Sunday, December 31, 2006

Today is Day 16 of Randy's fourth visit in Manila. Also, Randy and I celebrate today our One Year Anniversary (of being engaged).

This morning, we got up early so we could go to mass at 7 AM at Sto. Cristo Chapel. The Italian priest, Rev. Fr. Viviano, said the mass in Tagalog, and I had to translate to Randy some words so he could understand the homily. The kids joined us later, because they were so slow dressing up.

The first reading was 1 Samuel 1: 20-22, 24-28. The second reading was 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24. The Gospel was Luke 2: 41-52. The mass was about family.

After church, Randy, my kids, and I went to McDonalds for a good Filipino big breakfast, then when we arrived home, mother arrived a few minutes later. I prepared her a heavy breakfast as she suffered from Diarrhea for three days. When Randy finished checking his mail, he then helped Junjun with his amplifier school project. We then watched the last 2 discs, Episodes 218-223, of CSI (2nd Season): "Chasing the Bus", "Stalker", "Cats in the Cradle", "Anatomy of a Lye", "Cross Jurisdiction", and "The Hunger Artist". I doubted whether we can watch all the Complete Episodes - First Season of MEDIUM and Complete Episodes -Two Season of HOUSE.

Then, later in the afternoon, Randy and I were supposed to celebrate our 1st year anniversary outside but I decided to stay home and attend the 10 pm mass this evening. This upset Randy a bit but then, he cooked instead and served Beef Steaks, mashed potatoes, and corn, for dinner while I made the gravy. Randy was kind of sick and collapsed while he's cooking due to exposure to heat and high humidity. Glady, I was just beside him and caught him before he fell on his knees on the floor. Junjun guided him to go back to the room and was able to cool down infront of the a/c. Although exhausted, he managed to have dinner with me, my kids, and my mother.

After dinner, Randy and I watched Passion of Christ while I napped in between some scenes. It was past eleven in the evening when we finished watching the movie but, we missed the 10 pm anticipated mass already. We all went instead to the Balcony and watched the fireworks display. The kids and Randy had fun recording video clips while I was contented watching them. Since we're on the fourth floor of a building, and we never bother to use any firecrackers to welcome the New Year. I wouldn't like my kids to lose their fingers or hands.

Well, anyway, although we had lost Alexandra in September and we have been through many difficulties this year, I still thank God for the wonderful 365 days of 2006. Randy, my kids, and my family, have been there for me all the time. As we're waiting for the last second of 2006 to end, I'm too excited to welcome year 2007. For me, the beginning of a new year always bring some kind of hope, better luck...

In 2007, I'm wishing you all A BLESSED and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR and HAPPY 1st year ANNIVERSARY, RANDY!!!

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Today is Day 2 of Randy's fourth visit in Manila.

Randy and I had recited the rosary first before going to our buffet breakfast at the hotel's Penthhouse by the pool. We arrived late and all tables had been taken but there is one available under the sun. For less than 30 minutes of sitting under the sun, I had some sunburn on my face and neck! Anyway, the breakfast was good.

We're back to our nest after our breakfast and had a brief nap, as Randy is still adjusting to our local time. Since we have an appointment with the kids later in the afternoon, we got up and we watched more CSI Disc 2, Episodes 205-207: "Scuba Doobie-Doo", "AlterBoys", and "Caged" while waiting for the kids. I had been checking the kids occassionally whether they had been preparing or not.

Junjun, Paul Denise, Pearl, Tintin, and Shiela were waiting downstairs for over 30 minutes at the hotel parking when I remember to call them up again. They had thought we're going downstairs ourselves and calling us had not been an option. Anyway, we hurriedly went down and meet the kids. As the kids welcomed Randy, we handed them their Christmas presents while we're on the way to hear the 5 pm mass. At Sto. Domingo Church, we're happy that the place is big enough to accomodate all of us in one bench.

The first reading was Zephaniah 3:14-18a, the second reading was Philipians 4:4-7, and the Gospel was from Luke 3:10-18. The message the Father put out was about sharing.

After the mass, we went to Dad's Restaurant for Ultimate Buffet Dinner. We have a 6:30 pm reservation for 15 people but we arrived there 30 minutes earlier but, the place was almost full. So while waiting for Edith, Vera, Sherwyn, Delia, and Ate Neth, we started enjoying the Filipino, Japanese, and American dishes. Ate Neth arrived couple of minutes earlier than Vera, Sherwyn, and Delia and as usual, we had fun talking about the latest happenings in Better Living Subdivision, where we once lived for 16 years!

Guess what I found out from Delia about PLDT? They were billed by PLDT for VIBE dialup internet even though no one among her family members are using internet at their home. Also, they were shocked that until to this writing, PLDT does not restore yet the illegal disconnection they made on my phone line.

We're upset that Edith, the manager of Allied Bank, was unable to join us. She's been wanting to meet Randy whenever I talked to her over the phone but, we're surprised she didn't make it again this time. At 9:30 pm, we decided to leave and called it a night. Everyone had a feast, enjoyed the stuffed toys, and the dinner!

Kids dropped us at the hotel and we watched Disc One, NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigation Service: "Yankee White" and "Hung Out To Dry", before retiring for the night.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Today is Day 1 of Randy's fourth visit in Manila.

I arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal 2 (NAIACT2) at 5:30 a.m. to pick up Randy. Philippine Airlines Flight PR103 (from Los Angeles) arrived Manila on time but, unfortunately, Randy spent two hours inside the terminal waiting for his delayed baggage at Carousel No. 5, while I was impatiently waiting outside for him.

Alas! When he went out of the terminal, he saw me right away waiting for him. As we loaded his luggage into the service van, he excitedly told me what took him so long. It's really nice to have him back, after almost four months of voice chatting with each other on Skype, after his last August visit.

As we mutually agreed upon earlier, we checked in at Imperial Palace Suites, Room 702, as our celebration of knowing each other (in person) for a year now! We stayed at Room 1005 in the same hotel last year between December 23rd and 31st.

Randy spent about 26 hours flying/transit/transfer from San Diego to Manila and we rested for couple of hours, right after we had an American breakfast. We didn't sleep that much though because I want Randy to adjust himself to Philippine time.

As we got up, showered, and prayed the rosary, he gave me a Bulova Swiss wristwatch and showed me his new one, too, as our Christmas presents. Then, he showed me all the kitchen stuffs he brought for us, including our favorite TV Series in DVD he wanted me to watch: CSI, NCIS, HOUSE, DEAD LIKE ME, MEDIUM, and PASSION OF CHRIST.

Using his GateWay Duo Centrino Laptop, we watched CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Episodes 201, 202, and 203: Burked, Chaos Theory, and Overload. Then, we heard some noise outside from rallyists who gathered in the Timog Circle shouting "PGMA being a liar." We're watching those people from the room's Balcony and we have noticed that there's a Chow King restaurant just opposite the Hotel.

We went down and crossed the street. We had Pancit Bijon and Lauriat Sweet 'n' Sour for dinner at Chow King. We had a closer view of what's going on with the rallyists. I even planned to take photo of Randy along with the protesters but, I have seen in the news in the past that foreigners are not allowed to participate in any political rally so, we scratched that idea and had a peaceful dinner instead. Before we could finish our dinner, the rallyists marched away and after couple of minutes, a van of ABS-CBN TV Network parked right there in front of us but, they're too late to cover the rallyists' activities.

Nothing unusual has happened with the protesters and as we had finished eating, we went back to the hotel and watched episodes 204 (Disc 1) and 205 (Disc 2) of CSI: "Bully For You" and "Scuba Doobie-Doo". We barely finished the last one as we both had fallen asleep.

So far, we had great time together: away from our kids, PC, and internet... WELCOME BACK, RANDY!

Friday, December 15, 2006

Time is running too slow today...

As I woke up this morning and logged online, Randy left home already but, I received email from him while he's in Los Angeles Airport. He said that he'll be boarding the plane soon going to Manila.

Sigh. Am missing Randy so much but, I know, he'll be here soon... I find comfort browsing YouTube music videos. We had thought of making one for us, too, if we understand how this thing works...

(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman again, Randy. Thank you for being there...

Thursday, December 14, 2006

I had been pretty busy preparing the house for Randy's fourth visit . Both of us are too excited to see each other again after his last August visit.

This morning, Randy logged in late. His daughter told me on Skype Voice that he called and will be late an hour more since he will pass by to the store on his way home. When Randy arrived home, he told me that it took him couple of hours to do the equipment maintenance in front of a camera. His video footage will be used for teaching purposes.

This afternoon, while Randy and I were watching Medium via Skype webcam, I called Jun Mondejar of Equitable PCIBank after I received SMS from him. He informed me the feedback from ATM center that it might take us between 7 and 16 days tracking period to find out where my missing PhP10,000 went. Last Saturday, the said amount had been accidentally withdrawn from my Visa Electron Card after a failed transaction in Metrobank ATM in SM Supersale outlet. Inconveniences brought by this wired transaction error had been affected many depositors and clients this is why I prefer to pay cash than use my card to avoid double charges.

Meanwhile, Randy and I were both upset with the reactions posted by some players in the Blogshares Forum Gallery so I had thought to share this joke from Bilal Basit for a change:

"In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where their family member lay gravely ill.

Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and somber.

"I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news," he said as he surveyed the worried faces.

The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain transplant. It's an experimental procedure, very risky but it is the only hope. Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will have to pay for the brain yourselves..."

The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a great length of time, someone asked, "Well, how much does a brain cost?"

The doctor quickly responded, "$5,000 for a male brain, and $200 for a female brain."

The moment turned awkward. Men in the room tried not to smile, avoiding eye contact with the women, but some actually smirked. A man unable to control his curiosity, blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask,

"Why is the male brain so much more?"

The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and explained to the entire group, "It's just standard pricing procedure. We have to mark down the price of the female brains, because they've actually been used." (End of Joke)

Well, many thanks to Bilal for this laugh.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Pursuant to Blogshares Rules, Section 6 - Community Behavior, Sub-Section A - Personal Messages, 3rd paragraph:

"If another player requests that you stop sending him/her personal messages for any reason, then you must do so or be in violation of the above harrasment clause. This does not include automated messages sent by the system for artefact actions."

I therefore reported this morning a violation against a BS nasty player, Amadeus, in the Blogshares forum. Between the months of June and July this year, this said player, along with PnP, posted nasty comments in this blog which forced me to close my blog's COMMENTS section.

Their nasty and defamatory comments caused me severe anxiety and I decided to file a complaint before it triggers again another anxiety that caused me so much sleepless nights, time, money, and inconveniences.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

This morning, daughter had been going back and forth in Unit P to get her cellphone back. On the third visit, she met the culprit and immediately returned to my daughter her lost SAMSUNG D500 cellphone but, without its cover!

My daughet, Pearl, found out that a sim card had been inserted based on new messages sent under sent folder. Its unbelievable that this old taxi driver would know how to turn off that unit unless he's well familiar with high-end phones. Pearl also mentioned that she saw our neighbor was using a PDA when she's knocking at the taxi window. She calmly ignored her as if she didn't hear nor see her asking for her cellphone that was left at the spot where she moved her butt.

Anyway, although we know she was just forced to return the unit, thanks to God daughter recovered her cellphone back. Living without telephone line set us back as we had lost contact with friends, families, and clients. I hate PLDT for causing us all this inconveniences. I still have to draft my complaint letter to NTC against PLDT's illegal disconnection of our phone line, a possible strategy to avoid returning my rebates for DSL payments I made since last May this year when their DSL service turned into a nightmare!

Since daughter had sleepless night worrying about her cellphone, only Paul Denise accompanied me to hear the 5 pm mass at the Lady of Hope Parish near Cyberzone SM North EDSA. Today was the First Sunday of Advent and the first reading was Jeremiah 33:14-16. The second reading was 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 and the Gospel was Luke 21:25-28, 34-36. Rev. Fr. Bart Sagadal said the mass.

After the mass, we went to Smart Communications and upgraded my Plan 1200 to Plan 1800. While waiting for approval, we had dinner at Pizza Hut with Pearl, Shiela, and her sister, who all meet us at Smart Business Office. After an hour, we went back to Smart, my plan had been approved and a NOKIA 6233 unit has been given for free. Its lock-in period is two years but I could get a new unit for free by June 2008! I'm happy with my NOKIA 6630 so I gave the new cellphone to Pearl, who will be celebrating her birthday on the 5th. As a bonus for my son, Paul Denise, for being faithful today, I told Pearl to pass on to her brother her SAMSUNG D500! Then, I instructed her to auction Paul Denise's old cellphone unit for cash as her birthday allowance.

Meanwhile, Randy had been ill these past few days and fixing electrical wiring at the attic made his flu worse. I felt bad that I couldn't do anything as we are 7,401 kilometers away from each other. Anyway, we have only twelve days to deal with and we're going to see each other again. When he logged in the morning (on his side), I told him that I got a new NOKIA 6233 from Smart! I sold some blogs that we're trading in Blogshares and then we recited the rosary before he went to hear mass with Judy and Carlos. I then logged out and went to bed.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Daughter sent me couple of SMS messages while waiting in a taxi cab downstairs but, because I couldn't read messages while seriously talking with my brother, Bhoie, on my cellphone, she called my son's cellphone instead. Well, up to now, PLDT never reconnect yet our phone line in spite of the fact we do not have outstanding balance with them, so, daughter was pretty upset no one was answering her call.

When I saw that daughter was calling Paul Denise' cellphone, I found out she's just downstairs and need some money to pay the taxi driver. That time, mama and I had serious conversation about my brother, Egay (who is in Saudi Arabia), and his wife, Ana (who is here in Manila with their kids). Since I was too in a hurry to give to my daughter the money, I just threw my coin purse from the balcony and daughter got off and picked it up. Then, she unloaded her bags and while paying the taxi driver, our female neighbor immediately went inside the cab and told the driver she's going to Makati.

When daughter was picking up all her things, she found out her cellphone was left inside the taxi! She ran after them and had been knocking at the side window but both driver and our neighbor didn't bother to open and ask what she wants. Instead, the driver sped up while daughter was running after them until she saw another taxi approaching from opposite direction and daughter asked the driver to follow the first cab. Pearl even borrowed the taxi driver's cellphone to inform us that she had left her cellphone in the cab.

All of us had been calling her cellphone. At first, it was ringing but, no one answers and the next couple of calls made was a failure as the unit had been turned off. When daughter came back to our building, she asked again some money to pay for the other taxi.

She's too upset and nervous, we suggested that she should checked all our neighbors in the building who recently had a female visitor who was wearing black and going to Makati. When Pearl and Paul Denise came back, they found out from our neighbor in Unit P that her daughter had an emergenccy meeting in Makati. The mother called her daughter's cellphone and based on her daughter's report, the taxi driver got my duaghter's cellphone and turned it off. The mother assured my daughter that she could pick it up at 10 am tomorrow morning since her daughter claimed that she got the cellphone back from the driver.

Based on my daughter's story, the mother probably had thought that her daughter had an accident that's why she opened the door for them otherwise, my sweetie would not be able to find out who is that dishonest neighbor who had evil interest to hide her cellphone instead of giving it right away when she was knocking at the taxi's side window.

At times like this, too seldom we can find honest people in this world and I cursed whoever stole my daughter's cellphone would get the wrath from heaven!

Friday, December 01, 2006

Couple of weeks ago, I remembered I added CherryBlossoms.com to my e-mail client's spam folder and I was wondering why those mails indicated that I kept sending some Blossoms members a smile while I didn't create any profile on that site.

This young woman illegally used my e-mail address without my consent!

Tired of deleting those spam mails, I tracked the source of those mails. It's from the above blossoms.com profile, lailadin (password: carol), who nastily used my Yahoo! e-mail address! To warn my friends who are on my Yahoo! contact list, please take note that I won't send you something nasty. Afterall, you can send your IM directly to my Y! Messenger ID!