"Separated By Distance, Joined By Love"

A text from my Brother

2008-07-16T00:43:00.002-04:00

I was on bed when my brother sent me an offline text message through his SMS so I read it when I opened my YM this morning. Here what he wants me to do as I quoted his text:

"Dun2x Gordon (7/15/2008 7:11:33 AM): h!te mzta?.te hanapi q te og declamation piece sample gane kanang tgalog te dli man kamao c ate meol wl cja nkahanap.bali pisa na cja e email rkan te f naa.tnx".

He wanted me to search online for a declamation piece which is in Filipino language because as he said Meol( my younger sis) don't know how to search and that he wanted me to send to his email. But, I forgot cause I had a lot to do this morning also our internet connection was so slow. But, I am waiting for my young. sis to come online so I can talk to her, so she can search for Dun. Been waiting for her for a while now but she's not on yet, she must be in School or she went home to get her allowance as she told me the other day that she's almost out.

A Poem to my Sisters

2008-07-13T12:09:00.003-04:00

I found this poem on my search. The author of this poem has also three siblings(sisters) on which she dedicated this poem of hers. And for me, I will also dedicate this to my "ate" and to my younger sis. This is one other way to show you both how much I love you and misses you. I wish I'm not living thousand of miles away.

Sisters Three, Siblings Are We
by Pauline Hamblin
There is a love down in my soul.
Where faith and trust I do hold.
Love that will stand forever more.
That's what sisters were made for.

Together we've been through a lot.
Caring not what others thought.
We stood tall and held our ground.
Foundation from our mother kept us sound.

Now we've grown up and left the nest.
The love we share is still the best.
My sisters I do love you true
My thoughts often travel back to you

Family~ the corner stone of our society

2008-07-12T12:05:00.000-04:00

"The family is the corner stone of our society. More than any other force it shapes the attitude, the hopes, the ambitions, and the values of the child. And when the family collapses it is the children that are usually damaged. When it happens on a massive scale the community itself is crippled. So, unless we work to strengthen the family, to create conditions under which most parents will stay together, all the rest — schools, playgrounds, and public assitance, and private concern — will never be enough." Lyndon Baines Johnson

Happy Birthday, Mother

2008-07-07T01:01:00.005-04:00

Last month was my Dad's birthday. Now, the 7th of July is my Mom's 53rd birthday. And, again I forgot to buy a pre-paid card so I can not call my Mom to greet her Happy Birthday. But I am sure she understand me because I just talk to her last week when they were online with my sister. I just wish my Mom good health and many more years to come on her life.

A poem to my Mother

Happy birthday, Mother,
Even though you might prefer
Life without these markers,
Each too public to defer.
Now that you are fifty-three,
Sing to us your own sweet song,
That we might celebrate your life,
Rejoicing all night long.
Each of us has love to bring,
Each a special song to sing,
To lose your heart among.

So happy birthday, Mom! I want
This day to be for you,
For everything you are to me
And all the things you do.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It's July 4th

2008-07-04T14:50:00.004-04:00

Yes, it's July 4th and its the celebration of America's Independence Day. Besides, today is my Mom's Aunts Birthday celebration. We call her Mama. I am not sure how old she is now, I think she is on her late 70's already. She is my grand-mother's younger sister. When my grand-ma passed away at an early age during the birth of my mother's brother , my Mom's Aunts took care of them until they got older, that's why we call her Mama.

Happy Birthday Ma, I wish you good health and more years to add into your life.

July Quotation

2008-07-02T08:37:00.000-04:00

It's July, My Favorite Month

2008-07-01T14:29:00.003-04:00

My mom and I were both born on July. My mom was born on July 7th so her zodiac sign is Cancer and I was born on July 25th and my zodiac sign is Leo.

Facts on July:

According to the Gregorian calendar, July is the seventh month. On the Roman calendar, it was the fifth month and it was called 'Quintilis', menaing 'fifth'. Julius Ceasar gave the month 31 days in 46 B.C. The Roman Senate named it 'Julius', in honor of Caesar.
July is usually the hotest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. July is one of the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere. The climate is mild in most of the Southern Hemisphere, with the exception of the COLD Antarctica, and the cold,rainy part of South America.
During July, when there isn't much rain, the grass often loses it's greenness. Some flowers are abundant in July, because they strive on the heat. Also, insects are abundant as well - life is striving in July!

The Ruby is the gem for July.
The water lily is the flower for the month of July.

CocoLand

2008-06-29T08:55:00.001-04:00

We live in a village where our main source of income is from farming and fishing . My dad is not into fishing but I remember when were young we used to buy fish from the fishermen and sell them to the market, that was my parents source of income. We stopped when my dad had a car accident that broke his right leg. They were riding a "fish car" he was with the rest of the fish buyers when that happened. When he's back to normal, my parents source of income was farming and making breads. And now that they're getting older (50's), it's my turn to support them and my siblings education so they don't have to worry about finances.

Ever since my parents are very optimistic about buying a "cocoland", which is a land with coconut trees. So, when they heard that my dad's uncle is selling his "cocoland", they told me about it if I am interested to buy the land, and without hesitation I said yes. So I gave them money because realized that they can make a profit out of them.

miss them.....

2008-06-28T08:39:00.003-04:00

Was talking to my mom and my nephew(neil) last night. The last time I talked to them was before my dad's birthday(june7), so it has been 3 weeks, though me and my sister always chat during school days. I wired them few $$ enough for their expenses, for my sisters' smart bro monthly payment and her apartment. I am glad the exchanged rate was 44.63-1$, better than the first week of June when my last transaction with xoom.

Update....

2008-06-27T15:54:00.003-04:00

It has been a while since my last post here, though, there's nothing much interesting that's happening for the last few days except the tragedy that brought by typhoon "Frank" that capsized "MV Princess of the Stars" of Sulpicio Lines. I felt so sad for all the victims and their families.
I was also worried when I heard about the typhoon because our house is by the coast and my brother told me that waves was so big on which we can actually hear the waves crushing on the shore that's how close we live but we're up on the hill above the waves. Besides, when rain won't stop for several days, flooding, mudslide are our biggest problems because we had it real bad last time when the river overflow on all the houses. I always pray that it will not happen again and that my families, and relatives will be far from any tragedies.

June 15 is Father's Day

2008-06-15T12:01:00.000-04:00

Today, June 15 is Father's Day. It is the time to honor our beloved fathers. But Father's day is not enough time to describe how much we love our father. The freedom, the peace and the love that they gave us to help us live our daily lives. Sending them a card and writing about them or even calling them on this day, is one way of showing our greatest thanks to them.

To my Papa, and all Dads and Grandfathers, Happy Father's Day to You. God Bless You. Thank You for being our Dad.

Father's Day Celebration

2008-06-13T09:29:00.002-04:00

Last month, we just celebrated Mother's Day to honor our beloved moms. And this month of June its our Dad's turn to celebrate Father's Day.

Father's Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting, and to honor and commemorate fathers and forefathers. Father's Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving to fathers and family-oriented activities. This year it will be celebrated on June 15th in most countries.

It's My Father's Birthday

2008-06-07T07:03:00.000-04:00

Today, June 7 is my Father's 52nd Birthday. I don't know what they gonna do on his birthday. They will celebrate it together with my nephews birthday last June 1st. My sister is in-charge of it, just a little get together with our family and close relatives.

Happy Birthday Pa. I wish you good health and more years to come. We Love You.

Back to School

2008-06-06T19:37:00.002-04:00

After about two months of summer vacation, my sister and brother are coming back to school again. Even though my sister had only 2 weeks of rest because she had her summer class, next week they will be back to school again for the school year 2008-2009. My brother(dun2x) will be on his 4th year in high school and my sister(meol) will be on her 3rd year in Nursing. Two of my nephews who are both in elementary are ready for school. And oh I forgot, I have a relative on my father side and I am going to help her all her expenses and tuition fees, since her mom can not afford for school expenses and tuition fees after her dad passed away a month ago. So, I offered my help so she can continue her studies cause I think she's only 2nd year high school. I am praying that they will be working hard on their studies so they will be successful. I don't really care about the expenses as long as they will study hard. So, goodluck kids..welcome back to school..

Happy Birthday Jun

2008-06-01T19:29:00.004-04:00

Today, my nephews celebrate his 7th birthday.
He is now on his 2nd grade on his Elementary.
He is a very shy kid that don't speak if you don't talk first.

Again, time really goes fast, few years ago
he was still a baby that always following my sister
wherever she goes.
Eventhough, he can not read this greetings, but who knows,
when he is big, this site will still alive.

I want to to tell him this;
Jun, I wish you all the best, that you will be a good kid,
a good person when you grows up,
that you will be respectful to your Mama & Papa
to your Kuya and to your younger siblings and to us.

We Love You Jun, Ante misses you....

Happy Birthday!

Youth Camp

2008-05-31T07:01:00.002-04:00

I was talking to my little sister last night(around 9amPhil.time) from her apartment. She told me she just got home from 3 days of Youth Camp. We're talking about her experiences during their Youth Camp, and how thankful she was that she was able to go with their Pastor and some Youths on the Church she's going on right now. And that, she could not forget that wonderful days and wishes that our brother was their with her to join but our Mom did not want him to go because the place is too far away from home.
Anyway, I am happy for her, and her summer class is over, and that she can join any activities from the Church, on which I have'nt done while I was on her age.

Family Quote

2008-05-30T23:47:00.000-04:00

Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations
and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent
connections can supply...

~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

The Conversation:

2008-05-26T00:32:00.003-04:00

Just done talking to my mom and my sister few minutes ago. We been talking a lot of topics. It was very nice hearing their voice again. Our nephew was also with them, he keeps asking about Rick, my hubby and when he saw him in the webcam he was speechless. He was only two years old when he met hubby but he still remember because he always look at our picture together.
While talking with them, I was only doing my money transfer to them. I used xoom because it's more cheaper compared to western union or moneygram online. As of the time of my transaction with xoom, the exchange rate was 41.23=$1. It was getting better compared to last week. It was only like 41, if i'm not mistaken. Now that they got the money, my sister can enroll for the first semester class. She said that she will be taking two major subjects for this semester and all of them are laboratory and she will start her duty in the hospital. I am praying that she can make it through the end of the semester without any health problem. So as our younger brother, his enrollment is going on already and he's planning to enroll this week. He is now on his senior high school. ...way to go dun.. hopefully he can maintain his grade so he can avail the scholarship for valedectorians when he goes to college....and to all to two of you kiddo....Goodluck to your studies, "ate" is so proud of you....

bb(our newphew) & Meol ( younger sis)

where are they...

2008-05-23T20:53:00.003-04:00

....been waiting here for them to come online.I think they are not in the city yet. Enrollment is going on already so I need to talk to my sister so she can enroll for this school year and don't have to worry anymore while I still have the money available to me right now. I tried to text her but there's no reply. I will wait her 'till monday(ph time)if she won't text me , I'll give her a call. I just don't want to spend the money for her enrollment, so i need to send it to her asap...coz its hard to find a big amount of money but i am only doing this once every semester to paid off her tuition fee.

I am tired

2008-05-21T10:08:00.002-04:00

..yes I am always tired, but don't say I am lazy because I am "in some way" :).. Hayzz I just don't feel good right now. I don't feel going to work tonight...though I've been off for two nights, I still want another night off...I wanted to stay home and cuddle in my nice warm bed..hayzz...wish I can take a vacation off for one week straight, but I can't, i used up all my vacation hours when I went to the Phil last March. I think I only have 7hours at the moment for my vacation and have to save that to reach to 100 hours or more and that would be like for another 2yrs of working , so I can use it again to visit back in the Phil in 2010. Hayz..still far...but time goes fast...

Summer Classes are Done

2008-05-19T11:14:00.001-04:00

My sister's summer classes are done. Their last day was May 19th and that was the start of her enrollment too for school year 2008-2009, but I will have her enroll by the 26th of May, so everything will be ready that time, her summer grades and money for her tuition. I don't how much we have to pay for this semester, since she will have laboratories so I am expecting P30K. She told me she will be going home tonight (my time) to our place. Now, I will miss her since she can not come online until she'll back in the city after two weeks because we don't have internet connection in our house yet. Her classes will start on the first week of June, so she will be back by then and I'm here waiting for some news when she comes online again...:)willmiss u sistah...

Saturday Rants

2008-05-17T17:35:00.003-04:00

Yes, it's Saturday again. I woke up at around 8am this morning and did some cleaning in the house. I dusted and vacuumed. Since Rick went to the farmers market to buy some fruits, I took the chance to cook dried fish(pusit). I cooked it quickly while , he's not home, cause he does'nt like the smell of it. I'm sure, mostly Americans, dont like the smell of our dried fish. Rick called it stinky fish or whatever. Anyway, after I ate, I washed the dishes right away and so as the frying fan that I cooked into so he could not smell when he gets home, but guess what, an hour after he was home, the time he opened the door he smelled right away. He said, "what smells in here", and I replied jokingly , there's nothing smells in here, don't you know that your mouth is just below your nose?, that might be....until he forgot the stinky fish that he meant.

Then, we went to the big yard sale by the Church which is few blocks from home. They have lots of nice stuff that were cheap. We bought some frames, planners and pouches that were still brand new because the tag was still there. It cost us only total of $7. All the stuff that they're selling were all donations from close out stores and all the proceeds are going to the Church fund, so that's why they're selling the stuff so cheap.

Enrollment is Coming

2008-05-15T13:46:00.002-04:00

Next month will be my sister and brother's enrollment. I'll be preparing $ to send them so they can pay their tuition pay at once so we don't have to worry paying their balance every examination. My brother is still on his fourth year in high school, so is tuition will not be that much compared to my sister of course. This June, she will be on her third year of nursing. And I'll be spending thousands of pesos for her because as what she said there are two laboratory subjects that she will be getting so it's a little bet more than compared last semester. Right now , she's almost done on her summer class. By next week the enrollment for them starts, and I need to send her before that. That's why I am working so hard right now to support their schooling.

To Our Sister on Mother's Day

2008-05-11T12:36:00.002-04:00

To our sister on Mother's Day:
Often we remember how we were
More focused on ourselves when we were young.
Years and children sweep in like a tide,
Separating us from distant shores.
In truth, we're even closer than before,
Sustaining our childhood inside,
The memories to which we both belong
Enriched by what love teaches us to bear,
Resonant with what we rarely say.

Happy Mother's Day "Ate"

Your Mother is Always With You

2008-05-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

Your mother is always with you...
She's the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.
She's the smell of bleach
in your freshly laundered socks.
She's the cool hand on your brow
when you're not well.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She's crystallized in every tear drop.
She's the place you came from,
your first home...
She's the map you follow
with every step that you take.
She's your first love
and your first heart break...
and nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, Not space...
Not even death...
will ever separate you
from your mother...
You carry her inside of you...
Author Unknown