happy new year!!!

• gosh, last day of 2005 na! ang bilis ng panahon!
• the housemates are gone for their respective new year’s eve celebrations. tahimik ang house except for a few firecrackers going off from the neighbors.  kakaasar nga eh, natatakot tuloy si polo (he’s barking and soooo jumpy/excited).  eh i read somewhere na sa takot ng animals (particularly dogs), they can have heart attack! kawawa naman.
• speaking of firecrackers, i again implore friends to refrain from using/lighting these pollution-additives!  please stop further polluting our environment (air and land — kasi grabe ang kalat sa umaga ng january 1).  i remember, when we were younger, we used to make our own paputok — a ‘canyon’ of sorts made from beer/softdrink cans taped together to form a cylinder.  one end is completely open, while the other end simply has a small puncture where we can pour a bit lighter fluid.  after a few shakes (to spread the lighter fluid), we’d bring the end with the small puncture near a lighted candle and the thing emits a loud "kaboom!"  super safe compred to lighting mga ’sinturon ni hudas’ or even the simplest roman candle.  Recently, i saw in the newspapers a similar device being sold in cavite.  but the marketed ‘canyon’ is made from PVC naman. 
• when we stopped making our improvised canyons, i stopped making ‘paputok’ altogether.  tama na ang air pollution, pag-aksaya sa pera, and playing with dangerous fire.  besides, may konting trauma na rin ako sa firecrackers eh. i remember, when i was younger, i handled a defective roman candle kaya takot na rin ako sa ganun.  and then, another new year’s eve, while playing with a sparkler inside our gate, bigla ba namang may tumalon na mga triangle inside and blasted by my feet.  super katakot!  and may mga small burn marks tuloy yung favorite pajamies ko! tapos a couple of years ago, my aunt bought a big fountain. pagkasindi pa lang sa labas ng gate, bigla ba namang tumumba towards us and started spewing fire! ayun, takbuhan kami sa loob ng bahay, closed doors/windows due to the smoke, and readied with pails of water just in case the house would catch fire!
• so for this year, just like last year, torotot na lang ang noise making device ko. 

Super happy ng 0′96 Christmas gathering this year.  10 out of 14 (2 kasi nasa Cali, so excused) dumating.  Lots of food, lots of kwento (some nga lang are kinda sad), lots to drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and ang happy ng mga natupad na pangarap (hahaha, wish-list-gift giving)!  Thank you, friends, for the great company, happy presents, and beautiful friendships! May our tradition continue as adherence to so strengthens the bond that keeps us together (lalo na because of the hecticity of life, we get to see some almost annually na lang talaga).  see you sa celebration natin next year — that would be our decade year!

(picture taken in 1996)

 (picture taken in 2000)

·        Last night, I was impressed that ballet can go beyond tutus pala.  Our college friend, Jacqui, invited us to a ballet presentation at the CCP and I super enjoyed watching her and her TEAM (pun intended).  Special treat na ang cuuuute pa nung mga kids na nag-perform.  Congratulations to you, Jacqui (your family and TEAM)!

·        Hay, sa mga kapwa kong babae na mananakay ng jeep, pakiusap lang na sana itali ninyo ang inyong buhok upang hindi maka-abala sa mukha ng ibang tao, lalo na kung sobra rumatsada ang jeep na lulan natin.

·        What’s with dogs?  May gustong magpatiwakal nanaman via the car tires of my friend naman recently.

·        Been wondering, what is least deadly to inhale: Carbon Monoxide while commuting or massive dosage Carbon Dioxide while walking sa mainit at packed na mall?  Options ko kasi pauwi to car everyday.

• This gift tag just cracked me and mel up! my gosh, how sad — no room for the inn na snowman/naghihikahos na taong yelo! who the heck would attach this to a gift? hmmm, kami, pero as pang-asar/patawa lang.  seriously, who?

·        Today is Niños Inocentes.  Used to be one of my dad’s favorite days ‘coz he has an excuse to pull pranks with his media friends and sometimes even with the people in Malacañang!

·        For the past years, December 28 signified my high school barkada’s annual xmas gathering (we’ll celebrate this year on the 30^th — yehey, dalawang tulog na lang!).  Whew, JM and I are almost finish in our “santa-shopping.”  O’96 Christmas parties kasi are marked by our traditional wish-list-gift-giving — we post our wishes (from books, to kikay items, to plain pillow covers, to clothes, to nail cutter, to socks, et cetera) sa yahoogroups and each one/partners ‘claim’ what she/they will buy from the wisher’s list and give the gifts on date of the party.  Practical and fun to give/receive what one really wants — the simple joys!

·        Although, most of my friends were in agreement that this holiday season is quite sad compared to the past years.  I partly agree — konti na lang kasi kami sa family nag-celebrate ng Christmas day; I’m already categorized as an ‘adult’ by my elders as I no longer received any xmas money from them; and all the gifts I received from my relatives are “for the house” na. Moreover, parang dumami pa nakakaawang beggars sa kalye, parang hindi man lang nababawasan yung mga binebentang lighting-parol under Buendia flyover, lahat ng ini-interview na tindera would say ‘mahina bentahe ngayon kumpara nung mga nakalipas na taon.’

·        Plus, ang sad naman sa family ni late Senator Barbers.  What a day to die — Christmas day!  Heck, my maternal grandpa died a few days before Christmas two years ago — ang sad na the fact that we were at a funeral parlor on Christmas eve!  What more pa kaya handling all the body preparations/grief on Christmas day itself?!

·        Gosh, one year ago na yung Tsunami disaster (December 26).  I watched either sa National Geographic or Discovery Channel a special where they interviewed some families in Sri Langka and Thailand about their experiences the day the huge waves struck.  Literally, naluha ako sa sinapit at mga patuloy na pinagdadaanan pa rin nila.  Ang sad and kawawa sobra! 

·        Back here in the country, we are currently feeling a bit of nature’s fury as well.  Super flooded pa rin sa Mindoro.  Let’s continue helping and praying for the victims there. 

·        Enough dwelling about sadness.  Para maiba, I’d rather start thinking how somewhat blessed this season had still been.  First, the worst of the medical crisis of my aunt is over.  Second, I have a job and I got my salary (record time na raw yun ‘coz initial pay takes months to be cleared daw) at the time (to the very hour) our family needed most! Third, my back has normalized (thanks to Calcium tablets — although warning in taking so, one should drink lots of water to prevent the formation of kidney stones).  Fourth, maayos naman ang eye surgery ni Lola Saling. Fifth, ang happy na ok ang house and vehicles. Sixth, ang saya na may mga kakilala akong pumunta sa USA at nakapagpadala kay kuya without having to expend much for freight (laking tipid and great that kuya got things he needs/requested for from here)! Seventh, good health and normal conditions most of my relatives and friends. Eight, despite the hardships, may freedom/choices/capacity to act pa rin ang life.  Ninth, Tita Madre passed the 2^nd stage of her driving exams in Botswana! And finally, I got some pencils as Christmas gifts (Thanks for the ‘Philippines’ pencils, Bane! Thanks for allowing me to ‘steal’ from your pencils gift pack, Piper!)

·        Kris influenced me to patronize Manila Filmfest movies way back in college (actually, he influenced me to give Filipino movies in general a chance).  Yes, from the time of Mara Clara The Movie, to Pedro Penduko, to Mano Po 1 & 2, etc. (and believe me, “et cetera” covers a lot more).  This year, we watched Mulawin The Movie — ok, I admit, that was due to my insistence. No, I didn’t follow the series; I was just curious of the story, the costumes, and the actors/actresses.  At least, even being an ignorant about these “taong-ibon” with “ugat-pak” we understood naman the plot.  Bilib ako sa efforts with the costumes and effects.  Everyone in the movie can also act naman — no spectacular performance, pero wala rin namang dapat i-lambaste (kumbaga, walang parang Jericho Rosales; pero wala rin naman parang Onemig Bondoc — gets? hahaha).  Next in the list to watch is BlueMoon…and maybe even the Juday-Piolo movie na rin! Hahahahaha, tangkilikin ang pelikulang Filipino!

december 27…nasa office library.  researching for my case (and stating my woes on the side through this blogsite).

whoopee!

celebrated christmas day with relatives at project 2.  fun…but we were just sooo few left talaga here in ‘pinas!

on our way home….my luck strikes!

i ran over this pandak askal dog of the neighbor (pakalatkalat lagi sa kalye at dahil xwind ang dala ko that was running at 10km/h — as i was preparing to park already for being 5 houses away from home na lang — hindi ko totally nakita yung dog).  i just felt something bump sa chasis and a doggie cry. 

and so, i went down to investigate on the dog. 

pero the dog ran away!

we tried to catch up with it to inspect his injuries; but we weren’t able to catch up with him.  i went to the neighbor-owner to apologize and take responsibility.

until now, i haven’t heard from the dog nor his owners yet.

dang. 

sabi ni nanang, yun pa man din lang na askal na hindi inaaway si polo. 

*sigh

• gosh, i’m the sole berbano celebrating the eve of xmas in our home this year. soooo sad.
• the weather is so chilly (yes, chilly…’coz atty. balane corrected me when i said "i’m cold" when he noticed i was shivering in class.  he said, do i mean i’m heartless or do i mean the temperature is cold for me.  answering the latter, he said, i then meant it’s chilly. whatever!)
• me being me, what do i do the day before xmas (no work, kris is in laoag, the housemates with their respective families/errands)?  No, i’m already done wrapping gifts.  No, nanang does the cooking (for edibility’s sake).  I clean! i cleared the ceilings and walls of cobwebs all over the house.  i dusted and put in order all my room cabinets (i pulled off stuff i don’t use anymore either for rummage sale or donation).  i cleaned my/housemates’ shoes.  i’m now to dust my shelves and framed photos, clean brushes and combs, and put other small items in order.  i’m just taking a break to blog ‘coz i’m sneezing like crazy already.  actually, i’m tired na; but me being me, i just can’t stop!  kung hindi lang late na, gusto ko pa sanang linisin xwind and honda…and wax them to shine (plus de-bug honda with insecticide)! today lang din naman ang break kasi eh.  tomorrow celebrations with relatives.  next week, may work and post-xmas celebrations pa. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

·        It just feels so awkward to find oneself eating with a group that suddenly makes “okray” someone and the people therein sort of silently compels you to ‘contribute’ in the ‘discussion.’ Yes, I too am guilty of making “okray” others especially when I am with close friends.  However there are times when I don’t feel like participating in okrayan sessions or I just don’t have anything bad to say about the person being discussed. Kaya when such moments occur, I find myself with indigestion for eating in record time to avoid lingering with the “okray” group.

·        Dang, my cubicle is bothered by quite a number of small-fast-moving-brown ants.  It’s so irritating and disgusting!  I wonder where they come from and how come they just won’t all die despite my efforts of killing those that come to my vision. 

·        Our Supreme Court now has a new chief justice: Justice Panganiban.

·        Gosh, tuloy pa rin ang floods sa Mindoro!  Ang sad! Let’s help the victims…mag-donate tayo sa mga relief operations.

·        Super dami na talagang bastos na tao sa mundo.  Two weeks ago, as a break from walking around a mall in Makati, I went to buy my favorite cheese waffle.  While queuing to state my order, biglang may sumingit na isang guy sa harap ko (akala ko dadaan lang sa harap ko, pero bigla ba namang nag-stay na and didn’t budge).  And so I told him I was in line. Deadma. I repeated my statement and quipped wag naman siya sumigit. Deadma. Hindi naman siya bingi kasi nakaka-reply naman siya dun sa salesperson when asked what his order was.  Buti, another salesperson asked for my order.  And when my cheese waffle was placed on the counter na, the singit-guy got it.  I told him it was mine. Again, deadma.  And so the salesperson got another one and handed me my order. I paid the exact amount; while the singit-guy handed the cashier a huge bill. Ayun, I left with him still not getting his change.  What the heck was that about?!

·        Shey gave me a Chicken Little notepad na nag-i-iba yung size ni Chicken Little when you move the pad in different angles.  Ang happy, super nakaka-aliw! Haha.

·        So far, wala pang ibang mouse kaming na-meet ni Mel sa Casa.  Sana nga wala na talaga at all! 

·        Super happy mag-drive in the morning this week ah…wala na kasing pasok mga school kids.  Imagine, less than 30 minutes going to Julia’s house from the Casa (whereas, ordinarily one to a little over an hour ang travel ko).  No traffic at all sa Service Road, sa Sales bridge nor sa South Super Highway (problema pa rin nga lang ang mga motorcycles and tricycles — nakakatakot mahawi especially those nag-ka-counterflow sa 6-10am OneWay na Service Road).

·      Had dinner (as our Christmas gathering) with my law school friends last Tuesday. Marathon update-an and enjoying the presence of one another — just like the old days!

·        Bets, I’m so proud of you (sa mga texts and email mo)!

·        Big problem with Honda!  GP saw a cockroach inside and a lizard crawled across the dashboard while I was driving!  OMG! How to get them out?!!!

Dear Friends,

Continuous heavy rains spawned by several weather disturbances for the past week have caused severe flooding in Oriental Mindoro. Ths has caused the protective dike surrounding the city of Calapan and the towns of Baco and Naujan to collapse. As of 6 PM, December 19, nearly 20,000
families composed of 100,000 individuals have been affected and thousands have fled to 38 evacuation centers.

This is a flash appeal issued by the multisectoral Task Force Noah for canned goods, rice, noodles, drinking water, blankets, and medicines (specifically for colds and diarrhea).

Donations in kind may be dropped off at Eliazo Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, starting today 20 December 2005, at 10 AM.

Cash and check donations can be left with the porter of Loyola House of Studies. Kindly address all checks to: SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN (BPI Checking Account # 3081-1111-61).

We are also appealing for volunteers to staff the task force center and help sort/ pack the goods, at the Eliazo Hall basement, starting today at 5 PM, 20 December 2005.

Please contact Bobby Guevara and/or Michelle Juan at 0920-9225674 for further information.

We urgently appeal for your support and prayers for all our affected countrymen.  Kindly forward this appeal to your friends and network.

Thank you.

ATENEO TASK FORCE NOAH