thank you 2012!

someone close to my heart told me that the last day of the year gives us the chance to reflect on the year that was. to be grateful for the goodness it brought and to be mindful of the lessons learned from the heartbreaks experiences. It also gives us the chance to dust off the gripes, frustrations, anger, and sorrow in order to make room for new hopes and all the good vibes. this is really good and made me reflect a few moments after receiving this via sms. had i really been that good to the person who send this to me? i really doubt for i know that i was never :)

i dont have plans of updating this blog from this very hour. because i feel lazy today. and everybody seems busy doing everything they want. but let us see how far this so called reflection go....

a few more hours from now we will all waived goodbye to 2012. as for me my 2012 has been a roller-coaster ride. beating all the deadlines, racing against the elevator to make it on time, being busy all day, traffic jams, not sleeping on time or you just cannot find the word sleep, the agony of waking up in the morning. waiting for your next salary is such a torture because you dont know the word budgeting, but no matter how hard it brought us and no matter how happy we've been still we need to say thank you to this year.

what have we got this 2012? 

2012 gives me and my family a new perspective. finally getting over from the sad days and nights that gives door to the so called crying, 2012 indeed give us hope and indeed make us change. we make sure to take each day on their lighter sides. and so this is our family and mine as well 2012...

No episode of hospital confinement.  that was great! I thank god for giving me, mom and lao good health. Although we have some minor health concerns during the second quarter but nothing major health illnesses this year. Lao is   brace free while i do more walking and running and biking. Exercise such as biking and walking help us to be  more physically fit and so much contributions to this was the introduction of green leafy vegetables on the table during weekend and every other day and strict dieting too. We are now less fat and brown sugar and brown rice eating people. although were not used to it now were getting used too :)

We are Debt Free. I never thought that we will wake up one day free of debt. When my sister and father died on the same year we accumulated more hospital bills above our earning capacity for their confinement and burial that I never thought we could ever paid for it in less than three years. And I thank god too for the blessings he had showered us this year. We were debt free since the second quarter. Much more to is that I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the people who have helped us settle such ample amount.

We have been robbed not just twice but thrice! remember what i wrote sometimes in february that our two unit laptop had vanished inside our home not to mention all those RC toys and robots and soldiers and slippers and cellphones that all was stolen in the safest part of our home and to think that today is the very last day of the year in an unexpected day and time ...so we did again.... before i wrote this blog my brother came home after going to the city without wearing a helmet. his new purchased helmet with ICC and all was stolen from him  outside the hotel where he and his friends had dinner. and he told me how bad and mad he was because that means we need to spend another bucks to purchase a new one. how was that..... but as i said we have to take things on lighter side my brother said we can buy a new helment with ICC right?

We reached 6 digits and more! Combining all our salaries for the month give us six digits and more. A lot of help to that is my father’s social security benefits and some hardworking and a lot of sacrificing (^=^) I learned that it’s hard to earn a living. Im aware of that!

Home Makeover! We’ve done a lot of improvements in our house starting off with the roof and doors too! and a lot of painting thing!

New Nana! On the second quarter of June when all our debts are nearly to their end we decided to hire a new nana for mom. Her name is rose.

More Church Contributions and charitable Deeds: my father taught us to be charitable all times that’s why we keep on going to charity. We have been constantly giving foods and clothes to charities across the region and since this year has been a better year we make sure that every sunday we offer some generous amount to the church.

we had always been positive throughout the year.

I did smile and laugh a lot.
we stay focused!

we have traveled a lot this 2012. in our own expense and for free too.

we had purchased new cellphones and ipads and tablet too. 

it take courage to say i love you to yourself right? we did say more i love you to our selves this 2012!

This sum up our 2012! It will be much wiser, happier, tougher, prettier, lighter and lovelier 2013!

from my family to yours, we wish you a happy new year :)

Christmas Definition 2012

Christmas is with kelsey!

Christmas is wearing orange!

christmas is gift giving.

Christmas is believing that santa clause is real :)

christmas is doing what ever you want

christmas is spending time with your son

christmas is more of cousins time

christmas is having fun!

christmas is going to your ninang!

christmas is chatting with your mom

 christmas is the best day of the year and it is priceless.

christmas is going around the neighborhood. 

christmas is having a new hair cut!

 christmas is opening gifts! 

christmas is picture taking

 christmas is being a kid!

christmas is wearing new outfit.

christmas is having a lots of new toys

christmas is decorating you own corner

christmas is having three christmas tree

christmas is having a lot of kids

christmas is waking up in the middle of the night

christmas is spending more time with mom

 christmas is gift wrapping and gift giving

christmas is receiving gifts too!

christmas is eating!

christmas is wearing red!

christmas is the doorway to happiness, family togetherness and special memories.

and lastly christmas is when you left home wearing like this.....

and returning home wearing like this...

and christmas is being together and coming home again

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! 

it's time to start living in the present

Letting go of the past is not easy, especially if you have wounds that have never properly healed. But, the past is past and living there may be preventing you from fully experiencing the present. Likewise fear of what may be looming around the corner can also prevent you from fully enjoying the present. Live in the moment and look forward to eternity with God, now that's a great present.

i have to live so i can find me. i think i am lost. its more of me time. me time and alone. i dont know if i will ever get myself back. and spending this much will ever give me happiness! and that great present someone had told me come into reality. i miss somebody, i greatly miss papa. i heavenly miss my sister. i miss them. i dont know how on earth i have to endure the sufferings this long. will i ever find the courage to make me whole again?

until next time.

oh be prepare i might drop by! 
ok lang ako adik kasi! para umaarte lang! wala bang karapatan?

masama bang ma miss ka?

nahirapan akong hanapin ito sa lahat ng hard disk kong bakit ba kasi sinda pa uso ang USB noong unang panahon. at alam kong alam mo na sa lahat ng friend ko ikaw ang aking pinaka favorite. at kong bakit ba kasi sa dinami dami ng deadline ko ngayon ay bigla lang kitang naalala at nami miss na kita at demoralized ako dahil na mimiss na kita. (dahil sa isang scene sa tv at kakapanood ng tv adik kasi) at saka bakit masama bang ma miss ka? mag ingat ka na nga lang parati. nga pala ate elay di ako natatakot na i pa block mo for life sa google dahil sa pag post nito. 

walang pageedit na naganap dito

ito yong pinaka unang picture talaga na dapat ay ilalagay ko sa front pero mas nahirapan akong mag retrieve nito dahil sa pagkakaalam ko o kong natatandaan ko pa at di ako nagkakamali 10 years na ito sa mga hard disk. i spent the whole night looking for this and before i hit another day luckily  i found it and today is exactly 10 years after i received this in my email. i still have that email posted below. this reminds me of my teenage life the very first time we ever had internet connection at home with a tube monitor on a 256kbps internet speed  with 40G harddisk and the only way to save file is by a floppy disk. (imagine how jurassic and how slow the internet was).

My point here is that no matter how far we are, no matter how many years, no matter how mad you are remember that I am always here for you. As I have said it you’re my favorite and will always be. I will always treasure the kindness and the sisterly love you gave me and my brother. Idol ka namin kasi. Akala mo lang na nakakalimutan kita pero akala mo lang yon dahil ako akala ko lang din.

see that email

You taught me not to cry over spilled milk and to be brave to stand alone, defend my ground , believe in my capacity, to be wise and smart. and more life lesson i dont need to specify that i have learned from you that i will treasure the rest of my life. Although I didn’t exactly made it to Harvard for some unfavorable circumstances I never failed to dream that one day I can make it there. I wish you forever happiness and hoping that one day we will meet again even in the middle of know where even if it takes forever. I will always be forever grateful for being friends with you. My brother said hi and together we said love you for the next ten years ! smile and be safe!

p.s makulit at mabait pa din ako after 10 years!

killua is off to school!

i am off to school.

stuff all packed. battery, cellphone, laptop, mastercard and androids too. i am off to my fourth module. no matter how hard the school days are i am determined to finish this course! i see you before christmas! keep safe! 

its 35 days before christmas!

it's christmas at home

kuya borjack do the decoration

lao funny christmas face!

mom sitting on the chair

its just me! ahahha

me beside the christmas tree!

me again!

me and mom

this is how we celebrate undas 2012

undas is a filipino term for all souls day. a day to remember our love ones who were already passed away. 

i dont know where this tradition started and the belief that the souls of a dead person return each year to visit their living relative to eat, drink and be merry . as for me going to cemetery  has been part of my family tradition. every November each year since i was a kid we used to go to cemetery to visit my younger brother and other relatives who have departed. we usually bring colorful scented candles and fresh flowers and choclates and foods that our love ones favorite when they are still alive. Mom used to tell me that its not only the dead people we are being remembered but also the good memories that they shared with us. We enjoyed this occasion because its also the time when our families spend time together and reminiscing the events which we enjoyed the most. a sort of simple little family reunion exist every november 1. 

for the past three years it wasnt only for my younger brother that we're in the cemetery but also for my big sister and papa. and i guess everybody will agree to me that loosing your father and your big sister on the very same year was the saddest part of ones life. Letting go is very hard but time and prayer and strong personality and making yourself busy really heals and its not hard to bear anymore after all we are all going. so instead of crying and getting lonely for the past three years me and my brother used to decorate papa's grave site with this:

and for my big sister with this :) 

we really prefer pink candles and blue candles for both of them. its their favorite color. but dont ask me who do the flower arrangement and all im not a florist.

two fatherless kids open for adoption! hahaha

who would have thought that they will go on the same year living me and my younger brother fatherless and my mom a widow? 

sinong ampon sating tatlo?

but no matter how hard it is to live without a father we try to live on our own and no matter how tough the day was we sure to make it through! that's tough! 

thank you to all my relatives and friends for offering my father and sister and little brother a prayer , flowers and candles. Until the next undas!

let's trick or treat!

Photo's courtesy by google.com 

Do you end up with only one bag full of candy at the end of Halloween? Here's how to end up with two or more! (all text here are from the wikiHow)

1. Think back on last year's Halloween in your neighborhood. Which houses had the best candies, and which had the worst or "so-so" candies? The aim is to bypass those houses only interested in giving out toothbrushes, apples, and granola bars, or those houses where the candies are meted out in small amounts.

A neighborhood with small yards and sidewalks allows you to hit more houses in the allotted time. And apartment complexes with many doors can cut down on walking time.

When assessing who gives out lots of candies, ask friends if they can also come up with such knowledge to allow you to compare notes and target the houses that give the most of the biggest selections. If you're planning with friends, you can also trade later to help even out the candy selection you ultimately receive.

2. Prepare your costume. The quality and fanciness of your costume can affect how many candies you're given. The more interesting, cute, scary, etc., your costume, the more likely that the candy giver will "reward" you for your effort by giving you more candy. Be sure to act in character too, to help complete the effect and totally win over the candy givers.

3. Choose a suitable bag. Use a backpack, a large bag with a drawstring, or a pillowcase to hold all of your trick and treat loot. The bag needs to be easy to carry, able to hold a lot comfortably and strong.

If using a pillowcase and you're concerned it might break or you see it is frayed or even has a hole or two, double it up with another pillowcase.

If possible, also have a smaller basket or container. This will enable you to keep your larger treat bag stashed somewhere safe to return to and refill regularly. Or, if you're in your own street, run home and dump the loot and head out again.

It's recommended that you add a light or reflective tape to your candy bag to help make you more visible after dark.

4. Prepare a map of your intended best candy-giving houses trail. It can be street specific or just a general idea of where to go and where to avoid. This map may help you to keep on track when the foot traffic and parties increase during the night but it can also serve as a reminder of which houses usually have the best candies. Use the map as a reminder of where you went as well, so that you don't back track and waste time or look greedy!

If you're turning up in another suburb known for its amazing candies on Halloween, a map and plan is an absolute must so that you don't get lost.

5. Make a suitable time to start trick or treating. It's best to start early, when the treats are still in plentiful supply in the houses of your neighborhood. Some houses run out early because they're too generous to begin with; you might as well be the first to take advantage of this generosity!

The majority of parents take their young children out at the beginning of sunset, to let the kids have a sufficient time before dark. If you want to start this early, be aware you'll be turning up with the little ones. If you have younger siblings, this can be a good excuse to turn up too, or just offer to take the neighbor's kids with you.

Note that some cities or neighborhoods start to turn off their lights between 8 pm and 10 pm; don't be out treating too late or you'll miss the treats or get the dregs.

Watch the houses that turn off their lights; this is the standard indication that Halloween is over for that household, or that they've run out of goodies.

6. Bring your manners. Grown-ups like manners, it's just the way they're built; accept that being polite will win you more candies than being evasive, gruff, or rude. Compliment the householder on their Halloween decorations. And always say "Trick or Treat?" with a big smile. The evening is about having fun with others; be thoughtful enough to make it seem that each house is worth more than just being a loot filling station!

Avoid lingering at any Halloween parties, haunted houses, or special events. Even though they all look or sound cool, every minute counts while going from house to house in one night. Any obstacle will deter you from your candy goal. Unless you're certain that there is candy to be had at any of these places, consider not even venturing into them. You can always go back and check them out later (mark them on your map).

Don't eat your candies as you're going. The time spent eating them and the sugar high will slow you down!

Double back in a new costume. If you're really keen for more candies, change your costume or mask and return for more. If you do this though, make sure you're not recognizable or the people might refuse to give you anything, or worse, demand that you give back the second lot of candy.

Another tip is to empty your container as often as possible so that it looks as if you've just started treating or as if other people have been stingy; this may encourage people to offer you more candies than if your bucket is full.

7. Form a candy gang. This way more of you can cover greater distances and then share your spoils together. Gather back together at a certain time and place to share or trade candies. Use a trading method on two small candies for a big one or qualities per candy. The trading method works when someone does not like something they got and would like another candy or when they've hit the jackpot and have been given too many of one sort.

When you do go trick or treating as a group, keep the numbers small. It's less overwhelming for the householder to have a few kids on the doorstep, and easier to give out the candies. It's also less likely to result in trading arguments at the end.

If you have a bike and a bike basket, use them. It is quick and easy transportation.

If you have broken a limb, go with the cast showing for sympathy candy. This works best with younger kids or cuter and less scary costumes.

If you have a family member or friend who drives, ask them to pick you up and drop you off in another neighborhood for different results.

While it may be fun to try on getting loads of candy, stay safe while crossing the street or darting in the middle of roads.

If you live very close to a long street with many houses they may all have candy! You can get tons and some may even set bowls of candy outside to take for yourself (if you want to maximize your candy, take the whole bowl – knowing that you're pretty much a meanie doing so).

If you have a sibling or cousin, this is a must. You both go your separate ways for a while but make sure you are both supervised, then when you come back take her on your street so they can give your sibling/cousin candy-and you.

Some people may say you're too old, so have an excuse. A good, believable one would be "I'm just taking my younger brother/sister/cousin." Or laugh it off and say "I'm yet to grow up and I've still got a sweet tooth!"

Wear something flexible so you can go to more houses without being uncomfortable. Try to wear something that reflects in car headlights for safety.

You'll need a backpack to store extra costumes, back-up candy bags, and anything else you want to bring with you.

If you are really desperate for more candies, take along another basket and say it's for your sick friend or sibling. The karma of such a lie rests with you.

If your parents aren't keen on pillowcases leaving the house, buy some cheap from a thrift store.

If it's toward the end of the night, ask them if they think they're going to have leftover candy that will just get thrown out. If they say yes, ask if you can have an extra piece or two. They might even give you three or four. If they overestimated how much they should buy, or it's a rainy night (and there weren't a lot of trick or treaters), they might even give you more! Just remember to be polite when you ask.

If the person lets you grab the candy out of the bucket yourself, put on a sweet voice and ask, 'How many can I get?'.

Donate the extra! You don't have to eat it all yourself!

Warnings!

If you see that the front lights are off, do not ring the doorbell. It means that they're not participating and they might be annoyed by you doing so.

If it is late (after 10pm), do not go to houses with lights off. They may be sleeping or fed up with the trick and treating.

Try and stick together. Bring a friend or two with you for safety.

Don't scare the little kids to get candy, it's mean and is likely to get you into trouble.

Even though its Halloween, don't eat too much candy in one night. it's best that you save some for other nights and, eating too much can get you sick. Keep a stash to enjoy over the upcoming weeks.

Enjoy your trick or treating! Happy Halloween!