Curbside Stories

Today's question is just right for the season--Halloween and All Saints Day.  I only have one thing that I want people to remember about me when I die.  I want people to say that I have lived a good life, a life that God wanted me to live and die with.

This is a morbid and at the same time a hard question to answer. Of course I wanted people to remember me as a good person when I die.  Who doesn't want to be remembered like that?  But, I think people will remember me as a strong person and a fighter who has the the most contagious laugh.  I was going to put here the 'I wants' but the question is due tomorrow.  I guess I'll just leave it just like this... short post.     I wish they will not sing happy tunes when I am gone. 

What do I want out of life? I just want life to be simple and living.  I just don't want to survive, I want to live.

Photo from here . I am so close to the people I adore.  Literally close because they are my neighbors.  My son and I live in the compound of my grandparents.   My house used to be my grandparents' house, we built a duplex because the old house was destroyed by a typhoon.  The house was left in our care because grandma left for the US together with my aunts and uncles twenty years ago.  My sister and her two daughters live on the other door.   On the left and right side of the house are also my grandparents' (my grandfather's brother and his uncle).  Across the road is my great great grandparents' house, the house where I grew up.  I was like their adopted daughter when mom went to another country to work.  This is the main reason why I am so comfortable living in our town... I have my support system 360 degrees.  My closest friends also live 30 minutes away from our house.  I could not imagine growing up anywhere else t...

Today in the challenge is not a question but a task: Write a paragraph or two about your ideal weekend/time away from work. Easy. Photo from here .  I want to spend my day off with complete pampering.  I don't want to go to a far place, as long as the place can make me relax and forget for a while the stresses of my life.  I will be selfish just for this weekend thing and spend the days alone.  I can dream, right?  If spending the weekend alone is not possible, I will probably take my son to a zoo or park or we can watch kids' shows somewhere.   I have the lamest ideal weekend.   I wish, though, that I could go back to Puerto Galera.  I miss the place.  I went there about five years ago and I stayed there for 4 days.  It was fun. The night parties, white sand, crystal clear waters and the people were amazing.

Dianna Agron and Lea Michele let loose on the photo shoot of GQ wearing only the shortest skirts, tops that barely cover their torso and panties that are too tiny for anyone else to wear.  They look great, really, and Cory Monteith looks super cute.   Wait, isn't Glee a teen show?  Is it  really ok for the cast to post semi-naked while Glee is still airing on television?   Photo from here .  Dianna Agron is relatively conservative than Lea Michele on the photos... I noticed that Dianna wears skirts while Lea wears only panties.  Has Lea decided to shed off her teeny bopper image for more mature roles?  We will never know for now.

Photo from here . I am reading a book called The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.  It is a self-help book about how a person can make things happen in his life.  It says there that the Law of Attraction works every day of our lives and all we have to do is ask for something that our heart truly desires, receive as if we are holding our dream at this very moment and believe that it will be given to us.  Those are actually the steps on how to use The Secret in your life.  I just had a realization that I have been quite living my life based on the secret.  I am living my life and I am happy with where it is going now.  Sure, there have been a few downs in my life but those did not stop me from living and from experiencing life.  Life is precious and I have appreciated life even more when I had my son.  He is actually the one who keeps pushing me to be a better person and to pursue my dreams.  With him by my side, I don't think anything or anyone could...

Photo from here . A lot of people say that I have a strong personality and that they always see me cool and calm in any situation.  I think so, too.    I just don't want to lose composure because when I snap, I could not concentrate. I believe it is my greatest personality trait. It has a downside, though.  Some people see me as a snob.  I am not.  People who know me really well will negate that notion.  I am actually a loving person, I just don't express it like the way other people do.  I am also a private person.  As much as possible, I don't share my problems with other people because I don't want some personal things to be sensationalized.  If ever I choose to share my problems, I do so to very few people who I truly trust.  I am a jolly person, I love life, I love to live life.  It is who I am.

As an update of my friend's furniture business, well, it opened about two weeks ago.  All her family and friends were there to celebrate and congratulate her.  The whole day went perfect.  Passersby turned out to be customers the same day it opened.  It was a success.  After a week, I asked her how's everything going and she shared one story that proved my advice to have furniture retail software was the best advice she's got.  Her sales personnel had to resign because of some family emergency in the province.  My friend got a little bit concerned because orders are coming in and there's no one to help her with it.  She remembered that there's a software to help her and so she went about with everything... in a breeze.

Photo from here . I know I have so many skills and talents.  I know how to play musical instruments like the piano, flute and guitar.  I also know how to cook and sing and dance.  I am a very creative person but I am sometimes frustrated that despite my being a Jack of all trades, I am a master of none.  That's what I am trying to change.  I want to have any of my skills mastered.  All I need is time.  In of all my skills, I really wanted to focus on cooking.  Everyone in the family cooks the most delicious foods, I actually learned how to cook by helping the elders prepare our meals.  About three or four years ago, I was planning of putting up a restaurant but obviously it did not happen because I know little about the business and I lack the resources.  Still, I am not closing the possibility of having my own food business.  In God's time it will happen.

Photo from here . I admit, I am not good at finances... that was when I still don't have a child.  It was when I had a child that I committed to saving--not just for the rainy days but also for future investments.  I earn money by working from 8 to 5 on my regular job and from my online virtual assistance jobs.  I actually sometimes ask myself why do I need to tire myself by having two jobs when I really don't have to.  And then I realize that I enjoy doing it--not because I am earning money but because I feel fulfilled each time my boss greets me for doing a great job.   So, yes, I like what I am doing for money. I save for myself and my son and I also give some to my sister who is living solo with her two kids.  I also support Smile Train --a non-profit organization that gives free operations for children with cleft lip or palate.  My current mantra actually is 'if you will be generous to others, God will also be generous to you' .

Hmnn...  I am only on day 8 but I am now faced with a difficult question. I did not grow up with any of them, mom worked in another country while dad worked as a professor in his town.  I grew up in my great grandmother's household so I am having a hard time thinking of what answer to give for today's question.  Can I say, PASS!? No? Ok... I am thinking. Oh!  Here it is.   We don't call each other as often as other parents and daughters would call.   I talk to my mom on the phone once a month but we email each other more often... exchanging chain mails and once in a blue moon how are yous and hellos.  We are updated of each others' lives because she calls my older sister more often.  It is not that I am really demanding more call time from her but you know how sometimes a person thinks one is favored than the other.  Haha!  I am jealous.  Not really.  I am to blame, too, because I don't call her.  And I prom...

My mom and dad separated twenty years ago.  The only reason I knew of that caused the separation was long distance relationship for them was unbearable.  That's all I know.  Despite their separation, I never heard from them any harsh words against each other.  My mom said, that dad will always be my dad.  My dad told me the exact same words, too.  They remained friends and they never lost respect for each other despite some differences. My dad is the best comedian.  Ok, I am exaggerating.  But, he really makes us laugh with his silly jokes and stories.  Well, my mom lets out the best and loudest laugh.  They perfectly complement each other.  Dad is a man of few words when it's time to get serious.  He gives profound advices you'd think it's the best advice ever.  He is the strict type... up to the level of not allowing us to wear the shortest shorts when we go out.  My mom is the do-what-makes-you-happy kind of mom....

Photo from The NYC . I have had my chance before of pursuing my dream but I let it slip, it is one of my biggest regrets in life but considering that I am happy with what I have right now and still having, I am convinced that it was a blessing in disguise. I am a very optimistic person.  If  fail now, I know I can always have my chance and when that day comes--whether it will be a chocolate, strawberry or my favorite blueberry cheesecake--I will make sure it will never slip into my fingers.  If I can have a cake (I am sure I will), I will have a taste of it and enjoy every bite... I will probably eat it with a cup of coffee.   

It is raining today, in fact there is a typhoon and our province is Signal 1 as per the weather bureau.  It's been raining since last night, I actually did not sleep well because of fear that floodwater might enter our house again.  Thank goodness it did not.  We only have two seasons in the Philippines--rainy season and summer.  I could not decide which is my favorite because both have pros and cons for me.  I like summer because it is during this season that I can do most errands in a breeze and I can go out with my son anywhere.  I don't like summer temperature.  It gets really hot here, up to 37 to 38 degrees centigrade.  I like the rainy season  because I can snuggle in my room and feel the cold sheet on my cheeks, I can cook more often my son's favorite chicken soup and I can wear my favorite jacket all the time.  When I am out, I don't like it when it is raining because I hate bringing an umbrella. So, you see, if there's a seas...

Remember the 50 Questions post?  I will try to answer/accomplish it one question a day.  There are fifty questions so that means that this page should be accomplished in fifty days.  I have actually started four days ago about this but I put it in a separate page.  I thought it is best that I do it one blog entry per day instead of doing it in one page. Here are my answers in the past four days of the challenge.

Stressed out?  Do you feel like you need a time out?  I got these thirty six (36) simple ways to reduce stress from the desk of my office mate that are practical but effective.  Try these, it will not cost you a cent.

These pictures are long overdue as these were taken about a year and a half ago at Munting Buhangin Beach Camp in Nasugbu, Batangas.  I was with my two best pals--Leo and Paula.  This was not a planned trip because what we had planned was to go to Marines Beach in Ternate but Balikatan Exercises were on going so we were not allowed to enter the Marines Camp. That's where we are going.   Our entrance ticket to the resort. The cute bamboo cottages at the beach front. Some of the seaweeds that caught my attention. I was trying to imitate 'footprints on the sand'.   Those are my legs.   Look, there's a rainbow!   That building is Amara en Terraza condo at Terrazas de Punta Fuego .  A really posh getaway resort in Nasugbu. The condo relatively up close. That's me wearing a really inappropriate beach wear.  The only appropriate things I was wear...

 Live each day of your life as if it is your last.  Live your life to the fullest.  Follow your heart's desires.  Do what makes you happy. I was lucky to stumble upon these 50 questions that will somehow help us know our reason for being.  Try answering for yourself. 1. How do you really feel about what you are doing right now at this exact moment? 2. What is your fondest childhood memory? Who was there? What was going on? 3. How comfortable are you in your home? 4. How comfortable are you in your town/city? State? 5. What kind of weather do you like? 6. Do you believe you can have your cake and eat it, too? Why or why not? 7. What is one quality about your parent(s) that you really loved? 8. What is one quality about your parent(s) that you really do not like? 9. Do you like what you are doing for money? 10. What do you feel is your greatest skill? 11. What do you feel is your greatest personality trait? 12. Do you feel like anyth...

Howdy! How's your day?  I just the most stressful day but I made it home in my real sanity.  My son, who is dancing and singing with Barney, is asking me if I could sing and dance with him.  Of course I want to.  We're having lots of fun.   Oh!  He sits in a daycare center for two hours every morning and he would tell me the things he did while at school.  Last night he told me that they sang happy birthday to one of his classmates.  I looked at his pad paper if he's written anything and to my surprise he wrote his very first letter--L.  I am a proud mommy!

Today is October 10, 2010 or 10-10-10. What could be more perfect than that?  It happens only once in a century. Well, I hope this day will turn out to be perfect.

Did you ever experience talking to someone you do not know at all? It happened to me earlier today. I was waiting for a jeepney outside our house and I noticed a man from afar who is waiting, too.  He hailed the jeepney first.  As soon as I was seated, I opened my bag to get my coins.  The man said, "I'll pay for your fare."  I swear I do not know the man nor have seen his face before.  Just because I do not want to sound rude, I said "thank you" but the entire 10 minutes of riding the jeepney until I got off, I was trying to remember who is the generous man.

I will be on leave for a few more days or until I am sure that the common cold has passed.  It is hard for me to concentrate when I am frequently sniffing or sneezing. Tips:   1. Drink more water than usual when you have colds. 2. Always bring a tissue or hanky in case you have to sneeze.  Do not share you virus, please. 3. Increase vitamin C intake either by eating fruits or supplements. Ciao for now. Photo from here .

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I remember one crazy kid story about the population.  I don't know who thought of this story but that person sure made me scared when I was young.  My classmate in elementary said that there will come a time that the earth will 'fall off' its orbit and eventually the galaxy because it could no longer bear the weight of too many human beings living on it.  The idea of the earth being off its orbit and the galaxy scared the hell out of me.   I saw this photo in Filipino Free Thinkers.  The Reproductive Health Bill is in the headlines and the eyes of the Catholic Church.  The issue about this is not new,  the bill was proposed many years ago but did not really became a law because, well, many are against it.  Just tonight, I heard in the news that the Church will ex-communicate President Noynoy if the bill becomes a law.  The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) denied the rumors of ex-communication but still they are a...