Ipod touch

I’ve been meaning to own an ipod touch gadget just like my other friends but I guess I have to wait till my birthday before I can wish for a new gadget.  Nowadays, it seems that everyone has their teeth sink into this modern technology and I know I will soon be one of them come my big day.  It would be too much of me to ask for more considering that that we are well provided for and I consider gifts as bonuses that pour as blessings.

So, I have to calm myself down  for a while because in a wink of an eye, I will be celebrating my birthday and if my parents will ask which gift I want, then I will declare the new ipod touch it is… Such an assumption of my part that mom and dad will ask but I know they will!  Gift giving has been customarily done in our family and hopefully this year, nobody will veer from this tradition citing economic reasons.

My mind is already screaming “I want an i pod touch”… Oh please birthday… please do come now!

Mother is another name for love!

“Mother is another name for love.”

I love you MOM!

Nurse uniform

There are family of lawyers, family of accountants, family of teachers and professors and our family belong to those professionals wearing immaculately white uniforms.   Need I say we are family of of doctors,nurses, midwifes, opthalmologist, several Med techs? I practically grew up in the company of relatives looking dignified in their white uniforms and oftentimes it made me think if I too,  will look good in a nurse uniform just like my uncle Efren in the States who works as male ICU nurse.   I deviated from the line of medicine and instead pursued Multi media arts to break the monotomy of  one single profession the family is imposing on us.  The elders took upon themselves to implement a course in our family like if the father is a doctor, the children should also be like them.   But my cousins and I who belong to the new generation are more inclined to arts, web page designing , game development, theater and arts.

We always consider well meaning suggestions of our parents which course to take up in college  but in the end, we follow what our heart’s desire.   So, slowly our family boast of good lawyers, architects, artists and mathematicians-  we are a mixture of different professions now.

Emergency roadside assistance

Traveling by far is what we considered one of the most enjoyable bonding time for our family and we go at great lengths on the road out on group tours.   On holidays that we are free from school and work, we always seize the opportunity to visit relatives by organizing convoys of 3-5 cars the most.  Because traveling in a group is fun and most enjoyable.

We plan ahead of time and it is a must to have our vehicles thoroughly checked; tires, oil, brakes,engine before we embark on a long journey.   Nonetheless, even how equip you are, there are still eventualities that sometimes happen beyond our control which causes delay, hassles and even frustrations especially to those with small children or elderly on board.

However, we always rest with the thought that there are  on stand- by emergency roadside assistance which is an invaluable program available to help us anytime.    We stood witness on how we were assisted when my cousin Jim had a seizure attack halfway our  trip to the coast and he received appropriate and timely medical intervention.

So, out of town trips still tops our priority list!  No worries, really!

Kayaking and snorkeling for the first time

Last month’s out of town trip was by far the best family bonding moments we had because our activities allowed us to interact more with one another unlike the ones we had when we had our Asian trips, which was centered mainly with visits to  theme parks and shopping.

For a change, we decided to travel locally to explore the beauty of our own country for admittedly, we have not visited yet most scenic spots in our country.  The Philippine Tourism Department’s slogan is “let’s not be strangers in our own land (huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan) made quite an impact to our parents that the earlier plan to go to Singapore was instead changed in favor of Davao and Batangas and to some nearby provinces.

what an experience…

Alright, at first we did not like the idea because our mind was already set in going to Singapore, however when we reached Davao City, indeed, it was a paradise on it’s own and the place has lot of things to offer- fun, thrilling adventure, new experience.  Some says that those places are only for tourists because the package are pricey but we’ve got our money’ s worth.  Even my mom (being our financier) who has this  habit to mentally compute and calculate every cents coming out of her wallet did not complained at all.   She was the one who egged us to try kayaking and snorkeling although it is quite expensive for an hour activity but she was evidently happy and excited to let us try it so we did!

It was a new experience… first time to have tried kayaking and snorkeling!  However, we got sunburned but it’s alright… Afterall, we were there to really enjoy the water!

Smokers life insurance

Lucky for an uncle to have married a simple, thrifty and very organized wife whose priority is her family.  Aware that his husband’s health is very much at risk because he is a chain smoker and that the whole family is not spared for second hand smoke, she did not think twice to avail of  smokers life insurance for their protection.

For my uncle who can’t kick the habit successfully, the insurance is a good preparation for any eventuality.  We were surprised but in a way we expected it is soon to come,  Uncle Bryan had mild heart attack last Tuesday.  Fully insured, my auntie Cynthia though worried still rest with the thought that the smokers life insurance she availed was the best decision she had done for her husband.

True… very true!

Singapore tour…

I woke up excited and still fresh on my mind a happy dream that I would be traveling again to a place I’ve been to.   The sight was very familiar but as usual sometimes dreams can be confusing and it changes from scene to scene.   However,  at mid-day, I believed that my dream was confirmed when I checked my email and found one from my dear mom who was asking me to prepare our travel documents because we will be traveling again to  Singapore.    Really, huh!

Merlion is an emblem of Singapore…

My  vivid memories of our Singapore trip was way back 2003 when the whole family went there for a grand vacation.   Yes, that was ages ago and I thought that was the first and last trip to that city.   Quite expensive tour we had although we  managed to stay for more than 2 weeks because Mom’s best friend offered her house instead of  us paying for  hotel rooms.  She’s such a sweet friend!

Young as I was back then… I was in awe of and starry eyed  in all places of  we visited, especially Sentosa Island.  We spent whole day in the island and braved the summer heat.  The Butterfly park was an experience.!   We had a splendid walk on the island where amazingly we meet friendly peacocks, monkeys on the way.   Actually, we all got tanned even though we lavishly applied sunblock lotion and I can still remember that my mom was wearing her favorite straw hat to protect her from getting sunburn but it was of no use.  Although we turned like “toasted bread” due to long sun exposure. we don’t have any misgivings at all for we had a wonderful bonding memories together!   The Song of the Sea musical laser show of dancing fountain wrapped up our long that we we missed to visit Safari night zoo because we were all too tired and sleepy.   Next day was our visit to  Jurong Bird Park and marveled at the sight of different species!  Some places,  I can’t recall anymore… and our trip will be a refresher of sorts.

Fun summer really!  And now we are Singapore bound very soon, I know my 2 siblings and I will have real fun!  So timely that we are on semestral break for 2 weeks … temporarily off from lectures, homework, research, defense, term papers… noisy classmates… and terror professors.

There is every reason to celebrate…  the grueling examination week  is over…. I will just think about the results of the exam after I come back home from Singapore.   I know that I have answered perfectly the questions but I am not sure if all are correct answers… lol… that’s the problem…  but I am confident…. because I reviewed and studied my lessons well…. Believe!

I might not be able to blog for a while because we will be on tour but I promise to give my anecdotes of the travel and post some pictures too.

Saving for the rainy days…

Mom inculcated in our minds the wisdom of saving money for the rainy days.  Thus, in case of any eventuality that may arise, we can rest with the thought that we have savings to depend upon.  However, there was one time that we were not able to foresee a difficult situation wherein a relative  was in dire need of large amount of money for his heart bypass operation.  Even my family’s combined savings won’t suffice to tide over my Uncle’s financial needs so my Mom was worried sick with his brother’s worsening condition.  Since his surgery should be done STAT (or urgent) and we were pressured for time to raise funds, we then opted to apply for cash advance online with Check City company which was highly endorsed by a friend.  Since we have good credit standing, our loans were released fast and my Uncle had his operation done right away.

And so I’ve thought one time why is it that Uncle John did not know how to save for the rainy days just like my Mom?   It is  good that there are available financial lending institution to the rescue.

Heaven sent!

Sweet kisses in an empty box

Cousin Kevin received a parcel today intended as a special Mother’s day gift for her mom.  As he was excitedly checking on the contents, he told me that he shopped on line for the best gift ever which he is going to give my aunt . Soon after his passing the Board examination for Civil Engineers, he was able to secure for himself his very first job , last month after he received his first pay check, he chose to buy the first Grand Cayman jewelry gift especially for his Mom.  Cool… many “firsts”…

Oh well, I am starting to count for few more months and soon…hopefully soon I can present my much awaited college diploma to my Mom next year.  Since that special occasion comes every year, buying Cayman jewelry will be on my top list once I receive my first pay check too….

However, this coming Mother’s day, I will only blow sweet kisses in an empty box and when Mom opens it… she will surely feel my love for her.

A disturbing mail

Disturbing mail in the sense that mom told me that my dad is undergoing therapy.  I really don’t understand the severity of the condition why there is therapy sessions involved but that’s how brief was her news.  She recounted that after having a spine X-ray in the hospital, it was found out that in between spaces of the spinal chord there were flesh build up. For some reasons, she can’t recall the exact medical terms associated with that condition and so I have the least of idea about that ailment and can’t even research on it.  But she assured me that there will be weekly therapy sessions and he will be fine…

So, I am not disturbed anymore… but I will continue to pray for Dad’s good health.. and Mom’s too!  Love them both. (sigh!)