I decided to make this site open for contacts only. If you want to keep abreast on what's going on in my life, please check my blogs outside Multiply: 
>>> my personal blog <<< 
>>> our family blog <<<
>>> my photo blog <<< 
>>> my travel blog <<< Thanks a lot! *** Jenn *** My 28th birthday may be over now, but the gifts kept on coming. Just while on vacation, I received three more gifts, making this year the time when I received the most gifts on my birthday next to my 1st birthday, of course.   This blush-on wasn't really intended as a gift, but when brother and I went to check out the churches in Agoo and Bauang, I asked Aunt Julie if I could borrow some blush-on to give a little life to my cheeks. Aunt Julie handed me her itty-bitty kikay kit containing different blush-on for me to choose from. All were still unused, all were given by Aunt's friends working abroad. I chose this particular blush-on, not because of its color, but because of its label. When I returned it, Aunt asked why I was returning it right there and then; she thought I was going to borrow it the whole day. I took it back and as I put it in my bag, she said I can have it because she still has a lot to use, and I can just treat it as her belated birthday gift. Brother said Aunt Julie doesn't really lend cosmetics because she has sensitive skin. When someone borrows cosmetics from her, she would always hand unused cosmetics so that the borrower can just have the cosmetics. Hmmm... maybe when I ran out of lipstick I will ask if I can borrow one from her, too!  
 
To Aunt Julie, Ken, and teacher Emmy, thanks so much for the gifts. Words cannot express how thankful I am for the stuffs. I appreciate the kindness and generosity. Thanks, thanks, thanks! May God bless you all!
*** Jenn ***
 I got home around 6am yesterday, and I wasn’t able to start with the recaps because I used my day catching up on sleep and transferring pictures from CDs and cameras to our computer. Let me then start with the vacation recaps with this post. My vacation started two Saturdays ago - 17 May 2008. There was a typhoon about to enter the northern part of the country, and sad to say it was where I was headed. I took the 11:30am trip, and by the time the bus reached the Pozzorubio sub-station in Pangasinan, wind was getting stronger and stronger. I managed to take a snapshot of the clouds at that moment:  So gray clouds at 3:56PM! I really didn’t think these clouds would bring devastating rains and winds! Believe it or not, this typhoon caused half of the entire Pangasinan province to be on the state of calamity! So many properties damaged, so many lives taken, and all I can do is sigh a relief that the place where I stayed wasn’t directly hit by the typhoon! Tuesday the following week, me, brother, Aunt Julie, and her friend went back to Pangasinan to hear mass in Manaoag Church (full details about this will be on a separate entry). A totally different looking sky compared to the one I saw just three days before:  A very peaceful sky, eh? I guess the clouds just made a major rant and is now fine. Can you spot the difference in two pictures? Check out the tree on the left part — after the storm, the tree had less leaves, and in the middle part of the picture, do notice that one of the electric post is missing. Yes, it was knocked out by the typhoon, so no electricity in the place, even until when I traveled back home yesterday. I really feel sorry to all those affected by the typhoon. Lord have mercy on us all. *** Jenn *** 
Hindi ako nakasali sa Litratong Pinoy noong nakaraang Linggo dahil ako ay nagbakasyon -- sa totoo lang, kauuwi ko pa lang galing probinsiya. Wala pa akong tulog dahil nagbiyahe ako ng gabi. Gusto ko lang mai-post ito bago ako matulog.
Ang tema ngayong linggo ay "ihip ng hangin." Pagkakita ko pa lang sa tema, alam ko na kaagad kung anong litrato ang isasali ko. Kuha ito noong Linggo sa probinsiya ng Cagayan (Rehiyon 2), habang nasa biyahe pauwi ng La Union. Sumama ako sa "road trip" ng tiyahin ko at ng ilan sa kaniyang mga kaklase noong high school, at dahil ang van na sinakyan namin ay walang air-conditioner, natural lamang na liparin ng hangin ang buhok ko dahil kinailangan naming buksan ang bintana ng sasakyan. Ginusto kong litratuhan ang sarili ko habang nililipad ng hangin ang buhok ko, ngunit ganito pala ang hitsura ko. Nakakatawa, di ba? Sabi ng tiyahin ko, mukha daw akong nakakita ng multo. Naisip ko naman, para akong isang pusang nagulat. =)
Alam kong may mga ilang litrato sa aking files na tutugma sa temang ito, pero dahil ito ang una kong naisip, ayoko ng palitan pa. Pasensiya na kung eto na lang ang naisali ko, siguro dala na rin ng pagod at antok kaya ganoon. Hahahaha... 'di bale, paminsan-minsan, kailangan din nating tumawa at magsaya, 'di ba?
Maligayang Huwebes sa lahat.
English Translation:
I wasn't able to join Litratong Pinoy last week because I was on vacation -- truth be told, I just got home from the province. I just wanted to post this one before I head on to sleep because I didn't have the privilege to sleep while on the trip last night.
This week's theme is "ihip ng hangin" (wind blows). Upon seeing the theme, I already knew what picture to post. This one was taken last Sunday, along the roads of Cagayan Province (region 2). I went on a road trip with my aunt and some of her high school friends, and since the van wasn't air-conditioned, we had to put down the windows. I wanted to take a picture of myself as the wind blows my hair, but I was surprised with the outcome. Funny eh? My aunt said I looked like I just saw a ghost, but I think I was more like a surprised cat.
I know there are still a lot of pictures that would fit the theme, but this since I already thought of this, I will just stick to my picture. My apologies if my picture wasn't good -- maybe because of lack of sleep and being tired that's why I am thinking like this. But hey, everyone needs a good laugh from time to time, eh?
Happy Thursday to all.
*** Jenn ***
I am on my fifth day here in La Union. Everything’s good, happy that my dad’s hometown (Bacnotan) wasn’t part of those damaged by Typhoon Cosme. I was blessed that I was already here just before the typhoon landed, and even though it’s been raining for about two days and there was a day without electricity, it’s been blue skies now. Yey! So where have I been lately? Hmmm… we checked the sunset in Paratong Beach (just walking distance from our house) last May 19, a beautiful cap off to Aunt Julie’s birthday. Yesterday, we (me, Aunt Julie, her “bf”, and brother) were in Manaoag Church, Pangasinan. I looked awful in pictures, but of course, when I get home I will share all the stories and pictures from my recent trips! Our computer here isn’t working — so all the pics are still in our camera. Tomorrow, brother and I will do some church hopping. We will visit the Basilica Minore in Agoo, La Union then check the church in Bauang, also in La Union. Then, on Friday, Aunt Julie and I, together with her high school friends will go to Cagayan and Laoag in Ilocos Norte. The Sagada part of the trip is still undecided, because the roads might still be unpassable because of the typhoon. Aunt Julie and I are still hoping, though, that all will be well. Just a short update, will be back when I can to update more. Thanks for dropping by my blog. *** Jenn *** 
Because I will be going to La Union (my dad’s hometown) this weekend, my photo for this week will be a picture taken the last time I was there. This was taken from a corn field near my Aunt’s house. It was nearly dusk, and I wanted to check out the fields — they also have a tobacco field next to the corn field. I am a country girl at heart. If I can have it my way, I would certainly live in the countryside - grow my own vegetables and take care of some livestock. Hopefully in five years, I can get to live the life I am dreaming. Thanks for dropping by! *** Jenn *** The country is now on its third typhoon, and just like the weather, it seems the travel plans to Sagada is now on the brink of cancellation. According to brother, it is not really recommended to go to Sagada on wet season, but he said Aunt Julie is now trying to communicate with her friends to go on with the Cagayan - Laoag trip and just cancel the Sagada part of it. I told brother anywhere is okay with me, because I could never get to see those places alone. Just a little change in the schedule — I can’t come with my friends to the scrapbooking / card making tutorial on Sunday (18 May) because I am now scheduled to leave for La Union this Saturday morning. Aunt Julie is celebrating her birthday on the 19th, and each year, she goes to the Manaoag Church in Pangasinan. The last time I was there (August 2007), we weren’t able to take much pictures because we were still using the conventional film camera. I was just checking some pictures of the church on the Internet and I saw some pictures with the caption, “Manaoag Rosary Park.” Hmmm…. it certainly wasn’t there when I was there last year (or maybe I missed it). I want to see that this time! And take as much pictures as I can! I am sure Aunt Julie will allow me to come with her. Hopefully brother will come, too! I will be out until the end of the month, so I might not be able to update the blogs as much as I can, but expect a lot of stories once I get back! I am actually thinking of using both our digicam and my cell phone to capture the moments so even if I am in La Union, I can update the blogs and still share a pic or two. It’s much easier to upload the pictures from my cell phone, so might do that instead. Hehehe. Some of the things in mind I want to achieve from this vacation are: Learn as much dinengdeng recipes as possible. Revisit some of the places for newer pictures. If the whole trip will be cancelled, will go to Vigan instead. Take at least a hundred pictures from each place visited. If money can still take it, might go to Baguio City before heading home. I am excited to embark on my trip! Hopefully the rains will stop for a while so I can fully enjoy it! *** Jenn ***  | QOTW #18 | May 15, '08 5:35 AM
for everyone |
1. What present did you gave to your Mom last Sunday for the Mother’s Day?
>>> Truth be told, I didn't give anything, but I did greet her first thing in the morning.
2. If you’re a Mom what did you receive? If you’re a Dad what did you gave to your Wife/partner?
>>> I am neither a mom nor a dad, so no answer for this.
3. Where did you go to celebrate the special day?
>>> We celebrated it a day earlier - we went clothes shopping and ate at Jollibee.
4. Did you had a fabulous time? Please Share.
>>> Oh yes! I was able to buy two blouses for myself, while sister chanced upon this oh-so-beautiful Calvin Klein top for a discounted price apart from the slacks and skirts she bought! Mom got to buy two blouses, but I am planning to loot the other one. =)
5. Share a special moment together with your Mom that you treasure most! Either you were a kid or now that you have a family already!
>>> When I was 10 years old, I've had a very serious case of UTI (urinary tract infection) that it caused my legs to swell and break out with lots of wounds (they thought it was scabies). I remember one time I was sitting in the couch, and she knelt to check my legs and cried. It was so bad because you cannot see real skin in my leg anymore! Seeing her helpless and so worried will be forever planted in my memory. My mom and I weren't close when I was young, so it was one moment I felt that my mom loved me.
6. Do you have a tradition on Mother’s Day in your family? If yes, What?
>>> Normally, we just go out and eat.
7. What do you think you got from your Mom’s look?
>>> Hmmm.... I look a lot like my dad, so I guess none. My sister got my mom's nose, though.
8. If you could give ANYTHING to your Mom in the world what would it be?
>>> Endless happiness and worry-free life.
9. What sayings, or any quotable quotes that your Mom always instill in you and your other siblings mind while growing up?
>>> Like I've said, she and I weren't close, so no moments like this one for me and mom.
10. What is a Mother to you?
>>> A mother is someone who loves you unconditionally, and is a friend at most times.
*** Jenn ***
 Oh man... am I really? Wow, I really am old now! Hehehehe... Kidding aside, I am happy to be 28! Gone are the days that I am worrying about aging... now I am so happy to be getting older one day at a time. My goal in life is to reach 80 years old, so I have a lot of decades more to catch up! =)
Celebration was just simple, we (mom, sis and I) ate lunch at Pizza Hut. We had regular supreme pizza, spaghetti meatballs (for me and mom), and lasagna (for sister). For desserts, we had their dessert sampler -- a plate of three desserts: sundae, chocoloate lava cake, and mango pannacotta. Yum!
 Mom still has to go back to the office so sis and I stayed in the mall for a while. I bought myself a ticket for the Ironman movie, but sister and I lounged for a while because I still have 30 minutes before the next showing. When it was time to go inside the cinema, sister and I bid bye-bye for she still has classes.
The movie was great! First of all because Robert Downey, Jr. starred the film, of course it is great! Heheheh.. I am biased, he is my ultimate favorite actor! I remember one time I was probably the only woman inside the cinema watching his "US Marshals" film! Anyway, what I loved about the movie was that it showcased the makings of a superhero. I love that aspect. Ironman is now my man of steel! Hehehehe.... By the way, did you the teaser at the end of the film? Good thing I really finish all the credits before I leave the cinema! If not, I won't be able to see that teaser!
 Just one question about the film... will Pepper be the next Money Penny? Hmmmm...
I bought a petit cake at Butterkrust and dropped by the market to buy some ground meat, carrots, and spring roll wrappers for the dinner celebration. Mom cooked the spaghetti, while I cooked the spring rolls. We gave the Raboys some food, just to show appreciation for the gifts they gave.
Speaking of gifts, the Raboys were the only ones who sent me gifts. 'Te Indang gave me a pack of squash seeds, 'te Cindy gave me chopsticks which she bought from Thailand. I received this cute purplish pink bag from Albay given to me by Charm and her bf Jay, which I loved so much! It was so coincidental to the blouse I wore! But the best gift I received for this year was my two wisdom teeth, which are now starting to come out -- I hope. My gums are now swollen and has a little wound, I hope my wisdom teeth come out now!May this year be a good one for me! To all those who greeted, biggest thanks from the bottom of my heart!
*** Jenn ***
 With so many things planned for my 28th birthday celebration, it all went down to this: a simple lunch with mom and sister at Pizza Hut. I was a bit disappointed at that, because I wanted to visit Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte… then just a few days before mom and I talked about going to the Manila Ocean Park, and just this morning, sister said she had to be in school so she cannot come. Therefore, no Ocean Park! But all is well. I personally chose to eat at Pizza Hut, because it’s been so long since I last ate pizza. Mom agreed to eat wherever I wanted to eat. I knew food here was expensive, but it’s just once a year that I celebrate my birthday, right? So I guess all is still good.  
 
 
  We just ordered the regular sized pizza (Supreme) for the three of us, a plate of spaghetti meatballs in bolognese sauce (shared by me and mom), and a plate of lasagna for sister. I didn’t really like the spaghetti we had — guess I am not used with the other types of sauces. My tastebuds are accustomed to the red sauce cooked the Filipino way and the usual white sauce. I did love sister’s lasagna, though. The white sauce on top creates a balance between the flavors. As for the pizza, well, it’s my favorite Pizza Hut pizza, so definitely it was delicious. I just opted for the thick crust one because I love eating the pizza crust! I also love bell peppers and onions in my pizza that I even get some of the peppers and onions from my mom’s and sister’s pizza slices! =) Whenever we dine out, we rarely order desserts. So since it’s my birthday, we ordered their dessert sampler — a plate containing three kinds of dessert: chocolate lava cake, sundae, and mango pannacotta. I loved the chocolate lava cake the most! It was just the right sweetness and the cake was soft and rich! Just a few foods costed us a little over 800 pesos. See, food here is expensive! Had we eaten in Congo Grille, for sure we’d be eating more to that amount. But all’s good, as I’ve said. It’ll take us years before we set foot in Pizza Hut anyway, so I guess it was just fine. Happy birthday to me! *** Jenn ***    
About a month ago, one of my scrapbooking friend Marix hosted a RAK (random act of kindness) in celebration of her Blogoversary. The mechanics were simple, just comment on each of the entries she posted during the RAK period to earn points. On her blogoversary, one winner will win this pack of different scrapbook embellishments, and that lucky winner turned out to be me.
Marix also gave out an extra prize to two other scrapbookers - Chipmunk won a prize from the random picking Marix made (just to test out the program she used for drawing the winner), while Sandra won a prize as a "runner-up" in the whole RAK thing.
Her package arrived on our doorsteps 9th of May. I was really happy that the mailman hand carried the package instead of giving me a notice to pick up my package in the post office. I saw a stamped thing on the envelope saying, "Bureau of Customs - forwarded (small packet)." Hmmm... does the customs really forward bulk mails now? Great! Kisses to the people in the Customs department! =) Well, how could I not thank them? The package was a bit heavy and quite bulky.
I forgot to ask Marix to just send the package c/o our neighbors since they went to Singapore just a week before Marix sent the package. Had I didn't forget, she would have saved 13.80SGD (more than 300 pesos) in postage delivery. Truth be told, just sending the package is already a prize in itself! And I was even more surprised to see a little more items in the package compared to the original image I've seen on her RAK announcement. Oh dear, big thanks to you, indeed!
May God bless your generous heart, Marix! I am sure you will receive lots of blessings in the future because of your kindness and generosity. Love yah, friend!
*** Jenn ***
ps- The cat wasn't included in the package, okay? My cat Paborito was one nosy cat, from the moment I was opening the package up to the time I am arranging it for some photos, he was there, acting like one nosy kid who's very curious about what's happening. =) 
First time to join Camera Critters. I am happy to know this meme - I don't really take pictures of animals, so with this meme, I hope to take notice of the animals around me.
This photo was taken 16 April 2008 in Greenbelt Park, Makati City. I was scheduled to meet my friend Rhodz later that afternoon, and since my sister and I were in the area a few hours before the meeting time, we decided to roam around and take pictures of things that would interest us. Originally, I wanted to take a picture of the the dome chapel in Greenbelt, and while walking around, I saw this kid chasing some ducks!
It's a new thing for me to see ducks walking freely around the park. And to think that this is the Central Business District of the whole country! Anyway, after the kid stopped chasing the ducks, it was my turn to chase them! Hehehehe... they took me to the nearby lagoon, and here's my shot:
 So cute, eh? They were lining! Thanks for checking my post. Do come back again next week!
*** Jenn ***
 Happy to announce that I no longer have to waste time worrying how will I pack in pictures into my cell phone's 50 MB internal memory! Just last Friday, I went over the photo shop to get the camera we ordered -- a Canon Powershot A580 digital camera.
I was acutally surprised when my mom decided to buy this camera, but more than surprised, I was ecstatic and happy about it. I will be embarking on a trip before the month ends, so I definitely need a camera that can take lots and lots of pictures! I am happy mom personally chose this model because I loved that 8 megapixels and the pre-selcted themes for easy change of themes for different shooting needs.
We bought this camera in Picture City (SM Fairview), and since Canon is having a promo, we got a free 2GB SD memory card, a camera pouch, and a voucher for a free swimwear from Folded and Hung. My sister will be the one getting the swimwear, because she's the only one who can wear the swimwear. Hehehe. Mom paid for the camera, while I bought the batteries.
Us three girls (mom, sis, and I) own the camera. Because brother's digital camera is dysfunctional at the moment and he is based in La Union anyway, we really need a camera we could use for our own little moments. For sure it's going to be me who's the main photographer, but I am sure sister would also be kind enough to take my pictures should the need arise. Sister used the camera first, but the very first shot was taken by me, and I will share the image tomorrow.
Here's to more shutter happy moments!
*** Jenn ***
I finished this layout by the end of April, but due to many, many things, it's just now that I was able to share this one. This is originally for the Kaya Challenge Lee posted in the Pinoy Scrapbookers' Challenge blog. Tough challenge, but still happy I was able to finish it.
The challenge is to write a letter to one particular person to be read in the future. When? Well, that's up to you to decide. I decide to write a letter for my mom, which she has to read on her 64th birthday. Yes, I based it on the old Beatles' song, "When I'm 64." I was listening to my Beatles' MP3 tunes when the song came up, and then I thought, "Why not?"
Doing the whole layout wasn't hard at all, because I just made it as simple as it is. With the beautiful Basic Grey papers, I want to show as much designs in the paper as I can. It's time for me to go back to a scheme I loved so much, monochrome.
Journal on the layout reads, "To my mom (age 58), This picture of us taken in Villa Escudero last 29 march 2008 is certainly my current favorite. For someone who doesn’t really smile in pictures, I am happy to see you smile here even just a bit. I am happy, too, that we looked so sweet in this picture. I guess time has certainly changed us a lot. I hope that the closeness we are now sharing will remain forever. I love the fact that we are real good friends now. This layout may have been done in 2008, but I inserted a hidden letter for you, which you can only read when you turn 64, six more years by now. I got it all sealed, so don’t waste your time and energy trying to peek on it, okay? Don’t worry, as long as we live our lives a day at a time, we will just be surprised that six years have already passed. Do come back on this layout in year 2014, on your 64th birthday. And yes, this one’s based on the old Beatles’ song. Love you mom. Your Daughter Nene (age 27)"
It's a rule to include the ages of the sender as well as the receiver, and added to the rule was to embellish the layout with a button. Now that's a part in the rule I really didn't notice, so yes, this layout wasn't qualified for the raffle by the end of the challenge. Pffft! Bad Jenny! =) I could try to add even just one button here, but I decided not to anymore. I will just leave it as it is.
My hidden letter can be pulled on the lower left part of the layout. Another mistake I did was that I closed the letter even before I encoded it! Well, I wrote my letter impromptu using my own handwriting, and as soon as I signed it, I sealed it off in fears my mom might read it! My mom's a bit nosy about some things, and I don't want her to read the letter before the right time is up for her to read it. I also decided not to open it anymore because if I post the letter here, then everybody can read it -- including her, should my sister read it and tell her about it. =)
Sorry for the poor image in this one, our scanner's not functioning good, so I took a picture of this one using my cell phone.
"When You're 64" 12x12 043008 ~~ Materials Used: Patterned Papers - Basic Grey (thanks to Nina for giving me this one), DCWV, Teresa Collins, Imaginisce * Tracing Paper - Canson * Flower - Petaloo * Pen - Staedtler Triplus * Others - trim, mini brads
*** Jenn ***
... On that note, let me greet my mom a Happy Mothers' Day to you! I love you mommy. And to all mothers out there -- my hugs and kisses to you!
   
Since my two of my blogs featured pictures from my cousin’s wedding, I decided to talk about this restaurant here in my travel blog. With all the hoopla in her wedding, I was so happy that the reception was just walking distance from the city hall. =) I always see this restaurant whenever I pass by Kalayaan Avenue in my college days. Oftentimes it’s always the banner that says, “eat all you can oysters” that got me interested. I don’t eat oysters, but considering the price of oysters in the market, I am sure that banner draws in a lot of costumers. Eight years after college, I finally set foot in the restaurant. I applaud my cousin for choosing this establishment as the reception for her wedding. Imagine, for just 190 per head, we can have all the food we want to eat, and all the iced tea we can drink! The only “not-so-good” about it was that even if we have a room of our own, getting the food together with the other customers doesn’t feel so intimate at all! Anyway, if I place myself in the shoes of the other customers, I could say that I enjoyed the whole eating experience. I know back then that I would blog about this, so I told my mom I would taste as much food as I can so I can comment about each of the dishes. Among the dishes I tasted were: dinuguan = delicious, but no lean meat in the dish… all were pork fat! sinigang na buto-buto ng baboy = i love the sourness and the veggies were crispy! barbecue = the sauce was very sweet, but the meat was tender. lumpiang shanghai = crispy, yet i didn’t like the filling. siomai = I didn’t like it at all! chopseuy = very delicious! two thumbs up! pinakbet = good dish, but I still prefer the one cooked in bagoong isda. crispy shrimps = great appetizer! spicy button mushrooms = really, really spicy! sweetened banana = simple, but great dessert gelatin = the cheese slice complimented the taste of the gelatin Yes, it looked as if I ate a lot, but I didn’t binge, okay? What I did was put just a spoonful of each dishes, except for the barbecue (I took one stick) and sinigang (I took one small cup).  Two major rules in this restaurant: No leftovers and no sharing! So, in order for me to eat as much foods as I can without feeling bloated, I just took itty bitty pieces. The buffet style truly gives you that feeling of being at home. Talking with the other people while getting the foods was so enjoyable. Of course, at first you will be amazed at the amount of foods right in front of you and it’s so hard to resist getting a lot of foods, especially if it’s your favorite. I had a big problem with the dinuguan; because I rarely get to eat that dish, I admit I got about three tablespoons, and when I start eating it, I was so dissappointed that it was all pork fat! I cannot share it, and I cannot leave it in my plate, I had no choice but to eat it all! Geez! I don’t understand why it has to be all fat… can’t they add a little lean meat to it to make the dish more enjoyable? Mom, sis, and I enjoyed the whole eating experience. Maybe, if brother was here, we can all eat there. *** Jenn ***  
Dahil sa darating ng Linggo ay araw na ng mga ina, dapat lamang na bigyang parangal ang ating mga ina. Ang larawang ito ay kinunan noong ika-29 ng Marso, 2007 sa Coconut Pavillon ng Villa Escudero, habang kami ay naghihintay sa ipapalabas na Cultural Show. Maraming salamat kay Tita Merlyn para sa litratong ito.
Pinili kong ibahagi ang litratong ito sapagkat ito ang kasalukuyang paborito kong larawan kasama ang aking pinakamamahal na ina. Masaya akong kami ay sobrang malapit na sa isa't-isa, inaamin kong noong ako ay bata pa lamang hanggang sa tumanda ako ay hindi kami gaanong malapit, ngunit kami ay may respeto sa isa't-isa kahit na hindi kami gaanong nag-uusap ng masinsinan.
Ako ay isang "daddy's girl," kaya bihira ko lang talaga kausapin ang aking ina noon. Ang pagpanaw ng aking ama noong isang taon ang nagbukas ng pintuan para maging malapit kami ng aking ina. Sa ngayon, itinuturing naming matalik na magkaibigan ang isa't-isa. Madalas na kaming mag-usap ngayon tungkol sa kahit anong bagay, at malaya ko ng naipapahayag ang mga saloobin ko, at kahit may mga pagkakataong hindi kami nagkakasundo sa mga ilang bagay, kami ay may malawak ng isipan upang tanggapin ang kanya-kanyang pagkakaiba.
Mahal kita, mommy! Maligayang araw ng mga ina. Nagpapasalamat akong ikaw ang aking ina.
English Translation:
Since it's going to be Mother's Day this Sunday, it's just good for us to give tribute for our mothers. This picture was taken 29 March 2008, at the Coconut Pavillon of Villa Escudero, while waiting for the Cultural Show to start. Big thanks to Tita Merlyn for this photo.
I chose to share this picture because this is my current favorite picture of me and my mom. I am happy that we are very close to each other now, I admit she and I didn't really have a good relationship back then, but of course the respect was there, it's just that, we don't really talk heart to heart.
I am a certified Daddy's Girl, that's why I rarely talk to my mom before. My dad's death last year opened doors for us to be close. Now, mom and I consider each other as best friends. We now talk about anything under the sun and I can now freely express myself. Even though there were times that our ideas don't meet, we are broadminded enough to accept each other's differences.
I love you, mom! Happy Mothers' Day. I am really thankful that you're my mom.
*** Jenn ***
Supposedly, I should be in La Union today blogging about the Dinengdeng Festival in Agoo and the Basi Festival in Naguilian. But due to some unforseen happenings — good happenings at that, I decided to cancel it. Originally, I also plan to go to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to celebrate my birthday, but thinking much about it, I think it’s much better to celebrate it here with mom and sis than with brother. Don’t get me wrong, I love my brother, too, but then if I push through with the Pagudpud trip, I have to pay for all the expenses, and I don’t have that much money. Besides, aunt Julie and her college friends planned on taking a trip to Sagada, Mountain Province on May 23 and I wanted to come with them. I already texted aunt Julie and she allowed me to come with them, although I have to pay for my own share - 1500 pesos. Hmmm, not bad, considering that the trip will cover Sagada, Cagayan Province, Banaue, and Laoag (Ilocos Norte), it was basically a steal. I asked aunt Julie to cover the foods for me, but for sure when I get there, I will also give my share. In my other blog, I talked about having problems with the pictures and all (you can read the entry here), and last Sunday, the solution came in. We were in Picture City to have some pictures printed when I took a Canon catalog. In it were different cameras included in their summer promo. I told mom that brother’s digital camera is dysfunctional at the moment, and a few minutes after that, she made a decision to buy one of the cameras - the Canon Powershot A580. If you ask me, I also don’t know why mom decided to buy a digital camera right there and then, I mean, I didn’t ask her to buy one. And it’s NOT just for me, okay? The camera’s for us three girls (mom, me, and sis). She said I could use it for the Sagada trip, and she also has plans of coming with uncle Pete in USA later this year, so she said, should that one push through, she will also have a camera to use. We ordered for the camera, but the store didn’t have any stocks, so we just left them our phone number. Hopefully before the week ends, they will call us to inform that the camera is already ready for pick up. I admit, it’s also because of this that I decided to cancel my trip to La Union. I will just check out the festivals next year. Back to the camera, mom also went on to buy this one because of the freebies (it comes with 2GB SD memory card, a pouch, and a Folded&Hung swimwear). The price in Picture City was a bit cheaper compared to the other stores, so we will wait for it. My goal was to celebrate my birthday out of town, but I think there will be a major change for that. It’s either we go to the Manila Ocean Park or have a picnic in La Mesa Eco Park instead. My birthday falls on a Tuesday, so I just hope my mom can take a leave from work. If it’s not possible, we might do double celebration again (Mother’s day and my birthday), just like what we did last year. I am now scheduled to leave for La Union on Monday, 19th of May. That means I will be with my scrapbook friends for the scrapbook / card making tutorials for the Carmelite Nuns in Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac on the 18th. *** Jenn ***  As early as 5am, Ahdz’s mom started preparing foods she will serve for today’s occassion. I got up from bed at around 6:30am, a big change from the usual wake up time at 4 in the morning. This is the actual day of the fiesta, but it seems I won’t be able to enjoy it well because I will be going home in the afternoon, and most of the programs will be held nighttime. It was a very hot day, so I just cozied myself in their kitchen, trying to watch Ahdz’s mom while she’s cooking. ‘Te Leth fixed me a cup of coffee, and when Ahdz woke up around 8am, we all ate our breakfast. We were asked to go to the nearby store to buy some ingredients, and coincidentally, the parade in the main road just started.  
  Right after the mass, the Adakrab Band performed another routine. I appreciated their routine more today than last night — maybe because it was still early and they’re still fresh and all that. We only got to see the start of the parade, because Ahdz’s house is quite far from the main road. So sad that I wasn’t able to see another wind and percussion band (different from the band that performed last night) because we really have to rush the things we bought. If there was any consolation, I got to see the cute little kids vying to be “Little Miss Lawa 2008.” As soon as we got home, we helped Ahdz’s mom as she cooks the rest of the dishes. Ahdz peeled the garlic while I grate it. Chopping would take a long time and it was a bit messy, so we decided to grate it. At first it was all good, I mean I was enjoying all the grating, but when Ahdz turned on the electric fan to cool us a bit, my fingers started to burn. Three of my fingers were burned from all the garlic I grated (it was a little bowl of garlic peeled). Even if I washed it, drenched it in cold water, it was still burning. As of this writing (06 May), the burned part have healed, but it got dried out. I guess I have to apply a lot of petroleum jelly to rehydrate it! =) Just an hour before lunch time, Ahdz and I started preparing the spring rolls. I learned a cool technique in making all the rolls uniform, and for sure, the next time I cook spring rolls for myself, I will apply that technique. They used galunggong (mackerel scad), chopped potatoes, carrots, and luncheon meat for this one. Interesting mix of ingredients, indeed!  All in all, they served four main dishes: menudo, chicken caldereta, spring rolls, and chopsuey. I enjoyed eating the menudo because it wasn’t that fatty. The chicken caldereta I only took a piece, just so I can taste it. The chopseuy was a different kind from the usual I see, for this one had cream. I am trying to avoid fatty / dairy foods during celebrations, but I needed some vegetables to balance out my food intake, so I took a saucer and fork out my veggies, shaking off the cream sauce that clings into the vegetables. The spring rolls are delicious, but I hoped to have a vinegar dip instead of ketchup. =) For dessert, I was served buco-pandan salad. It was really delicious! I think I had two servings of it. Ahdz’s mom cooks very well, good thing I don’t live there. For sure I’ll blow up if I do. There was a little game by the river, which we enjoyed watching from the verandah. The game was palosebo, a traditional Filipino game using a bamboo pole. A participant will try to get the banner pinned on the topmost part of the pole, but apart from the challenge of climbing the pole, the pole was also greased up to add more challenge. We enjoyed watching the kids try out their luck to get the banner. Very great idea of doing it in the river, so when a participant falls, no need for some cushion - he can just jump in the river. I tried to capture a shot, but it was a bit far. My cell phone wasn’t really good in capturing zoomed images, so I just decided not to take a picture. It was 6pm when we decided to leave. Ahdz and I parted ways in Kamuning, where I took a bus home. I really had a great time attending their barangay fiesta. Hopefully next year, she can invite me again. Thanks Ahdz and the rest of the Garcia family for the wonderful stay in your house. I really had a wonderful time. Thanks a lot, too, for the foods you wrapped up for me. *** Jenn *** 
Wow, a subject I really wanted to answer! I don't want to break copyright rules, so if you want to take a peek how these places look like, just run a search thru Flickr. On second thought, just click in each of the places to take you to the set of pictures. Here's my list:
1) Sagada, Mt. Province2) Batanes Islands3) Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte4) Bohol Province5) Malapascua Islands, Cebu6) Dumaguete City, Negros7) Camiguin Island8) Boracay Beach, Aklan9) Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental10) Palawan ProvinceAll these places are located here in my country, the Philippines. Aren't all these places so wonderful? Hopefully, I can go even just two of these places this year. Thanks for dropping by my list. I love this week's topic - I was able to proudly show just how beautiful this country is.
*** Jenn ***
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