Happy 2011 Everyone!

It is 2nd day after January and while most of us still have hangover from all the parties, reunions and dining, we seem to have enjoyed the long vacation and come January 3, we are all back to work and school.

I shall resume with my teaching this Monday and I just have to finish all my grades and papers since they are required for submission too. However, I just loved the two – week vacation because I happened to travel for few days to different cities, to give gifts to kids, to do missionary works to remote and underprivileged communities, to donate to orphanage, to bond with my core and extended families in spite of the humble celebration. My year – end celebration was a total blast!

I only wish that everyone else had also as equal fun! HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!

I Run Away!

Yap, I am out for a week as I enjoy the semestral break to be back to our old home and just savor the city local delicacies and meet up with friends and family.

Geez! I never realized how much I needed the break not until I am out from school and business as I enjoy only my free time with nothing to think about  but fun.

But, tomorrow shall be the end of our six - day vacation as we go back to  our home and our usual routines. And, come November 8, I am back to being a teacher again. Sigh!

But, I can only be thankful that I get to see my friends again and kin.

Perks of Friendship

This can be an overvalued concept but friendship is oftentimes misused, ignored, abused and forgotten, intentionally or otherwise. Like an adage, "No man is an island.", everyone just needs everyone. And, lucky are those who have true friends who stand by you through thick and thin.

What can perks  can friendship bring you, well, let me re - stress the obvious:

• They listen to you when you are all moppy, sad, drunk and pissed off;
• They honestly critique your wardrobe, decision, partners, and lifestyle;
• They lend you their helping hand and even pocket to save the day;
• They make your special occasions more beautiful and lovelier knowing that your loved ones are happy for your happiness;
• They fight for you just in case others badmouth your name or simply cheat on you;
• They will simply stay loyal even through physical distance and concern and love remains over time.
• They simply keep you sane with all the wacky jokes on a bad day just to keep you smiling and hopeful; and lastly,
• They make you appreciate life and love better.

Lessons Learned from Novel "Tuesdays with Morrie"

book cover of the novel 

photo source: wikipedia.org

A fellow blogger, Sheng, brought this book with her during a local blogging community and I was all tempted to read that I asked to bring this book just in case I have time in between to  read. 

I thought the book was simply a work of fiction but the novel was about a professor's struggle and triumph over his fatal disease and his student's personal struggles about the true meaning of life. 

From start to end, you will see and feel wisdom, wits and humor and love of a dying person and teaching bare essentials that are oftentimes ignored. Thus, it left me crying from cover to cover.  This is indeed one book everyone should not miss.

Read the synopsis as excerpt from wikipedia.org.

Newspaper columnist Mitch Albom recounts his time spent with his 78 year old sociology professor at Brandeis University, Morrie Schwartz, who was dying from Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Albom, a former student of Schwartz, had not corresponded with him since attending his college classes sixteen years earlier. The first three chapters begin with: an ambiguous introduction to the final conversation between Albom and Schwartz, a brief flashback to Albom's graduation 20 years earlier, and a brief recount of the events Albom experiences between his graduation and the point where he becomes prompted to return to his professor.

Albom is a successful sports columnist for the Detroit Free Press after not attaining his childhood dream of being a pianist. After seeing Schwartz on Nightline, Albom looked up Schwartz's phone number, and called him. Much to his surprise, Schwartz remembered him even though he hasn't seen him in 16 years. That prompted Albom to travel from Michigan to Massachusetts to visit Schwartz.[1] They arrange to meet on Tuesdays. A newspaper strike frees Albom from work and allows him frequent flights from his home in Detroit to Schwartz in Boston. The resulting book is based on Albom's recount of Schwartz lectures, quotes, experiences, and conversations. It is interspersed with frequent flashbacks and allusions to contemporary events between each visit.

 

My Photo Opp

A day before our family friend left for Zamboanga City, we brought him to Isla Jardin del Mar for the fine sand and clear waters. And what seems to be a nice place was only burdened with the stiff road that only guests with wheels can enjoy this place.

But, the long day was somehow nice as the staff was all accommodating but the water receded, so, we ended up with photo sessions. I got these nice collection of pictures with friends, sister and my kid.

Our Holy Week: Reflection and Recreation

It is Holy Wednesday and since yesterday, the Philippine government had declared these days as holy days until Saturday.

Normally, holy week is a special time for us Catholic where most us go to church for the readings on the passion and death of Christ while the rest of us, head to recreation destinations including beaches, mountains and entertainment houses. 

Regardless of how we make use of long holidays, it will not harm us to do self - reflection once in a while and make  it a goal to be a good person whenever we can.

But, amidst everything, we can choose to have safe fun through any means. Most of my friends play online games particularly, Casinos online where they can win big bonuses from widely varied games through different legitimate casinos.  ALL USA players are definitely welcome.

It is always fun and refreshing to have a break from long works and pressing jobs. We just have to find means to recharge our energy and it is even more fun, if we share our recreations with loved ones.

Coffee Time with Friend-Bloggers

Kafe Balo's that serve what the world considers the most expensive coffee, Weasel Coffee or Civet Coffee, produced by the Asian Palm Civet as their poofs!!!!


The SOCCSKSARGEN bloggers in one coffee afternoon


With fellow bloggers, Donna, Sir Hector, my sister Tammy

As a blogging community in the region, we normally hung out in some establishments here. We had this coffee time with Generals'  Brew where they serve the unique coffee luak where they are uniquely taken from the poofs from Asian Palm Civet.  Did I try drinking this coffee?!! No way! LOL!

Asian Palm Civet
image source: wikipedia.org

Bleak Holidays for Some Friends

In the Philippines, Christmas time is a special occasion for reunions and family bonding. Thus, relatives even from distant locations call for a vacation to join their loved ones.

Some of my friends who are way past 30 years old, do check chat rooms and sites for available partners all over the world.

Any one who looks for Jewish singles Los Angeles can check a very good site for potential romantic relationship or otherwise. Also, there are Chicago Jewish singles and more Los Angeles Jewish singles flock the site. Jewish are quite particular with traditions. Thus, if you look for a Jewish partner, do check a good site.

There are a number of dating sites but I have to warn my friends from dangerous sites and advice them to only go for decent dating websites to fill their holiday vacations and more.

Kasalan Sa GenSan Wedding Fair and Exhibit!

My classmate from college, YOURS truly and Tammy!
They are one of the exhibitors!

Tammy, Sir Avel of Bariles Republic and ME!

Wide smile!lolz

I'm almost done with my free make-up trial!
With Carrie!

Give me some BIG LOVE! lolz

My BFF's

These are my best friends since we were in grade school. I will be seeing them in 2 days time.We are all married now, and are godparents to each other's kids. We simply support each other's joy and ordeal and accept our individual insanity. hahahhaha!

Friends are abundant but only very few are true.

I Miss Our Bloggers' Group

Since we started our mall store exhibit, we missed also the fun gatherings of SOCCSKSARGEN BLOGGERS getaway. They asked us to join the Plurk site, we did but we just don't have time to hang around Plurk.

I kinda miss them since they have become our close buddies too. My sister, Tammy and my partner normally join the gathering. But, even my sister is quite busy with her frequent travels. I hope we can join the group the next time there will be a Plurk fiesta or a bloggers' gathering.

On the Basketball Court on Mother's Day

It is Mothers' Day here in the Philippines and I simply enjoyed the day with a morning jogging and a basketball game with my kid. Hahhahahah!

I greeted all of my friends, sister and mom. It is always a pride and joy to be a mother although struggles are there and will be there as my kids grows up. But, in spite of this uncertainty, I could never ask for more other than give a happy and love-filled life to my kid.

Cheers to all moms and women who live and act as mothers to their biological kids and to others.

My Friends' Search

Since some of the Filipinos are too discriminating in looking for a partner, my other friends would use the net for free interracial dating at their own leeway. Some of them had terrible experiences with their online partners but I have buddies too who have found the right partner through online dating sites.

Consequently, seekers have to scout only for dating site that can indeed find decent partner without having to worry about abuse and all. Although, this is quite impossible in internet but I think if the site is only legitimate and really concerned with its clients, then, anything is only possible. Well, my friends are still in search for partners.

Our Soccsksargen Bloggers Community Escape (again!)

Orange Bistro cozy venue with sumptuous meals

This post is really long overdue. Our community had previously visited Orange Bistro here in Gensan together with another blogger/plurker, Bloggie from Davao City.

It was my first visit in this very cozy and elegant resto and I really enjoyed their vege meal among other things. I wish to bring my family to this resto again.

My Friends Need a Date

Marriage is not at all bed of roses. This I have learned the painful and struggling way. I have seen friends and loved ones break their marriage for whatever compelling reason. With this alarming news, marriage has become the least of priorities of single individuals.

Since years ago, if a single woman gets pregnant, she is forced to get married. But now, women are more intelligent and assertive. They remain to be single moms. It is only good that internet and other media provide ways for dating single mom . My friends just need this.

Food Appreciation Tour: Yummy!

Ten (10 ) SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers shall invade Davao City tomorrow for this FAT! It is indeed a first for us. So, we are really pretty excited. Everything shall be sponsored but in between this resto-hopping, we shall be joining the ZIPLINE adventure, where the height is way 300 feet. OMG! I just hope they won't get deaf when I scream my way down!!!!

We shall leave early morning tomorrow and have fun until midnight. I have to finish the review of my kid and blog hoppings tonight then.

We only wish more bloggers can join us. It will surely be all fun!

Soccsksargen Bloggers Hang Out in Genee's

Last Thursday morning, our community's Guru, Bariles, texted us to join him in a rendezvous in GenSan's new resto right in the very corner of where usual city gatherings are held. We right away, confirmed our attendance.

Busy picture taking and surfing!

I still had my classes until 7 pm, so my sister, Tammy and partner, waited for me to finish my work, and we headed straight to this new place. The resto was so welcoming with its very wide reception area. We spotted the group and the stories were endless. We missed their previous gathering in Grab a Crab, but, we enjoyed the night with the sumptous meals of Genee's.

The Soccsksargen Blogger Cast at Genee's

We wondered where they got the name from "Generals," referring to the people of Gensan. But, since the word connotes a masculine tone, they named the place Genee to sound sweet and relaxing. They hold beautiful pictures of the Generals, and I felt like I was in a museaum! The place has WIFI services, so we had the chance to dine and surf the net.COOL!!!

We got to meet other bloggers who unfortunately missed the MBS2. Our beloved Bariles laid the possible gatherings for the community and we were all that enthusiastic to hung out again in different occasions! We sure had great fun at Genee's and will surely come back and ask our friends and family to check this new place! This resto makes us even more proud of our city! CONGRATULATIONS to the staff and management of GENEE!

SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers' Getaway

Since Christmas Day, we were busy printing the blog shirts that we missed the mass. Bad me!!! We were preparing these shirts for the bloggers' party for the Soccsksargen area last December 26. We were hoping we would reach 20 or more but only 9 came. We just consumed the night with eating, singing, and blog-talking.hahhahahhahha!

I had the chance to meet Ayel, Sheng and her hubby, Rick, Ate Jinky of DOLE, and Borge of Davao City and then there was Sir Avel, my sister and partner. Of course, we would not miss exchanging gifts and giving of prizes. Each of us had individual indoor prize.Hahahhahha! We printed blogger logo shirt as prizes too.

We went home around 1 am, though my colds worsened but I sure had fun!

But we get to sell some shirts and got orders too. Do check our new prints. They are ready for customization for your own colors, and sizes. You can check my other blog for clients' testimonials and other print styles.

My sister and I sport our own proud-blogger prints!

My Best Friend's Loss

As I attended to my classes today, I was surprised to get an early message from one of my best friends in my old home. Her mother died of diabetes complications. It was indeed devastating as we have been friends since grade school. You can say, we are siblings.

We were very close before that each other's house had become home of the other. We were separated on several occasions by education and by families but those didnt hinder the friendship. We still keep in touch and bond whenever I get to see them in their place. Among my other 3 friends, she is closest to me. I am only disappointed that I cant be with her at this most difficult time. I only pray that she and her family will recover the loss soon and that my aunt, her mother, will eventually rest her soul and meet her Creator.

Christmas Holiday Reunions

This is what I like best in Christmas, REUNIONS! I wasn't much of a social person before, so I only had limited close buddies. But, then, things have changed, and so I am rocking my world beautifully.Hahhahahahha!

Now, that I am back to my old home, my college friends and close and new buddies here shall be painting this town red all season of December. Of course, reunions of high school and college batchmates are already set up. Then there is the party of Socssargen bloggers which all excites bloggers here in Gensan. Gifts are added leisures but it is always the get-together that makes holidays or any occasion more appreciated and loved.

Do you agree?