just random thoughts

Man, it's already April 2! "Time flies so fast" is an understatement. I have been in California for 10 months now and I still feel like I just arrived and I am still new to the place and I just got married. Wow.

My life has been pretty messy here, though. I am still not satisfied with where Alex and I stand right now but so far, we've been blessed. We have surpassed the trials, he has an OK job, we have a church that loves us, we have things we get busy with, we have many things to look forward to. Just when I was so depressed one day, we received a letter from USCIS about our scheduled interview on April30, and two months of waiting time is blessing enough compared with 6months to 2 years for others! God is still very good to us. In my 10-month stay here, He has taught me patience because I do not have that. My friends, family, and husband know that. I wanted to work so badly though I should not. I wanted to adjust with American life right away though I have only been here for a short time and I do not even go out that much. So many things I want to do but I cannot. I am still a baby in this country. It takes time to grow up. Patience, Rica. It pays to be patient.I have been praying hard to be one and so far, God has been helping me. So happy..It has results I did not imagine to see.

April 30 would be a turning point for me. After that, the challenge of getting a job begins. The journey of getting to the real world starts. I am anxious. I do not know what will happen, what career path will I be in, who are the people I will be with, where will I be..or, will I even get a job?? In California alone, the unemployment rate is 10%. That is high. Even degree holders lost their jobs due to recession. Even government employees arent secured anymore. It's a scary reality. So many uncertainties lie ahead. To whom will I hold on to? My husband is here, very supportive, very encouraging, loving, and he's been a very good guide to me, but he cannot help me in the fulfillment of my dreams. He can encourage me all he wants but it's still me and our God who can make everything possible. I need to use my knees and have the faith that everything will get in place in His own time. I have been in this state before, when you're on a dead end and you do not know what's next to happen. Worse, you're blindfolded. At that point in 2007, God and I were holding hands on that dead end and He opened a door for me in Palau. All the while I thought I'd only stay in my home country but God did something out of the blue, a very good opportunity for me to explore the world and appreciate Him more. I feel like I am on a dead end right now, holding hands with God and waiting where He would lead me. Just like what He did to me before, I am sure He will do a beautiful surprise to me again, a life that is in tune with His will. It's about time, Lord. I cannot wait until that interview ends. I cannot wait until you'll show me where to go and what to do!!! I cannot wait! Ooops, I mean, I will wait.=)

2009 will be a challenge. Get it on!

You are Charlie Brown:
You are tender, you fall in love quickly but you are also very serious about all relationships. . You are a family person. You call your Mom every Sund ay. You have many friends and may occasionally forget a few Birthdays. Don't let your passion confuse you with reality.

This is so true!!

***

My worst week was last week. It's my worst week ever since I arrived in the USA. I was just put in a spot that I became uncomfortable with and I was in misery. Something came up that got in the way of my family. My daily routine was ruined and that results to me freaking out.

I hope this week will be a better week. Please, Lord..

B-U-S-Y

I just realized today that I am a busy person. I actually do a lot of things. Look.

1. I am studying Language and Literacy Education in UPOU. Mind you, UPOU is demanding too.
2. I am reviewing for CBEST, the first 4-hr test I need to pass to become a certified California teacher. It will be in April.
3. I have a choir who does church-hopping almost every Saturday. Search for SOLE VOCE OF LOS ANGELES in youtube and you'll see how serious we are in God's ministry. We're eyeing on 4 concerts this year. The first one will be on the march 28.
4. I help my husband make money.
5. I have a husband to take care of. He does not require me to do so but I want to.

Wow, I cannot believe I actually have a lot of things in my hands. Once again, I have proven to myself I cannot be idle. I hate being idle.

***

Pray for me, guys. My greencard interview with my husband is on April 30.

argh!!!!

I was so mad last night. 'The Bachelor' is such a jerk.

He proposed to Melissa at the show's finale then he changed his mind 6 weeks later because he realized it's Molly he's in love with. What kind of guy is that?

DO not get me wrong, Melissa and Molly are two great girls. They are loveable and mature enough to handle a relationship but Jason, the guy, is such a fickle. Argh. I hate guys like that. He does not know how to take care of a girl's heart.

He already proposed to Melissa so he should be responsible enough to be true to his words. I like what Melissa said about engagement and marriage as a one-time thing. It's one stage in a person's life that you should not play with or take for granted. When you're engaged, you are already committed. There's no turning back. There's no backing out. If feelings change, work for it. Feelings come and go. Love is a decision. It's not based on feelings. I do not think Jason is ready for a commitment. Look, he is divorced and that means he can easily break a promise. And now, he breaks off an engagement. Again, he can easily break a promise. What kind of guy is that?

I like Melissa's parting words, "Do not call me. Do not text me anymore. Leave me alone, please." That was strong. That was courage.

If I were Molly, I'd have 2nd thoughts of accepting Jason back. She really should know more about him. His commitment is unquestionable. He can easily dump something. He can easily leave someone he promised the world to. He does not know what he is talking about. DOes he know what really love is? His statement, "Wish I can control what I feel. Wish I can control my mind" does not tell a person who knows what love is. Feelings are just part of love, but they are not the main ingredient of such a beautiful thing and so, yes, Jason, you can control your mind and heart by being responsible and mature. Grow up, man.

I have been with jerks before. They said they loved me but they're not strong enough to fight for the relationship with me. They did not know how to be the leaders of the relationship. They did not know how to care of my feelings. They did not know how to be responsible. Actually, they did not know what love is. I am so blessed to have ended up with Alex. Even if we have ups and downs, we always work for our relationship, and he leads the way. Love is an everyday thing. It's not an easy road to take but because we are committed to work it out, we are happy with each other every single day.

Love is commitment. Love is a principle. Love is a decision. Make that decision and the feelings will just follow.

conversations

One night, Alex was really sleepy while I was still studying..

Alex: Langga, goodnight. Dream of me tonight.
Rica: What? YOU dream of me.
Alex: That's the plan. (zzzz)

***

Last Saturday, I was torn between going to observe my choir in Palos Verdes church or meeting Alex's dad and brother. They're driving one hour from Lancaster just to see us.

Rica: Believe me, I want to hang out with your dad, but, just curious, are you open to the possibility of me going with the choir while you meet with your dad and brother to have guys' hang out?

Alex: Yeah.(pause) But I won't be happy.

So I stayed and waited for his family to arrive.=)

marriage

Marriage is hard. Now I believe my mom when she told me that.

Do not get me wrong, I do not regret marrying my husband. He's the best for me. I know I could not find anyone who's as nice, understanding, loving, and smart as him. Everybody, including those Filipina women in church, who knows him always tell me, "He's nice. You made a good choice." I know I made the right choice. No doubt about that. But we're still two different people with our own likes and dislikes. Everyday, we communicate. We re-commit. We flirt. We laugh. We hug. Sometimes we argue. We cry. We get tired and frustrated. This is marriage and I am very much ready to continue facing this big forever partnership.

Though I am an optimist, I worry too. And pessimism comes with worry. And when pessimism strikes, it's so hard for me to rise and move on. I sink more than I rise. So starting today, I am going to make changes. I am going to dwell on positive things that are happening everyday in our marriage and the efforts of my husband to keep our love alive.

After all, this is how Philippians 4:8 says. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

I have realized something since I said, "I do" to Alex on September 12 of last year: Marriage is only for the strong people. I am glad I am married. =)



Happy Hearts day to my provider, friend, confidant, counselor, lover, listener, fan, supporter, partner, and spiritual partner Pierre-Alexander Glaze!

i messed up..

it's just very easy to make, but i messed up with my deviled eggs. it's supposed to look like this but mine's just, hmmm..messy and looks lousy.so frustrating.



as usual, alex was understanding about it but i didnt like it. i should have boiled the eggs a little longer, mixed the ingredients more thoroughly.sigh* next time..next time..

25 things

1. I used to have 50+ penpals in elementary and high school. i would not spend my daily allowance for snacks. instead ill use it for stamps. i’d go to the post office during recess to mail my letters. Crazy me.

2. Because I had a lot of penpals, I used to collect stamps from the letters they sent me. It was so fun! I would cut the stamps from the letter and soak them in water to separate them from the envelope. then I’d dry them under the sun. This was my sense of fun.

3. I started getting interested in geography at 10 when miss universe was held in manila in 2004. I was reallya amazed with the number of countries represented by different women with different looks, so I started looking at maps and atlases to locate those places. There I knew there are 7 continents and different cultures from different countries.

4. If I was under College of Social Sciences and Philosophy in college, I’d surely be a Sociology major. If I was into medicine, I’d want to be an OB-Gyne. Don’t know why.

5. I was not a good big sister to my younger siblings. apathetic. But now, we’ve really grown close.

6. after my graduation, I started paying the tuition fees of my younger siblings.

7. tall guys have always been my type, I just did not expect God would give me a 6’7 man. He’s the tallest man I’ve ever seen! Guys who are good in basketball are also my type but my husband doesn’t play the game. He's into soccer.

8. In college, I sold dewberry cookies.hahaha. it's either for an org's fundraising or personal needs.remember, batchmates? gosh, shameful days.hheheeh.

9. i have never liked berries - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, either the real fruit or flavor.

10. i am a good liar. very good liar.

11. I was a broadcast communication major but ive never worked in productions since graduation EXCEPT when my boss in an ad agency where i worked part time as communication officer asked me to direct and write the script of a PhilSci AVP. it ended really good. the faculty and staff of the school liked it so much.

12. i knew i should have done more productions because i studied them for 4 years but God led me to teaching. I taught one sem in Ateneo de Davao, 3 sems in UP Mindanao, and one full school year in Palau. I taught 6th grade in Palau SDA School, a mission school.

13. I like reality shows - Homeland Security, The Bachelor, Pinoy Big Brother.

14. the best place ive ever been to is palau, a small island in micronesia.it's stress-free, very simple,full of natural resources, ocean and sunset is glorious, clean and marvelous beaches. It’s just wonderful! i had lived without cellphone and TV for a year, and I had never craved.

15. during college when everybody was talking about their plans after grad, i'd plan to go back home because 'davao needs me.' i was known for that line. hahaha.

16. i went to law school for 2months in ateneo. that was a great experience!i liked the adrenaline rush during recits.i liked staying in the library from 7am to 5pm everyday reading and studying and photocopying cases. scra was my bestfriend!!man, i miss those days!well, i stopped due to sabbath probs. sad.

17. without my parents' knowledge, i wrote their love story as an entry to chowking's greatest love story contest in february 2006. a few weeks later, my dad was surprised to have received a phone call from chowking saying they won in a love story making contest. chowking sent us lotsa gift certificates!!!

18. my favorite house chore is folding clothes. lavit!

19. i only learned to eat cereal, spinach, bell peppers, onions, celery, and hot pockets when i arrived in california last year.

20. im enjoying my studies in UP Open Univ very much!!!i didnt expect my gad studies would turn out this exciting!my major is Language and Literacy Educ.

another desperate attempts

so last night, i watched homeland security again. my eyes were all on TV, never did I leave even during commercial breaks. I would not want to miss any detail of the show. That's how much I like the show. I can feel thrill, challenge, fun, and seriousness at the same time.

Here are a few of the real-life situations that were shown last night:

1. Puerto Rico is already a US island territory so once you step there, you're already in US, though it's not part of the mainland. 93 Dominicans were spotted on a sinking boat by a high-tech manless plane that has high-end microscopes connected to the Customs and Border Patrol on land. They were headed towards Puerto Rico, hoping they'd get a better life. On their way, winds were strong and waves were angry. Their lives were at risk. US Coast Guard and Customs collaborated to save those 93 people. They sent a bigger boat in the middle of the night and off they headed back to Dominican Republic to return the hopeful illegal migrants. There were mothers and father, young men and women,and teenagers on that sinking boat. Already safe, a few people were interviewed and they said that looking for a better life and future is what pushed them to go to Puerto Rico. They wanted to leave Dominican Republic because there are no jobs there, no future, no improvement. I could empathize with these people.Sigh*

The US Coast Guard learned that the leader of their illegal adventure to Puerto Rico is the man whom they have been looking for since 1998 because of human smuggling, big-time smuggler he is. After arriving in Dominican Republic, ten of the 93 passengers, including that big-time smuggler, were sent back to US for federal punishment because of their criminal records. They're now detained.

2. In Miami airport, while passengers were getting their things from the luggage area, the airport alarm sounded off. All TSA people, Border agents, and other security officials were alarmed and shooed all the passengers to leave the area. A certain travel bag was suspicious. It was the cause of the alarm. They found it and all of them were anxious what's in it. They called a Drugs and Narcotics representative and another who's trained in Explosives. They would not open the bag until those who are called would arrived. Everybody was nervous. They're all serious. What could be in the bag? It could not be something light because the airport alarm went off. They found the owner of the bag and he's a crippled man. He was interrogated and compelled to open the bag. All eyes were on the bag, all mouths shut up, everybody was anxious and silent...they're all waiting for the owner to open his bag. The man's hand went down the bag and guess what he got from down there? Hmmm... A massager!!It was vibrating and so it sent signals around the area which caused the alarm to sound off. I could hear every official made a sigh of relief. The supervisor then shouted, "Everything cleared." And they all went back to their work. Whew.

3. A huge truck was passing by the border of Mexico and Texas. The driver was stopped for inspection. He was detained for a few hours for interrogation because up in his truck, a family was found - the parents and their son. The driver claimed he didnt know anything how the family got in there. Both parties were interviewed separately and the man was released and allowed to go to US after he convinced the Border agents about his innocence. The family, on the other hand, was sent back to Mexico. I cannot believe people can do that, risking a fellow's integrity for their selfish desires.

These are just a few of the stories featured last night. I cannot wait for next week's episode!

Homeland Security USA

I have a new favorite TV show and the title of this entry is the show itself. As I always tell Alex, I like reality shows. Homeland Security USA depicts real life situations that happen in international airports, borders, and other entry points of legal and illegal aliens getting to US. It is very challenging to watch how border patrol agents and members of TSA detect suspicious travellers and drug lords crossing the border to the US. I will tell you some situations in the last three episodes showing how desperate and stupid people can be in their desire to enter this country.

1. There is this Hispanic man in an JFK airport in NY that was about to throw up while waiting for his luggage. The TSA members were alarmed and guided him to a bathroom. Still he did not feel well. So he sent him to a doctor who performed an Xray of his stomach. Alas, 28 1.5-inch pellets were found inside him! They guided him to the bathroom again and asked him to throw them all up. He released 5 of them. When TSA inspected what the pellets are, they discovered there's heroine inside!Sigh* All 28 pellets in his tummy is worth $100,000!!! Stupid.Stupid.Stupid.

2. Another interesting situation happened in the border between US and Mexico. A woman was walking to a bridge that connected the two countries. What caught the border patrol agents' attention was, she was covering her mouth with a mask. They confronted her about it and did interrogation. She removed her mask and claimed she had a dental work done. She even showed the cotton inside her mouth. When the agents asked for her green card, she showed them a card with a different face. The face on the greencard looks chubbier and cheeky, so that explains why she was wearing a mask and pretended to have dental work while crossing the borders so her face would appear cheeky and chubbier. She said somebody sold the greencard to her and the money she spent for that was her savings for 5yrs. She looked sincere and telling the truth. Her face was not a face of a deceitful woman. She said she did not know what to do in Mexico after they'd release her. She does not have family anymore. When she was about to cry, the agents started going to the bathroom one by one to wipe their tears. They understood the situation but they had to do their job. They let her go back to Mexico with good and encouraging words.

3. One car in US-Mexico border 120 miles from San Diego was about to pass inspection successfully when a K-9 dog approached the car and would not let go. The dog went round and round the vehicle. The agents were concerned because they already inspected everything in the car and the driver was cleared. But the dog knew more than that. It smelled the tires one by one, and round and round the car. The agents went to touch the tires and there, they sensed something inside. They cut one of the rubber tires and there, they saw packets of drugs. Man, another desperate guy. So they led the driver aside and did processing.

These are just some of the situations shown in my new favorite show. Reality. Drama. Challenge. Intellect. Instinct. They're all in Homeland Security USA.

I want to be a border patrol someday!=)

i miss emilia.

Emilia was my favorite singer in high school. I really liked her song "Big, Big World" which was a hit in the US and UK before. I forgot about her for years after high school and today I looked for her in youtube. I found out she recorded more songs and produced more albums. I listened to some of her new songs and I realized I still like her, she is still my favorite. Her songs are pop-like and the messages deal with coping with real-life situations. They are also about being positive in life and being good about yourself. They are encouraging and inspiring, that's why I like them. This is one of her songs that I like, "Good sign."



Isn't she good? Isn't she pretty too? She's half-Ethiopian, half-Swedish.She is so simple too. She does not need heavy makeup and extravagant and sexy clothes to send her message across.=) I love Emilia now.

2008 talk

What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Staying in US for 6months.. travelling on a train for 7hours alone and penniless (but with ticket,of course)..Getting married. Yeah, I was never married before.

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Didn’t have resolutions, only goals. I did not expect though I'd change my mind in not finishing my contract in Palau.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, Pastor Edgar's wife in Arizona! Finally, an angel came after 3 failed pregnancies.

Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.

What countries did you visit?
Early January, I was going back to Palau through Japan and Philippines. From then on to May, I was in Palau. June, I was in Davao. The last half, I was in US. Stopovers: Guam and Hawaii.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Maturity.

What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Sept 12, 2008 - I became Mrs. Glaze!Yay!

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My marriage with my loving husband.

What was your biggest failure?
Not finishing my missionary contract in Palau. I needed to go.=(

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Sprained ankle because of too much excitement to chat with my then-boyfriend.

What was the best thing you bought?
A $79 dress, more expensive than my wedding dress. Waaah.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother in law's. He just started dating after 8 long years. What's amazing is that, the girl is my close friend.

Whose behavior appalled you and made you depressed?
Mr. J's in Palau..A jerk.

Where did most of your money go?
Saving for my change of status. Whew.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Travelling to another countries! Studying in UPOU!

What song/s will always remind you of 2008?
Still thinking.

Compared to the previous years, are you:
a. Happier or sadder? Happier.
b. Thinner or fatter? Fatterrrrr.
c. Richer or poorer? Richer, but still not enough, US-wise.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Saving money. Pray more.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time being angry and jealous of someone who does not even deserve my attention.

How did you spend Christmas?
With Alex's family over turkey, salad, pumpkin pie, and lemonade. The roasted turkey is the best!

Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, with my husband again and again.

What was your favorite TV program?
PDA and a telenovela of Claudine's. I watched them over pinoychannel.tv. I am very fond of Grey's Anatomy now.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hmmm...not really.

What was the best book you read?
I have read some books but they're not really good.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Singing.=)

What did you want and get?
Visa and marriage.

What did you want and not get?
Work permit.

Favorite film of this year?Have not watched a lot of movies.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My mom prepared food and invited my high school friends at the last minute. My mom's the best! I was 24.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A career that would satisfy me personally and financially.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?No fashion sense, but I am learning to dress according to the different 4 seasons though.

What kept you sane?
God and His promises.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Alicia Keys. Patrick Dempsey.Just because of their looks.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8

Who did you miss?
My family back in davao!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Do not stop dreaming and setting goals.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Cant think of anything.

The most touching experience you've had in 2008?
Surprising Alex with his favorite San Jose Sharks jacket.

What did you like most about yourself in 2008?
Was still goal-oriented.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
That I couldnt control my emotions. I still easily get emotional.

Was 2008 a good year for you?
Yes. Too many challenges.=)

i miss pinas!!!

since i came here in the US, i have never seen a Tv commercial that makes me laugh or impressed me. Commercials here are bleh. I miss Pinoy commercials. I just knew that this Obama commercial just came out in the Philippines and boy, it is goood...Click and watch!=)

do i deserve this, Lord?

first quarter of Mrs. Glaze

So, last friday, when I got home, Alex told me we're going to Denny's and I hesitated. I did not see any reason why we had to go, anyway, we're saving up for something big next year. I was in my usual 'kulit' self on our way there. "Are you promoted? Is it Papi's or Mami's bday? Is Ariel (his brother) there? What's with December 12?"

He said, "I will just tell you when we get there. So if I were you, I will stop guessing."

When we arrived and after ordering cranberry juice for him and orange juice for me, he held my hands and said, "It's our first quarter together as husband and wife. I want to celebrate." I almost cried. "Thank God, we still do not hate each other." I smiled. I hugged him tight and we enjoyed our husband-and-wife conversation over tilapia with rice and beans for him and nachos with jalapeno and beef and sour cream for me.and oh, the all-time favorite of mine, garlic bread. it was almost 10pm and it was not wise for both of us to get stuffed. when we were on our way home, i asked him, "did any box arrive today?" he said, "yes, but I did not open it because I did not know to whom it was for." I just said, "Good. We will open it together."

I was glad it arrived that Friday. I knew it was the box I longed to arrive. It's my Christmas gift to Alex from NHL. It's a San Jose Sharks jacket he always looked at online and told me, "Isn't it nice, Langga?" But I usually brushed him off to give him the impression that I am not so interested about it, but little did he know at the back of my mind I was already planning to buy it and had it delivered in our doorstep.

When we arrived home, I told Alex calmly, "Why didnt you open it? It said it's for you." He was surprised because every time a box arrived from the post office or UPS, it was always for me. It would either be a gift from friends or relatives. So he did not bother to open the box the first he saw it. I said, "Open it. It must be something special."

He slowly opened the box and his eyes widely opened when he saw the turquoise/teal jacket from San Jose Sharks, his favorite ice hockey team! I said, "Merry Christmas, cielito! It's my Christmas gift!" He closed the box, sat beside me, and gave me the warmest hug in the world. He was teary-eyed when he said, "Thank you." I said, "You deserve it. Try it on. I am sure it looks good on you." Like a little boy receiving a toy he likes, he excitedly wore it and made a model-like pose in front of me. Hahaha. He was soo funny. "My wife gave this to me!!!" he shouted. He wore the jacket even when he went to sleep and he was hyper the whole weekend. =)

I am so happy to have made Alex happy. He has been so dead tired and stressed out everyday because of work and he really deserves to be happy. He will wear the jacket on March15, when we'll watch the San JOse Sharks Games in Anaheim. Cooool. I will surely post a picture here of him wearing it. For now, I can only show you the jacket.=)



It surely looks good with his color huh? =) Happy 1st quarter cielito..

manicure.pedicure.facial.massage.

wow, that felt sooo good yesterday!I had my first spa treatment yesterday since i arrived here in californi. it was amazing. it felt so relaxing. finally i managed to go to a spa all by myself and no worries how much i'd pay. (it was not as expensive as i expected it to be.)hope i can do it again with alex next time..

im in riverside, california and i love the weather of the desert! it's warm during the day, it's cold at night! it's soothing because it's not cool all day long unlike in LA and camarillo. i love desert life now, plus the cost of living is low.

i cant make a christmas wish list, money just doesnt allow. alex and i are prioritizing some things that need to be done soon - my papers, his studies, paying off debts and bills.thats it.

life is challenging here in US. it's not heaven, but it's not hell either. it's just different.well, im still on the adjustment phase. i have only been here for 5 months. im still hopeful things will get better as time goes by...indeed, my life is in His hands.=)

same sex marriage

This is a controversial issue here in california. on the election day, the YES votes - banning of same sex marriage - prevailed with a slim edge. Slim or not, deep inside my heart, I am happy with the outcome.

Alex voted no. His dad voted no too, though they both are personally against it. They said, they cannot impose their moral/religious standards on anybody and any person can do whatever he/she wants. The government should not stop them. God even gives us the freedom of choice. He does not stop/compel anyone to do something, but everybody should keep in mind that every choice has consequences. I respect my husband and father-in-law for their inner sentiments.

But I have my own stand too. When Alex and I applied for a marriage license in Norwalk, LA's big registry center, we saw many gay and lesbian couples lining up with us. Same sex marriages were still accepted that time for 4 months. It was soo new to me. When we got married in Lancaster, the officiating officer said we were the best-looking couple of the day because we were the only heterosexual pair who got married in Lancaster that day. I agree with her. I still believe in traditional marriage and the beautiful marriage God officiated in the Garden of Eden was for Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. It's as simple as that.I am not ready yet to see homosexual marriages legalized here in california.

Forgive me for being different but I am at peace with my choice to say Yes to banning of same sex marriage. Democracy has spoken. The people's message was clear. Be at peace with it too.

it rained!!!

i woke up at 7:10 am today and (lazily) did my devotionals. when I went out to open the door and get the morning paper, i heard the rain. finally, i saw the rain showers i always wished for 4 months now. yay!!! it's a dream come true. coming from two tropical countries in the past year, i miss rain! ive never seen rain since i left palau and philippines.the feel of the wet grass you step on is the one i miss most. well, california does not experience rain showers all the time. in fact, when it rains, it doesn't pour. so this morning, the rain stopped a few minutes after.;( that's it. that's the california rain. the good thing is, it was enough to wet the ground!ill go for a walk in a little while. the smell of the wet leaves falling from the trees and the sight of squirrels jumping around the village are enough to make my day. Thank God!

surprises!

Last Friday on my way back to Burbank, I met a Turkish lawyer who was so uncomfortable speaking in English. I befriended her and we talked so many things about our travelling experiences and a few info about our personal lives. She was with her parents who do not speak English at all and her 18yr old brother.We talked about US and how it's a so-so country and I learned that she speaks Spanish and French fluently. She said she likes France so much and wants to live there again. What interests me most is that she has travelled to almost all countries in the world. I showed her my Palau pictures in my laptop and she said with conviction, "I will definitely visit that island." (Sorry Pinas, it's not you, whom I showed)

While we were busy knowing more about each other, my phone rang. It's my husband. He asked me what station I already was and why didnt I give him a ring when I got on the train. I laughed and promised to tell him the reason later when I see him at my destination station. (I was busy talking with my new friend!) We fianlly said our 143s and hung up. Three minutes later, he called again, asking me what part of the train I was sitting because he said, he needs to tell the ticketing officer of the station where he's at for our train tickets for the next day's travel to Northern calfiornia, and I said, "You know I like being on the 2nd floor. What are you talking about?" He said he's just making sure. We hung up and I got busy talking again. I explained to my new friend who the caller was and that he's picking me up at the next station. A few minutes later, I noticed three guys walking past by me in the aisle. They were on their backs. The first two guys are the train conductors, they were wearing their cool white uniforms. The last and tallest guy behind them was carrying flowers and I could see the red roses in front of him even if he was on his back. Then I realized that the jacket the guy was wearing was soo familiar. Then suddenly, the guy turned around...and..and..it's ALEX!!! He said, "There you are!" and the two conductors in front of him asked, "So did you find her?" I was blushing when Alex gave me the red roses. I was soo happy to see him. My new friend was even more surprised at first. She asked for confirmation if he's my husband. RIght when I said yes, she readily spoke to him in Spanish. One minute later, we had finally arrived at Burbank station and while we were on our way down, the passengers were looking at us, smiling. I was already carrying the twelve sweet-smelling red roses. I was sooo happy! It was a very pleasant surprise!

What is interesting is, I made it official after our wedding 3 weeks ago that Alex is bad at surprises because he hasnt been successful yet in surprising me. It turns out, he's not bad at it after all.=)

Thank you so much, Cielito! You make me soo happy! I love you!

three months and marriage..

Three months have passed since I arrived at the peaceful domestic airport of LAX (yes, it's domestic because I flew in from hawaii). Too many things have changed and I do understand, Lord, that everything's part of a bigger picture.=)

I am a married woman now. When Alex's brother and dad introduced us in different occasions as "this is my brother/son and his wife," all emotions sank in my heart. I could not believe what I just heard. I am Alex's wife now - his bestfriend, lover, roommate, help mate, cook, house keeper, nanny of our children. Though he doesnt like me hearing from me those last three roles, I still consider myself as so. It's being part of loving him and the family we're building.

So I cried 80% of the time during the ceremony. I can't help it. I am just glad I didnt wear too much makeup on that day. Simple is beautiful, as they say. Oh well..that's just my excuse because honestly, I do not know how to put on makeup on my own. But Alex likes simple. My wedding dress we both bought on the wedding day itself was simple. My makeup was simple. The ceremony was simple. The reception at Panda Inn organized by the Harrises was simple. The cake was simple. Everything was simple as we wanted it to be. And, oh, our dwelling place is simple. I am just glad it has a swimming pool for me to unwind and maintain my exercises.

This is it. This is the real world. Marriage is not always a bed of roses. I knew that even before I jumped into the bed. That's why I mustered enough courage and faith before signing the papers. I read what Michelle Eimeren, Ogie Alcasid's wife, said in Philippine Star online today and I think it will be a good motto if you've just started marriage. It said, "Life is short, so why dwell on the negative?" I smiled and nodded like July 4th.=)

I also read from CNN an article about keeping the marriage alive. The secret? Be quiet. That makes me laugh. But it is not kidding. That is indeed the secret of making a marriage work. It's connection that matters. Read the article at http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/09/26/o.improve.your.marriage/index.html and tell me what you think.

Before our first anniversarry on Sept12 next year, I will be a better woman and wife hopefully. I want to see a stronger and more loving Rica Glaze than she is today. Also, I hope and pray that the little hopes and dreams I share with Alex will come true.

Life is short, so why dwell on the negative? =)

the small BIG day

A big big blessing was poured on me and my ex-boyfriend (now my husband) last Friday.

Here's the story..

I got a job and I believe this job's for me. With this job, I have to live with my employer and I have my weekends off. Every Friday, I go to the place I share with my husband and return every Sunday night. I always take the train. It is faster and cheaper than my husband driving me to and fro. Last Friday, two trains collided in one of the stations i pass by every train trip i take. 25 died and 138 were seriously injured. The latter are still in hospitals as of the moment.

Our wedding was originally scheduled on Sept 5 but no matter what my husband and I do, we could not make it happen. There were obstacles and all doors were closed on that day so we decided to do it on sept12 which is last friday. Last week, I traveled back home on Thursday night, instead of Friday, because of our wedding the next day. Friday came and while we were on our way to Panda Inn for the wedding reception in the afternoon, my brother-in-law called informing us about the said train collision in Chatsworth. And my heart started to beat so fast. I was supposed to be in that train if it were not for the wedding. Whew. God is amazing! He led Alex and me to set the final date of our wedding. If we didn't listen to Him, I could be dead by now. I could not believe what had happened. My life is, indeed, in His hands.

Praise God for everything, guys! Pray without ceasing! Tonight before you sleep, I woud really appreciate it if you include me in your thanksgiving prayers. Thank you so much!

By the way, the wedding was great! Everything was so simple as what Alex and I wanted. His family was there and supportive. The wedding day was more spiritual than social, which we like so much. We can't stop praising Him!!

So, friends, please welcome MR. AND MRS. ALEX GLAZE!!!!

two months..

Ok, so two months have passed since I arrived and many things had happened. I couldn't believe it because they are good things! Too many things to look forward to and God has been perfect in making things and schedules in order! Thank God for that! There were times that I doubted His will and emotions came ahead of my mind. I lost pails of tears I saved for the future. But God made things brighter and clearer. Some things are meant to happen and they will happen, in His own time.

So, plans 1 and 2 will be soon, in 2 weeks even. Also, God provided plan 3 even before plans 1 and 2 occurred. Isn't that great? Plan 3 will happen today. Alex and his brother will drive me to Camarillo. They said it's a beautiful part of California and most people living there are rich. Hmm..interesting. But I am just glad doors are opening for me and alex, with God's leading.

More blessings are coming!! Thank you God!!

one month..

today marks my first month in US and so far it has been good. nothing bad happened so far and for that I am thankful. i am just looking forward to some events that are yet to come.:)

well, as my fiance reminds me, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and LEAN NOT ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Emphasis on the LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING because we humans tend to believe we can do everything without Him when in fact without Him, everything would be impossible. Well, God knows He has to do something big soon so I am patiently waiting for that. As the song says, "In His time, He makes all things beautiful..in His time.."

Blessings for the past month:

1. I arrived in this foreign country safely. Guam and Hawaii were my stopovers. Two beautiful islands!!
2. I met the love of my life once again and we were together for 2 weeks.
3. A job offer came.:)
4. I was able to ride a train for 7hours - broke and alone.
5. I am the first relative to see Kian, my new cousin.
6. New friends from my UPOU classes!
7. I gained my uncle and auntie's trust.:)
8. There is a tree full of ripe peaches at the backyard of their house. Amazing!
9. There's an apple tree too!!!
10. Initially, I am going back to Burbank on August 10.

It is sad to note that this is my first year since I graduated in 2005 that I wont be teaching. I miss teaching. Well, california requires 2 exams and 12 units in order to be a credentialed teacher here. So, Rica, soon and very soon...

I am hoping and praying that from today and until next month, more changes will happen.more good things will be in my hands. I am hopeful, very hopeful.

EQ daw

Your EQ is 127

You usually have it going on emotionally, but roadblocks tend to land you on your butt. On an average day, you're quite happy, together, and content. You live your life well. Your emotions aren't always stable, but you can go along with the ups and downs pretty well. You tend to be motivated, energetic, focused, and level headed. You see the world pretty rationally, and you don't tend to over dramatize things. When things are bad, you know they eventually have to get better.

What's Your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)?

updates :)

1. I am really enjoying my online studies! my course PSYCHOLOGY OF READING is a blast!! i am sure dennis will agree with me about this.
2. i am in US now - bum, unemployed, idle. oh well, ive only been here for a week so what do i expect?
3. i am not yet married.:)
4. i went through guam and hawaii on my way to LA. hawaii is amazing!!! (i dont have pics to show. sorry.)
5. i am always alone at home. everybody is working.it's good there's a pool in the lawn.
6. it is sooooo hot here. mas mainit pa sa manila right at this very moment. whew. buti nalang may pool.
7. alex's landlady is soo nice to me.
8. next week, i will be in modesto to visit my uncle elbert. his wife is giving birth. i will be staying there for 2months. i will take the train next week - alone!!
9. The People's Court is the show I always watch. :)
10. I still feel I am in the Philippines.

Thank you for the prayers! More prayers this time..:)

kayangel, palau

talking about challenges...

Yes, i am not a perfect teacher but i have been trying my best to be one great teacher for my 25 sixth graders here in palau. So far, everything has been good. even if my kids think im no fun teacher but i know they are learning and what's good is, they are aware of it.

I have the biggest class in the school. yes, 25 isnt that big compared to what i had back in UP but in Palau, that number is big deal. These are not college kids whom you'll just say, "Study this and we'll discuss this tomorrow" or "Read pages blah to blah and make a reaction paper out of it." These are 25 hyperactive kids who need love, care, and understanding. If spoonfeeding is needed, I have to do it. Since the schoolyear started, the principal mr. nelson kept on apologizing to me since they couldn't find another teacher who could teach half of my class. you see, palau sda school is a mission school and 3/4 of its teachers are student missionaries from all over the world. each grade level too has 2 sections. only the 6th grade level has no section B this year.

as for me, i could handle the kids. but i get stricter everyday. i get firmer too. which the kids hate so much. i think it's because of their number. 25 hyper kids isnt easy to handle. like a hen, i should gather my chicks and not allow anyone to wander. because i got stricter and firmer as days went by, i got more tired too at the end of each day. it takes so much effort to be strict and firm, you know. so when someone from england wrote mr.nelson last december to volunteer for the school, he readily accepted him. i was so happy too. finally, i could have someone to help me out with my students. he could teach some of the subjects. he could check some of the papers.i am excited for my kids too. a new teacher would be so much fun in class.

liam arrived from england right after the 3rd quarter, during the spring break. he was in egypt last year teaching in a sudanese refugee school. he's 19years old. his interesting accent entice the kids right away. my girls started flirting with him. he teaches okay though sometimes the kids couldnt understand him easily. while i was busy directing the school play in the afternoon, he is teaching my afternoon classes. days passed, parent after parent called the school office. most of them emailed me too. they all expressed negative remarks about the new teacher. he speaks bad words calling my kids B**** and mentions F*** while teaching, he brings his iPOD in school and makes the kids listen to not-so-good music, he brings his laptop and makes them watch american pie, he is disorganized with the lessons, he just let the kids do their own and not monitor them, etc. i was stressed out. the principal didn't know what to do. so these complaints are the reasons when i noticed my kids were getting uncontrollable and wilder these past few days. it was so hard for me to calm them down. before, if i'd only count 1,2,3 they'd go back to their seats and keep quiet. but lately, they have changed. things have changed in the classroom since liam arrived.

so i told the principal,"sir, i want my kids back. if i had known things would get worse as this, i shouldnt have allowed him to teach. i want to teach my kids again the whole day. i dont want them to go to 7th grade with this new attitude they have. they dont follow our class rules anymore. i feel sorry for them."

so principal talked to the guy and liam was so upset about it.

today is his last day of teaching. i was out in the afternoon practicing for the play then one of my students came to tell me liam threw scissors to JJ's head. whew. so i went running. after a few mins, i learned that there are two girls missing in my class. i asked someone to look for them around the campus but he came back disappointed, and this is 15mins before 3pm, the school dismissal. at 3:15, the 2 girls arrived. they said they went to penthouse, a refreshment area owned by one of them. this girl is a supreme court judge's daughter.i sent them to the principal's office. how couldn't liam notice two of my kids went out of the room while he's there teaching?whew.boy, obviously, he cant handle my class.

more parents came today after school to complain about their kids' grades in language and social studies. these are the subjects liam teaches in my class! they told the principal,'everthing was smooth sailing before. how could you hire someone when school is almost over?he's not helpful to the kids!"

boy, the principal was so disappointed. i dont know what to do either. i'm just glad i'll be back to teaching them next week and i need to help them make up to pull their grades up. parents are worried. principal is disappointed. i am pressured. *sigh*

i have only one month left to bring my kids back to normalcy. we cannot mess up this time.

boy,what a day. what an experience.

excitement!

I am so excited! I knew it! This year will be a blast!:)

sweet apology letter

i knew it.

a new challenge indeeed. i sprained my ankle real hard on the first day of this new week.whew.

we went to the rock islands that sunday and arrived home at 5pm. i took a shower real fast so i could go to the faculty lounge to do some research before the sun sets. while i was going down the stairs from our 3rd floor apartment, i tripped. waaaaaaaaah. right foot twisted...laptop on my butt... it was my first time to experience that. my co-workers who were living on the 2nd floor brought me upstairs and i applied hot and cold compress on the swollen area. that night i couldnt walk. the next morning, it was still very painful to walk.i was absent in class.

im glad pastor mar was there with his wife next door. he massaged the swollen area and it felt better after. i was able to go to school in the afternoon but i needed a rod that time. it was still painful.

today, it's way better than yesterday! my walking is normal again and the pain is almost gone.yay!!!!

there's always a first time..that was challenging enough. parents aren't here, boyfriend isn't here. but i managed! im still thankful it's not dislocation. :) God is here.

random thoughts

Since I arrived from US last january, many things have changed - emotionally, spiritually, and socially. Things here get boring, everything has been routinary. Thank God, 3 months are left before the schoolyear ends.

Plans have changed too. I'll keep them between me and God for now.

I am glad I am back to my daily devotions. Spending time with Him every morning is really great. Talking with my Creator before I face each day gives me more confidence and more drive to do the tasks He has given me.

Well, another week is here. I know there will be new trials, new experiences with the kids, new challenges, new opportunities to show love, new discoveries within me and others.

=)

wish i am a creative writer..

wonderful.beautiful.amazing.happy.

these are the only words i could describe my whole trip in US. i could not find the right words. everything has been so wonderful, beautiful, and amazing. this is one of the times that i wish i am a creative writer so i could vividly describe every moment of the trip.


the smiles tell it all :)


with my aunts in las vegas


im back in palau now. im back to the real world. the principal was shocked when he saw me arriving in school. he said he wouldn't be surprised if i opted to stay there and that he'd be surprised if i'd come back. knowing the number of filipinos who went to US and didnt come back, i couldnt blame him. but i was true to my word, i did come come back - still whole and willing to teach. i told him, "why don't you believe me that palau is where God wants me to be this year?" he laughed. i laughed too.

the trip was wonderful, amazing, and beautiful. i like it there but God told me it wasnt the right time for me to stay for good. THERE IS A RIGHT TIME, and that time is perfect and fool-proof.:)

miracles and blessings!!!

just posing at hilton minneapolis

merry christmas everyone!

when this year started, i just wished for guimaras. i really wanted to visit that small island in visayas. i also had a plan to study in a bible college in US. but things changed. God had much better plans.

instead of guimaras, He sent me to palau to teach 25 sixth graders in palau sda school. it is a new experience and the only word that describes this big shift in my life is: CHALLENGING.whew.but it was clear, palau is where God wants me to be this year and next year after months of praying and pleading to Him.

because of this palau job, my plan to study in US was cancelled...but..but..God had a plan for that too.He never ceases to amaze me. He wanted me to attend the general youth conference in minessotta. the visa application was emotionally and psychologically draining but i got it!:) i arrived in US on dec15. cielito and his two sda friends picked me up from the airport. he's soooooo loving and sooooo handsome. i flew to minneapolis on dec19 and stayed with my korean roommates at hilton minneapolis. the weather in MN was really crazy. sooooooo cold. it was snowing the 2nd day i stayed there and it snowed again on the day i left the state for LA. in effect, flights were delayed and some were even cancelled. goodness..but my stay there was really great and incomparable. GYC was a blessing. messages were powerful. and..and..who would have thought i'd see snow this year? and experience -20C temperature? it was really crazy but fun!next GYC 2008 will be in in san jose, california. hopefully and prayerfully, ill be there.*wink*


GYC at minneapolis convention center


ang lamig!!!!!

life here has been good. ill be in las vegas this weekend with my uncles. time flies soooo fast too. the week after next week, ill leave for palau. :( but then again, it was clear palau is where God wants me to be this school year and teaching 6th graders is what He wants me to do. next school year, who knows where ill be? im always ready for surprises, Lord. i love you.

im sooo excited!!!

i am doing a countdown. 19 days more and i'll be leaving for USA! I am sooo excited!!! I will leave from here in koror to manila on dec14. UP buddies liz and ais will see me at the airport and will entertain me until i check in for my LA flight the next day early morning. i can't wait to see those girls too! it has been a loooooooong time. they are the best and most loveable girls i know.

i will have two stopovers in Japan - one in Nagoya and the other one is in Tokyo. that would be lotsa fun! i'll get to see a lot of places. yes, i know i'll just be at the airport but still, it's a different place.hahaha. i will arrive in LA on dec15 745am and my cielito will get me from there. i am soooo excited and scared at the same time. excited because i would see him and this meeting is finally an answered prayer after 7months of appealing to God; scared because i'll be in a totally different world at that time and i might forget I am actually teaching here in palau and i have 25 students waiting for my return in january.

on dec19, i will leave LA to minneapolis for the general youth conference where i am part of the communciation team. i will stay in Hilton hotel with Korean roommates until dec23. then ill fly back to LA and stay at my uncles' in corona city or at my uncle's in modesto or at my cielito's in burbank.

i will leave LA in jan7, arrive in manila in jan8 late evening and fly to koror in jan9. jan11 is again parent-teacher conference so i need to prepare for that. so goodluck nalang sa jetlag na yan. walang jetlag jetlag rica..

i dont think this US trip in december is wrong timing for me because the youth conference which is my main purpose of the trip falls in december... it's just that one of my bestfriends who lives in san jose, CA wont be there because she will go home to davao on the same day ill arrive in LA. her sis' wedding is on dec18. also, one of my closest AMiCUS friends in Diliman (who is in minneapolis now for a job training) will also leave US on the same day ill arrive in LA. waaaaaaaaaah. he is supposed to be my tour guide in minnesotta. oh well.. they have their lives too. so definitely, this is a solo trip. i have to accept that.

a blessing from the Lord still! i am soooo happy.. i am sooo excited...

mama, papa, i will miss you.

thank you, Lord!

got it. visa granted. 1 entry. good for 6 months. be there in december.

what a gift, Lord! thank you so much!

i dont want to be anxious!

This week I will do something that's beyond my control. It makes me nervous but I have to do it. I will do it. God, help me. I should not be scared, I should not be nervous. As I said, it is beyond my control so I will let Him take control. :)

Pray for me, people.

sombrero

i have spanish-speaking co-teachers and among all my foreign co-teachers, they have been the friendliest.

yesterday, we saw each other at the shopping center and they invited me to eat with them in Bandidos, a mexican restaurant, near my apartment. and they added cheerfully, "and we can take a picture wearing our sombreros."

i said,"how did u know that word? it's filipino."

nicole knows how to speak little filipino so i thought she got it from her Filipino friends.

she said,"its Spanish."

"oh yeah right.you all conquered us for 300years!" i said jokingly.

"hey, hey, hey, they conquered us too." all three of them said almost together.

and so we went out to meet the americans. they wanted to eat out too. at first i was kinda hesitant because i am the only filipino who's going. but when we arrived at the place where restaurants are (i dont know the street but it is just one block from my apartment), the spanish-speaking gals cornered me and told me to follow them. there i knew, we were going to bandidos alone. the others were going somewhere.

while eating, we had so much fun discussing about each other's cultures, families, education, countries, etc. i ordered chicken taquitos, by the way.and here we are with our sombreros. Tania said, "i think we should do this often!"


from left: tania (half-costa rican,half-guatemalan),nicole (half-guatemalan, half-cuban), me, and rebecca (half-el salvadorian, half-guatemalan)

so these are my new friends. are spanish-speaking people gifts from heaven? my boyfriend is panamanian. *wink*

seeing God in Palau

homesick

for the first time in 2weeks, i felt sooo homesick last night. i miss my family, especially opong so much.waaaaaaaaaaaaah.cried and cried last night.

:(

whew.

what a day.

the whole time this morning, i was under the sun.the heat is really different here in palau. it seeps through the skin and sucks all the energy that i have. it seems like only palau has the sun. it was good that we only have half-day today because one,it is the welcome back party of the students and two,it is friday.i love fridays now!!we only have half-day classes.

i still cram for my classes every night because i wasnt well-prepared. i should have arrived 2weeks before they started. i arrived last sunday because of immigration reasons. the day after, it's the first day of school.whew.i was able to review what the cell theory is and cells' characteristics..the early life of humans, map reading, Bible stories and lessons during my 6th grade. yes, im teaching 6th grade. i am glad their books are great - bookbound, comprehensive, have teachers' edition and well-explained. promise, ill prepare more for the next month this weekend. i need to do lots of things. i still have to think of what projects will i require from them this school year. ok, ok, ill think it over the weekend.

my cousin is coming tonight!yay!!!she will be a missionary teacher in the same school where i am teaching so we will share the same apartment. she's a good cook so it's a plus too.hahaha.

we'll be swimming and snorkeling under the bridge on sunday. cannot wait. i saw that bridge when i was about to land last sunday. it was sooo beautiful. i wont forget my digicam.:)

that's all for now. palau is good.

good things

things that make me laugh/smile for the past 2weeks:

1. My cute bro was selected by his classmates' parents to represent his class in the Mr. Nutrition pageant. rarampa siya sa friday. waaaaaaaah. sana ma-perfect niya ang "ako po si Rico Rodolfo Yap Bolos, representing level 1!"
2. My Cielito is still understanding and patient as ever. happy 3 months!
3. I was finally done with my medical examination and palau got it already. whew!
4. I got superior intelligence, according to my neuro-psychiatrist. hello, ang dali kaya ng mga questions ng 3 tests.hihihi.
5. My sister was finally given a chance to work so she can save for her NCLEX and CGFNS exams.
6. I got pics of my future room, kitchen, and bathroom in Palau! Everything is nice. I cant wait to go.Thanks, Ruben!
7. I got a new Korean friend. her name is Linda.
8. A baby is coming! Congratulations to Cielito's best friends Brad and Denae!
9. Alchemy's two former hosts made it to the top12 of Be Bench. One of them is a former student of mine in UP.
10. Blessing Echo Singers did great last Sabbath. I was sooooo blessed!
11. Ate Lau, my 28yr old UP schoolmate, finally announced to the world that she is ready to have a boyfriend. hahaha. go, ate lau!

last sabbath 07/21/07

"I am so glad that Jesus loves me..Jesus loves me.."


sinong gaya gaya?

my big little bro

hey, pay attention to the ceremony!


where is your Bible, bearer?


looking more like papa..


boy na boy na talaga!

for the first time..

i finally got busy for the first time after 2yrs of working. i went back to my former employer - an advertising agency - and my boss gave me loads of tasks to do. i just directed and wrote a documentary on the premiere high school in Mindanao. i spent sleepless nights in the office. i couldnt believe im back to the broadcasting world again. for the months that i have stayed here in the company, i can say it's all worth it. this is the first time after my graduation 2years ago that i have finally practiced my production skills.

the documentary is done now. nexta ssignment is to conceptualize a talk show for channel 28 by RODY project. whew!

while im enjoying this part of my life now, im also sad at the same time because im leaving this company for good soon. i just handed my resignation letter last week. i felt nostalgic about it. i have already learned to love the freelance artists, the production crew, and my understanding boss. but i dont want this "better" opportunity to pass by. i have always known im for a better place and better job.

wish me luck. all for God's glory!

Chloe..oh Chloe..

i havent watched 24 all my life but i know it is one of the most-watched TV series in the world. the suspense and mystery of the show and the charm and strength of all the characters entice the audience to stay on and be excited on every episode that is to come. one of the biggest fans of 24 that i know is my boss - Dax.

Dax always compares me with Chloe, the character played by actress Mary Lynn Rajskub in 24. but why oh why? Dax said whenever he watches 24, he could see me in the set because of Chloe's presence. according to my research,Chloe is good in computers while i am not. she has demonstrated proficiency with handguns and automatic weapons while I don't know anything about weaponry. so what makes me comparable to chloe, i asked Dax.



"Look at the way she looks like while working and worries about things." so i looked for her pics online. oh boy. whatever.

so everybody in the office is calling me Chloe now. is that good or bad? i guess i should buy DVDs of 24 soon so i'll find out.

B- traveler ako :(

I am just a B- traveler, according to Lakbayan. i will make it an A very very soon. anyone?

Godsend

This song by DC Talk has been playing on my head for days now.This is the first time that i appreciated a soft rock Christian music. =)


Hoping, praying, Ive been waiting
Everybody needs somebody to love
Theres no question, straight from heaven
Youre my angel, Im so crazy for you

(chorus)
Youre a Godsend
A blessing from above
Youve been God-sent to me
Youre the Godsend
Ive been dreaming of
Youre a Godsend

Holding your hand, touching your face
I will love you now and always I swear
I will never forget that first moment we met
When two worlds collided and I found my best friend

(repeat chorus)

(bridge)
I was made for you, you were made for me
In this lonely world, we were meant to be in love


I will never forget that first moment we met
When two worlds, they crashed in
And I found my best friend

(repeat chorus)

another stupid publicity..

oh no..this is all over davao city now. why do people get crazy sometimes?

peace, man...

random updates

- yes, i didn't vote and i didnt feel guilty about it. papa got angry but he cannot force me.*wink*
- im sort of productive today! yay!!
- got hold of an acceptance letter from a US college. but..my name there was rico bolos. uh-oh.. i returned it and told them to give me another letter with my correct name on it...right now!*kidding*
- my baby bro is going to pre-school this june. i cannot wait to accompany mama buy his uniforms, shoes, pencils, crayons, etc.
- my nene is sleeping now with his cam on. im glad hes not snoring.hahahha
- there are many things to look forward to this year and im sooooo excited!

to vote or not to vote

i still cannot make up my mind if i will vote or not. all those who are running do and say the same things, promise many things. i can no longer distinguish who's real and fake. i can no longer tell who really is a true servant.

really, do we still have hope? i cannot convince myself of this.

but if ever i'll vote today..my bets would be:

1. Kiko Pangilinan
2. Anthony Trillanes
3. Joker Arroyo
4. NoyNoy Aquino

that's all...

"When you bow down before God and admit dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give you honor."

James 4:10

high school reunion

i came home late last night. we had a high school reunion. as usual, we had a great time. some classmates who are already working in manila came home and they treated everybody a barrel of beer and 3 pitchers of gin pine. again, i didnt drink. hehehe. but im glad everybody was happy, especially the boys. my first love was there, my classmates since grade 1 were there. my close and not-so-close friends were there too.

there wasn't a dull moment last night. we always laughed remembering the experiences we had 6-9 years ago and i am amazed on how sharp my ex-classmates' memories are. i couldn't even recall those things all by myself. one topic was about the wooden bridge we were required to make in our physics class. while everybody was reminiscing the past and the details on how they came up with their individual bridges, i was squeezing my brain out recalling if i indeed made a bridge that time.

"Why can't i remember that?" i asked the noisy group.

"ambot nimo uy..asa ka atong panahuna!" Diana and Carlo, the two funny clowns we have in IV-Diamond, said.

Still trying to recall that "bridge" incident, somebody suddenly talked.

"I was the one who made your bridge." it was my ex.

Silence. The rain poured harder.

After three seconds, everbody went back talking again. this time, it's no longer about the bridge.

happy family

papa gave mama red roses yesterday. awww...

i still cannot imagine how my parents have sustained the love that they have for each other. they still walk hand in hand on the way to Bangkerohan market on Sunday mornings, they still jog together. they still smile flirtatiously at each other. one time, i caught them stealing winks at each other during church services.

my parents have a weird love story. they only had a one-month courtship and NO friendship, contrary to what the elders keep on advising us, "Long friendship and short engagement makes a successful marriage." papa's first pasalubong to mama on his first visit to her house is camote. the next week, it's papaya. during their courtship, papa's first gift to her is a brassiere. mama's family doesnt like him because he isnt chinese. she is a daughter of a Chinese lawyer-politician from Cebu. mama was 22, papa was 24.

in one of their chats last year, they realized that they had actually met in their pre-teen years. papa was a popsicle vendor outside of an exclusive school where mama went to. everyday, mama would buy papa's products and she would always love to choose ube flavor. this is one thing that papa remembered in her a long time ago. who would forget this chubby girl who always disarranged his piles of popsicle inside the icebox? so every before dismissal time, papa would already prepare mama's favorite popsicle ube flavor. little did they know they'd meet again 15 years later.

now they have 4 children. the girls are 11 months apart from each other. the boys are 13 years apart. the eldest and the youngest have a 20-year age gap. all have straight shiny hair. hahaha!

This Feb 28, we will all be celebrating their 24th anniversarry. and i am hoping that the love that we all have for each other in the family will continue on.

their love story may not be the best story in the world but i believe that is the way God designed their love story to be - no friendship, 1-month courtship, but 100-year of companionship (who knows?). what matters is what they have established as a couple. what matters is not how they started but how they sustained the relationship up to now - with love and with God.

by the way, their love story won in the Best Love Story contest organized by Chowking last year. *wink*