Cuneiform of an Astute Mind ...©

20,000 Miles, Roundtrip.

2012-01-12T19:09:00.013-06:00

Wow! I can't believe it has been several months from the last time I wrote in this little corner. To tell you why; Well I have been busy with school, and I've been doing a little bit of part time job as a caregiver of a 92 y.o. man (who is so sweet btw). Apart of it is also snapping pictures of my Photography clients. I only have 24 hrs each day which to me is quite short to allocate time on writing about my craft(s). Maybe a 25th hour will be something that some watch companies would consider :)

Anyhow, What I am excited to share to you about is that I went home to my beautiful country; Philippines last December of 2011. I spend 15 days over there which was full of happiness, fun and tender memories me and my family made. It has been 25 months since I left Philippines, left family, left friends, left my collection of shoes and bags, and sunglasses just for sake of the love. :) My primary and sole reason for my trip is to see my family especially my very sick grandfather who has been having heart problems. I have been wanting to come home probably from Day 1 since my arrival in the States because it was very tough and hefty to leave everything behind and literally start a new life. But you see, I took my lick and sucked it up. Those strenuous days were over that I could say I am now fully adjusted with my new ways in which whenever I feel homesick I just shrug it off and I'd call my mom then I'll be fine. I'm just stoked and ecstatic that I'm finally able to come home even for a very brief time.

This is Manila. The capital city of Philippines. 

(Landscape shot)

This is where I spent most of my bachelorette time, went to college, met the most amazing friends and of course, learned to go with the flow in the city's hustle and buzzle (wink*). Boy, it was such a nostalgic moment when I first landed at the airport. I could smell those moments which were nothing like how I am living now in America. Those bright city lights as I was landing definitely brought back the salad bowl of emotions. Then, I realized; I am truly home.

I spent the night at my mom's house here in Manila and when the dawn breaks, Me, my mom together with my sister Ken, and bestcousin Christian hauled our selves to the bus terminal and were all ready to embark a 10-hour bus ride away from Manila to my grandparents house in Bicol Province.

During my Philippine trip, I mainly stayed @ my grandparents house in the province which doesn't have internet connection, No cellphone coverage, No cable or Satellite TV, just pure laid back lifestyle. Who could have imagine that after a 22 hr plane ride, Who'll still have the guts to travel 10 more hours to get to the final destination? Viola! this girl. Right here! You'd travel for love, Baby!

To  me, traveling by bus was one of the greatest experience if you want to  have a little sight-seeing extravaganza.  This picture right here....

..is a typical view you'll see in that 10 hr trip to my grandpaw and maw's house.
We do have the Hawaii views! After all, the weather and climate is almost the same as Hawaii here in the Philippines.

Highlights of my trip were:

Let's start with, when I got got sick for 5 days because I caught the flu. I bombarded myself with medicines so the bastard didn't last long. Some of my plans got paralyzed. Oh well, I'm glad they're spoiling me with so much love.

I threw a big Christmas eve lunch for my family and relatives. We slaughter a hog and we definitely had a feast!

I got another tattoo! yeap! I'm not denying I'm a tattoo lover. It's a Hindi script which means " Always seek success in the opposite" Thanks to one of my closest buddy Jon for doing it for Free!

I  got to see my family and my Mom's boyfriend who was one of her suitors  even before she met my Dad. It's more of an unforgotten love, because  after 26 yrs, they were together once again. Aww. Whoop! Whoop!

I explored Manila once again with my cousin, Rachel who is a first time Manila traveler.(I brought her with me from the province) What made our bonding time so enjoyable was when I realized she was having a massive culture shock attack of how liberated people are in this huge city. If you know what I mean... (GRIN)

We, and when I say "WE" that includes the big gang of my relatives who gave me so much joy just seeing us cutting up, throwing unlimited jokes, and loud laughter that resonate the whole Spring resort.

 Ok... (tears) This was one of my favorite moments. It was when my grandpa were playing "Pick_up Sticks" with me and with his other grandchildren. And seeing him enjoying himself gives me so much happiness because I get to enjoy his company. Not only that, but also;  To see him play with me like how he did while I was younger. So... Naturally, he doesn't have so much hand control so he could never salvage more than 1 stick because he was always shaky and all. He always lose his game. ha ha

Pick that stick Grandpa!

And  most especially... I get to have a family portrait before something bad  happens to my grandpa.  I love him and my grandma so much which happens  to be the parents of my crazy, yet the most funniest mom I could ever  asked for.

MEET US! 
Oh, by the way.. that's my two beautiful sisters; Karen (farthest left) and Kathleen (at the bottom).
I love them too, though they drive me crazy a lot of times. 
:)

Thank you for joining me in my journey as I look back from my home, away from home.
Until next time. 

--Cathy

Love, Where are you?

2011-08-11T20:20:00.002-05:00

I have been meaning to write since I have the much needed vacay from school.  I've exhausted a week so far out of my 2 week break and tell you what, I have done nothing but to abode laziness in my system. The idleness is driving me nuts though. School literally engulfs me into the blackhole of studying and fully disconnect me to my friends. So I thought I will make this week as a "reconnection week" with some friends I haven't talk since forever. 

From different variegated conversations with different friends; There is one friend of mine who asked me a question which I didn't have the answer off hand. She is a friend of mine back in college whom I didn't know have secretly looked up to my pretty lame aspirations in life which I've once said in one of our drunken college nights. One of her great dream is to be married to an American. When yours truly happen to be married to one, just made her paddle the boat harder to the coastline of her dreams. Her question was; Why I can't find a decent guy to date online? My first reaction was... define decent. 

As I retrocede from the chapters of my life. Greg and I didn't met on an online dating site rather it's one of those boring days on Skype. I can't just make up an answer which I know would impact the way she thinks about men here in United States. 

Ladies, I am not here to tell you that this is how it goes. I am speaking from what  I can see on the surface from the different layers of the online dating whirlpool.

Finding love in Chat rooms.

Set yourself for quite a long haul. I can't tell you enough that by the time you even consider yourself entering this not so welcoming Chat room, you have already set yourself to disappointment. Guys from all over the world in the internet can't hold their selves even for 2 seconds just to be respectful and gentleman enough to get to know you first before asking you to show your private parts. This is the reason why they all flock in these rooms. They are not there for love, they are there to have fun, to see what's between in those legs. It's like looking for a needle in the haystack for a man who would actually be polite to ask more about yourself. Men from other countries doesn't seem to see how important respect is for few Asian ladies.  Filipinas are one of the few conservative ladies who would shut down when asked to be "all the way" on chat talks. When guys engage in a quite torrid conversations, some ladies feel awkward and feel insulted, and defeated from their expectations. But in all honesty, your purpose doesn't belong to these rooms. Unless you find a man who is searching the same thing as what you are,in the same room, that's the only time it'll work. 

I have a friend who came up to me and shared her story how unbearable it was for her to be fully attached to this guy, who have showed a genuine interests towards her but she was left with a broken heart when the guy disappears without saying goodbye.  

Love on dating sites maybe?

I would assume that the only reason you have that well structured profile in your favorite dating site is that you  have had the fair share of heartaches with these guys around your area, or even in the country. It's not bad to find love in these websites but you have to be very, when I say very, very careful. You have to guard your heart and sift  all these intentions coming from the guys you have met so far. There will always be a bad guy, and without a warning they would penetrate your vulnerable heart. There are a lot at stake when you open your heart to the possibilities to be with someone you haven't seen in person. There is the price of being once again attached to your feelings of wanting to make things work so badly, also not meeting your expectations about this person, together with all these; how would you address the pressure of intimacy which is pretty much the core of every relationship. Ask yourself, are you ready to be that person who would not feel silly doing peculiar things on webcamera just for the sake of love?  The key here is to carefully put bits and pieces about this person who would first of all want to get to know you. Decipher how they treat and address your presence. How does he say things, does he makes premature "too good to be true" statements? These are some pretty essential questions you have to add in your guidelines when venturing love online. Always make yourself  feel wanted by someone, if you can't feel its a two way street, let it go. Don't hold onto that little gut that this person would feel the same as what you feel, considering the amount of distance between the two of you. 

A lot of people think that online dating is much easier than dating the traditional way because there is less physical pressure. However;  It's a wrong assumption because they don't know how much you can be so invested on your emotions without the assurance that you'll be compensated.  

You might be asking me now..."Then what's the difference between Chatroom and Dating sites anyway?" The answer is "Purpose". Where do you go when you need a bread? Don't go to the hardware!

We all have our bars set I would hope on how far we would go in terms on finding that right person, in any way. The extremities of these circumstances comes with unusual decisions that we might encounter along the process of getting all the pieces of the puzzle fit together to have a good picture how life would it be with this person. Family members might decry your persistence. You might blame yourself in some point for being so gullible for letting yourself open up,but its normal. Just know that when you have done enough to find that one person on cyberworld you believe is meant for you, maybe it's time to look in a smaller perimeters. Look around. Maybe you're just not letting yourself notice him.

Weight gain is self -esteem lost

2011-07-24T17:15:00.008-05:00

Yet another compulsive shout out in the middle of my work out. So random that I just literally just shut off the DVD workout I have been using for quite sometime now. I said, I have battling this weight which I have gained so far from eating carelessly and now I can't seem to loss the numbers. It's hard but I stayed diligent to achieve my goal. And here I am, I can't complain of my weight anymore rather just maintenance.

Every girl's dream is to have that perfect body. So perfect that you starve yourself and restrict from eating the right food for your body. Which is WRONG! All it takes is choosing the right food, right time to eat and right amount of food to shove in that hungry mouth. Take a look at the picture below.

The first picture was when I was in my "Desirable body" and the second picture is when I have gained 20 lbs from the base weight I was and including the 2 lbs of muscle mass I have toned so far ever since I have used Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred Out. Everyday, as much as I feel enervated from the 20 minute work out DVD, to me being healthy is my top priority. Yes, it is also important to look good, and tone but looks is just something you can't choose in time of sickness. You can have 36-24-36 measurement but if you can't manage to walk even 10 minutes, there's something wrong sister.

I am writing this because I would like to encourage everybody to dedicate at least 20 minutes of physical movements and refuse to live a sedentary lifestyle. If you are able and fully functional individual you can have a healthy day everyday. We all know that United States offers a wide array of cultural recipes on the table, it is hard to decide which restaurant to eat out in Friday nights, if its Buffet; more and likely you'd settle there like what happened with me and my husband. However, soon I realized I often times feels farouche wearing those sleeveless shirts, It was time to take an action.

I goggled and searched which one might fit my schedule best and a work out that will keep me motivated rather impatient. P90x was has well rounded reviews, but I thought it was too drastic and time consuming for a nursing student like me. So I settled on Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred out DVD. I have been using it for over a month now and I can definitely say its working for me. My endurance and agility has been continuously improving so as my body. I have lost 14 lbs in a month and gained 2 lbs of muscle mass. I am very finicky on choosing the serving of my food, but mindful of the calories.

I know food is very addictive and prodigious. It's very hard to negate the invitation that our fridge stores for us. But when you watch the show, "Extreme Makeover: Weight loss edition" people struggle in so many things that they turn to food as their comfort and as soon as they found it, it is so hard to turn their backs and control the seduction. What I would like to impart here is that, I wasn't as much as overweight like the ones on the show but I know how it feels like when nobody is there to talk to you in hard times. It was my personal battle to stop eating, and also procrastinating that I would watch my food the following day. But I never did. There, 30 lbs easy! I strongly discourage you to take this path.

I can't make you stop on indulging or make you move maybe , but there is one thing that we have in common; that is weight gained is self-esteem lost. Think about the times when you never had a problem shopping for jeans because the your size was never kept in the storage room, think about a time that your loveone would put his arm around you, but you have all these unwanted cellulite which are so embarrassing but its there, think about a time that you might have to rely on a machine to keep you going everyday, or insulin that will make your body hate injections. THINK about all these. Its not yet too late. Walk, do something, and get healthy. I did it, and so can YOU!

A little push.

2011-04-09T13:12:00.001-05:00

I have been in the nursing school since Fall of last year yet it feels like yester years already. I know its drastic and nobody will hand the degree to me in silver platter but I am in the point now of really breaking down. However, there was one reason that feels like the Almighty God had whispered to me and showed me that life is too short to continuously seek yourself to what you really want to do for the rest of your life.

A day ago, I just finished my Geriatric clinicals. If there was something as a reward for cleaning feces and giving bath to an uncooperative person; hearing them trying to utter the words “THANK YOU” in consideration of aphasia, staunchly gives me a wonderful feeling of appreciation beyond words they could ever spoken. These elders have endured their life and now has come to the part where we all will going too. Being confined in the nursing home with bunch of caregivers who acts like animals in giving a so called “Care” to these pityful elders; definitely gave me push to keep going and finish what I have started. We will never know ahead of time how are we going to be treated in our old age, I expect the same treatment to me as what I am giving to them now.

It’s not for the money alone why I decided to engross in the nursing school, but there is nothing priceless enough to see a person who is suffering on something and having someone who makes that person feel better despite of what s/he is going through. And as a nurse in the making, I truly believe that I can be an instrument to these people in restoring their health and see them living life we all want to culminate in a good way.

The road I am taking now is not as green as it can be, but because of the people around me who serves as my succor in all ways, I know I can make it up until the end.

Cumpulsive Shoutout

2011-02-12T23:47:00.001-06:00

I was studying like 2 seconds ago for like 8 simultaneous hours today and here I am writing a dreadful entry just before midnight hits up. I guess you can call it as I didn't have the greatest week ever. Oh hello me, I don't have a life anyway so forget weekends. All I do is bust my rare studying for something that getting a 100% is like meeting Elvis Prestley in a men's bathroom.

This entry is about my frustrations and my dainty little swallow happiness coming from a incarcerated feelings of last week.

Reality slapped me couple of times this week. Reality of what I get myself into, Reality of being such a passive student way back high school and hating Math to the top of my lungs, and Reality of you'll never know what you want to know unless you asked!

I know I have a soft heart to mostly 3/4 of the population of this world but I have never seen even in my wildest imagination to be a Nurse. Yet, I am trying to be one. I was merely thinking that because I can't be the dumbest student in a certain school, I can do it with by just holding on to the confidence I have earned for myself. But listen, here's the thing that I just realized.. "Being Confident on something is not bad, but if you don't back it up with effort, Confidence is useless" I thought I was studying that hard, but still it wasn't enough. In high school, Math was my least priority. But now, this B**ch is hunting me. It frustrates me because from the rest of my courses that I am doing wonderfully, Basic Pharmacology seems to be flunking me. I refuse to fail this course! Everytime I think about failure, its like a default thing that I can't help myself not to think failure is my rescue.

Ask and you shall know. There are times that we let ourselves be bothered, smothered, and butchered with halo feelings that we want to solicit the answer. Like wanting to know if someone feels the same way towards you, or simple like asking someone Why from What. I know what you we're thinking... Did you just say "it wasn't the right time to ask".. so then when is the right time for you? I hope by that time, the answer that you want to know is still the one you expect to hear. As for my case, forget the hot flashes before I asked the question, what matters the most is that I knew what I want to know by taking that risk that regardless what will the answer be... I still let myself free from confusions.

Have a good one beautiful souls.

Nursing: A lifelong Commitment starting in "School".

2011-01-28T17:48:00.010-06:00

Ok. Let me just take a breath for a sec before I hang off my hiatus.

"Temporary insanity for now...lifetime of success later."

I would have never imagine that after putting myself into Nursing school I'd still be able to write here in my little corner. I'm just glad that I moved another notch higher in this career path I'm working on. Knocking off my second semester, it's been over 2 weeks since my program has begun and I can tell now that this will be a long, restless, tedious another 14 months of my life. I've been having really, like serious studying time of minimum of 8 hours each day. Now, I can honestly say that to be Practical Nurse is not for everyone. If you are the person that doesn't go over that extra mile to accomplish something so bad, you are barking the wrong tree my friend.

Negative People! Oh boy they are everywhere. However, they must have mistaken MY classroom as their cafeteria. Every chance we get to have a break, I can't avoid to have someone who is such a pessimistic of her/his performance in school. "I can't know everything", "It's just "a lot" to learn" yada yada yada... (famous lines). Damn right, It's a lot. You want to be a Nurse and make big bucks then the way will be steeper, and rocky before you reach that green pasture. I have told some of my classmates, now my friends to "Not Surround yourself with negative energy because that someone will drag you down." We all know that when you knock that door for Health Care field, especially Nursing, anticipate hardships, because it's going to be very compact with people vying for "LPN", "RN" titles of competitiveness in this field. The reason is you will be dealing with people's "LIVES" that even a single misplacement of decimal point for a medication dosage does make a difference. So these things has to own your mind. Once you take that life away from someone, Can you give it back?

Everybody can learn something but can't be a teacher. Teacher is an effective person to be able to relay and put the information and knowledge out there to gear up the students and actually have the students receive and understand the rationale behind every subject matter. If you lack even one of those, You are not an effective as you think you are. My classmates and I have been having so much difficulty with this instructor who is very nice indeed but s/he is just not as good as a teacher to get a collective positive feedback from the students. It's the way s/he teaches. We almost think that we have to do it on our own because we don't even know what book s/he is using when lecturing. When we ask, we don't get that definite answer. Yeah, It's hard.

Math Problems now.

Some of us hasn't been in school for couple of years. Dealing with addition, subtraction, multiplication and dividing fractions and decimals wasn't an activity of daily life to really sit into and solve these operations. I, myself felt rusty at the beginning but it just takes few practice refresher to be able to deal with these operations again. But at lot of us in the room is really having a hard time catching up. Why I am stressing this up? It's because we are using this operations in our Pharmacology class.

I've been frying my brains out with so much information from what the instructors have been telling us to do, memorize by heart and by soul these million words of medical terminologies, Physiological diagrams and bombarding us with pressure to study harder for of course at least 5 quizzes each week, plus huge chapter tests every course, you are looking about 10 times you're brain is to be tested every week how far you have gone. (whew!) So far, we haven't been weeded out yet but I see it coming. Someone has dropped all his/her classes. To give you an idea what I will be going through, the previous classes from the past 3 decades had started with over 60 students, and only half of them had taken a state board. (Now I feel more stressed!)

The good part in the opposite of this spectrum is that I've met really nice, helpful, cool friends that I can somehow lean on away from this aghast flora. Also, my husband has been very helpful on helping me catch up with my Math sections which is my weakness. So as my mother in law who serves as my third hand on other things. So far, so good, the grades I've been getting is in equilibrium with my effort which I wish I could maintain up until the end of this program.

I wish everyone who have decided to be a Nurse and be a lifelong care giver. Hang in there!

Let's push that luck!

Bloggers of all walks of life.

2011-01-10T15:46:00.002-06:00

Ever since I was a child, I have this common denominator to enjoy people's attention. Being the center of attention makes you feel me feel overly special. (Slap!) You want people to talk about you and sink in to all the wonderful comments about they tell you. But as I grow older, I got soaked up with this attention which I believe 90% of what people are saying were just flowering words which I ended up questioning myself if all what they said were true. Come on now!, I can't be the best person to play the guitar! and I can't be the most smart person in the family while others have top honors than me.

I'd say as we go through our metamorphosis, we change our perspective in life. I, back then wanting to be the talk of the crowd, but now, I would like to be talker, and being listened to. And the only way I would be able to do that is to write what combusting in my head. It doesn't matter how my readers/listeners will take it, what matter is I know someone, in some way, a reader that has open his mind , once listened to what I had to say.

Bloggers of all walks of life has so much to express in their own little way, in their own little webpages. And whatever caused them to blog must be something really significant for them to share it around the globe. As a blogger myself, I blog because there is a piece of me that is only good in submersing myself into a deeper understanding as a result of my expression of something I couldn't put up in words and actually confabulating it with someone. The rushing words in my head feels like a time bomb that if I can't put them into composition, it'll hang me on that moment. Bloggers as well have the creative mind to morph their ideas into usable ones, Or thoughts to push someone else's self esteem. Motivate them to get out of one's shell. More importantly, Bloggers has the say of what has media will never show to the slope of audiences. This global village of modern world has so many ways to speak up and let people know that our ideas, thoughts, experiences, knowledge and even our self is way very interesting to be dated down.

Bloggers might be narcissistic or vain, or bitter, or alike; But being such is one way to be fully committed to ones point of view and point it across to the readers and even inflict it to them. Whenever I read blogs of my fellow writers about how they feel, what they think, what they are happy about, their days, their sadness, their passion, what they want to do in life, It gives me the opportunity to get to know someone through his/her words and make a picture out of it and really see through their window. I often encounter some scenarios which sometimes feels like dejavu to me. It makes me feel I am not alone.

Year Ender Realizations.

2011-01-02T18:41:00.015-06:00

Early this morning, I was cold and sullen. All I was praying a night before was a bright, lots of sunshine day so I can do my weekly jogging at the community park. Yet, I became bitter more so sluggish. Then I came to realized, You can't always have what you wished for. It's just life, All you can do is pray, hope that tomorrow is going to be a brighter one. If it doesn't happen, life has given you a lot of lemons, enough for you to make a lemonade.

But this entry is not about the cold and melancholic days I had, or else I would have to stay overnight and keep my eyes peeled and write. These are about few "Culminations" that 2010 ~~I think reluctantly~~ gave me.

First off,

There are people who will unexpectedly show up in your life without your valid discernment why they came,....and go.

At times, I question myself why I have to meet them, only for me to have rancorous memories against them. As much as you don't want to hold on to the past but it kills you to think what was the point why they have to intervene and make you question even more complicated things you have in hand, in your naturally mazed life. The result is, you eagerly find the connection of their presence and start an imaginary conclusion, which led to deception of oneself. Worst thing is, when you have fully fathomed a tangible reason, the person will once again come back. Can I just pull the trigger?

Simple tip! Be very careful in being comfortable within their presence, there's only two things you will end up savoring, You trust the wrong people, and pushed away the right ones.

I discovered a cloaking trait inside me.

You think you already know yourself by knowing what to answer to a question of your favorite song? Perhaps, Your favorite food? What about, what was the greatest compromise you ever have to do this year?

That question was one of the unruly questions I have to deal with this year. Choices were available but were not the best. As a resort, I have to settle and be contented of what was handy, against a nonnegotiable and adamant me. In life, if we expect everything to fall into its places as what we want them to be, It's boring! All of us go through few perplex scenarios, however these distresses will make us appreciate our lives even more as we look back. I know there will be a time, you will also tell yourself. I just shook them off!

My life has finally reached its transition point from its previous chapter.

From a girl who came from an a third world country then settling to the most powerful country in this planet, From riding public transportation, to a girl who drives her own car. From lenient educational system to an uptight one, all of this had happen ever since I moved in this country. It was hard, celebrating my first Christmas and New Year (and now second) out of 22 years of my season. But now, everything is slowly getting real to me that I definitely have a new life here. I have changed career path from Engineering to Health care, full pledge wife to my husband, meet new circle of friends, have gotten used with the food, weather (including the unwanted allergies), hectic life from a laid back one. I have felt more secured and protected by the law enforcement unit of this country. I may not be a full, liberated citizen yet, but I have every right to claim that I am a resident (of course legally) in this wonderful country. So I refuse to be a dependent to anything, that being said, to the government or to any of the people that has been continuously caring for me. I want them to be proud of my achievements so I will continuously work on them.

I loved myself more.

Just like my country,Philippines; An average of 20 typhoons annually hits my country. That explains why people from this country are indestructible. We've been there, done that and still, we rise up and keep going. Positively saying, I possess the same trait why I have this robust self that what ever life throws at me, I'm pretty sure I can handle it. I have had forlorn times after I moved here. These destitute memories have caused heartaches to the people I love and care for me from here and back home. There are a lot of messy situations I was once in and I even felt hopeless to reach my goal in life, But I refused to be be defeated by the situation. I've learned to stand with my beliefs, and not let anybody make another decision for me. I've been continuously searching the light in my darkest alley, guided with my dreams and aspirations without letting someone telling me the directions. This, and only this way, You can love yourself.

I learned to compromise (Realization 2) and I did not let Unexpected People (Realization 1) to derail my path, for me to fully inculcate in myself, I have an anew life to discover, explore and leave colorful trails (Realization 3) and last but not the least, I have all the reason to love myself even more. (Realization 4).

At the end of every year; It's like by default, we tend to weigh in the negative circumstances more over than the positive ones. 12 months was long enough to make right choices and decisions. 365 days were opportunities to live a more meaningful life each day and forward. Without remorse and unhappiness. The less we mind other people's business the more time we have to recollect all the corporeality we have had through the entire year and do something from all the bad judgments we've committed. For me, this reigning year will be another year to look forward and count all the blessings I shall be receiving from God.

Hello Nook, where have you been.

2010-12-26T19:15:00.001-06:00

I have been flaring signs of the ultimate item in my wish list to Santa this Christmas and the time has finally come that Santa grant my wish of the year.
The NookColor.

My husband knows that if either I'm not in Taco bell's drive-thru, he can surely find me in our city library untouchable while reading my favorite novels, books, and magazines. One night, he suddenly throw this conversation about E-Readers and he knows that I have all my fireballs ready for a debate. I have been reading about E-Readers for quite some time now (and he was probably snooping around my history) since my work and school schedule is becoming demanding, an E-Reader would make my time more feasible and easy access to the bookworm me.

Comparing Nook Color against Kindle of Amazon as two of the most competitive E-Readers in the market, I find Nook to be ahead in terms of features.

These are the prominent features of Nook:
-WIFI capable
-HD vivid colors 7.7 LCD screen.
-Expandable MicroSD
-Built in Web Browser
-holds more than 1,500 eBooks
-LendMe feature
-Supports PDF, Word, and ePub files; displays images and some video formats; support for audio and MP3 playback.
-(I just love Pandora Radio Station too!)

While Kindle's Prominent Features are:
-Longer Battery Life
-Faster Internet refresh
-Wider range of books
-Free Internet over 3G connection
-Physical keyboard

I've heard so many face off reviews about these two best E-Readers there of, but upon having this Nook Color, I would say that I'm more than blithe to actually read and have full access to all my favorite reading materials within my fingertips, anytime, anywhere.

Sexual Orientation, Does it really matter?

2010-12-24T16:25:00.005-06:00

Growing up in a family with few gay and bisexual uncles and cousins, ( I'm not shameful to admit it) I see their world through a magnificent window with full of admiration and appreciation. Some may see it vaguely and wrongful because that was the status quo had shown to the world, but to me, having a person with a different social orientation in my circle, is something I couldn't thank enough.

When I was still younger, I have always been consistent of having more boy friends than girls. Simple because I was a tomboy type of girl. I love doing adventurous activities that if having more girl friends will impede me to do. It's only when my grandfather (You know how grandfathers are, and oh yeah, they mean it baby!) had verbally and restricted me to continue befriending with the opposite sex. So I thought, why not have friends that share a common interest apart from the sex matter? They might be boys but their heart is screaming that a chunk of their selves is like me! So there you go. I'm blessed with few, great, good gay and bisexual friends and proud to say that if there are two persons who know every inch of me, one of them is my cousin, and he is bisexual. We can't get enough laughs whenever we are cutting up, doing some crazy things that never fail to make our jaws hurt from laughing upon talking about them. We've shared enjoyable activities, that includes walking 2 miles just to avail a coupon for a free pizza under the blazing summer heat. All these wonderful memories I have had, all boils down from accepting him who he is, building strong bond as cousin and friend, and taking care of the trust he had entrusted to me of whoever he is.

Having a friend from a different social orientation is like basically having the best of both worlds. They can be a girl friend and can also be a boy friend. One thing that I don't deprive myself about having more friends is that I allow these type of people to fully acknowledge that I appreciate their choice to be what they want people to see them, that I want their friendship. When you value their self worth they can the best friend everybody deserves. They would stay up late handing you Kleenex while listening about your recent break-up, or mishap. They never ceases a day without making you laugh, and the fun that comes out naturally whenever you are with them whether you had a bad or good day is something that the society does not see. The society have painted this bad image that having a different social orientation aside from the acceptable is a threat to what has the society has been deliberately isolating them from. That is to be in the world where everybody does not see whatever you are, a world with no more sexual discrimination.

God has created us equally and had bestowed us with extraordinary talents that we all excel on. And we have to commend the huge contribution to the sexual minorities in terms of fashion, entertainment, and trend-setting projects in this ever changing world. You are just as unique and special like me. So if you know deep within yourself that you are different, voice it out, and be yourself. Because you know that there are a lot of people that appreciates the self you are.

Dark Room

2010-12-22T13:56:00.004-06:00

I honestly don't know where to start writing. I just know I need to write. I guess its because of this melancholic rather lullabies for these kids sleeping in this dark room while I'm watching them over here in the daycare I'm working.

Times like this can bring you with so much contemplation about how you truly feel at the moment .I am one of those people that whenever in solitary, there are bunch of toxic material going through my brain cells. I guess even writing my state of mind whenever I can, still I have this reservoir of feelings I couldn't write about or air out. You know what it feels like leaving in a world where you conceal everything, as in everything just so things would work as what everybody expects things to be? Now, you are probably thinking how disturb I am letting all the these crap, desolated feelings cause a turmoil on me, That explains why there are people who have been successful bringing their selves to a picture they want to see their selves in at the later date, Through compromises, sacrifices, patience just for sake of the ones they love.

People disregard their feelings just so the ones they love would be happy first, and when you see them wearing a big smile in their faces, it brings happiness to yourself as well, but still you can't be happy until you find that special feeling that your heart confirms that even material things are greatly insignificant in existence.

So if you think you are the only one in this world who can't get everything you wanted, who can't smile each day because you can't be with the person you love the most, who has been in terrible pain in all ways, who doesn't know where your life is leading you... Cheers! You're not alone. I 'm here with you.

Appointmentless

2010-12-16T15:45:00.003-06:00

Whenever you need to see your doctor, you need to set up an appointment, simply because you want that specific time you want to be seen with. These days.. appointment is simple useless. Your appointment at 8:00 will be taken by someone who signed in first even you are there by 8:00. You are appointmentless!

This morning, I woke up very early because I have to see my physician for my Physical exam and TB skin test. My husband and I arrived at the doctor's office at 8:03, and this woman who signed in first, 2 minutes earlier and her appointment was 8:15 was called first before me. I was like? what's the point of asking someone to come in at this time when you will not follow the appointment time? It doesn't make sense to me. We have to wait 45 minutes after that woman's turn.

I remember watching an episode in Curb your enthusiasm starring of course my favorite Larry David. He pointed out this absurd notion in this offices. I'd believe that if you set up an appointment, you are expected to be in a certain office at the said time, but what if you came earlier and signed in first even you are expected later, the other person would feel the same... Cheated.

These offices needs some rude awakening that the way they address their clients is quite not right. Appointment time is appointment time, not signed in time. Well, I think next time, I just have to come earlier to be seen first. The hell with others appointment time.

Going the Distance

2010-12-10T00:59:00.003-06:00

12:07 in the morning to be exact. I just finished the movie "Going the Distance" starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long which are real life sweethearts. As I was watching this movie, I though it was some type of dejavu in my part to see myself in that situation. I thought about writing something about this movie because it really sank into me.

The movie was about long distance relationship. The struggles to keep the spark alive and in remain to be in the crepuscular of love. The movie was actually moving to me since I used to be in the same situation where there are times that I have to make formidable decisions. Besides the fact that there are a lot of relationships now which are in a form of long distance relationship, many of us are not aware that this type of relationship is more than demanding even though your special someone is not around with you. It requires a great amount of patience and determination to stick to that exclusive relationship and never let yourself be involved with someone else while the other is in the other side of the world. Based from my very own experience, the core factors that will wrap up the relationship while the other is not yet able to settle in, is of course TRUST and FIDELITY. Without these two, both of you are just as far as the miles entails.

I have fellows who have had long distance relationships nevertheless, ended in a vexatious breakup. If one has never put oneself into making the relationship work, it'll not work. Its a two way street that requires constant traffic of communication, airing out feelings, creativity to make each other feel that physical presence is not a hurdle in the relationship most specially, and definite effort to have all that working with each other.

A simple though for you from me, before hitting the sack.

Late Night Crisis

2010-12-02T11:52:00.003-06:00

Have you ever had that moment in life wherein you are just watching your favorite late night show in the telly then all of a sudden, a strange feeling hits your mind and you feel like your life is all out of whack?

We all have our late night crisis, as I call it. It's our human nature to yearn for something that we have been wanting, desiring, and see ourselves doing it but putting all together in action or in reality is even virtually impossible.
In my 22 years of existence in our not so perfect world, I've dreamt and want so many things to happen in me. But even I, know that it'll be one big struggle to come to that point where I can say, I couldn't be any happier.

Often times, I feel like I've missed so many things in life that I could have done if only... Yes! that line often times is one of the phrases we don't even want to utter because it has a very potent meaning to which we don't want to altercate. Many of us have just chosen to just hold on in the state of life where we think that is where we are suppose to be but, have we asked ourselves, "Is this really what I want for me?" What I have done to myself for me to have something to look forward the next day and be happy about it?

I have known few good friends who has done nothing to their selves than to be the best of what they can be. But at the end of their every bad day, we find ourselves asking "Why I'm still not happy?" Myself, is one of the people who has set a broad horizon for my goals and reaching few of those then have actually suffer from the consequences of the path I choose instead of doing it the hard way. Even we have accomplished our very dream, it doesn't mean we have reached our goal life.

Happiness doesn't mean you have everything in life. Happy people in this world is scarce.You can be happy living in a hovel yet you have the most loving and caring children and wife. We all have own way of seeking happiness and once we find it, we hold on to it and never let it go. The most important thing is we might not be in that point in life where we want our life to be, but we have to keep in mind that, it takes two things; Do something, work for it.

Between two classrooms of an Education System

2010-10-10T12:08:00.002-05:00

It's good to be back! I've been feeling guilty by not writing something because it's been quite a while airing out a thought from my mind. Today, I would like to talk about my schooling.

When I took my COMPASS Test for Nursing school, I failed to meet the required points for Mathematics to get into nursing program (which of course I believe 99.9 % of world's population despise Math). I felt to discouraged but my husband's bullying had pushed me to my extreme of studying and collecting all my rusty knowledge back from my younger school days. Needless to say, I re-take that Math portion and passed it with flying colors. So now, yours truly is now in the Practical Nursing Program. A 16-month rigid course for aspiring nurses.

I was so thrilled when I first stepped-in for school registration. I've met few nice friends which until now we're building friendships together. Moreover, when I went for our first day of classes, everything just like a strong lighting volt that struck me, telling me, "This is it Cathy! There's no turning back!"

Education System

The very first appealing feeling I have felt was the difference of the Education System between my foreign country and the United States. I don't want to pry on Philippines standard of education but it just made sense to me why United States has the best education system in whole mankind.

When I was in my college days, I must admit that I didn't do my very best to absorb everything what my instructor was trying to teach me, though you have your textbooks, you have all your friends whom can help you out finishing a term paper in no time because hey, you can just copy their work by maneuvering the words, right? Pronto! you have your term paper. But, still there is a factor lacking between the instructor's way of teaching and the dedication of the students to actually learn and be as much competitive as they can be. Now that I am actually going to college and most specially here in the United States, I am starting to feel the toughness of the obstacles I have to jump through just to get to the finish line. Kudos though to every student who had finished college in my country! You guys did great!

Pell Grant- a money received by the students that they don't need to pay back the government.

Financial Aid- may come in a form of loans that the Federal government lends to the student to go to school but has to be paid back once out of school and already working.

In the Philippines...

WE DON'T HAVE PELL GRANT OR FINANCIAL AID. The government can't afford to give out free money to every student who are less fortunate than the others. Because if the government can, it would have been nice to see no teenagers begging in the streets of Manila for their food of the day. If you want to go to school, the parents has to spend for your education, if they can't afford it anymore, either you stop going to school or work to finish it.

Good side: Students doesn't need to worry paying back loans. They just need to study.

Bad side: Most of the students doesn't work hard to get the highest average they can have because there is no government minimum average involvement required to keep up so that the students would continuously receive financial aid from the government itself for the next semesters to come.

INSTRUCTORS ARE MORE APPROACHABLE. In college, you and the instructor can have that friendly relationship that might and might not affect the ability of the student to perform the task that was given to him/her. You can approach them anytime you desire, consult them about certain topics.
They are there every step of the way if you allow them to. And every subject has an instructor who is physically present in the classroom.

In the United States...

THERE IS PELL GRANT / FINANCIAL AID. Most of the students who qualify can receive an aid for their education until they are out of school. Having the opportunity to receive Pell grant or financial aid, you have to diligently and religiously study to maintain a GPA ( Gradel Point Average) or else the government will take away your aid and you'll not going to be able to finish school unless your parents can afford your tuition fees.

Good side: Students are motivated to study hard to keep up with the government's requirement to receive aid.

Bad side: You don't get to fool around and you have to pin yourself down for studying.. Others take Pell Grant for granted by going to school then once they receive the money they will stop going to school.

INSTRUCTORS ARE VIRTUALLY PRESENT. I have one subject which is the Allied Science, that only time I will see her is that when I'm ready and need to take an exam that only her can activate the test in the computer. Yes! we take our test online.

We work on our own pace. We study whenever we want in the website that was provided to us. It's like one big plate of food that was given to us and its up to you how long it will take you to eat it all. You might have friends but the way I see it here, school is purely school, work on your own, its a good way of competition though. But outside of that box, they are willing to assist you if you missed a class. Instructor can only be reached most of the time through email, you hardly can see them after your class with them.

I can't blame some fellows who decided to be contented of what they are. Because I can say going to school here in the United States is not an easy ride. If you don't have the stamina to get through late night notes reading, listening and watching 71 pages of course ware in the computer that may take you up to 4 hours to complete until its very last page, then you need truck load of motivation to finish school.

To see the comparison from my country's education system and United States is undesirable and painful. But believe it or not, I feel like I have all the drive I need to get through my schooling here. Every student should feel the need of finishing school knowing that you're working so hard to maintain the average, without letting other outside factors intervene your performance. Every student here in the United States should feel so fortunate for having all the help available, because there are some people from other countries wherein going to school is as much hard as it sounds due to some seen factors. In the contrary, to every student who is not as much blessed, its important to study hard to finish school, and make a difference!

With all the state of the hard technology which is available for me that will soon be introduce to my class in the next coming months, I am more than excited to be able to be a part of health care field.

Sad news about Hannah Montana.

2010-07-26T18:43:00.002-05:00

What happen to Hannah Montana?

There was this discussion about "What is really in the minds of American Teens?" One answer that is really standing out is, "idolizing teen stars, following their foot steps and act like them", because that is what Idol mean to these young hearts.

MILEY CYRUS (17) a.k.a Hannah Montana who has been one of the role models of every teen in America, possibly saying in the world; has evolve to something that the public has never expected would occur this soon. She has become a disappointed of every parents who lets their kids watch Disney channel, and parents whom they have in trusted their children's inspiration and act as they grow. Miley Cyrus has been wearing very inappropriate clothes, bad lyrics in her songs (I can't be tamed"), and showing off more and more and more flesh in every performance she performs. That is not how a seventeen year old young lady to dress up and who is being watch in the TV by millions of young girls that'll soon be on Miley's age.

Now all those girls who are following Hanna Montana will follow this act. This society needs changing. This is the reason why we have teenagers nowadays dressing the way they do and acting the way they do, and are terrible example to young girls.

Lindsay Lohan is one of those child star too who rose to fame and hit the floor of shame, and now where she is? Miley Cyrus path is quite leaning towards to same way which Lindsay Lohan choose.

There are some television personality who change themselves to be something a little bit off from their selves just to draw attention from the public that lead these personalities to believe that fame is the most important aspect of one person's success. Very wrong.

Ways to protect your identity.

2010-07-25T04:17:00.007-05:00

Have you ever asked yourself, "Do I have a security for my identity?" Or, Have I ever exposed some of the confidential information of myself without me realizing that I have been? We'll talk about that.

Ever since I moved here in the United States, there are norms that I have to follow. Top of the line is, "Never let anyone know your Social Security Number." "Don't let anyone know about your Credit card pin", (some exception can be exercise if you have a spouse) or any banking information, Never put your complete name and birth date in the internet, and the list just goes on and on. Even one single move or any of these have happen to you, You are very much vulnerable on Identity theft or involvement in any type of fraud. Without your knowledge, your Credit score have plummeted already into the deepest depth of trouble. While I was organizing and getting rid off with all the clutter of paperwork we have here in the house a lighting of idea came up to senses with these few little and simple ways on how you can protect your identity.

From telephone and cellphone bills, credit card bills, unwanted school documents, insurance notice, student loan notification, hospital bills that has been accumulated over the months and years; We can't keep all these for so long! Its just going to clog up our drawers and waste more folders or organizer just to keep them in tact. Now that I have mention that you can't keep them and sitting and collecting dust, the first thing you will probably think is, "throw them". I would say DON'T! Don't throw and open yourself to bad guys who picks up your garbage and will dig on your trash bags hoping to find some recyclable stuffs.

Here are some ways on how to protect your identity from these opportunistic people;

FIRST, Put all your valuable documents that you think you don't want to keep anymore in one plastic bag. BURN them so noone can ever touch your information except the ashes.

SECOND, Buy a shredder machine for the family so you can shred all the documents that are no longer valuable, rather than throwing them in the trash with some of the information that other people can use against yourself.

THIRD, NEVER engage with a cold call telephone conversation which is from someone you hardly know. I am also referring to some telemarketing calls that asks for your credit card number for you to buy what they are offering. Or even responding to some emails which came from unknown sender.

FOURTH, If you are a member of Social Networking sites, DON'T accept a friend request from someone whom is not familiar to you. In our recent times, you can't just trust people who are making friends with you through the internet who happens to have a very good looking picture. This is one way to lure you about physical attributes for you to think that s/he is one good someone. They can use your information for some lame purposes.

And last but not the least, Don't expose your personal information to someone, establishment, organization without you knowing what is the reason or purpose why you are giving your information to them. Ask yourself again, "Are they reputable enough to know something about me?" Gather information about that party who is asking for your information and check out with the proper bureau who might have an idea what are they up to.

So long, If you know that you have never exercise any of these little ways to protect your identity, You are not only secured, but you are yourself is safe!

FREE stuffs for everybody.

2010-06-30T14:51:00.005-05:00

Yes! Free stuffs.!!!

Jewelry, clothing, collectibles, gardening materials, household accessories, even gadgets and so much more!

I will challenge the saying that; "There's nothing free in this world". I would say yes there are free stuffs in this world that you don't have to pay for anything.
In the past few months, I have been an active user of this site which is called, www.listia.com wherein you can get free stuffs just by bidding on an item without money involve. Just like any other bidding site, you will bid for an item using credit points that you will earn in many different ways; Posting an item, sharing the item by posting in to your social networking sites, from referrals, commenting, and bidding.

This site is design for people who has so much stuffs in the house but you just don't know how to get rid of those items. Listia has a FREE SHIPPING feature that the seller of that item will pay for the shipping cost or if the seller doesn't offer free shipping, you can pay the shipping cost in a very minimal amount suited for the item, payable through paypal, money order or even concealed cash.

This is how listia works:

1.) You sign-up here... Sign-up in listia.

2.) By signing up, you will received 100 credits immediately.

3.) By posting your first item, you will received 50 more credits. Now you have 150 that you can use to bid on items.

4.) Post your first item/items you would like to open for auction as well so that other users can bid on your items.

5.) Once your item's auction ended, whatever is the ending bid credits will be transferred to your account. (e.g. 500 credits, you just earned 500 credits that you can use to bid to other items.)

6. The more you are active on this site, the more you earn credits everyday. There will be a lot of items that has 10 credit points that once you shared on your facebook's wall, you'll earn 10 credit points. Everyday, there are 3 items that has 1o credit points each that once you shared it to your facebook, or twitter's wall, you will earn that 30 points.

7.) Comment on those items, and sometimes you can also earn credit points.

8. ) As you post items, win an auction, bid, your level will get higher and higher and you will also earn badges that serves as basis for your credibility as a bonafide listia member.

Refer to this picture as a screen shot of my profile. Click the picture for an enlarged image.

So, I am inviting you to join the site to start getting free stuffs. This is ideal for stay-at-home moms. This is also one way on how to save up some of your $$ by not buying some stuffs that you can just get for free here in Listia.

Search me in find user and type, cutie_patootie and check my auctions.

Happy bidding and I hope I'll see you there.

Live with numbers.

2010-05-15T14:29:00.004-05:00

Does everybody hate Mathematics? I guess I am one of the believers of this connotation.

Looking back in my High school life, I wasn't as bad of a student. I usually keep up my grades or else my mother would be furious about it. So I can say I excelled on my classes however I wished I could have done better. But, there is one subject that I just want to throw up above all everytime its about to start. Math class. Who wants to keep frying up ones brain to work with numbers?

Some people are gifted with Math knowledge and some are not. There are some people who are good on mostly all subjects except Mathematics. When I took up Computer Engineering in college, my mom asked me if I am really sure about this madness, and I said of course because I want to prove to myself that I can pull up my self-esteem working with one of my toughest weakness.

Why am I having so much hardship now, when I needed Math knowledge the most ? That is because when I was in the verge of learning and had a chance to put its importance in myself I just took Math for granted. As I can fathom, due to my hatefulness to Mathematics, my high school friends and I would sometimes skip Math class and stay in the canteen until the class is over. I know, I know I should have not done that at all, and with so much remorse, I wish I could turn back time and really paid attention to my teacher so I could have had a strong foundation working with numbers and letters all mixed up. Now, you tell me numbers and letters mixed up sounds a good amount of complication.

Now that I am trying to get into a University to pursue my career, Math still never leave me alone. Just because I graduated in a foreign school, and even though I have attended college already in the Philippines, I still have to pass a certain test called, Compass test here in United States so the University can measure if you needed to be enroll in a certain program for dum dum students. The test is compose of several segments which are numerical skills, Pre-algebra placement test, reading and writing. I trust myself that I will be doing good on the other segment because I didn't skip classes on those,(grin) but Math!? That's why I am reviewing.

To students, no matter how you feel about working with numbers, focus yourself, study and know by heart each and every knowledge that your teacher is teaching you, because its you and you who can keep it and use it for life. There will be some life changing decision that you will come across in your life. Say you want to pursue college, Math test will be conducted. So it is very important that you have a strong foundation on Mathematics. And to parents, encourage your children to never set aside this very essential part of continuing your child's education as they look back on you to keep them reminded about how they will be using this knowledge for the rest of their lives.

Happy counting!

My mother's BBQ recipe

2010-01-31T17:59:00.009-06:00

Yes! nothing beats my mom's bbq recipe. It's her home cooking that brought me to curiosity and passion of cooking. When I was still a child, I just love to eat and eat. And now that I have gained a good amount of knowledge on cooking, I just can't stop cooking. So today, I will share my mother's bbq recipe. I cooked it today and my mother in law told me I just gave her a treat.

If you've been wanting to eat a tender and juicy and well seasoned bbq, well.. as I often say it. You are in the right place.

What you need to have are the following:

For marinating sauce:

• 1/2 lbs of chicken thigh- Di- boned.
• minced garlic
• chopped onion
• Kikko man soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• black pepper
• Sprite soft drink

Put the chicken and mixed all together. Balance the taste that suits your taste.
Marinate the chicken for 24 hours.

For the BBQ sauce:
• minced garlic
• chopped onion
• Kikko man soy sauce
• tomato catsup
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• black pepper
• Sprite soft drink
• dash of flour

Mixed all the ingredients and heat it up. While heating up, add the flour little by little until it blends and transform the mixture into a saucy mixture.

To Barbeque:

• Start up your grill. And wait till it is hot enough to start cooking.

• Get a small amount from the sauce mixture and add some oil.
And while barbecuing apply this mixture onto the meat.

• Let the meat sits for like 15-20 mins and flip the side until the outside color of the meat is alike.
Flip once in a while to cook meat evenly. After you flip the side, keep brushing the sauce mixture onto the meat to retain the flavor.

Refer on Picture 1 for a desired color.

PICTURE 1

Keep flipping the meat for at least 10 more minutes until your barbecue is ready to be serve.

Here is your tender, tasty and sumptuous Chicken barbecue!!!

Gift of long life.

2010-01-12T15:26:00.020-06:00

Isn't amazing to know that there are some people who has lived a healthy lifestyle? I am here to testify and answered this question.

My mother-in law is a traveling nurse of a home health company. I drove around with her to see her patients today. To my amazement, I met these brothers and sisters of 12 and just 7 of them left, I met the 3. Namely, Stephen Richards, Lily Richards, Joseph Richards. Stephen is turning 100 years old this April, and Lily is turning 94 on the 3rd week of this month and Joseph is 86 years old. Isn't great!!?

I was able to meet Mr. Stephen Richards, a 99 year old man who is STRONG LIKE A HORSE. No hurting fingers, No hurting muscles, just a vague eyesight. Would you believe that!? And I'm not finished yet. He still cut his grass at his backyard, walks 1 mile everyday, go out with his grand-grand children and RIDES A ROLLER COASTER! When he celebrated his 94th birthday, he was swimming in the swimming pool just as no other. As we were talking, I asked him what was his secret why he has lived this long. A brief answer.... Take 1000 mg of Vitamin C and a jigger of gin everyday. He worked in farms all his young days.
Kudos Mr Stephen!!! Cheers for longer life!

(Me and Mr. Stephen Richards)

<--(Ms. Lily and Mr. Joseph)

Let's talk about Ms. Lily Richards. The feisty Ms. Lily. At 94 years old, She is not a typical 94 years old woman who would just stay at home and just watch TV or not doing any locomotive movement. She walks and moves like a rushing leopard. She goes to the fitness gym when its not that cold, has a regular appointment in her hairstylist and she travels. She is once piece of a character. She says what she wants, she is frank, and she says what she thinks you deserve to hear. Ms. Lily is such so fun to be with. In my few minutes I spent with her, I would love to come back.
I know it sounds unreal but I'm talking about these perfectly healthy people!!!. Mom just need to check her blood pressure and weight so to make sure she is getting proper care at her age. She has vague eyesight too though.
When I asked her what was her secret of living this long, she said... CAJUN FOOD HONEY!

Mr. Joseph Richards, 86 years old. A PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR. He worked as a marine service man and a welder in the US marine ship Oklahoma. He has appeared in several TV show for recognition for his bravery. Ms. lily has told me one of the greatest stories I have ever heard in my entire life. Listen to this...

Mr. Joseph attended a convention in Las Vegas several years ago with all the Pearl Harbor survivors. He was seating in this banquet (long table), eating with all the fellows when he started to hear a man, telling story how he survived on that horrible day. He said, there was this man who help him and his 4 more fellows get out of that sinking ship. A man who welded and create a hole so they can all go out of that sinking ship, as Mr. Joseph listens to the conversation, he could not stop thinking and mesmerizing about a certain happening that is exactly what had happen on that very same day. That he helped out 5 men drowning in the ship but he wasn't able to get all those names of that 5 men as he was moving furiously to help others too. As the man continues to tell the story, that he wished he was able to get the man's name who helped him so he could have thanked him, Mr. Joseph asked the man's attention who was telling the story and said,

"What ship were you in? ..
The man answered.. Oklahoma.

Mr Joseph told the guy with a a humble tone... I WAS THE ONE WHO HELPED YOU TO GET OUT OF THAT SHIP.

The man hugged Mr Joseph very much with tears falling on his eyes.
After so many decades had passed, these men had finally able to grasp the answers to their curiosity. What a story!!!

He was also stationed in the Philippines several times.

I could not imagine myself getting so old like their age. I don't know if our generation can still have such a long life span where all our food already comes in can, preservatives mixed in the food, the pollution and the way we live with all these machines to make our life easier and quicker. And also radiation from cellular towers and so many more factors.

All I can suggest is to live and maintain a clean living. We may not have a life until to our 100's, at least we are so lucky enough to be able to live and rip the hard work that these older people had contributed to make our planet have this innovation and technology that they didn't experience.

Cathy's fried Rice

2010-01-07T12:50:00.010-06:00

Got some rice and cooked meat leftovers that you just can't get rid off? Then you reached my place wherein I will teach you how to make a sumptuous friend rice that you'll craved in this cold weather.

Most of the time, when mom-in law cooks, there will be some meat leftovers that would stay in the fridge for couple of days. I feel bad that once its kinda old to eat, we'd have to throw it away. When I was still in the Philippines, my mother would usually cook the rice and some meat, carrots, peas, and corn altogether for us to have a complete breakfast treat, so I am doing the same thing here. But since Greg and Mom don't like peas and corn cooked together with rice, I came up with another way to cook it best. Let's start the cooking!!!

Refer to the picture below the list of the big time taste givers I used to have a wonderful taste for my friend rice.

This is the complete list of ingredients.

•cooked rice (2-3 cups)
•smoked bacon
•smoked ham
•sausage
•ground beef
•some leftover cooked meat you have in the fridge.
•butter/oil
•garlic
•onion
•black pepper
•Slap ya momma seasoning (or you can use msg as an alternative)
•and the (Nuoc Nam nhi Vietnam flavor) FISH SAUCE!!! this is the key to killer taste!☺

Tip. Put as much as bacon, ham, meat with your rice. Wink*

How to cook:

•Fry first the bacon, and the ham. Once fried, set aside and drain it with a tissue paper.

•From the bacon's oil in the skillet, if its too oily for you, then decrease the amount of oil enough to stir fry remaining ingredients.

•Put on the garlic, onions, and stir fry the ground beef, sausage, meat leftovers. If you think they are cooked already, then put in the rice.

•Tear the bacon and ham to small pieces and add it together with the frying mixture.

•Season it with fish sauce, pepper, Slap ya momma (or msg).
Be sure you put enough fish sauce that will serve as the base seasoning. it'll give your rice a tangy taste. I didn't mention salt so its the fish sauce that will give your rice the taste.

•keep stirring for like 10 minutes in a medium fire.

And Viola!!!! here's your fried rice.

Pecan Candies

2009-12-18T15:42:00.009-06:00

I have cooked Peanut and Pili nuts candy but I have never tried Pecans.
So today, I will try to share my recipe for Pecan Candies, which me and my mother in law enjoys to eat so much more of a handful.

PECAN COATED CANDIES

Ingredients

5 Cups of Pecans
5 Cups of brown Sugar
2 TBS of Vanilla
4 cups of water

How to make it:

1. In a non-stick skillet, with a medium fire, put 4 cups of water and wait until it gets warm then put 5 cups of that brown sugar.

2.Keep Stirring until it boils, put the Pecans, wait until picture A is achieved.

PICTURE A

3.Don't stop stirring until it caramelizes. Refer to Picture B.

PICTURE B.

4. Once the sugar is completely caramelized, the pecans will start to stick with the sugar, it will get heavy as you continue stirring.

5. Wait until the whole mixture gets dry. Don't stop stirring as it can cause the Pecans to solidify.

6. VIOLA! Here's your Pecan Candies.

7. Once cold down, store in a sealed container to retain the crispness of the candies.

-Cathythay

My new life in America.

2009-12-05T14:36:00.013-06:00

I knew then when I said "I do" to my weeded husband, there will be big changes that will partake. Big turning points made my mind more stretchable and open-minded in life's most toughest decision making events. Moreover, I knew somewhere, somehow this new beginning will be challenging yet joyful journey.

I was born in Manila and spent 8 yrs before I moved to Bicol province studied college for a year and moved back to Manila for to continue college.I came from a family who was not that fortunate to buy a Mercedes Benz if we want to,but hey we got few jeepneys (lol) However, we are living in a blissful life . Knowing that my grandpa, who raised me (mom's dad) and suppose to go to Manila a night before I fly, He was rushed to the hospital due to a heart attack. It broke me. From the simple farewell party,(from which I didn't want pursue for some dejected reasons. With only "Pancit bicol", juice, and some spring rolls on the table, I was overjoyed with happiness knowing that my grandma (dad's mom) had traveled all the way from Bicol with love just to see me for the last time before I boarded, and And to see my cousins, parents, titos and titas whom I used to rock with were present on that very day. I received non-stop farewell messages from my friends and pals. It couldn't seem to sink in to myself how time had flown. It saddened me with the circumstances at hand that my cousins of which I used to tease, eat out with, and jam with wherever we may decide to go will be thousands of miles away from me now.I wasn't even able to hug "The most selfless persons in the world"- My grandparents. And my sisters too before I left :(

I breaks my heart to depart from my family and start a new life in a foreign land, as prestigious (?) as America. When my husband picked me up at the airport in Houston, Texas, I literally had to stop for a while and compose myself, to inject what should I be feeling now and breath. Uh? I remember, this is America so I had to wear seat belts or else, uh-oh! the cops will stop you. My husband and I had to travel for 5 hours to get to our new home. I finally met my very sweet mother in law who has been pampering me God knows until when. She is such a dear to me. And the story goes on...

From Ziplocks you use to put your food in fridge, from dishwashers, from heaters (hey! I'm used with electric fan), from gadgets that my husband all have (lol, I'm not a techy gal), from buffet meal (I'm good with value meal), until to weather (How I miss Pinas! ),..I had to really get used with everything. There was one time I felt so stupid and ancient because there were so many new machines that I have to learn how to start using. I felt very conscious if I am doing the norm right. Paranoia was my sister.

Food? you can have it drive thru all the time. Everything happens so fast here.

Americans are really nice people. They smile most of the time even your sights just cross while shopping at Walmart. But you can also have the worst, ruddiest, bitchiest American peeps. As I was watching some reality shows here, I could not imagine how I will be able to deal with my kids if they would curse me face to face. In the Philippines, youngsters pave way to old people, but here.. they seem to not mind them. While my husband and I were driving back home from a car dealership in Lafayette, there was this young lady who was driving her car very slow than the speed limit. Greg blew his horn on her and imagine what she did? she threw a cigarette butt on our windshield, and show a finger on us. We decided to pass her vehicle and Greg and I, (who are naturally assholes sometimes) started to throw her windshield with coins stacked on his handbrake cobby, until we decided to drive faster. Whew! that was my first "hey! this is America" experience.

In the other way, I am starting to get used with everyday life here. I am cooking for my husband now, helping my mom in law with the dishes in return with all the stuffs she has been buying for me and Greg. Also, I started reading and studying the driver's manual so I can apply for Louisiana driver's license. Though I can drive, It still needs to be with LA license.

Just last night, December 05, 2009 I first experienced a snow dropping on my head and actually embrace the snowy moment . It doesn't normally snows here in my husband's State every winter but it was an amazing "first winter" experience to commence season. I took some pictures and just continue watching the snow fall gracefully from our window last night.

With God's guidance and blessings, I am positive that I will have a wonderful and amazing new life here in my new home.

My interview experience at the US Embassy, Manila

2009-10-07T00:38:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, October 6, 2009 at exactly 7:23 AM. I arrived at the US Embassy Manila to have my interview for my immigrant visa. I presented my appointment letter at the first access booth going inside. The guard asked for my appointment letter and a valid I.D. Then I proceed to the main entrance wherein I was asked to put my bag in the Xray machine. Electronic devices are not allowed inside so I didn't bring my cellphone. I have my alcohol as disinfectant and my perfume identified at the xray machine so the lady guard asked me to bring them out. She asked me to try them, you know.. she is probably thinking I can use it for terrorism purposes. lol

I followed the blue arrow that guided me to the Immigrant visa unit. I proceed to the Window X, I showed to the lady my appointment letter and the lady gave me my number "6091". I waited for like an hour for my number to be flashed on the board for finger scanning but I heard my name so I proceed to window 33. I fell in line. But there there was a lady who is behind me and she has a 1 month old baby. She was asked to do the finger scanning before me. I volunteered to hold the baby . A nice black american conducted the finger scanning and after my turn, his assistant asked me to have seat and wait for my number to be flashed on the board for pre-screening. After an hour and a half, whew! my number flashed and I proceed to window 23. I had a very nice lady pre-screener. She asked me the following questions;

1.) Who is my petitioner?
2.) What does he do?
3.) How did we met?
4.) When did we start the formal relationship?
5) When did we personally see each other?
6.) When was the last time I saw him?
7.) Did he had a previous marriage?
8.) Did I have any previous marriage?

After these questions, she asked me about pictures, emails, and any proof of relationship.
I gave her the two folders, Pink and gray. I opened the folders and slid it down to the slot.
She took all of them. Then she asked me to have a seat and wait for my final moment with the consul.

I noticed almost everyone was already called, there were just like less than 20 fellows around the waiting area. I waited for like 40 minutes for my number to be flashed again. In the crepuscular of the coldness I am experiencing inside, my number was flashed bound for final interview at window 42.. Geez! but its 2 doors away from the right of window 44. Honestly I can't remember if it was really at that window since I was freezing cold, I am so out of my league, I just kept on watching in the numbers then when my number flashed, the lady who is working at the embassy to assist the applicants guided me to just seat outside of the booth and once the previous applicant comes out, I should enter. After like 3 minutes of waiting for someone to come out, the door opens and I went inside with a smile for the consul.

To my surprise, a young, american, handsome Consul greeted me"Magandang Umaga!" I greeted him back with " Magandang Umaga din po Sir" I took a seat and he asked me while he was looking at my documents, "Ikaw ba si C--- Miller", I answered, Yes Sir. He asked me to raise right hand to swear. He then begun to asked me some questions.

(while looking at my papers...)
1.) Who is my petitioner?
2.)What does he do for a living?
3.)Who is ______ ( referring to my mom in law)?
4.) Did I study in college?
5.) What course did I take?

At this time, I saw that there was a big stamp that says "approved' (probably this was from the NVC) and then he started to flip the proof of relationship folders that the pre-screener got from me, and I really want to burst into laughter when he said... "Oh! I look like your husband!", and I replied, Oh! yeah, ya'll good looking men. And the consul laugh.
After, he said, "Sandali lang", he looked at the computer, I noticed that he typed our case number... Then few seconds passed by, he said again... (still talking with american accent)" Well, Waleng probleyma ang yowng papel, Approved na ang visa mow. Welcome to United States.
My heart leaped for joy. I said, Thank you sir.

He gave me instructions to wait again for my number to be flashed on the board to window 37 for my pink slip (visa delivery form). I was about to sit down, but even before my butt touches the chair my name was called to proceed to window 47. (uh! okay.) So I fell in line, I'm the 2nd person, I payed the visa delivery fee of Php 205.00 then I walked through to Air21 booth to fill out the delivery sheet.

I walked home with a very great feeling. ;)

And hey!, just 20 secs ago, before I wrote this sentence, I just received a text from Air21 informing me that they already received my docs from US Embassy and my visa will be delivered real soon.

"It takes few ounces of patience to finally bid goodbye with a Consul"

Good luck everyone!

Preparation of Documents for my Interview

2009-10-03T05:20:00.005-05:00

On October 6, 2009, at 8:30 I will have my interview at the US Embassy Manila.

My husband and I have been anticipating this very moment to finally put a temporary dot on my immigration process so I can finally join him in his country, U.S.A.

I have prepared my documents so keenly to achieve a very organize appearance of everything I can show to the Consul. I also used colorful clear book folders to bring out a refreshing and joyful look.

I chose this type of folder because it has slide-in labeling portion at the back bone part where I can paste a computerized label for each folder. There is a very small open space at the bottom part of the glass between you and the Consul by the time you have your interview; that is meant for the documents you need to present. This clear book folder can be easily rolled up. If in case I need to show something, e.g Photos of us, I can just roll the whole folder up and slide it inside.

On the Light blue folder- I put all Affidavit of Support forms and Components.

On the Orange folder, I put every medical results I have in hand.

On the lime green- Its where you can find all forms we have filled out, Appointment letter, choice of agent, and every docs I have received from USCIS, NVC and more.

Inside of the Gray folder- you will see everything I have, to prove that I am legally married to my Hubby. Phone bills, cards from my hubby and mom in law, courier and postal receipts, contract of lease for our apartment, booking confirmation for our wedding reception, credit card receipts for Greg's purchases while he was still here in the Philippines, boarding passes, wedding cards for us on our wedding day, and transportation tickets.

On the Pink folder -you will find truckload of photos of Us. From the trips we made, from Greg's welcome party, pictures with my family, and more photos of us together. Plus, printscreen photos while Greg and I are talking since we don't exchange emails. Also, monthly money remittances receipts from 2007-2009, call logs history from the calls that Greg made in his Skype account, and email conversation from first 2 months of our "getting to know more" stage.

I have worked hard for this project because at this stage, there is no room for error. I get cohcoh when I know I didn't gave the best I can to make everything look properly and orderly. After all, you can win consul's decision right there and then, through your admirable work.

My Medical Experience at St Lukes Extension Clinic.

2009-09-24T20:18:00.004-05:00

All the Glory and Praise for Him!

I'm very happy to share my medical experience with everyone. My first day was very smooth. I arrived at St. Luke's at around 11:40ish AM and I was out the vicinity around 3:11 PM. yay! good 3 hours. I was asked to go back the next day for my vaccinations.

TIPS.
► I would suggest to those who will have their medical soon to go at St Luke's after lunch where people is less dense and crowded. Though the guard will give you the flowchart of the medical exam, it was not followed in my case since St. Luke people reshuffles the patients to go to a different department to squeezed you out of the waiting time.

►Never wear earrings on your 2x2 pics they will ask you to submit a picture with no earrings at the releasing counter on your 2nd day. ( I think I missed this info so I was wearing earrings. )

►Avoid the fixers outside St. Luke's ( These people are just trying to make a living out of your innocence! not ignorance, so please be smart.)

And on my 2nd day, I arrived at like 12:45 PM. The guard typed my PDS (patient data sheet) number at the computer to check if I ain't wasting his time telling him I am here for immunization and he stamped my receipt "for immunization" 2nd floor. (Needles, here I come!)

There, I gave my receipt of the medical fee at the immunization counter. I waited for like 2.5 hours for my vaccines. Namely, MMR, Tdap, and Anti-Cervical Cancer.
Be very attentive, because you will be called via intercom speaker not the one who is calling names on the counter.
After I got my vaccines, Hey it was 3 shots! ( I was such in discomfort when I went out of immunization room because I'm seriously afraid of needles.. ) I was instructed to go at the ground floor and wait for my name to be called again.. After 30 minutes, I was called then I proceed to counter A, I signed some medical papers. Then I went back to my seat and I again waited for my name to be called for releasing. At the releasing, they gave me the Xray CD. The lady told me that they will just forward my medical results to the USEM.

I walked home around 4:30ish PM with a big smile in my heart. Thank you Lord! I passed the tedious medical examination and I couldn't pray any harder for it.

TIPS
►Take breakfast or lunch before you proceed on your immunization since you will really wait for a long time before you get called.

►Bring jacket. It became so cold just seating for a couple of hours.

►Be attentive esp when you are at the releasing section . The mic was very muffled I hardly understood my name, and if your name got called and you missed it, they will put your papers aside and you have to follow it up dreadfully. One of my seatmates who were way ahead of my timetable missed the call and she was waiting and waiting for her name to be called and yet, I finished first before her.

So yeah, these are the info I can share to you. My arms are still painful from the 3 shots I received
so I must let my hand rest for now.

I assume you will have your medical soon since you successfully reached the end of my argument, but let me tell you this, It wasn't that bad!

A thank You for My husband..Ü

2009-04-08T06:15:00.000-05:00

To my husband Greg,
Thank you for making me so happy!

Opening the door to our home is like
opening my heart to all the happiness
my world has ever known. Waiting inside
is an invitation to the warmest wishes
and the highest hopes anyone will ever
know. Love lives in its fullest and most
beautiful form in the space that
surrounds us. When I am with you,
I am in a place that embraces me
with open arms and keeps me close
forever.

Few people on earth could understand
the worth of this treasure to me. But you
are a husband who understands so much
about what a marriage should be.

Thank you for making it so wonderful!

~With Love, Cathy

My CR1 Visa Journey

2009-04-07T04:55:00.004-05:00

Marriage June 18, 2008
Vermont Service Center
11/05/2008--Sent I-130 to Chicago Lockbox through USPS
11/07/2008--I-130 packet received at Chicago Lockbox 6:57 AM
11/14/2008--NOA1
01/13/2009--Transfered to CSC (Case visible online)
02/02/2009-- APPROVED!!! 20 days after transfer, 80 days from NOA1
02/07/2009--NOA2 hard copy arrived in the mail.
NVC Journey (Not in a hurry)
02/10/2009--NVC Received our papers
02/16/2009--Emailed DS-3032 (a..k.a Choice of Agent)
02/21/2009--DS3032 accepted (email)
05/17/2009--Hubby paid the AOS and IV bills
05/20/2009--AOS and IV Bills shows PAID online
07/06/2009--DS230 sent to NVC via Fedex fr Phils by me
07/13/2009--DS230 entered into the system.
08/04/2009--Mailed AOS Package to NVC.
08/14/2009--RFE for the I-864A in my email.
08/21/2009--RFE corrections on I-864A sent backto NVC.
08/26/2009--RFE response now in the system.
09/01/2009--Sign in failed at NVC receipt page.
09/02/2009--CASE COMPLETE! Thank you Lord.

Medical @ St Lukes--Sept 23-24- PASSED
OCTOBER 6, 2009 8:30 AM- INTERVIEW - APPROVED
October 8, 2009 2:03 PM- Visa in hand.

NOVEMBER 12, 2009--- FLIGHT TO THE US

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. (Psalm 46:1-2)

Say Wowowee!!!

2009-04-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

Today's undisputed program of ABS-CBN is Wowowee that millions of our fellow filipinos looks for their luck when they join this show. And it is also a show that a lot of us would like to watch not only in TV but also actually. It is being hosted by Willie Revillame also known as Papie, or Pappy with Co hosts Valerie Conception, Mariel Rodriguez, and Pokwang. Yesterday, April 3, 2009, Me together with my mom and sisters went to ABS-CBN to watch Wowowee. I called first week of January to get reservation and finally yesterday we were able to watch this show.

How to get reservation?

►First, you have to call them at Studio Tours 416-32-11/ext 3622. Call them 3 months before your intended date so you are sure you'll get slots. Tell them your the date you want to watch.

►Second, keep calling them once in a while to check if the intended date you want to watch is available and when you can possibly pay your studio tour fee of Php 120 per person (if the date is available). When they'll tell you can already pay the fee, you have to pay it at BDO bank. Fax the original deposit slip to 4163211 and call them to confirm they were able to received it.

►Third, just wait for you assigned date. Chill!

►Fourth, It's your day!!! go there as early as 8 o'clock to get early position.

STUDIO TOURS PROPER

After you arrived at the reception area, you will have to wait and be on queu to get your number. When your number is called, you will be given a sticker and a freebies. NEVER loss your sticker because if you do, you won't be able to join the tour and also enter the studio. After they've given me the stickers for my mom and sisters, we proceed to the briefing room. Our tour guide, Nel is very knowledgeable and funny so it wasn't a boredom. lol. After the briefing, we went to all of the studios that ABS-CBN shows are being taped.

►First one was SNN studio. - When you are watching the show in the television, you will think that it is a huge one, but to tell ya.. its a very small portion in the upper right of the whole studio. In this studio, Rated K of Korina Sanchez is being taped as well. Why you do you think its looks so huge when you're watching it in TV,? I'll tell you why later. lol

►Second is the ASAP Studio- When we arrived there, the studio was quite topsyturvy. The stage wasn't in order due to some renovations undergoing. The studio can accommodate 400 viewers and its just 800 sqm. But it looks so big when its on telly right?.... I'll tell you why later again. lol

►Third was the Game K nB studio- It was under renovations as well because Nel our tour guide told me that the Game k n b? will have a new segment.

►Forth was the Singing Bee- It was a small studio.. Im telling you. It was surrounded by black clothings as camera effects.

►Fifth was the News Studio- This is where the TV Patrol is being aired live every night. I happen to bumped Sheryl Cosim. She was the one who will give the flash report and kinda in a rush and I was busy taking pics. On the way to this Studio, Jing Castañeda was walking in the aisle. She smiled at me. lol
Passing through the hallway, you will see the pictures of the ABS-CBN talents.

After we went to the News Studio, our tour guide declared 1 hour break. So we took our lunch. Geez, the cost of the food is nerve racking. If I'm a celebrity earning millions, I dont mind at all, but as a normal person I'd rather be dead of hunger. lol.. But anyhow, we have to eat lunch because food and drinks are not allowed inside the studio of Wowowee.

WOWOWEE PROPER

Alright, after we took our lunch, we were advised to fall in line because we'll be entering the studio of Wowowee. It was like 11:00 am. We were under the TFC (The Filipino Channel) line.
Before you enter the the studio, they will inspect your bags and they will confiscate any food or drinks.

When the audiences are finally settled in their areas, Owen, the floor director together with the guy who looks like Gary Lising, (if you are familiar with him) oriented us again what we'll be doing inside. They are throwing random jokes to fill in the airing time of GAME KN B?. The ASF dancers went out to taught us how to dance the giling giling. 6 secs before Wowowee aired, we are already prepared, standing and clapping.

Then we are now watching this Funny Show.

TRIVIAS:

Q:Why on TV, the Wowowee, SNN, Singing Bee studio and all of their other shows looks like so big?
A: Because their cameras are are using ultra magnifying lenses up to 10-20 times that's why it looks so big, yet some studios are small. You gained 6-8 lbs when you come out on the TV.
Celebs are required to loss weight so they won't appear voluptuous on TV.

So you think the hosts are like those sizes? No! Valerie,Mariel, and Pokie are small faced people. They look so young in personal. Pokie is very baby face when you see her in person.

Q: What happens in the studio when it's commercial break?
A: There are comedians who ad-libs and makes you laugh as if you are in a comedy bar. And they also have small games for the audiences.

Q:What are the shows that are always live on air?
A: TV Patrol, Wowowee, SNN. (Sometimes, they have to taped it if the host/s is/are not available.)

Q:About Game KnB, does the audiences and players there really come everyday for taping?
A: NO! Edu Manzano tapes the whole Game KnB episode for the whole week, in just one day! Yes! one day only, since he is busy doing his work as chairman. They changes their clothes and position so that it feels like they come everyday. Most of the audiences are paid audiences. Regular audiences that just sleeps in the audience entrance for living.

Q: Which is better? watching wowowee on TV, or Live?
A: For me, I'd rather watch it on TV bcos it feels so alive,when you are at the studio, it doesn't feel like it. I'm not trying to disrupt your desire to go there, I'm just telling the truth.

Q:What is the best time to go at ABS-CBN if I'd like to see more celebs?
A: At night. The Celeb life is just like call center. The day is their night, and their night is their day.

What is not so good when your inside of the studio?

-Food and drinks are not allowed.

- Ages 6 years old and below is not allowed to go inside. If you are with your kids classified in this age, You don't have any choice than to just go out.

-Video Cam is prohibited as well. The event marshals will confiscate 'em. . DiCam is allowed.

-You can hardly be near with the hosts, the event marshals are too strict. That's the reason why I don't have any pics with the hosts. Grrrr. And they go immediately in their dressing rooms on commercial breaks and after the show was over.

-Only commercial break is the time you can go and use the rest room. When you're not yet back and the show is back on air, you can only proceed to your seat after the next commercial break.

-----

Tips:

►Bring your own snacks if possible.

►You will encounter people who thinks they are a a lot better than you, NEVER let them intimidate you. ANSWER BACK!.

►Make friends with the event personnels, they are the key to good position. lol

►Luckily, Linda Backlaund (PBB teen edition housemate) is my distant relative, when I happen to mention her, the fellows who were at the lounge gave me some more key chains. (thanks Linda! ) lol.

►Wear your comfy clothes if possible. Because you will be walking around ABS-CBN. I was wearing heels luckily I had my comfy shoes with me.

---------------------

The show was over at exactly 2:30 PM.

-Dixie Wife...Ü

Why US Presidential candidate McCain loss?

2009-01-29T00:04:00.000-06:00

Critics Say Reason for McCain's Loss: Lack of Message, Funding

In the end, Republican McCain could not pilot his campaign through some of the stormiest skies ever faced by a presidential candidate.

A global financial crisis and President Bush's unpopularity created a bad environment for any Republican candidate, campaign aides and analysts say, but McCain also created some of his own problems in his loss to Democrat Barack Obama.

Among them: McCain's late-September decision to "suspend" his campaign in light of the economic crisis did not seem to impress voters. Republicans also are debating the wisdom of McCain's other key decision, the selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Beyond that, critics say, McCain struggled to find a compelling message, lurching from slogan to slogan.

"He consistently ran the wrong message," says pollster Frank Luntz, citing McCain's periodic advocacy of a new global-warming policy as an example. "People aren't afraid of the ice caps melting when their 401(k)s are melting."

A campaign that McCain, a former Navy pilot, had hoped to wage on national security instead turned on financial issues - and Democrats made sure voters heard his 2007 comment that "the issue of economics is something that I've really never understood as well as I should."

Besides the economy, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis cited another financial hurdle: Obama's campaign budget, which reached $640 million as of Oct. 15. That allowed Obama to stretch the electoral map and advertise in traditional Republican strongholds - including Virginia and Indiana, where Obama prevailed on Election Day.

McCain didn't have that luxury, and his efforts to invade Democratic territory fell flat. The campaign pulled out of Michigan in early October.

It devoted millions of dollars to Pennsylvania, seeing an opportunity because of Hillary Clinton's decisive victory there in the Democratic primary, Davis says. Yet polls showed McCain way behind, and he lost the state to Obama.

"It was a daunting task to start with," McCain senior aide Mark Salter says of the campaign's uphill climb. "And it was more daunting every day."

In McCain's concession speech Tuesday, he thanked his staff for valiantly waging "what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern time."

McCain said he didn't know what more he could have done to win, adding, "I'll leave that to others to determine."

In many ways, the story of the McCain campaign revolves around two dates: Aug. 29, the day he unveiled Palin as his running mate, and Sept. 24, when he suspended his campaign.

The first woman on a Republican presidential ticket, Palin delivered a well-received acceptance speech.

Her "hockey mom" appeal and passion for social issues, including her opposition to abortion rights, energized party conservatives who had been suspicious of McCain over such topics as immigration policy.

Yet critical independent voters came to question Palin's qualifications, especially after less-than-impressive television interviews. The Alaska governor became an object of ridicule on programs such as Saturday Night Live.

"I don't see how he could have energized his base without her," Luntz says, "but I don't see how he could have gotten the needed independents with her."

Independents ultimately supported Obama over McCain, 52% to 44%, according to voter surveys on Election Day.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, says the prospect of a 72-year-old president magnified voters' concerns about Palin's qualifications.

Palin has her defenders. GOP strategist Mark Corallo says the campaign "mishandled" her introduction to the public, shielding her too long and overemphasizing interviews with network anchors.

Republican strategist Rich Galen points out that less than half the electorate considered Palin an important factor. "With the collapse of the economy," he says, "no Republican was going to get elected."

On Sept. 24, after huddling with advisers about the Bush administration's proposed $750 billion bailout package, McCain startled the political world by announcing he would suspend his campaign and return to Washington to deal with the economic crisis.

When the first presidential debate took place two days later, Obama aide David Axelrod and other Democrats began describing McCain as "erratic."

"Not only did he look erratic, but he then took partial ownership of the deal, which many voters despise," says Greg Valliere, chief political strategist with the Stanford Financial Group.

Salter says McCain wanted to show voters he was working on a solution. He "did the absolute responsible thing for this country," Salter says, "as he always does."

Potshots from pundits?

As McCain supporters watched returns at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, they blamed his loss in part on what they saw as "biased" news media coverage and McCain's failure to challenge Obama's questionable associations, such as with pastor Jeremiah Wright.

"It seemed that the media only focused on Obama winning," said author Sheila Sorrentino, 57, of Anthem, Ariz.

Craig Harmon, 53, a Phoenix area property appraiser, said, "Mr. McCain should have taken the gloves off earlier," with respect to Wright and other parts of Obama's background.

Republican pollster Whit Ayres notes "there are always things you could do differently," but the fact is McCain faced too many obstacles - among them Obama's nearly flawless campaign.

McCain senior aide Steve Schmidt says the Arizona senator faced "a lot of headwind," including polls showing less than 10% of Americans believe the country is on the right track.

"At the end of the day," he says, "that wind was too great."

-USA Today

How is it to be married to a foreigner?

2009-01-28T03:02:00.000-06:00

We often hear from folks that the first 3 years of marriage are the most tough years for newly married couples since these are the years of adjustment, getting to know more with each other, stumbling from one mistake to another. There are certain situations where you think your marriage will be over due to some circumstances like frequent misunderstanding, almost everyday of arguments, little things that gets bigger. Circumstances like will really make you believe that let's cut the crap.This isn't going to work.

I'm going to talk here in this topic how is it to be married to a foreign national. Let's take it from my own situation. I am married to my wonderful husband who came from United States. We both get married in an early age. We can't deny that when you got married in your early 20's, there will be some immaturity that most of the time arises when your desire wasn't fulfill by your husband or wife. Here, misunderstanding and conflict begins.

In my 8 months of married life, separated by distance,I'm undergoing immigration process so I can join my husband in United States. It so hard to go on each day pretending that everything is OK that my husband is in his country while I'm here in my country. Long distance relationship measures how long is your patience, how much you trust your spouse, how much can you handle arguments and misunderstanding, and how strong are you to go through all these things and at the end of the day, both of you are happy and smiling. I hear you. I've been there.

There are times that I feel like giving up, but there's only one thing that's keeping me strong and holding on, that is the courage to have a happy family with the person I vowed that I will love forever.
My husband thinks I'm bitching to much, I complain a lot, I don't appreciate him, I'm stressing him to much, I don't understand him, he even thinks I don't love him anymore. I admit sometimes one of two of these things happens but stop loving him will never be. One thing that he doesn't understand is that I just need little affection.I'm lonesome. I missed him. I want him beside me.

In the verge of adjustment, I've been learning things more and more each day on how to better our relationship to avoid arguments and misunderstanding. And to those who are also married to a foreigner especially to American and who are also away from your spouse, I'll be sharing some key points to prevent it. I'm no good in advising, I just based this from on my own experience.

1.) Never keep what you really feel. Always communicate.
As a Filipino, we are some sort of modest to our actions. We are not that vocal on what we feel. Sometimes we keep it and tends to just forget about it and get over with it. But its this gesture will not help to better a relationship, instead it will create a gap which sooner or later will get bigger and bigger until you don't know your spouse anymore. You husband always wanted to know what you feel because he always wanted to be connected to you. It is important for him to know what might be bothering you so he would know what is the resolution to it.

2.) Always ask how was his day.
It sounds eccentric to you but this is one way how your husband will know that you care to know what happen to him the entire day. It shows you care. In this way, he wouldn't think being neglected.

3.) Never use the word, I paid for that.
Marriage is about OURS. Not mine and thats yours. When my husband asked me for a pre-nuptial agreement, I was totally broken. I felt so devastated and betrayed. I felt like there will always be a barrier for us while we are on our vows. I feel like he doesn't trust me at all that I'm just a part of a household.In the other hand, I made him understand that my love is far more than what he thinks about me so he is securing what ever he has. My love don't cost a thing. From that moment, I promised myself that whatever is mine is his, and I believed that whatever is his is mine. So he doesn't have to use the word I paid for that. To husbands, please don't make us wives feel as if we are useless and unable.

4.) Never be ashamed to tell your husband that you need money.
I have this attitude that I let my husband figure out that I need money. I get so hot headed when I don't have money. I feel that I'm the most unfortunate person in the world when I don't have a single penny in my pocket. To the extent of I get so mad easily. Girls, Its bad. I get used to my lifestyle that I am earning for myself but when I stopped working I had to be dependent to my husband. But when you ask money, never lie about the real purpose of it, because if your husband finds it out that you lied, It's the end of his trust to you.

5.) Appreciate him everyday.
I always tell my husband that his good looking because he really does. One thing that I just fail to always do is to give him thanks for all the wonderful, great things he did for me. When you are in a long distance relationship, sometimes you feel lonesome,when you feel such. Just ask your husband to relax and talk to you. Talk about all the fun things you did when were together.

6.) Never call your wife a bitch, whore. Never call your husband fucker/stupid.
It may sound pretty much basic, but these are the words that will always be resounding to ones ears. Just show some respect. He is your husband, and she is your wife. A loving spouse will never say it unless love is getting weaker. In Philippines, of which I came from, when you called a whore/bitch its as if someone spit on your face.

Last but not the least is, when your spouse is mad, never sway with it. Stay calm. Don't talk, let him/her talk when he/she is finished, Just talk in a mellow way, and tell your spouse you love him/her. Never let a day pass without telling your spouse that you love him/her. And never ever mention I don't love you anymore and let's get divorced.

I know its hard to be married to someone who came from the other side of the world. There will be cultural variation and differences. There will be conflicts on beliefs and traits. But all these things can be patch out when both of us are willing to learn new things about our spouse. Because for us to able to live, we need to learn how survive.

Some of us here just got married,and the marriage is just like a flower which is just starting to bloom. Most of us here will make mistake and will be exposed to some inevitable circumstances, but let it not be the reason to play a role in your marriage. Always discuss what both feel. And most of all, never fail to pray for your marriage, because only HIM can bring out the best in both of you.

Its a magic when man does little things for his woman. It keeps her love tank full and the score even. When the score is even, or almost even, a woman knows she is loved, which makes her more trusting and loving in return. When a woman knows she's loved, she can loved without resentment.
Doing little things for a woman is also healing for a man. In fact, those little things will tend to heal his resentments as well as hers. He begins to feel powerful and effective because she's getting the caring she needs. Both are then fulfilled.-John Gray(Men are from Mars, and Women are from Venus)

Q.How is it to be married to a foreigner?
A. It's hard. It's challenging. It's a quest. It's wonderful. It's a Blessing.

-Dixie_wife

Rising new Boracay & Palawan of the Philippines.

2009-01-20T07:03:00.002-06:00

Boracay, Who wouldn't know about this beautiful pristine beach.
However, as time passes due to demands of the tourism of the place, there were numerous of changes that has been alarming not only with the people but also with the ways on how to maintain a prime tourist spot of the country.In the other hand, I do believe that are only few of us even heard about the town of Caramoan, in Camarines Sur province of Bicol. This town has a hidden jewel that the government is working hand and hand on preserving the natural resources and natural scenic spots of this place. The town of Caramoan is now starting make some noise to attract local and international tourists due to its flawless white beaches and combined similarity with the Palawan and Boracay islands.
Right now, SURVIVOR FRANCE is currently shooting in Gota Beach,Caramoan. And, SURVIVOR ISRAEL is next, that explains why Gota Beach is currently close for reservations due to the exclusive occupancy of these reality tv show.

Useful Links:
How to get to Caramoan
Gota Beach, Caramoan