The Rotten Philippine Politics!

For the last two days I've been itching myself to write something about the state of Philippine politics but everytime I start to write my highblood pressure shuts up that I end up writing nothing. Three days later here I am wanting a piece of my mind about it. The news that former corrupt President Estrada (guilty by the Sandigambayan) was given presidential pardon by the Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo or GMA was to me a plain mockery of the Philippine judicial system.

• It is sickening, the thought that anyone who plundered the wealth of the nation that left the masses poor is given clemency for the sake of unity, gimmeeee a break! Actually a year before I left the Philippines I have already stopped subscribing to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (the major broadsheet back home) because it's the same news I think I was already loosing hope that I will ever see Philippines politics change for the better, I'm resigned to the fact that it will not happen in my lifetime. I lost hope for the youth that I thought would be the factor in installing major changes. I've seen it all, two bloodless revolution been there, done that and still nothing. I was talking to another filipina about ERAP pardon and she just said "good thing we are no longer in the country, Glenda Philippine politics sucks". Like it was a consolation, I don't know I think I will have to agree with her.
• I remember a conversation with a fellow churchmate when I was still back home. She said the problem with the filipinos is that we don't submit to authorities and yes we need to submit to authorities but what if the authorities is the one who have their own vested interest above the people, are we just going to sit down and watch. Also, I remember the early 2000's when GMA just started her office from ousting Estrada and her corruption cleansing is a laudible idea and it was a hit that time. Everyone's email has been flooded by the pictures of people in government living an affluent life despite working for Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) or the Bureau of Customs (BOC) that doesn't pay much. It's big-time corruption, I wonder if they ever got persecuted or they case has died of natural death like the many cases involving the rich.
• My feeling for Philippines politics was worsened when my husband and I watched this story about the rescue of Gracia Burnham. I lost track of the title something about Jihad and it was in History channel, meaning it was seen all over the world. It was embarassing, the in-fighting in the military, how they bangled the rescue operation in the name of "credit", how the army took part of the ransom money, and how the military plan killed two hostages Martin Burnham and Edibora Yap from friendly fire. The military's experience was evidently poor probably because the training money was pocketed by the officials thus putting the lives of the soldiers on the line. It was a shame, my husband being a law enforcement officer was telling me how funny it was, imagine that. Can you blame me for giving up on my country and loosing hope.

• It's just too much politics and corruption back home and it worries me that my most people have chosen to leave the country and migrate. I've known about fifty people from my circle (close friends, co-worker, high school and college classmates) that have either migrated to the US, Canada, UK and Australia between the years 2001-2007 their main reason is they don't think they could afford a better life for their family especially their children most of them has lost hope in the people running our country and I am one of them. Thinking about it makes me go to the bathroom and puke, excuse me I need to run.

• PS, that's our picture during the EDSA 2001 uprising, I was working at the 15th Flr. of the Galleria Bldg., In EDSA where the event took place, those were the days!

Cakes Anyone!

Last night we went to High Falls Elementary for their Halloween Party. I forgot my camera so I was able to take pictures of the kids in their costumes. It was a little family affair and as usual our boys Colby and Colton had the time of their lives with all the games for kids and food.

I joined the cake walk and this was what I won. The caramel cake I won when I first joined I told everyone it's a beginner's luck. We've already been eating cake for last weeks. We just finished the whole cheesecake Jacque gave us last sunday and I still have a chocolate cake I baked last week. My problem now is how to consume these two cakes with only two people in our household. I think Fred and Oscar will once again have a field day or else I'll gain 10lbs eating them in two weeks. Now who wants some raise you hands and I'l share these with you.

Trip to the North Carolina Mountains!

My husband and I together with the another filipino couple (Joe and Jacque) decided to embarked on a day trip to the mountains. It was just on a whim. I called Jacque to tell her about our trip and if they have nothing to do on that day they can join us. Jacque said she'll call her husband and after a while they said they both wanted to go with us.

Two weeks ago, my husband has already planned on taking me to the Apple festival at N. Wilkesboro, two hrs drive from our place. We decided to cancel it and instead have a long drive to the famous NC mountains. Last sunday at 7:30am, the "Pinehurst" wanderers (that's what I named our group in honor or our famous golf course in our county) off we went to the mountain in one car to save gas. We only stopped at Hardees at Seagrove for breakfast and gas refill and anoter restroom break close to to Asheville.

We got to Asheville around 11:00 am from then on it was a long and beautiful trip. At this time of the year, mountain is simply breathtaking. There are so many overlook where you could stop to check out the view of the mountain from certain vantage point. There were overlook that are teeming with tourist thus finding a good parking spot is like looking for a needle in a haystock (a little exaggeration but it's true). On these cases, you'll just have to drive on and get to another overlook. The long Blueridge Parkway drive was a learning experienced. I especially love the tunnels and via duct it's an engineering marvel. My husband said the mountain stretches from Virginia, Tenessee, NC, SC and Georgia.

I enjoyed watching other tourist on their top-down cars or some motorcycle enthusiasts in pair enjoying the ride. My husband said next year we'll make another trip to the other side of the mountains on our Harley (he did it many times before). It was almost five hours of driving coupled with sightseeing when we suddenly realized we have not eaten a complete meal. It was made worst by those people we see stopping on the side of the road having a picnic or sitting comfortable on their picnic chair eating. The other filipino couple that were with us (Joe and Jacque or J&J) were also mesmerized by the scenery that we all forgot about food. My husband has picked on Jacque and me for not preparing something to eat along the way. We only have birds junk (nuts) that at least helped us last that long. Another dilemma that we encountered was we almost ran out of gas after over 200 miles of driving. I began to panic especially when I saw the red low fuel light while my husband was cool, calm and collected. We missed the turn going to Boone because we had a good time laughing, story telling and watching the mountain views.

After 15 mins of driving and no Boone sign in sight that's when we decided to take out the "gps" and that "sucker" took us right to the nearest gas station in the middle of nowhere. We filled up the gas and another hour and half it took as to the door of Dan'l Boone Restaurant. Before we got inside, we queued for about 20 mins because the restaurant was packed to the brim and waited for another 5 mins to find us a table for 4. It was worth the wait because the food was soooooo good, homecooked style and we all pig-out. Boone is a beautiful, quaint little town in the mountains and since it was already 9pm when we got out of the restaurant we all decided to head back home. Got home past 11, it's worth the long drive I had a great time I hope J & J too.

If anyone is interested to see the mountains (which I recommend) please check this website http://www.visitnc.com/where_to_go_mountains.asp..... Goodnight, I'm signing off!

Christmas in October!

Yesterday, when my husband and I got home around 6:00pm I saw a big package on the porch. It was already opened so I was thinking the mailman has probably checked what's inside of it but after much investigation my ever snoopy dog "Oscar" tore-off the first box. Well it was raining the whole day and Mr. Mailman probably thought it would be safe to leave it in the porch without knowing how "smart my puppies are" good thing is they didn't tear it up to pieces or else a big "war" is in the offing in our quiet house and their "Dada" can't take up the cudgels for them. Their asses will be whoopped, fortunately for them my box is still in one piece.

Anyway, I got so excited you know it doesn't take much to stir my interest up I knew something good is inside the box. It was a big box and inside is another box wrapped in yellow gift wrap and lace. It's sweet. I went to check it, it was on my name but the sender said it came from Macy's Chicago. I knew it came from Roanne (my college buddy) because she's the only one I know from Chicago plus she works at Macy's. True enough, inside was a Ralph Lauren beddings complete set comforter, pillow cases, shams, flat and fitted sheets the only thing it doesn't have is a skirt. Inside I got the note, "Best wishes" love Roanne and Manny, Oh it's a wedding presents but we got married last April. I already put it up last night and it's pretty, I love it.

Yey I'm happy and it didn't end there. This morning, apparently there was another box and this time it was inside my car since it's still raining Mr. Mailman probably put it there rather than the porch (he learned fast) so Oscar wasn't able to mess with Mama's christmas presents (Mr. Mailman outsmart my pups this time hehehehe). My box has a complete set of Lord and Taylor make-up kit, Dior j'adore eau de perfum, frango dark chocolate with Teddy Bear (for my niece Pau-pau), another Lord and Taylor accessories (necklace & earrings). With that I got my early Christmas presents in October. Thank you so much Roanne, I'l wait for my Nine West boots (size 6) and my hobo bag in December hehehe. I'm so grateful I love it all!

Btw, I'm still waiting for our wedding rings, my friends at Bahrain promised to get us one I hope they're reading this hihihihi. I think at the rate things are going it's about time to tell "Dada" we need to buy our own, they have stopped talking to me. It's alright they're still my friends but this time if I get rich di ko sila pauutangin ehehehehe!

Colby, Colton and the big wide world!

• 
  
  It was my second day at home when my husband's grandsons came to the house for a visit. Colby and Colton, age 9 and 6 usually come to the house to just stay and talk to their grandpop. Well since it was a friday and they have no school the next day I told my husband to call their mom so they can stay in the house and sleep over that night. Tabitha said yes and the next thing I knew the boys were camping in the house.


• 
  
  These boys doesn't know me from Adam. It was our first meeting and when my husband introduced us to each other the boys started firing me with barrage of questions. How did you get here? You're from where? It was funny how Colton questioned me about my age by asking me "How many are you?" instead of "How old are you?" All those kids stuff that you have to carefully explain to them and in my most teacherly fashion I told them that I'm filipina and that's what you called people from my country which is the Philippines. I thought I explained myself to them real good.


• 
  
  Then came a surprised, Colton's curiuosity didn't stop there, he took my husband aside and asked him point blank "ny pop are you marrying a mexican" my husband was caught off-guard and laughed about it. He told him that I'm not Mexican, I'm filipino. I actually show them the Philippines in a map and Colton still quizzed me about my riding a big jet and he enthusiastically told me he wish he could ride a big airplane someday. Such a big wish for a small innocent boy.


• 
  
  The next weekend that they stay with me for the night they brought a checkered board that we could play. I prepared them fried chicken and pizza. Colton said I made the best friend chicken in world and he said it with all seriousness. That's a nice compliment but I didn't tell him that we bought the chicken at the grocery, baked it, and presto it's friend chicken. We played checkered board and Colton in his usual 6 yr old would not even win with me but I have to let him win some and I keep telling him that I couldn't let him beat me all the time because it will hurt my "ego". He loves it, I think in his little mind he's happy that he gets to win over someone much older than him. We bonded quickly.


• 
  
  After that they always stay with me on weekends. We would take them to the movies, to the pizza parlor, to Wal-mart or to just about any activity that suits kids. They stay with me most time last summer since I'm not working. My husband said I have the patience of Job with kids. Well to begin with, I love kids and my main reason why I let them stay with me some weekends that my husband is at work is the fact that it's hard to be alone most times. To me it matters a whole lot that I get to talk to someone even if it is just a kid rather than being alone with no one to talk to. You get to laugh, do something silly, run, play or have a conversation and learn from them. These are two active boys. Colby who's older is hyper active while Colton the baby is very laid back. Both boys have a broad sphere of interests ranging from toys to balls to machines. Colby knows all about country singers and songs. One time I saw him watching country videos and singing the songs of Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, or Tim Mc Graw while Colton's interest is football but both of them love baseball. Most especially Colton's love the "hooters" chicken wings I don't know if that is really the case.


• 
  
  There were so may incidents that I learned so many things from them it doesn't matter how mundane it could be . They are wide open being country boys, they play outside and get dirtied. What I especially like about them is the closeness and the love they both have for each other. I've never seen them apart and they always look after one another. I remember what Tabitha said when Colton broke his arm from the trampulin last spring. When Colton fell and started crying because of the pain Colby was comforting his little brother stroking him gentle saying Colton it's gonna be alright, edging him we're here for you. I also, remember when I ran over my puppy and cried they both came to me, reassuringly said stop crying Glenda we love you with a big hugged and I cried more. But sometimes they'll pick on me and tell me you ran over and killed your dog, well they're kids.


• 
  
  Another unforgetable story happened two weeks ago in the car while going to Asheboro for the fall festival. Colby suddenly burst out saying "Glenda, I found you a job. It got the same people like you and speaks like you. They have Mexicans, Japanese, and all other people over there. It's called Tokyo Express, yeah we went there". My husband and I laughed so hard. I told him thank you for the referral Colby I'l check on that. Most times when I'm alone and I remember his words it never ceased me from grinning.


• 
  
  We know sometime soon they will have a life of their own and paint their own world in thier own hues. They will grow up, will have different interests, more freedom, develop friendship with some local boys, and the visit will be less (sad). But in the meantime we want them to be kids, enjoy life as it is. My only wish is for them not to grow too fast so we could still enjoy them as they make that transition from being mere boys to men. We know they will make it good later on in life because they both have a good head above their shoulders and good family support. Our only concern is that it's a big world and everyone's vulnerable to just about anything but one thing is constant we will always be there to support protect and see them through. That's Colby and Colton our little rascals.

Welcome to our new 2008 Harley Davidson Road Glide

After a month of waiting our new Harley is finally home. Last friday, my husband and I went down to the Harley shop to check on his new babe. True enough, it is already there and ready for take off. It is so pretty in all it's red candy sunglow color. It was even made perfect by the white tire and the new chrome fork my husband ordered to replace the original ones that comes with the bike.

That Harley shop at Sandhills is really a superb place. Darrall (the son's owner) treated my husband like royalty. The most important thing is he gave him a good deal with the bike and I will not go into specifics lest he gets busted by his Dad (hehehehe). He even gave me a free Harley shirt to go with the bike (way to go!).

We drove it around the area and when we got back to the shop my ever meticulous husband said he heard some rumbling on his front tire. He told Darrall about it and he said he'll have someone to check it. We headed home since it was past 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon and my husband will be working that night. He called his son Kelly to pick up the Harley and bring it home.

Lo and behold, it got home the same day. My husband woke up early the next day. I could see the excitement on his face especially when he asked me to ride with him in town. I begged off. I actually want to give him time to bond with his new babe. Show it off to his friends and fellow Harley enthusiasts.

The next day which is a sunday, after our usual lunch and a little talked with her mom we drove the Harley around. It was a sweet ride. I can't complain I told my husband I felt like I was riding a car (meaning it's so comfy). Also, it was a real head turner. I saw this guy who rolled down his car window to look at the Harley. When we parked it at the ice cream shop I've seen people started to mill around her and talk about her. Someone even manage to ride and I overheard someone say it's hooooooot.

Oh no, our new Harley is generating a little buzz. I don't like all the attention but I'll have to learn to deal with it. I just want to enjoy the ride and be oblivious to the crowd, so cheers to our new 2008 Harley Davidson Road glide!

Happy Birthday Nanay and Tatay!

Oct. 8 is my mother's birthday and my father's on the 10th. They are both 66 and 70 yrs old. I am writing this as a tribute to my parents who I am indebted to for the rest of my life. Aside from my husband, my parents are my life. I love them to death. I am forever grateful for the sacrifices they both endured to nurture and raise seven children.

We didn't have anything growing up. And we are no different from any other "filipino" family that value education and hardwork. It paid off, I can say that my parents has raised us well. All college educated no one's into drug or any other kind of trouble with the law. We are still not rich but we are sure that we will all have a bright future ahead of us.

If I could only give the world to my parents I will do it in a heartbeat. I want them to enjoy the things that they didn't get to experience while rearing seven kids. All they did was work hard to the point that it's the kids first before themselves. Job well done nanay and tatay, God has blessed you tremendously. You will always have my respect and my love. The wheel of kindness will roll and it's now your turn to sit down and enjoy the world. I promise you I will give it both to you.

I love you both and happy birthday!

Tale of two beagle Puppies Oscar and Fred!

Last May, my husband decided to put our Doberman (Adolph) up for adoption. He's so big over 100 lbs considering that he's just an eight month old puppy at that time. And for someone as small as me feeding him or opening or locking him up on his pen is a major task. Boy he's a sleek and beautiful dog and you cannot discount his loyalty especially to my husband.

But our main reason why we have to let him go is because Adolph has become so destructive. He tore up to pieces anything that will get on his way. He tore up to pieces our water hose and the neighbors too. He shredded Kelly's bedsheets that he's suppose to bring to the laundry and mind you it's an expensive one. He sunk his teeth on Kelly's drop cord that we ended up replacing it and his waterhose too. We often get a call from Kelly telling his daddy that Adolph destroyed this and that. I think the last straw was when Adolph killed Kelly's kitten. Tabitha told me that she's never seen Kelly so distraught and broken hearted in her life until that incident.

JP my husband's liuetenant at work has took Adolph in. We're happy that he's with a good family that spoils him and care for him. We have since gotten two beagle puppies Fred and Dallas.

Time flies so fast. I remember when we first got Fred and Dallas then, they were just a teeny weeny six weeks old beagle puppies. They're so cute. My husband's officer gave them to us when their dog gave birth to 12 puppies.

They almost didn't make it one time last June when they got sick. Fred was so weak and suffered diarrhea. Although Dallas wasn't as bad as Fred you could tell that he too is ill. I got so worried that they'll not make it through another day. Lynn's in a meeting that day and when he got home around 1:00pm I told him about Fred's condition. He called the Vet but the doctor wasn't in the office yet. Lynn told the Vet Assistant that he suspected it was "parvo" and she informed him that there's nothing that they could do and bringing them to the Vet's office would only be an exercise in futility much so, it will cost us alot of money. She said we could try buying a milk replacer with colostrum.

We immediately drove to Asheboro and bought that milk replacer. When we got home we tried feeding them through syringe and I painstakingly took charge in waking up in the middle of the night and forced them especially Fred to swallow the milk replacer. For two days it was a routine. The third day was a breeze. My puppies has improved alot . They're both back to their old selves running around and finally eating their dog food.

After a week of my puppies bout with that God knows what kind of desease (to this day we don't know if it was parvo or just a case of weaning them too early from their mama). One Wednesday morning around 10:00 am my husband was washing his truck on the other end of the building when I decided to drive our car and washed it too. I saw Fred on the porch sleeping. I didn't know where Dallas was. After washing the car I parked the car and my husband and I went inside the house for lunch.

As we were having lunch Caleb (our 16 yr old grandson) knocked and asked us what happened to Dallas. We said he's sleeping outside. Caleb said I don't think so, go outside and check. My husband went outside and there was Dallas dead on the driveway. It was my fault. I didn't check him when I drove the car to the building to wash it. I ran over him. It stopped my world for a minute. My husband took his lifeless body to the back yard with the boys(Colby,Colton,Caleb) in tow to bury him. Our day was ruined, we didn't finish our lunch and I ran to the bathroom locked myself in and cried. It was a tragedy and to this day I still feel guilty about that accident. I stop dwelling about it because I know it happened for a reason and accident do happen even to the most careful person. The important thing is I learned a lesson in a painful way. I will always have Dallas fondest memories.

The next day Lynn and I got a new beagle to replace Dallas. I named him Oscar. He looks exactly like Fred totally different from lemon and white color that Dallas got. Now that Fred's grown to about Oscar's size I have a hard time distinguishing one from the other. The first thing that I have to look to differentiate them from each other is their tail. Fred's tail sticks up all the time and Oscar is always pointing downward.

I can say they're smart especially Oscar. He's such a sweetheart eventhough Fred's the cutest between the two of them. It's Oscar who's the leader of the two. Oscar's faster and Fred's the usual follower. Oscar hates taking a bath. Everytime I put them in the tub to shower he barks and whines continuously while Fred chills out. They're adorable. We bought them a bed and it's getting smaller for the two of them. They have toys to play with. It's funny how they get to play with their teddy bear in yard. Sometimes I'l find the bear under the car, beside the tree or else it will be sitting in the porch. I love it when they get to play with real people's toys. I enjoy watching them.

I let them ride with me in the car to get our mail. It's our routine and they love it. I feed them scrap food. My husband said it will ruined their palate and would stop eating dog food. Well I do it behind his back and they like it, it made them fat especially Fred. His big belly is starting to swell. I actually give them table food as reward tho' we buy them beef sticks dog treats. My husband said I spoiled them so much. I think, I do. They make my day. They follow me everywhere I go or aggravate me no end. They're my walking buddies well Oscar is, Fred is too slow to walk with me. I usually leashed them but now everytime I do my afternoon walk I just let them follow me.

Oscar is a sweet dog and he's such a giving and protective big brother to Fred. I remember one time when I couldn't find them and I would call out loud thier names Oscar would emerge from the woods in a spin while it takes Fred forever to get out of the woods. It's funny because they're totally opposite. Fred is very laidback or plain lazy (sleeps alot) while Oscar is always on the move. I think it's Fred's short legs or I think I just "babyed " him to much since I really got him when he's too young while we got Oscar when he's 2.5 mos old and has a mind of his own. I also think I have over protected Fred. If he gets out of my sight I hollered out for his name and he comes to me. He wasn't able to explore his world on his own until we got Oscar.

Now they have a life of their own. They go down to Kelly's up to mama's and Tabitha's. It doesn't worry me much anymore because I know they will always head back home. And home is where they will always be cared for, feed and protected. Oscar and Fred are my two beagle puppies and their Dada and I love them so much.