I Love/Hate America

RANDOM THOUGHTS: WHEN THE NEW DECADE COMES

As I am writing this, it's less than 6 hours before the new year settles in. It's not only a new year, but also the onset of a new decade. I know a lot of people make a list of their new year's resolutions and  keep it until the 2nd week of January. After then, they lose the motivation or  somehow get distracted. Some believe in age-old traditions or wacky superstitions in the hopes of creating new beginnings in their lives---like jumping during the first tick-tock of the clock at the new year, or preparing 12 kinds of round-shaped fruits signifying money for prosperity. I swore I had done all these and  of course, resolutions just remained a list on paper. I never got to fulfill them.

Musings of this new decade makes me feel a little bit uncomfortable because I'll be 50 before this new decade ends. Imagine, I'd be 50....I'll probably experience the ailments and predicaments of old age and I'm afraid that will be very soon. Just several years ago, I refer to people age over 40 as "old" and all the little kids I know were playing kiddie games and toys. Now, I am over 40 and I'm now the person I call "old" when I was younger. Worse, the reality of old age strikes harder when I see that all the little kids I saw before are now either  grown-up adults or young adults. I used to babysit my nephew when he was 2 and now he's almost 18. My sister was just in high school  when I was 30 and now she's married with a 6 year old son. Oh gosh, time flies fast indeed. As inevitable as day turns into night, the truth that everyone---ALL --people get old makes me accept this "aging process" a little bit easier. 

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This morning, I woke up seeing  a carpet of snow outside. White New Year it will be. Last weekend, before Christmas Day, everywhere in the northeast was white.

White Christmas (December 25, 2009, 7:10 a.m., Owings Mills, Maryland)

 

White New Year (December 31, 2009, 8:45 a.m., New Haven, Connecticut)

 

Anyway,  I feel ambivalent about this new year. I really don't know if the economy will improve, and what will the US government do this time to alleviate all the socio-economic-political turmoils  that beset us since the start of the past decade. I don't know what will happen to us either. However, I will make sure I'm going to strive much harder to save a little and not just get by with life. 

I have to start looking for a job and I'll do it aggressively by Monday. Two years ago, I decided to stop working to focus on my attempted pregnancy through IVF treatments however they all failed so I have to shift my concentration on going back to work again. As I already got some recommendations, I'd probably grab the best one  because the need to earn more money is the priority in our household. With a job, I have to stop blogging. Earning money through blogging is not easy as I thought it would be...and a tad disappointing because no matter what I do, I don't earn much,  I only earned $96.00 from Google Adsense, and a little bit over $700 from paid reviews, $4.16 from CMF, a little over $120 from Adgitize,  $36.78from Syndigo, and $0.32 from Adjix----all within one year and a half of blogging. To tell you, I earn more money from babysitting in just one month. I used to get $800 from babysitting for a 5-day-a-week stint. And it's less work though there's really no chance to go online while on the job. 

As I have said in my past posts, I will quit blogging. I am just looking for a great chance to do it---either when my PR gets to 0 (zero) or when I find a fulltime job. A lot of people told me not to give up and I appreciate their concerns. But I need to, this time. I am just tired of blogging. Seriously. Most people I know really do love blogging and honestly, I used to revel on it. But now, the pressures of PR, Alexa, readership, monetization, Entrecard, not to mention the negas, the morons, the bitches,  etc., etc......are all killing me. 

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Well, I have nothing much to say. My husband had just gone to a packy to buy me champagne. I'm not of wine drinker, but because this time, we are not going out for some kind of a New Year bash, we opted to stay home, listen to music from our turntable, and drink a little booze all by ourselves. Nothing really festive. We might even snooze into the night through the break of New Year's Day. 

But before that happens, I'd like to wish you all a:

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SAVING MONEY FOR THE NEW YEAR

It's only two days before this year ends, and another year starts. In fact another decade that brings us hope despite the past decade's tribulations sets in to bolster our confidence. My hope also rests on a new year's resolution that involves more control of our finances. The resolve to manage our finances more wisely is the top priority in my new year's resolutions. The budgeting during holidays was the first step I did, sort of as a prelude to my resolution in the coming year.

My husband and I both swore to put all our bills on auto-payment so we do not forget or miss due dates, so as to avoid late fees and penalties. In fact, we already did that. Those late fees and penalties could rack up so much that they actually eat up our budget. Another thing is to  reduce eating outside and, instead eat at home by whipping up dishes that are easy to make and easy on the pocket. We will also replace our light bulbs with Energy Star lights and invest on Energy Star-rated appliances. In this way, we could reduce our energy consumption and thus lower our electric bills.

GIFTS FOR TOTS

Although I am still basking in the spirit of the Christmas, and the holiday season, I am glad that my Christmas shopping is over. Though I enjoyed it, I have to admit that I had an extremely hard time in picking gifts especially for babies and new mommies. It is because I do not want just ordinary and traditional gifts that everybody would give.

I was glad I shopped early and had found unique baby gifts online such as the Barefoot Dreams bamboo chic elephant pocket buddie. It is a soft and warm blankie for the little bundle of joy of my friend. And I was happy that it was so affordable yet such a unique gift. For my godchild who's now almost 17 months old, I got him Jellycat baby soft books. His mother was so grateful of the gifts I got for her baby. She said her baby absolutely loved the books. I also gifted some Appaman shirts and pants to my 4 year old twin nephew and niece.

CHRISTMAS SCENES FROM OUR HOME TO YOUR HOME

Last weekend, a day before the snowstorm occurred, my husband and I got out of our neighborhood Walmart store to be surprised to see this scene. Men bundled up in winter gear, along with Santa Claus were laughing, and yelling "Merry Christmas !" to the shoppers, while throwing them with candies, chocolates and other small goodies. My husband caught a big popcorn ball , and Milky Way bars landed on my palms.

We really have no idea of who they were but I am sure they were doing it for the spirit of Christmas. It was unexpected as it was also nice and refreshing to see that men dressed sans a corporate/institution/association garb were doing it for the sake of giving.

As we were on way going home, we saw this lovely house with a spectacular display of Christmas decor outside. Every year, this house has a different set of figures and adornments showcased on his lawn and the exteriors of his house.

 

As we got home, I decided to snap a photo of our own teeny-weeny Christmas tree. We don't normally decorate our house with Christmas trimmings because we don't spend Christmas here at our own place. We are always out of town celebrating the holidays with in-laws and other relatives either in New York, Massachusetts or Maryland. But for sparking a Christmas spirit in our own abode, I always set up a very small Christmas tree because Christmas is never Christmas for me without a Christmas tree. Here's our little Christmas tree.

Guys and gals, I won't be able to do blogging and visiting other blogs from tomorrow to the 28th as we are going to be away to spend our Christmas.

However,I wish that you enjoy your Christmas. And don't forget that ;

CHRISTMAS IS NOT ONLY FOR GIVING

BUT ALSO FOR FORGIVING

Forgive yourself, forgive your family, forgive past sins and forgive enemies because Jesus Christ was born to us, given as a Gift by God to forgive our sins.

I made this Christmas card last year for my blog readers and here I am recycling it again....I am so sorry I have no time to make a new one.

 

TIME IS IN THE HANDS

Last weekend, my aunt, my father's younger sister came back to the USA from her vacation back in our hometown in the Philippines. She was so ecstatic bringing a lot of memorabilia from her past to her U.S. home. She brought her old childhood dolls, old chinaware from her mother's collection, and her father's antique grandfather clock. As she placed it in her home, the clock stands gracefully. However, it does not chime anymore as the parts are broken and are irreplaceable because the clock is so old.

I said to my aunt it would be better to add  a new grandfather clock in her house. I told her that one of my design theme of my dream house is to adorn my place with a new Bulova grandfather clock and place it in my den. She nodded in total agreement that it is best to buy a new grandfather clock that works but she will keep the old one as remembrance.

One great thing about what can be done with grandfather clocks, specially the high-end ones,  is that  the clocks' plate can be engraved with inscriptions. So my aunt and I were having fun coming up with our own  messages and sayings for grandfather clocks plate engraved inscriptions. I suggested mine will be "Love, Faith, Hope and Forgiveness Abound Here at This House." My auntie said hers would be a Biblical passage, "In His Time, God Makes Things All Beautiful." I said that was a terrific idea and the message are perfectly beautiful. We can't wait buying our own grandfather clocks.

A GOLF VACATION

It's snow day today. We have more than 2 feet of a carpet of snow in our place. If this were to happen a month before the holidays or after the holidays, this kind of weather makes me blue. That is why I hate the northeastern weather. My friends down south were telling me to come and live somewhere in Georgia or in the Carolinas. I told them it's hard to move and relocate at this time.

However, I told them, I could go and take one of those Myrtle Beach golf vacations. One friend from South Carolina even said that Myrtle Beach Golf Packages are worth checking out. She even took her family in a Myrtle Beach golf club and was so enthusiastic about telling her experience. My aunt went down there too, and she said it was an exhilarating vacation that she would always remember. She found out about the place when she tried to Google it using the keywords, " Golf Myrtle Beach."

Well, I am convinced. Maybe this summer, my husband and I will take a short trip there. Meanwhile, I still have to wait for this winter to end.

BEING PROUD OF THE CHEATING GAME

Two world-famous athletes. Several women. Different reactions.  Ashamed  or unashamed of cheating?

Before this year is going to end, the news is teemed with scandals, rumors, and bad behavior. Two world-famous athletes reigning over their own realms, have caught the media in a frenzy. As people say: "finally, shit hits the fan." And the crappy shit explodes a wide range of more ugly, stinky rubbish. These garbage had all originated from  the "game of cheating."

One famous athlete is the world's best pound-for-pound fighter from the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao. Just right after his win against Cotto in Vegas last November, he came back to the Philippines to be welcomed not with fanfare, but he found himself seated on a hot potato. His alleged extramarital affair with a Filipino starlet, Krista Ranillo was the grist of the gossip mill. Pacquio denied it. His wife, Jinkee, although not disproving  that the rumors were true, she was publicly shown throwing the waterworks. Later,  she admitted that her marriage to Manny was on the rocks. The Filipinos, mostly women, sympathize and empathize with her as Jinkee admirably, in dignity and elegance, declared they, as a couple would instead stand the turmoil and make their marriage work. She also advised other women to "fight for what is rightfully yours."

The "mistress" Ranillo is pretty mum about it----no admission, no denial, no apologies. Pacquiao, at first denied it and thus tried to evade questions about it. A few weeks later, he apologized to Krista's family, instead to his wife and family. Manny said in his apology, " ....Krista and I are just close friends." This is funny because if your husband has a girl pal, she's your friend too, right?  But Pacquiao's wife said she's not even her friend. Correct me if I'm wrong, aren't husbands supposed not to have close relations with any person of the opposite sex  other than his mother, sister, auntie, cousin, and daughter? Even though Ranillo did not say anything about it, she will always be the "evil bitch" among the lives of the most well-loved couple in the Philippines.

Pacquiao (L) and Ranillo (R)

Woods' six (6) other women includes (L-R) Rachel Uchitel, Kalika Moquin, Mindy Lawton, Jamie Jungers, Jaimee Grubbs, and Cori Rist 

On the other part of the world, America has quite a similar saga. The world-famous golfer, Tiger Woods has been embroiled in a circus of a more frenetic scandal. First there was news of Woods accident which drove the public to speculate about what really happened. Then the speculations escalated leading to the awful truth of Woods' sailing on multiple rivers. America gloated, though disgusted at the news especially when a dozen of Woods'  mistresses came out to the public and hog the media spilling the beans. Aspiring actresses, models, starlets, and  housewives are now labeled as "whores" because they have no shame facing and telling the public even about their sexual escapades with Woods. While all these women were aware that Woods is married, they  all still  willingly romp off with him, perhaps because  of lust or greed.

But people, do you really buy this? Seriously, if you're the other woman, would you really like to go out in public and say: "Hey, I'm the mistress of Mr. Rich-and-Famous? " One mistress said that she did not know there were other women as well and thought she was the only one? Oh I must say, do you really think the famous Tiger Woods is not married? What about his wife, and you think you're the only one? Apparently, we all know that these "other women" are out there to get their 15 minutes of infamy , or just dishing out their weepy stories to get the people's sympathy , or just plain proud of being the husband-snatcher?"

Filipino mistresses, as I have known do not emerge to admit publicly that they are the "stupid whores" of some famous Filipino married men. They can never "clean" their filthy mess in public because of "delicadeza---" a Filipino trait that means the sensitiveness of someone; refined responsive bearing in contrary to  gross shamelessness; prudence and sensibility. But in America, incited by a culture of "do what you want to do," and "be free to express yourself," the mistress can, however, grab at anything to get attention to her pitiful plight, in the hopes of being rich and famous as her lover.

It's appalling that celebrity-status is highly-esteemed by Americans and that even such an immoral action can be utilized to attain fame. What kind of media content are we delivering to kids? We already have enough sex and violence on TV, still, do we really need to see and hear these women?

Now my question is; what do you think we are really saying to young people who watch the news? Do this kind of news deserve attention? What are your thoughts?

PLAYING TOYS WITH AMERICAN BOYS (AND GIRLS TOO)

Last weekend, I went to do my Christmas shopping with a list of all the names of my nephews, nieces and godchildren. I made a beeline to Target and headed straight to the  toys' department. It was not a surprise, but I was quite amazed at the hordes of people and children shopping in that department. Compared to the other departments in that store, the toys' department was swarmed with so many people. Upon reflection, I remember my deprived childhood years.

When I was a child, I didn't have lots of toys. All the playthings I had were gifts which I  received on special occasions like my birthday and Christmas. I  remember I used to have this plastic doll with eyes that didn't close and head that didn't move neither the legs nor the arms.  I could never forget how I  yearned for a walking /talking/sleeping doll so earnestly in my heart because all I had was an inanimate "lifeless" doll. Every time I saw a little girl playing with a lovely walking-talking-sleeping doll, my heart sobbed. For the whole part of my pre-school life, I  coveted one. On my 3rd birthday, one of my godfathers gave me a precious gift ---a toy TV which when winded would play "Row, Row Your Boat" as the monitor spanned a panoramic scene of a beautiful picture of the song. I thought that was the "coolest" toy I've ever owned in my entire life. When my family grew a little bit well-off, I had to earn "credits" just to have a toy. Every time, I got a school award or medal, my parents would reward me with a toy. When I graduated from elementary school, I topped the class, and I got a Sanrio Hello Kitty stuffed toy, a Hello Kitty pencil case, and a set of Enid Blyton books.

But as a little girl, I was usually a  chipper. I had the whole outside and the wonderful warm weather as my playground----a very vast playground that extended from the neighborhood streets to the woods, from lakes and cliffs to ravines and rivers. Playing outside for as long we wanted  was sheer joy for my innocent exuberance. We played "patintero, piko (step), taguan (hide and seek), syatong, sipa, takyan, and Chinese garter. All these games don't require playthings bought from toy stores. But they all need to be engaged with other children and the warm outdoors. When the rain poured, another wonderful moment had to be seized---frolicking, running and playing tag with the raindrops falling on our heads. Oh, what a delight to caper with such a youthful buoyancy. Even sans a sleeping doll or a cheap teddy bear.

As an adult in the Philippines, I witnessed my poor  friend's 6 year-old  son attending a rich kid's birthday party. He saw the birthday celebrant tearing up the wrappers to reveal toys and more toys. He stared at his friend and said, "Can I just have the wrapper and the ribbons?"   My heart crushed when I heard him say that. The next day, I took him out to buy him toys.

 

 

In America, the kids are smothered with toys. All sorts of toys and playthings abound in the American market baiting both parents and children alike to possess all these stuff. As like moth to a flame, American children are the youngest "victims" of consumerism. You would not believe how much toys they have  on their little hands as parents  are willing to buy more to satiate their offspring's desires. Toys are sold in the market as "learning accessories" for "better development" of children's brain skills, motor skills, visual skills, vocal skills and whatever skill an advertiser could ever think of. If I could tell the "victimized" parents, I'd say "don't believe that crap, your children will grow normal and fine without toys!" Look at us, we talk, thin, walk, eat, read, write and move fine and we did not even have those toys. 

Playing outside is an option available only when the weather is nice. But only on the premises of one's yard. Or some American kids go to parks with swing-sets, slides, seesaws and monkey bars with adults, always on their backs to guard them.The fear of kidnapping, being lost or missing, pedophiles and other perverts could urge American parents to substitute playing outside with all sorts of toys and playthings. Besides, most toys in available in American stores and retailers today are quite cheap. Almost everyone can afford it. As the kids grow into their pubescent years, toys are still enticing to them. There are a myriad of play stuff that are designed for teenagers so they don't get bored or lured into adult vices.

There's really nothing wrong with playthings or toys, I know. But what's bothering is that some American parents use them as "babysitters" along with the television. Or some kind of replacements for the "quality time" they ought to spend with their children. What they lack in their time, energy and passion to be involved with their kids, they make it up with expensive toys.

Indeed, I can see that most American kids are spoiled with toys. Toys are being utilized as "everything" for them---learning and developmental aids and tools, babysitter substitutes, and quality-time replacements. With the economy on the verge of turmoil, don't you think we should slow down on toys and instead spend more time with our kids? And with a rapid breakdown of values and morals around us, don't you think we should teach them that there are certain things in life that we aspire should be worked and earned for? And this includes toys. Do you buy your child every toy he/she wants?

What do you think?

GETTING CHEAP TICKETS

One of the most fun things to do in the holiday season is  to go and watch musical shows, comedy shows or concerts. Our family loves seeing special events and most oftentimes we really spend money on tickets for such concerts, and Broadway shows. Usually these events and shows are expensive and some even cost an arm-and-a-leg. So we prefer to watch seasonally, like summer and winter. Or on special occasions such as anniversaries or birthdays. However, there is a way to snag cheap tickets online giving you the best value for your money.

BANK OF AMERICA FIRED EMPLOYEE FOR HELPING CLIENTS

A former customer service worker for Bank of America was fired after helping "unqualified" customers to get into one of the banks' programs. She probably thinks this is quite the "necessary evil" she should do to make people obtain loans. Sort of a modern-day Robin Hood, though not stealing, but allegedly twisting and violating  the policies and regulations of Bank of America to help the needy.

Josie Ramos, who used to work in a BA branch at Georgia, said that her job was "inherently evil" that she could not sleep at night disturbed by her guilt, and remorse over people begging for help through modifying their payments. But according to her, not all people are eligible to the Fix Pay Program, a payment modification program of Bank of America. This program was designed to allow customers turn their credit card account into a loan, and in the process would eliminate fees and hence, close the account.

Because this program has certain standards or criteria which the clients have to meet in order to be qualified for the program, it is Ramos' job to screen them as part of her job as a customer service associate. However, most of the people she encountered on her job requesting to be included in the program could not pass the program's requirements and qualifications, thus they were rejected.

Aside from the rejections, Ramos grew tired of the nature of her job---"squeezing" as much money as possible from Bank of America's cardholders. Bank of America devised strategies to "nickel-and-dime" customers, drawing out every penny possible through charging $15 "convenience fee" for payments over the phone, to taking $39 fee for late fees and another $39 on overdrafts.

Although her heart cringes on the life stories of the clients such as the 24 year old single mother who has cancer  and who lost her mom and husband in a single year, yet  who wants to pay her debt, but could not afford the high interest rates, Ramos refused to let her go into the program. Those people she declined had kept her up at night thinking about their plights. This led to Ramos to help and encourage even her "unqualified" customers to lie about their finances in order to be accepted in the program. This infringement costs Ramos her job. 

In her own words, she said; "So I stopped denying people. I helped people get on programs that they didn't necessarily qualify for, but who definitely needed the help."

Spokesman for Bank of America said; "Ms. Ramos clearly violated some bank  policies, particularly misrepresenting customer information. Perhaps more egregious, is she encouraged  customers to misrepresent their information."

After being terminated, Ramos made a video telling her story why she did it as she takes us what's really happening over the customer-service phone and the various ways Bank of America greedily hoards money from ordinary Americans.

Honestly, I am not surprised about Ms. Ramos' revelation of how Bank of America profits from taking advantage of people's credit card accounts. All banks  are like blood-sucking thieves ready to pounce on their gullible preys. The worst thing is, they seem to get away with it for so many years because the government cannot do anything about it. America is sinking in such an enormous amount of debt and one of the factors that can be blamed for this is the Americans' credit card debt that most of them cannot pay because of the high interests, and additional fees. The various ways that American banks are doing to rack up massive amount of profits for their pockets are so common that for such a long time, people have put up with it.

Ms. Ramos felt that it is time that there should be done something about this problem . "I want the laws changed, I want the federal government to protect its people and what it's supposed to do." In fact Ramos' video had spawned into what financial expert Suze Orman calls, a "debtors' revolt." People, angry at their banks and their credit card companies are staging a debtors' revolt through videos declaring they would not pay off their credit card debt after their interest rates are hiked up.

Here's the video of Ms. Ramos. After watching the video, can you take time to answer my questions.

Do you think what Ms. Ramos did is the right thing to do? Do you think she was doing a good deed or was her positive stand on cheating was doing more harm than good? If you were in her place, what would you do?

MATH GIVES ME HEADACHES

When people asked me why I love writing, it's easy for me to toss an answer. Without batting an eyelash, I'd say, "Because words are more fun than numbers." I have to admit the reason why I loathe anything that is related to Mathematics is because it gives me headaches. When numbers appear in an equation, I see pain just by looking at it.

But there are times I wonder what if I excel at Math too? It would have been great. If only Math help was available through online tutoring then, that would add bonus points to my intelligence quotient. Good thing I did not fail Math. But I never did good at it anyway because I almost failed it. Without much pleading from my Algebra professor in college, I would have flunked it. He gave me additional special exams to raise my chances of passing the subject. I swore it was tough. I asked everyone who were Math and Engineering majors in my dormitory to help me understand Algebra more. But imagine, if there was also Algebra help online, that would give me more edge over other students, wouldn't it?

OH GOODNESS, I'M AGING

(COMMENTS ARE CLOSED. THIS POST MAY BE TOO NARCISSISTIC FOR SOME PEOPLE)

Last Wednesday, I turned another year older. Nothing can stop the clock from aging me. I wish I could just stay at age 30 and fantasize that I'd stay at that age forever. What if everyone just reached a maximum age 30 and every clock would cease to count each second they live? That is quite nirvana.

Well, unlike before I used to throw parties for friends and workmates, but now,  I just had a quite dinner with my husband at Red Lobster, a seafood restaurant near our place. We both love edible creatures of the sea, so we celebrated it there. Then Saturday  came,  we had a birthday lunch at Thai Pan restaurant in downtown New Haven. The food was simply terrific.

Here, I am posting pictures of myself here to show how I age. Honestly, they say, I still look like I was 10 years ago. I am flattered. 

Studio pic, 1989 (20 years ago)

Studio pic , 1998

PHOTOS ARE CONTINUED ---CLICK "CONTINUE" BELOW

WATCHING TV SHOWS ON DIRECT TV

One weekend afternoon, I dropped by at my friend's house in Yonkers in New York. I absolutely love her children so I stayed longer. While there, there were people coming in to install their Direct TV. I then asked my friend if having direct television is better than any other cable network. She said her co-worker recommended it because they have a promotional offer of  150+  all digital channels for only less than $30.00 a month until 2011.

THINKING ABOUT GATE-CRASHERS

 For several days now, news in the U.S. are covering the pair of gate-crashers who barged into a White House party. Honestly, I don't know about the details because I never bothered to probe into what really happened. I just don't care. It's probably one of those reality-TV superstar -wannabes such as the parents of the balloon boy. 

Gate-crashing is a big thing among Americans. It's absolutely a violation of privacy which Americans can feel dreadful about if you commit this kind of desecration. I learned about this while I worked part-time as a housekeeper for an employer in Manhattan. She hosted a Christmas party for her friends and relatives where some friends of one of her relatives came to the party uninvited. She became so upset that when she  confronted her relative, they ended up in an altercation right at Christmas eve. A fete meant for family get-together turned sour and awry.

There was also one time that I went into a former employer's house in  affluent Scarsdale, New York to pick up all my remaining stuff which I left behind. I called the former employer that I'd be coming on a weekend night. She agreed and told me to come through the back door. When I tapped their  back door on that weekend night, her children who knew me of course, let me in. Inside, the little girls offered me food. Starving, I readily accepted and ate at the playroom together with them. The former employer came to see her kids and saw me eating and chatting up with her tots. She was so surprised and upset that I was there eating her party food. She told me I was not invited and asked why I was there when she did not even ask me to come. I rewound our telephone conversation and told her I'd pay for what I ate. When I left, I told her kids to pass on to her mother the $10.00 I am paying for her "nice dinner."

In America, you could never come to any event uninvited. That's unethical and apparently, a show of contempt. I watched this show where the bridegroom demanded money  from gatecrashers to pay for the food in the reception.  That I guess, would be fair because he demanded for RSVP but, I think I'd never be able to do the same thing to my guests---uninvited or invited.

Gate-crashing is unacceptable here while in my tiny island-nation, gate-crashing is so common and tolerable. In fact, party hosts prepare food estimating the number of potential gate-crashers. It's rude to shove away gate-crashers who are there to join you in celebrating a special day with you. Food is one of God's divine provision and a blessing that you have to share with others whether you know them or not. Even wedding receptions organized in rural provinces are held in big town halls where everybody in that town are welcome to join and partake the food---with or without invitation.

The belief that God provides everything, especially food --a source of nourishing life and health--leads us to bless others by allowing them to taste of what we are blessed with. Food is so important in a Filipino's life and, considered to be God's divine provision accepts gate-crashing also, as inevitably a Filipino's way of life. So, if you want to just barge in a Filipino celebration full of fun, gaiety and merriment amidst a bounty of food, go ahead, the hosts will still welcome you with an open heart and arms.

Have you ever gate-crashed some party? If yes, what was the reaction of the host?

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LASER PRINTERS

Every Christmas, I send holiday cards to a lot of friends and family members. Usually, these cards I mailed are bought from exclusive card makers and stationery stores. But this time, I opted for something different. I drew and painted cards which I tried to reprint to make several copies. But to my dismay, our printer broke. I guess, I had to replace it with a new one.

I told my husband to buy one of those laserjet printers at Sam's Club. So off we went to scour around what best suit our needs. I especially like the multifunction laser printers,  but hubby had his eye on one of the Canon laser printers. He likes the Canon brand and swears by its quality.

Those multifunction printers can do different tasks and it's amazing that they can print, copy, scan and fax. But because we really don't fax that much I think we are choosing just a reliable, quality and functional laserjet printer. Once I get it, I will surely enjoy printing out my artworks and my painted holiday cards. I am so excited to send them because they are a labor of love with a little help from the laser printer.

THANKSGIVING: I DO NOT WANT WHAT I HAVEN'T GOT

Tomorrow, it's Thanksgiving Day. It is the most important, most celebrated non-secular holiday in America. More important than Christmas or any other religious or traditional holiday in the calendar.

When the Filipinos travel back to their hometowns and families to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving is tantamount to Americans' homecoming. Originally celebrated to give "thanks to God" and as a religious holiday, this day had apparently become secular. The 1st Thanksgiving on 1863 was a day of gratitude to God for helping the pilgrims (the first English settlers in America) survive the harsh winter.

Before learning about the history of Thanksgiving Day, I somehow thought Thanksgiving should really be a "day for thanking God" for everything we have. By starting to count our blessings, and thanking Him for each of them, we feel lightened, encouraged, and more uplifted. We find happiness when we acknowledge all that we have that others do not have. Don't you know that it's true that the problems and lack of others are worse than our own? We gripe and whine in discontent because things do not happen the way we want them to be. Of course, we can feel sad and disappointed but this should not lead  us to go down in the dumps. Instead, let us look into  the things we are taking for granted that others will possibly die for.

Every time I feel unsatisfied, discouraged or sad, I'd snap out of it  whenever I begin to recount all that I have that others are wishing to possess.  We may never know that the things we take for granted are what others eternally crave for. And some of the things we yearn for are actually not for our good. God knows us as He has great plans for us and He definitely knows what not to give us and definitely knows what is best for us.

This reminds me of Sinead O'Connor's album title, "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got." The title phrase is thought-provoking, as if to reflect man's source of discontent and agony. However, there are things in life that are not for us, that despite our efforts and fervent prayers, we cannot just attain them. We do not own what we all desire as it may also inhibit God's plan for us. If God had bestowed me financial wealth, there comes a responsibility that I may not be able to handle. It's also possible that riches can lead me to be puffed up with pride. Or it may lead to degradation of my values and priorities that may cause my family to suffer. He did not give me children because I might be too preoccupied with my own little ones that I forget the small needs of others. He did not allow us to live in a warmer region in this land, because the achievement of His purposes for us are all going to happen here. 

"In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God." Thessalonians 5:18

God did  not create  us to be self-sufficient but to rely and trust Him in everything we need and want. We were also made to help each other that by giving ourselves to others, and others giving back to us is the real purpose of God's fellowship with men. If we have everything we want, we probably don't need anything at all, and this is dangerous especially if we forget that what we really need  is God. To the atheists and unbelievers, God does not exist because if God is god, then He would not allow sufferings from lack, want and poverty to exist in the world. Suffering does not make sense to most people. But God's ways are mysterious and hence don't make sense. Besides He did not assure us of a problem-free life, but peace, comfort and providence even  in the midst of all major screw-ups. Just like the pilgrims who celebrated the first Thanksgiving, offering gratitude to God who helped them go through the brutality of the cold season.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

All I know, God does not want it of course, but He blesses certain people more so they can be  blessings to others. We are blessed and given so we can bless and give to others who desperately need us. In this way, those who are afflicted, poor, and depressed whom we have helped will glorify God through us who have helped and given them. 

Each day, I wake up thanking God for another day that I'm alive, hale and vigorous. I try not to dwell on the thoughts of what I do not have and instead focus on what I have that gives me joy. And here on my blog, I'd like to list down 10  things I'm grateful for.

1) That I have good health, free of sickness and infirmity. (Imagine the sick and the dying, AIDS victims, cancer-stricken patients, diabetics, etc.)

2) That I have a great, loving, God-fearing, handsome husband whose wit and humor never fail to amuse me,  who cooks delicious dinners every single night, and who is my "best friend forever." (Think of those who are still looking and searching desperately for their Mr/Mrs. Right

3) That I have a roof over my head, even though it's crammed with so much stuff, and not my ideal abode (Have you seen those TV footages of homeless people, and the poor living in shacks?)

4) That I have a very comfortable, warm, cushy bed to give me a restful snooze into the night (How could anyone survive a cold night lying down on a cemented pavement?)

5) That I have my old, reliable car which can transport me wherever I want to go, though it's not a BMW (Consider the conveniences and ease of having a trusted vehicle)

6) That I have 2 wonderful and very sweet mothers-- my Mama and my Mom (Some people do not have good relationships with their own mothers, and more people who have to endure monstrous mothers-in-law).

7) That I have projects to do that I can earn  little money from to buy my fashion and beauty whims. (What about the jobless?)

8) That we always have food on our table to sate my hunger, and even cravings. (There are gazillions of starving humans all over the earth who dream of nothing but food)

9) That I have a fast metabolism and no matter how much I eat, even without exercising, I stay slim and still weighs the same even after 25 years. (Think of those people who struggle with difficulties in losing weight to stay healthy).

10) That I have faith and trust in God, knowing that my comfort, help and strength are all in Him (Because otherwise, I'd fail miserably in life and probably would end up a loony or a loser).

Thanksgiving Day should not be just a once-a-year novelty where we gather with our annoying relatives and kin with a sumptuous fare of turkey and pumpkin pie. Instead, we should celebrate a moment of thanks each day. Don't you agree that each day should be a "Thanksgiving Day"?  Because if it is, I think we will never ever lose our mind, and the road to happiness will be easier to navigate.

How about you, what are you thankful for? Do you give thanks each day for what you already have? Or do you think you're unfortunate because you don't have what everybody has? Or do you think you're still unsatisfied thinking life is unfair because you believe that you deserve to get what you want?

Whatever....I wish you a "Happy Thanksgiving!"

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I DON'T SPEAK AS I WRITE

A lot of my readers think I write well. I do not believe it. They must be kidding me ---or they just want to be nice to me. But then, I take it as a compliment. This is not "false humility," however, I have to admit I trained myself to write. It did not come out from genes or any "natural powers." I started  reading books at age 5, and then weaving the words I learned into sentences and organizing them into a story at age 8. I wrote and wrote and wrote every single day until it became a profession at my adult age. I stopped writing when I came to the US when I had a string of jobs of taking care of babies of rich American parents, and scrubbing toilet bowls of humongous American mansions. Then I realized my writing deteriorated until it sucked. So I decided to blog to re-polish what I know I was training myself to do well.

When I started blogging, my readers not only tell me I  write good, but I also must speak well. Mmmm...well that, I strongly refute. Of course I speak fluent English. The trouble is," I  speak with an accent---a funny Filipino accent. Americans describe it "funny" even though I don't have any idea what "funny accent " means. And because my cognition is Filipino, I take time to organize my Filipino terms to English, and structure it the way the Americans do. Sometimes I end up stammering, or making no sense at all. There were times I feel alienated and discriminated because of the way I speak. I even attempted to remove my accent to speak like a real homegrown American.

My former career was all that glitz and glam, but I stayed behind the wheel. I didn't like speaking English in public or to any group of strangers. Even to an all-Filipino audience,  the fear of public speaking looms over me.  I get cold feet. Once I was asked to and somehow I could not refuse, my nerves were jangling erratically throughout my body. I wished at least some people could give me speaking tips before confronting that demon. But nobody did because I had to do it impromptu.

Oftentimes, I wish I could speak as good as I write. I do admire great speakers who can articulate themselves well with confidence even in public. It takes a lot of skills to become a good speaker. I often revere celebrity speakers in awe. They absolutely have the chops of enticing everybody to their cause just by opening their mouths. There are also speakers, often called motivational speakers who can change anyone's lives through the inspirational  and encouraging messages  they give to their listeners. Those speakers are amazing.

People do really have different abilities. My ability to just share my thoughts through writing is one thing I always want to do. Right now, it may not reap any big rewards or recognition, but the satisfaction of letting my thoughts go through written words is enough for me. I may not be a good speaker or even a good writer, but at least I do know people still hear me out through my "own little voice."

Ask me to write anything, I will. Just don't let me open my mouth in English.

WE LOVE ED HARDY

When I met my husband, I do have to admit he doesn't have the finest taste in fashion. In fact, he never did care about clothes as long as they're clean and appropriate for work. Besides his wardrobe full of long-sleeved work shirts and trousers, there were tons of shirts, T-shirts and sweaters that I find, well, just plain, bland and boring. I wanted to transform his 
dressing style but he was reluctant.

However, since he started gigging with a cover band that plays mostly dance, pop and rock, his fashion taste turned around. From "never-mind-me" clothes, he suddenly got interested in great looking duds that match his image of a rock-and-roll star. I eagerly helped him shop for Ed Hardy clothing which he really  loves because of its cool tattoo-like graphic designs, and embellishments. He is more attracted to the long-sleeved Ed Hardy tops which he saw on Journey's frontman, Ariel Pineda. Ed Hardy has a line for women's apparel and accessories too, and I just fell in love with their  Ed Hardy boots.

I find Ed Hardy's clothing line very cool and attractive. Colorful graphics are their signature looks that make them stand out from the rest. For party nights this holiday season, I will definitely wear an Ed Hardy item. Maybe boots or a top or a handbag. My rocker-husband and I will look good to any event we will go this season.

LUMINEERS FOR A BRIGHTER SMILE

My husband is no metrosexual. Just a typical no-nonsense guy who maintains the basics of grooming and cleaning; taking showers, shaving, moisturizing and of course, brushing his pearly whites. His teeth are perfect and he did a pretty good job at keeping them healthy. He keeps them fresh, clean and whitened. He said, his teeth used to be stained from cigarette-smoking. Now smoke-free for more than 12 years, he keeps his white smiles perfect by going to having regular dental check-ups.

His dentist had placed veneers on the surfaces of my husband's teeth to make them look brighter. I have to admit that they really do make his smile nicer and actually boost more confidence in him. In fact, I am  thinking of going for dental veneers soon because  they can be placed over my crowns. Cosmetic dentistry has gone a long way. Several years ago, it takes complicated procedures just to whiten and repair chipped teeth. But today, the wonders of veneers make it possible to restore your chipped, stained and slightly misaligned teeth to a wonderful smile.