Christmas in September

It is September! I could've sworn there was something fishy when, on my way to work this morning, the radio was blaring Jose Mari Chan's "Christmas in our Hearts" yeah, it's September all right... start of the "BER" months (SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER, DecemBER) which also signals the (unofficial) start of the Christmas season for most Filipinos.

You'll hear Christmas carols this early on the radio. Next month, October, you'll get to see some houses or establishments putting up decorations. Then in November, after the first week (All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day), Christmas will be in full-blast, and last till the first Sunday of January (Feast of the Three Kings). Better start that Christmas list!

The first Christmas celebrated in the Philippines was in 1565, when Spanish colonizers brought the holiday to the islands.

LOL that was the info I got from my 6 year old daughter, Andee (thank God she loves books!).

Rally for Easy Money

Went to work yesterday with a shirt a bit wrinkled... I am not quite that expert in ironing. It just so happened that our labandera (laundrywoman) wasn't able to come. She launders our clothes on Mondays and comes back the next day for ironing. For some strange reason, she wasn't able to call or text (yes, she has her own mobile phone).
This morning was a relief. She came in with a story that left me in awe...well, if you'd describe it that way.

The reason why she wasn't able to come yesterday was because she had to 'attend' a rally re: the impeachment of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Batasang Pambansa. My mom reacted and asked why the hell does she had to attend that rally. The answer was.. "Ma'am, kasi may bayad na P100.00 para dalawang oras lang" (Ma'am, they pay P100.00 just for 2 hours of rallying). Apparently yesterday, there was a 'recruiter' at their place recruiting 150 people to join the rally for a hundred bucks, complete with merienda (snack)-- juice and hamburger-- and two trucks to charter them to and back. Our labandera has been doing that eversince... I remember the time when I was still in retail and was assigned in Robinson's Galleria-- that was when there was a big big rally in favor of Erap at the Shrine(then Pres. Joseph Estrada) It was the year when he was replaced by GMA. There were lots of people in the mall and grocery with crispy P500.oo bills. Hmmm....

So to make the story short, our labandera, who earns P300.00 per day for her services, made P300.00 (she was with her two kids) yesterday for just 2 hours, basking under the sun, attending a rally for GMA's impeachment. Sheesh! Well, easy money, that is...

Art Therapy

Went out with my good friend, Gel, today. We both sort of need a breathe of fresh air and a dash of civilization, after a week of work. I've known her for the most of my years... classmates from Grades 1-5 (she was in a different class in the 6th grade), 1st-4th year in High School, 1st - 4th year in College, and up to the 1st year at work (at a bank). We only became really friends in 2nd year college.

Gel is sooo talented in photography. I'd think we'd be a great team with our own galleries! We spent the day talking about life, what it made us, why it made us as such, and what more of life we would anticipate. We visited art galleries in the Shang-rila Plaza Mall in Edsa. Watched a live on-the-spot painting session with Saturday Group's (and my mentor-- teehee!! ) Fernando Sena and his class.

We also visited Color Me Mine (Philippine franchise at the 5th level of the Shang), where one could paint his/her own ceramic art piece! You chose a ceramic piece and you are provided with paints, templates, etc. You draw or paint your design and once finished, your masterpiece will be 'fired' in kilns (Any of various ovens for hardening, burning, or drying substances such as grain, meal, or clay, especially a brick-lined oven used to bake or fire ceramics.) for that final touch! The staff there are so accomodating and really answered all our queries. Wow... great way to spent the day! Art therapy to the max!

We'll be coming back, that's for sure.

The Man In My Life

When I first saw him, my heart fluttered.
He has the most wonderful smile that could melt a woman's heart.
His eyes are expressive. He would catch me looking at him..
and then he'll give me a smile.

He'd embrace me tightly when we sleep, seeming to say, 'just be here
beside me'. He'll wake me up in the morning with his kisses...
and call out my name.
He would sneak behind me and steal a kiss and embrace. He'll hold my
hand and sing me a sweet song.

When we talk, he'll listen and he'll share his day with me, what
he had for lunch, the people he met, the places he's been.
We would laugh together, or just sit and enjoy each other's company.

He's handsome, he's sweet. And I love him.
He's three. He's my son. And he's mine.

Tristan Diego...

















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The Cat Knows

Tygra is different today. He seems to sense that today isn't a good day for me. He usually just sits on top of his favorite majhong table in the terrace. For some strange reason, today, he has become a lap cat! He would follow me wherever I go and jump on my lap at any given opportunity he would see. He'd cuddle up and purr as if saying that everything will be just fine.

Bless you Tygra. *cry*