Sandalwood & Chamomile

Tournament of Books 2012 is a Time-Sink

2012-03-16T12:19:00.001-07:00

It's the 8th year of the Tournament of Books over at themorningnews.org but I've only now discovered it after Jody at LegalNomads tweeted about it. I've spent a shocking amount of time (while at work) reading the rounds and commentary. I've noted some books I want to read. Not every single one because I don't think I have the stamina. Although I recognized some names, I haven't actually read any of the book entries. I think my reading has been skewing non-fiction these past 15 months.

Anyway, what a wonderful idea to do a March Madness-type of book awards. Anything that will promote reading is always a good thing.

Aside from the ToB, what I've read so far of http://themorningnews.org I've really enjoyed, including the inspiring Twitter by Post article. It made me to send some (well-received) tweet mail. This site is now part of my daily online visits. Wonder how it will look on the brand-spankin' new iPad. Does the site offer offline access?

New Vocab: Conniption

2012-03-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

I came across an unfamiliar word in today's article on Lingua Franca blog: conniption. From context I realized it is a reaction worse than annoyance. By preceding the word fit, "conniption" brought to mind phrases such as jealous fit or hysterical fit.

Google search shows:

con·nip·tion/kəˈnipSHən/

Noun:

A fit of rage or hysterics: "the casting choice gave the writers a conniption".

Merriam-Webster says it doesn't know the origin of the word, but the first known use dates back to 1833. On the other hand, Freedictionary.com thinks this word is informal and is pseudo-Latin.

Check out the other Lingua Franca articles. The blog can be informative, but the comments may sometimes veer toward persnicketiness (yep, I looked up that word too).

A Long Time Ago People Knew Me For a Song

2012-03-08T11:17:00.002-08:00

A long time ago, when I was young and naive, as opposed to currently being old and cynical, people knew me for a song. It was an oft-requested Broadway tune that I privately considered as my song.

Then someone whom I admired and had a slight crush on (slight only, OK?) made me consider sharing the song. He paid attention to me, the wallflower, and asked about my thoughts and opinions. He sought me out and got me to laugh. I thought it was because of my own personal charms, because I was cute or fun to talk to or witty. Now it makes me cringe to remember how deluded I was. It turned out to be only about the song. He wanted to make the song some sort of gift to someone cuter, funner or wittier than I ever was.

Oh I've moved on, but I took away a lesson. It's not good to entertain such overly confident thoughts. I brush them off as soon as they appear. It's not good to analyze gestures and wayward glances. I tell myself, just take things as they are and don't think that the song he tried to sing is for me. Or that his smile is a gift for me. Or that he's really waiting an email from me so he can reply right away.

When this post sat in my drafts folder for long time, the following sentences were included: "But he better not ask me to sing at his wedding. I'm not that generous. Unless, of course, he's marrying me. Then I'd reconsider."

But I don't think these things anymore. I find that I now think of more realistic and practical things. Over recent months, I've gotten my issue wrestled and sorted out before God. It's only by God's grace, which I do not deserve, that I can even share this post. And by His unending mercy too; He knows most of all what unrequited love feels -- He who has loved us faithfully even as we try to reject Him and live without considering Him.
In these things I praise Jesus Christ, the true Lover of my soul.

Last night after Art Class

2012-03-07T09:59:00.001-08:00

Last night, at home after the cousins' weekly art class with my brother, my mother told me that my cousin JJ, aged 9, said he likes coming over to our house.

Me, disbelieving: Why? Doesn't he hate it because we have so many house rules?

Mama: He told his mom, "Because their house is clean, and our house is so dirty."

Me, laughing: Thanks JJ!

Mama: His mom told him, "That's why you should help us clean our house."

Me: I'll put him to work next time he comes over.

Incidentally, while JJ was eating dinner that night with the other kids (cousin Mizpah aged 7, nephew Vince aged 7 and brother Josiah aged 5), they had plotted to have a play date one of these Saturdays at our house.

My brother, Fergus: Don't you have Awana games this Saturday?

JJ: Then, next Saturday!

Me, eavesdropping: Who's the play date with?

JJ and Vince: Kuya Fergus!

Mizpah: We're going to play Supersmash Bros.

Fergus: No, I won't be here.

JJ: Then with your house.

Me: You can't have a playdate with a non-person!

These apples really do not fall that far from the tree. :)

A Quality Time Kind of Family

2012-03-05T22:06:00.002-08:00

Watched an episode of the Kdrama TEN with Fritzie. Then some animated Tintin with Fergus. Then parts of the Filipino drama Mundo Man Ay Magunaw with Mama and Faith. Yep, we're definitely quality time.

Either-Or

2012-03-05T16:24:00.001-08:00

I need either new work pants or a tighter belt. My pants are falling off!

Thank you Jillian!

[Being able to email posts to my blog is making it so easy to turn this into a talk-as-much-as-I-want-to daily diary ala twitter. It's so easy to blurt out what's on my mind. Excuse the babaw-ness. And the made-up words.]

Sarah G Live: Kilig to the Max

2012-03-05T10:29:00.001-08:00

Eeee! Every Sunday na lang ba, kikiligin kami sa Sarah G Live? Hangkyut nila Sasa at Gege. Di pa daw sila nagliligawan, pero their courtship is playing out on national TV. Di maiwasan. Big stars sila, and di mapigilan ang kanilang mga damdamin. Kinikilig naman ang madlang pipol. OKs lang.

Sana di sila padala sa pressure at magtake time talaga sila kung tamang panahon ba ang kanilang pag-ibig.

Naks!

Alam naman ng lahat na si Sasa ay gusto na ang kanyang susunod na nobyo ay ang kanyang magiging asawa din. Aprub ko yan. Gano'n din ang wish namin sa aming prinsesa. So si Gege, malaki ang desisyong kinakailangang harapin: Handa ba siyang pakasalan ang tinatawag niya na Baby Girl? Simple lang na tanong, pero mabigat. Dapat siguro, lahat ng lalaki gano'n ang isipin, para maiwasan ang magkasakitan.

Tsaka, di na sila bata. OK na ang mag-asawa sa kanilang mga edad. Tapos nun, date na sila nang date. Ang saya.

-- mula sa isang Popster

O, ano, kinilig rin kayo 'no?

Dysmenorrheic

2012-02-29T12:14:00.001-08:00

Argh. Dysmenorrheic. Not bad enough to feel faint, but close. Owwiiee.

I just told someone else to hurry up and have children because giving birth supposedly brings changes to the mother's body. Seems I am in need of my own advice.

#tmi

2012.02.14

2012-02-14T10:50:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, mahal. Sana'y magkatuluyan tayo.

Tweet Recall: True Love quote

2012-02-13T10:36:00.001-08:00

@gailT: ""True love doesn't require positive results or receipts for the good it does. True love does not balk at great inconvenience, personal sacrifice, or humbling circumstances. It is not dissatisfied when its gifts are not publicly recognized or applauded. Rather, true love delights in such opportunities to give and receive nothing in return, for such actions are truly born out of love and are done unto God and not merely men."

- McKenzie Thompson, Central Asia Team" http://ug.simpsonu.edu/Pages/SpiritualLife/Missions.htm

God continue to use you for His glory, @keziapdrums.

The Moon That Embraces the Sun: First Impressions

2012-01-18T00:29:00.000-08:00

It had been an unusual 4 episodes. Usually, I lose interest in a drama after reading a recap, if I don't first watch the episode. That's why I try to give a drama a fighting chance by watching the first 2 episodes before seeking any reviews. My ideal plan is to watch the English-subbed episode first, then read recaps next. But it is really hard to be patient for the subtitles, especially when I'm faced with the awesomeness of javabeans and girlfriday over at dramabeans.com. It's not their fault that my self-control would fail me. I would succumb and read the recaps and find myself losing the will to actually sit and watch the subbed videos later. By this time, the drama is already lost to me.

The Moon that Embraces the Sun (aka Moon-Sun in my brain) has been different. Now, who's to tell that I will be able to sustain this interest for the entire length of the drama well into March? But I'm willing to take on a new obsession, though. So, Moon-Sun it is.

Unlike other Moon-Sun watchers (and there's lots of them in Korea where the ratings are in the 20% range, which blew away its drama competitors in the same time slot), my interest in it does not relate to a Jung Il Woo obsession (although he's quite lovely and an empathetic actor), or to a Kim Soo Hyun admiration (he has gone and slain this noona, ensuring my membership in the ICOMYM club**) or even to a fusion-sageuk bias (this is the first time I watched more than 1 episode of a Korean period drama). I can't tell for sure why I'm this obsessed. Is it the gorgeous costuming? Like a scholar, I pored over the fashion and cultural posts over at thetalkingcupboard.wordpress.com. Is it due to the moon and sun metaphors and names? I admit, I do like them beautiful and evocative character names.

Is it the loving and almost too perfect portrayal of the Heo family? Could be since I also have a fondness for the actress playing Lady Shin. I've seen her in only 1 other drama (Dandelion Family), but I like her loving motherly vibe.

Was it the relationship forged by the secret love letters? I am partial to stories where people write passionate and witty love letters. Or does my interest lie in the intricate relationships among the characters? I count four connections possibly fraught with angst: the main Prince Hwon <3 Yeon Woo paring, the rival Prince Yang Myung <3 Yeon Woo pairing, the Princess Min Hwa <3 Literature Scholar Yeom <3 Servant Seol triangle, and the hinted-at Military Scholar Woon <3 Yeon Woo unrequited love. And I haven't even mentioned the bromances between the princely half brothers and among the scholars, or the daddy issues of the princes.

Perhaps that's it. I've found that I really do care about these relationships and about the characters' futures. I want to know if they will find their happiness, against the cruel backdrop of a brutal and cutthroat Joseon imperial palace. A lot of this emotional investment is due to the delicate balance that has been wrought in the directing, writing and acting, thus far. It's beautiful and precarious because in the coming days, the hand-off from the child actors to the adult cast is upon us. It can make or break my loyalty. (Sorry! But truthfully, in Kdrama watching, my loyalty is cheap.)

I adore the young actors. Almost all of them are experienced actors in sageukland, and they're gorgeous to boot. They really sold me on their performances, and I can actually see myself watching them continue to play the characters for an unforeseen amount of episodes. I mean, there's still a lot of drama to mine in young, thwarted love, and class divisions. But this is not the first sageuk nor the first drama to examine these issues. In fact, the story so far is so firmly in sageuk territory, that it could be any king's story.

The real drama and unique storytelling are promised in the coming episodes, when Yeon Woo gets ill and wrestled from Prince Hwon to survive as a shaman in the mountains. When we get them back together is the exciting unknown.

I am still apprehensive but hopeful though. As I've mentioned, I love the child actors to bits, and I have no small amount of confidence in Jung Il Woo's and Kim Soo Hyun's acting chops. To Han Ga In, I will give a lot of leeway because the poor noona already has been battling the prejudice against her being older than both leading men. So if the directing, acting and writing can smoothly transition to the adult years, I just might still be obsessed when the spring flowers bloom. My bittersweet anticipation of the coming episodes and my relentless scouring of the internet for BTS (behind-the-scenes videos) and the English translation of the novel (thank you Blue at belectricground.com) show my true colors as a Kdrama addict. And for that, I refuse to go to rehab.

Notes: **ICOMYM means Inappropriate Crushes on Much Younger Men

December Letters: Anni

2012-01-01T22:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Anni,

Recently, I googled you and JP. You have a Facebook fan page! Someone loves your love story, as I do. I feel really blessed to have met up with you both 4 years ago. You both are wonderful and perfect together! I actually feel a sense of possessiveness and loyalty to your love story, so you better not mess that marriage up. Just kidding! I'm fond of you, and I wished that I had made coming back home for the wedding happen.

Long ago, my sister mentioned that I'm such a bad influence, that I talk people into decisions that they wouldn't have made. I had laughed, but it got me questioning: Did I talk (pressure?) you into choosing PhilSci? Or am I giving myself too much credit? You'd probably say yes to the latter.

Out of the few who took the entrance exams, only the two of us entered EVC. Cres Ann went to Diliman; Caesar and Julie Ann stayed in LIDE. Our shared path of boarding houses, rooms, closets, classes, meals brought us to the level of sisters, I think. We argued, fought and had cold wars. I even wrote diary entries about you. But we would go home together and come back from Isabel together. We forgot those arguments as quickly as they arose.

I was really blessed to have you during the high school years. You have been a support, an encouragement and sister to me. Remember the story we wrote when your brother was born? I don't have a copy of it anymore, but the story of many Antonio messed me up when my mother asked me how many siblings you have. She laughed and said, "You could be a better friend." (It's 5, right?)

As this new chapter of your life unfolds, I pray for you and JP, just like I do for Faith and my future brother-in-law, B-Jay: May God be central in your marriages. May you be intentional in the way you love and serve each other. May you be blessed with children who will be a treasure just like you had been to your parents. May the marriages be lengthy, fruitful and a testament to God's providence. I look forward to seeing and eating in your beautiful kitchen.

Love--

December Letters: B-Jay

2012-01-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

Dear B-Jay 제부,

Yay! I have a Kuya! I remember in elementary school how I had wanted a Kuya. Not just because I wanted to refuse my duties as an eldest child, but because I had seen some pretty good Kuyas to my friends and classmates.

God knows what He was doing. Fritzie, Fergus and I would be gaining a kuya by your marriage to Faith.

Thank you for already looking out for me. Thank you for being my advocate in the situation I had found myself in. For being good to Faith and to our family. For your tireless service to God in the worship team every Sunday. For trusting my advice on your new writing project. I hope I didn't scare you off or discourage you with my critiques. I was blessed by your approach to the songs; it was the right attitude to sit at the foot of Jesus.

The next year will bring new challenges. Will it be more of the same? Will it be too big of an adjustment? We don't know, but God has equipped you and Faith to handle it.

God bless you and keep you. May God lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. May God make His grace to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Amen.

December Letters: Jenny

2011-12-28T00:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Jenny,

On Christmas, when everyone else had gone home, I was dancing around in Dinah's downstairs living room. Fritzie and I didn't want to go home, and we were dancing up a storm as an excuse. I was doing this weird dance that I saw the S**tkingz do (I know, I shouldn't have attempted their genius), and I fell on my left ankle.

I heard and felt it. I rolled onto my back. When normally, I'd sit and complain about it, I praised the Lord that it wasn't worse. Your freak accident is still fresh on my mind. Every time I remember it, I feel really bad. I feel sorry because it happened on my watch.

Sorry, my friend, that a broken leg is now part of your body. I can't even imagine what you go through everyday with the cast on, and the days being so cold. Still, God is turning that into something good, I believe.

Stay healthy and warm, my dear. We look forward to your coming back to your many ministries in full health.

Love--

December Letters: Mandy

2011-12-28T00:56:00.001-08:00

Dear Mandy,

Today, you are on the same country as me. Finally. Never had I felt this country's vastness and been sad for it until now. You're so near, yet so far.

I wish you'd scold me for being bad at correspondence. I need some sense shaken into me. I don't think I responded to your last letter. Have our prayers been answered already? I don't know. I can't even pray for you in detail anymore because I don't know if our last prayer requests have been replaced with new ones.

Patient and dear Mandy, I don't deserve a friend as good as you. I thank God for you, and hope that you haven't given up on me yet.

So, tell me about your first trip to the U.S. How were the flight delays and airline changes on the way here? How is meeting the rest of your in-laws? Is Prince treating you well? He better be treating you like a queen!

I hope you forgive this person who haven't written to you in a long while. I have no excuse.

Love---

December Letters: Jesus

2011-12-28T00:55:00.002-08:00

Dear Jesus,

Lord. Savior. Redeemer. Healer. Immanuel. Prince of Peace. My Hope. My Joy. My Rock. My Treasure.

You, O Lord, are all these and more. This year, You have been merciful to me, when I have been showing lack of courage, faith, understanding and resolve. Thank You Lord!

I look back at the past year, and I can only express awe at what You've done and praise for who You are. Thank You for the wisdom You've given to your servants whose books I've read this year: C.S. Lewis, Rob Bell, Voddie Baucham, Jr., John Stott and Oswald Chambers. Thank You for the truth that the other writers I encountered were able to explain. All truth is Your truth.

Thank You for healing me Lord. For the continued good health, even if the mystery is not yet solved, I praise Your goodness. Thank You for the challenges and new information on the work to which You are calling all your saints. I haven't known about the incredible evil against which Your people are battling. But You are the victor, and You are our hope and beacon as we help people understand Your heart on the issues of justice and holy living.

Thank You for my family. We are not perfect, but Your power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Lord, may each of us count the cost and choose to follow You wholeheartedly. Holy Spirit, work in their hearts and soften them. Look kindly upon us.

This next year, people have already been talking about the end of the world. How terrifying it would be for those who continually resist You. How glorious it would be when You return just like You had promised. I long to see You Lord, but I trust in the plans You have for me. Amen.

December Letters: Issa

2011-12-28T00:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Issa,

Year 2008 will always held a special place in my heart, thanks to you. It was the year when what we'd been planning finally came about. I finally made my way over the ocean to see you in your bukid. It was timely because if I had postponed it any longer, 2011 would have come too quickly and found you leaving Japan permanently.

It really feels just like yesterday when I made my way to Shinagawa station and waited excitedly for you. I still talk about that trip. I still brag about all the train, bus, taxi, and rickshaw rides we took that week. I even talk about the onsen with fondness. Imagine that!

You really gave me a priceless gift that time. Those experiences rooted in a specific time and place cannot be repeated nor imitated. Even if I go back and retrace our steps, it wouldn't be the same; I would only be making another trip--separate, distinct and probably equally satisfying.

I long for you to visit me here. I can't promise that I'd be half as good a host as you. I cannot equal your good and generous heart. But I'd love to open my home to you soon.

Sorry, I couldn't Skype before Annie's wedding. I thank you for the pictures of the newlyweds. It made me miss you guys even more.

I'll see you again soon---

December Letters: Ate Aziel

2011-12-28T00:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Aziel 언니,

Several days ago, a question came to my mind: Do you think that the future will look exactly like this present life?

It took me aback because when I really tried to answer it, my honest reply is yes. What I imagine life to be 5, 10 years down the road is more of the same life. Is there something wrong with that kind of thinking? How does it serve God, if I think that way?

I only need to look back 10-15 years to know that the future would be full of changes. Little or great, they would be things I couldn't imagine. Back then, I hadn't even considered a life not pursuing medical school. Or facilitating Bible and philosophy group discussions. Or leading a worship team. Or working at a job learning business.

I also hadn't imagined becoming friends with you. I have already told you what our first impressions of you had been. Only God had known the circumstances that would bring us together and through which, you, Faith, Fritzie and I would forge our sisterly affections. God has been very gracious to give us an unni, who hears us like a close friend and rebukes us like a beloved sister.

Some time ago, it also came to me how possible it is for me not be serving at SABF for long. Marrying someone who is serving at another church would be one scenario. Or God may see it fit to send me to another ministry opportunity far from our church. It gave me pause: How prepared am I for God to call me to a different life, far from what I'm used to? Have I been too dependent on the comforts of having family around to resist moving?

If I really consider closely what God has been teaching me in recent years, I shouldn't have any cause for fear. The story of the Israelites going out of Egypt with God leading them with a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night had already become personal to me. If I stop and take time to reflect, it will become clear that His promise to never leave nor forsake us still stands. I only need to stick close to Him.

You know of all people how cautious I am and how fearful I could be if I give in to it. Thank you for calling me on my selfishness and lack of faith, for saying what I need to hear, for your godly counsel, for stabbing me in the "back-face." Thank you for your love.

Whatever the future may look like, be encouraged that you and Renz hyeongbu had been placed by God in a unique position to edify, challenge, rebuke and advise us younger ones in our church. With the Holy Spirit's guidance and prompting, you have a sphere of influence greater than you think. And rightly so. May God be with you while we are absent one from another.

All my love--

December Letters: Sarah

2011-12-28T00:53:00.001-08:00

My dear Sarah,

Soon after you told me that you are reading these December letters, my entries stopped. I don't blame you if you thought, "There she goes again." I had an attack of the ningas cogon variety. My writing froze, and it became easy to succumb to the laziness.

I wrote some letters, but never got to post them. Or to be more truthful, I never made time to come daily and post each letter. You probably could have predicted what would happen. My track record doesn't show impressive follow-throughs. Even with all those years in your company, your tenacity at projects hasn't rubbed off on me yet. Shall we hang out some more?

You are one impressive person. So dedicated, determined and brave! I've told you this before, but just in case you dared not believe me, I say this again.

The way you challenge yourself with new projects is one of your many virtues. You're not one of those people who would plunge headlong into an endeavor without counting the costs. To watch you start something is to see you finish it. That speaks to me like a gentle rebuke and a quiet challenge that I, too, can do that, if only I would apply myself.

With this new year, I have another chance. I have several schemes in my head for next year. It will be disheartening if we predicted my started-to-finished ratio. I won't even say that I will try. Somehow, promising to try do not translate to results.

Well, I guess, I just have to do it, right?

December Letters: Madonna

2011-12-28T00:52:00.001-08:00

Dear Madz,

How have you been?! I haven't heard from you in a long while. I miss reading your mails and blog entries. I miss singing with you. We don't sing the seven-fold Amen often in church, but when we do, I think of you.

Remember doing together A Little Fall of Rain? We would camp out by the Pisay front gate and sing. Earlier this eyar, I saw at the movie theatre the U.S. showing of the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Miserables at the O2 Arena in London. Lea Salonga played Fantine, and she was marvelous. Her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream was heartbreaking. And A Little Fall of Rain was gorgeous.

I've met Lea in person too! My friends and I went to a concert of hers in a casino concert hall. I thought it was too smoky to be good for her voice, but she'd performed there several times already. While waiting in line, I couldn't help myself, I screamed, "I love you, Idol!" You would have laughed at my fangirling, if you'd been there with me.

I long to see you again. Thank you for coming to see me-- you and Issa-- when I came home with my family in 2006. Spending time with you was really fun. Going back to Palo, which I couldn't recognize anymore, was something else. I couldn't believe that what once was home for 4 years had become almost unfamiliar to me. I know you can relate.

Have you been home? How are you and your Nanay? Tell me updates.

I look forward to hearing from you---

December Letters: W

2011-12-28T00:51:00.001-08:00

Dear W--

I remember going to classes with you. I remember sitting in the same group with you for Physics. I loved your understated brilliance. When you worked out a solution and explained it to us, I was amazed at the manner in which you taught us. There was patience and pleasure at seeing the light bulbs in our heads come on.

I remember the introductions during our first science lab. You said you diddn't have your picture on your yearbook, but you bought it anyway. I thought, "Me too! Me too!" I also was missing in the yearbooks of both my high schools. But I never got to tell you that and other things because soon enough, I'd gone crushing on you. I was always tongue-tied when you were around.

When C-- said that you were dating her, I almost gasped out loud, "What?! My W--?!" I heard of how you prayed and studied the Bible together, of how steadfast and serious you were with her. But you broke up and we all graduated. Earlier this year, I found your wedding announcement on your church bulletin, which were archived online. Or more honestly, I scoured the internet for any news of you. There wasn't much, but I found what I was looking for: your published scientific paper and a picture of you and your bride.

By then, I was over you. However, it was good to get confirmation what I believed all along: you're an upstanding man.

Farewell---

December Letters: Andie

2011-12-28T00:50:00.001-08:00

Dear Andie,

Remember when we took all those science classes together? At that time, we had been so sure that we'd go on to medical school and conquer it.

We were on the same freshman USEM class with a bunch of future business majors and a few nursing major hopefuls. When we found out that we were on the same science path, we coordinated our class schedules so we could be lab partners and sit together at lectures. College could have been lonely and isolating, but because you became my friend, it was fun while at the same time rigorous. It had been wonderful to go to school with someone who is earnest and serious about her learning. It was very infectious.

When it became clear that you weren't going to continue on the pre-med track, I experienced a bit of the turbulence when one switched majors.
"What is the next step?"
"How best to parlay the credits earned for pre-med and utilize the knowledge learned so far into a different course?"
"Is nutrition the right major for me?"
These questions must have been difficult to work through, but you did navigate them well.

Soon, my turn came to deal with the disappointment and despair of my crushed medical school dream. You helped me with your encouraging emails. I remembered how you handled it a few years earlier.

I don't think I've properly thanked you for your friendship. But I realize that friends don't usually do that. My dear Andie, we could have lived our lives without ever meeting each other, if God didn't bless us with the pre-med detour. So in light of that, I praise God for you and our friendship. You once told me that Organic Chemistry was worth it just to get to know each other. I agree and I miss you!

December Letters: Liane

2011-12-28T00:48:00.001-08:00

Dear Liane,

I'm extremely proud of you. I've told you before: if only I have half of your courage. The challenges of studying in Italy may be difficult, but I'm seeing that you're handling them well. You're still keeping that upbeat spirit, even if there are days when you may feel like giving up.

We'd started on the same road to medical school, and we've both stepped off the track. Only God knows if we'd get back on it, but the time spent on that path had been valuable, right? The lessons we've learned then, I'm sure, we're already using to our advantage.

I just want to encourage you today. The determination and will that you displayed when you tried out for the step team in high school were impressive. I know that you still possess those same qualities. I've seen flashes of them since, and I know that I'd see them once again.

I look forward to seeing you again---

December Letters: Janjen

2011-12-28T00:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Janjen,

Girl! I'm so glad you're on twitter. You're so funny, and I love reading your thoughts. Being able to read them makes it seem like we are right next to each other. It brings back memories of high school.

I am so thankful that you came upon that ESL classroom during that break between classes. It was our first meeting, do I remember correctly? I thought to myself, "This is a good person." When you put me at ease by speaking in Filipino, I thought, "This girl is really unpretentious." Never mind that I didn't speak Filipino that often, but I appreciated that you spoke in it. I knew then that we were going to be friends.

You haven't changed. You're still the same JJ with a good heart.

I'm quite fond of you, can you tell by now? If only my older cousins were worthy and reliable, I'd marry off one to you. No matter, I already see you as a cousin.

Thanks for being my friend.

I still haven't handed the Regine CD to you. Do come by.

Love---

How would I like being rejected like a moldy doughnut?

2011-12-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

Awww... I stumbled on another blogger who considers Alone In Love as her favorite drama. Reading her thoughts on it makes me want to marathon it again. It's my favorite drama as well. I still can't fully explain why, so let's just have mihinikki's thoughts reprinted here:

Favorite Kdrama: Alone in Love
They say the first one that comes to your head is the right answer, yes? Alone in Love did not make me squeal, swoon, and giggle like Sungkyungkwan Scandal or My Girlfriend is a Gumiho did. And I didn't obsess over it like Goong/Princess Hours, BUT I will say AIL changed me the most, causing me to deeply pondered life questions about love and relationships. From episode one I was panicked for the OTP to have a happy ending, but then became more invested in their character development. AIL was so earnest, stuffed with real-life people and situations. The many side characters were given unique personalities and treated with loving-care. After finishing it I had not one, but TWO, sob-fests. I wondered how these people could play with something so precious as love? We see this in kdramas ALL THE TIME, but Alone in Love truly made this real for me. I vowed be honest in love and to risk being rejected like a moldy doughnut. By the way, I did get a good ending :)

Original post here.

So how would I like being rejected like a moldy doughnut? I don't know. It sounds kinda comical, I might give it a try in the future. :)

December Letters: Sheena

2011-12-27T23:52:00.000-08:00

Dear Sheena,

The time when were pen pals seems so long ago. It's been over a decade when I began to look to you for advice, guidance and stories of how it is to immigrate and assimilate. Leaving the comforts of Pisay and entering an American high school had looked so daunting. But you did it with the same grace and brilliance by which you had taken our own Pisay. I wanted to learn and emulate.

Thank you for your friendship. Those wonderful letters were treasures to me. I gobbled up every anecdote because I knew I would encounter similar situations some time later. Thank you for teaching me the right terms like bathroom instead of C.R., and even orienting me to the school times of typical high schools. You were a big help.

I heard that you are married now. And I guess, so are a lot of our former classmates. Now, we're on new chapters of our lives. I have other mentors nowadays, and I just wanted you to know that for a time, I considered you a mentor in my life.

Thanks---

December Letters: Ate Tetchie

2011-12-15T10:38:00.000-08:00

Dear Ate Tetchie,

I just read this article by a documentary filmmaker about her new project reconstructing a life. She had read in the newspaper about a woman whose body was discovered three years after she had died. She was so disturbed that no one remembered the woman, even if all her friends later recalled her to be bubbly and full of life.

It's quite disturbing that in this super-connected wired world, people can still slip through the cracks and be forgotten. It hits a nerve with me because I've had so many times when a person's name comes to me, and I don't do anything in order to get in touch. So many times, I remember you and the time I lived in your house during high school, but I've only connected with you a couple of times on Friendster.

Are you well? Do you have your own family now? Are you still in architecture? Do you still follow Jessica Zafra?

I still have my tattered copy of the Twisted Menace. Every time I crack it open, I think of you and our obsession with her snarkily brilliant writing. When she submitted a picture she took to the Hot Guys Reading Books tumblr, I squealed. I also imagined the squealing if we'd browsed the blog together.

I miss talking and squealing with you. I miss your beautiful handwriting. I remember when I copied how you did your small a's, and I did all my notes and letters and journal writing with the stylized a's. I think you also taught me how you did your small s's.

Do you still write the same way? I write differently now as time has seen my cursive deteriorate. I'm a bit hypocritical, 'no? For imagining that things would remain the same when I haven't. In some ways, I've changed, but I hope you'd still recognize the same old me.

Yours---

December Letters: Cookie

2011-12-14T09:03:00.001-08:00

Dear Cookie,

Where have you been? Are you on Facebook? On Twitter? Do you keep a blog?

I look back to sophomore year at Pisay, and I can almost hear your laugh and you telling your silly stories. You and Annie and I, we had adventures, right? How many times did we move boarding houses? Did you ever master the guitar? What do you remember of the time the news of Princess Diana's death broke out? Do you remember how creepy the doorbell at the boarding house was?

I don't really remember much of the past. My memories are sketchy. Maybe they've always been this way. I'm also afraid that I might have made up many remembrances, and that they'd be debunked by you and Annie. But I am right in recalling that we had been great friends, right? It would be bad if I actually hadn't been a good friend to you and completely forgot that part of my life.

Are you married with kids now? Are you even still in the Philippines? Did I ever tell you that my sister had a crush on your younger brother? (I can almost hear her screech at me now!) She had always made fun of your nickname, of how it isn't appropriate for a guy. But I think it suited you.

It's really been a while, but thank you for the lost memories---

December Letters: Cres Ann

2011-12-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Cres Ann,

How have you been? I hope your health is better than when we last talked. That was ages ago and I've lost our only point of contact: Friendster.

You and Annie and I had grown up together and even have younger siblings of similar ages. LIDE seems like such a long time ago, doesn't it? After being in the same cohort since prep until sixth grade, we took tests, passed exams and prepared to leave LIDE's comfortable environment and try Pisay. Our ways diverged, though, because you earned well-deserved top scores during the placements.

I've never asked you this, but what went into the decision to go to Pisay-Diliman instead of Pisay-Palo? How did you and your family discuss it? Was it hard on your Mama?

I look back on my own decision to enter Pisay, and it really was entirely my decision. Although I prayed about it, more or less, I went ahead on my own terms. I don't regret the experience, but I see a pattern in how I'd come to many of my decisions as a young person. It is sad to note that there have been times when instead of seeking my parents' counsel, I've gone on and dragged them along. Thank God, He is mercifully guiding me and using me despite my mistakes.

I long to catch up with you. Annie and I are active on twitter. I wish I'd see you there.

Yours--

December Letters: Three Teachers

2011-12-12T23:07:00.000-08:00

I wasn't able to write on Saturday and Sunday, but luckily all three recipients including Monday's have been my teachers. So now there's a theme for today's group of letters. Yay! Thank you, Uncle Athan, Miss Creer and Mrs. Tacmo.

December Letters: Mrs. Tacmo

2011-12-12T23:06:00.001-08:00

Dear Mrs. Tacmo,

The proper thing would be to write this longhand, scan it and upload it. But that would only show how far from ideal my handwriting has fallen.

I write this letter, because whenever I think of letters, I think of your graceful flowing script. I've always thought, "That's the way to write." Of course, the content of the letter matters a lot, but a refined presentation is important too. It's like a frame to show off the content.

How hard was it to be the adviser of all of the graduating sixth graders? I'm sure we were a handful. Did it break your heart to see us graduation with neither a valedictorian nor salutatorian? Interestingly, my high school batch at Pisay didn't have those either.

I'm sure people wrote us off. How could a class not have at least one genius? How could a class not have a first honor? We might not have earned grades good enough to be presented in the usual manner, but I think we were made of the right stuff. Thank you for encouraging us to live up to our potentials.

Sincerely---

December Letters: Miss Creer

2011-12-12T22:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Miss Creer,

One person is single-handedly responsible for the way I now pronounce my name. It is not my parents, who gave me a combo name. And contrary to what some people believe, I didn't just make it up.

Sometime in 5th grade on an out-of-town trip with my best friends for a school paper writing competition, I got an enduring lesson in names. My name is not supposed to be pronounced Fee-Gail, but Feh (pause) Gail.

It was life-changing. I left LIDE thinking I had one name; I returned bearing two first names.

It was huge, because it meant I could drop one name and use the other! Immediately I went to my parents and corrected them. I began signing letters with only my second name. A year later, I left for a new town and entered high school saying, "Hi! I'm Gail. Nice to meet you."

Now, the haughtiness that made me dare admonish my parents was entirely mine. But I have you to thank for opening my eyes to the wonderful fact that people can own names, instead of the other way around.

Thank you, Ma'am, for taking me on that trip. I had a great time learning the writing craft and bonding with you and Mandy and Yvette and Caesar. Your passion for the English languages had been infectious, and I still got the writing bug. That thing about my name was only a bonus.

Gratefully yours--

December Letters: Uncle Athan

2011-12-12T22:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Uncle Athan,

You may not be a teacher by profession, but you definitely have, as Dave Ramsey would say, a heart of a teacher. You've taught me and my siblings so much--how to read text written or held upside down, what AIDS stands for, the nutrition values of vegetables, how to replace broken car headlights among many things.

I appreciate how you take the time to understand how kids unpack and analyze new information. You answer our questions as you ask some of your own. You have always encouraged us to think harder and quicker and smarter. For some people, your method can be intimidating, but for me and my siblings, at least, it was incisive. Here was an adult who fielded our questions as if they had come from another adult. We weren't allowed to settle into an easy explanation. If it were too easy, we were taught to be mindful that it could be a joke.

For appreciating what we kids bring to the table, I thank you. I remember that you are not above telling us that you are wrong, or that we managed to change your perspective, or that we challenged you to be more gracious and forgiving of others. There are so many specific things you have generously shared with us, like your current favorite song, or your famous ngohiong, or stories of your adventurous conversation with foreign language-speaking friends, or lengthy discussions about Dave Ramsey's financial advice, or stories of you and your siblings, or the warmth of your homes. I am grateful to you for stretching my mind and imagination.

We will always fondly remember the time we first heard Nelly's Hot in Herre. You have always been a cool uncle.

Love--

December Letters: J

2011-12-09T15:30:00.001-08:00

Dear J,

It's awfully awkward to be writing to you, but one of the few vivid childhood memories I have concern you. I don't think I've properly apologized for it. First, because I'm a coward. Second, because it happened long ago, I thought I was in the right, and I wanted time to pass by. Little had I known, you'd became the first in a long line of crushes that fit the same mold. You, of course, do not know this. I think all this time, you believe that I hated you, that is, if you even have the time to think of me.

But I'd like to say I'm sorry. For that time in 3rd grade, while waiting for class to begin. We were seatmates, and I was engrossed in whatever I was doing, reading most likely. Other people were loud and talking and laughing. But you did something that irritated me. You said something, I can't remember what now. Really, what was it that made me so mad that I went ahead and slapped you hard across the cheek? I left an imprint of my hand on your face, and I shocked our classmates to silence. I sat down in my chair and went on with my reading.

Apparently, I shocked another person as well: our future 4th grade Math teacher. She was rounding out a corner in the lobby and happened to glimpse the scene through the open classroom door. She did not do what other teachers would have done in the same situation. Instead of taking us aside and finding out what's going on, she walked on and never said anything to me. It was only through a conversation with another teacher that she breathed out the reason why I grated on her nerves: I had slapped her favorite. So she tried to have my grades reflect how imprudently I had behaved.

The scene and that conversation are so vivid in my head that I wonder if I made it up. It seems too dramatic that even my dramatic self cannot believe it.

I haven't confirmed this with any of my friends, because I was afraid that people would find out that after that incident, I grew to like you. Yeah, I had it bad and backwards.

Whether the story is real or not, I'm still sorry to you. Sorry for being snotty all the years we've been in school together. We could have been great friends, I think. But I was afraid that you'd find out I liked you, and that we'd be teased endlessly. Kids can be so merciless.

I wish you and your family God's blessings this Christmas.

Sincerely---

December Letters: Ate Elea

2011-12-08T14:27:00.001-08:00

Dear Ate E,

I hesitate in writing this letter-- this very public letter that is addressed to you, a private person. I haven't written to you in a long time. My last snail mail was years ago; my last email was last month.

But you were the first person that came to mind when I thought back to 1992. I think that was the time when we started writing to each other, after the reunion in Manila. Am I remembering correctly? All my letters from before we came to the States were buried in a time capsule at my old house. I didn't imagine that the place would basically be off-limits to me in the future, when I'd attempt to dig it up. Anyway, I wasn't very consistent in my writing, and this letter project is basically an attempt to write again.

So now we're here, and I don't know what to write. Well, I do know what I want to talk about, but again I hesitate. Do I write what I came here to write? Or do I talk without really talking, and speak without really speaking?

How do I say what I really want to say without sounding like I'm judging you? How do I plead with you without hurting you? It's impossible, but I have to try. You have to believe me when I insist that I say this because I love you. People say that the opposite of love is not hatred, but indifference. I don't want to be indifferent.

While I wish for your happiness, I want God's joy instead. Happiness doesn't last, but God's joy doesn't end. In most cases, though, the choice is between these two.

I realize that I am in no position to do this, but I beg you. Please live your life for God's joy. Not for anyone else. Not for your happiness. Not for your satisfaction. Not for us. Not for your Mommy. Not for your family. Not for your boyfriend. Not for yourself, but for God.

You heard me beg this of your brother, too, the last time we were all at your parents' house. It is because when you live for God to be pleased, you'll be surprised to find that your happiness is there, too.

What do I mean exactly? I mean to truly examine your choices in life: is it pleasing to God for this to happen? Do not look at the present, and at how happy you are right now. But consider the future. Is it a future that has God in it?

I'm guilty of this. I say I love God with all my heart, and that I want to follow Him. But if I look at my decisions, I couldn't answer the question: How is God glorified, magnified, praised in that? I am always selfish, and it is only when people who love me correct and rebuke me do I see that very clearly. Ang kasaba dili lang cake, pagmahal sad na.

We can argue about specifics and situations in great details, but the most important thing is the big picture. How is God pleased in what we're saying, doing and choosing? Please consider it and act accordingly.

I miss you in more ways than one---

December Letters: Julie Ann

2011-12-07T14:45:00.001-08:00

Dear Julie Ann,

When we graduated from Prep at LLC, my mother didn't know that it was you who took first honors. I had been going on and on about Mai-Mai the entire year. According to my mother, I was like, "Mai-Mai did this... Mai-Mai got a perfect score on the test... Mai-Mai is so good at this." But Mama tells me that she was surprised that Mai-Mai didn't finish first, and that instead you got the gold medal as the best student of the prep class. And she was surprised I was second.

We were six so I don't remember any of this. I don't even know who else was in the top 5. I also don't remember what your mom read during the part of the graduation ceremony for the parent of the first honor. Neither can I recall what my father read during his part. Were they talking about the dreams they have for us? Were they sharing about what we learned that past year?

I can't recall no matter how hard I try.

Lately, I find myself asking people, "Do you remember?" I see myself scratching at the air and coming up empty handed. Is my mind deteriorating already? Is that why I don't remember things I should remember from my own past?

Do I want you to answer me and say that you are in the same situation? Part of me thinks that will make me feel better about the present because people my age do not really remember what happened when they were six. Or do I want you to fill me in on the details? I'd love to laugh at all our grade school antics as we catch up.

Or maybe we can just reconnect and talk about what's going on right now in our lives.

It's really been a while---

Lenny Conundrum

2011-12-07T13:41:00.000-08:00

I won! *happy dance*

Dear Faye,

Congratulations! You have guessed correctly in the Lenny Conundrum game (round 431). You have won 1308 NP!

Because you were in the first 250 to guess correctly, you also have been awarded a Virtupets Energy Sabre, and receive a trophy and the Lenny Conundrum avatar!

Yours Sincerely,
The Neopets Team!

December Letters: Ate Flory

2011-12-06T13:52:00.001-08:00

Dear Ate Flory,

How many of your students remember that they went to your class? I remember because of two reasons, one of which may be a made-up memory.

I know I was in your class at Holy Infant Day Care Center because your older sister tells me. Mommy Myrns, who is my godmother and one of Mama's closest friends, put me and my friends up at a little pension house when we came home to visit.

The other reason I think I was in your class, is because in my memory of the time I was stabbed in the eye with a classmate's pencil, you were there and brought my crying self home to my mother. Is that my own personal memory? My face doesn't bear a mark from that incident--only by the grace of God. I don't remember the pain nor the sting of my mother's rebuke. Details from that event are filled in by my mother, from you presumably. Did I thank you for bringing me home? Did I apologize to my classmate? Mama is sure I had brought it on by stabbing another classmate on his arm.

Did I ever tell you that for two years after college, I taught at a daycare center? When I left, I received a scrapbook of photos and greetings from parents and children and teachers. I then spent a few months building on that scrapbook and remembering my little ones. I had one-year-olds and two-year-olds and even got to spend time with the 3-month-olds. After they moved up a class, they would scream my name at the top of the stairs everytime they see me. Or they would stop playing and give me hugs at the playground.

They must be in first grade or second grade by now. I wonder if they remember me at all. Probably not. None of them had a traumatic experience in my care. None of their parents are my best friends.

There must have been difficult times for you in your years of teaching. I know, my difficult times became too much to bear, and I left. I guess, I just want to say, I am grateful to you for loving me and my classmates and for not giving up on us. Some of my classmates are now doctors, moms, dads, lawyers. They may not remember, but you had a big influence on us.

Thank you--

December Letters: Fritzie

2011-12-05T14:55:00.001-08:00

Dearest Che-che,

One day long time ago, I asked of you this particularly selfish
request: Don't marry my crush! It was meant as a joke. At that time, I
didn't really consider its implications. I just said it in jest.

Now, it bothers me. It is a statement that could easily be restated
as, "If I can't have him, no one can." Was that really how I felt? Is
it a case of "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks"?

Whyever should I forbid you from appreciating and valuing my crush?
You, of all people, know that I don't crush easily. Oh, I exclaim and
carry on about the physical attractiveness of a great many guys. But
to me, the definition of a crush is much deeper. It means I've
evaluated a guy based on a combination of his appearance, brilliance
at his craft, intelligence and maturity of his Christian faith. As
such, there is only a handful of crushes.

This year, God allowed my eyes to be opened to the right kind of man
to marry. I almost forced you to read Voddie Baucham's "What He Must
Be... if He Wants to Marry My Daughter." But it is only one book that
God used this year. I long to influence you to think the same way-- to
value the right kind of man for a Christian lady: a Biblically
qualified godly man.

Now, not all of my handful of crushes fit this ideal. But as Mr.
Baucham said in his book, the right kind of man can be built. Say, if
one of these crushes are properly mentored, discipled and become the
right kind of man, who am I to give (even if only in my imagination)
another Christian lady a reason to avoid marrying him?

It is in this that I was mistaken in my joke to you. I abhor the idea
of you marrying a godless man, or even a nominal Christian who is
unwilling to take on the responsibility and honor of being the head of
a Christian household. Marrying that kind of person would be a
tragedy.

I'm sorry for the joke. I pray that God will raise up Biblically
qualified godly men for the glory of His kingdom. When you marry one
of these, I will receive that news with joy.

We still haven't gotten used to saying this, but today I write, I love you---
XOXO

I'm Going Crazy...

2011-12-05T11:16:00.001-08:00

... my work computer monitor flickers on and off every second. It's so
hard to do work at other people's station. Ugh.

Well, what does the Lord want me to learn today...

December Letters: Fergus

2011-12-04T22:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Dodong,

"Where's my Dodong?" and "Dodong!" are always said in opposite tones. One is said in the tone of a concerned older sister in certain situations; the other in the tone of a concerned older sister in other situations. I will always look for you. I will always make sure that you are in my radar. Not because I don't trust you, but because siblings in this family are always expected to look after each other.

I may say "I don't care!" so flippantly that you wonder if I truly love you. But I only say that to tease you. I will always think of you as my gopher. I would always yell "Dodong!" for each and every little thing. But I praise the Lord how you are turning out to be so capable, responsible and responsive to your sisters' meddling in your clothing choices, school projects, chores etc. I appreciate you seeking and valuing our often infuriating opinions. Thank you for always considering our points of view. I am, most certainly, aware of the incredible blessing we have in you, especially in how you allow yourself to be reachable and accessible to us, your meddling sisters.

In this season of your singlehood, it is important that you seek God foremost as you pursue your lifetime partner. That may sound contradictory, but it is Biblical. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. Your marriage must be seen as a ministry and another avenue, just like your art, to give glory to God. If that won't be the case, it is best not to marry.

In all things, pursue God's truth. Don't settle for good enough in your craft or in your teaching. Ask yourself, "Whom is this for?"

When I look back, I remember the little boy who got a lot of kusi from me. I was strict because I was given orders to be strict from our parents. I expected a lot from you, because I knew that you would rise to it. We'd argue and fight about it, but I trust that you would do the right thing.

I wish for you to live for the Lord completely because He is good and true.

I love you--
XOXO

December Letters: Faith

2011-12-03T23:57:00.000-08:00

My dearest Faith,

People say that they do not learn to appreciate their sisters until they're grown. It's the same case with me. As a child, I didn't appreciate your young self biting me. Did you ever use words instead of your teeth? My fingers had always been your victims, and I was glad that Papa soon put an end to all that, by way of hot peppers to your angry mouth.

I didn't appreciate having to be dressed in matching clothes-- you in your pinks and I in my greens. Or was it you in your yellows and I in my pinks? I don't remember exactly; I can't remember exactly. But Mama made us matchy-matchy.

I didn't appreciate us reversing roles. Since when were you the ate? Never mind that I often called you ate myself. Ah, it must be during the time I left for Pisay. Were you angry that you suddenly became "firstborn" with all its attendant duties? Or were you secretly rejoicing that you got to boss around the two younger ones?

I didn't appreciate--and often took issue with-- your propensity for silent treatments and cold wars. I hated this:

Me, noticing the sudden cooling of the atmosphere: Are you mad?
You, with pursed lips: No, why should I be?
Me, loudly: No, you're mad.
You, leaving the room: I'm not eating dinner.

I hate that oft-repeated situation. I always want to talk it out and plod through the issue; you want to sleep on it.

But God really knew what He was doing when He created a person so quite unlike me to be my little sister. Who could stand her own against a force of nature? (That would be me as the force of nature, and you fighting against it.) I find myself looking to you for practical advice: How do I apply eyeshadow? Put mascara? Clean the toilet bowl?

I always need your help. People know I have a stylist (and a spare). I mean I won't ever be presentable without your (and Fritzie's) hand in my accessories and clothing choices.

I am grateful to you for honoring our parents with your obedience, loyalty and dependability. It must have been hard on you. You were expected to be responsible and clean the fish for dinner and cook and clean and wash dishes and do laundry and clean up after the cat and feed the dogs and make sure the little ones did their own chores. I know I didn't share the load whenever I was home. I'm grateful and sorry. There were some lessons there that I'm sure I've yet to learn.

As your wedding is coming up soon, I tell myself that I'm not losing you; I'm gaining a brother. You're still going to be around, and we're still going to continue annoying each other. But I'd like to think I appreciate you more now. In the little things, I see a tiny bit of God's prescience in making us sisters.

I love you--

XOXO

December Letters: Nanay Helen

2011-12-02T18:39:00.001-08:00

Dear Nanay Helen,

My Mama insists that I remember you. You of the hazy time that is my first couple of years on earth. She says that you were my first "yaya." That you were so vigilant in keeping me a sweet-smelling baby. Everytime someone took me and kissed me, you would discreetly wipe my face with an ever-ready washcloth as soon as you get me back in your arms.

That I was as close to you as a daughter. That I would try to hide from my mother's wholly appropriate and necessary spankings and go to you. Seeing that, she would say to me, in a voice loud enough for the whole household to hear, "Don't even think of running to your Nanay Helen. I will spank her as hard as I would you." It was not in a threatening tone; it was a declaration. I didn't dare look at you.

Then you got your own family, which is now in crisis, according to my mother. I share your anger at your husband's disloyalty. I am indignant along with you at your children. I pray for continued strength for you.

I never saw you again until a few years ago on a homecoming trip with my whole family. I'm sorry to not have remembered you apart from my mother's stories. However, I have a handful of fond memories of you, and I think that you'd agree that they are enough as they are.

Thank you for caring for me--

I'm such a noob...

2011-12-02T15:39:00.001-08:00

I just spent valuable minutes googling, "What does THIS mean?" and "What do people mean when they say THIS on online forums?" I kept confusing Google.

Until I remembered UrbanDictionary.com

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=this

DUH.

December Letters: Manoy Nonoy

2011-12-01T12:32:00.001-08:00

Dear Manoy Nonoy,

You will be surprised that I'm starting a letter-writing project this hectic month, and probably confused that the first one is addressed to you. You don't read my blog, nor do I know your mailing address. I don't even know if you're on Facebook; I'm not. But those reasons shouldn't become excuses.

I heard that when I was brought home from the hospital, we stopped at your home. How old were you then? I'm embarrassed that I don't even remember what year you were born. I'm sure you're older than Ate Grace. And she's a 1978-er, I think. (Gosh, I'm a bad cousin. To you and to her.)

In any case, I was crying and crying, as if on loudspeaker. And your young self was not used to sharing the attention with another child. My Mama and my Papa, when they come to this part of the story, would go on a tangent--a relevant one--of the time Lolo Ben told you that you would not be able to watch cartoons because he wanted to watch news on your TV in your home. Lolo then gave your parents a warning: If you're not careful, your son will make you kneel at his command.

Anyway, I was crying and crying like a newborn. Then you couldn't stand it anymore, so you turned to your parents and told them, "Ipakaon na siya sa iro. (Feed that thing to the dog!)"

I'm glad your parents had listened to Lolo Ben's warning. Or else, there'd be no me, today. (I can't imagine that my Papa would ever allow his brother to harm his firstborn, but allow me that dramatic sentence for today.)

I remember that story, because it is only one of the few memories and stories I have of you. We just didn't spend enough time together growing up.

But I have a much recent memory of after-dinner conversations with you, Mama Mansuet, Papa Sergs and Ate Nono talking about all things under the sun: politics, weather patterns, educational systems etc. Your career choice of English teaching warms my heart. Even after years of not knowing much about you, the things I know of you are familiar, familial. The apple does not really fall too far from the ancestral tree.

God's blessings to you as you work hard at being a good son to Mama Mansuet and Papa Sergs, good husband to Ate Nono, a good brother and a good father. May your studies bring you closer to a more real and a personal relationship to Jesus Christ.

I hope I've stopped being your annoying cousin---

Tweet Overshare Overflow

2011-11-30T14:30:00.001-08:00

I feel like I'm flooding my own twitter account. Some days I'd have nothing to say. Re-tweets or @replies may be my only activity. Weekends are when I'm not by a computer. It's mostly family time, and I almost never feel like tweeting because I could just tell my family face-to-face.

And then there are days like today, where I'm all over @replying, RT-ing (re-tweeting), MT-ing (modified tweeting), PRT-ing (partially re-tweeting) and plain ol' tweeting. It's exhausting. It can seem like I've overshared. About what? Mostly fangirly spazzing with hashtags that each come with a story of their own: #ComeToNoona, #theHardestEver

So what do I do? Head to my OWN blog and overshare some more. Or gripe about oversharing. That's the superconnected life, pretty much.

Reminder to self: You also have a secret tumblr specifically for spazzing. What are you doing here?!?

ITWY Episode 10 thoughts

2011-11-21T02:15:00.000-08:00

What the heck am I doing?! I have work, and I'm still up watching In Time With You episode 10 without English subtitles. I'm crying and rocking myself. :(

Although I cry in sympathy for Da Ren, it drives me crazy that he didn't use wisely the 5 years without Li Wei in the picture. Now You Qing is back in Li Wei's disgustingly tattooed arms. Of course, I don't want Da Ren to break up the relationship. And it kills me.

Ugh, You Qing! Girl, you don't know what a treasure you have in Da Ren. I am starting to think you won't ever deserve him. How could you ever think that controlling, manipulating Li Wei with his anger management issues better than supportive, loving, gentle Da Ren with his songwriting abilities?!

I hate that this episode ended with Maggie's bombshell, which had been hinted at in last week's preview. Are you wasting my Sundays, Show? Today's preview shows a hysterical You Qing running toward and hugging an injured Li Wei. And Da Ren is visibly upset and possibly crying at that scene. That made me sob! Does that mean that You Qing was able to sway Da Ren from leaving for Singapore? Argh.

I hate not being able to marathon dramas. It's so upsetting when the resolution is months away instead of hours away. :(

Favorite character this week: Maggie - She speaks truth that the OTP needs to deal with ASAP.

Least favorite character this week: You Qing - She will continue to be my least favorite as long as Li Wei is in her life and Da Ren is depressed.

Hated character: Li Wei

This is the True Love I Seek

2011-11-17T11:07:00.001-08:00

"True love doesn't require positive results or receipts for the good it does. True love does not balk at great inconvenience, personal sacrifice, or humbling circumstances. It is not dissatisfied when its gifts are not publicly recognized or applauded. Rather, true love delights in such opportunities to give and receive nothing in return, for such actions are truly born out of love and are done unto God and not merely men."
- McKenzie Thompson, Central Asia Team

http://ug.simpsonu.edu/Pages/SpiritualLife/Missions.htm

2011-11-14T17:21:00.001-08:00

Why does my heart feel like it's going to get broken soon? It is all sorts of jittery and physically painful. Like a low electrical jolt, but it doesn't go away and it lingers.

I hope it's not a medical or anatomical or physiological issue. I hope it is just a DaRen and YouQing effect.

Gah, that drama affects me real bad. I mean, if I put together all the words I wrote about it, I could probably be on pace to go 50,000 words. hehehe. Maybe my NaNoWriMo project should be hijacked by the DR-YQ romance, then I would have a chance to win.

----

Happy birthday, Che. You are the best maknae ever!

Confess, you sad puppy!

2011-10-31T13:09:00.001-07:00

Aigoo! Not long into the 7th episode of In Time With You, I already am feeling sorrowful for Li Da Ren. Eh, this puppy. It's your fault that You Qing is still suffering through flowery overtures from the annoying Li Wei. Confess already! And make amends! And woo her! And win her!

Aiyoh! The whole world knows they're meant to get married, and they're still circling each other, content to hold on to decade-old mutter to "save" a friendship. Puppy, a Friendship can co-exist with Charity. Yep, I just read C.S. Lewis's "The Four Loves." I know what I'm talking about.

2011-10-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

There's this person I love, and his name is .......

Makes You Wish You Can Dance

2011-10-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

You know how some people's dancing can make you wish you can dance? I feel that way about Chris Koo, who joined a contest in Korea as the male CL. If you follow me on twitter, you'd know how much I stan 2ne1's CL. She's talented, awesome and beautiful inside and out. She's included in my prayers, as if she's my sister. Lee Chae Rin is my bias, and I get really offended when jealous people talk smack about her.

Anyhoo (long aside there!), Chris Koo has a youtube account, where he posts his dance covers of Kpop songs including those of 2ne1, Lee Hyori, Miss A, and Se7en. He hits his moves very hard and has the kind of innate musicality that you don't see in other dance covers on youtube.

I just love Hyori's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (not related to the American musical film). It's so fierce, and I'm sad I never finished learning this. Seeing Chris Koo tear this up inspires me to try again.

Observe and subscribe!

Here is the original MV by Hyori.

And here is a step-by-step dance tutorial Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4. I love this lady's work and method. The video is taken in front of a mirror from a spot behind her and at an angle that makes it so easy to follow along. It's like you're at a dance class.

Then here's Chris Koo dancing 2ne1's I am the Best. I love his shoes!

And here's the Fierce Four's dance practice. CL opens the song. Bom sings first verse. Dara sings second verse. And Minzy sings after CL sings again. Billion dollar babies!

I dare you to sing this song when you are down and sad.

What Am I Doing?!

2011-10-16T02:57:00.000-07:00

I'm still up at dawn, crying while watching Cheng You Qing and Li Da Ren in the drama In Time With You. T.T

A False Sense of Security

2011-10-07T12:16:00.001-07:00

Seeing no comments on my blog posts is creating a false sense of anonymity and invisibility. It's making me feel like I can write anything with no consequences because no one is really reading. But as I remind myself, that the interwebs do not forget. Nothing is forgotten. So I should still continue to be careful and thoughtful of what I put online. I should be vigilant with my "personal brand." Otherwise, it would most likely be tightly connected to crazy fangirl raves about handsome boys. Totally not what I would like to project of my brand all the time.

I Will Be There - The Count of Monte Cristo

2011-10-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to this song over and over and over in the span of 2 hours. Wow. I've heard it in different versions: English and several in Korean.

Eom Ki Joon!!!

Shin Sung Rok!! Omaigash, I've never thought him hot, but he's all so smexy here. All tall and lean and SINGING! I'm slain by him in this video.

OMG. This is such a legit duet. I wanna sing this!!! With Shin Sung Rok! Or Eom Ki Joon!!

Imma hunt for the musical's cast recording from the library.

/end fangirl rave

P.S. I guess there's no cast recording in my library. There are 3 recordings including the Korean cast with alternate versions of "I Will Be There". Omaigat, maybe I'll get that one? /squeee [wiki link]

P.P.S. Oh noes, it's $25!! Argh, why do I always see things to buy when I'm broke and all budgeted out?! [yesasia link]

P.P.P.S. English lyrics here. Credit to allmusicals.com

EDMOND:
In the light that falls at moonrise
In the rhythm of the rain
In the miracle of ordinary days
In the hush of night I will be in the whisper of lovers
Everywhere, you will find me there

In the rustle of a curtain
In the bustle of the world
In a thousand little unexpected ways
When you lift your gaze I will be like the shimmer of one small star
Out there, shining everywhere

I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall
So close your eyes, remember my embrace
I will be there like mercy; I will find you through it all
This do I swear, I will be there

MERCÉDÈS:
In a language never spoken
Live the promises we’ve made
In the endless love that owned me heart and soul
In the certainty I will always be true
And as near as my next prayer, you will find me there

In the echo of the ocean
In the hunting of the wind
In mysterious extraordinary ways
Through the darkest sky I will be like the shimmer of one small star
Out there, shining everywhere

I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall
So close your eyes, remember my embrace
I will be there like freedom; I will find you through it all
This do I swear, I will be there

In the harbor quarter

EDMOND:
In the stone and mortar

BOTH:
In the star that we both share

MERCÉDÈS:
In the sound of laughter

EDMOND:
Now and ever after

BOTH:
Look for me, I will be there

I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall
So close your eyes

EDMOND:
Remember my embrace
I will be there

MERCÉDÈS:
Remember my embrace
Yes, will be there

BOTH:
like justness; I will find you through it all

EDMOND:
This do I swear, I will be there

MERCÉDÈS:
This do I swear, I will be there

BOTH:
This do I swear, I will be there

Bye for Now, Dynamic Views

2011-10-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

I switched from Blogger's Dynamic Views, because I miss my widgets. I like the user-friendliness of DV, but the additional info using widgets were lost. I wonder if Blogger has plans for the widgets to work with DV. Anyone?

You can preview any blogspot blog in Dynamic Views by using the tool in the middle of this official google blog post. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/dynamic-views-seven-new-ways-to-share.html

Hives by Kimchee?

2011-09-27T15:38:00.001-07:00

Is there a chance that my hives/rash are brought on by eating kimchee? Say it ain't so. I really don't know what went into my favorite kimchee I bought at the teriyaki store.

Dreams are Wishes and Wishes are Dreams

2011-09-26T11:15:00.001-07:00

I dreamed of my friend this morning. She's settling in for a year of graduate school in Italy, and looking for a roommate and killer heeled booties.

She tells me my dream is partially true: she's found roommates and ballet flats.

I'm praying for her safety, health and blessings there. I can't wait to hear her stories in person when she comes home in December. Yay!

She blogs at: ymbaygmat.tumblr.com

2011-09-23T15:19:00.001-07:00

I need a vacation from people. I don't want to see anyone, talk to anyone, or listen to anyone. I don't care about anyone's life right now. I need to go back to my cave and reflect first. Then I can try to deal with your issues.

A TOP Kind of Dream

2011-09-16T12:31:00.001-07:00

A few nights ago, I had a memorable dream. I was in a parking lot somewhere waiting for someone. There were lots of other people there, and we were milling about outside our cars. I was standing around with someone I know, but now I cannot remember who it was.

Suddenly a big commotion happened. The someone I've been waiting for had arrived. It turns out this someone was whom everybody else had been waiting for. We all surged towards a point a few cars away from my car.

Dreams are surreal, and things that are impossible in real life become spectacularly possible. Although I'm short, I was able to see over the top of people's heads to the VIP, as if I levitated and took in a panoramic before my eyes zoomed into the VIP's face.

I called out his name. "TOP!" It's his stage name, and in the dream I knew his real name, of course.

He heard me over the din of the crowd, and moved swiftly towards my car. I opened the truck, and suddenly he was standing right there. The crowd gathered around us, maintaining a distance, but I felt that in an instant, the people would pounce and we would be swallowed.

"Tabi!!" I cried out and hugged his midsection. I might have levitated spectacularly moments ago, but in the dream, I still remained short. His tall self enveloped me in recognition. Then, with a few deft moves, he folded his tall self into the trunk of my car.

"Tabiii!" I cried into the trunk, my arms outstretched to TOP. Suddenly, the trunk of my little Corolla became cavernous.

Right after I closed the trunk, the fangirls swarmed at me, screaming. It was horrific. I felt my breath choking off.

And then I and the car vanished.

I then, woke up, shaking my head. Aish, TOP isn't even my type.

---

TOP is a rapper of Korean idol group, Big Bang. Check out the album of the GD&TOP collaboration. It's all kinds of awesome.

Feeling Crafty

2011-09-16T11:45:00.001-07:00

My younger sister was cleaning, and found some yarn from a previous knitting project. She figured she's make another attempt at a scarf for the coming winter. But she soon realized she had already forgotten how to cast on, and to knit and to purl. Otoke?

Youtube came to the rescue. There are plenty of how-to videos of the different ways you can position your hands to cast on. They proved helpful, and away she goes.

A picture of my sister's efforts would be nice to include here, and I would, if I could.

Her hardwork is inspiring me to try to knit something (a long thin scarf most likely) as part of my "Home Ec" subject in my homeschool of one student (me). See previous post. Right now, that subject is basically all about filing import ant mail, shredding junk mail, looking up Korean cooking websites, convincing my mother to teach me how to use her sewing machine etc, but it's not like I have a syllabus to follow. I just set that time aside for home stuff, which might end up as "time when I did nothing." Very disheartening, but I will give some thought to this, and hopefully come up with a structured game plan.

School Envy

2011-09-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

This post is brought to you by several school-envious tweets on my timeline today.

I miss school once in a while, especially when September rolls around. Or when I look at my old books. Or when my ears discern Japanese or Korean being spoken, and I cannot understand, I realize that I haven't studied enough. Or when another good piano piece comes on.

Well, school just started in my local school district, and colleges in my area will soon open for the fall quarter. I should take this chance to "go back to school." I can work my schedule so I get 1 lesson per week in my 2 language books and in my piano book. I should go add PE and Home Economics as subjects, too.

I'm getting excited. But that excitement is tempered by pausing to remember my track record. I've always liked making schedules, but I'm not very good at keeping them. Still onward with the plan, but proceeding with caution.

This Little Thing Called WANT

2011-09-07T16:00:00.001-07:00

Whenever I'm at work, the WANT to watch Korean dramas strike very hard. I get so tempted to re-activate my Tigercinema rental account, and/or sign-up for a Cinflix account. I don't even know what to watch, and here I am plotting when to sit down and marathon a couple of dramas.

Sigh. This WANT intensifies when I have no money. I really miss my G-SLATE.

In a QUEEN-ly Mood

2011-09-06T11:44:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the Google Doodle in honor of what would have been QUEEN's Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday, I'm singing QUEEN songs in my head. Heehee.

And now, I want to re-watch the KimuTaku drama PRIDE again so I can singalong, "I was born to love youuuu"

heehee.

No More Gail-Slate

2011-08-30T14:05:00.001-07:00

I didn't even get the chance to post my review of the LG G-Slate by Google, and someone already stole it. Thieves smashed my front passenger car window and snatched my backpack and lunchbag. They must have seen me put it in my bag before leaving it in the car (stupid!) and heading for a short 10-minute stop at the library. Well, it was long enough for the thieves.

It's a long story that has been filed with the police. I hope the police will catch those criminals. The goons have been targetting parking lots. Be warned.

So, now I'm left with memories of my toy, which served me as best as it could in the short time we had together. Huhuhu. And I'm also left with the remainder of the 2-year contract with T-Mobile for the Slate. I know agreements are agreements, but when one party treats the other unreasonably, namecalling happens, natch. So, I say they're bullies for wanting me to keep paying for a data service I cannot possibly use for 19 more months! I am broke now, so I cannot break off the contract immediately. But I will scrape up the $200, T-Mobile, and I will cancel. I will also tell anybody who will listen to scrutinize any contract with a bully.

It's been an expensive lesson. Praise God, He has kept me physically safe and is seeing me through this trial. Everyday, I tell myself: They were only things. I can replace them. I shall not hate.

치! 내가 봉이냐!!

2011-08-25T17:45:00.001-07:00

If you keep ignoring me and my emails, I will stop giving you any attention. I will not spare you any thought. PUNK!

Currently Reading: Apologists, an atheist and a controversial pastor

2011-06-29T16:29:00.001-07:00

I just started reading "God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" by Christopher Hitchens. Concurrently, I'm reading and, not surprisingly, enjoying "Who Made God?: And Answers to Over 100 Other Tough Questions of Faith" edited by Ravi Zacharias and Norman Geisler. Also waiting in the wings is Rob Bell's "Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived."

I only have a short amount of time to finish the three books (by mid July) before the library imposes fines on my slacker butt. So, I haven't been going crazy note-taking and writing response essays. I'm just reading.

Maybe--or maybe not--I can get a few thoughts recorded on the blog. I feel I can't afford to take the Christology question lightly. And it is very sobering to see other people not take it seriously. With Mr. Hitchen's cancer illness, I feel it's all the more paramount. We don't share the same beliefs, so I hope he sees and chooses Christ ultimately.

2011-06-19T19:06:00.001-07:00

Who am I kidding?

I love you. I love you. I love you.

I Hope You Re-read My Letter

2011-05-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

I hope you do. I hope you read it multiple times. Today. Tomorrow. Next week. Next month. Next year. Ten years from now.

It took me awhile to craft my letter. I prayed and prayed, pleaded with and cried out to God. When I woke up, the words were swirling in my head. I poured out my heart into my letter. And I asked you if you felt my heart in it.

But it seemed like you didn't get it. Your response letter was scrawled and incomprehensible. We are communicating through thick glass plus mist and inert gas.

How could it be possible that you don't sense my desperation? How could you so flippantly tell me not to worry about you? How could you say you're accomplished as if that would make things okay?

I will not give up on you. I pray for you unceasingly. I refuse to believe that you are lost to us. Family does not give up on family.

I will wait for when you will understand the fullness and depth of the heart that I put on that page. We are all prodigal sons of various degrees. But when you come back, like you've done so before, I do not believe my joy will be equal to His. Come back to us, please.

Still Waiting...

2011-04-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

For my new toy. Uh, T-mobile, you emailed me to say that it shipped on April 27th and that it's activated with my new number. Well, first, tracking still shows nothing. And since, I had to get it delivered to the billing address, I won't be in to receive it. You should just let people have it delivered to their workplace. So now I have to coordinate to have someone receive it on the day it is expected. When is the ETA? I still don't know.

Secondly, why would you email me about being assigned a number and brag that I have unlimited domestic texts when I know the G-slate cannot receive/send texts. I understand that it doesn't make sense for a "computer" to be able to send SMS. And I can live without text messaging. Hello?! I've been off SMS since I got my phone in 2003. My point is why bother to point out somethings that I don't need to know about because they do not exist?!

Which brings me to the opposite and third point of my rant: why don't you clarify the rules of the mail-in rebate? Is the discount in effect before or after check-out? Don't you get charged for the full amount without the discount? Correct me if I'm wrong. Please. My card just got charged for the amount after the rebate. Will I get billed $100 next month if you don't get my rebate? Or does that mean I get an extra $100 check after you receive my mailed in rebate? 'Cause if that's true, I will let all these be bygones.

In any case, don't be shady and say what you mean. And make sure your phone and chat customer service agent can understand and answer questions like these.

Gail-Slate

2011-04-27T12:28:00.001-07:00

Someone wise once said that buying consumer electronics are not rational decisions. A lot of factors, including the 'cool' factor, go into the process.

Well, I made the jump. I went for broke and ordered my first tablet. For a long time, I've been eyeing a portable internet device for my korean drama habit. I was able to resist, because of the prohibitive no-Flash policy of the iPad. With the advent of the honeycomb OS, I was sorely tempted.

Push came to shove with the $100 discount T-mobile was offering (use code: GSLATE100) that ends today. I mean, who's going to give me $100 to buy a tablet? I was going to wait until my birthday late next month, or Christmas when the frenzy will surely escalate for more improved products. But, LG captured my heart by naming it after myself. I mean, after Google.

So, last night, I forsook my 33rd day of Jillian Michaels's 30-day shred, and planted my toned butt in front of the computer. I ordered the T-Mobile G-Slate last night, and even extended our family plan. I gave you a lot of my loyalty and moolah, T-mobile. Please don't fail me.

Now, I wait till I get my grubby and wet little hands on my new toy. And I remain broke for my birthday month. I sure hope my siblings will still feed me Korean food. Right?

2011-04-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Turns out Postcrossing turned me inactive when I didn't log in for a long while. So I went back, and obtained 2 addresses. I will mail my postcards today, and hopefully I'll get new ones in the mail soon. :)

Happy Easter!

2011-01-21T00:19:00.000-08:00

My band is called hi fLy. And our first album is called "And failure isn't fatal." It is filled with not-so-weepy break-up songs and power anthems. Please take care of us.

Go to wikipedia and hit random. The subject of first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band. 2 - Go to quotationspage.com and hit random. The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album. 3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days.” Third picture no matter what it is, will be your album cover. 4 - Use photoshop or similar (picnik.com is a free online photo editor) to put it all together. 5 - Post it

Photo credit: Lydia Abate's Broken Necklace

Meme credit: Alli Rense's Periscope View

I Am Restless Till I Rest in You

2010-09-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

I love love love Audrey Assad's "Restless." This song speaks to my current season of exhaustion and restlessness. I feel like a lot is asked of me, and I have nothing more to give. And I want to stop to do and just be.

This song, by a Catholic inspired by one of St. Augustine's writings, is just like a balm to my soul. This refreshment and rest she talks about can only be found in the one true River of Life.

My heart sings and will continue to sing because it has found its completion in Jesus. I've seen how God has carried me through different seasons, and He will see me through this exhausting phase.

New Year, New Home

2010-08-31T13:49:00.000-07:00

True, it's already mid-year. And the -ber months are right around the corner. But to me it's a new year because this is my first post of 2010. I just wanna say my family has now moved! So, one of my 101 tasks are now completed.

***will update later when we get our internet back and we're all unpacked.... or not***

The Best of Gifts -- From Our Daily Bread

2009-12-01T13:06:00.000-08:00

Today's devotional from Our Daily Bread helped me de-stress. I'm still thinking of what to get my manita in my extended family's exchange gift. But now, I'm not pulling my hair out again.

The gift ideas below are no-good for the malls or shops. But these will always make for good memories.

Hmm. Can I give all 6 gifts before December ends?

The devotional below was written by Cindy Hess Kasper. You can click on this link to go to the ODB site.
--------------
December 1, 2009
The Best Of Gifts
ODB RADIO: Listen Now DownloadREAD: John 1:10-13

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! —2 Corinthians 9:15

Having trouble selecting that perfect gift for someone? A friend shared with me a few suggestions:
• The gift of listening. No interrupting, no planning your response. Just listening.
• The gift of affection. Being generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, and pats on the back.
• The gift of laughter. Sharing funny stories and jokes. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”
• The gift of a written note. Expressing in a brief, handwritten note your appreciation or affection.
• The gift of a compliment. Sincerely saying, “You look great today” or “You are special” can bring a smile.

But as we begin this special month of celebration, why not pass on the best gift you’ve ever received? Share the fact that “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:23). Or share this verse from John 1:12, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Remind others that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The best gift of all is Jesus Christ. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15). — Cindy Hess Kasper

The greatest Gift that has ever been given
Is Jesus Christ who was sent down from heaven.
This Gift can be yours if you will believe;
Trust Him as Savior, and new life receive. —Hess

The best gift was found in a manger.
--------------------

I don't know what you're going through...

2009-10-20T00:08:00.000-07:00

"You don't know what I'm going through."

--- writing prompt from Toasted Cheese

The funny thing about keeping a blog is that the more active your real life is, the less time you have to update your online journal. My life since July 2009 has not been as hectic as that of most people I know. And I do feel a sort of guilt for not putting even a sentence to tell people that, well, I'm still at it. It's like inviting people to a show, but then the main performer does not show up. Or to a dinner, and the honored guest decides to stay home.

As a stalker... erm, avid reader of blogs (thank you, Google Reader), I feel very concerned when certain strong personalities do not post in a long while. I really do not know what they're going through besides what they choose to share on their pages. Usually, it's just the details of daily life that get in the way. And I'm glad. That means they can always come back when circumstances allow them a chance to breathe. Just like one blogger who just had a medical scare with her very young daughter. I totally understand her need to keep the news to immediate family. Now that she's past her trials, she feels more free to share and joke with her online visitors.

Still, just like my mother, I can't help imagining the worst. I fear that those entertaining and lively voices might have departed our world without a final adieu to us... to me. One day, it occurred. One member of a blog team died so young, doing something he was passionate about, with the ocean waves he loved to ride. His friends haven't fully recovered, but it was very gracious of them to let their readers know. And I really appreciated the gesture.

The shock also has made me contemplate what I would like to happen when I die. I considered writing a future entry that would post at the end of my expected lifespan. But what if I pass on much earlier? Or what if I miscalculate, I forget all about the entry, and it automatically publishes while I'm still alive? That would be hilarious. Well, probably not to family members who would learn of my alleged death while I'm off traveling somewhere.

Or if I choose not to pre-write anything, what kind of memorial would my blog become? After all, my old entries would still be available. What kind of person could be gleaned from them? Would I be recognizable as the child of God that I know I am?

These past few weeks, I've been listening to a lot of BarlowGirl. If you know their music and lyrics, you might have an idea of how they wrestle with issues of faith and identity. I've woken up with their lyrics in my mind, with their songs in my heart. And every time, I go running to the Lord and He holds me.

In "Surrender," which is the song currently in my head, I see reflected my own struggle with dreams I myself had molded and guarded for years. The old saying is true, you can't really receive more if you keep holding tightly to the things in your hands. Surrender, surrender, God whispers so gently.

I think I have made peace with the impossibility of trying to control my future. So whether it's with my dreams or my finally joining my Lord, it's really not up to me anymore. And you know what, I know I'm held securely in His arms.

Heat Wave

2009-07-28T23:49:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have to document this, at least.

We're in the middle of a heat wave. *sigh* The last time, I was out of the country and came back when the heat was bearable. Now, I roast in the office, where the air conditioning unit is puny and the sun beats our thin building in all directions all day long.

The forecast is 101F tomorrow. Dear Lord, please send some cooling wind.

It's Been a While...

2009-07-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

久しぶり。

It really has been a while since I've posted anything online... other than on twitter. Oh, I've been doing drama subs or viewing youtube and been often on Gmail. But I have neglected my little space on blogger.

Finally, I got the blog a new look. It's so simple, I love it. A few tweaks and done. My kinda thing.

Just realized something. This new look on the blog allows me to check off one thing from my 101/1001 list: #67- Get a new design for my blog "Sandalwood & Chamomile"
Should've been so easy, but easy is not easy for me. :D

In Christ Alone

2009-06-01T00:49:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite songs of all time is a modern hymn that describes the life I have gained because of Jesus Christ. Every time I hear it and every time I sing it, my heart grows bigger, and I become humbled, encouraged and emboldened. Indeed, my hope is in Christ alone, and He is my song.

I heard this sung by a choir today. My heart longs for the time when I get to sing with all the believers and the angels in worship of the one true God. I think I was made for that.

In Christ Alone

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

As Miley said, It's the Climb

2009-04-21T22:23:00.000-07:00

My dearest --H,

In a move that highlights just how different we are, you confessed your true feelings to the person you have loved for so long. I, who cower and censor my own feelings so tightly, have always been your polar opposite. But I am very proud and in awe of how brave you are. Though you may not feel confident all the time, you show a lot of courage when it matters.

There are still plenty of mountains for you to climb, but because you have conquered this one mountain, I don't doubt your future. As God promised, you will have hope and a future. After all, the Jesus who calmed the stormy seas is the same God who is soothing your troubled heart.

Keep on the brave face. I have your back.

love, gail

MZ vs KC: My Life Would Suck Without You

2009-02-13T01:22:00.001-08:00

I blame Ms. Maria Zouroudis for getting this song stuck in my head. The uber talented MZ posted an accoustic version of Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You" on youtube. I've never heard of the song before. I think it's going to be on an upcoming Kelly Clarkson album.

I then clicked on KC's video of the same song. Usually, I adore Maria's interpretations, but for the first time, I find out that I'm liking the original artist's version rather than Miz Maria's. 0_O Interesting, 'no?

Kelly Clarkson seems happier in her video. And I thought it was cute when she tried to throw his fishbowl out of the apartment window, and he had to scoop the little fishy out. Her character is a bit, as she sings in the song, "dysfunctional" but the guy seemed to take it all in stride. So, after all, maybe they do like each other.

I wish I can embed KC's video here, but it's disabled. So amble along and find it on her youtube site here.

P.S. Maria also links to an online interview. Now, we know why it still says she's unsigned.

A Slice of Heaven in Pillows

2009-02-02T22:21:00.000-08:00

I'm not a pillow hoarder like my sister, and I don't even like to use one. But I do have two special pillows, which just got special treatment today. My wonderful mother made pillowcases for my body pillow (she also created for my sisters' as well).

My well-worn Jigglypuff pillow also got a wash, and it smells heavenly! I got it eight years ago when I arrived in the States. And even if it becomes super raggedy, I will still keep it. I'm thinking I'll bring it with me when I get married or move out--whichever comes first. ^_^

(I should at least take and post pictures, but I'm really lazy.)

A Very Pissy Day

2009-01-31T00:28:00.000-08:00

Ultra-foggy mornings.

Skipped breakfast.

Running late.

Mountains of paperwork.

Unanswered phones.

Unnecessary trip to airport caused by stupid mistake: thinking I already mentioned it aloud when I never did.

Completing only one thing on my errands list.

Arriving at the library to pick up hold only a short time after it closed.

Suffering a blow to the head due to a stupid choice: jumping onto the back of my unaware sister.

Denting my cellphone as I crash down after jumping onto the back of my sister.

My one-of-a-kind phone LCD is wrecked.

Finding out that I can't cry out of self-pity, even if I tried.

T__T

Happy Lunar New Year Randomness

2009-01-30T00:05:00.001-08:00

What am I doing?! I haven't logged in an entry for the new year. Wait: It's still the week of the lunar new year, so I'm still safe.

This year, I got money in a red envelope... for the first time in my life. And I used it to eat really good Sichuanese food. Yum yum yum. Thank you, Chinese bosses!

To celebrate (kinda), I did one thing I haven't done: eat lamb, which I did not care for.

I received an email I had sent through futureme.org 6 months. It was kind of weird to hear myself ask how I'm doing at my job.

And I've finished (and enjoyed) 3 books already for my 2009 Twelve-Book challenge. My challenge journal is up-to-date as well. Yay.

But I'm still behind on some ongoing project--including my New Year's resolution. February is almost here, so I think I'll begin in Feb.

See you!

Confessions of Ms. Picky Eater

2008-12-27T01:03:00.000-08:00

Because of the snowy weather last Sunday, we had canceled our company dinner. But I guess Dec 26th was the day we couldn't resist all-you-can-eat seafood and sushi.

Although there was still plenty of slippery melting snow on the walkways and biting cold, I walked half a mile and took the bus to the Northgate mall to meet my co-workers at Bluefin Sushi and Seafood Buffet. I would just like to say that it was all worth it, and I don't even like to eat sushi.

My favorite remains the honey-walnut shrimp. One has to love a buffet where they don't scrimp on the walnuts. I love the japchae and pajeon and the kalbi. And I did try the sushi, which I didn't dislike. I'm actually surprised to be eating weird-tasting (at least to my uncultured tastebuds) food.

Since a year ago, I've been noticing changes in my food habits. Wow, me the picky eater. I've been drinking lots of tea. I guess I've grown accustomed to it, even to the fishy smelling (at least to my uncultured nose) green tea. Now, I reach for green/black/barley tea to wash down greasy food instead of Coca-Cola, which incidentally tastes 100x better these days.

I've also have been noticing cravings for sushi rolls, seaweed (nori) and kimchi. I'm not complaining. But sometimes I just go, "Whoa, what's going on with me?"

In any case, I'm thinking of using my unexpected bonus to bring my family to Bluefin. It says something good of a restaurant, if one thinks of coming back another time soon after letting out a satiated burp. ごちそうさまでした。(Gochisosamadeshita) Thank you for the good food, indeed.

Snow and Ice and Long Commutes

2008-12-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have to at least say something about today. It took me 4 hours to get to work this morning, when it usually just takes me 1 hour 20 minutes by bus. It felt very weird coming to work at 12 noon.

The snowstorm and icy conditions around Seattle and Portland are making my work hard and stressful. Please Lord, send rain to wash off over a week's worth of snow.

Tomorrow is another day, the eve of the remembrance of Christ's birth. Perhaps I should leave home at 5 am... maybe I'll get in at my regular time of 9 am. I hope the bus rides home won't be a killer.

#99 - Keep my hair long for 6 months

2008-12-22T12:49:00.001-08:00

Before...
Originally uploaded by gail-T

After...
Originally uploaded by gail-T

I did it! I managed to keep from getting a hair cut since I started my 101/1001 list! Eight months later, I was anxious but ready for a change. I wanted to grow it long enough to donate, so I looked for short styles that would suit me.

On December 11th, I saw Ate Jenny at Salon Stephen Craigo with a photo of Angelica Panganiban in her short hair. Twelve inches were lopped off and given away.

Another one off my list. Yahoo!

#26 and #18 -- Buy a yukata and see Issa in Japan

2008-12-06T16:59:00.000-08:00

I hit two birds in one stone during a short trip across the Pacific Ocean early October. I visited Issa on her turf: Shuzenji, Japan. Yay. So for #26 -- Visit Issa in Japan, we went to several places. According to Issa, here was our itinerary:

Day 1: Dinner at Shinagawa
Day 2: Asakusa - Ueno - Akihabara - Harajuku
Day 3: Fujisawa - Daiba - Sakuragicho
Day 4: Yotsuya - Harajuku - Shibuya - Shinjuku - Shuzenji
Day 5: Shuzenji - Winery Hills - Numazu
Day 6: Back to Seattle

For #18 -- Buy a yukata, we were able to find relatively inexpensive silk ones at Asakusa. Yay. I would have posted pictures had I taken them. Next time, when I wear it. They're soo pretty.

See pictures of Satchmo on his trip to Japan here. And more pictures with my captions here. Pictures are hosted by Satchmo's owner Leylander of My Cebu Photo Blog. Buf if you're on my friends list on flickr, you can probably see more pics. :D

Current count: 24 out of 101 done! God willing, I might get to 50% of this list. Heehee.

P.S.

#45 -- Have Satchmo come visit was also completed when he arrived to me in September, and I showed him around Seattle. :D

bombshell announcements

2008-11-30T21:56:00.000-08:00

Last Thanksgiving, during the worship service with extended family, each one shared something he/she is thankful for. It took a long time because we have a big family, and there's so much to thank the Lord for.

When it was my turn, I said, "I am thankful for my boyfriend.... whom I have yet to meet. Just like what Lolo said, I have faith that the Lord will give me His best at the right time."

I followed the suggestion of my prankster uncle to make a joke out of the very thing my relatives like to poke fun at. It's quite fun to beat people to the punch. But judging from the surprised looks, belly laughs and conversations afterward, I learned something I should have already known. No one wants to be the last person to hear of something juicy. Note to self: future "bombshell announcements" should just serve as confirmation of rumors. It's funner that way in my family.

***

How was your Thanksgiving?

November Update -- should be good for the month right?

2008-11-17T01:03:00.000-08:00

Ugh, I feel terrible to realize how long ago my last blog post was. Gomenasai ne.

Anyway, what have I been up to?

A, K, F and I just saw The Drowsy Chaperone at the 5th Ave Theatre. Great fun. My cheeks hurt from laughing. Ahh, I love musicals.
Had Korean food after a long long long while. The four of us had dinner after the musical. Thank God for good food and good conversations.
Went to Japan. Yippee! I can't wait to go on another trip.
Toured Satchmo around Seattle. Toured Tokyo and Izu-shi with Satchmo and Alaska. Thanks, Ice.
Joined NaNoWriMo. But I haven't been writing. :( Oh no, the month is almost over, and I'm very far away from 50,000 words.
Tried Starbucks salt caramel hot chocolate. Yum. Good thing I no longer work near a Starbucks. Or else, I'd be chugging it the entire day.
Been very lazy lately. Very behind in keeping up with correspondence. Truly sorry, and I'm working on it.
Heard Lori Matsukawa speak at Japanese school. Took pictures with her too.
Started a little cross-stitching project. I have forgotten all the rules. :( Well, when I do get this finished, I'll move on to a slightly bigger project.
In the process of keeping my Animal Crossing town perfect for 16 days. I'm working for a golden watering can. Also I'm wondering when I would be able to shoot down a golden slingshot.
I'm missing certain someones.
Oh, yeah. I remember what unnie told me to blog about. Okay, I was in Japanese class taking a katakana (characters/writing for foreign words) quiz. I was trying to write spaghetti, but I forgot and could not remember the character for "ge"（ゲ）. I asked the substitute sensei but my seatmate volunteered to show me. Two strokes in, I interrupted him because I realized that it should be the most familiar one to me: it's one of the two characters in my name (ゲール）! The whole class erupted in laughter. It was a bit embarrassing. But another classmate comforted me, "I forget characters in my name too."

Hi and love to my silent readers, even to the one doing "ctrl+F" for "boyfriend."

Of wanting my own dressmaker

2008-10-04T16:27:00.001-07:00

I've never been comfortable going to the mall and clothes-shopping. And recently, the feeling has gotten more acute. I am not built like a model. In fact, I'm quite the opposite, short limbs, big arms, not slender form and a belly that cannot be sucked in anymore (this makes me so sad). The frustration resulting from not finding perfectly fitting (and well-made) clothes is quite nagging.

Wouldn't it be nice, I said to my friend one day, if we had our own personal dressmaker like in the olden times? Our clothes would be well-made and tailored to us. I usually don't worry about fashion trends, so having a dressmaker would essentially be having a knowledgeable stylist.

She doesn't really share my enthusiasm because she'd rather have complete control over the style of what she's wearing. That could put her at-odds with her seamstress.

I don't really know any dressmakers here in the U.S. I think I may have made a lot of assumptions of their roles and skills. Although I guessed that employing one would be expensive, I didn't realize that most people who can afford a personal dressmaker are socialites who have money to burn. Ouch.

There goes my fantasy.

Hataraki Man misses "Hataraki Man"

2008-10-01T02:24:00.000-07:00

First drama episode watched in a long time: Hataraki Man ep 8.

A broken heart is so painful you can't stand it
But you can't stop where you are.
Hold your head up and move forward.

A "well-duh" kind of advice, but important to be given and taken. Ahh, I miss my carefree days of marathon drama viewing and cute guys watching.

How have my lovelies been doing? I have several blog post ideas in the backburner, but now that I look back at them, they don't seem very interesting anymore. :(

I'm leaving on a jetplane in a week. I'm so excited there are no words to describe it. Waaahhh!!!

Private journal surprise

2008-09-22T01:37:00.000-07:00

Rereading my private journals, I came upon this:

But I know that the Lord understands that I need to work out on my own the details of my dilemma, so that my faith is not rendered futile and trivial, but becomes a testament of truthfulness and maturity.

Did I write that?

***
I think I've been avoiding things, hoping that they'll deal with themselves without me lifting a finger. But lists don't check off by themselves; tasks don't complete themselves; projects don't do themselves. I have to exert some kind of effort to take the first step. Indeed, "one step at a time." Thanks, Ms. Sparks.

Refreshing Springs

2008-08-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

"My old heart has carried these secret memories so long that it aches with them and would burst if I did not whisper them to you." -- C.S. Lewis in Prince Caspian

Psalm 84:6 "When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place of refreshing springs,
where pools of blessing collect after the rains!"

"Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with Your power;
and little things as though they were great, since I do them in Your name." -- Blaise Pascal

"I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you." -- dear Aslan in The Horse and His Boy (C.S. Lewis)

#82 - Finish 3 library books

2008-08-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

I used to read quickly. By staying up very late each night, I would finish several books in one week. But now, I'm happy with completing one book in two months.

I feel a tingle of envy whenever I hear of people doing book challenges or joining book clubs or just plugging along their reading lists. Sinta is doing very well in her 21-book challenge. And Gracey is reading Ms. Jane Austen, starting with the beautifully subdued Persuasion.

So, I try to read a lot during my 1.5 hour-commute to work by bus. But sleep overtakes me so I usually nap instead of read in the mornings. If I don't carpool with Sarah, with whom I carpooled way back in college, then I am able to go through a lot of pages in the 2-hour 2-bus ride home. Hopefully in this way, I'll be able to enjoy some lovely prose from my ever-growing reading list.

At the start of my 101/1001 list, I expected a lot of free time to read because I was not working. I boldly wanted to finish all 3 library books I had checked out. I finished only two. The last one was a hard read. It dealt with a history of American immigration, which was very interesting. Because I wanted to finish it, I kept it way past the due date (after renewing twice) until I got a lost notice. I owed the library $30 for the book. Immediately, I returned it to get the charges taken off.

I decided to remove a word from #82 on my list: Finish ~~the~~ 3 books borrowed from the public library. I thought that would make this task complete-able. The third book was Han Ong's The Disinherited, which I picked up because it was written about the Philippines.

The book was OK. Although the Filipinos portrayed in the book were very unlikeable, I thought the portrayals were dead on. The commentary on the collective Filipino attitude towards the West as well as to their plight is something I share. Filipino-American Ong appear to be well-versed in the rhetoric of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines. I don't find him to be unfairly critical of the Catholics in the book.

I didn't enjoy the book as well as I would have liked to because I didn't find anyone to be sympathetic. I disliked the main character, and I didn't relate to his struggles and his relationships with the other characters. Frankly, I found him to be exploitative. The book started with this guy inheriting half a million dollars, and he wants none of it. The rest was an exploration of how hard it is to give money away. Reading that from the dust jacket, it sounded like a promising premise. But after I turned the last page, I didn't feel it was an illuminating experience. I don't even remember if the protagonist changed.

By finishing this book, I finally complete #82. Yay.

Now, on to Prince Caspian. I have to finish the Narnia books, which I borrowed 2 years ago from a friend. If he were charging me late fees, he'd be a rich man. Good thing he doesn't read my blog.

An OK wife in the 1930s

2008-08-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

You Would Make an Okay 1930's Wife

You have some of the attributes of an ideal 1930's wife... but you probably didn't intend it to be that way.

You don't buy into retro gender roles, though you do embrace your femininity at times.

A 1930's man may find you passable, but you probably wouldn't want anything to do with him.

Would You Have Been a Good Wife in the 1930s?

Sinta tagged me. It seems like I'd "make an OK 1930s wife" as well.

But why pick the 1930s? My grandparents were still young children then. I doubt I could be like my maternal grandpa's mom, who hid in the caves of World War II-era Leyte with her pigs and sewing machine. Her police chief husband had been killed, and her only child was a Japanese POW in Bataan. She was hiding from both the Japanese and the Filipino guerrillas. Although I don't know how she was, as a wife, in the 1930s, I am certain that I can't possibly compare to her as a person in the 40s.

XXIX Olympiad: What I'm Watching

2008-08-09T01:13:00.000-07:00

I love how there's so many channels covering the 29th Olympiad in Beijing. We had gotten cable in 2004, just for the Olympics. If not for the Athens Games, we would have been content without going digital.

I should be sleeping by now since I'm supposed to be leaving for church camp in 4 hours. But like 4 years ago, I'm up very very very late. Here's what I've been watching... when I get the chance.

parade of countries in the opening (only a few countries)
beach volleyball W
fencing W
air rifle W
badminton W
dressage

Let the Games begin!

2008-08-07T22:58:00.000-07:00

I started to ramble on in Ate Raissa's multiply:

i like watching the Games as well. i just can't find it in my heart to boycott it to protest the Chinese political actions. it's a celebration of goodwill among nations. i remember the 1992 olympics very fondly. taekwondo was a demo sport then, with bea lucero. (yeah, i was a wannabe taekwondo jin... in my dreams, i was an athlete. haha) oh yeah, i'm an olympic baby, as well... born in the year of the 23rd olympiad. for some reason, i remember my family in 1988 waking up so early (or staying up so late) to catch televised games. and we finally gave in to cable TV for the 2004 olympics; the parents couldn't resist the lure of the games. hopefully, i'll get to be a tourist in 2012. i'm getting chills just thinking about tomorrow. whoa. /end of rambling.

Well, I guess I'm not yet done, because I'm reprinting it here.

also... i'm really looking forward to synchronized swimming, gymnastics, taekwondo, beach volleyball, equestrian events, archery and shooting, swimming and diving, football... okay, basketball as well. haha.

i'm going to be cheering for the 15 delegates of the Philippines (although, i don't know who they all are... gone were the days when i knew each one through the news). and also for the US, as well.

***
1/2 of my favorite So You Think You Can Dance pair won it all tonight. Yep, my favorite couple was the top boy and the top girl, so Katee was surprised with 50,000 bucks. Yay. Congrats Joshua. They both rocked the show. And my favorite dances of the season were danced tonight! However, my favorite dance of tonight was Mary Murphy and Dmitry's samba to Angela Via's Baila, baila. I love that song. And those two were on the hot tamale train. haha. Great end to the best dance show on TV... yeah, and that's my humble opinion.

me at the Columbia River

2008-07-26T10:02:00.001-07:00

me at the Columbia River
Originally uploaded by gail-T

I had talked about a baro at saya day in a previous post. But I'm really most comfortable in a malong. Driving home from Idaho on a hot afternoon was surprisingly nice in the breathable fabric. Here I am at a lookout off westbound I-90 over Columbia River. You can see the Vantage Bridge in the distance.

I remember seeing the bridge for the first time (driving eastward). I literally gasped. It was awesome to see a huge body of water after long stretches of desert-like sights. I <3 bridges.