In the middle of my errands this morning, my cousin called and hysterically asked my help because their family is having a violent domestic dispute.  Concerned about their grandma and my niece-twice-removed, I sped from Parañaque to Quezon City in record time. 

             Damn, I don’t need this right now; we don’t need this again!

Ever since Papa died, I hate having been designated by force to stand as an authoritative figure in their family — to take responsibility in times of crisis they create for themselves; to help bail them out of troubles; to be emotionally stressed worrying about their grandma’s health and my young niece’s exposure to a horrible environment; to listen to their woes and give counsel every time I visit; to contribute something during crunch times.

            After the long hospital trip, unbelievable talks, reprimands that just fell on deaf ears, and being unsuccessful in convincing Lola to just stay with me, at the end of the day, nothing was resolved…again.  What else can I do?  Frankly, I don’t want to do anything for them anymore but yeah, that’s an impossible avenue. 

Sigh, so emotionally drained and all the more financially burdened this very long day.  But what makes me cry is, how come when I feel troubled or I am actually in trouble, I cannot depend on them except if I just wanna hear their self-righteous religious garbage?  To think, they’re the only remaining closest relatives I got in this country.

Oh well, I know bumawi naman si God sa mga kaibigan ko. Thanks, Jove, for keeping me company and sane or else nag-break down na rin ako today. 

         The darnest thing to start the day with:  Wudju refusing to start…just gave one rev, then it totally died!  I can’t believe it!  I haven’t used Wudju since its casa tune-up last Saturday, thus I was expecting a spectacular performance today; but no, I got the contrary. 

          A mechanic from a nearby shop (whom I had to fetch and thus miss work in the morning) and Honda Text said it must be the batt.

          The batt?!  It hasn’t been 2 years since I had so replaced and I hardly use Wudju (to think the batt prior lasted a little more than three years nga eh).  Checking my files, I discovered I missed the current batt’s warranty by 3 months!  Sheesh L 

Sigh, another unexpected expense in my state of financial crisis!!! To think Wudju is up for LTO registration and Polo will be vaccinated by his Vet tomorrow.  Gaaaaasp!

             Oh well, one sunshine (if you can even call it that) today is, I learned from officemate Gwyn how to jumpstart a car (the clutch and gas combination while the car is being pushed).  Thanks Gwyn and Panops for your help J.

stress all over —> my own case, case to reflect on, the upcoming results, personal angst against friends, being stuck in manila, some campaign matters, finances.  i guess things are pretty normal according to society’s standards. phoooey.

FWD FYI:

New Cell Phone Policy for U.S. Visa Applicants
For safety and security reasons, immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants are no longer permitted to bring cell phones or any other electronic devices, i.e., PDA, laptops, MP3 players, etc., onto U.S. Embassy grounds.  Effective March 1, 2007, visa applicants with these devices will be denied entry.

Additionally, no storage facility will be provided for them. Applicants who miss their visa appointment because of this new policy must reschedule through normal procedures. 

Please note that this policy does not apply to other visitors going to the Chancery, American Citizen Services, Veterans Affairs, or Social Security areas, and the current policy of checking and storing cell phones at the door will remains in place for them.

This new policy only applies to immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants. 

• Bar results on March 29, 2007; Oathtaking of new lawyers on April 25, 2007 — from a very reliable source.  Please, have a heart and don’t ask me about this matter anymore; i am stressed over this too (all the more even). Should i find out otherwise, i’d let y’all know.  But for now, let’s be at peace…
• first episode of How I Met Your Mother shown at ETC. Ay, losing allure na rin, hehehe.  Nah, I love this show; my comic relief in life.  Go, Barney!
• Kris in Manila for three days —> yehey for the abandoned gf (so the dramah J) and back to Krispy Kreme!

in re the errors in my sacramental records…

betty: sino ka ba talaga Ria?

ria’s mind: oh well, nothing beats my critical identity ‘discovery’ in 2004!

Will you comfort or celebrate with me?

But if the former, can i survive another fall?

FROM: the Office of University Development & Alumni Relations, edebulgado@alumni.ateneo.net

THE BLUE POST
Week of 10-17 March 2007

All Ateneo de Manila graduation ceremonies this year will be Webcast! To watch, point your web browser to mms://graduation.ateneo.edu during the date and time of the ceremony

• I saw on local TV that RPN 9 will start to telecast Heroes tomorrow.  ay, losing allure na…hehehe :o)
• great innovation from Honda Services:  text updates regarding your car under their care — what process it is currently on (in the lube, washing, etc), billing costs, and signal for pick-up.  what a conveniece! 
• Honda says Wudju needs new wipers.  Upon inquiry, I was given a print out of the cost (parts and service); wow, quick and detailed service.  but, what’s great is Honda’s word of advice: "Ma’am, intayin nyo na lang ‘pag tag-ulan na kasi ma-da-damage pa sa init ng summer kung papalitan n’yo ngayon na."  Now, that’s what cRApide should espouse!
• While waiting for Wudju, i finally went out of my way to get my Confirmation Certificate from St. Anthony of Padua Parish — after 14 years (again, this is not in preparation for anything!  i am just completing my personal files)!  Hahahaaaay, you guessed it, something was amiss!  My certificate lacked two important data: my biological mom’s surname and my baptismal date.  I was told SSC did not supply them before and that i should fix them by presenting a list of documents at the records office of the Catholic Church in Intramuros.  Wha?!  Not wanting to waste my visit, i asked if i can get a new baptismal certificate as the one i have all along is a mere photocopy (without any original for authentication).  Viola, within minutes, they whipped one for me.  I noticed though, my old photocopy and the new certificate bore different baptizing priests; plus, both indicate i was born in Manila (i just noticed kasi "Mnaila" pagkaka-type) eh, clear sa birth certificate ko (the origin of all these certificates) i was born in another city! Clarifying the disparities, i was instructed to rectify them as well (but i need an additional trip to Manila City Hall for this).    Waaaaaaaaahaaaaay are things diffucult?!  Bakit ako naging O.C. at ang mga taong nakapaligid sa akin bago ako nag-ka-isip ay hindi?  dyoshkopo!