Change of Engagement

by CA_dreamin

It's spring break and that means 8 days of freedom for me. I finally can sleep in, unplug the alarm clock, eat real meals for a change and get to do things from my not-important,not-urgent list.

But this one's important. I went to my friend Isabel's bridal shower. An American friend planned the party so it was different. First you sign in,then you get a Hello I'm ___.sticker. How formal I thought. The last one I attended we just gave our gifts,watched the bride-to-be open them, laughed at the kinky ones and asked her sex questions. For this one, I was late coming in and I heard this loud Turkish music and the guests were gathered around this belly dancer who was spinning while balancing a sword on her head. It was amazing. Her abs were amazing. After her performance she asked us to form a circle around her as she taught some of her moves. Even the grandmas joined in, it was fun. Then the belly dancer/life of the party had to leave(she performs and teaches that for a living).Then we had a question and answer game where my friend has to guess how her boyfriend would answer each question. Like the Newlyweds Game. She did not get a lot of questions right. She says since he talks a lot, she tunes out a lot. I hope she's joking. And then we got to the more traditional opening of gifts. I noticed that the old ladies usually gave house decors or things for the home(my favorites:a sewing machine & a Raid insect killer) while the younger girlfriends gave sexy lingerie,clothes, toiletries.It's a nice balance I think; practical meets indulgent. I tease Isabel about not making me a bridesmaid.I told her, I'd make a good bridesmaid, I won't upstage you. But I do feel good about her choice; these friends were always there for her 100% as I couldn't be.

I sure miss my parents being here. They're back in the Philippines now. I don't have as much interest now that I'm alone in going out and seeing new places.But there are days when I just realize that I love the independence and the control I have in my life,and I relish that moment so I can wake myself up with it when I'm getting homesick or beginning to take things for granted.

Going back to Isabel's wedding, her motif is pink and I hate pink so I'm having a hard time finding a dress. Plus I have to work out so I can fit in a good-sized dress. This wedding is giving me undue stress.

So that shower jolted me out of my resolve to avoid the gym. Plus I have the time so I don't have any excuse. I was there last night doing my crunches like crazy at 8PM when a Pinoy-looking guy approached me and asked, "Miss, do you work at Natividad?(That's a hospital here.)" No, I said. "Well, you look familiar." And I thought what a lousy pick-up line. Then he asked, "Are you Filipina?" And I said yes. I realized I was wearing my Philippine Diving T-shirt. So that got the conversation going and turns out he is a doctor waiting for a job assignment in New York. Just came here last November(pero may twang na). Not good-looking, just average. But a surgeon. Hmmm...And heading to New York. I love New York. I was already envisioning myself in New York with him. I remember my teacher aide saying our brain waves travel something-thousand miles fast. I think with women its double that. It's funny how our mind works sometimes.

Today I was back in San Jose, That's 89 miles from here. I had dental surgery. My dentist was trying to find me a dentist closer to home but I didn't want to change. First reason is he's great. He did my last 2 surgeries and I'm still alive. Second reason is he looks heavenly. A Vietnamese hunk with excellent diction. So he can't get rid of me anytime soon. I'm serious about sticking with a dentist who knows what he's doing.I had a friend who died of tetanus after having her molars extracted. She was just 24. So right now I'm taking it easy. My dentist just called to check on me(he loves me, I know it)and tells me I have to eat. I tell him my appetite is in full force. I think its the fear and anticipation before the surgery which drained my energy and after I was so relieved but very hungry.

Tomorrow's Good Friday and I have to do my bisita Iglesia. Problem is I only know one church here.My mother called and reminded me to not to take a bath tomorrow. She was traumatized because one Good Friday when she bathed us kids, we all got sick. She says I have to keep "the tradition". I think I'll be OK if I bathe before 3PM.

Oh, I was at the pharmacy today and a Chicana lady came up to me and said, "Do I know you?" I look carefully at her but I said, "I don't think so." She says, "Do you work at Natividad?" That again. I laugh at myself thinking that I have a long-lost twin at that hospital and for thinking that that was a pick-up line at the gym...

by Dyes

A friend once said that when you are nearing thirty, you are approaching a phase known as the ‘critical juncture’. During this time, a fork road is seen ahead while an uncertainty looms over the head. It seems that you subconsciously associate your age to a chapter in your life, and you would want either to start a new life or continue with the one you currently have.

Or probably, you are just reflecting on your life.

But being thirty?!!! I have to cram my remaining-months-before-thirty to achieve the ten-year plan I set for myself when I was still twenty. Let me see, I still do not have my own house…. no kids yet … got fat and lotsa wrinkles… and still carnivorous!!! Err… I think I would include these things to the next ten-year plan I am formulating, but I need to read a good skin-and-diet book first.

I gotta have a life!

by TheDivineMissM!

We had a quiet day at home today. Nanonood lang ng TV. Then BBC had a spot about moms who blog. My tech-challenged hubby bristled ---"A web diary; there's something wrong about that."

So I said, "I blog." Silence. Then he turned and looked at me like I just told him I have been having an affair.

He said, "You have a diary on the web that ANYONE can read?????"

I started blogging maybe a month ago. I was running out of things to do at three in the morning (insomniac) and the chat rooms were getting really creepy.....

After that conversation (if you can call it that) with the hubby, I stopped to think why I blog.

What is a blog and what is its significance?

In a moment of pure honesty --- I am reaching out. In my anonymous blog, I do not have to PRETEND to be anybody. In this digital world, I AM REAL AS I WILL EVER BE. I can say what I have in mind without fear. The things you do not talk about with neighbours, with friends, and yes, sometimes with your husband.

In our relationships, we hold back on sharing our thoughts because they may be too mundane, and you do not want people think you are dumb (is tuna chicken or fish?). Or they are more controversial things (yes, I support Gabriela's divorce bill) and you do not want to agitate anyone.

I can write them in my computer or in analogue (paper) -- so why blog?

Because I think every blogger wants to feel that they have a place in this (digital) universe. That their thoughts are being heard. That someone will stumble upon their digital voice and listen.

LISTEN. TO ME.



What kind of blogger are you?

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

by MrsPartyGirl

Panalo talaga itong pic na ito! I don't even remember posing for this picture pero, lo and behold, smile galore pa ako. I am keeping this picture so I can show my parents that I did study in college :D Thanks for posting this on the egroups, Ella. Whenever I see this natatawa/natutuwa ako, as I'm sure you all are, too. :D

Phone-in question: asan si aguy nung mga panahon na ito?

by CA_dreamin

My school was featured on TV today. Everyone who wanted their two(or is it fifteen?)minutes of fame showed up for this newsworthy event. Even my most truant student(who hasn't been coming to school for a while due to surgery he says but has been seen in the mall, stores.. perfectly healthy) turned up.I wore my best outfit, of course.

When I listen to news about schools, I brace myself for bad news: students getting dumber(not passing state tests),teachers getting fired, schools getting closed, teachers hooking up with students, children and their parents behaving badly, and most horrific of all, shootings and violence in schools.

But today we had none of that. Our school has this walk-a-thon project. One of my colleagues had this brilliant idea. Why not have students walk around the school field, count the miles they walked, get pledges from family and friends to pay for each mile/or total miles they've accrued. The money we raise goes to our funds and students learn too as they walk because every week, a country is featured and at designated areas, they can read a fun fact about this country. I love activities that teach about world cultures.Last week, it was the Philippines. That is a big deal because most of them have no idea where our country is. They think Asian-looking people all come from China.So now they now about Tagalog and Jose Rizal. Hopefully. It's also a fitness thing;they'll learn that walking is a great exercise. It's pleasantly surprising that Channel 8 also thought it newsworthy.

My usually sullen and angry student, Oscar turned into a softie when the camera focused on him. He gave the cameras a huge smile and could not help but shout, "I love you Mom!" It's amazing to me that so many good things can come out of such a simple thing as walking. Or getting your first media exposure;-)

Which gives me an idea about using those recorded numbers for a lesson on graphing or averaging or unit conversion or writing math problems...

I really should turn off being on teacher mode when I go home...

by TheDivineMissM!

You Are 30 Years Old

30


Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

by TheDivineMissM!

I never got hold of the fencing logbook before. Someone used to hog it all the time! I am sooo glad for the club though. Fencing was the only athletic thing I have ever been involved in. I did so grudgingly, since everyone else in the block has joined, and my best friend John was the club president.


Judy used to prepare the training schedule (so it shouldn't surprise anyone that she probably has a wrinkle-free, colour-coded lesson plan today, Ms O-C!) Aguy was my Task Master, you should be a Physical Trainer 'Guy! You used to hold me up by teh collar of my shirt when I nearly passed out from the training! I would always get drawn against Beth, and I dont know why I even bother to get up... she is left handed and had a farther reach than most guys on the team! And there was weird Fred who would watch us train at the lobby of AS (how pathetic was that...)

I wish we still have the fencing club!!!!

by MrsPartyGirl

Hi. My name is Meeya. M for maganda, mabait, masayahin, at kung ano-ano pa.

I am a fencer. And a Sharonian. Turned Political Science graduate, turned government employee, turned law student, turned bum (by choice), turned government employee (again), turned corporate banker, turned beloved, turned married, turned stay-at-home mom, turned mrspartygirl, turned thirty.

As every page of my life turns, so does my happiness, which turns even more.

Hello life, it's nice to meet you.