Ending 08 and Christmas

So I'm trying to think -- my journal website is almost out of date. Do I keep it and continue blogging in 09 using the same one, or do I migrate the blogs into a more generic website name?

I'm still thinking what to decide. But nevertheless, I will continue here and if I should change sites, then I would love it if you follow me! I will post any changes on this website so don't worry, you will be informed no matter what.

I'm having fun posting dances and cool stuff lately. I feel like a kid. And what better timing to feel that - it's Christmas! I'm so happy and I thank God for my happiness. I thank God for family and friends like you during the holiday season. I thank God for sending his only Son to save us. And I would like to celebrate Christmas remembering the birth of Jesus Christ.

Take care y'all and Merry Christmas everyone!

Disney Celebration

Having fun

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Happy Holidays!

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Merry Christmas

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Nielsen's at The Peninsula

I just got back from breakfast. The hotel does know a Filipino stomach, the buffet was lined with endless choices. I was just a bit disappointed that the mangoes ran out. I am glad to have had 3 slices though. They're as good as always.

I am back in Manila for 5 days. The trip was packed with unwanted events... flight delays, cancellations, airline transfer confirmations. And then when I got to the hotel, found out that the client was unable to make it. Talk about shock! So I made calls, my boss who's only just arrived made arrangements to travel back the next day, but I didn't. Not yet. Then the good news, the client will be arriving a day late, but arriving nonetheless.

So I called mom and met with her and Kuya Jhun for lunch. That was after I've had about 4 hours of sleep. After a quick trip to SM (what would a Manila trip be without it?), we went back to the hotel to rest before dinner at Kuya Eisen's. It was good to see family, share stories, add pounds (the food was great), and just be there.

Today, meetings start at lunch so I will talk some more a bit later.

Awake at 2am

So I've been sleeping but apparently, my siblings were not (it's day time in what Gabriel now correctly refers to as the "Eastern Hemisphere"). So they decided to give me us a call through Skype. Jojo answered this time (I answered 2 previous calls sometime during midnight). I do know when it's my brother calling me coz I can't seem to hear him at the end of the line. He says he hears us fine though. Too bad.

So after 15 minutes of not being able to get back to sleep, I logged in. And there they are, my siblings chatting. After about 5 minutes though, they suddenly had something else to do, and so I am left here... online and alone. How about that?

Well, let me instead write down how the week has been. Gabriel turned 8 last Thursday, he was really happy as his classmates gave him handwritten birthday greetings, tons of bookmarks, and $1. They are so sweet, he was really happy. For dinner, Gabriel wanted to go to Chick-Fil-A and as it was his day, he's the boss. Definitely, low key.

Friday night around 6pm, we went to Dealey movie night featuring "Kung Fu Panda." It was my first time to watch the movie from beginning to end and I realized that I missed the middle half of it before. And yet, I have put it down as 3 stars in my list. Oh well, the rating didn't change even after finishing the movie. Once again, we sat with Margaret although this time, a few of Gabriel's other friends joined our blanket: Gabriel and Dominic; Olivia; and Andrew.

Earlier this week, we dropped by Vera's Bakeshop to reserve Gabriel's birthday cake for his party on Saturday. He chose a dinosaur-themed one and I hope I remember to take a picture before it gets eaten. We also went to Party City for his goodie bag stuff. We hope it's a success, and at last count, 28 kids are coming.

The other day, we saw the trailers for Twilight. Looks great, I can't wait to watch the movie. These past few months, I would rather wait for the dvd to be available on Dvdplay kiosks, but I don't think I can wait for this one. So we probably will watch it in AMC. As we will be in Houston when they open, we might go out one night while we're there and catch it. If not, definitely when we get back.

Some friends of ours are planning to have a "bowling night" and I just hope that with our schedule, we'll be able to make it. So far, we're booked for the weekends through Dec 13. Mostly chess tournaments and parties.

We also had an early Thanksgiving Potluck at the office. Good times, good food. And what's even better, I was able to carry out a bag for dinner. My family enjoyed it.

Cyndee invited Gabriel to join Julian's indoor soccer games, and so he now has soccer practice from 6:45 to 8:15 every Tuesdays and Wednesdays. He'll be exhausted but we imagined this will be good for him as it is getting to winter and he won't be able to play or even stay outdoors at all.

Wow, so much has happened this week. And more tomorrow. See you later.

What a day!

It's been another one of those busy days. Started early in the morning to go to Gabriel's chess tournament. As we were getting in the car, I saw our neighbor Glen. So finally, months after the incident, I was able to thank him for knocking on our door one early morning, and letting me know that I left my keys on the keyhole. Where it stayed the whole night. If I didn't write about it before, I was probably too embarrassed to admit it. But now you know.

Gabriel's chess was good, he got a medal along with a few kids for ending up with 3 wins out of 5. We met a few other people and I did a good deed today. Let me not tell you what it is, but it was a good deed.

After chess, we took Andrew to the soccer field for the last game of the Fall season. Andrew's dad was there to meet us. I'm not sure whether we won or it was a tie, but the season ended good, that's for sure. Cheers to Coach V! Cheers to Dealey Dragons!

At this point, I only had a hotdog to fill my stomach around lunchtime. Definitely not enough, so I'm thankful we still have leftover roast pork, roast duck, and kinilaw. The best, I say!

I popped in the West Wing dvd from where I left off but immediately fell asleep. Bad, I only just ate. But I couldn't help it. Now I'm wide awake and telling you how my day went.

Fall back victims

Monday night, I slept with Gabriel in his room. We both woke up at around the same time the next morning to go pee, and realized after looking at the clock that it was already 7am. So Gabriel said It was time to take a shower and prepare to go to school. Jojo on the other hand was still snoring.

While Gabriel was in the shower, I prepared his school uniform and then went on to our bedroom. I checked the clock and it said 6:15am. That's when I realized that the clock in Gabriel's room was not updated to reflect the standard time.

Oh well, we all had a laugh. It was great waking up so early.

Happy Day

Yesterday was a happy day. I was in the office when our Systems Manager announced that old laptops are on their way to recycle centers. If anyone is interested though, there are 8 that are working. No catch. So after a moment of crazy, I went home and presented Gabriel with his first laptop. He was really excited. Jojo immediately configured the wireless and installed Glubble to manage and monitor the websites that Gabriel can access. It's perfect. Gabriel said, "I triple love you, Mommy!" Doesn't get any better than that.

Also contributing to it being a happy day, I got the West Wing complete season dvds that I ordered in Amazon. And even the Guitar Hero Aerosmith Wii game arrived. Amazon is awesome. Times like these when I know that life is a dream I'm living.

I cooked crabs and shanghai rolls for dinner and although the crabs didn't turn out as I would like them to, it's alright. Didn't even dent my happiness. I just need to improve on the recipe and it should work next time.

Eating out

After Gabriel's dental appointment last Tuesday, we had dinner at Maxim's. Yum chicken feet and spareribs! It's really a treat. Gabriel, who just had a tooth extraction did not mind at all and ate chicken feet with gusto. I'm happy to say -- we live to eat, not eat to live.

And today, Jojo and I just drove to Fuel City to try out the much-reviewed "best tacos in Dallas." It was small, but what can you expect when you pay $1.16. It was good though. I tried the beef fajita, chicken, and barbacoa. I liked the beef fajita best. If we decide to drive by again, I'll order beef fajitas exclusively. I'd still say the fish tacos in Half Shells are the best tacos, Big Shucks grilled tacos coming in as a close second.

Which reminds me, we still have that Cheesecake Factory gift card to use. Oh, I'll try out the ribs and not order the miso salmon.

On another topic, we tried the Hong Phat supermarket in Saigon Mall yesterday. Very clean and big, but I would still prefer to go to Hiep Thai next time. However, we did order roast pork for take out. Yum yum. It tastes like lechon, in fact, I know for sure I won't miss lechon now that I can buy roast pork here at any time. Too bad we missed the roast duck coz they ran out.

I bought ingredients for kare-kare. So we'll probably have kare-kare for dinner soon. Maybe tonight.

Reading and drugs

I really like the book - The Pillars of the Earth. Got it as a birthday present from Aileen and Bong (thanks very much!). It makes me think about a different kind of life. A simpler one, if you will, but not that much different to our lives now. The story is set in the 1100s, and offers the author's views on how it was years ago. I've learned a lot just by reading. If you find the time, pick up this book.

This morning, it was mid-40s outside. So fast - the winter has come. Maybe it's one of the reasons why I got the cold. Julie recommended that I try Airborne, a vitamins or dietary supplement for the immune system, and so I did. Nah, it didn't work, I still have the colds, but I don't feel that bad. So maybe it helped a little. Jojo recommended that I start taking multivitamins, and so I will. 

For now though, since I feel a headache coming and feel really tired after a long day, I'll get myself to drink Theraflu which usually knocks me out after 10 minutes. Gives me a good night's sleep too.

I am my father

So listen. I was sitting in the passenger's seat of our van and decided to take a quick look in the mirror. I had to double take. I thought I saw my dad, and of course... it was just me! I do look like my dad. And for all the tears I've cried when I was little, insisting that I did not look like him, all a waste.

I still miss my dad. I wonder what he'd be doing if he were still alive. He's one of the smartest men I know. And he knows how to spoil a kid. I sure fell into that category [a spoiled kid] growing up. I love you, daddy!

I want to write more about sitting in the car though. I recently bought the Bare Minerals make-up kit in Ulta. I don't normally put make-up on, especially since there's always no time to do it anyway. I'm always in a hurry to leave the house. But since I've bought the kit, and when I don't drive, I apply it while we're headed to either the soccer game or to a party. I like Bare Minerals. It's nice and easy to apply, and it does brighten up my aura (I'd like to think!).

So while in the car, I would do that. Or pluck stray eyebrows. Or else just sing along to whatever's playing. And there usually is [something playing] coz my boys are such music lovers. I like the quiet sometimes but I like music the rest of the times. Does that make sense?

Gabriel won first place in a chess tournament in Dallas

Last October 11, 2008, Gabriel won first pace in the K-2 division Chess Tournament, here in Dallas. We were ever so proud. He received another trophy and we're seriously running out of table space to hold them. He's been very happy though, and so have we. The next tournament will be in his school, Dealey Montessori.

After the tournament, Andrew, Gabriel's friend from school, joined us for lunch and stayed with us until half past 7 that night. The boys practically spent the whole day together, and just the day before, Gabriel was over at Andrew's after school for his birthday celebration. So, not just one day, but 2 whole days together!

Cowboys 4-3

We had a horrible last 2 games. I sure hope we bounce back from this negative momentum.

Cowboys 4-1

Last Sunday, we had sort of a mythbuster episode part 5. The myth: whenever we (Village People) watch a game, the team we're rooting for loses. The result: busted! Cowboys were playing the Cincinnati Bengals, and you gotta hand it to them - they played hard. But we played harder.

It wasn't the best of games but it wasn't a joy to watch either. We were leading 17-3 at one point and they caught up, 17-16! So that's where the excitement was, and I even proposed going home in the middle of the game, lest the myth was true. But we didn't go home, and after the nail-biting and cheering from the top of our lungs, we were victorious. The Cowboys won.

(To answer those who ask, where y'all together when that game was lost, the supposedly walk-in-the-park match against the Washington Redskins? Yes, we were. But come on, we've proven that there is no jinx. So let it go.)

How 'bout them Cowboys?

Rhode Island and Connecticut

As luck would have it, I was scheduled to travel to New London, Connecticut on Tuesday. Had I known what a tooth extraction would feel like, I would have postponed it till after the trip. But you gotta do, what you gotta do. So on Tuesday, right after the biometric scanning for my UK visa application, we headed to the airport.

Side note. Before Jojo dropped me at DFW airport, we had lunch at a new place. I Love Pho (or as I would call it, I heart Pho). I loved this place. Tooth or no tooth, it's good. We started off with fresh shrimp rolls, and then Jojo and I shared the beef stew and crispy noodles. Yummy!

So going to a Connecticut meeting proved to be a challenge in terms of getting good flights. I ended up taking a 1-stop flight via North Carolina and arriving in TF Green Airport (PVD) in Rhode Island. Going home, my stop was at Reagan Airport in Washington DC.

A total of 16 hours of travel for a one hour meeting. The things you have to do. Oh, and of course, I was still on medication because of the tooth extraction the day before. C'est la vie.

Boredom at the dentist

Well, I've written about anxiety on a dental chair but not about boredom. See, when the local anesthesia kicks in, your mouth and gums go numb. So you don't feel anything. They put a bracket of some sort to keep your mouth open so even that is not a conscious effort.

So what to do? I tried staring at the doctor's eyelashes. Nice lashes. Revlon or Almay? Hihihi. I bet she saw me and smiled underneath her mask. But there's a limit to that. I can't stare at her eyes the entire time, not that I was trying to hide it. Besides, it's not proper to stare.

So your eyes drift to the ceiling, then the wall and you've memorized the few lines on the posters. There's got to be something more to do. Then you start thinking about work, but that only frustrates you a bit coz you'd rather you had something to write with because eventually, you'll forget all these bright ideas. So I tried not to think about work.

I tried singing songs in my head. I even tried to sleep. No luck there.

Anyway, I really marvel at the way the dentist attempts to engage you in a conversation while you're on the chair. It's not a matter of answering yes or no questions. It goes deeper than that. You try to answer back and realize after a second that you actually can't answer back. Hmm. That's probably what they call a trick question.

And the worst part of it? It's when the anesthesia wears out and she's still working on you. Previously, she asked you to raise a finger when you feel pain. I raised both hands.

Tooth extraction

Last Monday, I went to Jefferson Dental Clinic here in Dallas for a scheduled tooth extraction and a couple of fillings. I spent about 3 hours there. Phew. Talk about anxiety and boredom. Anxiety because I know that somehow there will be pain involved, and I always tense up when I see instruments coming into my mouth. So yeah, the dentist will say, "You'll feel a little pinch, ok?" I know that she doesn't exactly expect me to answer that... yet in my mind I can't help but. "No! It's not ok! Get me out of here!" Truth be told, I was terrified to death.

And now that it's over, I had every right to be. For the past 3 days, I've been sporting a brand new look. Ok, an exaggeration maybe, for no one can actually see the "new look." But there it is, I can feel it everyday... a gaping hole in the middle of numbers 19 and 17. Ugh, disgusting if you ask me. It hasn't exactly healed yet, or maybe I just don't know what to expect. I really don't know.

So now, I've been presented with options on how to deal with the hole. A bridge is not possible, according to the dentist, as the molar that would eventually support the bridge is tilted and not fully erupted. She suggested checking with an orthodontist on how I can fix that. So the options are: dentures or another tooth extraction.

Dentures is strongly recommended. I should not have problems with it, if and when I decide to go that route. Except that I do have problems with dentures per se. I don't like them. I always associated them with old people. Yeah yeah, that only means I'm old too. But the thing is, I don't want to be old and I will fight it as long as I can.

Now the other option has to do with the side effect of having a hole in between the teeth. The teeth naturally shifts to fill in the gap. So I can expect that my molar and other teeth will slide side ways. Not only that, the tooth on top of it will slide down, trying to fill the same gap. No, I've been told, it won't happen overnight. But it will happen.

And now that I'm writing it down, it does seem like I do not have any good options here. There's only one thing to do. Expect that it will involve a glass partly filled with water and something in it during the nightime.

Skype users unite

Staying connected when you're globally situated is a must. Thanks to Skype, we are able to communicate and keep in touch almost hassle-free with family and friends. Now the tricky part is to get a schedule that fits 3 time zones. Some sacrifices will really have to be made, and if you are willing, then it's not going to be much of a problem at all.

Another cool feature that Skype has that we use (not abuse) is by subscribing to a monthly fee of $2.95, you can get your calls routed to your landline and cell phone. Your Skype contacts merely call you through Skype using your Skype account, and whether you're online or not, you'll get the call via pc/landline/cell all at the same time. In fact, last night, I was using Skype on our landline when we got another call through Skype and Jojo picked it up on his cell. That's having 2 separate conversations with just one Skype account. Awesome, isn't it?