Take Me As I Am: December 2009

I'm A Polar Bear Cub!

Yesterday was one of my greatest adventures in life: I joined the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, USA, Inc. during their weekly frolick in the freezing ocean!

Christmas Story

This is a fun way for kids to understand the Christmas story. My daughter loves it!

To everybody, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas. More blessings for the coming year!

Where Do Babies Come From?

Our 4 cuties (taken 2006): baby J8k, JM, JJ and Jaq

JM: Mommy, how did Daddy give you a baby? Did you swallow it?

Me and Hubby: What???? No!!!

We were not really surprised by the question (I mean, sooner or later, kids would be asking it) but by the seriousness in her voice when she asked it. And it was sooo funny the way she innocently asked it.

We were not able to answer her right away because we were just laughing so hard tears were rolling down my eyes. But I promised her I would be showing her videos the next day that explain how babies are formed.

Again, thanks to the mighty internet (which is one major thing that people take for granted nowadays), I was able to explain to my daughter matter-of-factly how babies are made.

I went through several videos (there were a number that were really interesting to watch) on YouTube that show fetal development from ovulation to conception to birth. This video is a great one to show to kids.

This next video generated a lot of follow up questions (both serious and silly) from my daughter:

Oh, why did I ever show that video? LOL

The Miracle of Life

Our loveables: Jaq, JJ, J8k & JM

A beautiful video I came across with while trying to explain to my 5-yr old daughter where babies come from.

Just sharing.

Peace!

On Facebook and its Applications

Facebook -- you love it, hate it or both. In my case, it's both. I love it for the fact that it connects me to families and friends, old and new. And I hate it for the fact that it doesn't seem to care about our privacy.

More so when it allowed third-party applications, which made us more vulnerable to malwares and stuffs. Of course, the onus is on us, users, to be every bit of responsible in our interaction using FB. But still, FB programmers could have just developed these apps themselves, then we won't have to worry so much about our profiles being accessed by people other than those in our network.

I try to limit the 3rd party apps on my Profile coz honestly, I think most of them are useless anyways. If I wanted to greet birthday celebrants, I could just post something on their walls (more personal, I would say) rather than use the birthday calendar.

But a month ago, I did something stupid ... I downloaded 'Tatoodle' (you know? that app which lets you cartoon yourself). And I regret that decision to this day.

For those who have not downloaded the Tatoodle application from FB yet, then beware!

When you download that useless crap, it will sneak in a malware that will change your default search to 'Fast Browser'. And for those who Googles a lot like I do, this 'Fast Browser' bull will have you banging your head on the wall everytime you hit search.

And once you've decided to take it off your system once and for all, you'd realize learning to rock climb was wayyyyy easier.

If there was a contest between you trying to find 'Fast Browser' in your system and a guy trying to find a needle in the haystack, the latter would have had a box full of needles and you would still be searching for that crap.

But thank God for the geniuses on the web, there's hope and cure. Although I still have 'Fast Browser' on the list (and probably in my system), I finally was able to bring back the mighty Google as my default search engine. And that should be ok, for now.

Click HELP on how to remove 'Fast Browser' and to read similar complaints re: this malware.

HELP!

Attract Money Now

Everybody needs this book especially at this time of the year when all we do is spend, spend, spend.

One of my favorite LOA teachers, Dr. Joe Vitale (from the movie "The Secret") reveals how to attract money now with his 7-step formula.

And whoever says the best things in life aren't free? Well, this book has got to be one of the best things we have owned and yes, it's FREE! Dr. Joe Vitale, as generous as he is, offers FREE download of the online version of this book on his site (just click on the above image; it's also on my sidebar).

But unlike other eBooks that are a one-time read, you'd want to get a hard copy of this book so you can read and share over and over again. Lucky us, since we are loyal subscribers to Dr. Vitale's site, we got his yet another generous offer to own the hard copy of the book for -- yes, FREE! (we only had to pay S/H). How about that?

Go sign up for his email list as well coz I'm telling you, he really is one of the most generous persons we've known in the world wide web. And most of the things he gives for FREE are really priceless!

You could tell I'm a huge fan by my blabbing on and on about him. This is just my way of repaying the guy who has inspired our family to do, be and have everything we desire. Oh, how we just love him, and hope to meet him one day!

So, what are you waiting for? Download the book for FREE and share this post to all your family and friends so we could all have a prosperous 2010!

Happy Holidays!

Another Small Triumph

I love my Mind Movie kit. But it only works on photos, and I really wanna try incorporating videos when I make my personal movies.

So, last week, I had my first shot at Windows Movie Maker (WMM).

Took at least 3 days for me to finish my masterpiece, but I did it! It wasn't so bad an experience, after all. I guess, if I had the latest, fastest laptop, I could have done a better job.

You see, most of the videos were stored in our external drive (more than 10 years record, so imagine how huge the files are). I couldn't import everything on WMM coz my Dell laptop, which is only a year old, is acting like it's already 100 years of age, always giving me notice that my batteries need replacing, linking me to Dell website to buy exclusively from them (I'm not ever gonna buy a DELL laptop ever, I'm telling you).

Technology changes as fast as you blink. You buy a gadget today, tomorrow it'll seem like from the ice age.

Anyways, I went easy on my laptop and did the following:

1. Instead of importing big files, I just played the videos from my external drive and re-video only the selected clips using our digicam. That's the reason why some clips on my movie were greyish.

2. I then uploaded these small clips onto my laptop and imported them to WMM.

3. And .... ta dah! My very first WMM video!

It's fun learning new skills. Small victory each day. Another check off my Bucket List.

P.S. I really don't have anything to complain about my laptop. It's really great, has served me well (still does) over the last year. Sure, it's got its flaws but I love it just the way it is. But I do blame the maker, Dell. Really.

Letting Go Can Be So Much Fun

I've a lot to learn from JM, my 5-yr old daughter.

We both ice-skated for the first time and yet she now skates like a pro, while I ... well ... I look like a combination of a 1-yr old baby walking for the first time and a baby duck trying to fly but couldn't.

Yup, that's how I look like on the rink each time. I take careful, little steps with arms flailing like a wild duck, trying to maintain my balance, and always fearing for the worst ... fall down on my butt.

Last weekend, the 3 of us (hubby, daughter and me) went ice-skating again at The Pond in Bryant Park (in time for the park's annual tree lighting) and I couldn't help but be green with envy as my hubby and daughter glide gleefully on ice. It wasn't fair! We all started at the same time and I was logging behind. What the heck's going on?

1. Energy - She's 5 and I'm 36. Meaning, I'm old. I don't have the energy of a 5-yr old. I couldn't bring myself to just skate to the max like she does.

2. Guts - Kids are fearless. They don't think about the dangers that's why they have so much fun doing stuffs. For them, everything is play. Me, I've got a lot of hangups. I might stumble, I might fall, I might fall on my face, I might fall on my butt, I might lose control, I might knock my head over, blah, blah, blah.

3. "Deadma" attitude - "Deadma" means no reaction. It's a local term we use for "I don't care", "so what?", "Who cares?". My daughter falls down a million times on her butt but she just keeps going like nothing happened. She just simply doesn't care. I think she even enjoys falling. Maybe. Another hangup for me is I care a lot -- on how I'd get hurt, on how I look on the ice, or how embarrassing it would be to fall (esp. when there are spectators who just come to entertain themselves watching new ice-skaters. lol)

I knew I had to do something about it. I couldn't just rely on my hubby to hold me each time I go skating, or hold onto the rails for dear life (it gets crowded on the side as more new skaters join in on the adventure). I needed to let go of my fears and worries. And I needed to have a deadma attitude. How else could I learn and enjoy, right?

So, I searched the mighty web for tips and video tutorials. I tapped (EFT) away my worries and I talked to the ice like it was my best friend in the whole wide world. (Hey, you're not the only one who thinks I might have gone crazy. I think that myself, too.) lol.

But it works, you know?

The other day, JM and I skated by ourselves and the whole time I was telling the ice "I love you" and "You and I are one" ... and I just let go. I was imagining the ice like clouds in the sky, soft as cotton candy, ready to fluff me when I fall. I didn't care if I looked unsophisticated with my arms all over the place, looking like a running penguin. I actually was making fun of myself telling people I was the student and JM was my teacher. People loved seeing the 2 of us together ... with me shouting "JM, wait for Mommy!" most of the time.

I just let go. And I never fell. Not even once. Yahoo!

So, I'm doing it again ... and again ... and again. Thanks to my teacher, JM! This is another check off my Bucket List.

Upside of Getting Busted

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(Warning: Some adult content)

Ok. Since it's out anyway, might as well let everybody in on the Secret.

I told you my Dad-in-Law learned our 'secret wedding' plan, right? We were just planning to go to City hall by ourselves and get married without anybody knowing. It was kinda exciting for us to do that then.

But when we got busted, we had to make it official and announce it to everybody concerned (on my part, it was just my Mom. I dared NOT let my other relatives find out. They're that conservative!) And we also had to do some 'special' planning, too, coz there'd be more people coming.

I think that was the best thing that happened -- that we were able to PLAN it well that now we can look back at it with pride. I cannot imagine now what our wedding day would have looked like if we hadn't been busted:

1. Budget - As students, we didn't have any. But when we let in our family on the planning, they shelled out some bucks. They had to ... (served them right for busting our 'secret'). lol. I think we spent almost 10k for the event.

2. Dress - I was only gonna wear slacks and nice top. But since it became official, Mom had to spend for a tailor-made dress for me.

3. Food - We were just gonna go to Jollibee or McDonalds, but since more guests were expected, we had to reserve a spot in Rose Bowl.

4. Video/Photo - No plan of taking vid for the simple reason that we didn't have videocam. Photos, yes, but only with our film camera. But when it became official, I especially made sure that we would get a professional photographer for the event. Big thanks to 'Atty.' Caronongan of SLU College of Law, we have amazingly wonderful shots in beautiful spots in Baguio City to brag about.

5. Transpo - Just jeepney or cab drive to Municipal Hall. But since we had plans of taking nice shots around Baguio, we had to hire transpo to shuttle our guests.

6. Room - well, we had our respective boarding houses. It would have been ok to just snuggle on single bed. But since my Mom and cousin Eloisa had to come up all the way from Manila, and they'd be occupying my room, Jessie and I had to book a hotel for our wedding night... courtesy of my Mom ... yahoo!

On a related note, if anybody would be really honest as to how a 'first time' really feels, they'd say it's "ouch". I could tell you now that nothing happened on our 'magical' night, so to speak. It was just hours and hours of trying and experimenting ... lol. It was just an 'ouch' evening for me. lmao. And I think it wasn't until after a few months that I finally enjoyed it. Kinda sad, but honestly true.

Civil Wedding

Church Wedding

Related Posts: 11 Years
My Secret is Out

11 Years

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11 years ago today was one of my happiest moments.

I wish it's already our 25th anniversary so we could get married again. I mean, we could do it any year, right? Yeah, we should probably. Maybe in Vegas? Hmmmm.

With my hubby's permission, I'm releasing our anniversary videos to the public for scrutiny. lol.

I used the song "After All These Years" by Journey. Their new lead is a Pinoy. Arnel Pineda. I feel so proud being a Pinoy.

Get yourselves some popcorn and enjoy the movies! A real treat to those who are suckers for romance! Muah, muah! I love you all!

December 8, 2009

March 10, 2009

Related Posts: My Secret is Out
Upside of Getting Busted

My Secret is Out

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I got married in 1998. Except for my Mom and a cousin, nobody in my family knew. I'm exposing this secret as we celebrate 11 years of our blissful marriage.

Yes, it's that time of the year again. Time for reminiscing the past wonderful years we had as husband and wife.

We actually celebrate our anniversaries every 8th, 9th and 10th of each month. Yup, 3 days. We're just suckers for celebration. We always celebrate even when there's nothing big happening. That's what we are -- suckers for good times!

Ok, so why 3 days? March 10, 1998 was when we officially went steady as boyfriend/girlfriend.

That's us, during our College of Law days.

I have no idea when exactly we got engaged. We just sort of discussed we wanna get married civilly (and supposedly a secret, but then we got busted by Jessie's Dad when he found out our plan from someone that works in their provincial municipal hall where the required Nuptial Notice was posted). Yes, we planned to wed just by ourselves and no one else. We were crazy in love then, you see. But we were already in our early 20s so who could find fault in that? Apparently, a lot of concerned citizens, particularly our folks. Why? Because we were a few months away from our graduation in Law. And it seemed at that time a big disappointment for everybody. Anyways, we went through with our plans, but we still kept it a secret from my relatives (Hahaha, now the secret is out! If my cousin "Ate" is reading this, she'd be a bit shocked). Event was attended by very close family and friends (Only my Mom and a cousin from my side of the family). Date was December 8, 1998 (Immaculate Conception) because Catholic schools like SLU didn't have classes that day. So, back to school the day after. lol This photo was taken in front of "our Mansion" in Baguio City!

left side: My Mom, cousin Eloisa, and Dad-in-law

right side: Jun (bro-in-law), Uncle Art (in law) and our friends Cel/Mel and Gel/Ricky

To make it up to our parents, we promised ourselves we won't have kids 'til we marry in church. So, two years and a day after our civil wedding, or on December 9, 2000, we made our parents proud by ratifying our marriage in a Catholic ceremony. We wanted it to be on December 8th, too, but no weddings were being scheduled then in our church coz it was Immaculate Conception day, and our Parish was THE Immaculate Conception in Quezon City. But the good part was that we still had the flower arrangement and decor in the church from the day before.

Oh, what I'd give to have that figure once again! lol

Related Posts:
Upside of Getting Busted
11 Years

I'm A Racist ... A Li'l Bit

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Well, we all are. A lil bit racist, I mean. So, it's ok to admit that.

I've always felt guilty about my being a (just a lil bit) racist until I've watched "Avenue Q" on Broadway last year. I realized then that everyone's really a racist, we just won't admit it. I guess if we put humor into this very sensitive subject, like what "Avenue Q" did, it would seem ok to be just a li'l bit of it (as long as you don't go overboard as to hang somebody on a tree like the KKK did).

Watch this "Avenue Q" video I found on youtube. This is hilarious! Lyrics courtesy of stlyrics. Learn and enjoy! Peace!

Princeton:
..
You're a little bit racist.

Kate Monster:
Well, you're a little bit too.

Princeton:
I guess we're both a little bit racist.

Kate Monster:
Admitting it is not an easy thing to do...

Princeton:
But I guess it's true.

Kate Monster:
Between me and you,
I think

Both:
Everyone's a little bit racist .... sometimes.
Doesn't mean we go around committing hate crimes.
Look around and you will find no one's really color blind.
Maybe it's a fact we all should face:
Everyone makes judgments based on race.

Princeton:
Now not big judgments, like who to hire
or who to buy a newspaper from -

Kate Monster:
No!

Princeton:
No, just little judgments like thinking that Mexican
busboys should learn to speak goddamn English!

Kate Monster:
Right!

Both:
Everyone's a little bit racist, today.
So, everyone's a little bit racist ...Okay!
Ethnic jokes might be uncouth,
But you laugh because they're based on truth.
Don't take them as Personal attacks.
Everyone enjoys them - So relax!

Princeton:
All right, stop me if you've heard this one.

Kate Monster:
Okay!

Princeton:
There's a plane going down and there's only one parachute. And there's a rabbi, a priest...

Kate Monster:
And a black guy!

Gary Coleman:
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Kate?

Kate Monster:
Uh...

Gary Coleman:
You were telling a black joke!

Princeton:
Well, sure, Gary, but lots of people tell black jokes.

Gary Coleman:
I don't.

Princeton:
Well, of course you don't - you're black!
But I bet you tell Polack jokes, right?

Gary Coleman:
Well, sure I do. Those stupid Polacks!

Princeton:
Now, don't you think that's a little racist?

Gary Coleman:
Well, damn, I guess you're right.

Kate Monster:
You're a little bit racist.

Gary Coleman:
Well, you're a little bit too.

Princeton:
We're all a little bit racist.

Gary Coleman:
I think that I would have to agree with you.

Princeton/Kate Monster:
We're glad you do.

Gary Coleman:
It's sad but true! Everyone's a little bit racist - All right!

Kate Monster:
All right!

Princeton:
All right!

Gary Coleman:
All right! Bigotry has never been exclusively white

All:
If we all could just admit that we are racist a little bit,
Even though we all know that it's wrong,
Maybe it would help us get along.

Princeton:
Oh, Christ do I feel good.

Gary Coleman:
Now there was a fine upstanding black man!

Princeton:
Who?

Gary Coleman:
Jesus Christ.

Kate Monster:
But, Gary, Jesus was white.

Gary Coleman:
No, Jesus was black.

Kate Monster:
No, Jesus was white.

Gary Coleman:
No, I'm pretty sure that Jesus was black-

Princeton:
Guys, guys...Jesus was Jewish!

Brian:
Hey guys, what are you laughing about?

Gary Coleman:
Racism!

Brian:
Cool.

Christmas Eve:
BRIAN! Come back here!
You take out lecycuraburs!

Princeton:
What does that mean?

Brian:
Um, recyclables.
Hey, don't laugh at her!
How many languages do you speak?

Kate Monster:
Oh, come off it, Brian!
Everyone's a little bit racist.

Brian:
I'm not!

Princeton:
Oh no?

Brian:
Nope!
How many Oriental wives have you got?

Christmas Eve:
What? Brian!

Princeton:
Brian, buddy, where have you been? The term is Asian-American!

Christmas Eve:
I know you al no intending to be
But carring me Oriental - Offensive to me!

Brian:
I'm sorry, honey, I love you.

Christmas Eve:
And I rove you.

Brian:
But you're racist, too.

Christmas Eve:
Yeah, I know.
The Jews have or the money
And the whites have or the power.
And I'm arways in a taxi-cab with dliver who no showel!

Princeton:
Me too!

Kate Monster:
Me too!

Gary Coleman:
I can't even get a taxi!

All:
Everyone's a little bit racist, it's true.
But everyone is just about as racist as you!
If we all could just admit that we are racist a little bit,
And everyone stopped being so PC
Maybe we could live in - Harmony!

Christmas Eve:
Evlyone's a ritter bit lacist!