All Saints Day

Most of the time the President declared holiday a day before the said dates but not this year since it falls on weekend. All Saints day, November 1, is where we commemorate the feast of the dead “Araw ng mga Patay” and continues until the next day “All Souls Day.” Just about this holiday took place, my grandmother is really busy in the cemetery looking for someone who will paint the niche, and cut the grasses grown besides the tomb (pagtatabas.)

“Pangangaluwa” is also part of the tradition wherein my co-barangay’s formed a group that divided into Teenager, and Senior Citizen and go door to door, barangay to barangay. And if you are member of the barangay official or you are a BALIKBAYAN, it is traditionally expected that you’ll give more money J. All the money collected was saved for BARANGAY FIESTA budget.

For me, this no longer a “mourning stage,” but more of the reunion because this is the time that the family & far away relatives gathered to offer prayer, flowers, lit candles for our loved ones, sharing stories, meeting old school friends( crushes as well), and FOODS.

In year 2000 is the most tragic All Saints Day for me. It is when I was involved in a vehicular accident. I am working in a call center that time and since we have no holiday, I have no choice but to travel on November 1. I hurried to TRITRAN buendia terminal and I always sit in front as I’d love to watch the driver on how to control the clutch, break, and gas. He drives fast and just when we passed the Sto. Tomas bridge, I already knew that we are about to mash on a STAREX van in front of us. Due to its impact, the van turned around three times. The bus ran against the meralco tower, I just close my eyes and hold carefully when I saw a huge wood that about to hit the front mirror. People help us to get out from the bus by putting ladder infront of the broken mirror. Few minutes later ambulance took those injured passenger. Thanks God nothing is fatal and nothing happened to me. When I was waiting for my grandmother to arrived to pick me from the accident area, an old lady told me that I shouldn’t travel during the All Saints Day since spirits of dead people are out. Myth or Fact. Nothing to lose if you believe though.

No Audio Output Device Installed

My husband upgraded the system software. The next day when I use it ( HP Pavillion dv2000,) the sounds is not working when I tried to play WINAMP. I have noticed too that the sound icon next to the clock (bottom right hand corner) had a red cross and a message that says "No Audio Output Device installed."
The following are the steps that we did to let it work again. No need to install a new software etc..

From the Start menu> Go to Control Panel> Device Manager > Under Sound, video and game conrollers I have found Conexant High Definition Audio> Right click Update driver software> Browse my computer driver software> Just continue next until VOILA! It works again.

Finally

It's been awhile since my last blog entry due to my busy schedule at school. Finally I gave my resignation letter to give way on my BIG DAY and to regain my "self-worth" that was lost for few months :p No more threatening and stressful situations. It's simple, leave when you are not happy especially when you are but a small voice… hahaha

I am now counting the days until we get home and meet people behind my big day since we only communicate thru email, phone calls, and text messages. Thanks for the communication technology! :)

Back to School

School year here in Bahrain started every September since months of June and July are too hot for children to go out for school. Im now on my 2nd week since I’ve met my new students. First week will test your endurance due to the children who doesn’t like to go to school, a normal situation happens that makes me remember my childhood days..hehehe I love to watch horror film that time and with my imaginative mind I feel like ZOMBIE will get me if nobody is watching me.

I remember those days that after my hurried mom drop me to my kindergarten class; I secretly followed her back home but I was caught and a rope was tied on my waist :p Well then it was my fault because my 4yr old sister needs to look after our new born baby fat brother.hehe It was a lesson I would never forget and even regret.. lol

I Am Ninoy

I was 3 yrs old when Ninoy was assassinated on August 21, 1983. During those times I am aware of the song “MAGKAISA” in front of the electric fan because it gives an echo like voice but I really don’t know its meaning. And I love to watch Carebears than news.

Today, I just finished watching Boy & Kris in TFC and they are commemorating Ninoy Aquino’s 25th death Anniversary. Here are the lists of what I have learned from what I have watched.

- At the age of 17, he was the youngest war correspondent to cover the Korean War for the newspaper Manila Times.
- At 21, he became a close adviser to then defense secretary Ramon Magsaysay.
- He was appointed by President Ramon Magsaysay to act as a personal emissary to Luis Yaruc, leader of Hukbalahap rebel at the age of 22. In the same year he married Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino and they had 5 children.
- He became the youngest vice- governor at the age of 27.
- And at the age of 29, he became the governor of Tarlac.
- The youngest elected senator in the Philippines history at the age of 34.

I was stunned by his achievements. But it is more an encouragement to fight for the democracy and have shown his bravery for the love of his country. I admire and salute him for everything that he has done. And it is true that heroism is just inside for all of us, we just have to learn how to bring it out.

Wedding Gown

One of the most exciting parts of the preparation of our wedding is the dress that I will wear on that special day- my bridal gown . I have tons of wedding magazines lend from my friend, Tita Miles, who happened to be my make up artist on the big day. Unfortunately I realize that the more designs to choose from the harder to decide. I returned the magazines with no final designs on my mind. We went to Taal, Batangas where plenty of bridal gowns are available, we even canvass but the problem is we don’t know what exactly we are looking for.

Until I remember my husbands eldest sister (Ate Ruby) dress when she had her oath taking when she passed the BAR exam. I don’t hesitate to ask her about it and courteously accompany us to her “couturier.” We failed to meet the designer since she's currently having her medications so I have tons of magazines to choose from then she will just enhance the design and wait till I confirm the said design. Maybe, I know that we are running out of time and given that it was well explained I finally decided what kind of fabric and designs to be used at a reasonable price.

Now, we just communicate thru email but my gown was simple yet elegant. I cant wait to see myself wearing it.

Civil Wedding

We've been boyfriend-girlfriend for almost 7 years already and marriage is part of the plan but our financial aspect is not ready. My boyfriend work overseas since opportunity came. I am so lucky that after 5 mos. he decided to fly home to make our marriage vows happen. In which, our birth certificate, and two witnesses are the only requirements. There were some "glitches" included but it was really a long story.

Finally, when I first say my "I DO" on our civil wedding (April 25, 2007) I feel like floating and can't remember exactly what was happening. I even told my husband if we he said our wedding vows(To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part.)hehe

After a month I was given a housewife visa wherein I was sponsored by his company. However, we decided not to have a child yet not until we receive a blessing from the church.

Innocent Gambler

Memories of my childhood are really colourful. Just to start with. I want share this unforgettable one that my husband never experienced. I think I was only 8 yrs. Old when I won “ENDING,” wherein you have to guess the last digits of the score in PBA like if the score is 75- 78, the winning number is 5-8. You have to choose from 0-9 to 9-9 number boxes and they will put your name or “codename” (if you want it to be secret because you don’t want to share your winnings.hehe) inside the boxes. Prizes depends on the bet and it may be in cash or goods.In my case, for Php5 bet I won 1 sack of rice in which Inay Isa, who happens to be my grandmother and the one who takes care of me, bought it though I am living with her and eat the rice that she bought. Maybe she wants me to have cash on hand so that I can learn to save. I was in Batangas during those times and everyone in Brgy. Anus were asking for “BALATO.”hehehe

Next in Taguig, I think I am 9 or 10 years old. I just tried to try my luck in “JUETENG.” It is because all of them kept on asking to give them numbers since they believe that if the numbers were from a child or mentally illed person, it is most likely a lucky numbers. Hehehe Jueteng is drawn three times a day. During that time, I also know how to make “ANUNSYO” since the adults surrounds me used to do it. Anunsyo where your dreams and different situations has corresponding numbers. And based on my dream I bet Php1 one day noon for 12-1 number, I won Php800! the same day I tried 24-1 for Php2 bet and again I won Php1600! After that I never won again and it’s no longer my interest and the operation was stopped few years back.

Going back in Batangas.. “RIPA or PARIPA,” was once a trend, it’s a little similar in ENDING but here you can choose from 1-75 numbers drawn thru BINGO rolls. I bet for Php10 and I won a very nice pellet gun! And since I am only 10 yrs old they are asking me to sell it because they are dying to have it. Sorry but I want it for keeps. J

I am telling this not to brag but rather proud of myself because I never get addicted to these gambling games though they said I am lucky enough to get involved in any of these. I still want to play my dolls, and cooking toys and live in my innocent days…

My first job in Bahrain

When I was hired as an assistant teacher for a nursery class (3-4 yrs old) here in AMA Bahrain I simply don’t know what my duties and responsibilities are exactly since it was my first time to work in school environment. But all I know is I just love children! And as long as I have this natural skill nothing would go wrong. I work with a British teacher Ms. Alison. It’s a learning process and I started to learn when she told me to “think like a child.” My students are really cute and I used to carry this girl named Luna that gives me a body ache since she was heavy because she always cry and never talk at all. As days goes by, I enjoyed being with them no matter how many unavoidable circumstances happened that sometimes makes me feel like to give up. One of the students that I won’t forget is Arif since he is very sweet and courteous, he is crying when I’m away and he used to give me his chicken nuggets saying “one for me, and one for you Ms. Mona.. “ I also have this very active Indonesian-Italian boy Claudio but he was so sweet that when I went back to the Philippines for a vacation and be absent for 2 weeks he thought that I leave them because he is naughty. J A simple hug and kiss, or even any gestures of appreciation from these children makes my stressful day fine.

What lies beneath?

It was October 12, 2000 when Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford horrified me in SM Manila movie house. But what horrifies me a lot is when HE held my hands twice to let me feel that he could be THE ONE. It makes the Jollibee value meal #1 (which includes regular coke, French fries, and hamburger extra special on that day.) And the most significant thing happened is when that "thing" was confirmed thru a text message ( ang nagagawa nga naman ng technology sa torpe.) Well, the first time he texted me I love you! I replied Thank you! Hahaha I mean it really! And also because I am not sure of my feelings too since it is brought to me by technology.hehe