back to where it all began

Oh gosh, everytime I tell grade school classmates that I'm married to Brends, their reactions run the gamut from complete shock, amazement, amusement, confusion, to utter disbelief. Believe me, I myself, never thought I'd marry this nerd but I did. So here are photos of us last month during the yearly Assumption Day Family Day. So much has changed, people! They had lots of food kiosks and rides (a ferris wheel, a carousel, etc., can you believe that?) aside from the usual horror and jail booths. I remember I had a fortune telling tent back in the days. How come I never predicted I'd end up with a classmate?

lovey dovey in AC. Me & hubby, reminiscing.

Zak & his friends. Just like us back in the days...


Ripley loved the carousel

this family photo would have been perfect if
my daughter was in a better mood.

does this mean i'm a grown-up?

I had a parent-teacher conference today. Actually it was one parent against 2 teachers. Hubby couldn't come because of work, which meant I was outnumbered, but I managed to hold my own, thank you very much. You see, before Zak had his Christmas vacation, I had a major psychotic episode involving one of his teachers. I don't know whose fault it was exactly, but my son was not able to take his 3rd quarter exams because he came in 3 hours late. For some reason, we (meaning me, my hubby and the nanny) just assumed that since his class schedule was in the afternoon, he'd also be taking his exams at the usual time which was 12:30 pm. Huge mistake. Apparently, the whole school had an activity and moved all exams slated in the afternoon in the morning, hence, the reason for Zak's 3 hour delay. I'm an old girl myself , (those who graduate from Assumption are called "old girls" or "old boys") so I know what 3 hours of tardiness means -- NO MAKE UP EXAMS. I think it was different during our time, but now, this SOP is being enforced in Gestapo-like alacrity (a contradiction in terms, I know, but I think they derive great satisfaction when a kid misses an exam and when they tell you that they can't give any make up tests as per school policy). Regardless of what valid reason any child might have -- a broken leg, a pulled out tooth, 41 C temp, and other similar mishaps -- the "no make up exam" policy stays. That's just the way it is. No excuse. No exemptions.

Of course, this SOP did not go well with my 10 am coffee. I just had to call the teacher and explained why Zak was late. I said there was a reason why I enrolled my child in the afternoon class and not in the morning class. The incessant changing of schedule was making his circadian rhythm, his internal clock go cuckoo. Of course, my laments and rantings fell on deaf ears. "No make up exams, Mrs. Pijuan, it's school policy. Heil, Hitler!" So I cracked, I just broke down in tears angry and frustrated at why Zak couldn't take his tests. I screamed, I sobbed, I made a fool of myself. The teacher tried to calm me down. As a last recourse (and to stop me from making an even bigger fool of myself), she told me that they would deliberate on the matter along with the academic coordinator, etc., etc.

And so, the verdict was passed this afternoon. It went well I think. We all kissed and made up. Zak still can't take the test (the Gestapo wins!) but his grades will be adjusted accordingly. They'll only be computing 2/3 of his grades sans the 1/3 from his missed exam, so he'll pretty much retain his previous VS in Computer and Civics or maybe even get higher marks. (I think they were trying to appease me by giving Zak a higher VS in both subjects.)

Sometimes, we mothers have to put our foot down. And, it pays to be dramatic sometimes...

the demise of my trusty old friend

It's confirmed. My cellphone is officially dead. Kaput. It died in Boracay after 2 years or so of loyal service. I knew the prognosis was grim from the onset but I went to the repair shop today hoping for a miracle. What are the chances of my phone surviving after it decided to swim in the salty water of Boracay? I guess, nil. I'm depressed. 2 years worth of phone numbers, photos, videos, etc. -- gone. That's the thing with technology. One freak accident can make all your memories, your past, your present, your future, go poof! Just like that.

Lesson learned: have a back up by always writing your contact numbers. I should count my blessings though. The sim card survived but genius me did not save my contact numbers in the sim. Well, at least I can still use the same number. Another tip, if the same thing happens to your phone (i.e. your phone takes a dip sans bikini in sea water), the repair guy told me that I should have taken the battery out and rinsed the phone in mineral water. Yep, that's what he told me, as in rinse or douse, or whatever, to minimize salt water damage. And as soon as you get the chance, go straight to the repair shop. Duh, how the hell was I supposed to know that? I waited a week. Look at what happened. I'm actually grieving for all the contact numbers, photos and recordings that I lost not the phone per se. Enough said. I'm still on the denial stage of grieving. Acceptance will come soon...

serendipity

I think I've watched "Serendipity" a hundred times and each time, I get so pissed when I watch that scene where Kate and John meet again in the skating rink in Central Park (click on my You Tube video on the left). Why the hell is she dressed like a frumpy school teacher? What's with the baggy pants and blah long sleeved shirt? Hey, if you know you're meeting someone that you think might be the one, why will you wear that outfit? I know she's been running around looking for him all day, but jeez, she could have at least made an effort to dress up. That outfit just ruined everything for me. Really, a total deal breaker.

love in the time of cholera

I'm talking about the movie "The Painted Veil", not the book. I just watched this film and it depressed me. I like Edward Norton (except when he lost his mind and had an affair with Salma Hayek, what's the deal with that?). He is so appealing in a nerdy, aloof, sexy kind of way (I can't resist men with brains!). He produced "The Painted Veil", a movie based on the classic novel by W. Somerset Maugham.

It is s a love story set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young English couple, Walter, a middle class doctor / bacteriologist and Kitty, an upper-class woman. They get married for the wrong reasons (as we all are prone to do...) and relocate to Shanghai, China. There, Kitty falls in love with someone else (happens to people who get married for all the wrong reasons...). When he finds out about her affair, he volunteers for a job in a far-flung village in China ravaged by Cholera and takes Kitty along. That or an ugly divorce -- apparently, a fate worse than death (or Cholera) in the 1920s.

Their journey brings them together, and love blooms in the midst of disease and death (how romantic can this be?). This movie was beautifully made (in the genre of "The English Patient"). Love and relationships can be both tragic and meaningful. Norton and Naomi Watts absolutely glow!

Spring Fashion 2008

It's 2008 and I just wanted to share these fashion photos of my favorite Spring 2008 looks. Better be caught dead looking fab than drab...

Michael Kors -- glamorous!

Tuleh -- yummy orange

Diane Von Furstenberg -- love the colors!

hear ye! the year of the rat is here!

It's 2008 and it's my year! Yep, I'm a rat, never mind the year of my birth as it will betray my age, but yessiree, I'm a rat. according to the Chinese Zodiac, rats are smart, magnetic, well-liked, affable, quick-witted, surreptitious, selfish, protective, and calculating -- well, that's me alright!

I can sense it. I can smell it. I know that this year will bring me (and my husband who's also a rat) the best of luck. (2007 was just so-so... ok, it was bordering on utter desperation, but I survived!) So I'm looking forward to what this year will bring for us -- hopefully more cash and lots of good health and happiness!

Also, this year, I've decided not to have any New Year's resolutions. I was never good at keeping them anyway. I'll just do what I have to do, make things right from now on. I'm just so excited this year as I know that this will be the year that I take the 2nd step to my 5 step-5 year plan (which I will share with you when I'm on the 3rd step, so curb that curiosity). I know that there's still so much to do, but I'm working on them with all the strength, wit, and skill of a true-blue rat.

Before anything else though, I apologize for not blogging as often as I would have wanted to. I've been so busy with the new year preparations while trying to please everybody in our huge family (both mine and my hubby's). I ate 3 times last night in 3 households so can you imagine how stuffed I am! I had to do that just so I don't appear like I'm on a diet and you know how it is here in the P.I., we have to please everyone as not eating during these family gatherings is taboo. I think I gained 5 pounds just last night and add to that the extra weight I gained last Christmas eve and those in between!

I'll try to blog daily this year. It's so therapeutic, to be able to share one's thoughts, ideas, and the quirks of one's life to people who you know or may not even know. I did some tweaking on this blog, well, just a little bit, by changing the colors of the text, etc. It's blue now, or haven't you noticed? Also, I'm starting another blog but that will be revealed soon...

And so, I wish you all a happy new year! Praying that this year will bring all of us good health, wealth, love and happiness!