The Hangover

I love our DVD player (which is actually a hand-me-down of sorts from Earl)! It plays practically all formats and even digital files placed on a USB stick can be watched on TV. I guess that's why we I have been spending more time watching movies in the past months. So when several friends suggested that I watch The Hangover, I decided to go ahead and do it.

So what's the verdict? Well, I never finished it! For some reason, the movie just kept stopping right at that moment when the dentist's new wife (the one he married in the Vegas chapel, sans wedding invitations and other wedding conventions)) fell over in the casino.

From what I have seen so far, it is one of those "stupid" movies that Vicky hates. I think, though, that she might find herself laughing at some scenes. I particularly like the scene where the Chinese guy rolled down his window and cussed in a "unique" way.

Anyway, anyone knows when the DVD is coming out? It's not showing in the theaters anymore and I kinda want to see how it all turns out.

Time For A Healthy Lifestyle?

Living a healthy lifestyle is the in thing these days. Theoretically, I totally understand and agree with these principles. My problem is in the execution. While I do not really see my lifestyle as "bad," I know that there are a lot of areas which I can work on.

Now why am I suddenly in this healthy mode? You know I have been seeing the OB regularly for my PCOS and that she had me see a nephrologist. I had my ultrasound done today, to check on my kidneys and according to the person who did the ultrasound, there is a spot or a mass in the right lobe of my liver. Since she was supposed to check on the kidneys only, she didn't record the image of my liver but was insistent about me asking my doctor to request a liver ultrasound.

I don't drink much alcohol, I really don't. I can even live without it! Now it may be nothing but that med tech was quite concerned, and I couldn't help but feel the same. I guess I have to mention this to the doctor when I come in on Tuesday.

Is it my lifestyle or am I just getting old? Oh, the good news is that I don't seem to have any kidney stones although the right kidney is "dilated." Thank God for small favors!

Photo courtesy of NMH

[UPDATE] I have been reading up on "liver spots showing up in an ultrasound" and it seems that this is fairly common. A lot of people have had this problem, the difference lies in what the spots mean. I guess I have to have an MRI or something like that to find out. Many cases turn out to be benign masses, so am hoping for that!

Nephro... what?

I went to my OB for a routine visit on Tuesday, and we didn't really get anywhere. First, she took a look at the results of my second urinalysis and she was a bit worried. Apparently the level of red blood cells was too high for her. So she referred me to a nephrologist.

You know me, I immediately looked it up...nephrologist: a kidney doctor.

So I went to see him today, and he wrote these things down on my chart:

Urolithiasis
Glomerulonephritis

Thank God for the free web directory I discovered - I got the information I needed. Urolithiasis is the fancy word for kidney stone while glomerulonephritis is something about blood vessels in the kidney being inflamed.

I am not really worried as I am not feeling bad at all - at least in terms of my kidney and making water. I did have another urinalysis done and I am scheduled for an ultrasound on Saturday, so I will know for sure next week. I really hope that nothing is wrong - I love my salt!!!

Too Much To Do, Too Little Time

This phrase is one that is overused, I think. Then again, when you are actually in a situation that calls for the phrase, you do not think about it being overused or not. I had a great day today, but I am really starting to get overwhelmed.

I am making some headway regarding the paperwork for my board exam. I still have a couple of documents to get, though. It's a good thing I started early.

Now I am starting to think about the finances this whole thing. Getting the paperwork done is not cheap! I didn't really think about this and sadly, I don't have much in terms of savings. This, plus the fact that I will be on UNPAID leave for a month or so starting October is starting to weigh heavily on my mind!

Then I found out that the tires of our truck need replacing - apparently the treads are already showing. Unfortunately, this is something that you can't really put off. It's not as if it were just custom headlights or some other cool thing.

Then there's work. Of course, I have to get things done before I go on leave. While I think I can finish everything I need to, it still puts a little pressure on me.

I think too much, don't I?

Where'd All This Stuff Come From?

I never really realize how much of a pack rat I am until I need something and I have to go through tons of moving boxes to find it. Our condo is perhaps the smallest we've had since we got married, and it seems to me that we have more boxes than we've ever had - there simply is no space for all our things!

Last night, for some reason, I was unable to get any sleep. Oh I am sure I dozed off for a bit, but I was awake by 6am, and trying to go back to lala land just made me frustrated. So I got up and tried to get some work done. I remembered that I needed this receipt for some papers that I need to get (you can't imagine just how much paperwork is required to take the board exam!) so I started digging around. That's when I realized we have been keeping things that should have been thrown out ages ago.

Take a look:

• Tons of receipts - electricity bills, LPG delivery receipts, rent receipts - all from 3 years ago!
• Empty bottles of liquor - can't throw this away, J seems to be attached to them.
• Hats - lots of them!
• Bags - and I thought I gave half of them away when we moved here.
• Wires - cable TV wires, telephone wires, extension cords, and some other wires I can't even remember buying
• Letters - I guess I should keep those :p
• Photos - hundreds of them which are not in photo albums. I think this is going to be my next project!

I hate not getting any sleep and being up at 6 in the morning!!!

Thoughts On Turning 60

No, I am NOT turning 60; at least not in the next 30 years. It's actually my mom who turned 60, and my dad will follow suit next year. I just didn't get much quality sleep last night, and for some reason, I woke up thinking about age.

We humans put great stock in birthdays. There are certain years which we consider as milestones in our lives. Turning 1, turning 7, turning 16, 18, 30, 60...

I never really thought about it before, by I wonder what my mom was thinking earlier this month when she turned 60? She has been through a lot in her life, more than her share, I think. She had to raise two willful daughters, put them through college. She had to deal with a husband who always had the brightest ideas but was too kindhearted to actually make it big. A couple of years ago, a cataract operation went bad, and she went blind in one eye. At least she got a break when she was approved for social security disability; although that isn't much, at least she had a little bit of money of her own coming in.

They're both retired, in their 60s, with their children living their own lives. I wonder if they feel bad about it? I wonder if they feel that they have raised us well? I wonder if, when I do turn 60, I would feel the same way the do?

Monday Pick Me Upper: How Fights Start

Ever wonder how fights start? To all married people out there, here is something to make you chuckle, or maybe even have a good laugh, on a Monday morning.

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary. She said, 'I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds.'

I bought her a weighing scale.

And then the fight started...

Well how about I sell the TV and put that weighing scale on mounts instead? Would that be a nice anniversary present?

My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table.

My wife asked, 'Do you know her?'

'Yes,' I sighed, 'She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since.'

'My God!' says my wife, 'who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?'

And then the fight started...

Now that's what I call perspective!

I tried to talk my wife into buying a case of Miller Light for $14.95.

Instead, she bought a jar of cold cream for $7.95.

I told her the beer would make her look better at night than the cold cream.

And then the fight started....

How about a bottle of Jack Daniels, honey?

A man and a woman were asleep like two innocent babies.

Suddenly, at 3 o'clock in the morning, a loud noise came from outside.

The woman, bewildered, jumped up from the bed and yelled at the man 'Holy crap. That must be my husband!'

So the man jumped out of the bed; scared and naked jumped out the window. He smashed himself on the ground, ran through a thorn bush and to his car as fast as he could go.

A few minutes later he returned and went up to the bedroom and screamed at the woman, 'I AM your husband!'

The woman yelled back, 'Yeah, then why were you running?'

And then the fight started.....

This one just cracked me up!

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first: the truck, the car, e-mail, fishing, always something more important to me.

Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.

When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors.

I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a few minutes. When I came out again I handed her a toothbrush.

'When you finish cutting the grass,' I said, 'you might as well sweep the driveway.'

And then the fight started...

She might as well punch him in the face, don't ya think? :p

Happy Monday!

Goodbye Long Weekend and a Wish List

Last week was great for many working Filipinos as it provided much needed respite from the job. We had a holiday on Wednesday and another one on Friday. Many people took Thursday off as well - I would have if I could! In any case, I still enjoyed the days off.

Now it's Sunday again and I am saying bye to the long weekend...at least I was able to stay at home and relax a bit. It got me thinking about things I wish I could have (but I know I won't have in the near future). My wish list (humor me):

• walk in tubs in the bathroom. This is practically impossible for me right now, not only because of the cost but because a walk in tub would be bigger than our bathroom!
• a nice four poster bed. Don't laugh, but we've been sleeping on a futon (euphemism for mattress on the floor!) for the past 2 years. We just thought that buying a frame was such a hassle. Now I want one. Problem: what I want will probably be too big for the elevator, like the couch we wanted.
  
• one of those chairs which massage you. I'd probably save tons on massage services!
• a real oven. I have always wanted one, but either we have no space or no money to get one.

That's it for now. What's your wish list?

(Notice anything? I think I am nesting again...back to work tomorrow!)

Elephants In Your Living Room

Don't you just love figuring out English expressions? I don't really do this on a daily basis - only when a question comes up at work or when a questions pops into my mind out of nowhere (I do have a life sometimes :p).

Today, I stumbled upon a web site called Wise Geek. I love how they provide information on the origins of various idioms and expressions. Before I knew it, I had been browsing the site for hours.

I found "elephants in your living room" particularly interesting. We all know what it means - a problem or an issue that is quite sensitive so much so that no one really wants to deal with it outright. It sucks that there was no info on how it came about, but it just got me thinking about the elephants that people have in their living rooms....the elephants in MY living room...

Don't you wish that dealing with these elephants were as easy as having to make toast? Or maybe as easy as enjoying a long weekend! Heck, my in-laws can probably sell motorhomes faster and easier than me having to deal with all these elephants. By the way, I wonder if they are African or Asian elephants...? ;)

What Bugs You

It's another holiday, and I am looking forward to a whole day at home again! I had plans - lotsa plans - for today but after taking stock of my situation, the plans have to be put aside. So instead, I am going to spend the day writing and relaxing.

To start the day off, I decided to write a post but I couldn't really think of anything to right...then this document from our resources at work came to mind. Why, I don't know exactly. Maybe it's because the last thing I did yesterday was to give a training session, and I enjoyed it a lot.

So anyway, the document is called What Bugs You. It has about 10 sentences which the learner has to complete, all of which are different ways of saying "It bugs me." Here's my list.

It bugs me when...someone gets mad at me for no reason, or for some reason I do not understand. It bugs me even more when he does not talk to you and tell what the problem is.

It gets on my nerves when...the barcode scanner at the market goes bonkers and the cashier tries 10 times, only to resort to manual inputting anyway. Waste of time!

It makes my blood boil when...people act like b*tches or a**holes just because they can, and bully people around just because they can. Let's see how they fare if I sic Chuck Norris on them!

Okay, not a very happy start for the weekend...I think I'll stop here. What bugs you?

Funny pic to offset the above...

Thursday Blues

I have the blues. It started yesterday, for no apparent reason. I should have had a great day at home because it was a holiday but for some reason, I just felt restless.

Maybe it's because I didn't get much writing done. Maybe it's because my wireless connection keeps dropping. I think it's the WLAN driver on Koryu but it could be that my Linksys router is acting up. It could also be my Internet connection (but no problems with the hardwired PC, so I don't know about that). Maybe it's because I have to travel down south (at least an hour each way) today when I do not want to go out of the house....

Destiny Cable Internet Good So Far

FINALLY. After waiting for 4 months, I now have wired connection at home. The admin people in the building told us that some tenants have moved out, leaving open ports. I guess we have been bugging them long enough that they put us on the priority list.

Today, the Destiny Internet guys came over to hook us up, and boy, am I glad! Not that I had any real problems with Sun, but the wireless thing just didn't cut it. Nothing beats having wired (stable) connection.

My only beef is that the techs wouldn't help with the router set up - AT ALL. Lucky for me, a good Samaritan helped me out and I was able to configure my wireless router so that I can enjoy the Koryu on the couch (yeah, 3 meters away from the modem). First 12 hours good so far...speed test results below from Speedtest.net.
Pretty good, yes?

My Shop Around The Corner

Ever seen the movie "You've Got Mail?" That is one of my favorite movies, largely due to Meg Ryan's Shop Around The Corner. Ever since I saw that movie, I have had the desire to have my own Shop Around The Corner. Unfortunately, not all dreams come true just like that.

Here I am, 10 years later, and still dreaming of that little bookstore. More than owning a little bookstore, I want to become a children's librarian. Most of the people who hear about this laugh or scoff at me. I am quite used to comments like "Isn't a librarian just a person who sits behind the desk and lends out books?"

Maybe. Then again, there is so much more to being a librarian than loaning books. Anyhow, you might not know it but librarianship was my major in university. Since I got a job in another field (teaching English!) while I was still working on my thesis, however, I had not had a chance to practice my profession.

Now that I hit the big 3-0, I am thinking it's about time that I pursued one of my dreams. Yes, I am launching on a journey to become a full fledged librarian. I'd probably find more opportunities in the US, but I still have to take the licensure exam here in the Philippines.

I have enrolled in an intensive review program (kinda like an LSAT prep), which I really need since I have been out of college for five years. Truth be told, I really do not want to let anyone know about it - that's how afraid I am of failure. Then again, I told myself that letting other people know would make me more accountable and make me want to pass that test even more. ;)

Now I need to get my papers in order (probably tougher than the test itself) so that I will be allowed to take the test. Maybe in the next couple of years I can have my own version of the Shop Around The Corner.

When Men and Women Argue

Here is something to cheer you up on a Friday - not that you would need much cheering up on the weekend! Thanks to Franky, I discovered a (scientific?) flowchart of how the brains of men and women work differently during an argument. The original pictures come from Maxim.


Bottom line? Men, spare yourself (and your partner) the hassle. When an argument starts, just APOLOGIZE. Be nice and sweet, and do what is being asked of you.

When A Door Closes...

...a window opens, or so they say. I thought for sure that this door was opening up a whole new world for me. However, I just got word a few minutes ago that that door is not opening up anything. On the one hand, I am a bit disappointed. After all, I really wanted to go down that road. On the other hand, I also know that there is nothing I can do about it. As I have been telling myself, if it is meant to be, then it will happen. I guess it is not what I am meant to do.

Now off to the next audacious goal. Can't wait for October!

Alabang Days

Today was another hectic day for me - I didn't even have time to think, really. Perhaps that is a good thing. Anyway, I spent most of the day in our Alabang office and it reminded me of the last time that I went there. EJ and I went to Kanin Club, which is supposed to be really really good. Here are some pictures of the good food and good company.

We ordered laing, binukadkad na tilapia, and their famous crispy dinuguan (Jerry's name for it: blood soup). Needless to say, we didn't finish everything and I knew for sure that I would need some Fastin to help me out with all that fat in my system!

The verdict - it wasn't spectacular, but I would not mind going back there again.

Marriage, A Massage, and Magic

The warmth of the sun. The cool breeze. The faintest smell of books.

I was very much in my element earlier as I sat on the steps of the Main Library of my University. It was also the place where I spent the last 3 years of college. I felt like I was home.

Maybe it's because I wasn't facing the issues I am facing now. Maybe it's because of the smell of books, they really comfort me. Maybe it was the trees, the calm environment.

Whatever the reason, I was able to spend some time thinking about the major things that have been bothering me.

I realized that I am not as "perfect" as I sometimes think I am. Take note that I put that word in between quotation marks. I do have a lot of faults; as a wife, as a sister, as a daughter. I can only trust in those who love and care for me to help me open my eyes to those faults.

I realized that I need to learn to let go. Quite hard for me, but it is necessary for relationships to work. At the same time, I need to be firm and stick to my beliefs. Otherwise, I will end up losing myself.

I realized that I need to go through with my plans, but take things one day at a time. One step at a time. I have always wanted to become a librarian. Today, I got to take the first step. I won't be one for years, I think, but at least I am moving in that direction.

Walking clears the mind. I walked around campus for over an hour, aching feet, blisters, buckets of sweat and all. A massage was justified, don't ya think? Anyhow, that gave me more time and opportunity to prolong my pensive mood. As I relaxed while the masseuse kneaded the knots away, I had some more realizations.

Just because you change in a certain way under certain circumstances does not mean that your partner changes in the same way. Love and affection can diminish as much as it can grow stronger. You can never take these things for granted, and only by nurturing these emotions can you ensure a lasting and fulfilling relationship. And even then, that is not really guaranteed, I think.

Lastly, I think I have finally accepted the fact that there are things that I cannot control, but that I can control how I behave and how I deal with these things. It does not mean that I am condoning things and behavior that I do not agree with, but it does mean that I will try not to flip out when I feel myself spiraling out of control.

Oh, and to cap this post off with a little magic, here's a quote from one of the episodes of Charmed:

"The One is the person who sees you for the idiot that you are and still loves you."

Tell me about it!

Reliving Poison

Despite really feeling sleepy, I just had to stay up to watch the feature on Bret Michaels (Poison) on the Bio Channel. It made yearn for the good old days. Here is one of my favorite songs from the group.

Lately I can tell that something ain't right
I don't see the fire when I look in your eyes
One time up, and the next time down
This may be the last time that you see me around, said

Well it sure seems to me nothing matters tonight
And all those things we worked out, they got lost in the fight
Its not enough, girl, that I gave you my soul
I just want to know if we've got anything left at all, and I say

Hold on now, baby.
This could be the last time we stand
This could be the last time that we say good-bye
The picture shatters
I can't find the words to save it
Tell me what to do, how can I make it right
We will always be fire and ice

Well promises made in the heat of the night
You could sure spit them out, girl, but they've long passed me by
Nobody knows about the show you put me through
This could be the last time that I get through to you

Chorus

Well I can't stand to see no more damage done
But you'll never understand until you suffer some, and I said....

Never thought it would be so apt.

Birthday Month

Yep, that's August for me. The first two days are always reserved for my sister and my mom. Mid-August brings little brother's birthday. And scattered all throughout the month are countless birthdays of good friends and other close relatives. It is a very busy month for the birthday fairy (if there is such a thing).

We celebrated the birthdays of my sister and mom last weekend. It was a simple lunch but we had a good time.

Next up, Silas' birthday. I haven't gotten him a gift - first he wanted a skateboard, now it's a scooter. I am having a bit of a hard time finding one - the only toy store in the mall next door only carries skateboards - but at least he doesn't want something expensive like an XBox (not that I'd get him one; a PSP maybe but not an Xbox!).

Anyway, pictures of the little boys...
Dead tired after playing with Kuya Silas and Jeje (that's what he calls Jerry now) all afternoon.

Audacious Goals

I have never thought of myself as being ambitious. I think that in some people's eyes, this is a big flaw. I have simple dreams and wishes. I guess in a nutshell, I just want to be happy. Of course, if you go into the nitty gritty details, that would include:

• a job that I enjoy and pays well (and I have to say I have it right now - at least to a certain degree)
• a husband who loves and supports me (in more ways than one)
• being able to help my family
• being debt free

Pretty short list, huh?

Anyhow, I have been probing and poking around lately, looking at my options and seeing where I could go next, what I could do next. I really do not like writing specific details on here as practically anyone can read what I write, but let's just say that this is part of the whole "change" thing that I am working at.

I might very well be on my way to a BIG change, with people who are "helping people achieve their most audacious life goals." I never thought about my goals as being audacious but now that I think about it, this one just might be. Again, please pray for me!

Housewife Wannabe

I can't believe it! It has been a very busy morning for me as I have decided to make the most out of whatever time I have. For the past three weeks or so, we didn't do any grocery shopping. As a result, we had to eat out most of the time, and it really made us broke.

So this weekend, I decided to go to the supermarket, stock up, and make sure that I cook every day. It's day 2 and I am doing great so far.

Anyhow, as I was making pan-fried tilapia fish fillet for lunch and some concoction with pork, broccoli and baby corn for dinner, a thought hit me. I wish I could just do it every day!

I mean, I want to be able to prepare our meals without rushing. I want to be able to do stuff at home without having to hurry to work. I still want to work, but just my writing and at home.

In short, I want to be a (semi) housewife.

How weird is that?

P.S. I remember buying a nice apron a month ago but I can't find it now. I think J threw it away...