The family that eats together stays together

I recently read an article saying that family dinners are becoming less of a norm, giving way to more takeout dinners or notes saying  “Will be home at 9 pm. Dinner in the fridge. Heat in microwave for 5 minutes.”

This made me sad. Growing up in a family where family dinner is a nightly ritual (ok, not as often now as it was before since we are all grown-ups), I know the importance of  getting together every evening (or noon) and eating together. When I was younger, we would always eat dinner together.This was a time to catch up on what happened to us during the day (who wins the “I had the most unlucky day today”), to debate on some important or trivial issues (who’s better, Caludine Barretto or Judy Ann Santos?) , to discuss on life-changing decisions (is it time to buy another tv stand?), to fight, to laugh, to just be together. During this time, no excuse, you had to be there, and no phone calls, no TV, just our voices.

I must admit we are a noisy family, especially around dinnertime. (My friend who lives two houses away says that, sometimes, she hears us from their house!) When we have a very exciting (cheesy) topic (like travel plans or parties), when all of us have something to say, it becomes veryloud and chaotic…chaotic, yes, but fun. Even when we have opposing views on something, and voices are reaching the dangerous-decibel-level, we still have fun. It also helps that most of us have loud voices, and we love to “outvoice” and “outeye” (palakihan ng mata; trying to intimidate one another) each other. It is here also that we talk about serious things, that we make serious decisions, and where we learn of not-so-good things. That’s why I believe that our dining table absolutely cannot be sold…it knows too many secrets about our family!

I believe that this “eating together during meals” is one factor why our family is a close-knit one. Meal times have become an outlet for us to know each other better, know about what’s happening with each other, and simply to know that we have each other as a family. It is one time you have to make for your family.

So I hope that more familes will find the time to sit down and eat together…well, at least I will continue this on, even if I don’t really eat dinner.

PS, I found a great article on the benefits of eating together as a family. If you have the time, check it out, especially those who have familes already!

My daughter is a millionaire!

I realize that my last post was soooo gory (to exagerate it), so my post today is on the lighter side of life! Ha!

Princess Wendy recently opened a bank account of her own…with 4,000 pesos of initial savings. She was proud for the first few days, which was understandable because of all the excitement (after all, it was her ipon). But after a while, it still was not over. Wendy would still try to sneak in “4,000 pesos” in some conversations.

PW: Mama, paglaki ko magtatayo ako two restaurants: one for rich people and one for street children. Syempre, free for the street children.

KG: Wow! That’s good! Pero san mo kukunin money for the restaurant for the street children? Eh di sila magbabayad?

PW: Sa binabayad ng rich people!

KG: Eh san mo kukunin panggastos mo sa restaurant for rich people?

PW: Hmmmm…e di yung 4,000 pesos ko!

****

KG [while driving home from PW’s school]: Wendy, look oh, pink house! Ang ganda ano?

PW: Yes, for sale yan dati eh.

KG:  Talaga?

PW: Yes. Bakit di natin binili?

KG: May pambili ka?

PW: Yung 4,000 pesos ko!

****

KG’s brother: Wends, miss mo na Hong Kong?

PW: Yes! Balik tayo lahat!

KG’s brother: Sige, libre mo kami?

PW: Oo naman! May 4,000 pesos ako!

****

Apparently, for her 4,000 pesos = 1 million pesos (which I wish were true), thus the high chin and “I-have-4,000-pesos” attitude.

Kids!

****

Anyway, just want to share something that goes to show that when parents are desperate, they can do anything! 

This is the hula skirt I made for PW…from scratch! I was so desperate because I couldn’t find one, and she needed one tomorrow! Nahalughog ko na ata lahat ng mall…pati Bicutan market wala din. And when I left Divisoria empty-handed, I knew I was in trouble. Text brigade gave zero results! So, I thought to my self, deperate times call for desperate measures. I put the matter into my own “hands.” And this is the result. Who knew my hands could do something like this?

Happy weekend everyone!

Death becomes me

Be warned, this post is about a sensitive topic.

Pardon me for asking, but have you thought of your own death?

I recently did this when at one point during my trip home from the office, I realized that I was driving as if I graduated from a truck driving school (not to mention that, at work, I was flooded with articles on palliative care). I wondered if I would die on the road. Crazy huh? [Besides, if you know me, you would say it would be very, very likely. Ha! Ha!]

I know most of us would avoid this topic because we fear death, I mean who doesn’t? We don’t even want to think about it, let alone talk about it. But mordsith and I do talk about it from time to time. We have been surrounded with people who were stricken with cancer…making death very real.

Our conversations sometimes evolve around the death of a loved one:

If you loved one who is alive because of a machine, who is in terrible pain, asks, or even begs, you to unplug the machine, would you?

If a loved one with a terminal disease does not want to be medicated, would you allow it?

If you knew a loved one would die soon, would you give up years of your life so that he/she can live longer?

But most of the time, we would talk about our own deaths…

Given the chance, would you like to know when you will die?

If you had the choice, would you die of a long-term disease or a quick accident?

Given the chance, would you choose to not die at all (read: to be immortal)?

Whenever we are brave enough to venture into these conversations, we start serious…then we go to the lighter side of death, if there is such a thing, that in the end, we are laughing about it, which is a great idea since we don’t want to be dragged down to depression thinking about it. But I guess that as long as we don’t forget to breathe, we’ll be fine.

One more bag I need…REALLY!

I recently did a post on things that make me happy. The ones I listed are general ones…but in reality,there are many things that make me happy. Even the smallest of things. Let me tell you an example. As I was making my grocery shopping last weekend, something caught my eye, which made me very happy.

This type of bag is used in Europe so that not every trip to the grocery or store would mean plastic (as is practiced here in the Philippines; posporo na lang ipaplastic pa). I remember being amazed (and envious) because many use these handy strollers (if not their own bags).

I have my eyes on these cute bags…

Boy, am I glad to see that the practice is being introduced here. I for one always bring my own bag when shopping so that when the opportunity to not use plastics comes, I grab it (ie, when there is no store policy prohibitng you to use your own bag). Sometimes, I just carry my purchases with my bare hands (even when cashiers ask  “Mam, sure po kayo di nyo na ipaplastic?” because I am carrying one Coke bottle, two bags of bread, 1 kilo of potatoes , and two bundles of suman at the same time)

Seeing these babies made me happy, but it would certainly make me very happy if these become the norm here in the Philippines. This is one bag we all should have.

Things that make KG happy

…Happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy– The Dalai Lama

I was tagged by jeannie to create a list of the things that make me happy. Just like the Dalai  Lama, I believe that happiness depends on us; we create our own happiness.

1. Love. Love in general makes me happy. My loved ones make me happy. When I feel love in the air (even if it’s between people I don’t know), I feel happy.

2. Being kind to others. Noble as it seems, I really do feel happy being kind to other people. When I see the glow in their eyes, and when I see the hapiness in their eyes, I too become happy. And when, somehow, I feel i’ve done something to make the world a better place, I feel happy.

3. Travel. Obvious isn’t it? I enjoy everything (well, except maybe unpacking my luggage) about traveling, from the preparations (especially finding the best travel deals), to the travel itself, to the post-travel routines (looking at and printing pictures…and planning the next vacation). There’s something about the thrill of going to and exploring a place. I love adventure!

4. Sleep. Who does not love sleep? I love sleeping in on weekends and getting the much needed rest after a week’s work.

5. Work. Yes, I am happy with my work. In times like these, I consider myself lucky to have work. That is why I am trying my best to love my work.

6. Food. I am happy when I eat! Food is a blessing, and it is to be enjoyed. I am also happy with all the kwentuhan that occurs during meals (be it with family or friends).

It would make me very happy if spiky, emben, sunny, and princess dyanie (if they are not too busy) would continue this tag.

Have a great week everyone!

DV

Although I have tried online selling, online buying, online trading, online shopping, online purchase, and what have you, nothing beats going to my favorite shopping place: DIVISORIA.

I love this place! I don’t know what is it with us that we love bargains. Maybe it’s the thrill of making tawad and getting the price we want. Or maybe it’s the happiness we get when we buy something at a price we think is right. I tell you that nothing beats bringing 3,000 pesos to DV and going home with three big plastics of purchased goods, all bought on bargain.

Tutuban Center, one of the main malls in Divisoria

Divisoria is already an institution [we all know 168, Tutuban Mall, Divisoria Mall, Ilaya, etc]. Everybody knows what Divisoria is. It has become known as a great place to buy almost anything. And when I say anything, I mean anything…from clothes (for all ages, both sexes, all sizes, all colors), to kitchenware, to toys, to paper products, to wood products, to plants, and many more! And the price…ahhh, heaven for bargain hunters and budget-conscious people like me. And now that Christmas is near, it’s a great place to buy gifts for everyone!

 Divisoria is like one giant tiangge!!!

Diifferent colors, different styles

People flock here for diffent things..but majority of the goods are clothing and toys. 

Beating the crowd is one challenge…once 11 am comes, the crowd does too.

I know most of us would think that since goods in DV are sold at a low low price, everything is low quality. I must admit that for some, this is the case. But there are many good-quality products (some even the same as that sold in malls) in DV, if you know where to look. So be sure that when you go to DV, you have an eye for those products that would last.

So for you who haven’t tried shopping in DV, I suggest you do so. If you wouldn’t mind braving crowds in an atmosphere very different from that in malls, it’s really worth the trip!

And the Oscar goes to…

The first time I received a “blog award,” I wasn’t able to post it….simply because I didnt know how. I admit that I am a computer ignoaramus. I don’t even know how to put the picture. But know that I have learned, I’m posting two awards I got over the week. I feel I have to acknowledge the people who gave them to me… I really am touched.

These awards are not just awards…they are the friendships that I have made through blogging, and I am so thankful that blogging has given me such opportunites.

The first one was given by kayni [thank you dear!]. 

 This blog invests and believes, in ‘proximity’ [meaning, that blogging makes us ‘close’ - being close through proxy]. These blogs are all charming and they aim to show the marvels of friendship. Let’s give more attention to them! So with this prize, we must deliver it to eight bloggers that in turn must make the same thing and put this text. 

Honestly, I am giving this to everyone in my blogroll, because even though we are scattered throughout the world, it doesn’t feel that way…I feel you are always close to me.

 *****

The second one, given by louraine  [thanks my dear friend], is a bit more specific.

Premio Dardos means “prize darts” in Italian. This award is given to bloggers, in recognition of their cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writings.

I am tasked to pass the award on to at least 5 other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment,and I had to think really hard whose blogs specifically fall into this award. After much thinking, I am giving it to the following:

mordsith

the husband

sheng

edik

jeanny

Happy blogging to everyone! I hope we all fufill the purpose of our blogs!

Damn the birds and the bees

The other night, while we were watching The Holiday (Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black) on HBO in my parent’s bedroom, there came a scene where Jude Law and Cameron Diaz were lying naked (well, Cameron Diaz had a bra on) on the bed, with the blanket covering their bodies only from the waist down.

Suddenly, Princess Wendy asks me: Bakit sila nakahubad?

Gosh!!!! I knew answering that question could lead to THE question. Panic time because I am not ready for THE talk. I AM NOT READY!!! I AM SO NOT READY!!!!! Good thing my sister was able to divert the conversation to something else! Whew! I was off the hook, AGAIN! I’ve been eluding this situation so many times. But I know that this is a serious thing and I have to prepare myself for it [but I know I’d rather deal with cows and cattle supplies , just as the character of Jude Law does]. Maybe in the future.

Postscript: Imagine my surprise because when I opened Chico Garcia’s blog the next day [no exaggeration], his most recent post was “Top Ten Ways to Explain the Birds and the Bees to Kids“. Ha! Ha! You might want to check it out.

Have a great weekend everyone!

My colors: maroon and green

In the Filipino culture, one thing that is always stressed is the value of education. Most of us are trained to study hard. Thus, we become attached to our schools; some even become hard-core loyalists.

I studied college in UPLB. For those who studied in UP, we would all know the kind of culture that the institution has. When we share our experiences to each other, we understand each other.

When I, together with my sister, went to grad school, I went to La Salle [influence of my sister, who  graduated from La Salle]. So just imagine the adjustments I had to make.

1. The most obvious one: the tuition

• In UP, I never crossed the PhP10,000 barrier for an 18-unit semester [although this was years ago]. In La Salle, you have to shell out at least PhP30,000 for a 9-unit semester [and to think La Salle was put up for the poor people]!

2. The people

• In UP, we come to class walking or riding a jeep. In La Salle, cars are the “in” thing.
• In UP, we can come to class wearing anything…even bedroom slippers and guitar sando. In La Salle, even if you’re simple, you have to make porma, especially because there is a dress code.
• In UP, I met activitists, socialites,  drug addicts, geeks, acloholics, farmers, simpletons, and what-have-you. In La Salle, it seemed that everyone I met were rich people [or trying-to-look-rich people].

3. The facilities

• In UP, four classrooms share one OHP. In La Salle, each classroom has a projector [where’s the justice in this world?].
• In UP, our main source of cold air was the rain seeping in the walls and ceilings; otherwise, we make paypay. In La Salle, all classrooms have airconditioning.
• In UP, the we are given one handout for the whole class, and we photocopy on our own. In La Salle, handouts are given to each student, complete with binder at the start of the semester.

4. The way class is conducted

• In UP, students come and go in the classroom, and class starts when the teacher comes in. In La Salle, the class starts and ends with a prayer [this was a shocker to me, not that I don’t pray, but maybe more because I wasn’t accustomed to this in UP. I felt we were in high school.].
• In UP, even though we become close to our classmates, it’s more of an independent atmosphere. In La Salle, the class is a class, complete with class officers [yes, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, etc] who will do tasks for the whole class.

5. The way schoolwork is accomplished

• In UP, the professor gives the homework and handouts to the students always in printed forms. In La Salle, some teachers give and accept homework through Yahoo groups [each class has a Yahoo group] or through e-mail [you have to have one]; part of first-day rituals is giving out e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers.
• In UP, when we have group work, we meet at a certain place at a certain time. In La Salle, when we have group work, we can meet online and use Yahoo Messenger at the comfort of our own homes [imagine simple Clickbooth Webinars for students].

6. The culture of absenteeism

• In UP, you will be in class to know whether the professor will be in. In La Salle, you will receive an e-mail or text message beforehand if the professor won’t be able to make it.
• In UP, you [at least I did] will use up all your maximum number of absences. In La Salle, you will use up all the maximum number of classes because you will be thinking of the tuition you paid.
• In UP, when a professor is absent, that’s one missed session. In La Salle, when the professor is absent, there will surely be a make-up class.

7. In general

• In UP, announcements are posted on the bulletin board. In La Salle, announcements (school-wide, college-wide, course-wide, and class-wide) are posted on the Internet.
• In UP, during enrollment, you have to wait in line for the course you want to take, hoping that by the time it’s your turn, slots are still available (sometimes, and I’ve experienced this, you have to literally beg the professor to take you in); this process is called enlistment. In La Salle, you choose your courses online and just go to the campus to pay.

Pretty major differences huh? But despite all these differences, one big similarity dispels them all [other than the fact that students at both these schools claim that their school is the best]: Both are top-notch insitutions that provide quality education.

Take your pick. As for me, my friends tell me I’m now a Maroon Archer [although I have to say that my heart will always be with UP].

Postcript: This post is not about which of the two schools is better or which school is the best. I don’t want to start a school war. I believe that each university/school, whatever and wherever it is, has its own unique qualities that make it stand out.

Disclaimer: Comparisons for UP were based years ago [I won’t tell how many]. I have no idea what the system is now, although I hope some of the facts I just gave out are now irrelevant.

解密汉语语言 [Deciphering the Chinese language]

They say one thing to overcome when travelling to a country like Hong Kong is the language barrier. It’s hard to decipher all those Chinese characters, especially when you have no background. If the Chinese had left the signages in their own language, how do you think we would be able to go around Hong Kong!?!

 Imagine if everything were in Chinese…all the street and stores signs…

 Can you please tell me where the hell the pharmacy is?!?

 At least some take the initiative to translate.

But then, others are very gracious and put up their signs in English. They want to make it easier for people, especially tourists, who can understand only English and NO Chinese. But do they really make it easier?

Come again?

   The lift has a lobby? And in any case, I don’t think I want to avoid the crowed [I think that’s what you call a person bitten by a crow…crowed]!

 Haaay…suko ako dito!

 OK na sana…but I think you mean “Thank you for your cooperation.”

 Mukhang mahilig sila sa word na compensation ano?

 Eto pahabol…airport na lang di pa nagpatawad. I think we all know what the sign is trying to say…the words are just twisted.

It’s hard to learn the Chinese language. But it’s harder to decipher what they are trying to say when they tranlsate it into English. But you’ve got to applaud them and appreciate their attempt [after all, being good in English is something one learns, and not everybody is good in it. Even we sometimes make mistakes]! Anyway, I’d go back anytime and try to understand their language!

有一了不起的天 [Have a great day]!

[Was it obvious that I was always on the lookout for these signs while on vacation? he! he! I had fun though. ]