Kalidadis Chronicles

Where in the world was Kalidadis?!

December 20 was Bong's 48th birthday. There was no planned party but I got out of bed early to clean house and get ready for the "surprise" that was so hard to keep. First, Sis Lourdes called me on the phone asking directions to our house. All this time he was listening and asking me who I was talking to... lie, lie lie... that was what I did. Then, I need to buy pop but I cannot go because there was something cooking on the stove and baking in the oven... so, I asked Bong to go to the store to get pop, which we buy only when we are expecting guests... he left the house wondering what's going on. When he got home, I forced him to shower and dress up... why?... "just go", i said. And then guests started coming with food and presents. Thanks to our brothers and sister in CFC, they made his day. Truly, the gesture lifted up his spirits because when he called mommy (my mother-in-law) earlier, she did not remember for old age has started to spoil her once sharp memory.

The following days, I spent finishing up all the embroidery orders so that my holidays will be worry-free. Christmas was in Saginaw with the Gumbans, the Abelgases, and the Afante kids. Early Christmas morning, Gem left with Brandon to go to his house. So when Anika awoke and couldn't find Ate Gem, she asked me, "Tita Dang, where's your other sister?" I love that girl!

We got home early evening on the 25th and a few minutes later, the Aspirases arrived from Toronto. A little later, the Espinosas arrived from Ohio, where they spent Christmas. Holiday or not, Hotel Kalidadis is always a busy place. The Espinosas left but the Aspirases stayed and helped the MI economy, even for just a couple of days. Oh, what fun!

Aside from the people who came to wish me a Merry Christmas, it was not Santa nor any of his elves, but a green alien from I don't know what galaxy also came to visit. He did not bring any presents but his presence amused us.

My Wish

Jas & Gem did a really good job putting up the tree and belen today. In 9 days, it will be Christmas! In In 4 days, it will be Bong's birthday! Isn't it unfortunate (fortunate for me) that he has to be content with one present for Christmas and his birthday all his life? Actually, let me correct that... he gets one present but he gets the most attention and love.

The struggling economy has slowed down shoppers. But this has not prevented the stores from enticing buyers. Their antics include ridiculous sales, free stuff and food tasting. Last Sunday, I went grocery shopping and Bong tagged along. The store was bustling with people. I tell Bong not to wander around and get lost. I tell him to stay close to me or people will think that he's only there for the food tasting. In 2 minutes, I lost him, so I went ahead and finished my shopping. Amid the crowd of busy shoppers, I spotted him. Like a child left alone in a candy store, he was happily munching on some food unmindful of the activity around him. That is my Bong... no big wishes, just a big heart.

My wish? They are like lyrics of this Christmas song by Amy Grant/Kelly Clarkson...

My Grown Up Christmas List

Do you remember me, I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown up now and still need help somehow
I'm not a child but my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish, my grown up Christmas list
Not for myself but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up Christmas list

As children we believed the grandest sight to see
Was something lovely wrapped beneath our tree

Well heaven surely knows that packages and bows
Can never heal a hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up Christmas list

PEACE!

Life

There are three persons inside me. These are them:

1 - Casilda a.k.a. Dang, Mommy Dang, Ate Dang, 'Nang Dang, Sis Dang, Danggit, etc. She is wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. She talks a lot, laughs a lot, cries a lot. She always wants to do the nicest things... she tries, although sometimes in vain. She can cook...that might be what everyone thinks but if she gets in a pickle, ready-made food can taste just as good. She is patient. Always trying and trying until... yey, success!... well, not all the time. She can get really frustrated and angry when things don't go as she would want them to... but, oh well, nobody ever gets everything they want! She is the one to call when you need a little advice on how to sew, embroider, cook, craft, or whatever else... she might not have all the answers but a little chit-chat with her can be fun. She's not rich but she'd be happy to share with those who need and then suddenly feels like just a penny shy of being a millionaire. She is what everyone expects her to be.

2 - Super "C". She is what everyone expects her to be and MORE. She can definitely sing and dance at the same time.... that is, in her own private time and place. She is a multi-tasking, confidently calm, do-it-all, she-can-do-it, she'll-find-a-way, go-get-her, she-knows-what-to-do, she's-here-and-there-all-at-once, never-tired type of a gal. Sometimes, she needs help with something she needs from the upper shelf of the cupboard. This is because, it's really no big secret, she has yet to learn how to fly. She asks people to wait and be patient because, it's really no big deal, first things first then on to the next. She can remove any type of stain from any type of clothing... or can she really? She can do laundry while she's cooking the perfect dinner and do a little embroidery on the side... how hard can that be?! Whew! that is quite a task in one normal day.

3 - Casilly-dilly. She is a little girl who loves to have fun. Being silly and diorganized is her specialty. She can be very forgetful that she cannot even remember being angry with anyone. She is afraid of being alone in the dark and much more, of scary movies. She gets a little cut here, a little bruise there from being so sloppy with doing things... but there's nothing that a band-aid and a little XOXO can't fix. Beautiful things in display windows at the mall make her eyes twinkle... ahhh, dreaming makes them hers. She doesn't like making her bed or cleaning the house... but that's what mommy wants. Sad movies make her cry... even sad songs make her cry. She can't help being sluggish sometimes, she just wants to curl up on the couch and watch TV. She does not care about everything that's happening around her, she's just so happy and thankful that she is being loved.

Super "C" and Casilly-dilly do not get along well, while Dang just sits back and watch this conflict. But in the end, they have got to somehow be in agreement with each other, otherwise, you know where to find me. This is my crazy existence, I call LIFE. What is yours like?

Journey

Call me Dang. Better yet, don't call me. At least, not until this everyone-wants-their-stuff-done season is over. Is it almost Christmas? Yeah. And everyone's rushing to get their embroidery order done. Then my machine starts acting up. I am mad and frustrated and really stressed out now. I need to have these jerseys done for a hockey team's first home game in a couple of days... what am I gonna do? Panic! The day's almost over but I am still far from done. "Honey, please make dinner. I am going to church for the Advent by Candlelight affair", I tell Bong and off I went. Thank God for husbands! On my way, my mind was working... think, think, think.

This is my first time to join Advent by Candlelight at our church, St. Cyprian. I entered the warmly lit room with tables gorgeously set for the guests by the hostesses. I was right away welcomed by my table hostess, Laura. We know each other casually because our husbands are K of C brothers. At the center of our table was a little iced cake topped with an angel figurine. Around it was a wreath of pine greens adorned with shiny fuchsia and purple balls and ribbons. Candles in crystal holders around the wreath made made the centerpiece more festive. Fine china and silverware were delicately set for each guest. All the ladies were now seated and the program began with a wonderful rendition of some favorite Christmas carols by young girls from a nearby high school. Soon everybody was singing with them. Kaye, was the speaker of the evening. Her message was clear... Life is a journey... and right now, I am in a very busy hi-way and I am trying to pass some so I can get to my destination as fast as I can. But am I being careful? Over speeding, that's what I am doing. After some thoughtful reflection, I reached a decision. I'm going my journey in the most graceful manner, not in haste but in certainty.

The jerseys, 2 sets of them, are all done and now I am proceeding to fulfill other orders. And yes, you can call me... call me Dang.

Gold or Siver

Junette G. was my high school classmate. We usually sit beside each other so I know very well that she is left-handed and she laughs a lot. She would teach me History and I would teach her Math. We have not seen each other in a very long time. Last year in February, I was in Los Angeles, CA to keep my mom company while my dad went home to the Philippines. Junette is now in Hollywood, CA (no, she is not a celebrity... but she sure is a star in her own right), which is just a few minutes away from my mom's. I called her... we met. She is the same Junette except a little heavier... or may I say, WE are both a little heavier than we used to be. There was always something to laugh about and any food always tasted yummy. Never a dull moment, we were like in high school again.

Rosanna Q. was my classmate since Grade V (these are really her words when she introduced me to her husband) that is why I know that she talks a little bit too fast. We were friends since high school and their house was our favorite hang-out. The other place we used to hang out a lot was at the Belvic to play Night Rider (thanks to her for paying for my games too). College and growing up somehow separated us and then reunited us and then separated us once more. One day, Junette G. gave me a call that Rosanna Q. is in Michigan and might be close to where I am because we have the same area code. This is how we got reunited again. We are about 50 miles apart and we do not see each other often but when we do, there's always a lot to talk about. Far or near, she is my friend for life.

I was not one of the popular girls in high school but I had friends who were. One of them was Villa M. I lost touch of her a long time ago. She was the girl that the boys would want to be friends with, the envy of a lot of girls. We were friends and our parents knew each other. Going back and forth from my house and to hers every possible hang-out time, I felt like part of her family and she part of mine. I often wonder where she is now and how to reconnect with her.

But my best friend in high school was Mercedes C. She was one of the popular girls too. She was the laid back type of girl yet giggled like every other girl would. We used to talk a lot on the phone and for long periods of time to the annoyance of the party line (we used to share phone lines with a party line before... thank God for technology we don't have to worry about the party line anymore). She had to transfer to another school during our Junior year because Tatay (her dad) was reassigned to Davao. Still, letters were exchanged and our friendship kept alive. Her family was constantly moving because of her father's job and soon we lost touch. But always, friendship brings people back together again. One time I found her, another time she found me. Then we lost touch. This time the phone directory would be useless because we don't even know each others last names anymore. Someday, this same friednship will again bring us back together.

"Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver, the other is gold..." Since then, I have made a lot more friends, one would think I am now either glittering with a lot of bling or bent down to my waist due to the immense weight of the metals. Being away from my original home, Cebu, where old high school friends/classmates still regularly meet and have fun, I felt the urge to blog about some of my wonderful memories. I thank God everyday for gold and silver... and platinum.

Cyber Monday

You would think Friday was it for the big, big sale events. No, no, no, black Friday was the forerunner of today's event... on-line sales, that is. Today is what they call Cyber Monday. I cannot buy shoes without trying them on first, so I am not interested.

Yesterday, we were in Saginaw to celebrate a belated Thanksgiving with Uncle Naldo & Auntie Nita; Jeff, Inday Ling, Andrew & JR; and Lyndon, Uting, YenYen & Anika. Melvin, Faith & Brandon were also there. Jas had to work and Gem went back to Lansing so they missed the whole celebration. Obviously, Faith and I were not dressed up enough because Inday Ling summoned us up to their bedroom and into her closet. It's a good thing that we wear the same size clothes. Another blessing to be thankful for... family!

Our drive home last night was not nice at all. Heavy snow was coming at us. The roads were covered with snow and we were drving on the hi-way at 50 mph. Then, snow became rain until we finally reached our destination---home. Whew! that was stressful! Thank God we are home safe.

HO HO HO

Thursday was Thanksgiving Day. A modest feast of salad, roast beef and some pasta and couscous made for us a wonderful dinner. Thanks to my daughters, Jas & Gem, who helped prepare and clean up. Cramped in our dining table for six with our guest family, Melvin, Faith & Brandon, nobody was complaining about elbows touching or having to constantly pass something around. With much to be thankful for, I praise God!

Of course, the next day was the 'biggest sale' day of the year. I am sure the very early birds were at the door of their favorite stores, hanging out with the other people who are already in line even before the doors open, to get their hands on that seemingly important thingy which is on sale. I went to the mall when I decided that it was not too early anymore... bought a few things here and there and watched the shoppers go past me, some hurriedly, some leisurely. My attention was especially on these three women, they might be sisters, who were in some sort of "we're- gonna- get-that-sale" attire. Each of them wore a red shirt with the word "HO" printed on the front. Walking aongside each other it read "HO, HO, HO". Each one was wearing a Santa hat with the white pom at the end of a sping which made it bounce back and forth every time they take a step. Over the red shirt, each wore a pink full-zip hoodie. When they get past you, you just want to turn your back and take a second look. Then you can see the words "The Pink Nightmare" across their backs. One can deduce that they really planned for this day. Oh what people do! Guess what I bought for myself? .... A pair of black leather boots! What?! I threw away my old one because they were already worn out--- justified!

Thank you dear God for the gift of life and peace... and for my new pair of shoes.

Kalidadis-ly yours,

Dang

Dang is back in the building!

Enough with the silence! Yesterday, I told my boss that I cannot work at the shop anymore. I felt bad but at the same time relieved. I have left my blogging in hiatus for a while because of jobs outside and inside my house. I am glad that even with the "crisis", Sew Perfect customers still flock at this time of year. Yes, this has hushed me. But even Rachel Ray, who talks a lot, I mean, A LOT! and fast and seemingly tireless, on her cooking show, shall also be hushed, to have surgery to remove a cyst from her throat that has caused her voice to be hoarse.... but not for long.

I have been tagged by Emarene. Not that anybody would be interested but I am sharing 8 random things about me. I am taking up this "tag" challenge for my fellow blogger and friend, Emarene. So, here goes....
1 - I love to dance. As a child, I wanted to enroll in ballet school. I can't remember what exactly happened but I ended up learning how to hula which, I believe, until now I can still perform with the same ol' charm... well, it's not a party dance but line dancing is! and I love to party... so line dancing it is!
2 - I have at least 50 pairs of shoes and more than 2 dozens handbags/purses... what girl can't have enough?
3 - I have type2 diabetes. After I have lost 10 pounds since my diagnosis last year, the doctor wants me to lose another 10. Then, maybe my daily medication can be discontinued. Why is it so hard to lose this weight that I easily gained?
4 - There is always a surplus of jobs in the medical field. I am thinking about shifting careers. Should I go back to school? Can this rusty brain still make it? Seriously, I've been contemplating about Radiology.
5 - I love shopping. It doesn't have to be for myself. If some rich girl hires me to be her shopper, hah! that would be the dream job.... yes, dream.
6 - Very cheesy, indeed, but my favorite food is peanut butter. There is never a day that I don't have a PB sandwich... like I am craving for one right now as I write.
7 - In my last couple of years in college, Saturdays were reserved for what we called "Afternoon Disco" with my friends. I would save up some from my daily allowance so I can go disco-ing in the weekend. Oh, what fun!
8 - I still love to watch my kids while they are sleeping... they are still my babies.

Now, I’m tagging anyone of you who is interested to share some trivia about yourself. I do not have a list so it can be anyone who wants to share a little bit of herself/himself.

The rules:

1 - Each participant starts with eight random fact/habits about themselves.
2 - People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3 - At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their name.
4 - Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and to read your blog.

If you decide to participate, link back here in the comments section so that I could learn a little bit more about you! Have fun!

Kalidadis-ly yours,

Dang

Worthy?

I have two part-time jobs which is almost 26 miles each from home and which I go to on different days. It takes me about 35 minutes to get there and during this time, a lot of things play in my mind. I become so busy thinking that one day, I missed my exit and wasted 10 minutes of my morning commute. Another day, I went the way to my other work instead of the other work... Ayayay!

One of the things I think about is what to blog when I get home. Once at home, I immediately attend to the dishes left on the sink by my kids who got home earlier and then get dinner going. Then, I have to run down to the laundry to move the clothes that I put in the washer, before I left in the morning, to the dryer. By the time my chores are done, I am already tired and I have forgotten what I thought of writing about. Today's first reading (Proverbs 31: 10-31) is about the worthy wife. And to think that she had to obtain flax and wool to weave into clothing while I just go to the store to get a ready made one. Do I still have time for others in need like she did? I am not even doing half of what she did and I am already exhausted! May God bless me so I can bring my family only good... all the days of my life. Amen.

Kalidadis-ly yours,

Dang

S

Today's blog is brought to you by the letter S. S for my Sister, Sybil, to whom I dedicate this post. Two months ago, she passed away. She was my little sister and always will she be. God gifted her with hands that create beautiful things. The hands are gone but the beautiful things remain. Humble is how I would describe her. She owned nothing much yet she had always something to give. She put others first... she would just be glad to take the piece that no one else wanted. Friends and family will always remember her as the one who always got things done....she was always the right person to call. Fondly Nanay to nieces and nephews, she was always there for them... until death took her away. But Jobyl, Kaye, JK, & Melai will miss her the most because she was not just Mama to them, she was also their best friend and ally. Being in the US, I miss my family in the Philippines, but I know that when I go home, they will be there and I can hug them and talk to them and have fun with them... but my darling sister, Sybil, I will miss forever.

Kalidadis-ly yours,

Dang

Toilet Story

I told Bong that Al Roker was in Ecuador and he was, literally, in the equator. He was jumping from the south hemisphere to the north hemisphere. Clever as always, he said, "do you know that if you flush the toilet in the equator, the water just goes swish, swish and down?". "Ah, no vortex", was my reply. How did God ever think of this when He created the world? One of His complicated and wonderful creations that amaze man. Everything that science aspires to explain is but God's puzzle to the most curious of mankind. No questions from me... my faith has allowed me to accept these gifts with much thanks.
My friend, Emma, tells me that I am going to heaven when I die because of my generosity. This makes me feel so good because, by the grace of God, that's where I would want to be after this life. Even heaven is a puzzle, which may never be solved, for who wants to come back and tell when the ultimate has been reached?

Kalidadis-ly yours,

Dang

Binisaya

Word of the day: NYEBE (n.) Cebuano for SNOW. Where I am from, it does not snow. Yet, we have a word for it. Cebuano, or may I call it binisaya, is my own tongue. It is spoken by about 20 million people in the Philippines. Composed of about 7000 islands, the Philippines is rich with culture. I am proud to be bisaya, a culture in itself, and the dialect I speak is very distinct, it deserves to be called a language. I can write my blog in binisaya but global appreciation for what I write is my aim. Instead, every now and then, I might bring in a binisaya term and maybe you, my reader, can learn.

Yesterday, we had our first dusting of snow. No, it is not yet winter but it feels like it already. It even seems too early but Christmas carols are already played on the radio, signaling the approach of the season. Hmmm... another reason to go shopping. But let us remember the real reason for the season. Jesus has come to save us!

Hangtud sa sunod.... (until next time...)

Kalidadis-ly yours,

Dang

Festive Feast

My clutter made more cluttered by kids who come to my house to make homework with Thaad. What am I going to feed these boys? Ahhh....Pizza... that was what we had for dinner... fiesta! But what really makes a feast festive? Friends who come together to celebrate even when there is really nothing to celebrate about... I believe the younger ones call it "hanging out"... that is festive! Tonight, I cannot even hear my thoughts because of the festivity in my household but that is alright because friends are blessings and are always welcome in my house. I don't mind the mess, it can be cleaned up afterwards.
WELCOME, Friends!

Tonight, Mr. Hall came to pick up his sport coat... no charge for a special job for a special customer... his "Thank You" and his genuine appreciation of the job that I do is payment enough. Another friend in the making.

Kalidadis-ly yours,

Dang

Golden Years

No matter how small, no matter how cluttered, no matter how old, this house I call my home is my comfort zone... a solace after a day's hard work. Driving to work everyday, I go through the same roads and hi-ways... I know my turns even if I do not see the signs... this, too, is my comfort zone. "Get out of your comfort zone", I would hear Bong say every time I insist that my present job or my little home business is all I need. Well, I enjoy what I am doing and there are no pressures. Yes, for now, I am taken cared of. But the real issue is life during my golden years. I am a member of St. Cyprian's Ladies' Guild. The ladies meet every first Tuesday of each month. Sometimes, I wonder why I go to these meetings. Most of the women (if not all) are my mom's or my grandma's age... I am the baby. Age has taken over their youth but they sure do know how to have fun. It makes me realize that age should not interfere with life. It might make us physically slower but it should not prevent us from doing things that enable us to bring joy to others. I am amazed by the energy of these golden girls. This is how I wanna be when I grow up!

Kalidadis-ly yours,

Dang

Sew Perfect

I run an embroidery home business which I have named Sew Perfect. Customers are people who know me and those who got to know me from the rumor mill. Mr. Hall is a sweet old man who comes to my house through my deck door (because he is sure somebody can hear his knock from there) to have something embroidered. He has kindly given out ads so I can get some business from the parents of the other boys who play baseball with his grandson. Tonight, he brought his sport jacket so I can sew on the buttons on it. My business does not offer this kind of service but this poor guy thinks I can do everything. I am now "Wonder Sewer Woman". When we got rid of big old TV, he bought it... then he was asking if there was a dresser that I was disposing. Do I look like junk dealer? I like Mr. Hall.

A follower of my blog was asking what luddite meant. From Wikipedia, the term Luddite is a political/historical term relating to a political movement during the Industrial Revolution; it is primarily used to describe those perceived as being uncompromisingly or unnecessarily opposed to technological or scientific innovations. My craft is high tech... the embroidery machine cannot run well if I do not make a good digitized art... all these are technological innovations that run through my veins... so am I a luddite? I beg to disagree.

Day After

History is made... Obama becomes the first African-American president of the US... and I say no more.

Just yesterday, I started blogging when Bong called me "old" because, according to him, everyone else is twitter-ing while I am still blogging. HAH! I have Friendster, not Facebook. This makes me baduy. Sometimes, I really get frustated when I cannot work the TV right because it is connected to the cable box, DVD, Wii, receiver, etc., etc., etc. Oh for goodness sake, I just want to watch TV! A lot of times, I would need help with the computer. Does this make me a luddite? That's just not my department. My area of responsibility is the kitchen, the laundry, the housekeeping, and all other things that nobody wants to do... expert? Yes, I am!!!

Election Day

My family got our American citizenship in May of 2008. Today is Election Day and my first time to vote! Bong decided that walking to the Riverview Memorial Elementary School to cast our precious votes was best in order to avoid parking hassles. But alas! there was not a crowded parking lot and surprisingly (?) not a long line in the poll center. One problem---- my name was not in the list....oh no.... To make the story short, they made some calls and finally apologized for their error and there I was, carefully blacking out those ovals opposite my candidates and of course NO to proposal 2.