Remembering My Ina

Ina is the term we used to address our mother. It's identical to Mommy, Mama, Nanay, Inang, etc. Today is Ina's 5th death anniversary. On times such as this, I can’t help but remember all the good things about her. How she took care of us, especially me, (being the youngest in a brood of three and the menopause baby. he he.. ) from childhood until the time I already have my own family. She (together with my father) took care of my son too, while I was yet working until I decided to leave work when I gave birth to my daughter. I still have the feeling of guilt inside me because she died without me beside her. She was staying with me and my family since my father’s death in 1990 until the time that she reached her senility and eventually until her time of death.

Unfortunately, I was confined in the hospital at the time of her death. She died on her sleep, while under the care giving of my son who, incidentally, she took care of, until he went to school. Son is sort of happy having reciprocated the caring he received from her. Love and care, it was there in two way traffic! I'm happy on that note and I'm sure, Ina up there is happy as well!

Awards!

These awards are shared to me by Gorgeous Mom. I don't believe I deserve them but I do appreciate the thought. Thanks for spending your time just to inform me Sheng! Thanks for the friendship too!


I want to pass these Awards to the following Blogger Buddies. They are Juliana, Mira, Rose, Umma, Madz, , Debbie, Alf, Beth, Dhemz, and Jade. Please take these ladies. You deserve them more than me!

Loboc River Cruise

Found the above photos in my computer album and I come to reminisce the wonderful vacation my family had a couple of years ago in Bohol. These were taken while aboard a boat cum floating restaurant. I consider this river cruise the best part of the Bohol Tour coz everything that’s nice for a tourist (whether local or foreign) was present there. We were in a place where beauty of nature abounds. Experiencing a very relaxing boat cruise with lively Filipino music being sang by an excellent singer while we were having a sumptuous buffet Filipino lunch. Added to the pleasure was seeing other happy people waiving on each other, with every boat that came across ours. (Take note of that foreign guy behind us and on the other boat too.) That was one wonderful moment indeed!

Source for Mailing and Telemarketing Lists

The company where hubby works is presently on the planning stage of compressing the employees working spaces to be able to share the saved spaces to a sister company. They are actually affected by the financial crisis. Who has not been affected by the present world wide financial crunch? I bet, only a few would deny. Businesses are striving hard to stay operational. Some companies are finding ways and means to control company’s impending bankruptcy. Generally, industrial strategies are sought beyond their premises.

I wonder if they have heard of the marketing list where the US Government has turned for their marketing data. This is held by the List Company, the company to turn to for the much needed telemarketing and email sourcing. They carry the complete lists where most of the needed consumer mailing lists, list brokers, Insurance lists, and other various lists are gathered and scientifically analyzed. The exact reason why many of the company’s businesses are coming back. I'm more than sure, this is the strategy they are looking for to keep their businesses going.

Kamayan sa Palaisdaan

Here’s a good eating place to visit. This is the Kamayan sa Palaisdaan in Tayabas, Quezon. We were able to visit this nice place last December when we passed by the said town coming from Bicol. The food were delightful and ambiance was great. I will certainly come back if I'll have the chance.

Me, with hubby and Lianne (our grandniece.)

Potpot: Our pet and baby

I’m pretty sure you have seen a Princess type Shih Tzu dog. It’s a toy dog which measures about a foot long, more or less. This is the breed of Potpot, our pet dog for almost three years now. Tiny he maybe, but he’s one smart dog. He understands every instruction we give him like “behave”, “sit”, “come here”, “get inside”, “stay”, “go away”, “go there” and some other more. You would know too if he’s thirsty coz he’ll touch you with his right front leg and when he gets your attention he would go to the water dispenser, reach for the faucet and look at you. By that, you’d understand what he wants.

My mother-in-law who’s with us for a vacation is quite impressed by Potpot. She’s not actually a dog lover but when he saw Potpot, she contemplates on buying a pet dog for her grandchildren in Sydney, Australia when she gets back home. I’m sure she won’t have a hard time finding the best dog for them coz there are lots of puppies for sale sydney or maybe she could also look for spoodles for sale sydney if ever the kids prefer to have a spoodle. Whichever, I’m happy that M-i-l became a dog lover. And it’s because of Potpot, our pet and baby.

Long Over-Due Blow-out

We had the opportunity to pass by Isdaan Restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac on our way to San Fabian, Pangasinan. It was because I cornered Elvie, my Sis-in-law to treat us to lunch that day. She received a lot of teasing from us as we ordered for food. And the comedienne that she is, jokingly ordered for a pain reliever for her headache because we were forcing her to treat us. Ha ha ha… I was feeling sorry for her! However, I felt that, that treat was a long overdue blow-out. It happens only once in a blue moon for her anyway! He he he…

Here are some photos taken:

M-i-l

L-R Aldrin, Lizeth and Elvie with the hold-uppers at their back.

Forgot to take photos of the food.

The Joker trying to wake up the sleeping guard statue.

Tita Beng with Pie. (N-i-l)

The dining huts

One of the many fish fountains around.

The Taksiyapo Wall (take note of the staff, giving his best pose.)

The framed note of how much tip to give the musicians.

The Isdaan Restaurant is actually a nice place to bring foreign tourist only because of it's beautifully designed native Pinoy dining place. They have many performers who sing and dance as well. I'd say the place itself is an attraction but not the food they serve. Sad to say, the food from an ordinary carinderia maybe better than theirs while the Singers/Musicians are like daylight holduppers. Squeezing customers for bigger tips. It was late for us when we saw the framed notice.They even have the nerve to reject 100peso tip and still asked for more. M-i-l handed them another 50pesos. They were truly irritating. Seemed like they were shooing their customers away. To rate this eating place from scale of 1-5 as the highest, I give them 1.5. Nothing more, nothing less!!! If you want to come to this pricey place, just heed the warning.

SUMVAC 2009

The first time I encountered SUMVAC banners was ten years ago. SUMVAC 1999! I saw it along NLEX and all through out the way until Baguio where it could be seen all over the place. I was so ignorant of the word not knowing it’s an abbreviated word of Summer Vacation. Well, that’s how silly I am sometimes. he he ..

It’s SUMVAC 2009 now and we have started enjoying the season. (It’s as far as Hubby’s Clan is concerned.) We were back in San Fabian Beach just like what we did last year. We want my mother-in-law to have a great vacation time here in the country so that seems perfect for a renewed bonding with two of her children, some grandchildren as well as her great grandchildren. With the big number of people that joined, I already expected it to be a real blast and bit frenzy somehow. What with too many people in a quite small place! Omg!! The nieces were giving us the most comfortable place though but we preferred camping out in our own tent. It’s more fun for us that way. Being together for few days and nights was what matters. And it was much joy for everyone!

Our Lady of Manaoag Church

Videoke time

Our cars along with the huts and the sand

Frolicking by the beach.

The chefs.

The Holy Thursday That Was

Hello everyone! How was your Holy Week vacation? It was great for us here. We spent three days in San Fabian Beach in Pangasinan. We left our place in the early morning of Holy Thurday. Along the way to our destination, we saw these men doing some penitential acts. One was carrying a big heavy cross while the others were whipping their backs with thorny whips until their backs were bleeding. This Pinoy customs are still very much seen around here during Holy Weeks especially on Holy Thursdays and Good Fridays. I thought we would see some real nailing on the cross on Good Friday that passed, but there was none in Pangasinan. I’ve heard it happens in Pampanga but we haven’t had time for it. I wonder what made these men wanting to go through this difficult ordeal. The Catholic Church are opposed to this tradition, however, to this men, perhaps they think their sins would be washed away by their penitential acts. Do you think so too?

100 Truths

I am pleased to have been tagged this time by Hanna. Thanks Buddy! Here's sharing you some more infos about me.

001. Name →Celia

002. Nickname(s)→ Beng/Ailecgee/Olive/Be

004. Zodiac sign → Cancer

005. Male or female → Female

006. Elementary → P. Burgos Elementary School StaMesa, Manila, Phils.

008. High School → R. Avancena High School Quiapo, Manila, Phils.

009. College School → M.L.Q. University, Quiapo, Manila, Phils.

010. Hair color → Black

011. Long or short → Long

012. Loud or Quiet → Quiet

013. Jumpers or Jeans → Jeans

014. Phone or Camera → Both

015. Health freak → Verrry!

016. Drink or Smoke? → Drink (occasional)

017. Do you have a crush on someone? → No.

018. Eat or Drink → Both

019. Piercings → Ears

020. Tattoos → None

021. Social or Anti-Social → In between

022. Righty or Lefty → Righty

FIRSTS:

023. First piercing → 5 years old

024. First best friend → Linda. In grade 3

025. First award → Best in Filipino

026. First crush → Can't remember

027. First relationship →First year in college. Nothing serious though.

028. First pet → dog

029. First big vacation → Sydney, Australia

030. First big birthday → None that I remember

032. First Surgery → Caesarian Section

033. First sport you joined → track and field

034. Orange or Apple juice → orange

035. Rock or Rap →neither

036. Country or Screamo → country

037. NSYNC or Backstreet boys → the latter

038. Britney spears or Christina Aguilera →Britney

039. Night or Day → both

040. Sun or Moon →both

041. TV or Internet → internet

042. Playstation or xbox → neither

043. Kiss or hug → both

044. Iguana or turtle → neither

045. Spider or bee → neither

046. Fall or spring → spring

047. Limewire or iTunes → whatevah

048. Soccer or baseball →baseball



CURRENTLY:

049. Eating → lunch

050. Drinking →coke

051. Excitement Level →high

052. I’m about to →go to the mall

053. Listening to →FM radio

054. Plans for today → To pack for a 3 day beach outing in Pangasinan

055. Waiting for →many opps to come my way.

056. Energy Level → low

057. Thinking of someone → yes.



YOUR FUTURE:

058. Want kids? → Not anymore. Though my two are already adults.

059. Want to get married? → happily married

060. When? →November 22, 1980

061. How many kids do you want →my two adult kids are enough

062. Any name on the mind -> n/a.

063. What did you want to be when you were little →teacher

064. Careers in mind →for my kids, not me

065. Mellow future or wild → mellow

066. Something you would never try →yup, maybe suicide.

067. When do you want to die → if I'm already useless, and no longer aware of what's happening
around me.



(WHICH IS BETTER IN THE BOY/GIRL YOU LIKE?

068. Lips or eyes → both

069. Romantic or Funny → Funny

070. Shorter or taller → taller

071. Protective or Caring →I hope both

072. Romantic or spontaneous → spontaneous

073. Nice stomach or nice arms →both

074. Sensitive or loud→ neither

075. Hook-up or relationship → relationship

076. Trouble maker or hesitant → neither

077. Muscular or Normal → normal

078. Kissed a stranger → cheek to cheek, yes.

079. Broken a bone → no



HAVE YOU EVER:

080. Lost glasses/contacts → many times! he he he...that's why I have plenty now.

081. Ran away from home → no!

082. Held a gun/knife for self defense → no.

083. Killed somebody → NO!

084. Broke someone’s heart → I think so.

085. Been arrested → NO!

087. Cried when someone died → many times if not always.

088. Liked a friend more than a friend →yup! those were the days. ha ha ha!



DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

089. Yourself → yes

090. Miracles → Obviously!

091. Love at first sight → no

092. Heaven → yes

093. Santa Claus → no

094. Tooth Fairy → no

095. Kiss on the first date → no

096. Angels → yes



ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:

097. Is there one person you want to be with right now → Everybody's with me.

098. Are you seriously happy with where you are in life → Yes and NO.

099. Do you believe in God → yes

100. Post as 100 truths and tag 20 people.

Tagging all my blogger buddies in my links. Grab this now friends!

Smiling PR

I wasn’t paying much attention to Page Ranks. My Page Rank widget was placed by Hubby few months ago when it showed a PR3. The other Blog of mine, My Quiet Zone was PR2 before but went pfft to PR0 so my interest in Page Ranks dwindled as well. But one Blogger Buddy, Rose/Chubskulit, surprised me with her message congratulating me for my PR4. It’s kinda unbelievable for me. Nevertheless, I’m so pleased to find out that this blog certainly has a PR4. And not just that! My other blog got back it’s PR2. As they say it here in street lingo, “weather-weather lang yan!” meaning, you get it when it’s your time. I think I'm just lucky for now. Could they be ranked higher? He he he.. that's me getting more ambitious! I just wish they would remain in their present ranking if not to be accelerated. Thanks Mr. Google!

The Right Attire

It was Daughter’s first anniversary on her present and second job last Tuesday, March 31. They were to have a little Cocktail Party with all the batch mates in her office. She was all agog in choosing the right dress to wear. However, she couldn’t make up her mind 'cause most of the clothes hanging in her closet are casual work clothes she has been wearing at the office. She was disappointed not having enough time to buy a new party outfit for the get-together.

Time to do some shopping for her personal stuff. She ain’t got time but that's no problem. She knew exactly where to shop. Where else, but at ShopWiki.co.uk, the online shop where one could find anything and everything for sale online. But for that time being that the need was right there, she did a temporary shopping from my cabinet.(LOL) She picked one georgette blouse, accessorized it with a wide belt and matched them with her own slim fit denim jeans. She found no problem in looking for the right shoes though. She has quite a number of her own. With a contented smile on her face, off she went to her party.

Back to Sun Moon Beach

The beach lover in me struck again. Last Saturday, I longed for the Bagac beach that we used to go. I wanna be with my own kinfolk but they couldn't come along due to unavailability of their own vehicle. I couldn’t force them coz I couldn't provide them their need. Anyway, I just sent text messages to my sister and my niece-in-law informing them that we’re going to Sun Moon Beach on the following day, Sunday. The replies were “where do we meet?”. I called up sis-in-law and her daughter but they didn’t want to come. So with those available people, (Sis, her son, her daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and d-i-l’s mom, also with hubby’s nephew and his wife, with my family and daughter’s friend) off we went to Sun Moon Beach for a whole day of fun.

Lunch was aplenty. Each one brought lots of dishes, fresh fruits, snacks with some sodas and beers. How I love being with the people I care and at the same time being in a place I adore. On good times such as that, I could feel the goodness of life!

Jaja, Pie, Mae, Iya, Tatie and Little Lianne

Pie, Mae, Iya, Tatie and Alvin at the background

Little Lianne and Mommy Iya

Ryan cutting the sweet watermelon