TRAFFIC

What's new? While waiting for the washing machine to finish, just want to inform you that we've been linked by BLOGGER BUZZ with our post on GOOGLE GADGETS. Its been drawing traffic for weeks now. Okay, have to hang the clothes and off to bed after... ciao!

CHRISTMAS AT HOME 2009 (PART 3)

Not much of a confession that could make it to the tabloid, but me and my husband, got keyed up when we read an announcement on the net about a Christmas climb to Mt. Pulag. Still in Italy that time, I was already seeing myself posing for Boogie's camera with that majestic colors of dawn, dreamy white cotton clouds and golden or green grasses behind me. Was looking forward too on ascending for the first time and luckily, with my dear husband. "How is it to sleep in a tent and get cosy in a sleeping bag?", played my mind.

Aside from the feeling that we are going to be climbers soon (or just me), we became compulsive buyers and took turns to Decathlon and shop for our gears. Tent, sleeping bag, waterproof jackets, sweaters and my best found, a hiking pair of shoes I love wearing now - its so comfortable and very warm. Its winter here and most of the time snowing but these shoes could really walk the cold.

We even thought of purchasing a portable camping stove but didn't. We thought it's fuel might not be allowed on our flight.

We also tried our best to work out and did our running more than the usual before we left Venice. Then the aching muscles as we continued to jog the stairs of Wright Park up to the Mansion and round Mines View till we get back to our place in Ambuklao Road, were reminders of worst body aches we will soon experience if we don't prepare physically.

The drama, if I may say hahaha....

AN IBALOI NIPA HUT IN PILOY,BABATAN

Byd, one of the organizers, informed us a week before the trip that they have 260 participants and they had to close the registration. "Oh men, just think of them going for that morning call, Mt Pulag will be in deep s---, I mean poop!", I keep telling everyone who knew we will be joining. "POOR MOUNTAIN", put in two words. Then I called Byd that we are cancelling.

From Pacdal, we went home to Tublay instead and Boogs went down to Babatan(click this : musashiboogie for his article published in Sun Star). When he got back and me with the kids, my sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews from playing at the school down my fathers house, we packed our lunch and decided to have a picnic up the only mountain near our home that was left from erotions and road widening.

It was a better climb, I was not just with my husband but so with my little boys. Though, I had to carry Dylan to the steep and bushy foot trail. And, I was also scared all the time because the old mountain where we used to play, was literally half ruined by landslides. We had to take the long way, the shorter one eroded.

Some people still make use of the fast route but its literally walking into the ravine. I was constantly shouting at Lukie and my brother Tan-tan to slow down because the right side of the trail was another haunting ravine. The boys and my husband (who is holding the tripod, our food, water and all the cameras) were getting irritated with my squeaking voice reminding every one to take care, watch out and wait up.

It was good to see again the "pulot", a plant that sticks to your clothes. Dylan had a tiny cut when he pulled a kind of a grass that has sharp leaves(forgt the name). I told my boys that we used go up there, watch the sunset, look for wild berries and just lye down there on the grass. It was fun for them even though the place wasn't the same anymore.

The hot-dog, corn beef and eggs lunch was extra-ordinary as the hot rice complimented it. Just like the old days, even simple food up there is so delicious. Truly the best picnic for Dylan and Lukie. And so it is with me, even the ("best-est" if there is only such a word). Not everyone is lucky to do what he used to do when he was young with his very own kids.

At the end, I was very glad I did not go to Mt Pulag. With our remaining 13 days of stay where we can't figure how to fit all our remaining agendas. I was able to walk back the steps of my childhood and how refreshing, happy and fulfilling it felt. Makes you thank how life had been good to you.

The GREAT fun of the the day did not end yet. Of which we should have missed, if we were added to the 300 participants of the "A December To Remember". That night, I went out on a date for the first time with all the significant gentlemen known to me... to be continued....

NOTE: All our pix on the mountain were over exposed so we had to edit it. Boogs forgot how to set his SLR after toying with his Diana F+...

BOOST THE BLOGGER

When you forgot why you loved writing, you should remind yourself why you love it in the first place. Try also to dwell upon what or who inspires you to create these set of words and made you believe the silliest idea that you can really write.

Lately, I contented myself in becoming a passive reader to blogs I frequent. In turn, it made me lost my confidence to even type the first word of whatever thought I'm trying to compose. The morale is lost. Its wrong but how can you sustain tenacity when you read other's work - overflowing with substance and perfectly fitted words sounding harmoniously?

Its been three days now since I punched in my first paragraph and this is how far(or not) I had gone. "My eyes are heavy, I need to sleep"..... "My back hurts, I need to rest".... "Grumbling tummy, I must eat".... All but excuses for time lost.

Nevertheless, I'm submitting this entry to BOOST THE BLOGGER in me, in us who are make believers that we are "word slingers". Let's keep on convincing ourselves that what we write is what we are, its our story. Dull, deep or empty we may sound, its okay. We never know, we might be what makes other read, laugh, cry, get angry et all...

Now, let me have Stephen King speak to me when he once said, "No, its not a very good story - its author is busy listening to other voices to listen closely as he should have to the one coming from inside."

So, I write again...

RANDOM POSTS

Pardon me ARA(how's that for a shortie?)friends for finding the same entry everytime you drop by. Its the "gray matter(like I ever had one) short circuit". Its noted though that since a month from now would be the yearly New Years resolution, more bloggable thoughts, I will try to include.

For now, here are some of our space fillers but let me first thank you for clicking this site every now and then... hope you keep on doing so.


CIAO PHILIPPINES!!!



One more day and off we go!

As I told Mommy Kengs, the new organizer and probably the owner (aminin hehehe) of a new OFW magazine, that my brain flew ahead in the Philippines. I can't work on the first assignment she was giving. She asked me to write for her and take note, its "one-oh-oh" per "WORDS"(figure it out...laugh-laugh). I told her I'll catch up on next year's articles, if the offer is still available...

Another sign that my brain is not really functioning, our luggage is only 25% done. Power of the universe help me... I'm seeing "intense" packing later today hahaha. Yeah, I'm losing it... that's called excitement, if I may...

IMAGE CREDIT: SMITHFIELD ELEMENTARY


LUKIE'S HOMEWORK

Poor Lukie, the teacher will email us his homework. Our son has to work on it daily or weekly. The teacher asked Lukie first if we have a computer in the Philippines. And, my son decided on his own that we have.


CNN HERO

Updating our previous post here's the video of one inspirational man.



PHILIPPINES - FOREX CARGO INC.

We're very much satisfied with Forex Cargo Inc's remarkable service. They worked wonders for our box to be delivered on the dot. Divine Geraldo, the company's Costumer Care Representative, was very kind to answer my email and I know, he personally made sure that we will be going up to Baguio City with the parcel. Again, thank you very much to Forex and more power!

WHEN SHE'S NOT WELL

The very last time I had a high fever was when Boogs and I are starting as married couples. That was 12 years ago to be exact. We went home to Tublay and Jenelyn, our boss, had to open her shop for the days that we were not able to tend it.

Aside from the body pain, head ache and all, the realization that its no longer my Dad taking care of me when I am sick, made me cry more that time. I'm an adult, already married and the responsibility of taking care of the "unwell me" is now given to my husband Boogie. Don't get me wrong, I was in tears because of the big change and not because I prefer my Dad from Boogs hehehe...

For three days now, I've been sick with flu and if I don't take my Advil, all my bones will scream in pain. This is the worst so far when child birthing is not included. I can't even sleep because my nose feels strangely dry when I breath and my throat hurts like I have tonsillitis when my tonsils are not really that swollen. Its like I'm always thirsty and my ears seemed to be stuffed with something. Arghhh, when I cough, I'd trade anything for a sleeping pill or pills to knock me down.

First it was Dylan 6 days ago. Then Lukie and I had it the same day. It was Boogs who took all the worries of taking care of us. Yesterday, he was suppose to sleep in the afternoon because he is working night shift. I was on bed with Dylan and my poor husband didn't have his long power nap as he keeps checking on Lukie who was sleeping in his room after taking his paracetamol.

We didn't only have a "Papa nurse" "doctoring" us, we also had a cleaning Papa dude. He cleaned the house, bathroom included hahaha... cup boards and dusted the divider that was long "abandoned"(lols). Dishes were readily washed too. The sweetest part was him shoving a cup of water to each of us specially to Dylan who drinks it in "burden", if he will not stick his whole hand into the cup and play with the water.

We hope Boogs will not catch it too but signs are showing that he will. The virus is just waiting for us to be a bit well for the next patient.

CIAO! WE'RE BACK.

Let me just talk randomly as I can't organize my thoughts lately. This is probably my hundredth attempt to start writing again. You know that thing in the movies when a character had a trauma and would soon struggle to conquer whatever fears he had from it? Like he was drowned, lived and tries to swim again. Well, I'm having them right now (I guess). Except that I don't know what I'm afraid of or was there any fear at all to start with hehehe...

After being robbed with euros in our attempt to salvage our old PC, we ended up with a laptop. But, that was after keeping my impassivity with the pleasures of technology. Then had later made me hate, just by thinking, that computer had become a necessity in our home. The four of us, including our two year old son, are becoming "net junkies".


Not that I'm enumerating my excuses for not logging in but I'm afraid, I'm feeling the "signs" of aging now. 3 weeks ago, I was looking at my hand from a distance of 10 inches, it was blurred or cloudy and I have to squint to keep my eyes open with out hurting them. Then I went to get a book and tried to read the words with the same distance and I can't really see the letters clearly. But if I put the book further or a foot away, I'm able to read the letters well.

I cried, as usual, and pictured how my Dad is trying to figure out the Headline on his newspaper while waiting for his reading glasses to be handed to him. Then I remembered my Lola Meding when she used to tell me not to read when the lights are dim. So is her back slapping as she tries to correct my posture.

Speaking of eyes, mine are, as of now, racing to bed leaving me to finally punch "post" for this piece.

Meanwhile, find time to watch this short movie below and hope to see you again tomorrow.

Ooops one more thing, let me say my apologies to those who keep on coming back to check on this site and find nothing. I hope I'll start updating regularly(pray for me hehehe...).

OH WELL...

This image from zazzle created by malibuitalian, wish it was true for me. But hey, I'm catching up! I hanged the summer curtains yesterday and my boys' wardrobe are ready for this season. And... and my plants, I mean, I'm done with the yearly flowers coloring the sorroundings of our home. Its Purple Ice Plant (mixed with red and yellow variety) this year, its really cute and I hope it'll thrive so I can show it to you.

Can't blog as much as I'd love to, our old PC is still waiting to be "saved". Can't just leave it at it's "crippled stage"(lol) , too many files and pictures to be retrieved.

In desperation, I have to "make do" with web images over my obsessive-compulsive picture uploading. Its that worse, I'm making it sound like a disease hahaha...

COFFEE

I wrote the next paragraph last night, when I was trying to set the mood of writing again after weeks of avoiding so. Oh, I did it before I slept infront of the computer and luckily did not stiff my neck like the last time this PC rocked me to sleep.

Seems caffeine works for me the opposite of it's desired effect. I just chugged a mug of coffee and my eyes are dropping. If I'll close 'em now, instantly, I would be in my deepest sleep. Not much of a coffee drinker, I had four cups since yesterday, only because, we run out of tea. That's tea with milk, just like the Queen of England preffers it (lol). That was Malta's influence, I mean the tea. One of the things that will remind us of our stay there.

Been almost two weeks now since since my last post. Sorry to start it with "caffeine"...... (*knocked down*).

IMAGE CREDIT: www.postershop.co.uk/Picasso-Pablo/Picasso-Pa...

BABBLES...MORE GABBLES...JABBER FREAK

Just love the sound of those words. Besides, "no can think" of what title to use out of "no can think" of what to write. Whatever... Indulge anyway and let's see where we'll be heading.

GAS BILL

March 21, spring started officially and we're still as cold as our winter. The heater is still on after paying more than a thousand euro gas bill. The bill that shocked my husband ( still shocks him when we paid the same amount last year). Thanks to my son's school, where 'pidocchi' (lice) was prevalent for the previous months but is now contained (thanks to a 13 euro shampoo that pharmacies disposed before it expires), the husband paid the gas bill in less "agony".

SALTED CAKE

Work is good. my boss is so generous, so is her ex wife whom I had lunch with last Friday. My first time to taste 'torta salata'(salted cake). More of a pie topped with spinach and 4 kinds of cheese. Ricotta, mozzarella, cheddar and grana. Heaven. Italians must have all the reasons to be known for their cooking.

PICTURE CREDIT:Lo spicchio d'aglio - Ricette di cucina on-line -

The lunch was made more perfect with our laughter. We talked about my kids and her two grown up kids. Gosh, "feminist" was all over her and I liked her more when she talks about "multi-tasking". How she described her passed juggling of mothering, home making, "wifing" and now, the job that pays her new car, Clinique Skin Care and gym fee. A once a month meal with Marina, can't wait what's for April.

LA QUERCIOLA WINES



Back to my boss' generosity. He gave me two bottles of red wine last Friday. His supplies came last week. He said he has this friend in Barolo('La Querciola' Farm) who just started the business and produces excellent world class wines. Because of the on going economic crisis, long time wineries who already made names out of their wines had dropped their prices. To be able to compit or at least generate his capital or investment, my boss' friend from Barolo sells his products at a bargain too. And before he goes bankrupt, he sent his wines to all his friends, imposing them to pay of course.




I had seen the label of my share of bottles dating 2004. Hhmmnn, can't wait to to taste this five years old fermented grapes(lol), maybe tonight.

WORKING OUT DIET

Been jogging intensely, if one hour 3 times a week is considered intense. Yoga too for almost everyday and less rice and pasta. Hmmfff, those minute(read as "may-nuyt" lolz) hard shed pounds easily comes back in one gobble of carbs and a pound of steak. Regardless, minute is better than nothing or gaining, me thinks.




One thing I noticed, staying fit and eating ideal food is quite expensive. Cereals for breakfast. Yogurt and cereal biscuits for snack. A slice of meat, 'insalta'(veggie salad), cereal crackers and pear or apple for lunch. Another snack of English tea, oven-ed peanuts and 2 biscuits of cereal. Dinner which is the same as lunch but meat was substituted with tuna.

To tell you the truth, I strictly follow the diet because its not easy to run the 20 minutes by the pavement which it takes me 40 minutes on my way back through the beach. More effort when you push your foot from the embedding effect of the sand. And my golly gee, grasping breath would make you cough and muscles would later sore when you sprint on the dry soft part of the shore.

THE PRICE

After the work out, you'll feel you had won over your demons. Victory over the inner voice who encourages you that being fat is you being confident of the body you have. Wrong. Staying fit is taking care of the only body you have! That's where your confidence should invest. If you're after longevity of life, that is!

BRANDS



Eeisshh its raining! My Sunday jogging, the longest run is making me write now. I can't go out and try the new "dry and fit" work-out suit we bought yesterday.

Business tactic can fool you if you let them. You see, this sport store had all the line of jogging sports wear in one floor. Nike, Adidas and Champion are on the front line occupying almost three fourths of the place. A pair of jogging pants alone costs 45 to 95 euros. I went at the very end of the floor flipping all the price tag and I found this "PRO TOUCH Teamsport" product which looks very much the same (cloth and style) with the branded ones. It was made in Switzerland against made in China for the well known sports gear.



Huhh, felt like winning the "consolation" price in a raffle draw because I paid 19 euros for my "dry-fit" jogging pants and not 45 to 95. A white blouse came with that too which was on sale for only 14 euros.

Imagine that if I didn't riffle through all the tags and labels, I'll get out of the sports shop robbed with 100 euros.

SHUSH ME



Okay, I'll have to go. That's it for now. Kids are awake and I'll go make them breakfast. Time to join also the husband who is watching the first F1 race of this year, he actually woke the kids up. Till the next time of my babbles... more gabbles and freaky jabbers. Oh did I tell you its raining and I can't jog?

BABBLE, JABBER GABBLE

Wednesday last week, we went to the Questora for Boogie's Permit of stay. We were finish early so we went window shopping. No more SALDI(sale) for winter stuff. Wool, cashmere, thick jackets and boots were replaced with cotton, colorful and lighter get ups. Same as last year, skinny pants or jeans, printed 'hoodies', doll shoes and the "classic" low cut Converse are on display. Purple dominates the showrooms, just like the recent winter, but I'm pretty sure, summer displays will soon scratch it out.

Fashion just keeps on coming back or I've been around for a while (meaning: I'm old) to see the transition? I noticed that the difference of today's fad from my time is that skinny pants now are low waisted and are no longer called 'baston'. For 'hoodies', its with a lot of prints now and its "in" for boys to wear shocking yellow colors.

WET FLOOR

We entered Non Solo Sport Jesolo to see their rubber shoes. The lady who happens to be the sales girl and the cashier too was mopping the floor. It was still wet but she said we go ahead even though we're leaving 3 sets of shoe marks with Dylan's baby carriage worsening the mess.

Boogie told me to look for a jogging suit. I can't find what I wanted so I asked for the sales girl's help. She said its finish and same stocks might be in after a month. Boogs took the kids out and I was about to follow but he told me to buy a t-shirt or something. So I stayed and spotted a Puma shoes that will look good with "today's pants". Their t-shirt and blouses' price were the same as the shoes so I went for the later.

The all around lady went to get my size and after trying it on, I told her I'm buying it. I even said, "Almeno compreremo qualcosa perché abbiamo sporcato il pavimento hehehe..."(at least we should buy something, we made the floor dirty). She answered we don't have to but I could see it made her day. With her big smile she told me I'll pay 30 percent less. She showed me a discount coupon they usually give to regular costumers and she used it on my new shoes. I went out of the store happy with the bargain.

It pays off to show and give consideration. So is my talkativeness... sometimes.

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

HAILSTONES

We had a rainy Sunday with strong lightnings and thunderstorms. Eeesshhh... hailstones too, aimed our place down from gazillions of slingshots up there. The weather report says its going to continue the whole week. ---

The temperature is down to 17°C when last week we were in the scale of 27 to 35°C.

---

Yesterday morning, Monday, the sun would shine for 3 hours. Then it gets gloomy and later back to a bright day again. You'll see nearby islands like Venice and Lido, so dark with heavy rains for about 30 minutes. Then again, a perfect sky after.

'Dadal'lo'(hailstone for Kalanguya) used to be fun when I was a kid, I pick them up with delight and shove them straight into my mouth. Disapproving look from parents won't work as I continue savoring this nature's ice. Then I would wait for the verge of whips on my butt before I'll finally stop.

Its not fun anymore, look what it did to my precious 'gabi'. I've been waiting for those leaves and thought of the 'la-ing' I will eat soon. Now, its all ...."shattered"(hahaha)... "ripped" and "holed"(?).

---

Seriously, these "tempesta"(storm) that stirred us did a great damage on our Italian crops. When all prices of goods are soaring high with inflation, the effect of the 'dadallo' will worsen the present condition. Triple cost or more will make it hard for me to chew my fruits and vegetables(lol) soon.

GO, MAMA GO!

What's slowing our blogging lately? A lot! "Tolerate" the topic that just popped out as I am writing this. Thoughts brimming of "must do" decided to do the list. Might be of help, as I'm close to getting loony.

1. Permit Of Stay to be retrieved tomorrow.

2. Dylan's smaller and lighter carriage.

3. 4(mine,his and kids)summer wardrobes.

4. Packing for our get away HERE.

5. Confirm our stay HERE.

6. Loads to iron.

7. How to pack Dylan's food to our 2 days TREAT for him and Lukie.

8. Train tickets.

9. First year anniversary of this blog.

10. Lukie's graduation from 'Scoula Materna'.

11. Stuff for dry cleaning.

12. Dad's eye intervention.

13. The usual chores and duties

14. More......and more but I'll stop now before you'll give me that yawn.

15. Pray for me hehehe...

THE FATHER IN THEM

BlogPatrol, the traffic blog counter of this site tells me that Yahoo and Google Search had been leading net surfers here with "Felix Cabading" as the tag. Three from Canada, ten from the USA had visited us already and more are yet to come.

To us all, what a great lost of a friend, a relative, a father and how ever we may consider him. For my prior post here: MY UNCLE FISCAL FELIX CABADING , I'm sorry for not writing that Uncle Felix died of massive heart attack.
I'm sorry for not pointing up that he is Benguet's Provincial Persecutor.
That he was once an aspiring priest at the Saint Francis Seminary.
I did not tell you how he loves his Kalanguya culture. The tribe he was very proud of and in any way he can, tried to foster.
My apology for not enumerating all his achievements in line with his profession.
The list goes on for the many things I should and must have written.

I can only write why I held him close with the memories I want to remember such as these:

My father got preoccupied with our health when my mom died. Six girls he takes in turn for medical check up at Notre Dame Hospital. We always see uncle Felix who also takes any of his children to the doctor. So with our old family dentist, My Dad and Uncle Felix are regular "stage fathers" at Dra. Cutiyog's clinic. Most of the time, after our appointments, we give Uncle Felix a lift because he doesn't have a car.

Sometimes, he surprises us and arrives at our door in Tublay with his wide grin. He and my Dad would stay outside our home talking seriously while my Dad massages his fighting roosters. I wish I knew what they were conversing about. Dark falls and Uncle Felix would sleep over and always uses my old room.

Christian is one of his son who graduated from PMA. Among Uncle's Felix' children, only him became close to us and my sisters. When he was sent to Mindanao for his first assignment, his father always speaks of his worries and fears for his son. Missing him makes it even worse.

When I was in Malta, my sister Sharon phoned me that Christian's troop was ambushed. Uncle Felix who was holding back his tears as he tells my Dad, he had dreamt of his son before the incident. He continued that during the encounter, Christian was spared by the dead bodies of his troops that covered him. He got unconscious from his wounds and the enemy left knowing everyone was killed.


The Military man Christian had become is my Uncle's pride but frails him as a father. He would always and always talk fondly of his son when ever he sees my Dad or my late Uncle Alex, his co-seminarian back in the old days. Even when his son Christian got married, he came to my dad and asked him to go with him at his son's wedding in Mindanao. "Naka embaeng ngay ni naikamangan Christian, andi numan e maipanlastog ko"(Makes me shy facing Christian's in laws, I have no wealth to brag), he once said.

That's I guess the father in him...in them, always thinking they are not giving enough to their kids when they had given their all. Like my Dad said, "Felix and I may not be good husbands but our children matter most. We are not perfect but we are trying".

UP CAME THE SUN

It had been raining today after teasing us with a sunny and cool week end. Our weather is undecided if it wants to be spring or a "displaced autumn". It should have started to warm up last month but was gloomy and the rain falls most of the time.

My family can't wait for summer, so, we dragged the season last Sunday. It must be the sun, everyone was out like thieves taking advantage of the freedom from the verge of a long winter.

These are some of the reasons why we are all rooting for the warm and bright sun to finally make up it's mind and stay. And, we all did and had it last Sunday.


Barbecue which Lukie associates with "festa"(party). He will ask whose birthday it is every time the grill is smoking. He also adds, "are we having friends?"

Little Dylan gets the bone and he stays quiet savoring every grease hehehe...

Spring cleaning slows down blogging and these has to be painted before hanging the geraniums.

Our walks at the beach specially moon watching at night. Just don't mind the sand on the bed so rough even though every one took a bath before jumping in.

At least Dylan knew now that the 'sabia' (sand) is not edible. Unlike last year, you can hear him with that 'eeky' sound grinding it with his teeth.

More outdoor activities for the kids to help mamsy and papsy shake off those fats.

One of the best part... for Lukie(lol)... is the 'gelato' (ice cream). Strawberry ding-dang doo, chocolate and stracciatella, YUM- YUMmmm.

Dylan says he wants ice cream too as he cries with out tears and turns green like Incredible Hulk.

Lukie and his fading chicken "pops" doesn't want to share his "icy" saying, "Dylan is still a little boy, he doesn't know!"

You can't get enough of so many things to do this coming months. Then it just passes so fast and you'll never know, winter is here again.

BURNHAM PARK

with mama, dad and nung rudy

"Dove ce tanti bambini?" (Where there are a lot of kids?), that is how my son Lukie remembers "BURNHAM PARK". His face lights up every time he recalls his last visit there two years ago. Then he will tell you about the "tanti"(many)children riding bikes, on the see-saw and swings of this famous park of Baguio City.


in the middle with my icy

My father who is turning 65 this year once told us that when he got hold of his first allowance as an altar boy, he bought pants for his 3 brothers and took them to Burnham Park. He was only on his first year at SLU Boy's High back then. More on this story here: DANIEL: Ramon's Son.



blue flats

The little girl me who wishes everyday was a Sunday, lives on counting the weekdays to pass quickly. Most of the time, Sunday for my family back then is a mass at the Baguio Cathedral or San Jose Parish Church and a picnic at BURNHAM PARK. My most anticipated one hour ride from our hometown Tublay were during those days.

Now, its quite ironic though - that we have so many children's park here in Italy but there are few or no children to make use of them. We have one in our compound, another is only a hundred meters away from our home. Then another big one at the center of Cavallino(name of our town) which is only a 15 minutes walk from our place. All these recreational parks are well maintained and "children friendly". But then again, you can't see five kids playing at the same time.

LISA of Baguio Insider had an alarming old post here: ALERT! P200 MILLION BUILDING TO BE ERECTED ON BURNHAM PARK . Its also very disappointing to hear from our family back in Baguio that big bucks of funds were allotted for the renovation of the said park but unsatisfactory works were done. A sum of money that could totally change every old see-saw, rusting swings and climbing bars into new modern ones. But, all they did were to refresh the paints and put sands all around. Read the discussions of residents and expats here: BAGUIO CITY ONLINE: Burnham Park

Its not in my system to complain but when something that has been a part of your childhood is "ill-treated", it is some one's childhood is also being denied. As I have said before, people concern in deciding for Burnham Park's improvement were once kids too. Did they not ever run around and held this park as something dear to their childhood? As Lisa said, "don't they care and love their children too?" Oh but... maybe because they can afford, their kids have their own private parks.

Sorry for being a "bugger" and my "yappy doddle do". These "misfits" of "dove ce tanti bambini", the same old slides when I was a kid and beautiful parks with just my kids are truly unfair. Maybe blogging it down will get it off me as I pass it to you hehehe.