3 is an Odd Number

Three things that scare me

1. Losing my Loved-Ones
2. Natural Calamities (Super Typhoon, Tsunami & Volcanic Eruption)=Death
3. Exotic Foods (crawling worms, and the likes)


Three people who make me laugh

1. Bendyk - my super bibo kiddo
2. Rick - my super kulit hubby
3. hmmm...who else? can i suggest my funny friends?


Three things I love

1. Shows of 'lil kiddo Bendyk (dancing, singing, acting, boxing, etc.)

2. Sweetness and Thoughtfulness of my lovable hubby
3. Shopping

Three things I hate

1. Seeing scattered stuffs at home
2. Hearing rumors spread by backstabbers
3. Not getting what i want! (sigh!)

Three things I don’t understand

1. How to cook?
2. Where does the typhoon go after hitting many countries?
3. The reason why ghosts are still wandering.

Three things on my desk

1. computer
2. cute white mug
3. Spicy tuna sandwich (courtesy of Fita Speadz hehe!)

Three things I am doing right now

1. answering this tag
2. peeping on my unwritten keywords (sssshhh!)
3. listening to the tune of "By the Way"

Three things I want to do before I die

1. Charity works : housing and livelihood program for the less fortunate
2. Seeing my Bendyk and future kids being successful with whatever career path they choose
3. Exploring the world with my family

Three things I can do

1. drafting (architectural floor plan & a bit of perspective)
2. interior designing
3. editing already-made template codes so as to create a look the way I wanted it to appear

Three things I can’t do

1. I can't dance
2. I can't swim
3. I can't cook

Three things I think you should listen to

1. advice of your mother ("Mother knows best")

2. Godly words of religious peeps
3. what your heart is telling you

Three things you should never listen to

1. rumors
2. evil words (tempting words)
3. empty promises

Three things I would like to learn

1. Auto Cad
2. Virtual Basics (and then advanced hehehe!)
3. Martial Arts (pref. Taekwondo)

Three favorite food

1. Jollibee Spaghetti
2. Ginisang Bagoong (sweet, spicy & salty)
3. Cheezy Pizza and a bit spicy

Three shows I watched as a kid

1. Peter Pan

2. Mara Clara - dramatic child hehehe!
3. Sineskwela

Feast 101

Appetizer

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest) how much do you enjoy watching sports on television?

---> I'm not into sports so I guess 1 will do since I was only given a scale of 1 to 10 option (if zero is included, it'll be my answer with no second thought hehe!). I don't even change the channel just to watch any sports on TV.

Soup

If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?

--->The Mount of Monte Cristo, errr...I dunno if I could storytell the whole story, but the gist, hmmm yea, sure! The story is really a superb fiction! I actually have written an ending to the story, as requested by our Lit. prof. way back in college.

Salad

What is your favorite breakfast food?

---> Breakfast is no longer a part of my daily meal scheme (sigh!). I have to rush myself so I won't be late in the office. But I do sip a cup of coffee as soon as I arrived here (That is, if there's a stock of coffee and sugar at the pantry, woooaaahhh!)

Main Course

Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.

---> $10? errr...well, it's good enough for a sunday treat with my loving hubby and 'lil prince bendyk. If we'll convert it to Philippine Peso, $10 is somewhat equivalent to P450. Perhaps, we'll just be eating at Jollibee, and the excess will be for our transpo. fare hehehe!

Dessert

How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?

--->after 8 hours of staring at the PC, and watching the entire Primetime programs on T.V. (usually ends at 11:30 p.m.), the next thing could happen is dozing off automatically while holding a remote control. ZzzzzZZZzzzzz!!!

Thanks to Mrs. Kathy

yigae halley

Balance in Every Step

I'm climbing my mountain, step-by-step

I'm Climbing my mountain, day-by-day

I'm climbing my mountain, all-the-way

I'm climbing my mountain... I'm gonna make it!

Take one step at a time, one step at a time...

I'm climbing my mountain, "ONE STEP AT A TIME!"



This is something I really need to find in my life-balance in every step I make. I'm usually good and doing all the things I need to for others, but I'm not always good and squeezing in the things I want to do. Through the Holy Spirit, I know that I can make it too. It may not be so soon, but at least I'm confident that it will come.

Let's Hold on Together

It's a tender feeling...My liitle darling's tiny hand is wrapped in my hand. Reminiscing that grip of my little darling's tiny fingers makes me sob. (tears of joy!)

Outburst of Ink

The first time I stepped in my kindergarten class marked the beginning of my history of writing. It began with writing the alphabet. My teacher was a petite lady, well-known for her patience. We were a perfect match as I took twice as long as my classmates just to write A-Z. She would take up all of the papers and then slowly turn around. Then came the stare; a stare I came to know very well. I would look back at her with an exaggerated innocence and quietly ask, "How does my paper look?" I knew even at that tender age that my letters looked better than everyone else’s. At this early stage, I developed enthusiasm that has lasted throughout the years. I would finish a writing task and when I finished it, which is more often than not, it would take a special and qualified person to truly appreciate it.

During my elementary years, from grades one through six produced nothing more than a long and dormant period of writing. I was just like Bermuda grass that turns brown all winter long and then greens up in the spring. I finally came out of dormancy in my first year in high school when again I met my grandma, who took a flight from Australia. In my eyes, she was halfway to perfection. But it was just about her wits. She was about five feet tall with large, soft, black eyes and short hair. I was just 2 inches shorter but that didn’t matter.

Every time I saw her, a tingling feeling would start in my stomach similar to the sensation of racing around that sharp, fast turn on a giant roller-coaster at the amusement park. Not only was she physically aggressive, she was also a vibrant human-being with strong personality. Right then when I realized that I want to be like her, a woman of wits. She has a career of various interests, a journalist in the Philippines (during Marcos’ regime) and in Australia, a terror professor, a lawyer, a pianist and an interior designer. I look up to her as a versatile career woman and as a mother. I was her favorite grandchild, and we would sit together and talk about everything. Much to my surprise she never tired of my constant attention. One remarkable tribute was her ability to express meaning as well as describe people she had encountered or objects she had seen. I always listened intently. Throughout her stay here in the Philippines, I went out of my way to learn more from her about things that will help me be inspired in reaching my goals, which is becoming a journalist tops my list. That was before when I was kinda innocent…

My experience during my high school was in some way profound. It wasn’t so much the fact that I thought my stay in high school was so spectacular. What was amazing was the emotional response that my achievement could summon from some members in my clan. All year long, I had seemed somewhat friendly. I have earned the care and love from my friends in the class and even from other class sections. Perhaps they had little time for sentimental thoughts of the finer things we had (wink!)

It appeared that our friendship had somehow transformed as least temporarily when we enter college, where we traverse separate tracks towards our future career. But I know that is just temporarily like what a friend of mine has told me, "That’s all right, Tel. She then gave a somewhat less-than-thunderous slap on my shoulder. Not very soft, but it was an improvement. This gave me a comfortable feeling.

Well, after high school I embarked another level of thinking. My writing habit has begun to absorb inks of my pens. I even joined the publication to somehow dream that I am at least on my first step in becoming like my grandma, a journalist (sigh!Attention and congratulations from people around me have become a part of my college years as well. I was completely captivated with writing and speaking which required a unique combination of flexibility, strength, grace and poise. I slowly improved my skills.

But at this point, I now realized that true wits is often hidden and concealed. The skills utilized during my activities still manifest itself in my own character. (To be continued hahaha!)

Humayo Ka Sa Pagtuklas ng Kababalaghan

Lakad kabayo ang ginawang hakbang sa pagbaba pa lamang ng dyip. Kahit 2 inches na heels ng aking sandalyas ay muntikan pang magkanda bali-bali sa pag-akyat, matunton lamang ang entrada ng opisina. Ang mga malalaking mata ko ay lalo pang pinalaki upang matitigan kung tama nga ba ang oras na aking nakikita. dos minutos pa bago mag alas otso. "Salamat sa'yo, mamang drayber dahil eksperto ka pala sa pakikipagkarera" at syempre "Salamat din sayo aking sandalyas, hindi ka nagkanda bali-bali sa kabila ng bilis ng mga hakbang ko."

Bago pa mahuli ang lahat, akin ng pinasok ang karton na nglalagay ng aking pangalan. Pamilyar na ang tunog na iyon, parang isang "click" lang at kusa na syang aangat. Hay! Teknolohiya nga naman...Pero syempre bago makalimutan kelangan din munang magrehistro sa "kompyuter". Ganyan nga para walang dayaan, at para walang nadadaya.

Tinahak ko ang pasilyo at dali-daling kinuha ang puti kong "mug" at ang bago kong kutsara. O teka lng baka makalimutan ang instant spicy tuna sandwich ko direct from the locker. Nagtataka ka noh? Sus, baka gusto mo lang makatikim nun eh.

Heto na nga ako, sa pugad ng mga hi-tetch na makinilya...

"Speaking of the..." o wag mo na ituloy andito na ako...akala ko kung ano lang ang sasabihin ng mga kamekaniko ko...

Tae! Kay aga eh kwentuhan ka ba naman ng "horror?!" walang kaso sana iyon. Kaya lang meron eh!

Gabi na iyon, maririnig ang lakas ng tikatik sa haytetch na makinilya. Dahil siguro sa pagtataka sinilip kung meron pa bang nagtatrabaho sa mga oras na iyon. At laking gulat ng makita ang makinilyang mabilis na tumataas at bumababa ang bawat letra. Saan kamo? Dito, dito mismo sa mga pinipindot ko.

Pinangilabutan ako sa aking narinig at hindi ko napigilang huwag mapasigaw. Mantakin mong meron pa palang gumagamit ng haytetch na makinilyang ito tuwing gabi?! Kung ikaw ang makakarinig nun, ewan ko na lang kung anong gagawin mo.

Lalo pang pinatindi ang takot, kaba at nerbyos na ngayon ko lang napagtanto na magkakaiba pala dahil dito:

masinsinang usapan namin ni Ryan...

At heto nga andito pa rin ako nakaupo sa harap ng makinilyang ito. Tuloy sa tikatik, ker na kung sa biglang tingin ko ay umaaangat na lang ang mga letra ng makinilyang ito.

Sadyang puno ng kababalaghan ang pugad na ito. Marami kang kwentong maririnig na siguradong magpapatayo ng mga balahibo mo. Mga pangyayaring puno ng mga katanungan kung paano, sino at bakit may mga nagaganap na ganito. Mga katanungang ang kasagutan ay nababalot pa rin ng kababalaghan.

Kung ika'y matapang, sige saliksikin mo ang mga kababalaghang ito ng balutin ng kasagutan ang iyong mga agam-agam.

Humayo ka sa pagtuklas ng kababalaghang bumabalot sa pugad ni Em, Bee at Ess...

Depression...

Depression is hitting me again, what's new? There are lot of reasons, but I'd better remain silent. That's what I've been thinking all the while. And it seems to wreck my heart for I haven't even cried a lot, I did but just a drop of it and no more. It's not that I am so strong to outburst my emotions,the truth is I'm so weak that even myself can't tell as to when will this end.

I do know that whatever I'm going through is just but a spice of life. As much as I want to keep that reasoning, my heart is telling me that this is enough. I've had my dose of medicines, and yet all these pains can't get out of my nerves. All I ever wanted is happiness, true happiness...

Many would complain that their life is a blend of ups and downs. But what about me? How am I gonna call this thing? It seems that it's all downs and never getting up. I hate complaining, neither regretting. But I can't help myself not to utter those that keep on drowning me in pain...

Too much for these. I'm teary-eyed and have to compose myself for another battle...and that is battling with myself...

Keepsakes of Em, Bee, & Ess

Isang umaga sa pantry, kung saan kalansing ng mga tasa't kutsara'y pumapawi sa mga naiidlip pang ispirito. Sabayan pa ng halakhakan na sadyang panghimagas na nga yata ng karamihan dito. 'Yun bang sa simpleng kwento lng matatawa ka na, o baka naman kaya ay sa hitsura ka nya natatawa? Kumusta naman 'yun? Ewan natin, pero ayos na rin basta lang may mapagusapan. Ehersisyo man lang kahit hindi sating mga pangagatawan, kundi sating mga bunganga.

Ang sarap sanang matulog sa mga oras na ito, alas otso pa lng ng umaga at heto tayo parang nakikipagbaka sa tikatik ng hay-tetch na makinilya. Di mawari kung anong sisimulan. "Di bale na, kusa na lang aagos ang ideyang halos balot na ng grasa," ani konsensya. Pero bago ang lahat, dahil sa ako'y hindi na nakapaghigop man lang ng kape sa aming barong-barong, patikim naman ng brewed coffee ni em, bee at ess...

Ewan ko ba at parang kinakabog ang dibdib ko. Di ko mapagtanto kong ito ba'y kabog talaga ng dibdib o sikmura ko lng na kumakalam na sa sobrang gutom. Pwera usog sa may sibang dyan. Laking takot ko tuwing sasakay ako sa dyip, malay ko ba ma-sibang ako. L*ntek na di ko alam ang tagalog ng terminong yan eh. Basta yun na yun. Naalala ko noon, nasa murang edad pa lamang ako. Nakaramdam ako ng sobrang sakit ng tiyan. Di lang 'yun...alam mo ba yung pakiramdam ng na-i-L? Ay sensya na naiwan yung BM. Iyon! LBM pala. Naku! Kung alam mo lang na para akong natatae na pinagpapawisan ng malamig. Hay, ayoko ng balikan pa ang mga panahong iyon...

Balik tayo sa brewed coffee ni em, bee at ess. Dahan-dahan kong tinahak ang pantry, halos katabi lang naman iyon ng aming pugad. Bitbit ang kulay puti kong mug na me kasama pang kutsara, nang aking silipin ang...teka, ano nga ba ang tawag nito? ayan o sa baba nito...

keepsakes ni em, bee at ess

Sila ang tinatawag kong "keepsakes ni em, bee at ess". Heto na kinabog na naman ang dibdib ko ng keepsakes na ito. Siguro'y nanabik na kayong malaman kung ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng kabog na ito...

Halikayo at ibubulong ko sa inyo...

"Minsan isang araw, at gaya ng nakagawian hindi na naman ako nakapaghigop ng kape sa aming barong-barong. Pagdating ko sa pugad ni Em, Bee at Ess, dali-dali kong tinahak ang pantry, sinilip ang laman ng keepsakes ni Em, Bee at Ess. Hulaan niyo ang nakita ko....naks! galing mo tsong! sakto! exactly! nakusit mo nanggad (lengwahe ni halley)...

Ang nakita ko ay si Wala! Wala wala wala akong nakita! paksy*t!

Isang araw naman, siguro naawa si Em, Bee at Ess kasi laking gulat ko may laman na ang keepsakes ni Em, Bee at Ess...heto naman hulaan niyo?

tadaaaan....Kape! Coffee! L*ntek na...

Subukan mo ngang higupin yan ng walang asukal! gawin kong pulbos 'yan sa pagmumukha mo eh!

Natakot siguro sa banta ko, isang umaga talagang may laman na ang keepsakes ni Em, Bee at Ess. Asteeeg! Kumpleto ang laman. May creamer sa keepsake #1 (iyong bang may takip na dugyuting platito?), sa keepsake #2 naman nakalagay ang asukal (eto naman yung may takip na transparent na plastic container, yung bang pang salad?) ewan ko kung sinong may mabuting loob na nagdoneyt noon, at sa keepsake #3 naman nakalagay ang kape (buti na lang hindi pa inaanay ang takip nito)...

Ayan napaghalo ko rin ang pinakamimithi kong creamer, kape at asukal. Pagkatapos, tinulak ko yung gatilyo na kulay pink at bumuhos na ang tubig. Hinalo halo ko yung coffee with creamer ng hawak kong kutsara habang nglalakad pabalik sa aming pugad. Sa aking pag-upo parang sabik na hinigop ko ang tinimpla kong kape...

"Pweeeee!!!" napangiwi ako! Isa pa ngang paksy*t dyan! Para malaman mo, hindi mapait yung timpla ko, hindi rin matamis. Tama lang yung pagkakatimpla...Tae! Hulaan mo nga ulit kong anong deperensya nito?

Iyong intensyon na magpainit ng sikmura ay naging isang malameeeeg na kape! Hindi ako namali ng pagtulak ng gatilyo. Pink yun! Pero ang tanong, bakeeet malameeeg kang lint*k na kape ka!!!

Ngayon, sumagot ka! "Deal or No deal?"

A Tribute to My Neverland Days

My thoughts were wandering when all of a sudden "Peter Pan" popped into my mind. Perhaps, you were able to watch it during your younger years. If I remember it right, "Peter Pan" is an animated TV series which was aired in ABS-CBN every morning, and later on was moved in the afternoon slot. I have come to realize that I really had good memories of my childhood days. I was just a 'lil kid then and an avid fan of "Peter Pan". And now, I'm already a "young" mom who wanted to share to my child the joy of watching animated TV series.

As I flew myself to Neverland, I came to know Peter who is a mischievous little boy who won't grow up. He is a fierce swordfighter who spends his never-ending childhood, adventuring on the island of Neverland as leader of the Lost Boys. What fascinated me were the fantastical elements involved. One of these elements is the ability of Peter Pan to fly.

His friends were also symbols of fantastical elements, namely fairy and Tinker Bell.

The funny thing about the story was a crocodile that has swallowed a ticking clock and stalks

Captain Hook, the pirate leader and Peter's nemesis.

It's been so long and I can only recall a few scenes which touched me the most. But for your convenience, if you were not able to watch it (since you are much older than me...wink!) here's the gist of the story...

Peter often visits the "real world" of London to listen in on bedtime stories told by Mrs. Mary Darling to her children. One night, Peter is spotted and, while trying to escape, he loses his shadow. On returning to claim his shadow, Peter wakes Mary's daughter, Wendy Darling. When Wendy succeeds in re-attaching his shadow to him, Peter takes a fancy to her and invites her to Neverland to be a mother to his gang of Lost Boys, the children who are lost in Kensington Gardens. Wendy agrees, and her brothers John and Michael go along. The great dangerous and magical flight to Neverland is followed by many adventures. The children are blown out of the air by a cannon and Wendy is nearly killed by the Lost Boy Tootles.

Peter and the Lost Boys build a little house for Wendy to live in while she recuperates (a structure that, to this day, is called a Wendy House.) Soon John and Michael adopt the ways of the Lost Boys, while Wendy plays the role of mothering them, all the while provoking the jealousy of Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily, and the mermaids. Peter is often oblivious, concentrating on real and make-believe adventures and on taunting the pirate Captain Hook. Later follow adventures at the Mermaids' Lagoon, the near deaths of Tinker Bell and Peter, a violent pirate/Indian massacre, and a climactic confrontation with Peter's nemesis, the pirate Captain Hook of the pirate ship the Jolly Roger. In the end, Wendy decides that her place is at home, much to the joy of her heartsick mother. Wendy then brings all the boys back to London. Peter remains in Neverland, promising to return and take Wendy back with him once a year to help him with his spring cleaning.

In the novel, Barrie includes an additional scene which was not in the play, but which he created for the stage under the title An Afterthought. In this scene, Peter returns to Wendy's house, not realizing that more than twenty years have passed since he took Wendy, John and Michael to Neverland, and that Wendy is now a married woman with a daughter, Jane. Confronted with the news, he breaks down and cries. Wendy leaves the room to try to think, and Peter's sobs awaken Jane, who asks him to take her with him to Neverland and to let her be his new mother. Peter joyfully accepts, and the two fly off together with Wendy sorrowfully looking off after them. Peter will now return for Jane once a year as he once promised to return for Wendy.

Peter's relationship with Jane is what the Disney movie Return to Neverland is based upon, but its plot is almost totally invented for the film; it has only the slightest resemblance to Barrie.

The memories of "Peter Pan" will always be a part of my childhood days. I've learned a lot from it. It taught me the value of "love" (kinikilig na me nyan sa murang isipan, lolz!), how to be a responsible sister even at young age (which I didn't put into practice, sigh), how to fight for justice, and a lot more. But what amazed me was the animation used in the series. It inspires me to dream a lot even beyond my reach ( it's free anyway).

Innocence

Reminiscing the past uplifts my spirit...

I was kinda innocent then when all I know is to roll over the bed, giggle and smile at my parents, and of course, to drink what I am supposed to drink (nax! model of enfalac aketch!)...

If only I could turn back time, I would want the clock to tick-tack on the time when I was in a whirlwind of innocence

I'd rather be innocent of what the world is all about than absorb the blows of life's sorrow!

Personal Struggle

I am reflecting on myself lately, wondering why I am like this and that... What prompted me to do a "personality check" is the way I see people around me. They always seem surprised of the way I deal with them. It's not a big deal, though, if they literally know me just recently. But it's the other way around. These people I am talking about have spent the many years of their lives with me. Some may be a year or two, but for those years, I am confident that they have known much about me. So they are supposed to be used to it, I mean the way I am.

As I was busy with all these thoughts, I feel like battling with my own self. I was hesitant to cast blame on myself either. Right then when I realized that I have this so-called "personal struggle". Yes, it's a struggle for I have not known myself yet that much. That could be the reason why many aren't able to understand me.

Since it's a "personal struggle," I have to be brave enough to search for myself even if it will mean hurting my ego. I have to, or else I will never be truly happy for my entire life...I shouldn't be deceived by the smiles and laughters I am able to make, for these aren't really the bases of true happiness. True happiness doesn't have to rely on others, but to your very self. It has to be serene without needing others to make you smile and laugh. It all starts with yourself, and reflects on others.

Those were the pop-ups I've come up with as I discharged myself from sanity. But the struggle isn't yet through. I still have to get myself busy with these thoughts. The battle is so stiff so I need to strive harder. But more importantly, I was able to realize this earlier and has made my first step. It's not yet too late for me...

P.S.

I will be posting more of these struggle thing...

PPP paid me $10 for my approved post

I received an e-mail from Pay Per Post on August 2, 2007, informing me that I was already paid for the approved post I made which is worth $10...hmmm! Of course, I was really excited knowing that I had only written a 200-word article about Pay Per Post. I wasn't expecting that it'll be approved since I have done that just for the sake of trying to advertise which is far from what I'm doing here at the office (dealing with auto parts).

There are a lot of opportunites to work on, which all of them are intended mere for advertisements. It's not a tough one, though. You only have to make a 50-word article worth $5, there are some that requires more than that word count, the maximum is 300 words worth of $10 and above.

I was thinking of grabbing another opportunity from PPP, but I have to follow-up my payment first. They've sent it to my paypal account, and I had trouble with it. As soon as PPP settle this matter, I would definitely be on my way to constantly post for them.

Wish me luck, peeeps!