Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Toothache and More Aches

I woke up so early today heading to my Dentist’s office. Just when I thought I’m almost done with my invisalign when I got an infection, grrrr. Bummer! I haven’t done anything on weekend and work just piled up one after the other. The last time I remembered having a toothache was in Taiwan. I decided to have 3 of the lower molars be pulled out. The Dentist (Taiwanese) happened to be not an English fluent and so communication was just so hard. I thought that will solve the aching problems for years. It apparently not- as it opened up another problem. With the lower teeth missing, all the teeth on the upper part went down and there were some movements on some other teeth too. Basically, the missing teeth should be replaced. After realizing all that,(with my husband’s suggestion) it was all fixed with the bridge. Unfortunately, the lady Dentist (Philippines) didn’t do a good job on that. She probably thinks it’s alright or who would have thought somebody (a middle class) can afford to spend money on a teeth problem. Well, we thought we have saved money on that problem only to find out she just did a short term solution. It was some kind of disappointing because I put through all those pains from injections (maybe 8 in all in one day) and still my new Dentist suggested that it’d be removed and replaced. Now, I’m having an infection and I really can’t get away with root canal. Hopefully, it will be fine and I trust the Laser Dentistry. Well, here's the remembrance of that, it might be a little disgusting to see:
Shawie

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Embellished Imagination

Wow! It was so foggy outside and I felt like a child again, hahaha! It’s really amazing and beautiful touching the clouds! We always have this late night walk on few blocks in the neighborhood with the dog. It is some kind of bonding/quality time together where we can talk without the interruption of TV. I never thought I would miss fall or cold season, haha! I just felt like I'm in different world! Oh yeah, I'm overacting but I really love looking the whole bunch of clouds kissing the ground:) Amazing!
It was an ordinary weekend except we had all the furniture done in the living room (after a few weeks of shopping and hopping). We just had a hard time matching it altogether with the China Cabinet, dining table and draperies. Such a headache coz we’re both not such a good decorator. It’s just difficult to spend money on something that you might not like but would have to live with for at least 20 years, lol! Well, it turned out to be really looking good! I think, we did a great job except the chairs on the dining table should yet be changed. Anyway, here’s the picture of that with the new sofa which was costumized.
Shawie

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Photo Hunt "View"

This was taken when we were kinda frustrated on looking for a parking place in downtown San Francisco. We were planning to do some shopping and visit the Chinatown after we checked out at the hotel. Unfortunately, we were just cruising around for over an hour and too frustrated to get a parking spot- that we just decided to leave and head to our next destination (Santa Barbara). We were driving up in the hill and found this very nice “view” of the whole city and thought we’d stop and take a picture:) This was taken up at the top part of North Lake Tahoe when we toured around the lake. The whole idea for that vacation really is for me to experience snow. I’m glad Jim is so kind enough to grant that Christmas wish, lol! I admit, it really means a lot to me:)
Shawie

Friday, September 26, 2008

Child Welfare EC Contest

More than a decade ago, the government adopted a Philippine Plan of Action for Children in order to realize a child-sensitive society. Congress recognized children as a basic sector distinct from youth and students.

There are numerous laws and programs that promote the welfare of children. But children remain the most vulnerable sector in Philippine society. They are the most affected during natural and man-made calamities. About 43.3 percent of the country's population are children.

More than 4 million families are subsisting below the poverty line. Almost 10 million children are undernourished. Most children are suffering from micronutrient malnutrition. Only 33 percent of children are enrolled in daycare and preschool institutions in the country. More than 1 million children of elementary school age are not enrolled.

This is the reason why a couple of Filipino bloggers are encouraging politicians to promote child-friendly governance in all areas.

Spreading the word about the true state of Filipino children in the blogosphere is one way of raising awareness and solicit support. By holding a contest such as this one, will also make it more rewarding for bloggers to join the movement. The contest officially start today (25 September 2008) and will run for a month.

HOW TO ENTER

Entering is simple. Earn points by completing certain tasks. The more entries collected, the better chance of spreading the word about the Filipino children and also of winning some Entrecard Credits! So, if you complete a lot of things as opposed to doing just one, your chances of winning will be greatly increased.

Just make sure to keep track of how many points you have earned and post a comment HERE to inform the organizers about your efforts.

It is also important that all relevant words, phrases and blog titles are linked back to the original source. Well, everything you can link to anyway.

DURATION

The contest will run for a month, 25 September 2008 until 25 October 2008. At the end of the 30 days, entries will be tallied and raffle draws will be made using a random system. Winners will be announced on 30 October 2008.

SPONSORS

This contest would have not been possible if not for the generous offers coming from the following sponsors:

  1. Seek No More = 8,000 EC credits + 125x125 ad space for a month
  2. PolitEkon = 2,500 EC credits + 125x125 ad space for a month
  3. Pinay Wife Speaks = 2,500 EC Credits + 125x125 ad space for month
  4. Proud Mommy = 1,500 EC credits + 125x125 ad space for a month
  5. Momma Wannabe = 1,000 EC credits + 125x125 ad space for a month
  6. E-Pamilya = 1,000 EC credits + 125x125 ad space for a month
  7. The Pinay Blogger = 1,000 EC credits + 125x125 ad space for a month
  8. Trader’s Hub = 1,000 EC credits
  9. Swirling Thoughts = 1000 EC credits
  10. A Grateful Heart = 1,000 EC credits
  11. Pinay in States = 500 EC credits + 125x125 ad space for a month
MECHANICS

1 Entry - Subscribe via email to any one of the 11 sponsors listed above, which means each contestant can subscribe to all 11 sponsors and earn 11 entries.

10 Entries – Write a post about the contest and its intention of asking the government to implement the Phil. Plan of Action for Children (must include links to all the hosts/sponsors OR just use this original text)

4 Entries – post the 125x125 avatar shown below, which links back to the Seek No More blog for the duration of the contest. You can just copy the codes shown right below the avatar. Child Welfare EC Contest
<a href="http://seeknomore.blogspot.com/2008/09/child-welfare-ec-contest.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"><img src="http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb55/Sparhawk_photo/ChildsDrawing_125x125.jpg" border="0" alt="Child Welfare EC Contest"></a>
10 Entries - be the TOP commentator of at least one of the sponsoring blogs for the duration of the contest. Even if a contestant topped the comments section of two or more sponsoring blogs, that person is only entitled to 10 entries.

PRIZES

First Prize – 10,000 EC credits plus an ad space in Proud Mommy, Pinay in States, E-Pamilya, Seek No More, Momma Wannabe for a month

Second Prize – 5,000 EC credits plus an ad space in Pinay Wife Speaks, Pinay Blogger and PolitEkon for a month

Third Prize – 3,000 EC credits

Consolation Prizes – 15 blogs will receive 200 EC credits each

This means there will be 18 winners!

That is not all. The first 15 contestants who signs up will automatically received 75 EC credits!

However, consider the EC credits as just icing on the cake. The important thing is that, win or lose, the contestants and participants were able to help spread the word about the need to adopt and implement effective policies that promote child welfare in the Philippines and maybe in the rest of the world too.


Shawie

Thursday, September 25, 2008

A House is Not a Home

It’s a little bit surprising to me during my first few weeks here in the US. I realized that people live in a house according to their income. Most people don’t stay that long in the same house in their lifetime. Then, the “Open House” term is so new to me. I was trying to grasp the whole financial culture abound and it’s so amazing to me how it all work out.
I told Jim about how my parents have lived in the island almost all their lives. My Mom stayed in the same house even when she’s already married. The income may grow better and bigger but most people will just stay and live in the same house. They will just renovate it. Well, that was the scenario 50 years ago, Jim commented.
Shawie

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wordless Wednesday


These pictures were sent to us by Judy (sis-in-law) from their vacation in Newfoundland, Canada. I thought it's very fascinating and worth sharing! Happy WW to all:)
Shawie

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Spider Fights

It’s actually the spider season. I’ve seen not only one but a lot of these spider webs and big spiders in the yard. I’ve never seen really big spiders before. Here’s one that’s outside my office.

You know, when we were kids- we used to collect spiders. We name them according to their colors. We usually put them in a matchbox with a very creative kind of compartments that will separate them all. Each spider has their own hole (made of cardboard) in that small matchbox. We always go out hunting for spiders in the trees. We all brag about how fight masters our spiders will be. Then, the next hour we let them fight. That is, letting the spiders crawl on a stick (broom stick from coconut) and whichever is killed- the owner of that spider will be the loser. Then, loser will give one spider to the winner as an award. Well, when you grow in a place that has a shortage of toys- playing with spiders is so much fun, lol!

Anyway, when I came back from Taiwan- I was so shocked when I saw a group of adults circled together alongside the street and they seemed so serious about something. Curiously, I joined in and found out that they bet on the spider fights. What? I thought those were kid’s games. So much astounding when I found out they have real money for that. Geeezzzz, they make it like a cockfight. Hmmm, I wish I could send these big spiders from the yard just so my little brother can win money from it. Seriously, my brother did win money from that spider fight. So strange!
Shawie

Monday, September 22, 2008

The Gift

I have been following this little girl when she joined the singing contest on TV- “The Little Big Star”. I just came from Taiwan then, trying to catch up things and stay relaxed for a while after long months of working. Anyway, I really thought Charice Pempengco will win the contest as she stands out the rest of the little girls. She never sounded a little girl either. I thought she’s very talented knowing that she was only 12 then. Well, she ended up third place. As to why? Perhaps because she’s not that good-looking. Yes, it’s going to be tough for her in the Entertainment Industry and one talent should be a complete package; meaning, 40% talent and 60% beautiful face. Seriously though, the impact of her voice is undeniably a talent from heaven.

According to Wiki:
Charice has lived with her younger brother and their mother, Racquel, since her parents' separation when she was only a toddler. She started singing at age four under her mother's coaching.At age seven, she began joining amateur singing contests, from town fiestas in their province of Laguna to several televised competitions in her country.In 2005, she joined Little Big Star, a talent show in the Philippines loosely patterned after American Idol. Eliminated after her first performance, she was later called back as a wildcard contender. Charice worked her way up to the finals and eventually placed third.
In 2007, a series of YouTube videos of Charice's performances posted by a youtuber called FalseVoice brought her to the attention of Ten Songs/Productions based in Sweden. In June 2007, she flew to Stockholm, Sweden and recorded seven songs.
A video of Charice performing the Dreamgirls' anthem And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going became a hit on UCC, the Korean version of YouTube. This gained her an invite to perform the same song on Star King, a famous talent show in South Korea, in October 2007. She would later reappear in January 2008 as the Most Requested Foreign Act on Star King, performing Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive and, with Korean-American singers Lena Park, the Bodyguard theme, I Will Always Love You. In December 2007, she flew to the United States for the first time after having been personally invited by Ellen Degeneres to perform on her show. She sang Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You and her popular cover of And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.
In April 2008, she guested on The Paul O'Grady Show, performing two songs and earning standing ovations, the first in the show's history.
In May 2008, Charice guested on The Oprah Winfrey Show in their World's Smartest Kids episode. She sang Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing.
For more of Charice- click here.
Well, last September 15, 2008, Charice met with Celine Dion at Madison Square Garden to perform a duet of Because You Loved Me. The duet was featured on Oprah show on September 19.



For just a kid from a province who joined singing contests and who, if she earned P2,500 in prizes, was happy because she could feed herself and her Mom and brother for a month. And rising despite it all, being confident and smart enough to meet the challenges; definitely her dreams is truly coming true!

Shawie

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Photo Hunt "Road"

This maybe the most exciting road picture I've taken so far:) As a matter of fact, it's my first time to have traveled in a place where there's a snow or should I say it was really pouring!Wow! I can't believe I saw this for real, lol! This was taken on our Christmas vacation road trip last year- in North Lake Tahoe. Beautiful place!
Did you know that we waited for an hour in the car just to get pass this "world's most crooked street"? haha! Jim told me to run up above to take some pictures while he's driving his way up the hill. It was really chilly in San Francisco (still on our Christmas road trip) and the whole street is full of tourists taking pictures. The Lombard Street goes straight down with grooves and curves on it and some very pretty flowers! Oh, amazing history! Oh, I took this while Jim was driving and I stood up at my car seat with the sun roof open. Amazing shot! Whew! That was a very memorable ride, hahaha! It blew my hat off and my sunglass almost (well, almost doesn't count, lol!). We drove through the Golden Gate Bridge the day before and we can't see the whole bridge at all:( It was all so foggy when we entered...
All these pictures were taken on our road trip:) I still have a lot of pictures to share but I'm afraid I might run out of bandwidth here, haha! Enjoy your weekend all! Happy Photo Hunting!
Shawie

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Moonlight's Delights

My friend sent me a text message late last night that they have no electricity. They suddenly had a power interruption in their neighborhood and they don’t know why. Just when we came back from the Yogurt place and I was telling Jim that I missed the island during full moon. I don’t know but it seemed as though I’m still clinging to some old memories. How fun it was in our neighborhood when the moon is full. Since there’s no electricity (during our childhood days), neighbors will come out of their houses. It’s playtime for us kids while the teenagers hang out together alongside the streets strumming and singing with their guitars and the Moms were so busy gossiping, hahaha! There are some memories or things that those young generations may not be able to enjoy simply because time has changed. I remembered playing hide and seek where we can hide anywhere from the coconut/banana trees or at the back of the neighbor’s houses. Some Moms would tell us that the white lady or a witch will hide and bring us to their kingdom and we will be dead. I really thought those were real! Perhaps that’s one reason why until now I never outgrow that “fear in the dark”. Jim would rather call it a verbal abuse and it’s illegal.
By the way, I replied to my friend (we’re both originally from the island) and told her that it pretty much reminded me of Camiguin. And she agreed. She just told her husband how she loved and missed going to the pier, strumming the guitar and singing with friends during full moon; very relaxing and the radiance of the moon is so beautiful as it reflects with the waves of the open sea. Ah, moonlights and memories!
Shawie

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

Somebody sent this in an e-mail. This is kind of sad picture and I felt bad for the cat. When I was still in the Philippines, it's very common to see such scene in the streets. People never cared much about animals. My friend just lost their dog a week ago and was so disappointed when she was crying and telling her friends what happened. All her friends were not sympathetic at all and worse, they just laughed at her. I know, it's rude but perhaps with the cultural differences- I don't blame them. They definitely don't know what they're doing.
Shawie

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Educated or Ignorant?

I probably have mentioned before about my passion in Politics. I always believed that no matter how dirty the campaign and tactics can be- truth will come out. By that time, people will learn and the more they will be able to educate themselves about the issue at hand. Jim and I have a different stand on politics. He’s more aware and had a better understanding on how the politics is being played here in the US.

When Palin had her acceptance speech, Jim was refueled and was back on track of being a Republican; while I considered the whole speech was cocky, sarcastic and hypocrite. He was fuming when I even chuckled when she finished. Well, I don’t know her and I did listened good enough, I guess. Then, my husband accused me of being jealous, haha! Well, it’s not funny at all. He said, she’s a complete package and that’s just a political strategy to attack another candidate. I agree (to the latter). Then, two days later my good friend called and she was so excited telling me about Palin. She said, Palin pretty much reminded her of my Mom. Ouch! So, we did talk and argued over an hour on the phone while I was so busy picking some canned Meat Loaf at the store to ship to the Philippines. Those people around me might be thinking I’m weird, lol!

Anyway, Jim and my friend B, apparently have the same points of view. They both said, I’m just being defensive because my Obama was being attacked. I thought that was hilarious! Well, I was expecting more from that speech. If it’s the strategy and it works; so be it. The part where I strongly disagree though were the comments of most Republican strategists telling people how lovely Palin looked at the TV screen and how strong she was on a lot of issues. “How lovely she looked?” Geee, I can’t believe I heard that comment. I felt like what’s the difference between Filipinos choosing an actor for President? Surely Americans are better than that. She never even strikes me to be the strong person that they were telling (she was bragging too) when I watched her first interview. I was expecting sleek, smarter answers to a lot of issues or even more substance. Well, I guess I forgot that she’s not a lawyer who can get around with answers and snap at it right away. It may not be fair to judge her by that interview and acceptance speech but time is running out of her. That's why, most people are pretty much excited about the coming debate for the VP nominees.
Oh, Politics… we all do have different opinions. It’s just a matter of educating oneself and seeking greater understanding. I admit, I am biased with this post. Isn't it obvious?
Shawie

Monday, September 15, 2008

Another Meme Monday

The weekend came by so fast. I didn’t do much last Friday at work though coz we have to close the QB. I decided to go shopping instead from my Birthday Gift certificate (of course, from hubby). It was a little gloomy and I was so excited at the thought that fall is around the corner. I just love driving around by myself and go shopping without worrying that hubby might be bored, lol! I bought a few clothes and some Victoria’s Secret (some to send to my sisters). I didn’t spend the whole certificate though. Hmmm, I can still use it for Christmas presents.

Anyways, I just thought of making Monday a Meme Monday- just so I can post some overdue tags and awards from blogger friends. It’s nice to know a lot of people from different part of the world. Wish I can meet them in person too. Oh, that would be nice. Sure, there’d be not much introduction anymore, haha!
So, here it goes: I got this award from EarthlingGorgeous. Thanks, gurl for this award. She’s one of my first few friends in blogosphere. She’s one of those who blog without fear.

I’ve also been following some other blogs and loved reading some funny, witty blogs or even just reading daily rants and musings had helped me understand the nature of living. Well, I'm glad to pass this award onto them. I just don’t want to bother some who may not want to be bothered by it, lol! They are as follows:
Shiela
Hailey
Blognow101
Mhars
Towts4U
MamaCeleb
Grandmasterson
4ever7

All they need to do is just leave the following message on their post when they pass the award on to their chosen 8 bloggers. Hopefully, they will be charmed with the blogs, where it aims to show the marvels and magic of friendship. Let’s propagate the magical moments of Friendship in Blogosphere.


Okay, here’s one more. I got another award from Janet of Dolly's Daily Diary. This is so much appreciated. I always love checking out her blog too as we both have a common ground. We’re both passionate about some delicate topics about self-help, spirituality and self-growth.

Shawie

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Photo Hunt "WILD"

This beautiful, wild bird wandered endlessly at the river near the beach where we ate our lunch. I don't really know its name but just thought it would be a nice shot for the week's theme: WILD. Happy Photo Hunting all and enjoy your weekend!


Shawie

Friday, September 12, 2008

A Matter of Taste

The following is from a British journalist stationed in the Philippines. His observations are so hilarious!!! ! This was written in 1999. I admit, I have been laughing while reading all throughout and I can't help but share his article. Enjoy!
*************
Matter of Taste
By Matthew Sutherland
I have now been in this country for over six years, and consider myself in most respects well assimilated. However, there is one key step on the road to full assimilation, which I have yet to take, and that's to eat BALUT. The day any of you sees me eating balut, please call immigration and ask them to issue me a Filipino passport. Because at that point there will be no turning back.
BALUT, for those still blissfully ignorant non-Pinoys out there, is a fertilized duck egg. It is commonly sold with salt in a piece of newspaper, much like English fish and chips, by street vendors usually after dark, presumably so you can't see how gross it is.

It's meant to be an aphrodisiac, although I can't imagine anything more likely to dispel sexual desire than crunching on a partially formed baby duck swimming in noxious fluid. The embryo in the egg comes in varying stages of development, but basically it is not considered macho to eat one without fully discernable feathers, beak, and claws. Some say these crunchy bits are the best. Others prefer just to drink the so-called 'soup', the vile, pungent liquid that surrounds the aforementioned feathery fetus...excuse me; I have to go and throw up now. I'll be back in a minute.
Food dominates the life of the Filipino. People here just love to eat. They eat at least eight times a day. These eight official meals are called, in order: breakfast, snacks, lunch, merienda, merienda ceyna, dinner, bedtime snacks and no-one-saw-me- take-that- cookie-from- the-fridge-so-it- doesn't-count. The short gaps in between these mealtimes are spent eating Sky Flakes from the open packet that sits on every desktop. You're never far from food in the Philippines. If you doubt this, next time you're driving home from work, try this game. See how long you can drive without seeing food and I don't mean a distant restaurant, or a picture of food. I mean a man on the sidewalk frying fish balls, or a man walking through the traffic selling nuts or candy. I bet it's less than one minute.
Here are some other things I've noticed about food in the Philippines:
Firstly, a meal is not a meal without rice - even breakfast. In the UK, I could go a whole year without eating rice. Second, it's impossible to drink without eating. A bottle of San Miguel just isn't the same without gambas or beef tapa. Third, no one ventures more than two paces from their house without baon (food in small container) and a container of something cold to drink. You might as well ask a Filipino to leave home without his pants on. And lastly, where I come from, you eat with a knife and fork. Here, you eat with a spoon and fork. You try eating rice swimming in fish sauce with a knife.
One really nice thing about Filipino food culture is that people always ask you to SHARE their food. In my office, if you catch anyone attacking their baon, they will always go, 'Sir! KAIN TAYO!' ('Let's eat!'). This confused me, until I realized that they didn't actually expect me to sit down and start munching on their boneless bangus. In fact, the polite response is something like, 'No thanks, I just ate.' But the principle is sound - if you have food on your plate, you are expected to share it, however hungry you are, with those who may be even hungrier. I think that's great!
In fact, this is frequently even taken one step further. Many Filipinos use 'Have you eaten yet?' ('KUMAIN KA NA?') as a general greeting, irrespective of time of day or location.
Some foreigners think Filipino food is fairly dull compared to other Asian cuisines. Actually lots of it is very good: Spicy dishes like Bicol Express (strange, a dish named after a train); anything cooked with coconut milk; anything KINILAW; and anything ADOBO. And it's hard to beat the sheer wanton, cholesterolic frenzy of a good old-fashioned LECHON de leche (roast pig) feast. Dig a pit, light a fire, add 50 pounds of animal fat on a stick, and cook until crisp. Mmm, mmm... you can actually feel your arteries constricting with each successive mouthful.
I also share one key Pinoy trait ---a sweet tooth. I am thus the only foreigner I know who does not complain about sweet bread, sweet burgers, sweet spaghetti, sweet banana ketchup, and so on. I am a man who likes to put jam on his pizza. Try it! It's the weird food you want to avoid. In addition to duck fetus in the half-shell, items to avoid in the Philippines include pig's blood soup (DINUGUAN); bull's testicle soup, the strangely-named 'SOUP NUMBER FIVE' (I dread to think what numbers one through four are); and the ubiquitous, stinky shrimp paste, BAGOONG, and it's equally stinky sister, PATIS. Filipinos are so addicted to these latter items that they will even risk arrest or deportation trying to smuggle them into countries like Australia and the USA, which wisely ban the importation of items you can smell from more than 100 paces.
Then there's the small matter of the purple ice cream. I have never been able to get my brain around eating purple food; the ubiquitous UBE leaves me cold.
And lastly on the subject of weird food, beware: that KALDERETANG KAMBING (goat) could well be KALDERETANG ASO (dog)...
The Filipino, of course, has a well-developed sense of food. Here's a typical Pinoy food joke: 'I'm on a seafood diet. 'What's a seafood diet?' 'When I see food, I eat it!'
Filipinos also eat strange bits of animals --- the feet, the head, the guts, etc., usually barbecued on a stick. These have been given witty names, like ADIDAS' (chicken's feet); 'KURBATA' (either just chicken's neck, or 'neck and thigh' as in 'neck-tie'); 'WALKMAN' (pigs ears); 'PAL' (chicken wings); HELMET' (chicken head); 'IUD' (chicken intestines), and BETAMAX' (video-cassette- like blocks of animal blood). Yum, yum. Bon appetit.
'A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches'-- (Proverbs 22:1)
WHEN I arrived in the Philippines from the UK six years ago, one of the first cultural differences to strike me was names. The subject has provided a continuing source of amazement and amusement ever since. The first unusual thing, from an English perspective, is that everyone here has a nickname. In the staid and boring United Kingdom, we have nicknames in kindergarten, but when we move into adulthood we tend, I am glad to say, to lose them.
The second thing that struck me is that Philippine names for both girls and boys tend to be what we in the UK would regard as overbearingly cutesy for anyone over about five. Fifty-five-year- olds colleague put it. Where I come from, a boy with a nickname like Boy Blue or Honey Boy would be beaten to death at school by pre-adolescent bullies, and never make it to adulthood. So, probably, would girls with names like Babes, Lovely, Precious, Peachy or Apples. Yuk, ech ech. Here, however, no one bats an eyelid.
Then I noticed how many people have what I have come to call 'door-bell names'. These are nicknames that sound like -well, doorbells. There are millions of them. Bing, Bong, Ding, and Dong are some of the more common. They can be, and frequently are, used in even more door-bell-like combinations such as Bing-Bong, Ding-Dong, Ting-Ting, and so on. Even our newly appointed chief of police has a doorbell name Ping. None of these doorbell names exist where I come from, and hence sound unusually amusing to my untutored foreign ear.
Someone once told me that one of the Bings, when asked why he was called Bing, replied, 'because my brother is called Bong'. Faultless logic. Dong, of course, is a particularly funny one for me, as where I come from 'dong' is a slang word for well; perhaps 'talong' is the best Tagalog equivalent.
Repeating names was another novelty to me, having never before encountered people with names like Len-Len, Let-Let, Mai-Mai, or Ning-Ning. The secretary I inherited on my arrival had an unusual one: Leck-Leck. Such names are then frequently further refined by using the 'squared' symbol, as in Len2 or Mai2. This had me very confused for a while.
Then there is the trend for parents to stick to a theme when naming their children. This can be as simple as making them all begin with the same letter, as in Jun, Jimmy, Janice, and Joy.
More imaginative parents shoot for more sophisticated forms of assonance or rhyme, as in Biboy, Boboy, Buboy, Baboy (notice the names get worse the more kids there are-best to be born early or you could end up being a Baboy). Note: Baboy means "pig".
Even better, parents can create whole families of, say, desserts (Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, Honey Pie) or flowers (Rose, Daffodil, Tulip). The main advantage of such combinations is that they look great painted across your trunk if you're a cab driver.
That's another thing I'd never seen before coming to Manila -- taxis with the driver's kids' names on the trunk.
Another whole eye-opening field for the foreign visitor is the phenomenon of the 'composite' name. This includes names like Jejomar (for Jesus, Joseph and Mary), and the remarkable Luzviminda (for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, believe it or not). That's a bit like me being called something like Engscowani' (for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Between you and me, I'm glad I'm not.
And how could I forget to mention the fabulous concept of the randomly inserted letter 'h'. Quite what this device is supposed to achieve, I have not yet figured out, but I think it is designed to give a touch of class to an otherwise only averagely weird name. It results in creations like Jhun, Lhenn , Ghemma, and Jhimmy. Or how about Jhun-Jhun (Jhun2)? How boring to come from a country like the UK full of people with names like John Smith. How wonderful to come from a country where imagination and exoticism rule the world of names. Even the towns here have weird names; my favorite is the unbelievably named town of Sexmoan (ironically close to Olongapo and Angeles). Where else in the world could that really be true?
Where else in the world could the head of the Church really be called Cardinal Sin?
Where else but the Philippines!
Note: Philippines has a senator named Joker, and it is his legal name.
Shawie

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Wordless Wednesday


Oh, I can't help it:( Sorry, I just terribly missed these foods, yum! I'm so hungry and knowing that I can't eat that "kinilaw" or a raw fish soaked in vinegar, ginger, hot chili and lemon. Geee, it's mouth-watering! My friend in Indiana had tried that though with Tuna and mayonaise, hmmm.... I wonder how it taste like:) She said, it's okay, hahaha! Oppps, sorry, I forgot it should have been a "Wordless Wednesday". I should have kept that food away from here, lol!
Shawie

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The Soul


Once in a while, I get away from anything. I always felt there's a need for me to pause for a moment, empty my cup, count my blessings and look back. I don't believe in regrets. Everything happen for a reason and the beauty is finding that reason. That's living:)


An event in your soul is like an event in the depths of the ocean. It's very deep. On the ocean there maybe turmoil, a storm, or a gentle breeze. But the further you go down, there is absolute total silence. And that's the way it is with the soul.

The soul lives in silence. You have to feel that silent place in the depths of your soul, in that place where you can always concentrate on God. It's a place nobody can go and nothing can enter, unless you open the door.
Shawie

Hello, Blog!

Wow! I’ve been so tired and loaded with tons of small things to do today. I never even had a chance to listen to the messages from my iPhone. Rude me, eh? We are having sale this month till next month and so we did some mailing again. I’m just glad we never did all the work. We paid a family to do that. I was gonna grab that job but it’s just too tiring, haha! Oh, I will have my early appointment tomorrow to the Dentist. It would be nice to have this whole "Invisalign" thing to be over:)
Shawie

My Natal Day



It’s past midnight and I was so busy finishing some Invoices, putting in some checks, dropping entrecards; when I hear somebody singing. Jim gave me a vase of beautiful and pink roses! Oh I love roses! Yes, it’s my 31st Birthday! Wow, time flies! I felt like it became a tradition now, lol! Last year, my family called and sang the Mananita Song for over an hour on the phone. Jim sang along with them. That’s so sweet!




When I was a kid, my Mom used to bring me to church, light a candle and say a little prayer. There’s always a Mass since its "The Virgin Mary’s" birthday. Everybody remember it then, lol! I almost spend my whole day answering e-mails and "thank you's", haha!

Jim decided we’re going to invite my Filipina friends and their families for a dinner. It's just a lot of work having it in the house, hehe... So, when I send text messages to my friends about the dinner; Marivic replied that she can’t come coz she doesn’t have enough money. She just paid her tuition, books, dentist, etc. I text back saying, it’s not me- it’s Jim whose inviting us. Then, she said- “It’s not Philippines anymore. It’s America! The Birthday celebrant should not pay anything”. That was so funny, I thought. She really had adopted the culture. That just reminded me of my Mom not working on her birthday because everybody in the office is teasing her for a snack. That would probably cost around $50. And for an ordinary employee that’s a lot already.



Well, I’m glad all of them showed up at the Chinese Restaurant. It was a fun night. It’s nice to get together and have a dinner.

I’m so happy, grateful and couldn’t ask for more….
Shawie

What's Your Six?

I got a tag from Hailey of Hailey's Bits and Beats. It's for fun and it's nice to play around too! So, here it goes.

At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, then go to their blog and leave a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was 21, fresh from College and getting myself ready for the ECE Lincensure Exams.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?
Balance the Company’s check book; mail the documents to the Accountant for the year-end taxes, return the calls of my good friends- Blanca, Vem & Karyas, make some deposits ready for early tomorrow and post some birthday pictures on friendster, lol!

3. Snacks I enjoy:
Doritos, Frozen Yogurt and all kinds of nuts.

4. Placess I’ve lived:
Camiguin, Cagayan De Oro, Bukidnon, Cebu, Taiwan, California.

5. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire:
Have my own Foundation that focused on Education to deserving but poor students.

6. People I want to know more about:
Sheila, Grandmasterson, Mhars, Jade, Merydith and Joy.
Shawie

Monday, September 8, 2008

Award and Meme Monday

Wow! This is nice and neat. I got an award from Bishop Matthias of "The Matthias Chronicles". I have been reading his blog and as he had said : "Well, let's see... First, I am a real bishop. Yes, that may seem hard to believe, especially with some of my right slanted views..." Thanks for this award:)
He wrote: A Grateful Heart, A personal view of life from Shawie and always on the upbeat side. That's very touching:) Believe me, if I were to write all that I have gone through like any other people- it will be too tiring for me to write and for you to read, lol! Most people that never really know me, they would say I'm just silent, happy-go-lucky sorta...but those few of whom I surfaced and open up, they wouldn't believe I've done it all and stayed positive and grateful. There's always a humor in life and I would rather laugh at all struggles rather than dwell on it with a heavy heart. I'm glad I have that "kind" of faith. Anyway, thanks so very much for this award and for taking time to read my posts:)
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Well, I'm not finished yet, haha! This tag came from KCee. Thanks, gurl! I think this is so much fun.
7 Random Facts About Me:
1. I'm a cry baby when I watch movies. I can't help but cry everytime the plot of the story is all about life, struggles, being so generous and forgiving.
2. I always turn the volume so loud everytime my favorite song is being played.
3. I would rather go out by myself in a bookstore, shop by myself, eat alone rather than spending time with someone I can't even relate to. Sorry, I felt bad about it but it seemed to me- a waste of time, haha!
4. I'm very observant and easy to please.
5. I'm always scared of the dark. I just don't know why.
6. I'm very stubborn. I just hate being manipulated.
7. If there's one thing that I'm very grateful about- it is the self-awakening. The very best gift I had ever received.
Shawie