Troubled Deep

Yeah, I have been in the middle of two deaths in the family. Surprisingly, despite the raw emotions besetting me from all sides, somehow I never shed a tear from the moment my Aunt hugged me in welcome last Friday, during the interment last Saturday and when I finally left for home yesterday. I mean, what is wrong with me? What have I become?

 With my oldest Male Cousin, Manong Seler and Wife and nieces

 

(right) with Ma's oldest sis (she's 80) Nanay Purin

Three weeks ago, I received a call from sis about a cousin's unexpected passing. It was a sad news considering that when we passed by Antique last summer on our way to Boracay, we met Pato briefly on our way to Estaka hill to view the sunset. He offered refreshments, which was timely, after being on the road for hours.

Ma's brother: Tatay Eking and wife Nanay Aida

Then, the night before the funeral, news of an uncle's death reached us as well. I can't decide which was sadder. He stayed in the lands of his father up the mountains in a place called Bugnay and was bedridden for a month due a stroke which rendered him immobile. His wife, Nanay Alice, mom's little sis was already calm when I talked to her. It was difficult but I told her I can't stay longer for the funeral. Going there was definitely not an option for me. Twenty kilos ago, I remember vividly how I would crawl up the slope and slide down on the dirt on the way back. This time, I know, that will no longer work for me. So I just said my condolences and sent some help through a cousin.

Market Day in Bugasong (Sunday)

On the lighter side, I relived most of the highlights of last summer's trip. For starters, I took the business class trip to Iloilo, had lunch with Vangie at Sbarros, grabbed some takeaway corn muffins from Kenny Rogers in addition to the specially requested piaya and bought a comb (yeah, a comb) from Watson's :)

On my way back, I had dark mocha at Starbucks, regular and jumbo siopao from Roberto's and some bandi from the pier vendor.

Pacific Rim

Oh, boys and their toys.

The first time the Gipsy brandished its sword for the last blow that decimated the category 4 monster from the deep, I commented that it's like seeing Voltron or Voltes V in lifelike 2D. Boys know better though. I heard and read that the Jaegers look like Ultraman resurrected. Who am I to know when I never did hold a heart for Ultraman? :(

Though I wasn't particularly happy about the whole movie (there was no Zod nor Khan to hate or hate or sympathize with, no mind blowing effects or audio) the discussion that ensued afterwards was well worth it.



Ever wonder why there's a huge demand for SMAW specialists in Australia and Guam? For all we know, it is to build a wall to keep those aliens at bay.

The movie just might be to divert us all from the truth of it while UN is busy making preparations (and that they might really have these humongous combatants made). You know, making it appear fictitious so we wont panic.

The big question was: "Why make such huge robots, when nanobots are cheaper and can invade through the monsters' inner crap via the asshole?"

Great big question, right?

Well, my take on it is: because people want heroes that they can see and look up to.

Puppy Love

Its pathetic how long it takes me lately to finish a book. My latest conquest was written by a German author who had this particular book translated to English for girls like me to enjoy.


This is the first book I read which story is told from an animal's perspective, specifically that of a half dachshund's. Hercules was a product of a clandestine relationship of his mother to a mongrel. He has the figure of the dachshund of his mom but sports a weird long and curly hair of his dad. His being a half breed that has sent him to a shelter and to Caroline's home where he found his true calling: find Caroline a partner for life. Despite the lack of guidance from an absent mom, instinct and the able tutelage of Mr. Beck ( the cat owned by a lawyer next door) taught him a great deal how to understand humans.

This was a story of happy ending and it was exactly how I wanted it to be

A dog lover myself, I wonder if Shifu has the same mission. But judging by how he is always ready to strike at unsuspecting strangers, that is most unlikely though.

At most we have are darlings that demand to be waited on (most of the time) and give back by being so sweet when they choose to be.

Here are some quotes from Mr. Beck I found to be worth sharing:

"Here's how it works: when humans wish hard for something, they tend to see everything as as a sign - even though most of the time it isn't." ~ Mr. Beck

"No human likes to admit to falling hard for someone. They prefer to act as though it's not an issue. ~ the person you're interested in is not supposed to know how much you love them ~ That's a cast iron rule. Otherwise you've had it" ~ Mr Beck 

Looking Back From Whence We Came

It's funny now that since 1985 when we lost Lola Coling or in 1991 when Lola Adang passed, we never did go visit their resting place for their death anniversaries or any event for that matter. During the annual celebration of All Soul's Day, it takes repeated "pleas' from the olds to get the young ones to the cemetery. All that is water under the bridge now. Many thanks to the genius who conceptualized landscaped memorial gardens.

Yesterday marked lola's 28th (wow, I haven't realized it's been that long ago) death anniversary which I just learned to be her late hubby's birth date as well.

With sis and bro away and the rest of the clan indisposed, we (Mary, KZ, myself, Che and her two kids) had a little picnic of mainly junk foods and local gossip to kill time. At past four, the afternoon sun was already partially hidden by the foliage and building on the east side of the garden.

Even for the briefest time (30 minutes), the fresh air and change of scenery brought back enough energy to stay another two hours in the office to finish something for the day. 

Despicable Not Anymore

Like the first Avengers, I wasn't able to watch Despicable Me so I didn't know what to expect really. Amongst what currently were being shown though, it held the most appeal. Even Channing Tatum's charms failed to lure me into watching "White House Down" or Cathy Molina's success with her previous creations get me to buy tickets to her "Four Sisters and a Wedding" (It didn't help of course that Angel Locsin is in it).

I'm not sure if watching the early installment would endear the minions to me but I kind of find them rowdy. And...buzzing noise and me simply don't mix :(

The movie has it's moment. It's weird but I like the part when Gru told the story of how El Macho died (or faked his death). Nobody laughed at the mention of the "fact" that "all was left of El Macho was the remains of his singed chest hair". I mean that was hilarious.

Well, like the Sarah G. concert, most of our (KZ and myself) theater company were moms and their kids of ages 12 and below. That's why...

(I heart) Government Sorties

Being in the academe has its perks.

In culmination of two months of mountains of paper works, I get to be on the road with the hardworking TESDA lot for two days. For the program that LST handled, the finishers were given tool kits to start their business with as Computer Repair technicians.


Of the four places that we have been to, it was my first time to visit Pulupandan. Our contingent arrived an hour earlier than our counterparts. The SWD focal that welcomed us is also the Tourism Officer that the time spent waiting was filled  in by an information-rich conversation on Dolphin and Bird watching (which I will definitely check in the very near future, weather and company permitting).

I'm not overly fond of meeting government executives but last Thursday was an exception. We were having lunch (onstage) and I was so into my crab with two hands when the Mayor arrived and started to give everyone around the table a handshake. Tsk! That was embarrassing. When it was my turn, I only managed a tentative handshake, which was not a good impression at all. It didn't help that the young mayor was not only eloquent but good looking as well.


This is not to say that the other LGUs did not give us the same treatment. Anybody who knows me would know why Pulupandan stood out. Hahahaha!