i miss home...

I'm feeling sad, especially christmas is coming. I feel like going home. It's so sad to spend christmas not knowing what to do. Way back home, I know It's gonna be a happy and enjoyable holiday. I remember that during christmas break, there's our family reunion - oh, how I miss the sky is the limit na inuman at videoke naming magpipinsan sa labas ng bahay namin or sa bahay ng isa sa mga pinsan ko. Miss ko rin yung picnic kahit puyat.
Christmas break din yung alumni or most of the time get together or reunion ng batch. Kung hindi out of town eh bar hopping at picnic rin. Batchmates, miss ko na yung kwentuhan, asaran, at tawanan natin kahit na minsan ay wala tayong pera at boy bawang lang ang pagkain. Syempre, pag nagluto pa si Bads ng sopas with corned beef. O, di ba improvised sopas ang tawag dun. Nakakamiss ang barkada na kahit di na tayo nagkikita, alam natin na anuman ang mangyari ay isa lang ang iisipin natin para maalala ang mga magagandang bagay na nangyari sa ating lahat. Kung saan nagsimula ang lahat. At yun ay ang ating alma mater.
I also miss my friends back there in Manila. Yah, sa SFC nagsimula ang lahat. We were the household heads na pasaway at palaban. sabi nga nila, di daw mabuwag ang grupo natin kasi kung ayaw ng isa, ayaw na rin ng iba. Kahit naman ganun tayo, ginagalang at pinagkakatiwalaan naman tayo ng members. Pero kahit may asawa na ang iba sa atin, nananatili tayong magkakaibigan.
Yung mga elite friends ko sa SFC- Gaie, Beth, Maidz, Lala and Myla, Keep in touch, my friends. Kahit ako lang ang malayo sa inyo eh kasali pa rin ako sa lahat ng lakad nyo at gastos. hehehe! Really, I miss all of you.
Well, wala naman talagang papantay sa saya ng pasko sa Pinas. Kaya nga nakakamiss. Have a Merry Christmas to everyone.

Christmas is coming...

Yesterday, my employer asked me what do I want for Christmas. I didn't answer her, but after a while she said, "marianne, you want a diamond ring?" Hahaha! I said, "in my dreams"...We laughed together, as if it's a big joke. Today, I received an email from my employer's daughter who lives in England, asking me what are my plans for Christmas. Well, what would I say? Is Christmas really coming? Why can't I hear any Christmas songs? No Christmas trees, Christmas lights and lanterns? I nearly forgot, I'm here in the country with Jews around me. They don't have Christmas, but they have a holiday like chanukka and purim. They celebrate it nearly the same as Christmas. Yah, I remember asking my sister this afternoon what they want for Christmas. The truth is, I can't think of anything else to give myself on Christmas. I got my laptop last week, I also got my gold ring last week, and I'm still paying for my diamond necklace...hehehe! Is that enough for Christmas? Or is it the satisfaction and happiness I'm still looking for myself?

This is my second Christmas here in Israel, I'd like to go to Betlehem, it's one of the busiest place here during Christmas. I'm looking forward for the trip in Betlehem. If not, maybe in Jerusalem, even if I've been there already. It's nice to pray and wish on the wishing wall and attend a mass. It's really hard to plan for a holiday especially that you're not used to spend it alone. Uh-uh, what can I say? It's part of life. Just wish everyone a merry Christmas.

Balikbayan box...

I just send a balikbayan box to the Philippines with some clothes, groceries and some items for my family. At first I thought it's easy to send a box full of different things that I can buy here in Israel. But I was wrong, It's so expensive, time consuming, with lots of headache. I kept on thinking of what to buy, what to send, how many to send...something like that. I also had to consider the needs and wants. Well, it's all finished. They took the box last night and start shipping it this Friday. It's all worth it especially that my family will appreciate everything what's inside the box.

When I was young and some of my cousins received balikbayan box from their family abroad every now and then, I said to myself, If only I can work in other country, I will also send something for my family. And here I am, sending one for them even if it takes me a long time to fill it.

No free meal...

"No free meal" Have you heard of that saying? I always hear that from the sons of my employer. They have their own factory, but they go to work everyday. Mind you, go to work on time just like the regular employee. Well, we all know that there's no free in this world. We cannot lie down all day and expect that someone will give us money and food. We cannot wish upon a star and expect that it's gonna rain with all the stuffs we need for the day. Huh! We all have to work hard and earn a living. I get upset every time I hear that this someone and that someone doesn't have work and stays at home all day. Lucky you, whoever that someone is. You don't have to work to eat at least 3 times a day. I envy those people who were born with what they call, "born with a silver spoon". All they have to do is to spend money, buy things that are not necessary. Yah, maybe I'm only sourgraping, because if I don't work, I won't be able to eat, I won't be able to send money to my family, I won't be able to pay my flat, I won't be able to buy the things I want. I work hard, even when it's my off, I work part time. I work hard because I'm a person with so much dream and ambition in life. I want to have my own house, yah I started paying a house of my own. I want to own a car, I want to have a business, I want my family to have a good life. So much dream, so much effort. Sometimes, I just want to lie down and wait for my salary. But that won't happen, NEVER...How can I have salary if I don't work for it. Again, "no free meal". Yah, that's life. The only thing that is free is to wish and dream. Is anybody can tell me that there is free meal? Well, call me and I'll be there in a minute. Hehehe! Enjoy working for your free meal.

Michelle's bday party...

When you heard about the word birthday, it means food, fun, get together, gifts...something like that. It was Michelle's birthday last night, we celebrate it at Mimi's place, we had a lot of seafoods like shrimps, crabs, squids...whoah! Those kind of food are too expensive here. But, yah, i'ts Michelle's birthday, she promised us the seafoods, pakbet, pansit, leche flan...we also had spaghetti, chocolate and cheesecake and also biko...yummy! We're lucky our employers allowed us to go out in the night that's why we can attend to some parties and sometimes play volleyball. Most of our friends from the moadon were present, some of our playmates in volleyball and some of our friend's friends. I'm sure everybody had a lot of fun especially that Ate Dolor made us laugh by impersonating each one of us. Oh, how I miss the comedy bars we used to go in the Philippines. Oh, well, what can I say? That's the way it has to be. As long as we enjoyed the food and the company of friends, no complain. Happy birthday, Michelle. Mazal Tov!

sulat ni tatay at nanay...

I received this email from my friend. I want to share this to all the parents and to all the daughters and sons. And also to all the caregivers who are spending their time in taking care of someone who are not even related to them. I hope we all realize that we are growing old not growing young. Enjoy reading...


Mahal Kong Anak,

Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensiyahan.

Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan
o nakatapon ng sabaw sa hapag kainan, huwag mo sana akong
kagagalitan.

Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako sa tuwing
sinisigawan mo ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan ang
sinasabi mo, huwag mo naman sana akong sabihan ng
"binge!" paki-ulit nalang ang sinabi mo o
pakisulat nalang.

Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na talaga ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong
tulungang tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong
nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad.

Pagpasensyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit
at paulit-ulit na parang sirang plaka.

Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako. Huwag mo sana akong
pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan.

Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa?kapag gusto mo ng
lobo, paulit-ulit mo 'yong sasabihin, maghapon kang
mangungulit hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo.
Pinagtyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.

Pagpasensyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy matanda,
amoy lupa. Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo. Mahina na
ang katawan ko. Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan, huwag
mo sana akong pandirihan.

Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? pinagtyagaan kitang
habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.

Pagpasensyahan mo sana kung madalas, ako'y masungit,
dala na marahil ito ng katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan
mo rin.

Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkwentuhan naman tayo,
kahit sandali lang. Inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong
nag-iisa. Walang kausap.

Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo
na sabik na sabik na akong makakwentuhan ka, kahit alam kong
hindi ka interesado sa mga kwento ko.

Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa? Pinagtyagaan kong
pakinggan at intindihin ang pautal-utal mong kwento tungkol
sa iyong teddy bear.

At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkakasakit at
maratay sa banig ng karamdaman, huwag mo sana akong
pagsawaang alagaan.

Pagpasensyahan mo na sana kung ako man ay maihi o madumi sa
higaan, pagtyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling
sandali ng aking buhay. Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.

Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw, hawakan mo
sana ang aking kamay at bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na
harapin ang kamatayan.

At huwag kang mag-alala, kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na
lumikha, ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagpalain ka sana ...
dahil naging mapagmahal ka sa iyong ama't ina...

Bigyang halaga sana natin ang ating mga magulang. Sa mga tulad naming caregivers, ganito po ang sitwasyon ng mga inaalagaan naming matatanda. Minsan talagang mauubusan ka ng pasensya sa pag-intindi sa kakulitan nila. Pero kung titingnan natin, sila yung mga matatanda na halos di mabigyan ng oras ng kanilang mga anak kaya kinakailangan nilang kumuha ng mga caregiver. Madalas sa amin sila kumukuha ng lakas ng loob para ipagpatuloy ang buhay. Yung inaalagaan kong matanda, 91 years old na sya pero umaakyat-baba pa ng hagdan. 22 steps everyday. Habang umaakyat bibilangin nya steps, pag nasa dulo na sya, sasabihin nya, " 22 and I'm still alive" Minsan pa sinabi nya sa akin, " you know, Marianne, I'm 91 years old and I'm pregnant" Hahaha! Bumabalik na sa pagkabata. Mahalin po natin ang ating mga magulang, sa kanilang pagtanda, alalayan natin sila at wag iwanan.

Keep up the good work...

October 18, 2008, It's PMA's recognition day. The cadet's families are invited, so my parents and my siblings went there to witness the occasion. They are provided with a place to stay and some of their meals, of course courtesy of my sister Nelyn who is one of the cadets. Yah, it's also a family affair, get together, bonding...the sad part is, I can't be with them to witness and share their happiness with achievements like this. But, in my thoughts, I'm really happy for them.

Nelyn took the hard way just to enter the Philippine Military Academy. It took her a lot of courage and determination to get what she wanted. And now, here she is, one of the best students...one of the best cadet...and one of the 3 candidates for foreign study in Korea.

Although I can't see but as my family described it to me, I can feel how she transformed into a responsible and honorable person.

You're on your way to the top, ate Ne. Keep up the good work and continue to bring honor to our family and country.

Here's some of the pictures, but I can't post the pictures with uniform because the PMA won't allow it.

Ghost

I just finished watching the movie "ghost" a few minutes ago. It's so touching but it's so sad. If you can remember the movie, the actors were Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg. In this movie, the guy was murdered but with his love for the girl, his soul stayed and did everything to protect the girl. He even used the psychic Whoopi to help him. It's sad to know that the one we love can no longer be with us no matter how hard we try to hold on. Life is too short. We don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow. Before it's too late, show someone all the love that you can give.

kainan sa moadon

It's Jenneth's birthday on Saturday, but we celebrate it this morning at the moadon. Pag sinabing may birthday sa moadon, you know what foods to expect, hehehe. Of course, Filipino foods like pansit, pinoy style spaghetti, biko, maja, and chicken na binili sa super. Like always, we enjoyed the food, especially when it's lutong pinoy. Now, we're looking forward sa susunod na may birthday na taga-moadon. Mag-isip ka na ng ihahanda mo, Michelle. hehehe! Mazal tov, jenneth.

Things money can't buy...

I woke up this morning a little bit dizzy and with a terrible headache. Then the things money can't but slipped in my mind.

THINGS MONEY CAN'T BUY...

PERFUMES
It's not the scent of my CK, Victoria Secret, Hugo Boss or White Musk from Body Shop, but it's the scent that feels like the hug of the person sitting next to me. The hug that warms my body even if this person is doing nothing to impress me.

SHOES
It's not my rubber shoes, sneakers, slippers or sandals that i wear. It's the person walking beside me. It does'nt matter if I walk barefoot, what matters most is the person who walks not infront or behind me, but the person who walks beside me.

BAGS
It's not my bags that makes me happy. But it's the arms that wraps around my my shoulder or waist. It's the tap on my shoulder and hearing someone says, "everything's gonna be alright".

JEANS AND SHIRTS
It's not the expensive clothes in the shops that I want to buy. But it's how comfortable I am wearing those clothes. It's like the straightjacket that feels like somebody is embracing you.

CHOCOLATES AND SWEETS
It's not the shape or kind of chocolates I eat. Although I'm not fond of sweets. It's not the tins or box of the sweets that was given to me. It's the thought and the presence of the person who gave it to me.

SUNGLASSES
It's not the sunglasses that protects my eyes from the sun. But it's the person who looks into my eyes without thinking who am I today and who I was before. It's the emotions in my eyes. Remember, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

CELLPHONE
It's not the model or specifications of my cellphone. It's the sms I received saying, "how r u?", "I miz u", "I luv u". It's the call from somebody saying, "due date na ng phonecards mo". Hehehe!

MONEY
You see, these are the things money can buy, but we're not giving attention to the things money can't buy.
It's not the money I've earned or the success I've achieved. It's not the money I've spend for all these expensive things...


But it's the love and respect i've earned, it's the love and respect I'm giving away. Most of all there's no amount of money in comparison to the people who will Stay beside me for the rest of my life no matter what.

Tennis broke my heart...

I was watching the WTA tour a while ago, Serena Williams was playing with Na Li of China. What a boring game at first because Serena beat Li in the first set by 6-0. Then on the second set, Li beat Serena by 6-1. Dissapointing, isn't it? I thought Serena will beat Li that easy, but I was wrong to underestimate the Chinese girl. Anyway, Li is rank number 30 in the world and Serena is the world's number 1 as of today. When the third set came, Serena got the first two break points. Then Li got the next 1, until Serena got the 3 break points. Whoah! But unfortunately, it's a round table again, Li beat her for amazing 6-4. I would like Serena to win the match as I would like to see her and her sister playing each other just like when they compete each other during the semifinals of the US open where Serena got her 4th US open title.

Winter is coming!

When I woke up yesterday morning, it's raining. Whoah! After 7 months, it's raining in Israel. Last night, when we were having dinner for shabath, the rain poured again. They all went outside to see the rain. I can see from their faces how happy they are. (kung alam lang nila, kahit summer umuulan s pinas. Hehehe!) Yah, the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. (sarap matulog, hirap gumising s umaga.) Next week they're gonna change the time. Minus 1 hour from the present time. It's getting cold, we have to prepare our winter clothes, winter blankets, and of course...the heater. Guys, let's welcome the winter. Hehehe!

What would be my next life?

I was reading a magazine from ESRA yesterday, something caught my attention from the column : A bit of humor. I want to share this to all of you.


NEXT LIFE

I want to live my next life backwards!
You start out dead and get that out of the way right off the bat.
Then you wake up in a nursing home feeling better every day.
Then you get kicked out of the home for being healthy.
You spend several years enjoying your retirement and collecting benefit checks.
Then when you start to work, you get a gold watch on your first day.
You work 40 years or so, getting younger everyday until pretty soon you're too young to work.
So you go to high school: play sports, date, drink, and party.
As you get even younger, you become a kid again.
You go to elementary school, you play, and have no responsibilities.
In a few years you become a baby and everyone runs themselves ragged keeping you happy.
You spend your last nine months floating peacefully in luxury spa-like conditions:
central heating, room service on tap.
Does it get any better than that?



So, do you know what your next life would be?

My Birthday

We had a nice celebration at the beach in Tel Aviv. Thank's to all my friends at the Moadon who organized the party, thank you also to my flatmates, to ate Beth and Abby who also spend their time with us. Everybody enjoyed the food we brought from our flat and to the ambagan from the moadon. I had a nice birthday with all of you. It's so nice to share this special day with special people like you. Just like what ate Tina told me, the AB-normal people.Hehehe! Jenette also said, the gifted children. And Ethel said, the autistic group.We all have our time to laugh and enjoy. I hope to spend more days with these kind of people. But the best thing is...you are all special to me because you made me feel special.We also had a celebration at the moadon on the day of my birthday. For others it's just an ordinary day, but for me, it's somehting I will remember for the rest of my days.

With lots of thanks also to my employer, who is very generous to gave me a present and some food to take to the moadon. To Abby, who gave us cabbage salad. To Ate Lita who made suman and puto. To Mimi who cooked the pansit. Thank you so much to all of you.