"GO JEJEMON'S!"

It's been weeks that I've been hearing of this Jejemon. They are getting popular...but actually in a negative way. It is said they it's spreading far and wide in the net, especially in the social networks, of incorrigible messages coming from them. (I've read nothing more precise in the description of Jejemon than in my dear friend in the blogosphere's post Scribbler's Jejenese Ramblings. See her site for a wonderfully written description of these jejemons.)

Yes, we're not to judge. I believe they are just trying to set a trend or probably hoping to have a name in this crazy world we live in. Hopefully, they are feeling elated being one of the hottest topic blogged about (wink to jejemons?!) Maybe they just want to here "Go Jejemon's" or maybe it just so happen that they enjoy doing this and some people encountered it and somehow felt irritated because they cannot comprehend the words.

Personally...I myself gave a "tsk" and "hmp" when a received a message in that jejemon language. Then again, a mere shake of a head should be enough and LET THEM BE. Let them have that short time of being known and believe that YOU MADE SOME PEOPLE HAPPY. "Patience" dears.

That's just it, right? Let it pass...and soon, another group will think of some other thing to contribute in our world. One thing though, I HATE BEING IN THE DARK. Can anyone satisfy my curiosity as to WHO STARTED IT? Who are the jejemons?

HEED ME

The deadline given to register as a voter for the upcoming election is near its end, it being until the end of October. In so saying, it is very “timely” of me to suddenly have just decided to transfer precinct and so I’m now among the throes of people cramming to have it accomplished before the said due.

As I sit before the zigzagging lines awaiting my turn to have my photo taken, I can’t help but notice how unruly the crowd is and how loud the one in-charge is trying to shout away the people into filling their forms properly. THIS MAKES ME WONDER…can’t this kind of stressful and noisy environment be an orderly and peaceful one? The applicants and the municipal staff will both benefit such change. It will be a lot faster, comfortable and stress-free without the ear piercing screech of instructions and blubbering unnecessary noise. (This is one reason why I decided to contribute to that possible calmness and just be an observer instead of a participant…and maybe if everyone would think the same way as I do and let the quietness start within, everything will be much, much better!?) IF ONLY PEOPLE WILL SHUT UP!!! (ehem…inhale-exhale…whew! almost lost it there for a second.)

SINGING IN THE RAIN

there is another blogger that I have just visited, and linked just now, aBIGwhale. I really like her site. And her most recent post I read is about playing in the rain.

she made it sound really nice...yeah, you got that right, i haven't done that! ever! well yes, i can do that now..it's raining a lot lately here in the philippines...but it's not gonna be the same as when we were kids. unfortunately, i'm far from being that (hahaha!)

i was a sickly child, having that childhood asthma our family have. and so, i'm the typical indoor kid that was not able to try "singing in the rain". i know my parents just wanted to assure the best of my health then...but thinking about it, i missed a lot! (because i missed more than just that rain-thing)

now that i myself is a mother, i understand them even more. the irrational worries, the over protectiveness and the need to make everything be the BEST for my kid. but then, i also understand that there were things that children need to normally to go through with.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Forgive me for saying this, but I really don’t get the fun and thrill in climbing thousands of feet tall mountains. I see news of such “achievements” in reaching the top of Mt. Everest…and it always makes me wonder and say, “So what?” Maybe, I’m just not really into it. I know how people vary.

Well, yes, they’re fit, they’re persistent, they’re persevering. Then again, you can do that without risking your life, because I understand that once you start with the ascent, there’s no turning back.

What’s impressive is this 99 year old (almost a hundred in a months time) Japanese gramps who went up Teeichi Igarashu on July 20, 1986. It’s not a mere 10plights of stairs but a good 12,388 feet! That’s when I would say REMARKABLY good climb!

MONKS

One of my paternal aunts joined the so-called religion sect Opus Dei. I remembered her mom telling that there was a stage of being confined in solitary like a monk, distancing themselves from the material world.

This actually came to mind when I heard of the Jain monks of India. That they detach themselves from the world, too. I remember one of their beliefs that al forms of life are sacred. What’s more peculiar, is their idea of all plants and insects having souls.

Grotesquely odd, yet, they hurt no one with this belief. In fact, they don’t want to hurt “anything at all”. That’s why they don’t eat carrots, because according to them, pulling them from the ground may hurt its roots. They even steer clear of leafy vegetables for fear of unintentionally biting an ant inside. They are also carefully avoiding dark areas for they may step on insects for which they cannot see.

Too much you say?

Not until you hear this…they do not cut their hair or use any razor when they remove them, they pull it strand by strand to be certain that they don’t cut the insect that may be living in their scalps.

VETERINARIAN

A collegue invited me over for a long overdue chat. With me is a half roll of Red Ribbon’s Mango Cake (one of my favorites! Yummy!)

I almost forgot how loud her father was…until I heard him bellowing on top of his lungs- on his dog. Yes, to a dog. Yes, the dog claws and barks a lot. Yes, the dog chews on their furniture and scatters the trash. Then again, these destructive behavior according to a veterinarian they consulted is a result of the dog’s depression. Possibly because the dog is left home alone often, plus the constant maltreatment it receives from its master.

Unfortunately, her father either does not believe in the rationale laid down by the pet doctor to them, or he just doesn’t really care for his dog and shouldn’t be having one in the first place.

THERMOMETER

I was out with my kid yesterday afternoon, letting her play with some kids from the neighborhood. One of those mothers of those kids was out with her “feverish” 2nd child. It’s a little windy and cold, and I was a little surprised to know that the baby was outside and with a fever, and upon touching him he really is hot in the head and cold in the feet. When I asked what his temperature is, she said she doesn’t know. She admitted that she do not know how to use a thermometer and just relies on touching his forehead.


It’s pathetic knowing that there are still some people who lack even such primal knowledge. It is such an important tool especially when you have little ones to take care of. I’ve noticed her even before to be a little old fashioned, relying from hearsays and old wives tales. That no matter what advice you give, these people stick to their backward ways.

AFTERSHOCK OF PACQUIAO VS. HATTON BOUT

Good thing the fight lasted until 3pm only, and so I hurriedly prepared for my Sunday worship and rushed out for the 4pm service. As I walked out of our subdivision, almost running actually, I hear the blazing speakers of every house in the neighborehood still watching the replays and interviews from the most awaited fight of the year. Everyone outside also still have the aftershock of the short but momentous event…they kept talking about how Manny ducked and swing for the killer punch, of the unfair clinging of the opponent, of every moved witnessed…though everyone obviously have seen it earlier.

Funny, huh?! The need to recall and verbalized what everyone have seen anyway, haha. What matters now is…the
victor is our bet!!!

PACQUIAO VS. HATTON

At exactly 2:30 this Sunday afternoon, the ususal passing of motor vehicles in the Philippine highways and small roads most probably decreased by more than 50%; crime rates must have reached ZERO, electricity might be more than a notch higher; some blood pressures rose to almost above normal; people staying at home is greater than those outside. BECAUSE the “best fighter in the world” Manny Pacquiao was again been dared in the ring of the boxing arena!

I myself felt the excitement of the awaited bout. My heart swelled with pride, and tears of joy gathered at the corner of my eyes as his entourage follows his “smiling” confident face. Him being a Filipino, God-trusting, fair fighter and selflessness adds to my love for him

Though the fight lasted until only the 2nd of the 12 rounds, it was a worthwhile to watch! His opponent being overly confident days prior, and a little insulting of our “pacman” added to the desire for our champ to beat him. And it’s more than a beating that most were probably craving when at the very first exchange of punches, the challenger Hatton have unfairly sneaked blows on Manny while on an octopus hug! Not oblivious to it, Manny tried to free himself a couple of times, and seemed to got irked by the constant trickery thus decided to throw back assaults he deserve. Head shaking blows that left him breathless and fainty. Three times he was knocked down, two of which at the very first round, and if not for the bell saving him, might very well have ended then. His third fall brought about by “The Left” hand mighty punch made me cried out loud, both for he winning hooray and at the same time for the distressing image of the underdog flat on his back, with rolling eyes and his fiance’s worried expression. He wasn’t able to gain full consciousness even after the referees count of ten (or even 20!)

I might have felt distressed long if he isn’t as conceited and as unfair…well, that’s how boxing is. One wins, and one loses.

And our very own “Peoples Champ” wins again!!!

MIND YOUR MANNERS

Not everything is learned from school…and not everything had to be spoonfed, or taught to us.

I believe that there are learnings instilled to us and some as a result of understanding people and ourselves. We all want the same respect, and we all hope to be happy. These both have the same factor: people around us. With this, it then comes to mind, “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you”. In fact this is very basic. And very easy to follow…and yet, some tend to forget or maybe intentionally disregard it. We need not be reminded that it is hurtful for others to be laughed at. How will you feel when a group of people suddenly burst out laughing when you trip over? We should be sensitive to how degrading for a low earning individual to be asked of his salary. Do you think you can call measuring a person’s status or capability respectful? Even staring at someone openly can make that person uneasy. Will the reason for your unwavering stare be clear to the recipient of that curiosity? Or of that meaningful look? Or of your comparison?

Whatever your reason maybe…always put yourself in the other persons shoe for you to understand what your actions may do. What he or she might think and feel, and of what that doing says of YOU!

CLANNISH

Is it a positive trait, or a negative trait to be clannish?

Most Filipinos are clannish. We have strong bonds that ties us together. Generations after generations hold high regard to elders and to each one. Not only are we acquainted with each family and its members, but we try to create connection, and warmth…and love.

But this trait also portrays, according to others, dependency and weak-kneed. It could be that they fear to be left on their own, and terrified to count on no one when they are in need.

Makes sense!

GET TOGETHER

I invited a few new acquaintances in our church group. Don’t really know them much yet, and I’m not sure if we’re gonna click…but sharing the same passion for pasta is a start. So, in this getting-to-know-each-other nite, I prepared a “pasta bar”. A few varying sauces, toppings (tuna, bacon, chicken strips, meatballs, cheese) and choices of 4 cooked pasta (famous spaghetti noodles, twist, shells, and flat noodles); and basic tomato sauce, pesto and basic cream sauce. With it are toasted slices of French bread and tossed some greens.

The evening was a success. Everyone enjoyed dinner…better yet everyone enjoyed the company of each other. I hope this starts the friendship I’m hoping to blossom.

Here are the sauces, you might wanna try this yourself one day…

BASIC TOMATO SAUCE
1-1 ½ K plum tomatoes
¼ c olive oil
2-2 ½ c finely chopped onions
3 cloves garlic
3 broth cubes
1c chopped fresh parsley
3Tbsp chopped fresh oregano
1-1 ½ Tbsp fresh thyme
1c water
To taste salt and pepper

1. Boil tomatoes, peel off skin, chop. Set aside.
2. Saute onions in heated oil, add garlic.
3. Stir in broth cubes and celery.
4. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and herbs. Let simmer and pour in water.
5. Season to taste.

BASIC PESTO SAUCE
38g fresh basil leaves
4Tbsp chopped garlic
1c walnuts
2Tbsp garlic flavored seasoning
½ c grated parmesan cheese

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender
2. Blend till smooth
3. Pour over pasta

BASIC CREAM SAUCE
½ c butter
½ c flour
1pc chicken broth cube dissolved in: (or fresh chicken broth)
1 ½ c water
1pack thick cream
1tsp nutmeg

1. Heat butter in a pan, add flour until cooked through
2. Slowly stir in dissolve broth, continuously stirring
3. Add cream and nutmeg.

CHANDELIER

I was lying face up in our family room floor…

…assessing the men vying for my attention. It seems that lately, they all have one goal in mind, and that’s to get a little more physical with me!

Grrr! Boys will always be boys! Large potion of their brain are focused mainly on sex, tv and car!

MEN’S MOST SENSITIVE THING…EARS!

“Ears definitely…so stop the NAGGING!

Actually, it’s not so negative all the time. Some men gave their words of appreciation when Cosmopolitan Magazine tried to get their comments on this. Nagging them to get more rest from work, or for them not to forget to take their medicine when sick, pleases them. I believe they feel the love more when they are pampered and cared for.

But…a big BUT here, girls tend to overly care for them (according to them). They obviously think differently than the female population. They seem to feel shackled, or restricted, or spied on, or controlled when we ask questions more than they want to be asked. Though we were just innocently asking of what they are doing or of their whereabouts because we miss them, and wants to somehow envision them as a pretense that we are with them…or when we vocally disclose to them of our jealousy over their peers (“barkada”)…they perceive it differently.

If for us it denotes love or simple yearning for more time with them…for them it’s nagging. Not blaming anyone here, nor being biased…we just have to accept the fact that by nature, men and women are created differently. And for men…repetitive texting, constant “barkada” issue, boy-toy concerns, goatee matter, early morning dragging out of bed…are simply “driving-them-crazy” nagging.

LTO (Land Transportation Office)

Time to renew my license! I went to LTO yesterday, the agency responsible for the monitoring of it in our country and filed the needed requirements.

It’s distressing though that the verification I did in their website before I decided to do the 1hour travel to their location has been to no avail. The prices they posted for each processing step is way too low. (Yes, there are a lot of steps…which BTW I find not necessary. Not only are they time consuming, but also made just for them to charge more costs!!!) This makes me wonder now if there’s inconsistency between branches…or if it’s the “common” corruption through red tape in the Philippines (grrrr..)

One employee even confirmed my suspicions when I openly mentioned fixers (those people that willingly by-pass procedures for a cost) and the banner hanged by their office reminding penalty of punishable by law to fixers. He said “It’s nothing but a front” and that fixers are still swarming around the place. I second him for that since I have encountered three in the two processes I’ve gone through.

Duh?! When will this ever end….

FILTHY MOUTHS

It seems that more and more filthy mouths were being borne in our society. Borne even from known families, exclusive schools, high ranking individuals; from gently reared families, socialites…even from unexpected people.

Yes, sadly, it is expected from uneducated ones, but it’s even more disconcerting that in addition to it are from the other side of the realm.

One can hear it everywhere. Though some were uttered mindlessly, it’s ear piercing. If only it can be censored, though not heard from the tv, but face-to-face. It’s air pollutant if made visible.

Bad words usually stumble out during verbal confrontations, jovial innuendo’s , common tete-a-tete, or at the spur of a flabbergasted moment.


What’s the need to articulate it? We don’t even mean it most of the time…we can actually consider it as trash in our vocabulary, and trash are meant to be thrown away…and not reused over and over for NOTHING!

PLANTING ACTIVITY

Kids, toddlers especially, want to always have a part of household chores, and in everything else. They wanted to be doing something adults does, want to be part of the routine. Like cleaning, food preparation,…even gardening. Since they are in the learning stage, everything new amazes them.

And so does a seed growing! I gave Anya some beans to grow. She loves the daily routine of watering it, especially the “responsibility” of this task given her. She was so excited when she saw, within two days, that it was starting to sprout out.

It’s astounding how her joy becomes my joy! How her eyes twinkled with delight…how she gave me her dimpled smile. Simply worth giving her the stars!!!

DIFFERENCE IN US

We each belong to a different bloodline…different ancestry…different lineage…different family tree. It’s not surprising that each and every one of us also have differing personality, traits, qualities, persona, likes and dislikes. Genetic make-up plays a major role, but environmental factors also portray an important part.

In one family, having dinner all together is being carried out everyday, but in another family they do so at any time any one prefers to, and this routine do not affect them in anyway as when it will if done in the first family. Simply because that is how it was with them even from the very start. That maybe it was carried on from the previous generation’s upbringing.

On a much farther distance, another country may have distinct culture from ours. If in some places, it is with in their culture that children of legal age may move out of their house and be on their own with the parents not going against it. Here in the Philippines, unmarried children stay with their parents may they be capable to be on their own or not. In fact, some married children, even.

If you notice, not two people look exactly alike. That’s how God made us. And not one has the same personality as another. In totality, each individual is unique in its own special way!

SEEING GOODNESS IN EVERYTHING

Just recently, I was made aware that I’m doing just “that”! In fact, way too much of that.

In the positive side of it, it brings about the purest of heart, devoid of malice, wickedness, malevolence, enviousness, jealousy…evil deeds! Life is lived lightly.

Until this simplicity was corrupted by the dark side. Then, I was enlightened to being naïve. A target for abuse, manipulation, taken advantage of…and so forth.

In this day and age, we have to be defensive drivers to other travelers along the road of life. It is proper to be on the right side, to be an exemplar. Yet, as disconcerting it is to realize the fact that in this world there are a lot of offensive drivers, we have to be conscious of them, and be prepared to stand firm and show them they are mere pests to our journey. That they are co-existing with us…but they need not affect how we live our lives, or on who or what we are!

BILLIARDS

A college crush from the next building (Architecture) from ours in the University of Santo Tomas, by the name of Andy, has started my interest to learn playing billiards. He’s been in one of the campus Sports Fest Tournament when I first gazed at those superb eyes and ultimately kissable mouth. Wanting to be near him, my ever loyal peers then went with my thus insane urge to learn the use of the taco. We all learned…and until today we play the game even separately.