Chip Tsao Chop Suey

All this uproar about Chip Tsao, the columnist who said the Philippines is a nation of servants, is deafening.

Reactions are coming from anybody and everybody who can make a statement.

Apparently, this guy even has a helper who has a degree in International Politics from one of the local universities and she refuses to leave her boss. That is the plight of our educated people. There is so much frustration and desperation that going off to a country like HongKong or Singapore to work as domestic helpers (read maids/servants) is a good and to some, the best, solution to poverty. When we were in Singapore, my Mom chatted with some of them while we were in Lucky Plaza. She found out that some of these women make about P10-12k a month! How can that be? Their privelages are not exactly great, too! It's so expensive in Singapore! I personally call it SingaPOOR because when you go on vacation there, you leave poor.

Filipinos are calling for some sort of reprimand or punishment for Chip Tsao Chop Suey. Ban him from the Philippines for eternity! Duh... he doesn't want to come here so what's the point?

We really should have more dignity but that is wishful thinking. When your stomach is growling and your family is hungry, pride is eaten first. Then off you go to do whatever it takes to bring food to the table. Parents tell their children, education is the most precious treaure that a parent can leave his children... but as luck would have it, education is shelved to answer the more mundane problems such as food and shelter. Do we blame the government just like we always do? Do we blame our government officials? Who else can we blame?

Is being a domestic helper despite your education a disgrace? Is it something to be shameful for? Isn't it better than being a thief or a prostitute? It's an honest way of making a living but why is it looked down upon by people like Chip Tsao Chop Suey? Is his people more superior that he dares malign another?

The topic is so diverse! So many aspects and facets of life will have to be included in the discussion. The bottom line can be numerous meaningless yet meaningful cliches.

Everything is relative.

Kick A** That is Muay Thai

Yesterday, I started my Muay Thai lessons.

The gym lost their Yaw Yan instructors so it was Muay Thai.

The Muay Thai instructors are short guys with not an ounce of fat in their bodies. They're so compact. I was amazed at how strong they are. Jon is 5'10" and weighs 220 or so pounds but this dwarf of a man hoisted him to his feet with ease.

I loved the kicking and the punching. I loved the moves. I loved how it's for defense and that it's an art but I felt the violence in every move. LOL. The Brain Quiz said I have a male brain and this is how it emanates.

Jon enjoyed it, too. He perspired like a pig and is now getting a mint massage. Poor darling. I'm aching everywhere, too, but prefer not to get a massage. I want to feel the pain in my legs and my arms and my back... everywhere.

Aaah, the miracle of exercise... Already, Jon looks 1 week younger!

OMG - Oh My!!! GERMS!!!

They have been showing a lot of infomercials on how germ-filled everything is. Cellphones, handbags, keyboards, school desks, ballpens... EVERYTHING!

We are up to our EYEBALLS in germs! No, we are being eaten alive by germs!!!

Everything is so dirty the toilet bowl is cleaner!

Oh well. Shit happens.

What Should a Mother Do with an Errant Daughter?

My friend whom we'll call B, told me that the mother of her son's girlfriend, whom we'll call H, drove her daughter away from home. This is to punish the daughter whom we'll call K, aged 14, for spending too many hours in B's house with her son J, aged 16. Clear?

B has been trying to bring K home but H gave instructions to the guards not to let her up. K hung around the lobby waiting for H to come out but when H did come out, she totally ignored K as if she were not there. She just walked out of the building and went to the airport with her other daughters for their summer home in Boracay. B has been so frustrated because she doesn't know what to do with K. B is a single mom and her hands are full enough already with J. She spoke to J and told him he had better find a way to fix it because she doesn't want to be responsible for someone she doesn't even like. She gave J an ultimatum, if K is still in their house after 2 days, she will bring K to Social Services.

Why do I know this story? Because I know T, the husband of H and the stepfather of K. B is hoping I'd be able to intercede through T.

When your daughter is too much to handle, give up and hand her over to someone who would take her or just forget about her. Simple. It's like dusting off your hands after a mess. This is the strategy of a woman who goes to mass everyday and worships in places like Baclaran or Obando or Manaoag.


B kept asking me what she should do and what I thought of the situation. I couldn't answer her because I couldn't imagine driving my daughter out of my house no matter what was done. I don't think I could do that even if she killed my dogs!

I did tell her that the family is bad news and the best thing for her to do is to take off with her son to the land of Oz.

How Old Are You Quiz

Kayla took the how old are you quiz on FB and the result was 60+.

I took the quiz and the result was 13+.


She said it meant she is wise beyond her years while I am still silly despite all my years.

Cat's Eyes

I just heard someone stumble down the stairs...

I forgot to turn on the light in the 2nd floor landing and the dogs kinda scrambled/rolled down the stairs. My poor babies!

I thought dogs had good night vision just like cats?

Do "dog's eyes" exist at all?

Home Sweet Home

Jon came home from Coron, Palawan this afternoon. It's a beautiful, beautiful place that I long to go to. He and his crew covered the groundbreaking ceremony of an island resort that was graced by no less than GMA. This is the second event he has covered where GMA was the guest of honor. He's shaken her hand twice but still no good picture. What's the matter with the cameramen, eh? It would be a nice addition to our picture display.

Anyway, how sweet is it to be home? Kayla and I were away for the weekend then Jon left when we arrived. That means we did not sleep side by side for about 5 days. I slept well while we were in Bangkok because I got tired from all the walking that was done during the day but when I got home, I found it difficult to sleep. Jon told me it was the same for him. Kayla is unaffected by it all. She sleeps soundly anywhere.


It's because when we're home, we expect each other to be beside us when we sleep. A place for everyone and everyone in his place. Jon may snore loudly but it is my lullaby while I am his tummy/back scratcher. That is why it is HOME. It's where we are safe. It is where we can move around in the dark. It's where we have habits and everything we're used to are.

I do give him a little kick if his snoring reaches monumental decibels and the neighbors can hear him. He faces the side where Kayla's bed is but she's not bothered at all. When I watch TV, however, she keeps asking me to turn down the volume. How odd is that? Jon's snore is way louder than my TV. It's her lullaby, too, I guess!

Chowking Halohalo

I just had a halohalo from Chowking. Yummy! The ube ice cream that comes with it is especially delectable it seems to me. Smooth and creamy.

Chikoy and Cukay rushed to me as usual. I kept telling them it was poison but they just looked on with their pleading puppy eyes. How cute! Cukay is so funny when she begs for food. Her eyes follow the movement of my utensil. She swallows, too. LOL!

I gave them one sago pearl each. They chewed on it and spat it out and poked it with their snouts then chewed again and spat it out... I wagged my finger at them and said I told you it was poison!

I can imagine them saying, "THIS is poison but the ice cream was not!"

Twilight Zone

I noticed that ideas come into my mind when I'm in the twilight zone. I guess this is true for most of us but the major set back in my case is that I completely forget about it. The next day, while sitting at the "throne" bombing China, I wrack my brains trying to remember what the bright idea was and it's gone without a trace. Again, that is IF I remember I had a bright idea at all.

Who knows what bright ideas I've forgotten? Maybe the big guy upstairs sent me an idea on how to save the world but alas, I forgot! He probably never did... of course not... why would something as important as that be sent to a simple person like me? What if it's an idea on how to hit paydirt??? Oh no! That would be a disaster!

Isn't it so odd that when you're sitting in front of your machine trying to come up with something worthwhile, nothing comes. Yet when you're semi-conscious, that's when the ideas come! Why? Whoever said "there's a right time for everything" surely was not referring to the twilight zone? Maybe that's why there are genuises and there are regular ones. When the mind is free from the worldly worries, that's when the part that creates/solves/whatever comes to life. Most of us forget but the genuises remember.

What was it? That bright idea that excited me a wee bit? It was just last night... what was it?

Alone Time With Kayla

Kayla and I went on our first trip together last weekend. That was our first time to go anywhere without anyone else but the two of us. We left Daddy behind... poor Daddy.

Kayla is at that difficult age of 14 when she is establishing her identity so we tend to clash a lot. Menopause vs. puberty. And then... a whole weekend together with no one to referee us??? Impossible!

Surprisingly, the trip went relatively peacefully. We enjoyed it a lot. I may be impatient with Kayla's being argumentative but she amazes me with her street smarts... literally. She figures out how to get from one point to the other. All I need to do is pick up a map with a train route and lean back as she figures it out. It's pretty good. When we're on the train, she tells me how many stops to count before we get off. She even has alerts like last train stop, Mom, we get off on the next one. I inch towards the train doors.

Since we were on our own, I got us some guided tours for our first day and we met some other tourists. She relates very well with new acquaintances and easily holds casual conversations with strangers. She's very socially skilled where I am a klutz. I'm generally a klutz anyway. I was entertained by her knowledge as well. She was able to discuss culture and norm with the guide who was trying to compare our countries. She's amazingly nerdy.

On our way back, she remarked that our time together was well-spent. We didn't argue as much as I thought we would. Clearly, she was apprehensive about that, too.

Menopause vs. Puberty should be a book. I'll write it.

Memoirs

Writing a memoir sounds like fun... and if you believe in yourself enough, you can even publish it and maybe you'd be a bestselling author someday.


The trick to successful memoirs is honesty. You have to be able to write with no fear of judgment from family and friends. So, if you'll not write truthfully, write fiction. Of course, memoirs are also about fun times but when there is fun, no deceit is injected. If you are contemplating on writing your memoir, you have to realize that this is like confessing not just to a priest who doesn't know the whole truth so you can skip some details but to GOD who knows the whole truth so you might as well spit it out.

One day, I will write my memoir... I just need to work on my memory.

Kindness is Good For You

This is my second month as a regular subscriber of Reader's Digest. Thanks to this credit card promo that if you subscribe, you get a free bag. Naturally, I subscribed... firstly, because I'm a sucker for freebies and secondly, because I like reading the Reader's Digest. I used to read it all the time but I quit for a couple of years and I must say the style has changed! There aren't as many jokes and too many short articles.

I read an article entitled "Kindness is Good For You" last night. I don't quite remember the nitty-gritty but generally, the title speaks for itself. After reading it, I wondered why it was necessary at all. Do people need to know what they can benefit before doing something humane or should I say, kind?

If a beggar knocked on your car window asking for some coins, why not give some when your ashtray is full of it and you won't miss it? I've heard many people say they do not give money because it is a gangster's modus operandi or they just use the money to buy rugby to sniff and get high. As far as I'm concerned, if they are, then too bad... but what about the small chance that they're not??? What if this poor person really is a beggar who is asking for so little? What if he really will use the few pesos that he gets to buy a piece of bread that will ease his rumbling stomach? What if the child who flits between cars uses the money for his school needs? What if the coins that I just drop into the ashtray and forget could truly help someone else?

Do we really need to be labeled in order to do something that should not be hard to do? Do we really need to be motivated by what we can get in return to do a simple deed?

I've never thought of myself as a kind person and I'm sure none of family and friends think I am. They all think I'm a heartless person and I wouldn't disagree. But tell me, do we need to be TOLD that kindness is good for us?

My Puppies and My Puppies

I'm sure you've noticed that I use the phrase "my puppies" no matter what my topic is.


These are my puppies...










These are still my puppies...










And these are MY puppies...

March 17, 2009 Puppy Update

The puppies are hefty now. They've grown so much in the past 3 weeks. Tigre is the biggest one at 600g while the others are around 500g or so. I think they can see me especially White Pants who focuses on my face when I talk to him. He has Cukay's angelic face. At least until his hair grows and he becomes an ogre... just like his Mum.

They are crawling, too. Pinkay can lift her upper body with her front legs already and she likes to sit up to survey her brothers. I think she can do it ahead of the others because she's the lightest. The boys have milk bellies that are too chunky for their soft little legs. Bawzer crawls the fastest and pees the most. He trails pee everywhere. White Pants is the most adventurous. He's the first to struggle out of the crib. Tigre is the gentle giant until he smells milk, then he turns into a sucker... a loud sucker. They have their own personalities. They are so sweet.

What would it be like when their new parents take them away? Oh, to sell my first grandpups... or not? :-(

Immeasurable Love

Last Saturday, Jon declared he wanted to buy a car stereo with a USB port. He wanted to be able to play gazillions of songs when we get stuck in traffic or something. Traffic? Right... that's about 30 minutes because we live 5 kilometers from everywhere significant. I thought I'd humor him since he just got me this teenie-weenie laptop so I said ok, let's check. He was shown a Pioneer thingy with everything he was looking for that cost about P5500. I was quiet. I just looked on. He took it as a sign that I didn't want to buy it. Which was true because the car stereo was working just fine so I didn't see the point in replacing it.

I had brought all the dogs to the vet for tests earlier in the day and left Chikoy for his medicated bath. He had a skin problem which was fully healed but for good measure, the vet recommended a final medicated bath. So, from the car accessory store, we went to pick up Chikoy. Jon watched me pay at the cashier then asked me how much I paid when we were walking to the car. I told him P4600.

When we got home, he warned Kayla that I don't blink when I spend for myself and my dogs but everything else is too expensive. LOL.

It's just me, myself and my dogs.

Overly Respectful Language

Ruth called me awhile ago to rant about how ludicrous her branch managers write and talk.

I don't know how it all started because the idea of including "po" and "opo" in English sentences is so weird. You hear people saying "hello po" or "yes po." It sounds so idiotic, if I may say so. I was not raised using po and opo by my parents therefore I couldn't pass on the tradition to my own daughter so she speaks English. In English you use "sir" or "ma'am" to indicate respect. It is redundant to say "hello po, sir."

The result is a language that I find unacceptable especially for business communication.

Bottlefeeding

I've been worrying about Cukay for the past couple of days because she seemed unable to produce enough milk for the greedy babies. When I squeezed her nipples, hardly any milk came out and I noticed the babies spitting out a teat and trying another after a few minutes. Oh no! They might get hungry! I tried to bottlefeed them but they didn't like it! What to do??? Never mind. We're scheduled to go to the vet on Saturday so I'll ask him.

This evening, Yaya told me she's been feeding the puppies from the bottle since Tuesday! Gadratz! I wasn't able to document the event! I've been worrying for nothing! My babies are getting enough milk.

No wonder they're so big.

Cukay hasn't taken a bath for three weeks! She's starting to stink but I still kiss her.

My Benign Life

I had lunch with an old friend today. She said my life has become boring... no, I have become boring.

She reminisced about how dynamic I used to be. She used to be proud to be my friend because I was so adventurous and active. I read books, articles and what have you and I seemed to know about everything that was significant to life in general. I was the life of the party and the death of it.

Many years after... what? I'm complacent. I'm settled. I'm BORING!

She thinks I'm wasting away!

Well, though I, too, sometimes think my life is too quiet, I am content. I go to bed with no worries in my mind but my Lexulous games. When I am home, I tend to my dogs and their puppies (they are three weeks old today!), my husband and my Kayla. Most of the time, not even Kayla except to remind her to go to bed at 9pm.

Isn't that what everyone dreams of? A worry-free life? A stress-free life? Why is that not thrilling?

It's idyllic.
It's peaceful.
It is B E N I G N.

Jon's Early Birthday Present

My darling husband got me a teenie-weenie bit of a computer last Sunday. He said it's for my late night Lex games. I used to use his 17-inch Vaio laptop which is a very good machine except it's big and I have to stoop over it. Now, I can lie back while using my tiny laptop.

He said he mulled over what to get me. A Magic Sing or a laptop. He went for the latter because he said the Magic Sing will create noise pollution.

Isn't he a teddy bear?

Hiyaaah!!!

Eric the Magnificent

Eric has an attitude problem. He has an ego that is not fit for his stature in life. He needs to come down to earth and recognize reality. He thinks he is above everyone else and I can't, for the life of me, see how.

He lives in his parents-in-law's house. Any normal person would think he is very loving to them, right? Nooooo... they are unappreciated by their ungrateful son-in-law. They have too many faults... they are gamblers! He says many weird things about how bad they are even if they opened their home to him. I told him if I were his mother-in-law, they would be sleeping in the streets. So he has to go on leave every time a child is to be brought to the center for shots or something. Why? Because his in-laws are UNWORTHY and cannot be trusted with any of his precious children even for a couple of hours.

The other day, he left our garbage where it shouldn't be left despite a previous reminder and when I asked him why, it's the building's fault. The service elevator takes forever and there's a schedule for garbage disposal. What the effin' hell is that? The building admin is penalizing us for the violation so I told him it will be deducted from his salary.

I used to feel sorry for him but I ran out of patience and sympathy. The velvet gloves are off.

March 11, 2009 Puppy Update

February 28, 2009 Puppy Update

The Joy of Yaw Yan

I had a Yaw Yan session last night. Yaw Yan is a Filipino martial art which is a form of kickboxing and is similar to Muay Thai except for some movement variations. Yaw Yan means Dance of Death.

I had so much fun. I marveled at my bruised knuckles. I loved it!

Jon watched from the sidelines. He wanted to see if he can do it also. He was a bit turned off because the gym was a hard core gym and definitely felt and smelled like one. LOL.

I enjoy this type of exercise. It lets me expend my energy and my "power" at least, the little power left in me by smoking. I have no wind so I may punch like a man but I move like a freakin' dog left out in the sun without water too long.

I'm going to train regularly so I can kick ass someday. Special thanks to Champion sports bras... my puppies didn't move one bit.

Kiko and Colonial Mentality

Major networks paid tribute to FrancisM over the weekend. Everything that could be said about him was said... everyone who had anything to say was interviewed... all angles were covered.

It was saddening until Sunday when it got tiring. Especially when the reporter asked the grieving wife and children stupid questions like "what did you tell Francis during the last moments of his life?" Hello? I mean, hey, what would a wife and the children tell a dying person? You are an evil person! Linger! Suffer! Be in PAIN! Even if someone said that, would he/she admit it on national TV???

FrancisM wielded a big influence on my generation. In the early 1990's, it was he who instilled in the youth pride in being a Filipino. It was he who let us know that it's cool to be Pinoy. He pointed his finger to each of us and yelled Pinoy ka! Ipagyabang mo sa mundo! He chipped away at the strong Colonial Mentality that everyone had for a very long time and did a fantastic job. Because of FrancisM, it became cool to use local stuff. It became cool to listen to OPM's.

I heard Malacanang is going to honor him with some sort of award for nationalism ...

A tad bit late but very well-deserved.

Francis M

It's a sad day... Francis Magalona is gone. He was 44.

He had so much talent and people our age will always remember him for the good stuff and some nasties.

What a loss.

Here's Lookin' at You, Lola

That's what my babies are saying. They opened their eyes last night and they are exactly 2 weeks old today. They are growing really fast!

I don't know if they can see me. They still have milky eyes.

I'm excited for the day when they would look at me with love and complete devotion.

Then off they will go to their new parents! Boohoo...

Blast From the Past

I created Jon's FB account a few weeks ago.

Finally! He is networked. I created him a Friendster account eons ago but he never even looked at it. So I was pleased when he developed an interest in it especially when he discovered that he can find his friends and family all over the world. Now he doesn't frown at me when I'm at the computer until late at night. (Yeah, yeah... playing lexulous.)

I accessed his mailbox yesterday. (Of course, I know his password. Donker...) This woman had a message for him - "I think I know you." Oooh... he was found by his very first girlfriend. His first love. Oooh... he was 14 then and she broke his heart.

Mush!

Retrenchment and Sidelines

A few of my friends got retrenched in the past couple of months. It's so sad during these troubled times but Filipinos are a hardy people. We will survive and recover.

I have been retrenched twice in my life. The first one was great timing as I was able to get a better job before my retrenchment period was over while the second one gave a good separation package. Joblessness is always a troubling status unless of course, you have money coming out of your ears.

I, myself, am wondering what else can be done aside from my day job. You know, just in case...

I kinda attended a networking seminar a couple of weeks ago. Kinda because I didn't go inside the jammed conference room but went straight to the individual presentation. It's pretty interesting if you can get an active and healthy network. I even met a couple who are Blue Diamond networkers... they are top money-makers who generate millions each monthly. Wouldn't that be grand? I'd wear blue diamonds, for sure.

Jon does voice-overs for other networking seminars and he told me they are always full of people. He also observed that the top guys seem to be doing very well. Most of the products are for health so he brought home some of their products for trial. I look for miracles so I wasn't duly impressed but he said he felt "better."

People obsess about health and beauty. I think these are two fields that will thrive forever. My Mom always says, "never mind if you don't have money for as long as you look like you have plenty."

Friends Who Stress

I have a lot of friends who like to make fun of life. I guess that's why we are friends. We all have a rotten sense of humor. We like to look at people and make fun of their faults or we look at situations and make fun of whatever is intriguing in it or add an intriguing angle to it to make it more entertaining.

We're not bad. We just like to laugh at life. OURS and theirs alike. It's bad when you speak of the negative side of life and rejoice in your heart that others have it. THAT is bad. I know of some who are angels upfront but evil deep inside. They show a smiling face then turn around and whisper nasties in "that" tone of voice. I'm sure you know what tone I mean.

I have friends who think I'm callous or I'm insensitive and I'm not a person to turn to when one has problems. Why? Because I jib and jab and make fun of anything. Why not? What can a friend do if your boss is unreasonable? What can a friend do if your officemates are lazy? What can a friend do if your child is stubborn? Personally, when I need to talk about stuff like these, I don't look for advice or words of wisdom because I know exactly what my situation is. I know all the elements that make a situation worth talking about. I would prefer a friend who would crack a smart remark that would amuse me instead. Making your friend laugh at the situation is a much, much bigger help than offering solutions that she already knows anyway. If you want sympathy or a listening ear, the best source is a dog.
Again, personally, I think everyday problems are to laugh about. But if you are hurt somewhere, you can bet your sorry ass I'll come get you.

Moving On....Ward!

I remember yesteryears when I would go to my room to read before going to sleep. My room was full of books and half of my bed was strewn with books that I was reading. I used to read many, different books at the same time depending on my mood. One night I would read suspense, another night romance, next fantasy... I read whatever I felt like reading. I still read the last 50 pages before starting a book but then, I hardly ever read books these days. I kinda miss it.

These days, we all have our little gadgets to put us to sleep. We all have our little headsets on so as not to disturb others. Jon has this wonderful wireless headset that lets him watch TV til the wee hours. They tinker with thingamabobs to play games or listen to music. The night table is strewn with remote controls and thingamajigs. What is happening to the world? It is moving onwards too fast and I'm getting left behind. I am totally lost with a remote control that has more than 20 buttons. All I can understand is up or down for volume and left or right for channels. I was amazed when I accidentally pressed a button and the screen froze! There's a button called "still"... press it and the picture goes still. I wonder why a button like that exists. I feel like I'm trapped in quicksand. I can see things happening but I can't keep up. It's so cool, if you like Stephen King, but it can be frustrating especially since I buy these things and never get to use them. It's me and my lazy ass that's weighing me down.


C'mon, c'mon... move it!