A Girl’s Notebook :)

I went to a popular supermarket over the weekends and it is good to know that they are being environment friendly! Customers are provided with promotional tote bags that they can use for their groceries instead of the traditional plastic bags. We are all aware of the harm that plastics can do to nature.

When we had our team building in Los Banos, Laguna last April, I found that most of the stores there are using brown bags for their goods. I hope that the use of brown bags will be implemented in Manila as well.

The use of tote bags for groceries is a good start, too. We should also learn how to recycle the plastic bags that we have so that production of it will be minimized.

Let us always remember that we only have one earth. Let us love and take care of it!

Ciao!

So much has been said about the Manila hostage taking incident. On the lighter news, a Filipina made the Philippines for making it to the five of 2010 Miss Universe Pageant held last Monday in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Maria Venus Raj placed 4th runner up in the said pageant. She is said to be the crowd’s favorite. We have hoped and prayed that she will be the 3rd Filipina to be crowned as Miss Universe, but the result of the pageant didn’t turn out the way we expected it to be. Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarette is Miss Universe 2010.

Jimena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010

I am proud of Venus. Like what the crowned Miss Universe 1974 Margie Moran said, being in the top 5 out of 83 countries is a big honor already and something that we should be proud of.

You made the Philippines proud Venus!

Venus Raj, Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner Up

Ciao!

The anger and rage of a dismissed police officer led to the murder of eight innocent Chinese nationals. The Quirino Grandstand Hostage drama that happened last August 23 had become worldwide news. The globe stays tuned on the live coverage of the said hostage taking. The hostage taker is known as dismissed Senior Police Inspector Rolando Mendoza. The hostage lasted for almost 12 hours. The Manila police and SWAT team decided to assault the hostage taker.

The 2010 Manila hostage crisis is all over the Internet. Even my clients who are in the US asked me about the said dreadful incident. I was able to watch the live coverage of the said occurrence. My family and I had different views while we’re watching the coverage. I was praying for the safety of the innocent victims aboard the bus and hoping that Mendoza would be free them safe. If you put yourself on to Mendoza’s shoes, you would really felt sad about how his career as a police officer ended. In my research I found out that the Ombudsman found Mendoza and the others guilty of grave misconduct for allegedly extorting P20,000 from Christian Kalaw, a chef of the Mandarin Hotel. According to records of the case, Mendoza and the other policemen accosted Kalaw for illegal parking, driving without license and use of illegal drugs two years ago in Manila.

His demands during the hostage taking is to be reinstated with benefits to his previous post at the Manila Police District from which he had been dismissed.
The country, the government, and the police officers received a lot of criticisms especially from Hong Kong government and its people.

First, I would like to extend my condolences to the families and relatives of the eight victims who were killed in the said incident. I heard in the news that Filipino are experiencing discrimination and irritation from other nations especially those who are in Hong Kong.

I cannot blame them. Their fellowmen were killed by a furious dismissed police officer. I know that we Filipinos would feel the same way if the same thing happened to our fellow Filipinos.

At this point, we can no longer bring the lives of the eight victims. We cannot even make Rolando Mendoza pay for what he had done. What is important now, are the lessons we learned from the said incident. I believe that the hostage taking incident is still an isolated case. It doesn’t happen all the time. I still believe that the Philippines is still one of best countries to go to.

As far as our policemen are concerned, I believe that they just got nervous during the assault. That somehow they forgot to wear their helmets and mask! But, I still salute our policemen. They are not perfect though, but for me they still shown bravery and courage.

Ciao!

My father’s youngest sister paid a visit to us last weekend. She attended a seminar at Ateneo de Manila and instead of going home to Quezon with her colleagues, she decided to drop by our house to see us and to see her elder sister, Tabibe. ? We chat with each other as if we have not seen each other for a long time. It is so nice to learn stories about my cousins and my nieces and nephews in Quezon. I have wanted to spent a week vacation there but unable to. I hope that next year I would be able to find time to spend at least a week vacation in there with my daughter.

One of the good news she told us is that my eldest cousin, Marian, is expecting another baby this year. Well, it’s going to be her sixth child already!

Ate Yhaga as we call her is an only child. I am not sure if is her plan to have many children because she doesn’t have any siblings. I am glad to know that we are having another baby in the family. I believe that a bob revolution stroller would be of great help for them. :)They can use the stroller as they leisurely walk their new baby around.

I am looking forward in seeing the new baby as well as my nieces and nephews. My daughter, Antoinette is always happy playing with her cousins.

Ciao!

The Assumption is closely related to the dogma of the Resurrection of the Body. We believe that at death, the immortal soul proceeds for the personal judgment, and hence to Hell, Purgatory or Paradise; meanwhile, the body is corrupted and goes back to dust whence it was taken. At the end of time, there will be the resurrection of the body – meaning that the body will be reunited to its soul, and together the risen body and soul will proceed to the universal judgment. In the case of Mary, her body did not experience corruption but was assumed immediately together with her soul to Paradise.

The dogma of the Assumption of Mary is implicitly based on the Book of Revelation: “A great sign appeared in the sky; a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1). The woman is Mary; She is crowned with 12 stars, representing the 12 apostles, because she is the Mother of the Church; she is clothed with the sun, representing the Holy Spirit, because she is full of grace. The moon under her feet, symbolizing the firmament, indicates that the she is the Queen of Heaven. The feast of the Queenship of Mary, celebrated on August 22, was instituted in 1954 by Pius XIII with the encyclical letter Ad Caeli Reginam. This feast is closely related to the Assumption, since the Virgin Mary, after being assumed into Paradise, was crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Ciao!

I was arranging my file cabinet this afternoon and I found a little desk calendar for 2008. The calendar is called Marian Dogmas. As a Catholic, I have this great love for Mama Mary. Just to let you know, Mama Mary is not being praised as God. Everyone knows that she is not a God, but she is great example of God’s servant. Being chosen to be the mother of Jesus, Mama Mary deserves respect and veneration. It is simple as this; if you love your friends, you will learn to respect their parents. Likewise, if you love Jesus, you will learn to love and respect His loving mother. Well, who would not love Mama Mary.

As I was saying, I found this little calendar in my file cabinet. The calendar offers the four dogmas associated with Mary. Each dogma is explained in the light of the Holy Scriptures and in its historical evolution. Dogma means doctrine or code of beliefs.

Every Catholic knows that in the month of August, the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary is celebrated.

The Dogma of the Assumption of Mary body and soul into heaven was declared by Pope Pius XIII on November 1, 1950, with the Bull Munificentissimus Deus. It states: “We believe that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

The use of the passive voice was assumed indicates that Mary was taken up into glory by the power of God, whereas Christ ascended by His own power as God. The Church does not specify whether the Virgin Mary died of simply fell asleep. For sure we know that she was preserved from corruption and taken up into heaven by a unique anticipation of the general resurrection. This privilege was granted to her because she is the Mother of God, and because her body was never stained by sin.

Since the fifth century, the feast of the Assumption, then known as the Dromitio Mariae (Falling Asleep of Mary), is celebrated on August 15. In the sixth century, a Basilica was built in Gethsemane, Jerusalem, on the place where popular belief held that the tomb of Mary was located. The dogma of the Assumption is supported by the universal tradition of the Church and by the book of Revelation: “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve starts.” (Revelation 12) (Source: The People’s Calendar 2008: Marian Dogmas)

What is it for us to know about the Assumption of Mary. Well, it is a reminder that all of us here are on a journey; that we are just passing this place and are all aiming to be in the same place after the journey. The place where Mama Mary was assumed by the great power of God.

Ciao!

Jeepneys are the major means of transportation here in the Philippines. You may find a jeepney anywhere in the country! In the older days, kalesa used to be the popular carrier. Kalesa is a Spanish term that means horse-driven carriage. I have already experienced riding on a kalesa. It makes you enjoy the scenery. It is really fun to take a kalesa ride especially when you’re in the province, you can breathe fresh air! But, it the city, I don’t think so!

On the other hand, jeepneys were originally made from US Military jeeps left over from World War II. The famous jeepney makers is Sarao Motors. I take a jeepney ride everyday when going to work and coming home. Jeepneys are “the masses” vehicles.

When I was in college, I was able to ride in one of the jeepneys that take the route of SSS Village (in Marikina) to Stop and Shop (in Manila) and vise versa. Those jeepneys have been tagged as “patok”. I do not really know why those jeepneys are called patok but what I know is that the drivers of those jeepneys, really do drive fast. As in FAST!

Sometimes I wonder, do those jeepneys have insurance, too? Well, I hope the operators will get their jeepneys insurance. There a lot of insurance companies out there and maybe they can take advantage of discount auto insurance. Therefore, if something unexpected happened, the jeepneys will have insurance to cover for the damage.

Ciao!

I will be saying good morning sunshine next week. We had a schedule rotation and our team will be on the morning shift. I have been in the graveyard shift for more than a year and I kinda got used to it.

It was a mixed emotion when I learned that our team would be in the morning shift already. I’m kinda sad because I will not be able to take advantage of the night differential for more than two months. And, I will not be able to see my other friends very often anymore because we’ll be in “scattered” schedules. I would definitely miss my previous team. My boss Oneil then asked me to join their team building. I said, I do not want to go. To be honest, I wanted to join and have fun with them because I miss them so much. I miss my friends and the “singing voice” of my boss then. But since we’ll be in different shifts and different rest days, I cannot join them anymore. So sad.

Well, there is always a positive side in every situation. Since I will be reporting to work at 5AM, I will be able to take advantage of sleeping at night. How healthy! I can minimize drinking coffee (I hope! :P). I will be able to spend more quality time with my daughter and I will be able to do more things than when I’m in the evening shift.

I am excited of reporting to work next Tuesday since our new off would be Sunday and Monday. Yet, starting that week, I have to be more thrift, because I know that there would be a cut in my salary since the hours allotted to get the night differential would be less. That’s fine.

And, I would definitely be able to update you guys with different things since I will have more time in my hands!

Ciao!

I passed by my one of colleagues station last night, and I saw his collections of little Ferrari cars. One of the gasoline stations here had a promo, and motorists took advantage of collecting miniature Ferrari’s. It is so lovely to look at!

To my amazement, I browsed the website and found one of the latest models of Ferrari. They call it the 2010 Ferrari F450 . I didn’t bother to check how much it would cost. Hehehe!

Well, maybe I can own a one someday. Maybe I can start with collecting Ferrari parts, don’t you think?

Ciao!

Mothballs, according to the book 1001 Ways to Save the Planet, are made from chemicals that are highly toxic if swallowed. Chemicals such as 1,4 dichlorobenzene, Para dichlorobenzene or naphthalene composed mothballs. Studies have found cancers caused by these substances in laboratory animals. Long-term exposure can cause kidney and liver damage. Using mothballs means that you spread the vapors and particles of this chemical through your clothes continuously.

Try lavender bags as a safer and cheaper substitute. Lavender plants belong to the mint family and their leaves have a fragrant scent.

Also make sure that you wash your clothes thoroughly and keep them clean, to stop buildup of moth eggs.

Hope this helps!

Ciao!

We always hear that being a mother is one of the most fulfilling profession one can ever had. It a tough one though but we always wanted our children to be proud of us. I must admit that I am very lucky to have a mother like my mom. I have witnessed all her hard work and sacrifices for us. I remember when my father lingered somewhere someplace, :P, it is my mother who have been a provider for us. Oh we really had a hard time then. Thanks to God for the dear angels He sent to help us. God bless them.

When I learned that I was pregnant, I couldn’t tell my mother about it. I know she’ll be very upset. Not because I haven’t finish school yet but the complexity of ney’s and I relationship. In fact, I am the bread winner of the family when I got pregnant. It was so hard keeping my pregnancy from her. I knew that my mother knows her daughter very well. She noticed that I was not wearing any tight jeans anymore and that I often wear slacks or low-waist pants. She also found the garlic garland I hanged on my window. Hahaha!!! Oh yeah, I was very scared of aswang then.

We didn’t speak to each other for a week after I told her about my pregnancy. She even commented before that she will never take care of my baby.

Everything changed when I showed her my first ultrasound. Since then, she was the one who accompanied me in my check ups especially when ney is not around. When I gave birth, I cried when I saw her. She told me not to cry anymore and that I did a good job.

To be honest, she was the one and she is the one who continually raise my daughter. She even told us that she loved Antoinette more than us, her own daughters. Hahaha! My sisters love my baby so much as well. I am lucky because, I have her to look after my daughter while I am working. I know that my baby is in good hands. She never gets tired of my daughter. She’s very patient in teaching her lessons while I am very fond of buying Antoinette books.

Even if she’s in her late 50’s already, she still do the laundry for us and cook for us. My mother is a best cook. Well, you can tell by our sizes! Hehehe!

I know that I can never be like her. I am not sure if I can. My daughter is very lucky to have her as her granny. She practically takes good care of us. I am very grateful to God for giving her to us as our mother. It is really amazing how she manage raising not 3 but 4 daughters!

I just wanted to share you how blessed I am to have her. I always pray to God to bless her with good health and longer life. I just don’t know how we will be without her. Even if I have I am a mother now, I still depend on her. And I love her so much.

I know that sometimes, we often take our mothers for granted. But, let us remember that we can have many children, we can have many lovers, but we can only have one mother. And as early as now, let them feel how much you love them and be mindful of saying, “Thanks for everything Mom! I love you.” That would definitely makes her happy.

Ciao!

I have been vocal about my love for books. I believe that there are many people who can relate with my passion with books. Looking at my books makes me feel happy and brighten up my day! They sure do.

My current collection is Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Mystery Series. They are the ones in blue and yellow hard bound original mystery. I was in elementary when I first read a Hardy Boys Mystery Series. That book was mystery number 11, While the Clock Ticked. The book was owned by my late paternal uncle, Tito Udy. That started my interest with Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Since, I do not have money then, I just read some of the mysteries when I visit a library that carries them.

Few months ago, when I went to a bookstore, I found the newly printed Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mystery series. Ah, that started my collection. I was really happy finding these books and I have this dream completing the whole series. It may cost me a lot but who cares, it would really makes me happy.

I’m a practical buyer still though. I tried to visit different book sales and patiently look for one of these books. I also take advantage of the bookstore sale! Well, I hope buy.com offers good deals about these books.

I hope that I would be able to complete the whole series. I really enjoyed reading the mysteries. These books inspired me once to be a detective. Well, I ended up being an Engineer.

If you found a Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew in your old shelves, try to read them and you would really enjoy reading it. If it happens that you don’t get interested, my shelves are open for those books! Just let me know and I’ll pick them up.

Ciao!