Last Minute Trip to Subic

We weren't really sure as to what we were going to do for New Year's Eve but it seems that we are going to Subic later this morning. I just want to hit the road and spend the night welcoming the New Year somewhere casual - without Jerry having to wear a tuxedo or me having to wear a dress.

Two other options were to stay at home or to go home to my parents but we could not really agree on either option so I guess Subic it is. I am quite excited - maybe that is why I woke up at 3am and couldn't go back to sleep. In case I don't find WiFi on the road, here's a Happy New Year to all of you!!!

Day After Christmas Trip To Liliw, Laguna

If Metro Manila has Marikina then Laguna has Liliw. This small town in the middle of the mountains is known for quality shoes and leather products that are sold for really really cheap. We decided to hit the road on 26 December and see what we could get our hands on.

I am not much of a shoe person but I found myself buying more sandals that I had planned on. Jerry wanted Jesus sandals but could not find one that fit him. We also visited a really old church - this part of Laguna is known for them as well.
How cheap are the shoes there? For sandals, you can get them for PHP100 to PHP250. Flip flops can be bought for as low as 3 for PHP100. Closed shoes go for PHP280 above. I am sure there were more expensive ones there but I didn't really look as I have not worn closed shoes in years.

Oh, and we found an out of the way resto bar which served an interesting dish - crispy kangkong (I think it's water spinach in English). I was expecting the usual stir fried dish but got kangkong leaves fried tempura-style instead! The place is called Ralph Joy's Restobar. It's nothing special but if you want to try this dish, you just have to follow that mountain road to Liliw and about 15 minutes before you get there, you will see a nice looking restaurant with that name on the left side. It is right before the underground cemetery.
Another cool place we visited - an underground cemetery. Needless to say, I didn't go underground.Pineapples for sale by the roadside in Calauan, Laguna. They're famous for their really sweet pineapples. We got pineapples for PHP25 each!
This is what greeted us when we came back to UPLB at night.
So how do you get to Liliw? Just head south from Manila, towards Los Banos. Go past Los Banos and turn right in the big intersection - there's a sign that says San Pablo and Calauan. Go up the mountain to San Pablo and then go farther up the mountain once you pass the city proper. There is just one main road - don't leave that. You'll see lots of signs pointing towards Liliw - if you miss them, just ask anyone on the street they will point you in the right direction. The streets get narrower and narrower the farther south you go so be prepared for some tricky manuevering.

The New Look Is Here!

I have been yakking on and on about revamping my blog and finally, I have found the time to do it! It is 1:45 in the morning and my eyes are closing on their own but I am quite happy with what I am seeing. I got the template from Blogcrowds after a long period of searching.

The header was made by Carlo, a designer friend of mine. He really did a superb job didn't he? (Yeah this is a plug, he accepts orders. Let me know if you need a designer and I'll hook you up with him.) It took him about 2 weeks - I think even less - to finalize the header. All I did was to tell him the general idea that I had - a bluish-black dragon at night, something fierce but dreamy at the same time. I was kinda scared that he would not get my idea and that he wouldn't be able to visualize it. My fears were unfounded - I loved his first draft from the very beginning!

In the meantime, the blog elements are still in the works so if you find anything that needs tweaking, please let me know. Hoping to hear from you!

Christmas Eve with the Family

Christmas Eve has always been spent with my mother's family and this year was no different. I have to say, though, that this year was one of the most fun that we've had in the recent years. We were far from complete - my sister spent the night with her in-laws and our oldest cousin is still in Canada (coming home for the New Year) - but we still managed to stay up all night enjoying the company. Some pics of the family.

My mom (in pink) with her sister and nephews and niecesTres Marias My cousins with Jer - tasked with grilling
Our little cousins

My nephew - yeah I kinda forced him to pose

Looks like we're going back home on the 2nd of January - more pictures then!

Looking Forward to Cebu

We have about 2 months before we actually get to go to Cebu but I am already beyond excitement. It's not that we have not had the chance to hit the road - we were on the road for the past 3 days (post about Christmas later) - but the Cebu trip means spending time on the beach and that is something that I haven't done in months. I am so excited I am just about ready to get my luggage ready. It may be a bit too early for that so maybe I'll have to settle for another road trip over the New Year. Maybe a couple of nights in Subic? We'll see.

Cebu Pacific "FREE" Tickets Again!

I love this airline!!! I was finishing up some writing assignments before leaving for LB for Christmas Eve when I saw an e-mail from Cebu Pacific - they're giving away FREE tickets again! I was able to get some the first time they did but we weren't able to push through with the trip but this time, I am hell bent on going.

It was a bit rough getting the tickets because I wanted to go on my birthday weekend. The site was slow as well - people like me trying to get their tickets, I guess. Anyhow, the result is up there. We're flying to Cebu on my birthday weekend. It isn't totally free - I had to pay about 100 pesos (2 dollars!) but that's still a great deal!

Merry Christmas to us! ;)

Missing Sam

I haven't seen Sam in a while so I was delighted today when I was able to "chat" with him online. He is with my parents in LB and they were on Yahoo today so we were able to see each other via web cam. It was really funny how he perked up when he saw my lechon - I was eating lunch. He's improving a lot, developmentally despite his condition. I know it doesn't sound charitable but I am glad that he does not have a more serious condition like cerebral palsy or something like that. I wish we could spend Christmas together...

Bad Blogger

I've been a bad blogger this week! I never thought the day would come that I would be too busy to write in my blog but I was wrong. These past weeks have been really hectic, with the year ending and all. Despite the busy-ness, I have found myself being able to cope somehow. Some random thoughts...

• Christmas has become so commercialized it is depressing. That's why I am looking forward to just spending a day or two with family this week. Perhaps we can just sit around and talk.
• Friends are very much an important part of my life. I have always considered myself a loner, not needing anyone. I have to admit that I have made some very good friends in the past years and I think that it has changed me for the better.
• I am a romantic at heart. Enough said. ;)

What an eclectic collection of thoughts, huh?

No Holiday Blues

Have you ever heard of the idea that around Christmas, the suicide and depression rates soar like anything? I've always thought that this was true - until I took a quiz at Mythbusters, which proved me wrong. Anyhow, I suppose that I believed it to be true simply because I would feel the blues during the holidays. I found a really helpful article at MSN about beating the blues during the holidays. What struck me was the idea that you should look into three aspects from which depression may stem. These are:

• Relationships. Relationships can cause turmoil, conflict or stress at any time. But tensions are often heightened during the holidays. Family misunderstandings and conflicts can intensify—especially if you're all thrust together for several days. Conflicts are bound to arise with so many different personalities, needs and interests. On the other hand, if you're facing the holidays without a loved one, you may find yourself especially lonely or sad.
• Finances. Like your relationships, your financial situation can cause stress at any time of the year. But overspending during the holidays on gifts, travel, food and entertainment can increase stress as you try to make ends meet while ensuring that everyone on your gift list is happy. You may find yourself in a financial spiral that leaves you with depression symptoms such as hopelessness, sadness and helplessness.
• Physical demands. The strain of shopping, attending social gatherings and preparing holiday meals can wipe you out. Feeling exhausted increases your stress, creating a vicious cycle. Exercise and sleep—good antidotes for stress and fatigue—may take a back seat to chores and errands. High demands, stress, lack of exercise, and overindulgence in food and drink—all are ingredients for holiday illness.

Tell me about it! These three things can give you stress like anything else.

Today, for the first time this month, I found myself actually looking forward to the holidays. I am hell bent on being happy and enjoying myself- will look at these three aspects carefully and make sure that they do not become depression triggers. :D

Photo courtesy of Virgin Media

Less Than A Week!

It's less than a week before Christmas and I have not gotten a single gift yet! I am so bad at this holiday thing, really...I guess it's a combination of a dislike for shopping and the tremendous amount of work that has to be finished before the holiday break. Still, I know that I HAVE to set aside time for this in the next few days. Just an update on my list (don't worry these people do not read my blog, lol):

Parents - turbo oven (if I ever get to that appliance sale in time
Grandparents - talking watches
Kids - books (but if I don't have enough time, I ordered monster cookies to be given with money just in case)
Hubby - I don't know what to get him (help!)

My list is pathetic...

I KNEW You Wouldn't

Carrie Underwood's song keeps playing in my head...over and over and over again...this is one time that I hate being right. That blows doesn't it?

[UPDATE] Ok fine, I was wrong. :p

Sad Sad Songs

This is setting myself up for a depressing moment, I know, but I can't help it! I ran across a blog a couple of weeks ago - Momdot it is called. There was a post titled Songs That Make Me Cry and I knew immediately that I had to create my own list!

I knew that I was going to have a lot of songs on my list but I didn't realize just how many sad songs I listen to. And I wonder why I get depressed a lot...or maybe it's the other way around? I have so many sad songs on my list because I get depressed a lot? Chicken or egg?

Here's the list.

1. Bell Bottom Blues
Eric Clapton (my hero...) wrote this song. I think Derek and the Dominos performed it first, though. Nothing beats Eric Clapton's crooning...He got me at "Bell bottom blues, you make me cry..." Video from YouTube below.

See, I watched the video again and am teary eyed...wuss!

2. Fallen
This one is by Sarah McLachlan. I swear to God, this woman holds the key to my tear glands! She merely has to sing one line and I am back to la-la-land (the serious one, if there is such a thing).

"Though I've tried, I've fallen...
I have sunk so low
I have messed up
Better I should know"

How can you NOT feel sad? YouTube video for your watching pleasure (or pain?) below.

So whose idea was this again? (Me becoming more and more morose...)

3. Dreaming With a Broken Heart
My dreams are where I am supposed to soar high and leave the world's worries behind! (Yeah right, tilting elevator dreams, remember?) Anyway, I don't normally listen to John Mayer but his Continuum album, I really like.

"When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
You roll outta bed and down on your knees
And for the moment you can hardly breathe"

Now how's that for S-A-D?

Audio's kinda crappy but you get the idea.

I should really stop now...

4. Lover, You Should Have Come Over
This is the last one that I'll post here...Jeff Buckley - what else can I say?

"Sometimes a man gets carried away, when he feels like he should be having his fun
And much too blind to see the damage hes done
Sometimes a man must awake to find that really, he has no-one"

Yup...couldn't have said it better. Oh, Jamie Cullum has his own rendition - I like it too.


What are your sad, sad songs?

Thinking about Signs

The other day, we had another one of those conversations at work. This time, the topic was signs. Signs have been used by mankind since forever. Whatever your faith may be, signs seem to be an important part of any belief.

Livi was talking about how she asked for a sign about the man she was going to marry. Vicki said something about me asking for a sign. I would like to.

I have a problem with signs, though. What if you ask for the wrong sign? What if you don't like the outcome when - and if - the sign does show itself? What sign to ask for? Oh, and signs are subject to interpretation, right? What if I misinterpret a sign?

I have a thousand and one questions along those lines. So what now?

I am in desperate need of a sign.

The Serenity Prayer Revisited

I was taught that reciting memorized prayers is not the best thing to do as you may find yourself reciting them without meaning. The Serenity Prayer, though, expresses how I feel in a much better way than I can ever express. Though there is more to the prayer than the lines below, I relate best to these lines.

Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed;
the courage to change that which can be changed,
and the wisdom to know the one from the other,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Right now, I can only trust that I will somehow find that wisdom deep inside me and that when I do, I will have it in me to do what is right.

Photo courtesy of http://www.timlebon.com/

Elevator Dream Comes Back

Just last week, I was reminded of my elevator dream again. A blogger friend, Holly, wrote about a weird dream that she had. That led to a short discussion on my weird dreams. Anyhow, I told her I hadn't had that dream in a while. Boy, did the universe hear me or what?

Last night, I didn't get much sleep because of that dream. It just kept repeating itself. She said maybe it was because something was throwing me off balance. Perhaps.

I hate tilting elevators.

I Know You Won't

Who ever thought I'd be listening to country? Heard this song earlier today...

I Know You Won't
Carrie Underwood

I know you don't mean to be mean to me
'Cause when you want to you can make me feel like we belong

Lately you make me feel all I am is a back-up plan
I say I'm done and then you smile at me and I forget
Everything I said

I buy into those eyes
And into your lies

You say you'll call, but I know you
You say you're coming home, but I know you

I wish you were where you're supposed to be
Close to me
But here I am just staring at this candle burning out

And still no sound

Of footsteps on my stairs
Or your voice anywhere

Follow Up Post: Boys Will Be Boys?

After writing that post last night, I tried to go to bed and sleep. As it turned out, sleep had to wait for several more hours. Jerry and I had a talk - a talk that we needed to have for quite some time now. I don't think it was the best time to do it as he had had a good bit to drink but try ignoring an inebriated guy who just got "cheated" out of a fight. Ignoring him when he is drunk usually works for me but not last night.

Alcohol + diffused fight = a night of talking

Anyhow, what I want to write about is how men (READ: boys) place such a premium on reputation and "respect." I can't help but think about how that altercation last night resulted from two male egos clashing.

One guy messes around, being his sarcastic self. The other guy does not get it and starts running his mouth. Guy number 1 does not appreciate that so starts running his own mouth. Guy number 2 get pissier and pulls a bat out...and so the story goes.

How many fights were started this way? How many cuts, bruises, and black eyes could have been avoided if men's egos weren't so - for the lack of a better word - sensitive? They say boys will boys, men will always be boys, and so on...I say they all have some growing up to do.

P.S. My husband might wake up with a nasty black eye today. No, it is not from the encounter with the guy - they didn't get within 3 feet of each other. The lights were out, we were in bed, I pulled up my knee trying to fix the blanket and accidentally socked him in the eye...

Photo courtesy of boeke

Be Careful What You Wish For

Jer and I were having a fun moment a week or so ago and I remember telling him that I would love to see him and SD go at it with some guys. I meant fight. Of course I didn't think anything of it - it was an offhand remark, seeing as how big they are. Maybe I have been watching too much MMA also.

Anyhow, tonight, it was not even 20 minutes since I had gotten out of the cab when I heard a car pull up in front of the store. I heard Jerry telling the guy to move the car over a bit so that it would not block the store. Realizing that he knew the guy - it was the brother-in-law to be of our friend - Jerry joked around saying "Move the fucking car." or something like that.

Apparently, the guy took it seriously and started running his mouth. It would have stopped there but he pulled out and kept running his mouth. This riled Jerry up and he started talking shit as well. Naturally, I tried to calm him down and told him to get back inside as he had made his way out to the gate. Then - now, this is according to the neighbors who came out because of the noise, I didn't really see because I was trying to pull Jerry back inside with Gary's (another friend of ours) help - the guy pulled out a baseball bat and started challenging Jerry to a fight.

Oh my...wrong thing to do.

It took all I got - plus several other guys, at this point, the sup got woken up and the barangay police came over - to stop him from going over to the guy's car.

I am just relieved that it's all over - they asked the guy to leave - and that no one got hurt. It does not mean that I am not upset. I was actually shaking a bit after I got Jerry settled down but it was all over a misunderstanding and pride. The guy thought Jerry was cussing at him and that is just how Jerry talks. Trying to explain to Jerry that not everyone gets his humor is hard though. Am also glad that I came home just in time and that Gary was down here to help.

It seems that stress is really just part of my life.

Pacquiao: Hail the New King of Boxing

That's what Larry Merchant called Manny Pacquiao during the post fight analysis. I suppose he is right. He is, after all, an expert in this realm. He also is credited with coming up with this fight - he suggested it to a sports writer about a year ago and was initially dismissed. Today, his "whim" became reality.

It's a pity that the fight was not that great, as many would have wanted it to be. In fact, as Merchant himself said, people came to see two great fighters battle it out. What happened, though, was that only one proved to be great. The Golden Boy's glitter seemed to dull after the first couple of rounds. By the 7th round, he didn't have any luster to him at all. He just gave up. And that is not what great fighters are made of.

I wish I had gone on a limb and placed my bet on Pacquiao at this online sportsbook that I was looking at yesterday. I would have been several thousands of dollars richer had I done that. ;)

On another note...I love the Internet, I really do. Right now, I can hear the neighbor's TV. The girl is just singing the national anthem of the US - that means the fight is just about to begin. Jer and I finished watching the fight online through SOPcast. We saw the Morales fight in the same manner. Ahhh, the wonders of technology!

Favorite quote from the commentators: [Manny] is methodically reconstructing [dela Hoya's] beautiful face.

And he truly did.

Gift Giving

I love to give gifts, especially to people important to me. It does not have to be expensive but I do want to give something that will be appreciated. The reverse is true - I love to be on the receiving end.

Since it is Christmas - well, almost - I have been hunting for nice little gifts that I can afford. I am looking for personalized baby gifts in particular since it seems that we have many kids in the (extended) family now. I know it is a bit late in the game but I can't wait to go shopping next weekend!

All in the Mind?

I have always believed in the idea that there is no such thing as boredom. Yet these past weeks, it seems that it is all that I could feel. I am busy, no doubt about that. In fact, I have found myself wishing for more hours in the day. But when all is said and done, I find myself bored.

My daily activities I still find enjoyable when I am doing them - most of the time anyway. But there are moments of sheer boredom that make me want to crawl into bed and sleep it away. Somebody save me! (That somebody is probably me...sad.)

Quickie: New Blog Look on the Way

It's an open secret that I have been looking for a new look for Dreamwalkersworld for quite some time now. It was only last month that things really got started. I found the perfect template and have tested it. An artist friend is working on the most awesome (yeah I still love that word) header I have ever seen. He's been working on it for a week and from what I saw last night, it will blow me (and hopefully you) away! Maybe just another week or so and the new look will be out. I can't wait!!!

Parties and Giveaways

Christmas parties are always fun for a lot of people. Not for me, really. Although I do tend to enjoy myself once I am there (and have had a few drinks ;)), I would prefer not to go. This year, we're having our company Christmas party on the 13th and I do not know if I am going. I hate dressing up and this would naturally be required. It might be fun though. I remember the last party I went to - I think it was the anniv party - I won a USB thumb drive. Who know what sorts of promotional items will be given away this year? Maybe promotional pens? iPods? I don't feel like dressing up though!

From Razr to 1208

Trust me to highlight the consumerist aspect of things. What happened yesterday has deeper significance than the loss of Jerry's cell phone but for the life of me, I cannot think of a more "serious" post title. I suppose it is an effort to make light of the situation? After all, we have more "seriousness" than we can already handle...

Anyhow, Jerry had his first "break-in" at the store just after I left for work yesterday. What happened was that as he was sitting there, a guy walked right into the store - he went past the wooden barrier and just plowed on ahead through the small gap that serves as the entrance. Naturally, Jerry asked to him to please stop and not go in. Since the guy just went on away without breaking his stride, Jerry immediately became on his guard.

This guy handed him a piece of paper, asking for a donation at the same time. Jer said he couldn't read what was written on it - either because it was in Tagalog or it was so old the print was faded. He then noticed the guy's right hand kinda make swinging motions so he stood up suddenly, thinking that the guy was going to hit him or something and try to rob him.

Then Jer asked if the guy had a permit from the barangay people. At that, the guy grabbed the paper from Jer's hand and sprinted away. So Jerry followed him out and saw him jump on a blue and gray scooter.

He went back in and sent me the messages. Only about 5 to 10 minutes later did he notice that his cell phone was gone.

Naturally, what I did first was to try and call his phone. It was already off. Jerry was so angry at that time and decided to go up the road in the direction that the scooter went. You see, he recognized the bike - down to the little details such as color, shape, and handlebars. He also knew the face of the guy AND the road they went is a dead end.

I didn't want him to go but I couldn't stop him so off he went. When he came back this was his story:

He saw the bike parked in front of a house. He went back to look for barangay police and went back with them. A guy came out of the house - an older guy who looked just like the guy who entered the store - and said that the bike hadn't been used all day. Jerry touched the engine, it was still warm. He asked the man if he had kids, the man said yes, but they haven't been out all day, blah blah. In the end, nothing could be done. Jerry didn't accuse him of anything and didn't say anything except that the bike looked just liked the one that was used by the guy who came into the store. Worse, it's plate number started with a TH - the same as Jerry noticed when the got away.

And the barangay police could not do anything.

All this was already frustrating. One, the Razr was gone - it was my birthday gift to him. Two, it had almost a thousand worth of load(prepaid credits that we sell at the store). Three, no one could do anything about it. I knew in my heart that we are never getting that phone back but I still wanted to have the incident reported and so I went home.

The barangay police head couldn't be found till about 9 pm and when I went to talk to him, he was kinda dismissive.

"Ikaw ba yung asawa ni kano?" (Are you the American's wife?)

"Ako pa yung napasama sa sinasabi ng asawa mo. Eh yung si [Menor] kamaganak ng asawa ko yun. Hindi talaga yun. Inaway pa tuloy ako." (That guy your husband pinpointed, he got mad at me. He's a relative of my wife. I am sure he is not the one who did this.)

With those words, I got this sinking feeling...nothing's gonna come out of this. Still, I said:

"Eh yung anak po? May anak po ba sya?" (Does he have kids?)

Brgy: Oo pero hindi talaga yun. Ako magpapatunay. (Yes but it's not them. I will testify to that.)

Me: Kasi po, yung motor na nakita, exacto sa itsura nung motor na yun. Tapos po, hinawakan yung makina eh mainit-init pa daw po. (But the motorcycle he saw was exactly like the one that man owns and when he touched the engine, it was still warm.)

Brgy: Hindi! Malamig! Ako mismo humawak. (No! It was cold! I felt it myself.)

Frustration galore! It didn't end there though. I told him I wanted the incident on record. He looked at me derisively as if to ask why but I stood my ground. They pulled out a battered logbook and had his daughter (I assume that it was his daughter) write it up. She didn't even know what she was doing! I just made sure she had the details down, signed it and left.

Sure, I could go to the "real" police. I could go over their heads. What good would that do us? On the one hand, justice can be served. True, it's just a cell phone. But it irks me that even at the lowest level, you can't get things done. On the other hand, if I do that, it will mean BIG trouble for us here in the barangay. They'll definitely make our lives miserable - if not downright dangerous. Tell me what you would do.

I am upset, disappointed, pissed, and frustrated. These are the kind of people that are in "power" and the "common" people can't do anything about unless we want our lives turned upside down. I think that part of my frustration is that I am choosing the easy way out. I do not want the hassle of going through the trouble of sorting it out at the higher level. And this combination of people is what makes the status quo status quo.

On a lighter note...I bought a new cell phone to replace the stolen one. We need it to sell load. The first words out of my mouth at the store: What's your cheapest unit?

And that's how we got from this:

To this: