Buhay Amerika Part 3

I was so tired last night so I took the time to set my alarm clock @ 4:30 am. I hate waking up early in the morning but I have to because I gotta go to work. Anyway, nakakayamot kapag pagod na pagod ako then bigla na lang mag-alarm yung clock. Annoying. Kakahiga ko pa lang but I feel like I’ve been robbed out of my own time. Sobra short ng time for me. Natural lang sa ‘kin na once tumunog na yung alarm clock, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to get up. So yeah, kung ilang beses ko press yung “snooze” button ng clock. I think, naidlip ulit ako for like…ahmm…10 minutes. Ayoko ma-late sa work ‘coz I really don’t feel comfortable rushing in the morning. I don’t know how many times I got late for work but it’s not really my fault. Most of my friends are aware of the fact that I don’t drive. I can’t. I don’t really wanna learn how to drive even though I know that I need to drive. I guess, I am just a bit scared about driving. Na-phobia na yata ako k’se naaksidente na kami minsan and I can’t forget what happened. Maybe, pag wala na public transportation, I’ll drag myself out from my fear of driving and yeah, I’ll do it.

Maraming mga bagay na nami-miss ko sa Pinas. Wala rin kaming TFC dito sa bahay k’se naisip ko wala naman manonood ng TV. Sayang lang monthly payment kung kukuha pa ng TFC. Besides, walang tao lagi dito sa bahay. Nagkikita lang kami dito kapag day off. Very hectic lifestyle dito and I feel guilty about it sometimes k’se hindi na ko nakakasulat sa relatives & friends ko sa Pinas. I would rather talk to them on the phone, send text messages or email instead of writing via postal mail. Nakakainis k’se ang mail delivery system sa Pinas. Laging nawawala ang mail ko. It’s probably because nakatatak eh selyo ng U.S. Wala naman laman pera yung letter pero ang ibang government employee diyan ay cannot be trusted talaga.

In random order, ‘to ang mga namimiss ko sa Pinas:

1. Fishball/Isaw/Kikyam at Dugo (pagkain agad inuna *lol*). Ngayon ko lang na-realized na yung sauce na sawsawan ay nakalagay lang sa isang container. Kaya yung laway ko, at laway n’ya at laway ng iba pa ay nagco-combine. Ewan ko ba kung ba’t ang sarap ng laway…este…fishball.

2. Uniwide (tama ba spelling ko?). Circa ’92 tambay ako lagi sa may bandang Cubao and I really like hanging out there sa Uniwide. Mura lang k’se ang mga bilihin at siempre pa, maraming cute guys sa loob ng store. At siempre rin, magpapacute ako *nyehehhe*

3. Water Buffalo (kalabaw). Maraming memories sa kin ang kalabaw namin. May nakaraan k’se kami (oyyy!). Nung bata pa k’se ako mahilig akong sumakay sa kalabaw with my friends Monalisa and Hilda. Takot ako sumakay sa kalabaw na mag-isa lang so lagi ako may kasama. Nung bata rin ako eh talagang marami akong alaga. Alagang kuto sa ulo (hahaha!) kaya nga minsan pinapaliguan ng Tita ko ang buhok ko ng vinegar (may balak yatang gawin paksiw ang mga nakokolekta nya). Eniwey, naisipan namin na sumakay sa kalabaw namin at mamasyal (tamad ako maglakad, halata ba?). While we we’re riding on the back, bising-busy naman yung kaibigan ko sa paghahalukay sa ulo ko. Fetish nya dati yung kutohan ako. At that time, I didn’t know na meron pala sumpong yung kalabaw namin k’se preggy pala. Basta ang nalaman ko na lang biglang nawala yung nangungoto sa buhok ko at ang bilis na ng takbo ng kalabaw (with me on the back!). Stupid kalabaw, di ko naman sinasabi na tumakbo siya bigla na lang tumakbo. Yung friend ko, muntik na siya matusok ng sungay nung letseng kalabaw namin. I heard namatay na rin yung kalabaw na yun k’se nalaglag yata sa may ilog. Tragic masyado death nya. May she rest in peace.

4. SM Centerpoint. Ahh, ‘to yung tambayan namin nung college. Malapit lang Centerpoint sa PUP kaya pagkagaling sa school, punta agad sa Centerpoint. Teka nga muna, ba’t nga pala ang daming motel sa may Stop & Shop?

5. Jeepney. Mapili ako sa jeepney. Hindi ako sumasakay sa jeep lalo na kapag hindi “patok” style at walang blasting music sa loob. At saka, ehem…sanay ako mag 1-2-3. Namimiss ko yung pagwa-1-2-3 ko k’se di naman ako nahuhuli. Ang sama ko!

6. Baha sa may parteng Sampaloc at Marikina. Namimiss ko yung paglalakad ko sa baha. Basta miss ko lang yun. Don’t ask me why.

7. Tutuban (‘to ba yung shopping center?). Maraming cute goodies dun sa loob ng Tutuban mall.

8. LRT. May papuntang LRT na ba sa Marikina?

9. Traffic. Nakakamiss yung traffic sa Metro Manila. Inaabot ng 2 or 3 hours traffic. Pwedeng pwede na mangulangot ka ng walang humpay. Ubos na kulangot mo hindi pa rin umuusad yung sasakyan. At saka yung T-shirt mong puti, nagiging kulay khaki. Di na kailangan pa mag-dye.

10. Dunkin Donuts, Greenwich, Jollibee, Shakeys, Chowking atbp. I admit…I am a glutton. Sobra!

I could list a lot more but I’ll do it some other time. I think I am just gonna take a nap for awhile and post somethin’ later on.

Cheerio!

Am I such a bookie?

If you are one of my closest friends, you would surely know that I have a certain affinity for books. I love reading so much. My mind is in constant ripple of chaos if I don’t get a hand on any kind of book. I am not sure why but I feel agitated if I am not reading any book. In fact, I bring 3 different books in my backpack everyday (be it a hardcover or paperback!). My room is loaded with books, magazines, and crumpled paper. They call me a ‘junkie’ at home and though I am not proud of my namesake, I somehow feel glad that I am a junkie.

I am almost done reading PREP (by Curtis Sittenfeld) and there are 4 more books lined up for me to read next: Running With Scissors, Water For Elephants, How To Be Good and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I am hoping that I will soon finish reading all of them as I have yet to read another recommended book by a friend titled “Criss Cross”. I am curious about what the book is all about but I am not  going to search anything about it in the internet. I hate spoilers. I love to read irony…lots of irony, in fact.

My favorite authors so far are: JK Rowling, Sophie Kinsella, Curtis Sittenfeld, Kurt Vonnegut, Dan Brown, Nick Hornby, David Sedaris, and Jodi Picoult. I also love the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, John Steinbeck, Joseph Heller, Willa Cather et al…

Well, anywho…I better start reading again.

PS:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Self Quizzie

1. What’s your middle name?
Ann according to my birth certificate though I never use my middle name.
2. Where were you born?
Quezon City, Manila
3. Where have you lived and where do you live now?
For most part of my childhood, I lived in the province of Bicol with my grandparents. I’ve spent 6 ½ years in Manila but my parents decided to moved in Bicol when I started 1^st grade until high school. I’ve moved to Manila again for college and stayed there for almost 2 years. I now live in Chicago for almost 11 years. I would probably live in Mars 600 years from now 🙂
4. What do you do for work? Are you in your desired profession or are you working toward something else (what?)?
Right now, I work full time in a financial institution in downtown Chicago. I prefer to work as an environmentalist or something to do with animals (zoo perhaps?) . When I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer and a teacher but I realized that I don’t really have the patience to teach children. I am pursuing a career in IT business.
5. Do you collect anything? (If so, what?)
Yes, I am a junkie. I collect basically anything I like. I collect: used stamps, foreign coins, books, manga (Japanese comics), stationery, postcards and newspaper clippings.
6. Do you have a particular affinity for anything?
Animals especially dogs, cats and birds (I am a proud parent of 6 cockatiel birds! Yeah!), green tea, books, coffee, shopping (?).
7. What’s your view on religion and/or spirituality? I believe in God and though I am not really spiritual, someday I know He will come.

Growing up (childhood/teenage years):

1. What is your most vivid memory?
The first thing that come to mind is…jogging on the weekends with my parents & siblings. A day in the park, a picnic with my cousins, and hiking with my friends. Also, my cousins and I would stay up late at night playing this game called “Patintero” and we used to have a bonfire and roast kamote or bananas. Gosh! I missed those days!
2. What is the most random memory you’ve recently remembered? I have this grade school classmate who came to class (everyday!) with a huge booger on her nose, a breath like a rotten veggie…

3. What was your favorite toy (one for all of your different ‘phases’ is okay)?
Barbie doll! Nah, I never own one. I love yo-yo.
4. What was your favorite book? Did you read it again as an adult? How did your perception of the book change, or did it?  Growing up in the city with a lot of different things around me to pass by the time, reading books is not my priority. I remember that I used to watch all the crappy shows all day long on weekends and I sort of liked the idea of wasting my time. My Dad used to complain then why I keep on watching television. I kind of admire my Dad how he had so much fun reading books by George Eliot, Mark Twain, Shakespeare, Ernest Hemingway and Pearl Buck. One day, as I was rummaging through my Dad’s books, I found this book “The Gift of Acabar” by Og Mandino and as I leaf from pages to pages, it gave me the energy and curiosity to read the book from page one to the last page. Later that night I asked my Dad that I went through his stuff earlier and I innocently confessed to him that I like reading the Gift of Acabar. The book gave me new perspective about certain things in life and later that week, I received a present from my Dad. It’s my very own copy of The Gift of Acabar he bought on the way home from work. I was so happy I could cry. I re-read the story so many times in my life and I am glad that my Dad didn’t gave up on me J

5. Were you indoors or outdoors more often? I like being outdoors especially during spring, summer and fall seasons. I prefer to stay indoors on winter as I can’t barely stand the frigid and freezing weather here in Chicago.
6. What music did you listen to (again, by ‘phase’ is okay)?
Mostly 80’s & early 90s music especially new wave and emotional ballads from Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Taylor Dayne etc. I listen to a variety of music like the Beatles, Guns n Roses, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Tears for Fears, Eva Cassidy, Corinne Bailey Rae, Enigma, Nat King Cole, Josh Kelley, Jason Mraz and Japanese/Korean music.
7. Were you radically different as a teenager than you are now? If so, how? Not sure about radically different but I think I am more self confident, mature, and open-minded now compared when I was a teenager. Through the years, I learned to be more open-minded about the views and opinions from other people and not being critical on certain issues.
8. Given the choice, would you have preferred video games, board games, or the arcade?
Well, this is a hard one. I am not a video or arcade games fan but I can certainly assure you that I absolutely enjoy playing board games! Scrabble, anyone?

Random Questions:

1. If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
Superhero? Let‘s see…I would really like to have Superman’s strength, Wolverine’s courage, Optimus Prime’s leadership and Wonder Woman’s beauty!
2. What’s your favorite color and why?
RED! I love RED! I just think it’s a happy color and they say that people who like red are passionate. So, I guess I am a passionate person J
3. What type of animal is your favorite? Why?
Domestically speaking, I like dogs. They are so cute and cuddly and they give you so much love without being prejudiced.
4. Not considering anything except looks (ignore gas mileage, cost, etc), what vehicle would be your next purchase? Hybrid car…environment wise!
5. Name three things you’re good at.
Cooking, shopping, and reading!
6. Name three hobbies that you’ve had in the past.
Collecting song hits even though I am not particularly musically inclined. I think, I’ve spent half of my allowance on song hits and my Mom used to complain about it.
7. What hobbies are you currently pursuing? Hmmm, crocheting or knitting. Nah, I am so bad with those so I’ll stick to reading and blogging.
8. What kinds of music do you listen to (no cop-outs on this question… I want specifics!)?
Neo soul/neo jazz, pop, world music, oldies…something that will relax and stimulates the mind.
9. Do you prefer movies or television? Why?
Movies because they are easier to watch. I mean, I don’t have to wait for another week to know what’s gonna be in store for the main characters in the TV shows.
10. What TV shows have you watched all episodes of? Smallville, I think.
11. What type of movie is your favorite and why? On this question, I’d like a description of the genre or style, not specific movies (but maybe as examples).
Probably chic flicks. Any movie with a good sense of humor, a little romance, adventure, mystery and a great story line will do.
12. How do you recharge when you’re physically and/or mentally worn out? Reading a good book with a cup of coffee next to me.
13. Tell me something I don’t know about you.

Do you really want to know? Call me…J

14. Tell me a strange habit that you have.
I prefer to remain silent about this as I am strange enough to write something strange about my strange habit.
15. Write a haiku.

I have to think about this one….

16. Describe your favorite article of clothing.

Cool, hippie and unique clothing style but not enough weirdness to it that people would think I am a Martian.
17. Describe your favorite used-item purchase (e.g. from a thrift store, resale shop, antique store, etc).
Prada purse! Bought it for 8 bucks and after I cleaned & shined it, looks more like worth a million bucks! J
18. What kinds of food are “comfort food” to you? Do you make it yourself?

Home cooked meals by Mom….feels more like home to me.
19. What makes you feel “old?” Does it worry you, or do you laugh about it?
Constant nagging from my siblings. They give me enough headaches and wrinkles. I don’t worry too much about my looks but I do think about how I would look like 25 years from now. Yeah, I imagine creepiness is not impossible.
20. Recommend three websites: one blog link, one serious link, and one humorous link.

Serious link: www.discoverychannel.com

Humorous link: www.blaugh.com Blog link: http://lllredlll.wordpress.com

10 Things I Hate (or least like)

FOOD: Indian/Mexican food. I’m sorry but I just can’t stand the weird smell.

FRUITS: Strawberry

VEGGIES: Brussels sprout

PEOPLE: Gossip mongers, pessimists.

EVENT/SITUATION/INCIDENT: Any situation where I feel like I am in the middle of a very tedious and critical scrutiny from everyone.

TV SHOWS/MOVIES: Reality shows especially The Bachelor/Bachelorette. Movies? Hmm, there are quite a few where I ended up disappointed. Let’s see…oh yeah, Jeepers Creepers and Open Water. Honestly, it was a huge mistake and a total waste of my time watching those two movies mentioned above.

MUSIC: Rap music (some of them got nothing to sing about but just cursin’)

HOUSEHOLD CHORES: I hate doing my laundry.

THINGS AROUND THE WORLD: Discrimination, poverty, war, violence, global warming, animal cruelty, crimes, terrorism, traffic etc…

THINGS ABOUT MYSELF: I procrastinate a lot, worry too much and very unpredictable.

Washington & Wells

This is the building where I usually passes by in downtown Chicago and I totally admire the unique black…ahhmmm…is this a monument or statue? Not sure what to call it, though. It used to be outside the building but since they remodeled the building and so goes the ‘statue’. I thought of going inside the building to take the picture of it but I figured I won’t be able to take a good shot of it. Instead, I decided to take a pic while I was waiting for the L train going through the Loop (Chicago’s financial district). Next project would be the Sears Tower!

Love Story

I totally *krak ap* when I got this email from a fellow online chatter. This is a “made up” love story about a certain someone (I think she’s a bit of a mental in and out…) Read on….

My Love Story

by

Roachy

We’ ve been friends for a long time ago. We come from the same alma mother. Actually, our paths crossed one time on another. But it’s only now that I gave him a second look. I realized that beauty is in the eyes. The pulpbits of my heart went fast, really fast.  Cute pala siya. And then, he came over with me.  He said, “I hope you don’t mine. Can I get your number?” Nag-worry ako. What if he doesn’t give it back? He explained naman na it’s so we could keep intact daw. Sabi ko, connect me if i’m wrong but are you asking me ouch? Nabigla siya. Sagot niya, The! Aba! Parang siya pa ang galit! Persona ingrata!!! Ang kapal niya! I cried buckles of tears. Na-guilty yata siya. Sabi niya, isipin mo na lang na this is a blessing in the sky. Irregardless daw of his feelings, we’ll go ouch na rin.  Now, we’re so in love.  Mute and epidemic na ang past. Thanks God we swallowed our fried. Kasi, I’m 33 na and I’m running our time. After 2 weeks, he plopped the question. “Will you marriage me?” I’m in a state of shocked. Kasi mantakin mo, when it rains, it’s four! This is true good to be true. So siyempre, I said yes. Love is a many splendor. Pero nung inaayos ko na ang aming kasal, everything swell to pieces. Nag-di-dinner kami noon nang biglang sa harap ng aming table, may babaeng humirit ng, “Well, well, well. Look do we have here.” What the fuss! The nerd ng babaeng yon! She said they were still on. So I told her, whatever is that, cut me some slacks! I didn’t want this to get our hand kaya I had to sip it in the bud. She accused me of steeling her boyfriend. Ats if! I don’t want to portrait the role of the other woman. Gosh, tell me to the marines! I told her, “please, mine you own business!” Who would believe her anyway? Dahil it’s not my problem anymore but her problem anymore, tumigil na rin siya ng panggugulo. Everything is coming up daisies. I’m so happy. Even my boyfriend said liketwice. He’s so supportive. Sabi niya, “Look at is this way. She’s our of our lives.”Kaya advise ko sa inyo – take the risk. You can never can tell. Just burn the bridge when you get there. Life is shorts. If you make a mistake, we’ll just pray for the internal and external repose of your soul. I second the emotion…..

 

Coffee, anyone?

The time is already 12:15 am and yet I am still wide awake. I think I’ve had too much coffee earlier today. My body is tired but my mind is contradicting me and I am left with no choice but post again another blog.

Yesterday, I had a very stressful day at work. I work in a very fast paced environment that eating lunch seems to be a luxury. Sometimes, I can only take a 15 minute break because of too much paper work that needs to be done before the end of the day. Earning money is a very tough job and I am not ashamed to admit that I am one of those people who can be labeled as “workaholic”.

I don’t usually get urgent calls or text messages from my family but yesterday my sister Abby called me on my mobile phone saying that our family pet, Hana got into trouble with his Dad. Hana is a cockatiel and he is a mischievous little birdie. For some reason, he likes to get out of his cage, fly around our house, make some horrible noise (that could wake up the dead!) and annoy his parents. When I got home yesterday, Hana’s eyeball was bleeding. Hana looks perfect but not anymore! I don’t know if he is going to be blind though. I hope not but just looking by his injury, I know for sure that he is indeed going to be blind. I will try to post Hana’s pic later this week.

I think, I’ll try getting some sleep for now because tomorrow is another busy day….

Distance

Summer ended early as I go beyond

The narrow road where our shadows

 Mutually lingered in the past.

The icy air of autumn spell

Chilled my soul and I wander around

The path you and I were once part of,

 I reminisce the days of sweet rapture

 Now lost in the pages of my memory….

           *idotmatrix* 8-27-07

photo taken by: Larzuthul

Hybrid bus (downtown)

On my way to a nearby McDonald’s where a hybrid bus is waiting for passengers.

Train station