are somehow comforted that she can enjoy a few more winks (she usually wakes up at 4am). She can even take a shower after her Monday AM PE class and put on her brace comfortably. Her last class ends at 7pm and she can still be “home” early. When it rains, she doesn’t have to take on the downpour, fight it out with other commuters, and take the risk of getting sick and yes, ruining her shoes.

I hope she’ll be fine. I know she’ll be ok. Because I am missing her already.

 

 

After Caehl's Check-Up

June 25, 2011*Festival Mall

Our new curtains and sofa

Our new curtains and Dorothy sofa. Didn't get the original color scheme that we preferred but happy with the sofa just the same. Please don't mind the Christmassy decors (Caehl's friends)...he didn't want to store them away...

My "students"

Caehl's first day in prep class...Cae's 2nd week...

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XLVIII

Found a word doc written by Caehl:

I Dream About Tita Grace & Tito Renzy + Genevieve & Lulu!

While Mommy Dream About Going To School

And Daddy Dream About Best Brands 2010!

END OF THE WORLD?

What Happened First In North America And South America?

IN USA HURRICANE KATRINA,

Tornadoes, Fires Droughts.

IN CHILE AND HAITI THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE!

IN BRAZIL DEFORESTATION?

What Happened Now In Japan?

IN AICHI GARBAGE!

IN KANAGAWA FIRE!

IN FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR?

IN MIYAGI TSUNAMI UNTIL THE ROADS COLLAPSE!

IN IWATE TSUNAMI; MOMMY CHANNGE TO IWATA. IWATA IN PANCAKE HOUSE AND DFA.

IN HOKKAIDO EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI! PEOPLE ARE FEARED DEAD AFTER A MONSTER TSUNAMI. GENEVIEVE`S AND LULU`S

JAPAN NO EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI.

IN PHILIPPINES ONDOY,  BAGYONG CHEDENG,

Mayon Volcano, Others.

SPAM*VIRUS*INTRUDER ALERT

You might have received a message or post supposedly coming from me.

Please disregard.

Thank you.

SM SUPERMARKET MAKATI - The Good Girl's Customer Service Edition

Yesterday, Alex had an office meeting in Makati. Yes, on a Saturday (I asked the same thing).  So instead of doing our weekly grocery shopping at Shopwise Alabang, we settled for SM Supermarket Makati.

While waiting for him, I left our goods at the designated counter for carts.

When I was claiming them, another woman was trying to claim hers at the same time (there are people who couldn't wait for their turn, really). Ito namang si Kuya, nagpaka-Superman, tried to attend to us both.

So sige, when they were giving to me my goods, "Ok na po," sabi pa ni Kuya, ang yabang, giving me the thumbs-up sign. However, I noticed right away that they weren't mine.

I told the clerk so.

"Ho?" he asked. "Eh 7 bags nga po yan."

I repeated it. He couldn't seem to understand.

"Wala akong ganyan," I pointed out to the big tissue pack, and a pair of slippers.

"Eh yan po ang number ninyo," he insisted.

"Oo nga, eh kaso nga hindi akin yan." I was trying not to get mad at him, and at the woman, who was in a hurry. "Pinagsasabay-sabay ninyo kasi kami eh," I told him. "Dapat one at a time, ayan nalilito na kayo."

So, for the nth time, they asked what I had. I said I had a tissue pack, but a smaller one. I had a tray of eggs. I also had a blue SM bag.

"Ano po ba number ninyo?" he asked me.

Taking a deep breath, eh di ba kinuha na nila yung tag, I said, "Eh di tingnan ninyo sa logbook."

He was insisting those were  mine. "Of course I know what I bought," I glared at him.

So finally, to cut the long story short, we found them.

It turned out that their process was to transfer the bags from the cart to a shelf corresponding to your tag number. Unlike in Shopwise, where you just leave the entire cart. It turned out that they pinned the wrong number to "my" shelf. Nagkapalit tuloy.

What if another person already got our stuff? What if I didn't check, since we were in a hurry, and got the wrong ones?

Nagpapalusot pa si Kuya that he was not the one in duty when I left my stuff. Is that the point?

You should be more careful, I warned them.

Nagagalit pa yung Ayala Center guard because we seemed to be taking our time in the loading area.

Eh sino ba may kasalanan?

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XLVII

Caehl asked me to make a "baby" out of a hankie. "A baby to cuddle," he said.

And so I did.

He put it on the bed and said, "I will put the baby in the river. And with my stick, I will watch my brother. Like Exodus."

Aha, I exclaimed, recognizing the story.

"And then, here comes a princess," he continued. "She said, I will name him Moses."

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XLVI

Playing online trivia quizzes over at www.sporcle.com, Caehl has been memorizing the Top Global Brands of 2010.

One night, he was enumerating the companies / brands when he suddenly mentioned another life insurance company.

I said, "Ooops, don't say that. That's Mommy's competitor."

He looked stricken but I was just joking of course.

The next day, when I came home from work, I found a print-out of the Insular Life Corporate Centre, in full color at that.

"Mommy," he cooed. "I searched (for) Insular Life," as if trying to console me.

"Ikaw talaga," I teased him.

PC or Netbook, it doesn't matter

Family Time

Pancake House*Racks

Caehl was watching me tagging the photos.
"Why are you not writing my name?"
"Ay o sige, I will na."
"Wag na lang."
Nagtampo pa :(