keng turns 3!!!

Last April 26, Keng celebrated her third birthday, only she’s as tall as a 5-year-old already. Her grandmother cooked her the classic Pinoy handa, you know, the spaghetti, barbeque, chicken, etc. I wish I could celebrate a birthday with her, but she always celebrates it abroad, unless I can travel there if I am employed in a long distance moving company, but I’m not. Maybe some other birthdays, we could be together. She’s already having mood swings. haha. There are times when she just doesn’t want to face the webcam, unlike before, when she giggles and smiles every time she sees us on their laptop. There are times though, when she would just show us her new “tricks”, like that cheerleader dance that she learned when her father brought her to watch her uncle’s intrams in schools. Or that new song she is singing with her mom. And Keng is now putting makeup on! Nauna pa sa kin!

I always pray that she grows up to be a fine young woman. I wish I could always be by her side to guide her the best that I could, but I am not. I am just praying that she always gets divine guidance, and I am sure she would. Happy birthday, dear. I love you so much.

in heavenly peace

Undoubtedly, summer is already here, or at least the heat of it. And all people—students, workers, and homebodies alike—cannot be helped but be succumbed to that insurmountable urge to just stay at home and sleep…

Still long hours away from the comforting bliss of my bed, I can only daydream of the softness of my pillows, with the brightness outside shut out by the closed roller blinds and the only sound is the chirping of birds just outside.

I wish I could sleep just like her:

the cutest feline

Our little girl loves animals, especially cats and dogs. She giggles so much whenever she sees Casper, especially when she’s playing with him and touching his furs. When she’s not in the mood or crying over something, the best move is to bring her to Casper, and she lightens up quickly. I think she seldom sees these furry animals abroad, that’s why she’s still fascinated anytime. OR she got the love of dogs from me. hehehe.

During the weeks that she was here in the country, and in a visit to a family friend’s house, she was so excited to see that there were cute, well-maintained cats in that house. She wasn’t a bit afraid to touch the cats, and she kept on running toward them with that sense of wonder in her eyes. And her lolo, in turn, kept running to catch up with her (no need for a natural weight loss supplement with all the running she did!). hehe.

And when she finally caught up with one of these cutie cats:

She likes these animals so much, her mom accessorized her like one:

She’s the cutest feline ever!

the sad puppy look

Finally, this very long week had come to an end. I had just finished the deadliest subject this semester around 3 pm. It feels good to know that I managed to survive each day of the week one day at a time. The only immediate concern now is getting rid of blackheads and getting enough rest, though I’m sure the latter is harder to accomplish than the former.

Because the examinations started Monday this week, I haven’t had time to be “sad” because my lovable niece already went back to Qatar. I admit though that the week before their departure, I had already been feeling the sadness of the prospect that it’s gonna be a year or two before she comes back.

Here’s a photo of her when she looks sad:

With or without biases, we really feel that she is a very good girl. There was a time when she lost grip of my Magic Sing and it hit the floor. It looked like she knows that what she did was wrong and that she was very sorry for it. You know what she did? After a 1-second shock, she immediately run toward me and embraced me, leaning her head on my left shoulder. Who could get mad at such a child? She does that when her father raises his voice whenever she gets makulit, and she’d have that sad puppy look, and your heart just melts.

I miss you, keng! Au revoir!

Our Superstar

Look at how Keng has grown so much. Though she is only 2, the dress I bought her for Christmas was already for 4-year-olds!

Unlike last year, she likes running around so much. We all get tired of chasing her, but we are all competing for her attention!! She is the first grandchild (and first niece!) on both sides, so she’s just soooo lucky; we are all at her mercy! hahaha. Added to the fact that she stays here only for a month in a year, we all want to maximize time with her (never mind her parents =p). Her parents are working abroad to give her a nice education and a stable life (and maybe an online life insurance for all of them). I am wishing though that she studies here. Para makasama ko siya mas madalas. hehe.

Below are two pictures taken from a studio. Next time, I’ll post pictures from my camera, capturing all facets of Keng. Yeah, she really is our superstar. We take photos of her as much as we can—all angles and all her moods. And yeah, it’s kinda hard taking pictures of her… she doesn’t wanna pose in front of cameras! (I wonder how the photographer in the studio did it.) She’s soooooooooo adorable! I’m her no. 1 fan!

bonding and longing

There is always excitement and eager anticipation whenever vacation time comes. Some people plan the holiday season even just at the start of the year, while some just rests. I belong to the second group.

Of course, I also want to go on tours and see things. Maybe fly to Pennsylvania or see some interesting shows. Or perhaps–and this is the best vacation–bask in the sun, run on the sand, and swim on the ocean.

But last holiday season, I did not. In fact, I never once went on vacation during the yuletide season. First off, I have no money. Nada. I barely survived the year. haha. Second, and most importantly, it is bonding time for the family.

Since I’ve been living away from my family, I try to maximize all holidays I can to spend time with them, especially the kids. Oh how I love my kid cousins so much, and I am grateful they love me back. Our house is old and ain’t big and fancy, no Dolan Designs in sight. But we spent almost the whole vacation time just at home.

The focus of attention is our superstar—Keng. She’s my 2-year old niece, and we’re all crazy about her (promise, I’ll post her pictures whenever I can). She’s really cute, with rosy red cheeks and sweet smile. She and her parents are living abroad now, and they come home during the season.

With her, I’ve come to understand what bonding really means. I only spend 2 or 3 weeks with her in a year, and yet I love her so much. And she’s also fond of me (no bias, swear!). Whenever she sees me, she smiles. And she kisses me just because. She slept beside me in my room several nights, and there were just times when I just look at her face while she’s sleeping. She looks like an angel.

It’s just my fourth day away from her, and I miss her so much.  I guess after every bonding, there is longing. And this is one serious longing.

Now Showing

I’ve been waiting for this the whole year…

I took her from the stroller and carried her. I was surprised to find she is really heavy. haha. But she kissed me on the cheeks several times. Then she stared at me, like she misses me too, then she kissed me again and again. Yung malulutong na halik. Sarap. =)

(P.S. I’ll try to post new pictures of her soon.)

I Hope You Rot…Literally.

Warning: This is an angry post.

A 5-minute walk from San Beda to San Sebastian Church was all it took for someone to take my phone, not to mention I am walking with two of my male classmates; again not to mention that my phone was inside my pouch, which was inside my backpack.

My friends and I were utterly clueless as to how it happened. We did not notice anyone who came close near us. It was hard to believe. I always try to be conscious of my surroundings (read: snatchers and thieves).

My friend called my number. A woman answered. My friend told her to bring back the phone. “Was it the 3310?” she said. My phone was Samsung. I suppose there was more than one phone stolen that hour. My friend said, “the one you are using now.” She turned off the phone.

This time, I called my number. A man answered. I asked him in a calm voice to return my phone. He said he cannot return it as he was already on his way to the pier to go home to the province. He said he got the phone in Mendiola. When asked where…

bastard thief: Ano ka ba, ang liit liit lang ng Mendiola. Deh dun lang sa Mendiola. (What are you, Mendiola’s so small. Just there  in Mendiola.)

At this point, I was already irritated, but still trying to calm myself, still hoping he might really return it. I tried appealing to his pity.

mordsith:  Kuya, isoli mo na yung phone ko. Estudyante lang naman ako. (Please return my phone. I’m just a student.)

bastard thief:  Papunta na nga ako sa pier. Dalawang araw lang ako dun. Babalik ko din ‘tong phone mo. (I said I am already on my way to the pier. I’d stay there for 2 days only. I will return your phone.)

mordsith:  Sige, kuya, ano bang number mo? (Okay, what’s your number?)

bastard thief: Wala nga akong number, kaya ko nga kinuha tong phone mo. (I do not have a number, that’s why I took your phone.)

In the background, I was hearing a woman saying that my phone has so many load (it was a postpaid, actually). He ended the call, but still did not turn it off. That bastard.

I immediately called the Sun hotline. I was able to talk to a CSR more than hour had past already. I told the CSR that my phone was stolen and that the criminal must have used it since that time, as I CANNOT reach them to have it cut! All he said was, “sorry, there was a network problem.” What?!? Just that?!

As for the thief, I hope he suffers. I hope he rots literally or loses the use of his limbs. He deserves punishment commensurate to his perversity (not to the value of my phone). He could have disposed of my sim card once he took my phone. But he still wanted to hear me “beg” for my phone and to tell all his lies. Imagine, he even had to tell me that he took it because he has no phone! I bet my other phone he would do much bigger crimes if only he had the chance.

Someone told me, maybe to help me accept, that he might have done it only because he lacks opportunities. Barely restraining my irritation, I told him: There are so many people who lack opportunities. But they make opportunities for themselves. Look at the vendors on the street. Look at the children who clean windshields of cars on traffic. They start with something honest. (I could enumerate more, if he still did not get my point.) This kind of reasoning only propagates crimes and criminals. Specifically, his perversion can never be justified by poverty.

I was so sad, not even a good grade can make me cheer up (not even a Capresso-made coffee or an 8-hour sleep). I took good care of that phone, never placing it on a rough surface. Keng’s pictures were there. My professor’s message was there—that message I read when I need to uplift my spirit. That bastard took it.

our little princess

For 1 month, my family and I have been blessed with the presence of my niece Keng and her parents (see post about their coming home) for the holidays. And as all vacations go, all of us wish they could stay here for a few more weeks, but they must go back to Qatar for work or else lose their jobs (sounds good to me… hehe).

During vacation time, all of us, young, very young, and old, were competing for Keng’s attention and who gets to carry her, play with her, etc. I guess all of us want to be remembered by this almost 2, cute, and sweet toddler and to be adored by her. With much evidence (and bias), she adored me the most!

Since she’d stay here for only a month, all of us maximized all the time we can with her, making and cherishing memories. I took many, many pictures (consuming most of the computer memory!) of her every move, smile, and giggle so that we’ll have these pictures to look at while waiting for her to come back next Christmas. Also, I want her to know when she grows up that, although she’s away for most of the year, we all love her here in the Philippines!

She likes apples! With every food, she gives a little of that food to the person holding her first before  eating. Such a sweet, sweet girl!

 Keng watching cartoons intently in my bean bag

Like her ninang (me), she likes to sing!

I cannot emphasize enough how much she enjoys bubbles. My litte cousins and I blew bubbles to make her giggle. We attended a children’s party a few weeks ago, and there was a bubble machine there! She was so thrilled!

Keng watching the bubble approach her face

with tito eric (our cancer survivor) watching over her

me holding her coz she always falls downs laughing!

the bubble/laughter machine

They’ll be leaving for Qatar tomorrow midnight. Darn, i miss her already. Well, I guess I just have to wait until next Christmas! Au revoir!

the christmas countdown

Whew! This has been a long day, and we haven’t reached the climax yet!

I left Paranaque at around 10 p.m. last night to start my much-awaited Christmas vacation. By 2 a.m. (thank goodness there’s little traffic), I was already home.

I slept until 10 a.m. today. After a cup of coffee, I started to add decorations to our house. The Christmas tree was already in place, but there are matters of decoration that need my expertise. haha.

After decorating the doors and the window sills and enabling every little cousin to help out, we finally had the Christmas atmosphere. Really, those colorful bells and flowers did a lot to uplift the spirit, and of course, the resounding Christmas medleys throughout the house.

After lunch, I did my traditional wrapping of gifts to every member of the family, with my door locked. My cousins always knock and ask, “Ate, tapos na ba?.” They know it’s going to take long, I wonder why they always ask. haha.

My gift wrapping was temporarily stopped by our little baby girl’s arrival. Well, every activity stopped to rush up to Keng and compete for her attention. Of course, I won and hurried back to my room. After she felt asleep, courtesy of Ian (a cousin), I resumed my gift wrapping and finished just now.

Later, we’ll go to church, and every kid in the house is excited to wear his or her new clothes. I would have been excited also if I had something new. haha. But no worries, I am more than happy with what I got for myself (half of which was lola’s gift to me). Jaaaraaan…!

 Anyone who’s been with me in videoke parties know I don’t sing a song—I sing a set of songs!

We are a family who love music, but from different genres. This will be like all our MP3 players into one and better. I can’t wait to have all songs my lined up. Alicia Keys, pave the way!

I forgot, I have to take a shower! :-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERY ONE!