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.