4th quarter

2nd sem started formally this week, and since there will be lots of holidays coming which includes Christmas and New year's break, colleagues told me that most likely will only have 6 weeks to complete the whole semester.

Obviously, the topics per syllabus this sem was much more compared to the previous one. Plus I had additional subjects to teach which makes me hurrying doing advance studies. I'm sure it'll be a more tough battle this time. Current load makes me visible on all levels, including the supposed graduates next year. Glad it's considered as minor only and research/interviews of people in the field could compensate or make the subject more interesting.

While I'm focus dealing with time management this sem, don't know what happened last week as my stomach gets upset again. Making me worried once feeling the same symptoms. Sometimes makes me crazy to think of dying early. Well yeah, perhaps being a good girl after all is worthy because after that, one doesn't need to feel anymore the pain, difficulties and heartache. Don't think that I'm a quitter, it's just that I've grown tired doing lots of things for everybody (doesn't mean pleasing them)...Neither have regrets doing it if I'll be given another chance. It was my joy to give almost everything and expect nothing in return. If there was something to be given back, for me it was like a taste of heaven!

And if I have more time or opportunities along this journey, the things I would like to do would be the fulfilment as a person and not to have the material things nor achieving my dreams. I guess, God has already blessed me for all the experiences and things I achieved. To tell the people I love, that I love them,to laugh with them more often, to be with them, to be a blessing for others... so that at the end, I could be worthy enough facing my Creator.

Hat's off to you Survivor

Thou it seems like no one is following this blog or being nice or considerate enough to drop comment, I won't be discourage nor hinder from updating this blog of mine. But still, I had hopes of course to gain friends over here.

Anyway, 1st sem is over but it's been a busy week for me in computing my student's grades. More so, in preparing other documents for my clearance in which if I hadn't complied with will be the reason of me not in the payroll list this month. Ouch, it can't be since I had so many obligations (means bills to be payed for). So, hurry....lol

Also done this week was the closure of the deal on our historic jeep, which was on sale for sometime now. I haven't had a picture of it actually until the actual day it was sold. And while their towing it away from it's usual place, I was crying and turned back to ease the pain. Loosing and selling it was hard on our part, especially for mom. It was a very special thing for her, something very near on her heart. And why it couldn't be so?

This jeep has been with us for more than 20yrs. It was my parents first vehicle bought and thou it wasn't brand new when bought, we had considered it then as new. This jeep was our transport means for all the goods to the store back and forth. From the original padyak (pedicab - bicycle with 3 wheels), that's why they named him Survivor. It was my late father's baby, he droves it along Ayala Avenue to Pasong Tamo Makati back then and later to our home place area now. This jeep was usually my sundo (service) during flood days in Intramuros and going home from evening classes. It was then my sundo again (service) when I started working. And to the other many countless service days whenever Tatay (father) would like to visit our relatives or take the family outside for bonding.

There's just so, so many good memories with Tatay's jeep. And just like everything, it has also grown old. The paint fainted, the metal tarnished and the seats had been broken. Yet the heart of it, which is it's motor is still alive. Yet, after father died 7 years ago, it hardly ever left it's parking or better say ever run again. I really don't know what happened, I was still in Taiwan then. Don't know why my brothers whom I should say expert drivers, never had the guts to drove Tatay's jeep again. It's late when we learned that it already lost it's franchise and can't be renewed again. Thus, leaving mother to finally decide selling what I should say, her most material possession.

I asked her, " Nay, ok ka lang ba talagang ibenta ang jip? eh souvenir nyo yun ni Tatay. importante yun sa yo." (Mom, are you really ok, selling the jeep? it's yours and father's souvenir. It's important to you). She then utter to me, " Oo, ok lang. Matagal na din syang nakaistambay lang. Tama na yun. Si Tatay mo, kasama natin kahit saan. " (Yes, it's ok. It's been in the parking for a while. I think it's enough. Your father, will always be with us."

And before it finally roll out, I took a picture of her and the jeep for the very last time. I'm glad she's smiling and I'm sure even it's already gone, her memories with this jeep will always be with her. Hat's off to you Survivor.

Notes as ma'am newbie

Last week was a bit hectic schedule for me. With short notice that it's already midterm, it only left me in a panic state preparing for the test exams. More to my dismay, I haven't cover all the topics yet. Partly blaming myself, but isn't it schedule should had been posted or disseminated in advance. OK, so I slip this time and hopefully has learned.

I guess bosing heard my silent protest as September activities was now at the board. Whoa, there will be a total of 3 days off due to holidays and the college semestral field trip for this month. Although am happy since it'll gonna be a long weekend, but obviously will need to do double time for the finals. Uh oh, sounds not so good for me since I'm doing parallel studies with my students. I guess would only mean four times for me to move ahead.

Ask me now if I like what I do? honestly, I can't exactly say that I like it or doesn't at all. There are pros and cons of course. Perhaps it's because I'm still adjusting so let's see what will happen next. And that so far are my experiences in the academe world. Will keep you posted...

Oh by the way, it's September already and "ber months" normally means Christmas period esp that it's the first month. Wow, Christmas is near again! have a good weekend everyone.

It's August again!

A week from now, I'll gain another year. I won't post the exact number, OK... I'm still young anyway. But it's interesting to know the changes that lays ahead on this new period of my life.

Interesting - for instance, family members somehow are pushing me to get married. In my thoughts, I had a venue, a motif, the ninong's & ninang's lists as well as the entourage are in completion. But what's lacking is the groom, the most important person... uh oh, so let's see if it'll be this year.

Apologies if I got excited on that thought, I guess all ladies out there would normally feel the same. I once mentioned to a dear friend that it's always exciting to know the ending of once love story. This is esp when most of my friends and colleagues get married. Nevertheless, whatever the Lord has prepared for me is still enormously inspiring.

And after 6years, I'll be celebrating again my birthday with the family. It won't be a grand one, bottom line what matters to me is to celebrate it with the important people in my life. Thanking God as well for sparing me to be alive and still kicking. And, hopefully close friends could come. It's heart warming once people remember you and able to come on your special day right.

And thou a part of me is still recuperating from it's loss. I'm hoping that it'll be over soon. As they say, love is like a wind, you can't see it, but you can feel it. But love just like the wind, once it passed you by, won't come back to where it belongs. But the perfect meaning of love was actually quoted in the bible from 1 Corinthian 13:4-8 and would like to walk with it from now on...

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.

In loving

When someone asks, how are you today? normally, one would utter "I'm OK...I'm good" Actually, I always thought that it's always the case regardless the situation is. Meaning, one would expect an affirmative remark. And always been a pleasure response especially if it comes from the heart.

But when your in despair, say for example because of a broken relationship, when something hoped for didn't materialize as expected and seems like everything keeps falling out of place. These exact same words are just so hard, so so hard to exclaim, but yet, most likely, you'll still say, "I'm OK".

I'm writing this because the second one is what I'm going through right now. And most of the time when it rains, it keeps on pouring and it pours a bit hard. Especially if it's related to matters of the heart.

After a long time, I trusted once again to give a part of my heart. Was now ready to take chances wherever the tides brush through. To fight hard for something I thought was mine. Unfortunately, I lost him. He may have grown tired of waiting patiently, or perhaps of my immaturity.

I hoped that I'll bring smile to your face whenever I come across your mind, because me, when I think of you, I can't help not to smile. I missed our silly fights and you always being the one soothing it. When are we going to do it again?...I hoped that I was somehow of helped to you when your learning life, in which you already had that sound wisdom. I missed how you assure me that you'll always be there making me feel so important to you out of your so busy schedule. I missed the many lenghty conversations we had and discussing it together. I'm so used to you....what should I do now? how to move on?

It's very sad that we ended up this way and I regret that I wasn't able to tell you how much you really mean to me. The time your asking why I was so guarded is actually because I'm struggling with my feelings...that I'm falling, falling so deelpy. I regret that I wasn't able to tell you...na mahal na kita ( I love you already)...question you've kept on asking and answer that you've kept on waiting....Not sure if we'll still meet, I guess if it's meant to be, then only time can tell and God only knows when. Take care always AI.

New opportunites at the doorstep

I've been taking notes since last week to update this blog of mine which I haven't visited for a while. And as much as I would like to do it, my current to-do list prevents me from doing so. Not complaining thou, since those are more urgent than this one. Oh, please spare me...it's because of my new job that make me busy and visible again, in a very different industry that I've grown up with.

Well, yeah the usual routine at home somehow become boring and dull. It's not productive anymore, staring at the same four corners of the house. So I decided to look for at least a part-time job where I could be of more use.

Working in the industry would of course mean a full-time job, so the other option would be in food chains like service crew...joke joke, as if my age would qualify me...ha ha. So, the other option I thought was the academe world.

Yup, since last month I'm doing part time teaching in one of the universities for some basic and major subjects in the same field. The opportunity was really a blessing, because it was so near to where I lived plus it would prepare me shall I pursue further studies which I'm also planning for the next months.

Yeah, I'm starting to make plans again. I've felt that I should kept on going and move forward as to whatever is still left for me. Although there is no guarantee it will materialize, it's better to have purpose again than not having at all.

Make a wish....

How time flies and little did I realize that it's almost six months now after I came back to the Philippines. Don't know exactly if it's really because time flies so fast or was because I've been busy attending to those things left and my starting a life once again after more than 5 years of absence.

Although waking up early and hurrying for work is no more an issue now. Home chores plus occasional to-do list including prospect dealings become my usual daily routine. In which, I often find more tiring, challenging and throbbing. A time where I wish that I was still in a country in which ignorance of the language is a bliss....still a small price thou to pay for such valuable enjoyment of being with my whole family...

More thanks to God for being such a comfort and strength in this bumpy ride. And am sure, His behind all this in order to mold me into the best possible person I could be.

Before I close this post, just want to share this song from the Prince Of Egypt entitled "When You Believe", sung by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston...I just love this song from both my favourite divas of all time...Also tried to I past the video, unfortunately there was an error. So, any help you could extend is much appreciated. So, I will leave with a chorus cut whilst me singing it loudly....

There can be miracles when you believe

Though hope is frail it's hard to kill

Who knows what miracles you can achieve

When you believe somehow you will

Manny Pacquiao, Philippines Pride

My summer years as a teen usually involves watching my brothers play basketball on street leagues. There are also times when I watched Philippine National Basketball (PBA) live only for free at the ringside. But despite of this, I am simply a supporter, not a real sports enthusiast. Especially for those form of sports which seems brutal, like boxing. But obviously today, I don't have a choice than to sit back and watch Manny Paquiao buying for another world boxing title.

Though Manny is very famous due to several titles won over the past years in boxing, it would be my first time to see how he fights. Talk Asia interview of Manny also says that there is lesser crime in the Philippines during his fights because many of the Filipinos are watching. Meaning, in his own way, he's definitely a superstar or better say, a hero to most of us.

We started watching as early as 11am and need to wait for more than an hour prior the main event, where Manny will fight the champion Ricky Hatton from Britain. Heard from local media that 25,000 Brits flew from UK the other night just to watch the fight. There were also occasional teasing here and there between the Filipino crowd. Oh oh, sounds like a bloody event huh...It also made me laugh when pinoys make fond of the song London Bridge is falling down replacing it instead of Ricky Hatton's falling down...hahaha. Personally though I find British sophisticated, for this time, I will support my own. My very own kababayan (fellowmen).

More tension build-up when Manny and Ricky entered the arena. Brits crowd sang so loudly for Ricky. And thou I didn't hear Filipinos sing when Manny was introduced, there is tremendous screaming. Oh boy, if I was there, I will surely do the same. Screaming and cheering at the top of my lungs for Manny. Manny..Manny...Manny...plus singing pinoy, pinoy ako. Ipakita mo sa mundo. Kung ano ang kaya mo. Iba talaga ang pinoy (Filipino, Filipino, show it to the

world. What you can do?....Manny

As much as I hold my breath, I could see my mother and brother on the same mode while watching the 1st round. Ricky obviously is a tough contender, very aggressive like a bull. But Manny also shows determination facing his opponent with confidence. "That's it, go Manny, go" was what I can hear my mother is saying. Before the first round ends, Ricky was knocked down twice. Whoa!

The second round now becomes more exciting, I was looking now to what kind of strategy Ricky would do in order to recover. It was a real good fight, I almost thought that Manny has lesser points this time. But around 8 secs before the 2nd round end, Manny throw his left punch hitting Ricky so hard leaving him unconscious. Referee signal the end of the fight and paramedics came to administer Ricky. Whoa! that's it, Manny won the event. Manny...Manny....

Silently praying that nothing serious happened to Ricky, I was rejoicing for Manny. Graveh! it's overwhelming...so overwhelming that he gave such glory and pride to our country. Truly, despite the difficulties we had as a nation, there still lots of things to be thanked for and be proud for. Thank you Manny, thank you for making Filipinos proud because of your God given talent. Thank you for making me realize once again to be proud of being a Filipino.

Mabuhay ka Manny!!!

Memoirs of Kaohsiung - Part2

And this post will be Part2 of my previous post.

Since I'm back to Taiwan for visit, I took the chance to take pictures of the spots where I usually spent time either wandering or shopping. Also to eat foods which I'll surely missed a lot.

Night Market. Apologies for the
blurred photo :B This Night Market opens only during Friday and Saturday's and as the word "Night" stands for, shopping starts from 7PM till 12MN. Other Night Markets in Kaohsiung like Downtown runs daily.

Dirty Kitchen. Expats coined this name for the resto just in front of Night Market. Well, the place might be, but the foods are surely delicious. I ate fried rice and clam soup that night.

KRT Houjin Station. 5 minutes away from my apartment. Bike and scooters are the usual means of transportation in Taiwan. This is of course apart from the transient prestigious cars you'll see everywhere.

Downtown. Across the bridge moving forward seats to electronic shops where one could buy the latest e-gadget available in the market.

3C Store. E-gadget stores are commonly called as 3C in Taiwan. Actually, their names varies only with respect to color, which could either be Yellow, Blue or White 3C.

This photo was inside Blue 3C where I bought my laptops cooling pad. 3 months past, the price is quite cheaper. Oh oh, I'd better hurry-up coz it's so tempting to buy :B

Inside the Bus. Well, my trip is done over for the day and thou it'll take me an hour to reach home, I took the bus. It's good I supposed for more reminiscing :B

By the way, buses are named by Numbers. They are all fully air-conditioned. So, if your a newbie, just ask the hotel DO which bus will reach your destination. It's also the same bus that will took you back to your hotel.

Public buses are also operated by the government. How I hope it'll be the same here in the Philippines. Yeah, because drivers don't mind to have passenger's or not. They'll just pass by on-time on their specific terminals. So, no to traffic. For newbies, just be sure you know what time the bus will arrive, otherwise, you'll wait for another 30-45 minutes :B

The last picture was me inside the bus and if your really a keen observer, you'll see something in here. Let's see if you guess it right :B

Have a safe and happy Holy Week to all.

Memoirs of Kaohsiung - Part1

Yahoo, after 3 months of silence, I am nearly back to blogging...nearly? Yes, because somehow I think I have collected my thoughts back...he he. Oh oh, does it sound like some screw fell out...he he...Anyways, what I wanted to say is that I missed you and this blog thing and hoping to be a better blogger from now on.

So, before this month ends. Thank God our internet was activated today, thank you. A quick update of my life happenings.

Early this month, I was back to Taiwan to visit friends and finish unsettled business. Can't explain the joy upon arrival, or better say the joy upon my feet setting on the ground. Honestly, I loved this country from the bottom of my heart. And to my surprise, everything looked stunning that even the stingy tofu vendor and it's stinky smell became pleasant. Well, for those oy you people who've walked the streets of China town, I bet you know what I mean. @_@

So, here are some photos of what I can say, Taiwan-Kaohsiung at it's finest memories....hope that you could use it during your visit.

Kaohsiung Railway. There are actually 2 railways now in the downtown area. Early this year they opened KRT (Kaohsiung Rail Transit). It's a subway train and surely runs fast. Right side structure will bring you down to the terminal (almost 4 floors below the ground), and the left side will bring you to the oldest railway .

Splendor Hotel. Kaohsiung's tallest building with 85 floors which caters to offices, stores, restaurant and hotel.

NKMIT. A typical university school structure in Taiwan. Obviously shows the rich culture of the country. This school is just in front of my apartment.

FOODS. One doesn't need to worry with foods, since Taiwan has adopted western culture . You can choose and afford to eat even at the finest cuisine. Of course, it's better to taste their local food. And my favorite if you ask, fried rice and variants of friend foods popularly known as tusok by pinoys.