Dec 31 (Sat): Arlane and kids visited Mama. It's just so sad that she told a lie though Mama talked to her really nicely without pretensions. Sigh!
Dec 30 (Fri): Totoy & his family dropped by the house to get their Christmas presents. All I was able to give each of the kids was ampao with P300. I'm still saving up for the trip to Korea in February. Jing gave me a really nice shoulder bag. Kyle created an email and FB account for Mama. It was nice seeing Kyle teach Mama how to navigate FB. This is still on top of learning how to type.
Lui & I went to the parlor to have a haircut, rebond, cellophane and eye brow trim. We had snacks at Wendy's then dinner at Jollibee. We separated at 11:30pm. I got home shy of 12:00 mn. I think being mugged earlier this year put some sense into me to go home at a reasonable time.
Dec 23 (Dubai): Airplane food was ok though amenities in the seats we were given were defective. 1 monitor's controls weren't working, the other one's pull out table was not even. As a result, my hot choco poured over my lap. I was given 5 Godiva chocolates as compensation. In the airport, men who work there are pleasing to the eyes.
It is interesting to note that the government here has its own way of collecting money. Sleeping while commuting inside the metro is fined AED200.
Attended simbang gabi at St. Mary's grounds. Most attendees were Filipinos. I was surprised to find other races too like Pakistanis/Indians (I still can't tell the difference) and a few Europeans. It's still 45 minutes till the start of the mass but the ground are already filled with people. Some groups serenaded the crowds. They told me the priest requested that mass attendees wear green or red to the masses. From the looks of it, they are happily complying.
Dec 8 (Th): Yesterday, I bought wheat grass pills for slimming down from our wall calendar supplier. (Only in the Philippines). I was advised to take 2 capsules 1 hour before breakfast. I did just just today. I know it is effective as I felt that its effect would just be to not make me feel hunger fast but I couldn't and can't go on a diet just yet. Surprisingly, I felt up to my usual energy level with reduced food intake. But, I am getting ahead of myself.
I ate 2 slices of BreadTalk, 1 medium banana, and coffee. I had a half cup of rice, lengua, and soda for lunch. Dinner was at the 87th birthday part of Lola. She enjoyed her special day. WE played Pinoy Henyo indoor. We had such fun.
Tomorrow, I need to eat the rest of the loaf and banana. I also took home my favorite macaroni salad. It was prepared specially for me before I even got there. As soon as the downpour was just light drizzle, I went home with Berjo. We left Mama with her sisters & Lola. This was 1 fun, fine day:)
Dec 4 (Sunday): Quotable Quotes seen on TV
... We should put our backbone where our wishbone is... - Roger Cohen, NY Times, Bloomberg, Intelligence Squares Debate on the US should step back on its special relationship with Israel
TEA party means Taxed Enough Already - Koch brothers, Bloomberg, Game Changers
Today's breakfast menu: Japanese coffee, Portuguese egg tarts, Chinese beef jerky. YUMMY!
Dec 2 (Pasay City Day):
STORY 1: I woke up before 8:00 am and called up Tita Espery. I told her to prepare dinner for the balikbayans from Macau.
I went to Tita Rhod's home after lunch. The trip took 2 hours.
The balikbayans arrived at 7:30 pm. Tita Rhod gave their pasalubong for me, Macau's most delicious egg tarts and beef jerky.
Still part of my secretarial role was uploading pictures taken in Makati, Baguio & Macau.
I hope in time, I'll have better finances so I'll be able to share my blessings just like Tita Rhod.
STORY 2: Tomorrow is Yana's birthday. I was supposed to go home tonight as I will join Cons & his kids in malling. Mama asked that we move it to next week. She'll join us. Yana just had pancit, ice cream and cake at home. Later, Cons texted that Jing will come home for Christmas. Mama said they could spend it here in Maceda so all of them can eat to their hearts' contents.
This will be a merry Christmas for all of us after all.
Dec 1 (Thurs): Empathy is the ability to share another person's emotions/feelings as if they were your own.
Cons dropped by the office to pick up Mama's birthday gift for Yana. What is a family without drama, right?
He told me Berjo has been away from home so long because he has another girlfriend. He also told me he doesn't want to spend Christmas in the house where they live now as he doesn't want the noisy, boisterous Christmas with his in-laws. He also wants me to join him in Christmas shopping for the kids. I was so insensitive to point out that maybe, Jing doesn't want to go home this Christmas just yet because she wants to save up as this is the last time she would be a sea woman. My heart ached for their family. I really want to help them. I cry for them because I feel so helpless.
