Lost In Translation

Please help me understand... pretty please! LOL!

En Fleurs

Last week, I felt so special! Wanna know why? Because my big boss and not-so-big boss invited me for dinner.

It was the invitation that I’ve been waiting for lol. We went to En Fleurs, a French restaurant, and I must say the ambiance and food were great. Plus, I had champagne :D. Of course I was the celebrant and as what my boss said, “you can order anything you want”. Ha. I can’t even understand the menu, it was written in Japanese! Instead, they ordered for me :D.

I started working with them since March 2007 for the Rabigh PC2 (Saudi) Project. I admit, it was nerve-wracking at first coz I know they had high hopes. I don’t know why but I they just told me that haha. I tell you, it was hard living up to their expectations but I survived! It was challenging, at the same time, worth it!

I wouldn’t accomplish a LOT of things without their help. There were times that I didn’t know what to do with my work and I just asked them for an assistance. And I’m glad I asked coz I learned much!

In the end, I can only say THANK YOU and see you soon!

A Video Made by a Friend

I got me some love from a very dear friend :) I love it!
I get emotional every time I watch this :):) I feel so blessed to have known such wonderful people that I can call FRIENDS. Love ya all and I miss you!

Earthquake and Typhoon

Earthquake

Last night, while I was on twitter and facebook reading all the updates that I missed for the day, I felt the earth moved!.

It was just minor at first but seconds after, the strong earthquake shook Japan. The first thing I did was changed my Yahoo Messenger status from invisible to EARTHQUAKE with 3 exclamation points lol. So my friends would know I'm still alive :D.
For many years of living here, I no longer panic though I still feel scared sometimes. Wondering whether it's the BIG ONE that hits us or just a minor tremble. I would freak out if it's the big one.

Minutes after, TOKYO was a trending topic on twitter. People were talking about the earthquake and how strong it was.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 shook the Japanese capital of Tokyo and surrounding areas today.

There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties from the quake, which rattled furniture and walls in Tokyo homes at 7.56pm (1156 BST), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The agency said there was no danger of tsunami from the quake.

Typhoon

Today, we're hit by a tropical storm! Since it's Monday - busy day - I had to wake up early and get ready for work. But then I looked up at my window, the heavy rain greeted me :(.

So I called my boss and told him I won't be working in the morning.

I crawled back to bed which was just was a good idea because I had the best dream ever haha. I woke up, 3 hours later, smiling and sooo ready for work! Sadly the rain didn't stop! Bummer!

And then I decided to call the rest of the day off. In fact, I announced it on my facebook account

Sorry WORK but due to heavy rain, I decided to take the whole day off! But thanks RAIN I had enough sleep this morning :D.

But I LIED!!! I did not! Haha. The stupid rain eventually stopped 5 minutes before 1300. I knew then that my boss and 200% load of paperworks need me :D so I took my bicycle and headed to the office.

15 minutes after pedaling with my umbrella on the left hand and driving with my right hand, I survived!

This I must say is very odd summer. I wish the rain would just stop so I could enjoy the sun... minus the earthquake.

The Climb

No offense meant, BUT I think this collaboration between David Sides and Amhir is much better than the original (by Miley Cyrus)! Just wanna say it =).

The ROSE

Bf gave me a ROSE. Sweet!

Freshly picked from their garden, he said.
And because he wanted to surprise me he put it inside the envelope. Classic!
Poor flower, now dried & flattened :(.

BT he promised to give me more - fresh flowers for real - when I get home!
SO I decided I'm taking the next flight home! LOL

For My Mama

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world.
It knows no law, no pity.
It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.
-- Agatha Christie (1890-1976), English novelist and playwright.


Being single (means not married) and of no child yet, it is a given fact that I don’t know how it is to raise a kid. But having witnessed how my parents worked hard for us to have a better life, I know it takes more than books and pictures to imagine.

WIFE

My father was in Philippine Constabulary and then later joined the Philippine National Police while my mother gave up her career as a Midwife when she had my big brother and took after the family business. I came second and while I was growing up, I became aware of the difficulties we are facing – my father being assigned to the next town and my mother taking care of the business.

Theirs wasn’t a perfect relationship. There came a time when my mother left the house leaving me & my brother alone with my father. I knew she was in pain and of heavy heart when she left. But as a faithful and committed wife to her husband, she swallowed her pride and went home the day after.


MOTHER

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. And while my brother and I were growing up, we would alternately borrow money from someone on behalf of our mother. We only had this letter stating the amount and the date of payment. When it’s pay day, it’s either my mother already paid half or we were tasked to make excuses. I saw the pain in my mother’s eyes every time she asked us to lie and I didn’t blame her for that for we were really broke. The only consolation we had was the family (restaurant) business – at least we can eat full meals. Despite everything, my parents made sure that we have a bright future. We were provided with good education, sent to a good school and whatever social activities we’d like to be part of, my parents were 100% supportive.

January of 1990, an unexpected storm hit our family. My 8-months pregnant mother had to be rushed to the hospital for she had an Eclampsia, (an acute and life-threatening complication of pregnancy, is characterized by the appearance of tonic-clonic seizures in a patient who had developed preeclampsia; rarely does eclampsia occur without preceding preeclamptic symptoms.) My father had to face the most horrible test in his life yet when he was asked to choose between my mother and the baby. I couldn’t even bear to imagine the terror my father was facing that time. But God is so great that he never took our mother away from us and the baby.

Nine years after, my brother was on his senior year in College, I was on my senior year in High School & my little sister’s growing up, there came another storm. It was so perfect that it almost crushed us. My mother was diagnosed with a heart problem and other organ malfunction that I can’t even pronounce. The whole family was already preparing for the worst and one of the plans was for me not to continue College. Having heard it all, I cried for days and even in the middle of the class I would end up in tears. Of course, my mother disagreed with my Aunts’ plan. To her, education must not be sacrificed even if she’s in a terrible condition.

I almost gave up that time but thanks to my Mama’s words of encouragement and hopes, I am who I am today (to the left, that's me & my mama :D)

My father, on the other side, was so strong behind the dilemma. One thing he told me was… “never let family problems get in your dreams and aspirations”. He even asked my principal to watch over me in school and to keep me busy with other stuff than personal matters. I wasn’t strong then and it was hard for me to take a sudden detour from reality to another dimension.

On March 31, 1999, the day after my mother’s birthday, together with my father my weak and bony mother graced the graduation walk with me. That was one of the touching moments in my life and also the hope of good tomorrow.


ROLE MODEL

My mother sacrificed a lot for us like other mothers do for their children. Mine may have flaws or I may feel less love from her sometimes but that wouldn’t take away the fact the she’s my mother and the woman who brought me to life. Who I am today is partly because I am my mother’s daughter.

I know that motherhood is a big shoes to fill in but I hope I’ll possess the same audacity and pass on the beauty of LIFE to my own children. It maybe a rollercoaster ride but after a time, it will be worth living.

To all the mothers, I am but with great respect for your LOVE and deep connection to your child/children.

To my “Single-Mother” friends, my fedora hat is off to all of you for giving a lovely child LIFE and hope in this world.

To my MAMA, thank you. And to my Father – the other half – my deepest gratitude for making us whole. I love you both.

Lastly, to all readers go and make a call to your Mama and have the best conversation of your life as I am about to call mine.

Ciao!