now, he look's from God's window...

rest in eternal peace PJP II

hey all...just a quick blog...since this'll be the 4th time trying to post this blog...i have been having LOTS of trouble with this blogging thing for the past week...

anyhow, i just wanted to share some thoughts of yesterday...i found myself going to our church chapel yesterday during my lunch break...no one forced me to go and i didn't feel that i was compelled to go...i just went...i said a little prayer...i paid my last respect to PJP II...i felt so much more at peace with the knowledge that PJP II was too at peace...

anyhow, i heard the best compliment about PJP II from a NON catholic last night when i was @ work...the night cleaners came in and asked me if i was crying this week...i chuckled and said, no, only today...he said to me, "although i am not catholic, i still felt sad. this was a GREAT man, a man who was able to bring the world together, no matter what they believed in. he is the most powerful human being i know who was able to influence and touch so many people around the world...most especially the youth. look @ what he did today? he was able to bring everyone together in one area, not matter belief or value, and put politics and differences aside. now, what other man...other than God...can do such i thing...he will be missed..."

after he said that i felt chills up and down my body...i teared a little too b/c i knew it was true...my only regret was not being able to see him in my lifetime...

anyhow, gotta get back to my chores...hope you all have a great weekend...and BTW, kuya jean, I HATE YOU!! this is in regards to the "i look like a chipmunk...again" blog...URGH!! j/k!!

hello

hey... i hope everyone is well. Albert and I are at home doing nothing. I have no school today (I'm done, I'm done, I'm done woohoo) and Al got an early release day. We are waiting for Cris to call us so we can pick her up and go eat lunch. I think Ali said he is paying for us since he hasn't spent any money in the past 2 paychecks he's receieved...just kidding. Its KKB, as always (except when we scam manang to take us out for lunch!!!).

I was watching the funeral for Pope John Paul II this morning (the rebroadcast, NOT the 4 am one!) It was really touching. I teared up when the crowd kept chanting their Italian cheer for him ("giovanni di paolo " --clap, clap, clap--). I remember that from World Youth day, even though I didn't join in anything, it was always on the news. = ) He is in the ground now in the Vatican crypts...May he rest in peace and bless us from his window in God's House, as he did from his window onto St. Peter's square.

So yeah, in other news... tonight is my grad formal. Pretty cool. I'm wearing the dress i wore for your wedding ate sheila! It is getting its second life! = ) We have a limo coming to pick us up...its just like prom. heehee... i hope its a good party. I need to celebrate not having school anymore!

thats all for now. Later.

cheers,
b

PS ate jen, did you get the book about how God shaped people out of clay and Filipinos were the only ones who were "perfectly" cooked? White ppl were under cooked and black ppl were over cooked? thats a funny one. I think the message from that story is that everyone who is NOT Filipino sucks! haha... I forget where i saw that story!

"Kung Dalawang Kami"

I’d like to add a little to that story; possibly a background to it. http://jljbca.blogspot.com/2005/04/scrounging-for-ideas.html#comments

But first, a quick Tagalog lesson. The book title is probably wrong as it does not make sense. Could it be "Noong Dalawa Kami" (when there were two of us) or "Kung Dalawa Kami" (if there were two of us)?

In the provinces where the locals’ main occupation is mostly farming, the folks have a lot of time on their hands after the planting season. They also have a lot of time after dark. Only a few households have the luxury of a TV set or such. The lone cinema (or two) is located in the town center (poblacion) five or so kilometers away and it could pose a hardship just to go there. Public transportation is very limited and if not for bicycles, no one could go around more than a kilometer away from home without actual planning, and then, only for a worthwhile errand. Of course, "worthwhile" can mean anything to anyone. (e. g., town fiesta, movie, palengke, doctor, high school, etc.)

The folks, men and women (mostly men), work hard in the fields, often all day. They go home tired but not averse to a little entertainment. A lot of them spend the first hours of the night at the local sari-sari store just to sample (or over-sample) the little store's bottled offerings. Some get a little drunk and some get over-hyped but all reach home to rest and get ready for the next day.

But the "revelry" does not stop there especially for the over-hyped tigers (kalabaw?). As a result, most families grow big with three or more or even a dozen children. For some, a big family might be affordable as they have a large farmland but the others are not so lucky. Unfortunately, farm size does not factor in as something to consider. As a matter of fact, a big brood is considered a boon because then, there will be a lot of help in the farm and therefore, could produce more income. A controversial philosophy but it is a prevailing mindset, nevertheless.

As is the case, in America, a big family can be a financial disaster though not always. So it is in the Philippines.

There’s the background.

Scrounging for ideas

I have not really been so busy that I can’t blog. The problem is, I have this so-called writer’s block. (I’ll call it that because it sounds glamorous and erudite.) Bottom line: no excuse. (I'll leave the Pope to Momma. She'd do better writing about the Pope.)

I am glad though that some of you have picked up the slack. I just wish more or all of you would do the same.

For lack of good topic in mind, I’ll put in one or two sentences about “American Idol.” Does anyone outside of JBCA watch the show? No, I’m not going to make any judgment on the merits of the show. A show is a show after all. I just want to say that I’m betting on Carrie Underwood to win. At least, she’s my favorite to win. (I can almost hear JBCA say: Dad!, you’re too old for this.)

P.S. To Jennifer: Do you have anything specific to hear about Philippine folklore/superstition/culture/etc.?

i look like chipmunk...again!!

hey all...i guess i haven't been blogging much...BUT i have read the blog's in the past few days...the comments as well...i think i made some comments along the way.

anyhow, i am not feeling or looking too hot right now...actually for the past 5 days...i have seem to had a VERY bad reaction to a facial cleanser i bought...you guys might know it...PROACTIV?? anyhow, there's a medicinal ingrediant that i am allergic to in that...anyhow, i broke out into a REALLY bad rash...i went to the dr's twice and twice he gave me 2 different prescriptions...THANK THE LORD FOR HEALTH CARE AND MOM & DAD'S INSURANCE...anyhow, the first set of meds he gave me...i was alelrgic to that too therefore my rash only spread...this time around the meds seem to be working, but it's been making me VERY sleepy, making school VERY hard to stay awake for...on purpose!! LOL!!

anyhow, my progress seems to be getting better...SLOW...but getting better...at least some people still think i'm pretty...or maybe they are just saying that so i won't start CRYING!!! but the rash seems to be moving on up...i hope it goes away soon...what an inconvenience!!

so...i hear UNC won the NCAA...HA HA kuju & albert...j/k...we can only hope for next year right?? NOT!! muhahahahahaha!! no but really...maybe Duke will finally get some decent players next year...

okie dokie...my head hurts and i feel sleepy...i will blog again another day!! ttyl!! God Bless, and pray for PJP II!!