LOLA MEDING'S FATHER

Post 29: Lolo Ramon's Story


I used to ask my Lola why we seem don't celebrate her birthday and tells us she doesn't know her birth date. Her parents were illiterate(how she worded it)unable for them to note it down. She would only estimate that she's around seventy years old when I was at the age of ten. She always tells us that she can't remember much what happened most of her adult life but if you ask her about her childhood, its vivid and all the memories seem had just happened yesterday. "Its very clear and I can almost feel how was it to be that young and adventurous. I close my eyes and I can see me and my father, my friends and our horses", she always starts.

"My father is tall. 'Mestizzo numan'(half breed) with the lightest brown eyes which at times I knew I saw it somewhat brownish green. People called him Ta-ao. He would always tell us about his mother whom people of Buguias would rather call 'Sagit'(Sun) because her hair makes her illuminate. Specially when the sun strikes those long shinny strands."

"Being the youngest, I think I was his pet. Every time he goes to 'Canaos', he always takes me and I end up taking him home when he gets drunk from drinking too much 'tapey'. With his big built, makes it difficult for me to do the job", my grandma recalls his Papa.

"I don't have much memories with my Mama. Maybe because I always stick around my father. I really love it when he'd carry me up on his shoulders, seems I'm on top of Buguias seeing everything on higher ground".

"Onetime, I did not go to school with two of my friends and we went to a neighbor's 'uma'(slash and burn farming) and steal some camote. We just dig and ate it raw. I was thinking of bringing home some for my mother to cook but dismissed the idea. It would just let them know I missed school".

"As we were up the tree after eating too much camote, we saw the owner of the 'uma' coming. He was furious of the grim sight and moved around looking for a stick or something to bash us with. Scared, we jump off quickly from the tree as he advanced towards us with his found weapon waving on air."

"We all run for our dear lives and I was the first on the "line of escapees". As I ran, I keep looking back to how far the mad man was chasing us. First I saw him reached one of my friend but he ran passed her. Then again, my other friend was safe because the owner just kept running. Clearly, he's only up for me! I got away with the fastest speed in my entire life. He didn't catch me!".

"I was not completely saved, the owner came to our house. My father was very sorry and I was on the corner while they spoke. The man left and gave my father the fat and sturdy stick. Then I knew I got away again with my misdeed. That is so because Papa never laid hands on me nor whip or hit me with anything", Lola Meding laughs like the little girl as she tells us. "Ngem ag yu am-amagin ima inamag mi tep lawa(But, don't do what we did because its not good/right)...", my grandmother said with her most serious face.

During my cousin Sony's wake, Auntie Juaning whom most people knew as "Mrs Bay-an", recounted the story of our great-great grand parents. I never heard of this till my cousin Susan related the story when she came back here in Italy. She said my Lola Meding's great-great grand mother was got pregnant by a Spanish priest. A Buguias local married her regardless of her state. A real man to save her from shame. Then 'Sagit ' was born, my Lola's great grandmother.

When my cousin told us the story, I wondered why my Lola Meding didn't tell us about this. Did she knew about it? While writing this, I know she did. She just didn't think our young minds were ready for such a story. She had kept it. One of the many reasons why I want to go home, I'd like to know more about my Lola's Papa...her father Ta-ao.

COLORS

Just a short post about Lukie when we were watching Obama on the news yesterday. He said, "Mama, Obama e quasi come mia pelle"(Mama, Obama's skin is ALMOST the same as mine). Huh, my son is becoming aware of his color now!

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Today, Ash Wednesday, ended the Carnevale 2009. Here's an old post about this event : CARNEVALE DE VENEZIA .

DAWN SHOTS:

SUNDAY:

PAGELLA

Before I go over Lukie's primo pagella (first report/class card), let me tell you first about his drawing. Its his homework today. He is to write words that start with ca, co, cu and is to construct a sentence using some of these words. Write it all in small letters and (optional) draw something out of it.

Well, my son said to his Tita Rowena who baby sat my boys when I went to get his 'Pagella' at school, " I don't know how to draw a dog so I'll just let him go in his house and show only his butt!".... Did you notice it was raining? Cosmo, the dog, must really go in and lie down on his bed. The dog's name is not clear, its written on his plate/bowl. Bravo Lukie!

Btw, Rowena is our kind neighbor who volunteered to look after the kids. She's 6 months pregnant and expecting a baby girl this summer. Rowena insisted to babysit, good thing she did because Dylan has a flu and it might get worst if I take him with me.

'Ottimo' is the highest grade the teachers can give. Its equivalent to 10. Teachers decided NOT to give perfect scores (ottimo) to deseving students on their First Grading. They only do during finals. The highest they could give for now is 'Distinto'(9). Our first grader Lukie got all 9 for Science, Math, Italian, English, Music, Home Room, PE, Social Studies and History. He got 'Bouno'(8) for Religion, Computer and his attitude or behavior in class.

OT: Don't you think that's too much for a first grader? I remember during my time, I only have four: Math, English, Pilipino and PE.

We were to get their Report Card individually. Then we'll have some sort of a "one on one interrogation"(lol) with the teacher.When we were going over my son's grades, Teacher Orietta said 'Bouno'(8) for my son's behavior. I was like, "Oooops, did I get that right?". Then I asked her, "Perche"(why) 8?". She said Lukie would fully participate when he likes the lesson but if he doesn't, he feels sleepy or would be doing other things.

Now I remember one time when Lukie came home and told me he slept in class. I asked why and he said he already knew the lesson and it made him sleep. Ahhihihi.... This is the dilemma, last year, the teachers of 'Materna' asked me if I would want Lukie to be accelerated to Grade one. I hesitated because I thought it would be cruel to make Lukie leave his friends. Now he is getting bored because he is already reading pocket books(no pictures) and into multiplication while his classmates are still learning ca, ce ,ci, co, cu and 1+1.

Only 8 for computer too. I didn't ask the teacher but I think I know why. Would you like to guess 'perche'(why)?

WEEKLY QUESTIONS 37

OVER! lol.... Yeah I know, too much "YouTubing" today hehehe... Its even slowing down my PC. I wonder why?(*grin*)...... Seriously, My Favorite Love Songs is Teacher Julie's post for last week's WQ. Here are "some" of the songs I like and there's more, if I could only remember all their titles lol...

What are the love songs that touched your heart the most?

Not that it really touched my heart, more of it made me "kilig" at one point or still is. Enjoy (I hope, lol)!

SMILE

Every time I ride the boat on my way to my part time job, a thought comes to mind and I'll tell myself, "I'll write about this tonight!". Then when I get back home, either I'll forget or I just can't make a sentence out of it. The next time I'll be heading to work, same thoughts playing all over again, "I will write about this tonight." So after almost a year, I'm still here trying to write it down.

Back in high school, there's this very popular girl in campus. Her name is Jackie, a year older than me and she's also from Tublay. Who would not love a girl who readily gives a smile? That's how I remember her. The girl with a big smile. I don't personally know her but until now, I could only think of everything warm, charm and everything positive when I picture her face. She was elected as one of our school officer (can't remember which position) and yes, I voted for her not because she's from Tublay but because of her smile.

Another man from Tublay Central who approached me during one of our Town Fiesta. I don't know his name but I know him by face. I always see him everytime I tag along with my Dad to their "flying school". He told me in Ibaloi, "You know what makes your Dad endearing, its his readily given smile. There's sincerity in it making you feel secured. 'Agshi-an tu pay e takday mo unno e takdang mo nu maki asel sun sikam' (He would even hold your hand or your shoulder when he'd talk to you). Arahh, singan kettan importanten tuo numan (Oh well, I feel like an important person when he does that)".

SMILE - EVERYONE IS WATCHING

To sound more educational, lets inject some facts (lol). So many articles, research and quotes I want to include. Take this piece from AMBASSADOR YOUTH for instance.

Notice the following facts about smiling:

• 72% of people think of those who smile frequently as being more confident and successful.

• 86% of people say that they are more likely to strike up conversations with strangers if they are smiling.

• Bosses are 12% more likely to promote people who smile a lot.

• Research shows that 65% of communication is non-verbal (many claim an even higher percentage).

• Non-verbal communication comprises facial expressions, eye movement, gestures, posture, and all other bodily signs-primarily facial expressions.
• The effects of a smile are so powerful that even a smile on the telephone produces positive results.

• When someone comes into a room, people are automatically drawn to their face, and a smile provides a warm greeting.

• Studies show that happiness is a by-product of smiling, not the other way around as most people assume.

• Research shows that when two people in conversation use the same kind of body movements and gestures (such as smiling), they will experience greater empathy for each other, which they may not even consciously notice.

MY GAY FOUND FRIEND

My cousin Susan once said when every one's mistaken on who is who between me and my sister Noeda, "That's easy, Lovelyn smiles a lot!". I know my cousin was just being polite not to say I'm the crazy one hahaha... literally, that is.

Remembering this gay manning one of the cashiers in the Supermarket where we buy most of our meat. My sister dislikes him and avoids his line. The impression stayed when he once didn't cater to my sister's need because it was still early and he didn't have loose change. By the looks, you'll dread him with his crooked eyebrows and he seem like angry all the time. Sometimes it makes me think, was it because we buy all these meat and he might be a vegetarian?

Only during holy hours when I can go shop for our groceries. Just after I get out of work and its "him" on the counter during this time of the day. I had no choice. "Okay, he could give me that long face anytime, its his problem not mine", I told myself. My turn to pay and I greeted him 'Boun giorno'(good day) and asked him for a plastic bag. I gave him my wide smile. He looked at me puzzled and I saw an attempt to reciprocate. I call it a "one-forth" smile, he just did then went back again to his mean face.

The next time, I did the same with a wider smile and he said, 'Boun giorno' too with a "half smile" held a little longer that looks more like a twitch(hehehehe). Now, I conquered his widest smile and even though I'm still far from the line, we would smile at each other while he frowns more to those who frowns him back. He now asks me, " Come va?"(how are you) while he does his job with all the meat I bought(lol). I have just proven what Professor Dale Jorgenson of Harvard University said, "Smiling is a case in which a simple act can have profound affects on the kinds of experiences we have with other people and how they treat us.”

More interesting read ups here: Fake it Till you Make It: Can Smiling Improve Mental State and The Benefit of Laughter - How Laughter Can Reduce Stress and ... - Research has shown health benefits of laughter ranging from strengthening the immune system to reducing food cravings to increasing one's threshold for pain. There's even an emerging therapeutic field known as humor therapy to help people heal more quickly, among other things. Humor also has several important stress relieving benefits.

QUOTED SMILES

Lastly, I'll leave you with these quotes from THE QUOTE GARDEN . Every quote is beautiful so I decided to post it all. Does it show why it took me a year to write this down.... and all I want to say is - "Oh, just SMILE!"?

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day. ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

A smile confuses an approaching frown. ~Author Unknown

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile. ~Lee Mildon

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis DillerSmile.

Have you ever noticed how easily puppies make human friends? Yet all they do is wag their tails and fall over. ~Walter Anderson, The Confidence Course, 1997

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown

Start every day with a smile and get it over with. ~W.C. Fields

Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available. ~Jim Beggs

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks. ~Charles Gordy

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. ~Mark Twain, Following the Equator

The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief. ~William Shakespeare, Othello

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home. ~Author Unknown

If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it. ~Andy Rooney

If you smile at someone, they might smile back. ~Author Unknown

Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it. ~Author Unknown

Always remember to be happy because you never know who's falling in love with your smile. ~Author Unknown

Everyone smiles in the same language. ~Author Unknown

If you don't have a smile, I'll give you one of mine. ~Author Unknown

I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful. ~Author Unknown

Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles. ~George Eliot

She gave me a smile I could feel in my hip pocket. ~Raymond Chandler

Smiling is infectious,You can catch it like the flu.Someone smiled at me today,And I started smiling too.~Author Unknown

A smile appeared upon her face as if she'd taken it directly from her handbag and pinned it there. ~Loma Chandler

A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip

Smile - sunshine is good for your teeth. ~Author Unknown

The shortest distance between two people is a smile. ~Author Unknown

If you don't start out the day with a smile, it's not too late to start practicing for tomorrow. ~Author Unknown

Smiling is my favorite exercise. ~Author Unknown

Wear a smile - one size fits all. ~Author Unknown

No matter how grouchy you're feeling,You'll find the smile more or less healing.It grows in a wreath

All around the front teeth -Thus preserving the face from congealing.~Anthony Euwer

Every day you spend without a smile, is a lost day. ~Author Unknown

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~Mother Teresa

A friendly look, a kindly smile, one good act, and life's worthwhile. ~Author Unknown

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. ~Washington IrvingBeauty is power; a smile is its sword. ~Charles Reade

A smile is the universal welcome. ~Max Eastman

Keep smiling - it makes people wonder what you've been up to. ~Author Unknown

You're never fully dressed without a smile. ~Martin Charnin

A smile can brighten the darkest day. ~Author Unknown

It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown. ~Author Unknown

Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. ~Janet Lane

All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile. ~Chris Hart

If you would like to spoil the day for a grouch, give him a smile. ~Author Unknown

Smile - it increases your face value. ~Author Unknown

Peace begins with a smile. ~Mother Teresa

A smile is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it. ~Author

Unknown

Most smiles are started by another smile. ~Author Unknown

A smile is something you can't give away; it always comes back to you. ~Author Unknown

A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. ~Author Unknown

It takes a lot of work from the face to let out a smile, but just think what good smiling can bring to the most important muscle of the body... the heart. ~Author Unknown

Glitter Graphics @ SweetComments.net

WRESTLING (ON SHOUTING AND LOSING TEMPER Part I)

"Shouters, it seems, still put themselves on a par with convicted criminals", Anne Karpf of The Guardian wrote on his article: HERE. Its exactly how I feel every time the boiling point of my lost temper get douched by guilt. Lately, Lukie and Dylan are getting into my nerves and would often make me raise my voice before I get them to obey.


Wrestling is one of the culprit, I guess. Its their new game. Before these two little boys jostle against each other, as wild and rugged as they can be, Lukie would shout, "WRESTLING!". My cue that the veins on my neck would soon distend from trying to stop them with their rough play.





As expected, my two year old Dylan would be locked under his 7 year old brother's weight. Lukie who is twice heavier doesn't seem to understand that his brother is hurting. Then Dylan would "cry out for help" and that will not stop his big brother as he laughs and presses more weight. Of course, I will come "to the rescue". Then the shouting comes before Lukie would understand, I meant stop as in STOP.

Dylan is released, he'll compose himself then he would again go pull Lukie's shirt. My eldest would run dragging his little brother now, who is still clinging tightly on Lukie's clothes. If Dylan had a strong grip and won't have a hard fall, Lukie will again lock and press him down.

These, they happen to love doing while I prepare supper and worst when I am rushing so I could give them a bath before we eat. That's when I lose it and I would yell at them. Oh, they would stop! But when I am back in the kitchen, they'll resume their act and we'll do the scene all over again....

WEEKLY QUESTIONS 36

Teacher Julie's question for Valentines Day goes:

What are your favorite romantic movies of all time?

That's a hard question because every time I liked the film I just saw, it would become my favorite hahaha... The problem of remembering too which movie I've already watched makes it difficult for me to place which one is my best. Nevertheless, here are some of the romantic films I remember I loved watching.

My Best Friend s Wedding - not that its a good film but its because its the first movie I watched with my husband.

WALL-E

The Cutting Edge

The Thing Called Love

Tristan & Isolde

The Notebook

P.S. I Love You

Titanic

Ghost (1990)

Splash (1984)

That's how far my memory could get me. I have probably miss the best ones.

LUKIE SAW THIS ON THE NEWS

What a phenomenon! While its amazing to witness such a number of dolphins swarming the Philippines' sea, its quite alarming too if this is another ill effect of global warming. I just hope it's not. Hoping also that all these dolphins are well and life would go back to normal for all of them.

NICK'S VIDEO

Here's an inspiring video I saw from my email yesterday. It was sent by Angel Network. I can't remember how I came to subscribe "Inspirational Newsletters" from them . But, I know why I did. I love this work of theirs: Interview With God (Original). I can't directly post the video here, embedding was disabled, so please click the link. I hope you'll find time to watch both videos. Its really good!

ON SOCIAL NETWORKING

Obviously, one of the many wonders of the Internet is for us to search long lost friends, relatives, classmates etc... To some, hunting(joke-joke hehehe) old boyfriends, girlfriends, crushes or past admirers. It also connects us to our family, never met relatives and even our enemies. Wonder of wonders too when we gain new friends boundlessly across the mountains and the seas.

Taking Friendster for example, a social networking site where most Pinoys gaily post their pictures and have their acquaintances have a peep on their lives. According to Wikipedia, it has 19 billion page view per month, 90 million members and still counting. Mountain View, CA, USA may be the main office of this site but most of the members are Asians. And yes, Philippines is on top of them.

Every time I see old friends, classmates and relatives, I'm like an excited teenager who would not hesitate to let them know I'm happy to see them after a looongg time. Of which to some, its an awkward thing to do.

Many funny as well as sad stories that we can count just by joining this social networking alone. There's that jealousy when past lovers suddenly send a message to your spouse and sometimes would brew up arguments which I think is a normal reaction. Normal, I said, not to justify jealousy but for it as a natural response to the given situation. It would be hypocrite if we deny the pang when exes are concern.

There's also that joy it gives to families far from each other. Even though just with pictures, they see their love ones all happy and well. Specially to grandparents who watch their 'apos' grow through the images they see on their computer screens.

Sometimes upon signing up and you see your old friends, it will make you realize that years had pass and how powerful time is to change every one's looks. It would even make you squint and place that face you seem don't know but you're sure you've seen somewhere else. After a a long look and thought, he/she was a group mate and a very close friend in college.

Meeting NEW friends and relatives too as I've said is magical, Just like my cousins Miss Buguias and Janice. Maybe we've bump into each other many times back home in Benguet-Baguio but it took us to join Friendsters, them in Arizona and Canada and us here in Italy, before we've known we're related.

I have to include this, through Friendster, my sons received a book signed by Mr. Paul Sr. himself of the Orange County Choppers courtesy of Nikki, a mother of three from New York whom I've never met in person.

Dylan, my second child, is always thankful to all the gifts from Ninang Marjh, another found friend thru the net. We hope to meet her if we'll be lucky to visit Austria.

I could go on and write what I am thankful of with signing up to all these social networking. All I wanted to point out is its the new trend of keeping in touch and its going to stay. It may be just in a virtual world but since you're at it, cope with the technology with out losing the proper way to extend comoraderie.

You added an old friend who is actually impossible to locate because you had no idea where in the world he/she is. She/he is then ecstatic to leave your page a comment of appreciation, have the courtesy to say, "thank you", at least. Not only that its the proper thing to do but its what social networking is all about. Otherwise, what's the point? You're merely parading your photos?

As long as you've got no bad intention or ruining any body's life, its okay to say ciao, nice to see you, your family looks great and thank you. That's what I've learned (the hard way) after 3 years of joining the cyberspace craze! For the newbies, take your time, we understand hehehe....

WEEKLY QUESTIONS 35

Consideration to others is teacher Julie's topic this week. She took this photo while waiting for her turn to order in one of the well known fast-food in the Philippines.


What would you do if you see this in a restaurant?


Nothing, I guess, though I agree with Teacher Julie that its not proper to put shoes where food is served. She's also right when she pointed out to be considerate because what may be accepted to you might not be accepted to others.

But for me, as we speak of consideration, I will put this behind. The person who left those shoes on the counter might be preoccupied with a lot of things and she didn't mean to be that rude. She might even have her toddler throwing tantrums back on their table and she wasn't fully aware of what she did. Another is, she/he may not be as lucky as most of us who had a home to teach us good manners and and right conduct.

As my Dad always says, "You, who knows better between what's right and what's wrong, patience and understanding is much expected". He's right, it would even spare me from wrinkles and a ruined day. Then Daddy would add, "Sig-am a mas maka-aw-awat, pasensya-am laengen. Malaksed a nu idadanes tan saktan daka physically a ket naapil la ngo iman. Tama-am met ah!"(lol)....(Because you do understand, have patience to those who don't. But if they're to beat you, that's different, give them your best shot, punch 'em(hehehe, I don't really know the best translation for the last sentence but this sounds more like it)!

A GOOD MOVIE

I got curios when Golden Globe gave the Best Picture Award to "Slumdog Millionaire". I thought this has some kind of political agenda with my delusive thinking concocted from reading too much "conspiracy theories" (lol). You know, India and how Super power countries benefit from making it it's allay. We watched it last night and that's it, I will never touch anything that says "conspiracy" in it! Nyahahaha...

I wouldn't be surprised too that on the 22nd of February, Academy Awards: The Oscars, will name this their Best Film of the year. It was the first time I watched a Bollywood movie and I was surprised they could make a film this good. I don't mean Indians are incapable of doing such. What I meant was, a movie touching child abuse/labor, discrimination, poverty, prostitution and sibling betrayals with out over powering the main "theme" of the story which is "love - destiny". Incorporating it to the show, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" is also a brilliant and unique idea.

Not to make this entry long, "Slumdog Millionaire" is a well written powerful movie. Quoting one of YouTubes commenter he/she said, "One of the best movies I have ever seen...and trust me, I have seen tons of movies!"