Sentimental

I got this "senti" message through text this morning. Read!

"Ang pag-ibig ay dumarating nang di inaasahan. Parang ihip ng hangin na marahan. Walang ingay, walang kamalayan. Bigla na lang madarama, wagas na kaligayahan."


This message came in handy when a friend suddenly sent me an SOS... heartbreak emergency! Sent him the text above. Additionally, here's what I told him... LOVE is something we hope for, but we cannot PLAN for... Hopefully receive, but cannot EXPECT.

True?

Hey... :)

Hey! Look at the site meter! It just hit the 2k mark. :) wala lang... ;->

I'm back! :)

Yes, i'm back! It seems like ages since I posted and looking back, it HAS been ages! Gosh, after posting (almost) daily, my last post was eons ago...

So, what happened? Life happened. Got so tied up with work, plus the fact that I couldn't use our pc at home, for one reason or another. Excuses? Nope, not at all! I've been dying to post here but as I said things happened...

anyhoo, what's the latest? Well, the pc at home still isn't working, and actually, I'm at an internet cafe now with the kids. I'm checking my email, posting on my blog, while the kids are busily/happily playing pc games. :)

The kids started judo classes 2 Saturdays ago, and they're loving it! When I told my friends that my kids are taking judo, they just reacted... "Well, what can you expect? Their mom is taking kickboxing!" And it's true! Some months back, before I had this crazy idea of doing kickboxing, have been 'influencing' the kids to take up martial arts. But no, they just weren't interested. But when I started my kickboxing classes, I would bring the kids with me, and lo and behold, they started taking an interest in it. After that, they were the ones pleading with me to enroll them in the same gym where I work out. So I win yet again. he he he... ;->

anyway, their sensei (teacher) is an Australian guy, very nice and very patient. The kids enjoyed the class and look forward to their weekend 'play'. That's how they see it, just like playing. They don't see it as a chore and that's good. :) I just hope they'll keep at it so they have a new hobby. And hopefully, this will keep them healthy. An added benefit, of course, is that they learn self-defense and discipline.

Well, this has been it so far. I hope it won't be weeks since I get to post again... I was having withdrawal symptoms already from not posting! HAHAHAHA! Toodles! :D

Birthday

Yup, I turned another year older yesterday. The celebration started Thursday though, when I treated my kickboxing group to a modest dinner of pancit (noodles), bread, and just soda. Then Friday afternoon, when I treated my co-workers to merienda. Ordered 2 big bilaos of pancit puti (white noodles with lotsa garlic, pork, & other good stuff), lumpiang shanghai, puto (2 different varieties -- asado, and salted egg), and pichi-pichi. Yum yum! All native stuff so don't get me explaining what they are anymore. :) Anyway, everyone enjoyed the treat. And so they should... :)

Didn't go out that Friday though there were earlier plans with my friends to go to our favorite nightspot in greenbelt to partake of our fave drink, dalandan margarita. But a week back, I just didn't feel like pushing through with the party. Call it the birthday "blues" if you wish, but just couldn't get myself to go out. So went home pretty early to be with the kids, with the promise that we'd go out Saturday, which happened to be my actual birth day.

So anyway, was just lounging in my bedroom, when I heard a knock on the door. Almost 12 midnight, mind you! And who would it be, but one of my "Wills" with a box of my favorite, KFC! So surprised and touched by his gesture. And it’s the first time that somebody has done this type of thing for me! “Asalto” is what they call it – surprise for the eve of the birthday. Then later on, a little after 12 midnight, I got a call on my cellphone from another one of my "Wills”. Awwww….how sweet... The next day was no different, 1 more “Will” called me on the phone to sing me the birthday song, and to gab! The rest of the day, got lots of phone calls, and text messages, and emailed cards from friends from all over! The three top surprises on my list? Well of course, aside from the “asalto” from one of my “Wills”, what surprised me the most were 3 greetings from 3 people I didn’t expect at all. One call was from a dear friend from way back, who called from the Middle East! So sweet a gesture just to let me know that I wasn’t forgotten. Then there was this one email I got was from a new friend from California, someone who I was corresponding with before, but who suddenly vanished from the planet, or so I thought... And of course, this one other person who has been on my mind, and admittedly, still in my heart (but maybe just a little). ;-> Also got flowers, and gifts. It was a good day, actually, a GREAT day… *sigh* :D

Well, anyway, let me just say this... everyone who should HAVE called, DID. Plus, a handful more! So it was really a week of surprises, from various friends from all over, from grade school, to high school, to my past jobs… people I haven’t talked to in a long time. I can't believe that even my former bosses sent me text messages to greet me! Bongga! :D

For the kids, the past 2 weekends have been spent at the mall, and eating at their favorite Japanese restaurants. And also preparing dessert of Oreo cheesecake for them here at home. The kids were also very sweet the past week, yes, more so than before, since they’ve always been sweet to me. Yes, my life is complete. :D

Oh, and another thing. My youngest son, Patrick, got a call to do a VTR for a cologne commercial. Keeping our fingers crossed that he gets the project. Who knows, that would be a nice birthday gift for the mommy, right? He he he… :D

Happy birthday to me... :D

Women over 30

I know I read this somewhere before, and it was originally written for women over 40 (or is it 50?)... anyhoo, I still think it's quite true (and funny, too!) so I thought I'd share it with you ... enjoy! :)

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This is for all you girls 30 years and over.... and for those who are turning 30, and for those who are scared of moving into their 30’s ... AND for guys who are scared of girls over 30.

Andy Rooney wrote this for CBS 60 Minutes.

Andy says: As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all.

Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.

A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a hoot what you might think about her or what she's doing.

Women over 30 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 away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

A woman over 30 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 30 couldn't care less 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 30. They always know.

A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk or if you are acting like one!

You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her. Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal.

For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free" - here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get a little sausage..

mmmwwwaaaaahhhhahahahahahaha!!!

"Out Of Reach" by Gabrielle

Slow day so just thought I'd post the lyrics to this nice (but very sad) song. The first time I heard it was just a few days ago, and I liked it. Seems like each time I listen to the song, I like it more and more. Anyway, no more explanations... :)

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"Out Of Reach"
GABRIELLE

Knew the signs
Wasn't right
I was stupid for a while
Swept away by you
And now I feel like a fool
So confused,
My heart's bruised
Was I ever loved by you?

Out of reach, so far
I never had your heart
Out of reach,
Couldn't see
We were never
Meant to be

Catch myself
From despair
I could drown
If I stay here
Keeping busy everyday
I know I will be OK

But I was
So confused,
My heart's bruised
Was I ever loved by you?

Out of reach, so far
I never had your heart
Out of reach,
Couldn't see
We were never
Meant to be

So much hurt,
So much pain
Takes a while
To regain
What is lost inside
And I hope that in time,
You'll be out of my mind
And I'll be over you

But now I'm
So confused,
My heart's bruised
Was I ever loved by you?


Out of reach,
So far
I never had your heart
Out of reach,
Couldn't see
We were never
Meant to be

Out of reach,
So far
You never gave your heart
In my reach, I can see
There's a life out there
For me

Unexpected guests

Just when I thought it was nearing the end of a quiet weekend, I get a call from a friend who suddenly decides to drop by. One of my "Will's" ... he he he... :)

So prepared a pasta dish (lots of garlic & basil, grated parmesan cheese, mushrooms, olive oil), and set out some focaccia bread, and prepared dip of olive oil, chopped basil, balsamic vinegar & parmesan cheese). Dessert was just walnuts. Dishes easy and simple to prepare, but tasty nonetheless. Perfect for unexpected guests.

Watched "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl", "ooohh-ing" and "aaahh-ing" at the transformation in the straight girl, and "aawww-ing" at her beau's sweetness. Funny, but come to think of it, even watching tv is more fun with friends around. :)

Hair virgin

4:34:14, 6/04/05

It’s a Saturday afternoon, and I’ve decided to spend an afternoon in a beauty parlor. Just felt like having an afternoon of pampering. It’s a girl thing. Splurging? Yes. But I deserve it!

After a few minutes…
I am sitting in a parlor chair having my hair colored, for goodness sakes. Yes, the “hair virgin” has finally taken the plunge. I am a hair virgin no more... I am now a red head. HA! Ok, it’s more of a deep red. Rouge, actually. For someone like me who’s never had my hair colored, curled, permed, straightened, or even hot “oiled” in a parlor before, this is a big step! But months before, already decided that I wanted to do something new and different to my look. And coloring my hair is it! Blame it on all those makeover shows (Queer Eye) I’ve been watching. Hahaha… :)

Mall chores

Woke up bright and early for a day at the mall with the kids. Hit the malls and bought the kids school shoes, school supplies, then later on went to the movies. Watched “Madagascar”. Actually, made the kids choose between “Madagascar” and “Star Wars”, and the cartoons won. Which is fine with me, since I wasn’t that too keen on watching “Star Wars” anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Star Wars series! But I know this is going to be the darkest episode so what the heck. We’ll just wait for it to come out on DVD and watch it with the kids then.

Groan…

Gosh… my aching body… Last night at kickboxing was a killer! The 30 minutes of stretching can still make me sweat bullets, mind you, but this time was worse, since we had to do it double-time. All that “reach, reach, twist, twist, reach, reach, lean back, lean back” and splits were real killers, leaving us breathless and reaching for our water jugs. Whew! Then we went one-on-one with the instructor. Though this really isn’t something new, we had to do it for 5 minute sessions. In the past, we’d do 2 minute sessions and believe me, this is nothing to sneeze at! Usually, after the 2 minute sparring, we’d be pale and aching to rest. (Well, that was how our instructor described us). But now, he (our instructor) noticed that we were developing endurance, and decided to give us more one-on-one sparring sessions, and now it’s up to 5 minutes. Plus, last night, we each had our own instructor. So what happened to me was that after a 10-minute (count them, 10!) sparring with 1 instructor, I was immediately turned over to our original instructor. Gosh… After 15 minutes of sparring, I was ready to drop on the floor. My heart rate was up so high and when I checked my carotid pulse, it was beating so fast! I could hardly catch my breath…

Now am feeling the pain in my legs, specifically my knees. I’d hate to think this is a function of old age! Gosh, I’m just a few days away from a birthday, but still I think of myself as young noh! Hahaha! ;->

So anyway, back to my achy knees, am stretching out my legs, walking around, stepping up the stairs… anything to help ease this achy feeling. Does this make me want to quit kickboxing? On the contrary, no. Am thinking of this as a challenge. As they say, “no pain, no gain”. I also take comfort in knowing that I’m a lot stronger now (well, that’s according to my instructor who always complains, and asks if I’m mad at him, since I kick him so hard now… he he he…). Seriously, I feel stronger, leaner (not necessarily thinner), and more flexible. Hey, look! I can touch my toes now! Hahaha!

Back to that achy feeling... what if i use as a mantra the # of inches i've lost already? Maybe that will (at least!) help me feel better... Om...

The Triple Filter Test

Another article rich with insight, which I'd like to share with everyone...

THE TRIPLE FILTER TEST OF SOCRATES

Next time someone starts to spread gossip, think of this:

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

"Triple filter?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student, let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not.

Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued. "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really..."

”Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"