Lua Hagedorn

Pacquiao Wins!!!!

YAHOO!!!  Another reason to celebrate.  Congratulations to us.

Recently, visited a website that bothered me. Bloggers should be responsible for what they write. So much hate it their hearts.  That’s what happens to a person pag nasobrahan ng isip. Gosh!! Lighten up guys!! Be happy. Count your blessings,  not the negative things in life. Mind your life.There are so many things in our life that would make us either happy or sad.  It’s really a choice you can make. The ff are reasons to be happy ( or unhappy). Choose!

1. Waking up with your family around you.( you can complain why you only have one room and 0 privacy)

2. Being healthy….so many people I know are sick.  Would spend a fortune just to be like us. I’m happy that one of my problems is actually losing weight.

3. Having a source of income….many filipinos are jobless.  I love having work…I love my work…Thank you.

4. Being in the Philippines…Do you even realize that we’re still lucky to be living in the philippines where the average filipino household can afford to have maids.I don’t remember the last time I ever did my own laundry.

5. Ukay-ukay….love it!!! Now I don’t go paranoid when my P.As( Personal Alalays haha) do the laundry.  I don’t go haywire when the kids play and get really filthy.

6. Living in Palawan- this must be one of the only places where you can go around having no money in your pocket. Pamalengke in the mornings….then no more.  Coffee doesn’t mean spending almost 500 bucks on coffee, buns,  and gasoline, toll.  Haaaay….coffee everyday means bonding with friends na P50 lang ang budget.  And that includes the whole bunch’s coffee na.  Of course, that means we drink in a friends garden.   Kanya kanyang dala.  Bennet  provides the coffee,  I bring the hopia, Ice brings banana que, Cheena brings toasted corned beef,  Mang Godo brings french toast…and everyone brings their own stories to make the day happy. Our topic ranges from sex to garden maintaining.

Another thing,  Palawan’s schools are cheap.  I am shocked at how much my friends are paying their kid’s school.  And we have good schools. Pre-school pa lang is all my kids tuition combined.  Sobra pa. Kaya tama na ang reklamo.  Be happy.

Nightlife in Puerto is yes limited to 2 places only.  Kinabuch’s and Scenario…Ayaw nyo nun?!  Tipid?! Besides,  we can always go to friends places and play chef.  Enjoy yun.  Subukan nyo.  Then on weekends… go to the beach…People travel for miles to go to our beaches..tayo dito tricycle lang ang kailangan. Bring your lunch- be it paksiw and boiled rice,  ang importante you do something different once in a while.

7. My family,  my house,  my friends, my dogs, friendster( believe me- happy to have found lost friends), internet, the sun when it’s sunny,  the rain when it’s raining, the birds chirping,  the noise( it means I can hear), my problems( it means I’m alive.  Ang mga walang problema nasa sementeryo), so many reasons to be happy.

Suma tutal….it’s your personal attitude that should change.  I used to be so hard on myself. Had plans in my life.  At this age I should have this,  this year I should have that.  But I forced myself to change my attitude.  Be happy for small graces.  Because God loves me.  And knows what’s best for me. He’ll give me what I need at the right time.

My prayers used to be requesting for something.  Now tagal ng hindi.  Puro na lang thank you.  A writing in a prayer moved me.  It says " let me be dependent on no one but Him". That means dapat independent ako of anyone but Him. Kaya sige…work lang ng work and He will provide. I don’t ask anymore because He has given me so much already.  Mahiya naman ako.  Parang no happiness.  Kakasawa yun a.  When you give and the receiver don’t appreciate and still demands for more.

Anyway,  there are a lot more reasons to be happy.  I planned to list down the reasons to be unhappy…but I don’t even think about it.  I keep looking for reasons but can’t find any. Oh!!! I can think of one….Leon’s periodical test results. GRRRR!!! And my vertigo…Haaaay…But there is SERC…so it doesn’t really make me that unhappy.

Hope to have made smile.  To Corinne,  my sister.  Who’s thousands of miles away….We love you….And missed you yesterday.. Agkaen kami ruman y batchoy.   INggit!!!

Recently went to Bankok.  Stayed for 6 days.  Wished I stayed longer. Will definitely come back. Will probably bring Leon and Lara the next time I do.

Bankok………….what is it with bankok that make tourist flock to it?  From the moment we landed,  all I did was compare bankok to manila and guess what city won?  For me,  manila is a much better choice.  No comparison.  Bankok,  appeared to me as a big version of old manila, divisoria and baclaran combined.  I’m not kidding.  It looked exactly like echague…… But with older wares. IT IS AN UGLY CITY.  I looked for famous nightspots….. and everyone pointed us to the Silom area. I thought "Is this it?" I logged into the internet and confirmed that was what they had to offer. Philippines have better nightspots.  Promise!!! By far. Even malate looked classier. And malate is old.  Decrepit actually.

What did we(tourist)go there for? 

1) When I travel……..my intention is really not to shop.  Maybe because I always have limited budget when I do travel.  Also,  I am happy with what I find in divisoria,  tutuban or when I don’t have a choice, the shops and boutiques in the malls.  Shopping in Manila is not that bad. Pero I admit,  mas mura talaga mga camera, phones and computers sa bankok.  And the bags!!!! So cheap!!! It’s because the thai have mastered leather.  They have beautiful bags.  We also went to their high end mall.  That’s where the Louis Vuitton shops are located(kasinlaki lang ng southmall) And the Louis Vuitton bags there are a lot cheaper than their shops here. The Tag heuer watches is about 30% cheaper. Anyway,  I travel to see……learn…….and most importantly EAT!!!!

2.Eat…………………the culinary scene of Bankok is to me, overrated. I expected to gain a thousand pounds in my visit.  The first two days was fun.  But the third day????? Waaaah!!!! Ayoko naaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Why do they have to put coriander in everything they cook.  The chilli was ok.  I am fond of spicy food.  But the coriander was everywhere.  Gosh!!!! How we use black pepper is how they use coriander.  Worst!!! I can smell it even in their dessert. From 3rd day onward…….I was eating streetfood.  At least I get to smell it before I buy it. And Oh….the fruits……. I don’t know what they water their fruits with.  But they were fantastic.  And I do suggest you taste their buko. Yumyum!!!!

3. See……. The freakshow in Patpong was hilarious.  Nothing sexual actually.  It’s a must see.  Just something to tell your friends back home.  But the whole situation is pathetic. Poor women.  I don’t understand the concept.  But I guess every country has it’s own quirks……too bad we couldn’t make smokey mountain as one of our tourist destination. Because if you ask me……our kababayans in  smokey mountain are luckier than those people in patpong.

4. Tourist destination…..We enjoyed the free tour.  That’s how they call the tour where they bring you to places where you are tempted to spend all your money.  Hehehe galing ng tactic. In one day,  they brought us to one temple, one leather factory, and the gems factory. Our tourguide "Kitty" brought us to the temple with the biggest Buddha.  After two hours….she brought us to the gems factory  where everyone bought something.  The showroom was fantastic.  All kinds of jewelry.  Beautiful.   The whole experience was educating.  first they brought us to a videoroom where we were made to watch the history of jewelry making in thailand.  Then they brought us to their work area.  Where you can actually see their jewellers make jewelry. Then lastly their showroom.  Beautiful jewelry.  Para akong nasa impyerno. Hehehe imagine how I felt?  Surrounded by beautifull jewelry,  di naman  makabili. But the prices huh?  It’s not that cheap.  But beauty really comes with a price.  After the gemstore, Kitty brought us to the leather factory,  where some of us spent more.

Our whole stay in bankok was actually going around looking and buying when it’s worth buying.  The place is one big divisoria.  Maganda pa ang divisoria. It’s like baclaran on a wednesday.  But what’s different is the attitude of it’s people.  It seems like everyone is selling something,  and everyone has the saleslady attitude.  Polite and nice.  Samwadika here complete with the bow and smile. Samwadika there.  It’s like being in a city full of fastfood personnel.  Everyone needing to sell something but with no regular price.  Everything is valued at how much the costumer is willing to pay for it. One ashtray can sell for 300 baht or 1,300 baht depending on the costumer. A silver rings asking price starts at 1,300 baht……but Carlo was able to get it at 300 baht.. That’s how fucked up the system is.  At least in manila the prices are regular.  BUT…..if you are a good  negotiator…..that’s another story.

The tour to the provinces was fun too.  The heat was unbearable. And the rivers were dirty.  But being in the floating market was fun.  I just see it on discovery channel.  It was fun being there.  But the shopping was horrible.  The history of the floating market is dramatic.  That was where the farmers bring their products to sell it to the city people.  Now it’s different.  The products are more expensive because they get their wares from bankok and travel 1 1/2 hours to sell it in the floating market. Funny no?   It can be compared to the philippines IT’s performing their harvest rituals just because there were tourists. hehehe it’s the same everywhere.

Anyway, the whole bankok experience was fun.  I’ll definitely go back.  With Leon and Lara.  I’d like to just walk around the city with my kids and come across an elephant anytime. Of course,  you have to pay them 20 baht to have your pix taken with the elephant.  And you have to buy the elephant food for 20 baht per pack( that’s about 5 pcs of bananas per pack) And since feeding the elephant was fun.  You’ll end up spending 100 baht per feeding. Riding on one was fun but scary.  500 baht per person. Watching monkeys and seeing real tigers is also an experience I want to give my kids.  Ulya enjoyed the trip except for the walking. She almost died of walking daw. We walked everywhere simply because the traffic in bankok was worst than manila.  And you will arrive at your destination faster when you walk.

I’d definitely go back to bankok.  But this trip made me appreciate manila more.  We’re not that bad.  Being an archipelago is part of our problem.  Travel in the philippines is more expensive than in thailand simply because we are divided by bodies of water. But overall impact,  we are lucky to be living in the philippines.  I just hope we talk nicely about our country when we are in other countries.  Let’s be proud of what we have.  We just have to change attitude towards our country.  Stop being so critical of things around us.  Better to talk nicely than to complain about everything.  Anyway,  I believe that philippines have so much to offer.  I wanted to go to malaysia next but will go to vigan instead.  Punta punta ako ibang bansa,  di ko pa nga nalilibot ang philippines. Guys……do come to palawan.  Email me…..I can help with pointing you out to the right direction.  Where to go for accommodations,  where to eat….etc….etc……… Come to Palawan first before bankok.

SEE YAH!!!

Haven’t written in my blog for quite some time now.  I guess This CBNC contract really took up so much of our time. Will probably take more time till we actually set up in Rio tuba.  This is going to be a challenge.  I hope we cope with the job.  Hopefully,  we get the contract for the clubhouse as well.

Haven’t been writing blogs lately.  It’s not that there’s nothing to share.  Simply,  not enough artistic juices running in my veins lately.  Am I burnt out?  I don’t think so. It’s just that ever since school started,  I simply don’t have enough time to do everything that I have to do.

Last night I thought I could oversleep today.  But at 5:30,  my alarm clock rang. Had to turn it off.  Was planning to sleep right after.  No deal.   Mark was already buzzing around the room getting ready to go to the annual treeplanting festival "Pista y ang Kageban".  Gave up all efforts to go back to sleep and just stood up and headed to the kitchen.  Just prepared him his breakfast and proceeded to downloading some music from limewire. Now I’m just waiting for all the music.  Hope i get them all.

Watched 300 the other day and am dying to have it’s soundtrack.  Beautiful movie.  Very graphic, nicely done.

Went to Port Barton last weekend with the kids and some friends.  Enjoyed the vacation immensely.  Will go to Quezon with Neva and Loic next time to visit the Tabon Cave. I have to touch up on the caves history or the visit would be senseless.

After a few months,  we’re planning to go to el nido  with, again, some friends and the kids.  Hope Mark can endure the trip. Patience has never been his virtue.

I am hoping to be able to bring the kids to the tourist spots every month.  It’s a shame to be growing up in one of the most beautiful places on earth and not be able to explore it early in life. Never mind my discomfort.  I really don’t enjoy the feel of sand in my underwear. But seeing my children’s happy faces,  makes it all worth it.

Two weeks ago,  the whole family, along with U.Boyang and Mama went to the Underground River.  It was the kids first visit to our # 1 destination of puerto princesa. 

Leon,  has been asking me when the next trip will be. He further asked me why in every trip we always go through rainforests.  It’s funny,  because it’s true.  In all our trips most of the travel is through thick rainforests. Next time,  I will insist that we stay in sabang overnight and the kids take the monkey trail.  They would love it. Walking through the trees,  passing a snake,  or a rare bird on the way.  It will be an experience. Sleeping on the beach,  I think is a must. Waking up to the sound of waves is euphoric.  Soon. I promise.

Anyway,  that’s it for now.  For all my blog visitors,  do go to the Underground River.  The roads are better.  And it’s one place where all should visit.  It is,  after all the longest underground river in the world. It’s better if you stay overnight and really explore the place. Next blog would be a guide for people who are planning to visit palawan.  Watch out for it. All my friend who visit always come back.

Lyn came to work for us 5 years ago. Her sister Ningning have been working for me for three months when she approached me and volunteered her sister for a job position that I was offering. They stayed for 2 years.  Ningning then got promoted to be head cook for the shop.  She was talented in cooking. Both sisters were good in their jobs. Ningning stayed in McCoy’s until she got happily married to a nice man.  Now they are living in Roxas. Jaja the husband is a responsible young man and they were blessed 1 year ago with a bouncing baby boy which they constantly bring to us when they visit.

Lyn,  after almost 3 years of being with me left. Reluctantly, her friend told me. She was sent to manila to work with an aunt. It was her mothers’ decision said the friend. Lyn couldn’t complain anymore since the Aunt already gave her mother money for her sevices. So basically she was a "pambayad utang".

Lyka naman, She worked with me about 3 1/2 years ago.  Left midyear last year. Was also sent to her uncle in fairview to help out in their carinderia and study. She admitted going to manila was an adventure and she would love to go. I didn’t ask her to stay.  And we kept in touch.  Well,  she would txt me once in a while and I’d reply accordingly.

About 2 months ago,  Lyn got in from manila.  2 weeks ago, I got word that she wanted to come back and work for me again.  I said anytime.  They were good kids and they left properly.  Our parting was pleasant.  I was actually sad to let them go each time.  Because I felt they were like my family already. Last thursday Lyn came. We surprised Lara. Lara couldn’t believe her eyes. She ran to Ate Lyn and hugged kissed and did whatever.  The reunion was sweet. We shared a lot of stories. Basically just catching up. Ningning was here also,  of course with Jaja and Renz( the cute baby boy ). I left them to themselves and did my daily jogging. When I came back Lara would’t let Ate Lyn go home.  She was afraid Lyn wouldn’t come back again. Lara was kawawa talaga.  We had to reassure her that Lyn was coming back the next day. We explained that Lyn just had to make sure that yes I said that she can come back anytime. Anyway,  now we’re back to normal. No….. still not normal.  Lara for the third time now is sleeping with ate Lyn in their room.  Just making sure Ate Lyn wasn’t going anywhere.  Lyn,  I could see was flattered.  She can feel that yes,  we do love her here in this house. That we like having her around. Ulya and Leon was also extra good these past few days.

This morning another surprise came to our doorstep.  Lyka came for a visit. She also got back from manila and after a visit to her mother in roxas came back to puerto the other day and visited us this morning. She’s looking good. Hated manila she said. After 2 weeks of being in manila she said she was raring to go back to puerto.  It was a beautiful athmosphere in the house.  We were so noisy.  The kids were shrieking with excitement. They were so noisy that I developed the worst headache I had this year.  But I couldn’t spoil their fun.  So I just went in the room and tried to keep out of their way.

Anyway, they had the time of their lives. And I was happy,  even with the headache. I was happy to see that I’ve made a family out of strangers. I do love these kids.  And I’m happy that they seem to love my kids.  It really seemed like a family reunion.  Maybe we should have beach trip.

Today Lara finally went to the dentist.  Had to have 3 teeth uprooted. I was the one nervous since I have this sheer terror when it comes to dentists.  You see when I was growing up,  the technology then wasn’t as sophisticated as it is now. Mere tooth filling was agony.  Now,  it’s a breeze. The kicks like drill with spurting water is here, anesthesia is used with the simple task of tooth filling whereas before,  you have to bear with the constant touching of drill to toothnerve.  Waaah!! I don’t even want to remember.

Lara was funny as usual.  When the dentist was applying the topical anesthesia,  she was laughing. It tickles daw according to her.  Then the time for the injection came.  The dentist told her it was going to hurt like an antbite. Told her to close her eyes and wait for the antbite.  She complained like hell yes. She said yes indeed it seems like an antbite.  But bitten by an ant as big as a car.  hahaha!!! Funny no?  But anyway after the ordeal was over I brought her to Robert’s Supermart and let her get as many popsicles she wants. Sucking on something cold does stop the bleeding.

That night,  she placed one tooth under her pillow.  I asked her why she only put one tooth.  This was her answer, she’ll only put one tooth at a time because maybe the tooth fairy doesn’t have so much money for three teeth, so she’ll only put one tooth at a time. It was funny because I do think she has an inkling who the tooth fairy was.  And at that time I was really short on cash. 

Anyway,  I guess that’s it for now. For all the mothers out there.  I’m telling you,  they know or at least they suspect. Kids today are more observant.  They know who santa claus is, toothfairy etc etc.  Personally i don’t believe in all that crap as well but being able to instill good memories to your children as they are growing up is actually what parents live for day by day.  Of course we also have to watch ourself as not to spoil them.  Spoilt children don’t have a chance to survive in this world. A parents duty is to instill all the good qualities children need to survive when we parents are gone. They would have to learn to stand and survive on their own.  So most of the times, lessons have to be taught with an iron hand. Love and disciplining should go hand in hand like the two wings of a bird. A bird can’t fly with just one wing. So both have to be strong. Love and discipline for one’s child is a must. Right now, I made a new set of rules for this schoolyear. No tv on weekdays. I used to let them watch an hour of tv as long as they have finished their homework.  But now it’s going to be different. Sorry kids.  No tv on weekdays this time.

Anyway friends.  I hope you enjoyed by entry today.  I would constantly try to keep you posted on whats happening to me.  Corinne, look at my newly posted pix.  I know malulungkot ka na naman jan.  Always remember,  you are constantly being missed here.  Hope you can visit us sooner than planned.  Or pwede rin ako bibisita sa yo jan pero pamasahian mo akohhh!! hehehe joke lang.  We you and miss you terribly.

As usual, prior to Carlo’s regular departure to wherever he’s going.  A nightout was a must. We were invited to go to Loyola plans launching. Congrats Cheena for a job well done. After which we planned to go to Scenario Asturias to continue enjoying the night.

I wasn’t able to attend the launching.  Because Nanay wanted to have dinner with the kids.  Meaning bringing them to jollibee and giving them what they wanted. It was heaven for them.  Being able to dine in jollibee and play in the playground was a treat for them.  I was supposed to dye my mothers hair after but there simply was no time.  My friends were texting me endlessly. Pressuring me to come follow SOON!!!

The kids and I went home after dinner.  I had to make sure they were settled before I go. At about 11 I went to scenario. What a night!!! Everyone had fun. I didn’t plan on staying long but ended up staying until everyone unanimously thought it was time to go home.

I think it’s important to have nightouts like this once in a while. It makes one unwind and makes us get excited for the weeks ahead.   Renewed excitement to tackle boring chores we face day by day.

Most of my friends are entrepreneurs. Yep, birds with the same feathers do flock together.  I guess we all don’t want to have bosses. That’s why we gravitate towards each other. And our days consists of doing basically doing the same things.  Paperwork, banking, paying bills, procuring, promotion, etc.etc.etc.  These are things that we do that’s draining. It’s a boring job but it has to be done. Or the business will fail.  I do prefer cooking in the kitchen. Then I don’t have to think.

Anyway,  I was so happy to have forced myself to follow. You know when you age,  pagdating ng alas 8,  my  body’s instinct is to sleep.  Plus busog pa. We came from jollibee remember? From now on,  I won’t miss Carlo’s invites to go out.  We had a blast. I am looking forward to next months nightout.  Yahooo!!!

     A day after elections and we’re still terribly busy.  We’re not physically tired yet mentally I’m exhausted. Waiting for the final score is stressful. I am learning a lot from this election. 

     Ever since I can remember,  books had been a part of my life.  We used to own the only book rental service in town and I thought that was responsible for my love of reading. Of course the fact that as children, we weren’t allowed to read comic books and watch tv contributed very largely to my lifetime relationship with reading.

     Books and magazines have always been a part of my life. It had been responsible for  what can be considered an adequate grasp of the vocabulary. So when I had kids,  I naturally wanted them to experience the joy of reading. As early as conception,  I would read to my slowly growing tummy, poems that were recommended for developing foetuses. As babies,  I would read to them nursery rhymes, and still more poems. Sing to them lullabies which are poems with tunes.

     As years go by,  my babies became toddlers, and now they are all in school. The constant effort on my kids to love books was continous. Considered it as labor of love.  I knew they would benefit from it. I set up rules like 1 hour a day reading time, and no tv for certain hours of the day. Spending on books was for me a necessity. The months it had to take for me to pay up those Grolier editions from babyhood up to the present was no joke. Every year I would be acquiring books that I think is necessary to entice my kids to read. And nice books were expensive.

     At the beginning of this summer vacation,  I assigned each child a book to read. I insisted they finish it before the next schoolyear came. I was able to find a hardback copy of "the Hardy Boys" for my 9-year-old son Leon,  a "Nancy Drew Book" for my 10-year-old daughter Ulya, and a Baha’i short story book for my 6-year-old daughter Lara.Getting them to read it was a struggle. They complain and try to delay the task.  But I was strict.  This was what my parents did with me,  and I think this is a legacy I can pass down to them.

     Last night,  I went out with some friends.  Carlo was leaving today and he wanted to spend some time with us along with his family.  I recommended for us to go to my mother-in-laws bar. I wanted to help promote the place. We had fun.  I was the bartender since I didn’t want to drink. Stayed for approximately 2 hours.  Give or take a few minutes. Everybody had fun,  but I had to leave earlier than everyone because it was a weekday and there were lots to be done today.

     As I arrived home last night.  I can hear my children’s voices.  I knew they were awake,  as it wasn’t that late. But as I was taking my shoes off and checking the locks on my doors,  I couldn’t help but notice that they were very quiet. Quite perplexing. The tranquility in the room was unusual.  Very peculiar.

     As I entered the room,  I can see that Mark was already asleep. Very tired from the days campaigning. The scene in the room shocked me. Leon was on their bed watching TV, and my two girls were READING!!! They had the reading lamp on the floor and both were lying on their stomach with a book each in front of them. Lya was reading a compilation of short stories that I bought when she was a baby and read to her till she was a toddler. It was a 2-inch book and she was halfway through it. Lara was reading another compilation of short stories as well. They were really in the book.  I can emagine them seeing the scenery in their minds. They were reading. My two daughters. As early as 6 and 10 and I was able to instill in them the joy of reading. Now I only have Leon to worry about.

     As Leon and I laid on the bed watching Law and Order, my little turtle( that’s what we call Lara) approached me.  "Mommy" she said.  " can’t help my eyes closing". "They’re tired, really tired.  I haven’t finished my story yet,  what shall I do?" That’s when I taught her the use of a bookmark.

     April 25, 2007,  my Lola Maria’s 96 birthday. Also the birth of my kids enthusiasm towards reading. Like the dates of my children’s first first’s.  I will never forget this date.