Weekend getaway

I had a very enjoyable weekend.

Last Saturday Mai and I went to a baptismal party of her relatives in Cainta. The rain was pouring hard but that didn’t stop us from still going to Grace’s house in Siniloan, Laguna. She was afraid to drive that far with just the two us so we opted to commute. We rode the jeep going to Tanay, and another jeep going to Siniloan. We arrived at 1730, and we were greeted warmly by Grace’s family.

It was Grace’s oldest sister’s (Ate Lei) birthday and a welcome back party for her second sister (Ate Jacq). We ate there most of the time and spent the night at a resort. The resort we stayed of course has a pool but we weren’t able to swim because all of us are girls and didn’t want to mingle with the boys on the pool. Rather, we spent the night posing on the cam, either assuming the position of cheerleaders or talking about Pinoy big brother, hehe.

We woke up early to attend the mass and for the procession for Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Grace’s family belongs to the Church’s organization that handles the event. We were wearing a yellow gold shirt, that Ate Jacq, Kat, and I opted to tie at the back for a more smaller waistline, kikay talaga, hehe.

The santo was brought down to the pagoda and had the fluvial procession. During the procession, it was traditional to throw water to whoever is part of the group. The pagoda had a fire hose with them, and all of us who were in the bridge got wet. We in turn put water on a small plastic bag and aimed it to whoever we wanted to throw water to. It was a nice feeling, walking wet under the sun. The fun part was when we bought food like Scramble, butchi, nagaraya, and ice water. We ate the food and used the ice water to sprinkle to unguarded civilians hehe.

We went back late in the afternoon, and all 14 of us rode the Revo for 3 hours. Our legs wear cramped after the trip but that’s okay. The trip was fun. Thanks to Grace and her family for being so warm with us, as well as with Mai and her family for welcoming me in their small gathering.

Simple life

Ham said he’s a simple guy and likes a simple life. In my friendster, I describe myself as simple. Both of us are simple, and want a simple life. How simple can a simple be?

We have different perceptions in seeing things, ayt? And a simple thing for this man is grandiose for another. I have attended one seminar, wherein we were asked what kind of house we wanted to have in the future. A bunch of people were asked to answer it. Most of the answers are: Just a simple house will do. They would then be asked to describe the house they wanted, the size, the style, the furniture inside, and the gadgets that come with it. I too was building the house in my head that I wanted to have someday. But then I realized that that simple house I wanted might still cause me a fortune and that simple house that bunch of people wanted really costs a lot. So much for simplicity…

While we were chatting last night, I asked Ham what kind of pulutan he wanted since I was eating chicharon. He said: I’m simple di ba? I enjoy simple pleasures. I then asked him what kind of pleasures he is talking about. According to him the simple pleasures he’s talking about and stressed “without spending ba?” are: eat, sleep, day dream, exploring, looking at the sky, window shopping, driving, chatting, reading, __________( in planning stage).

Paris Hilton and Nichole of Simple Life is all about these two famous and rich girls trying out a life without their Dad’s money, cell phones, and other luxuries they are used to have and trying out a modest life for a change.

What could then be the word simple mean? According to my trusted dictionary, simple means 1. of a basic kind; not complicated or complex. 2. readily understood or dealt with, as a problem. 3. without superfluities or affectations. 4. in modest circumstance. 5. pure.

(Pure, I like that. My name Kathleen means pure, ehem ehem...)

Simple for a different person may not be simple at all. Different perceptions, for different people. A simple life my Ham wanted might be complicated for me, or the simple life for me isn’t simple for him. My simple Ham may not be simple at all, and the Kae you know may be as complex as she can be. But at least, both of us take delight in simple things that does not need spending.

Sad sad sad

Today I was saddened by the way my Oral Care demo has turned out. I got a very low grade for that and that’s because I didn’t pat my partner’s mouth dry immediately. Three more procedures to go, 3 more chances, and that’s it.

Geri yan!

I was amazed by how much Geri, my cousin, has grown, physically and intellectually. Everytime I look at her, I can’t help but be amazed as to how much she has changed from the “Geri-tutong days”, a young chubby girl with short hair and scaly scalp to a petite and fashionable girl.

She’s now 9 years old but she already knows now how to mismatch clothes. She knows what hairstyles that would look good on her or how to project her assets while picture taking.

Aside from that “ka-kikayan”, she has grown more intelligent through the years. She likes horror movies, and loves frightening her playmates with her stories. She likes to portray as Sadako, hairs falling down on her face or the woman in “The Grudge”, with elbows flexed and pointing outward. That, I guess, is the culprit for her wild imagination.

She has been writing stories since she was grade 1, I think. And just after dinner, she showed me her collection of English stories. The first one was a bit disorganized, wrong grammar and no punctuations, but the thought was there. As I browsed on the near end of the pile, I read this particular story written in a writing pad entitled “Best friends”. It was a short story about a dying boy, who has promised to his best friend that he will never ever leave her. The boy died, and amidst the girl’s crying saw her best friend in heaven with God reminding her that he’ll always be with her forever. Nice and deep story for a 9-year-old, noh?

I’m very proud of her, and I believe that she will be very successful in life.^___^

How's today?

Somehow this song reflects how I feel.

Bitch by Meredith Brooks

I hate the world today
You're so good to me, I know
but I can't change
Tried to tell you but you looked at me like maybe I'm an angel underneath
innocent and sweet
Yesterday I cried
You must have been relieved to see the softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
all rolled into one
I'm a bitch
I'm a lover
I'm a child
I'm a mother
I'm a sinner
I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your hell
I'm you dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way
So take me as I am
This may mean you'll have to be a stronger man
Rest assured that when I start to make you nervous
And I'm going to extremes
Tomorrow I will change
and today won't mean a thing
I'm a bitch
I'm a lover
I'm a child
I'm a mother
I'm a sinner
I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your hell
I'm you dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way
Just when you think you got me figured out
The season's already changin'
I think it's cool you do whatcha do
and don't try to save me
I'm a bitch
I'm a lover
I'm a child
I'm a mother
I'm a sinner
I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your hell
I'm you dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way
I'm a bitch
I'm a tease
I'm a goddess on my knees
When you're hurt
When you suffer
I'm your angel undercover
I've been numb
I'm revived
Can't say I'm not alive
You know I wouldn't want it ANY other way

Sense of humor

I've got a not-so-good mark on our quiz. I went home during our break time to hopefully catch some sleep. I set my mobile phone to alarm at 12pm and turned the volume high. As I was sleeping on the floor, a stupid cockroach passed by and brushed it's legs on my arm. EWwww....

Of course, that thing woke me up, so I decided to just dressed up and go to school so as not to be late for our very "mataray" but smart CI for the week. Classes start and the lecture was all about Mobility. I admit, I got really absorbed with the lecture. The whole class did, what with our CIs spontaneity and sharp eyes, no one wants her to get mad. And then, suddenly... my phone rang.

My gulay! My heart was beating fast while trying to meet her gaze. I mumbled sorry, but she "tried" to joke that I need to sing or she would confiscate my phone.At the end of the class, she seemed not to remember what happened. But I still went after her and apologize again... I thought she would just brush it off. But rather, she gave me this cold stare asked me to make a letter explaining why it happened.

Earlier, during our Lecture class, it was mentioned that one coping mechanism when frustrated is to have a sense of humor...

Will someone teach me how to do that?

Sunday

It’s Sunday once again, may pasok na naman bukas. I woke up early and attended the 9am mass. I was still sleepy but forced myself to get up and bathe. During the Mass, I was fighting myself to concentrate and focus my attention to the Gospel, which was about Forgiveness. It is a reminder that we as the creations of God should forgive not only seven times, but 70 times (something to that effect), the way God forgives us. Jesus died on the Cross because of our sins. We continue to sin but He continues to forgive us. We should be like Him, right?

The sun was high when we went home. The heat was scorching and it made me want to just lay on my bed and sleep. I didn’t. I watched CSI Supreme instead and cooked merienda. ^___^

Yep! I cooked spaghetti this afternoon. Everybody was looking at what I was doing with fear in their eyes. Yep, fear in their eyes for they already know how bad I cooked before. Kim, my brother who’s really good in cooking, coached me a little. And… voila! I managed to cook hot and spicy spaghetti. They said it’s good daw, and they were asking why I suddenly cooked. Maybe because I need to perfect spaghetti *wink* or just to become a more domesticated girl *hehe*.

Anyway, I got a nice picture from Ham when he was in Hunter’s valley. It was sent to me along with the pictures taken yesterday during the Confirmation of his nephew. Cute….^___^



Hamkin and his nephews


Hamkin

Forget me not

I was reading Ham’s reply to Dad’s email when I noticed that my name in his address book only consists of my name until the middle name but not the surname. I then asked him while chatting what’s my full name and replied “Marie Kae, ryt?”. I was so disappointed that I immediately closed my YM.

I was still thinking about that even before I sleep, but since I do not want any unsettled matters before sleeping, I texted him my full name and assured him that I would keep on reminding him about that until it sticks on his mind.

I knew that he’s quite forgetful with details like that even when we were in College. Back in 2002, nearing the date of my birthday, I reminded him quite charmingly about the debut I had (our first long conversation as friends in the suite) last year. Since he was at my party, I was expecting that he would say “Oh yes, you’re birthday will be on the __th day, right?” But no, he said a completely different birth date. I thought he was really joking, so I put on a sad face, hoping he would confess that he was just joking. Unfortunately, he really had that straight and confused look telling me he was telling the truth.

This afternoon, as the class is coming to an end, I received a text from him. On his first sentence, he typed my complete full name. My face lighted up. Moving on the second sentence, he was telling that my birthday is on the 15th of November *Grrr…* Wrong again! Hmmp! After being together for almost 3 years, that’s still his answer? *Grrr…*

Ate Mi told me that his husband (Kuya Greg) has the same problem. At first, she also cried when Kuya Greg forgot their anniversary and forgot her full name while filling up a form. According to her, she was upset that time, but later on got used to it.

I know it doesn’t mean that Ham loves me less. It can’t be measured like that, but still...

Jap expressions

I was rummaging on my old stuff and chanced upon the Japanese short course book which my friend gave me back in College.

Here’s some useful daily expressions:

1.Ohayogozaimasu. Good Morning! (used until 10am)
2.Konnichiwa. Hello. (used as an informal greeting from 10am till sunset)
3.Kombanwa. Good Evening.
4.Sayonara. Good bye. (informal)
5.Shitsurei shimasu. Good bye. (formal)
6.Oyasumi nasai. Good night.
7.Dewa mata/ Ja mata. Well then… (said informally when parting w/ friends or relatives.)
8.Itte rasshai. So long. (lit. “Go and come back”). Said to members of a household as they leave the house.
9.Itte mairimasu. So long. (lit. “I’m going and coming back). This is the reply to Itte rasshai.
10.Tadaima. I’m back. (lit. [I have returned] just now). Said by a person on returning home.
11.Okaeri nasai. Welcome home. This is the reply to Tadaima.
12.O-genki desu ka. How are you? (lit. “Are you well?”
13.Arigato Gozaimasu. Genki Desu. Fine, thank you.
14.Omedeto gozaimasu. Congratulations!
15.O-daijini. Take care of yourself.
16.Domo arigato gozaimasu. Thank you very much.
17.Do itashimashite. You’re welcome.
18.Chotto matte kudasai. Wait, just a moment please.
19.Mo ichido onegaishimasu. Once more, please.
20.Osakini. Pardon my going first (before you). Said when going ahead of other people after being urged to do so.
21.Dozo osakini. Please, go ahead.
22.Ki o tsukete. Take care/ Be careful.
23.Abunai! Look out! (lit. It’s dangerous”)
24.Dame desu. Out of the question/ Impossible/ No good.
25.Gambatte kudasai. Keep your chin up! Said to encourage someone.

I can’t memorize that all in once, but it’s pretty useful to know some foreign language once in a while.

And besides, it’s advantageous to have some Japanese expressions in mind especially when watching anime! ^____^

Mata ne!

Karate as a way of life

I woke up this morning, feeling stiff all over my body. I had Karate training last night with Sir David as the sensei (teacher) along with 3 other black belters and several other colored belters. As expected, the training needs particular attention to our Kata (form) and power in delivering each technique. It’s not my favorite part of Karate, but it’s the basic and is the foundation of the Sport and Art I’ve come to love.

I’m still in Purple 5 for more than a year and still not ready for the Purple 4 examination. A great deal of training and practice would be needed for me to come into top condition once again; hip rotation for every kata move, lower and longer stances, power for every execution, and mastery of each kata.

It was embarrassing for it was the second time Sir David sort-of reprimanded me for my kata. It’s either I forgot the sequence of each Heyan we are performing or my stances are short. It was really hard perfecting each stance, be it forward stance, straddle stance, and back stance being the hardest. My knees would sometime shake uncontrollably in the mid of a kata and almost lost my balance.

Probably seeing not only my difficulty but in others as well, he told us that Karate is not just a Sport where you could defeat an opponent, bag trophies and medals, and promotion of ranks, but rather a Personal Journey which differs for every individual.

Being the personal journey, every challenge differs for each person. Every person tackles each with different level of effort and goal in mind. For me, it is my inner struggle to discipline and defeat myself. To impose something that would push my vices into sideline and pave way for a clearer goal of improving myself.

Incorporating Karate in my life is hard but with discipline and in focusing with my goal, it would soon be realized. Even if that would mean starting to eradicate my vices like eating chocolates every time I see one in the fridge, spending too much time surfing the net, watching TV, and going out every chance I have. And instead wake up early in the morning, practice kata, and not missing any of my Karate trainings. Of course, aside from studying my lessons in school. ^___^

So you see, Karate is not just a sport and art, but more of a way of life. It should be hard, but I would benefit from it if I just do it correctly this time.

Here’s our 5 “mantras” (I don’t know how it is called) recited at the end of session:
*saying of Tots is necessary to indicate that each was important, and there’s no hierarchy with each mantra.

1.Tots. Seek perfection of character.
2.Tots. Be faithful.
3.Tots. Endeavor.
4.Tots. Respect Others
5.Tots. Refrain from violent behavior.

Fly me to the moon

I've been hurt this morning, but everything went right when Ham sang one of my fave online...*thru skype*

Fly me to the moon
And let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words hold my hand
In other words darling kiss me

Fill my life with song
And let me sing forevermore
You are all I hope for
All I worship and adore
In other words please be true
In other words I love you

repeat 2nd verse, then repeat 1st verse


I don't care a damn even if loving him will make my life complicated.

I don't care if he's a thousand miles away.

I just love him that much. *sigh*

10 quick update

1. It's already september, start of the Ber month. That means, just 2 months from now, i'll be turning 22 and that i could see my Hamkin again!

2. I'm back to Karate. I train now more seriously, and I take it as a personal journey. By that, I want to improve myself everytime I do my kata and trying to defeat my inner obstacles thru discipline. Taking in mind that my real opponent is within me.

3. I thank God for so many things. I'm blessed with so much, and I hope I could be the person He wants me to be.

4. Ham made an email for Dad, Weeeeeee!

5. I met Ai and Gracita last thursday at G4. We spent the day discussing only one aspect of our life, and it's so bitin! We have to go out again, and Gracita wants a night out, asking us to teach her how to drink liquor too...hehe.

6. Stressed from work, that's Mai. She spent the night here and we talked how she feels about her current job. She looks so tired yet still striving to do her part.

7. I've got a new microphone and optical mouse, yipeee!

8. Our return demo will start after we've finished 2 weeks of lecture, and that's great! We still have time to practice and discuss it with our partner.

9. I already got a second shot of my Hepa-B vaccine. It hurts badly than the first. My third shot will be on January.

10. I realized that I love Ham soo much, and I pray that God would guide us in our relationship.