TGIF #3: something garfield

for today's five, i would like to share one of my fave cartoon characters: GARFIELD

Garfield began in the seventies created by Jim Davis. He was an unknown cartoonist then, publishing strips featuring insects. at that time, most of the strips in the newspapers were all about dogs, so he finally decided to base his new strip about a cat. the protagonist's name came from Jim's grandfather: James Davis Garfield. in june 19, 1978, garfield debuted in 41 american newspapers.

here are Five (funny) Garfield's Laws:

1.)

cats move at a speed proportionate to the amount of food at their destination. they may even exceed the speed of sound.

2.)

cats are independent. cats are loners. they are underfoot only when you're carrying groceries.

3.)

cats instinctively know the precise moment their owners will awake. then they awaken them ten minutes sooner.

4.)

cats are naturally attracted to only one type of human being: the type who is allergic to cats.

5.)

cats can't hear commands. cats can't understand cajoling, but they do sense when you want to take them to the veterinarian.

that's it!

happy meowwing...

looking back

maybe it's the honking of the jeeps or tricycles. maybe it's the smell of the fish ball or banana-q. or .. maybe i'm just homesick! living away from home often times gives me that urge to go home and experience the things i was used to. it has been a long time i'm living here and i only had 3 vacations during those 15 years. whew! i can't help but look back...

it was one of the cold days of february 1995, -2°C of temperature, i remember -- when another filipina sneaked up on me while i was standing in queque at questura (foreigners' bureau). it was five o'clock in the morning and, probably i'm the 400th person on the line! "how long have you been standing here?" asked the filipina who'd just arrived. "well, i've been freezing out here since five o'clock", i replied. she just shook her head and said, "it's hard to be an immigrant here, isn't it?", she added followed by a deep breath while travelling her eyes to the diffferent nationalities in line. her name is haydee and she had just arrived. the office will be opened at 8:30 am, so while waiting for our turn to get ourselves an appointment in applying for permit of stay here in italy, we passed our time sharing experiences of living in the fast-phased city of milan.

when i first came here back in 1994, i felt like a little kid wondering about all the new things i see -- the places, the people, the foods, etc. i asked myself "how could i possibly live in this strange place?" i simply panicked, but told myself "it's all right, everything's gonna be fine".

i think everyone who first got here experienced the way i did. being a stranger - i'm expected to be a little stupid. i mean, being stupid is the pattern, or the norm, because you don't know what everything is all about. i can exist on the level for weeks or months without reprimand. together with hundreds, i'm granted broad freedom and immunities. i can go on taking pictures, wearing what i want, looking haggard...

i can do walking around dazed, squinting into fold-out maps...i don't know how to talk to people because most of the italians don't know english language, i don't know how to get anywhere, what ticket to buy for travelling; don't know what the money means...whew! all those things made me feel stupidly funny!

it's just nice watching the italian people around. i was amazed of their blue, green or gray eyes; their mannequin looks; the blond hairs and towering heights. but the adolescent ones were much to notice. i keep seeing teenage males wearing enormous pants the two or three teenagers could occupy. pants that a clown would probably refuse to wear. the young men wear these pants so low, so that the waist is about knee level and pants' butt drags on the ground. what i want to know is how do they buy these pants? do they try them on to make sure they don't fit?

for teenage girls, they wear a lot of earrings, maximum of 6 pairs each ear, plus one or two on their nose. i wonder how do they manage them? contrary to the big pants, girls wear the so-tight fit ones and with a low waist cut letting the people see their navels. i even see some bald headed teenage girls, or long-haired guys. what had happened to the teenagers now?

whew! totally, some kind of wanders when you're not home and had grown up with the conservative environment and society, filipino culture, which mainly based on traditional values.

but, that's just the way it is. being far from home, you tend to miss all! the culture, the way of living at least "normally" compared to a strange country. life could be good here. with a good-paying job, you can even buy things you want, as you never did in your own home. sometimes, i tend to wish i could live here: having high standard of living and the comforts. but, i certainly love my "real home", the philippines where i grew up.

My family and friends are all there, and i can't trade it for something else...

Tuesday Filler

i was net surfing and found this article. allow me to share this insights with you.

With the divorce rate over 50 percent, too many are apparently making a serious mistake in deciding who to spend the rest of their life with. To avoid becoming a "statistic," try to internalize these 10 insights.

#1.

You pick the wrong person because you expect him/her to change after you're married.

The classic mistake. Never marry potential. The golden rule is, if you can't be happy with the person the way he or she is now, don't get married. As a colleague of mine so wisely put it, "You actually can expect people to change after their married... for the worst!"

So when it comes to the other person's spirituality, character, personal hygiene, communication skills, and personal habits, make sure you can live with these as they are now.

#2.

You pick the wrong person because you focus more on chemistry than on character.

Chemistry ignites the fire, but good character keeps it burning. Beware of the "I'm in love" syndrome. "I'm in love" often means, "I'm in lust." Attraction is there, but have you carefully checked out this person's character?

Here are four character traits to definitely check for:

Humility: Does this person believe that "doing the right thing" is more important than personal comfort?

Do I want to be more like this person? Would I like my child to turn out like him or her?

Kindness: Does this person enjoy giving pleasure to other people? How does s/he treat people s/he doesn't have to be nice to? Does s/he do volunteer work? Give charity?

Responsibility: Can I depend on this person to do what s/he says s/he's going to do?

Happiness: Does this person like himself? Does s/he enjoy life? Is s/he emotionally stable?

Ask yourself: Do I want to be more like this person? Do I want to have a child with this person? Would I like my child to turn out like him or her?

#3.

You pick the wrong person because the man doesn't understand what a woman needs most.

Men and women have unique emotional needs, and more often than not, it is the man who just doesn't "get it." Jewish tradition places the onus on the man to understand the emotional needs of a woman and to satisfy them.

The unique need of a woman is to be loved -- to feel that she is the most important person in her husband's life. The husband needs to give her consistent, quality attention.

This is most apparent in Judaism's approach to intimacy. The Torah obligates the husband to meet the intimate needs of his wife. Intimacy is always on the woman's terms. Men are goal-oriented, especially when it comes this area. As a wise woman once pointed out, "Men have two speeds: on and off." Women are experience-oriented. When a man is able to switch gears and become more experience-oriented, he will discover what makes his wife very happy. When the man forgets about his own needs and focuses on giving his wife pleasure, amazing things happen.

#4.

You choose the wrong person because you do not share a common life goals and priorities.

There are three basic ways we connect with another person:

chemistry and compatibility

share common interests

share common life goal

Make sure you share the deeper level of connection that sharing life goals provide. After marriage, the two of you will either grow together or grow apart. To avoid growing apart, you must figure out what you're "living for," while you're single -- and then find someone who has come to the same conclusion as you.

This is the true definition of a "soul mate." A soul mate is a goal mate -- two people who ultimately share the same understanding of life's purpose and therefore share the same priorities, values and goals.

#5.

You choose the wrong person because you get intimately involved too quickly.

Intimacy before the commitment of marriage can be a big problem because it often precludes a fully honest exploration of important issues. Physical involvement tends to cloud one's mind. And a clouded mind is not inclined to make good decisions.

It is not necessary to take a "test drive" in order to find out if a couple is physically compatible. If you do your homework and make sure you are intellectually and emotionally compatible, you don't have to worry about it. Of all the studies done on divorce, incompatibility in the intimate arena is almost never cited as a main reason why people divorce.

#6.

You pick the wrong person because you do not have a deeper emotional connection with this person.

To evaluate whether you have a deeper emotional connection or not, ask: "Do I respect and admire this person?"

This does not mean, "Am I impressed by this person?" We are impressed by a Mercedes. We do not respect someone because they own a Mercedes. You should be impressed by qualities of creativity, loyalty, determination, etc.

Also ask: "Do I trust this person?" This also means, "Is he/she emotionally stable? Do I feel I can rely on him/her?

#7.

You pick the wrong person because you choose someone with whom you don't feel emotionally safe.

Ask yourself the following questions: Do I feel calm, peaceful and relaxed with this person? Can I fully be myself and express myself with this person? Does this person make me feel good about myself? Do you have a really close friend who does make you feel this way? Make sure the person you marry makes you feel the same way!

Are you afraid of this person in any way? You should not feel you need to monitor what you say because you are afraid of how the other person will view it. If you're afraid to express your feelings and opinions openly, there's a problem with the relationship.

Be on the look out for someone who is always trying to change you.

Another aspect of feeling safe is that you don't feel the other person is trying to control you. Controlling behaviors are a sign of an abusive person. Be on the look out for someone who is always trying to change you. There's a big difference between "controlling" and "making suggestions." A suggestion is made for your benefit; a control statement is made for their benefit.

#8.

You pick the wrong person because you don't put everything on the table.

Anything that bothers you about the relationship must be brought up for discussion. Bringing up the uncomfortable stuff is the only way to evaluate how well the two of you communicate, negotiate, and work together. Over the course of a lifetime, difficulties will inevitably arise. You need to know now, before making a commitment: Can you resolve your differences and find compromises that work for both of you?

Never be afraid to let the person know what bothers you. This is also a way for you to test how vulnerable you can be with this person. If you can't be vulnerable, then you can't be intimate. The two go hand in hand.

#9.

You pick the wrong person because you use the relationship to escape from personal problems and unhappiness.

If you are unhappy and single, you'll probably be unhappy and married, too.

If you are unhappy and single, you'll probably be unhappy and married, too. Marriage does not fix personal, psychological and emotional problems. If anything, marriage will exacerbate them.

If you are not happy with yourself and your life, take responsibility to fix it now while you are single. You'll feel better, and your future spouse will thank you.

#10.

You pick the wrong person because he/she is involved in a triangle.

To be "triangulated" means a person is emotionally dependent on someone or something else while trying to develop another relationship. A person who hasn't separated from his or her parents is the classic example of triangulation. People can also be triangulated with things as well, such as work, drugs, Internet, hobbies, sports or money.

Be careful that you and your partner are free of triangles. The person caught in the triangle cannot be fully emotionally available to you. You will not be their number one priority. And that's no basis for a marriage.

shabby me

i woke up yesterday around 6:30am. when i went to the bathroom, i felt that strange dizziness. my head is spinning, so i went to bed again instead of going to the kitchen. i dont know why i feel so dizzy. maybe because i haven't slept well last saturday. maybe my blood pressure's low. my hub prepared breakfast, but i didn't eat right away. i can't stand well. i feel so bad. lot of things to do, but i can't simply move. otherwise, i'll fall down with this nausea. i instructed my son to finish his other assignments. i know he's been "stressed" the last few days for the many math problems & assignments we've done. there are still two pages to study on his history subject and an italian poem to memorize. i dont know why teachers always give loads of assignments during vacation. it's not really vacation for the kids.

jaki just stared at his books. i asked him again to finish them all. --silence-- nothing... he never speak a word. he got his jacket and headed at the door. i don't know where he learn to walk away like that. i yelled, "dove vai?" (where are you going?). he said, "tu mi tratta male, mamma" (you're treating me bad ma), "me ne vado" (i will go away). i didn't expect this kind of reaction. i was feeling so dizzy and my son's walking out of me? so i can't help it, i yelled again, "jaki, lo sai che non sto bene eh, voglio che tu finisce tutto, cosi poi riposare e sei gia pronto per lunedi. sto cercando di auitarti, anche se mi gira la testa" (you know that i'm not feeling so well and i want you to finish everything, so you can rest and be ready for monday. i'm trying to help even i'm sick)

i never meant to yell at him. i just feel my head spinning and i feel like vomitting.i just found myself crying. after some minutes, jaki approached me: "mamma, scusami" (Ma, i'm sorry). i said sorry too, for the yelling, then i hugged him. he kissed me and he cried too. i explained to him that finishing his assignments is not for me, but for him. i felt good inside because my son said sorry. i taught him to apologize if he has done wrong. and i guess he remembered it well. he's smart enough to know good and bad actions.

i never thought my sunday morning could be a tearjerker. i was in bed the whole day, never even took dinner, nor touched my laptop.

i just hate being shabby...

shelved!

when i first heard of the pinoy concert here, i was excited. rey valera is one of the pinoy singers i want to see in concert. i have been holding these tickets for quite sometime. it was scheduled last february 21, 2010, but was postponed for some problems. it was re-scheduled for april 11, 2010. only last week that i have known it was finally shelved! of course, the tickets are refundable. it was just sad that i wouldn't be able to watch them here.

Dekada '80

Naaalala mo pa ba?

High school pa ako nun, early '80's

"Ninoy di ka nag-iisa" ang maririnig mo sa masa

Me tshirt pa nga ako, "I stopped a tank at EDSA"...

Nakisigaw (hanggang mamalat) sa casts ng "Bagets"....

Aga Muhlach, Herbert Bautista, JC Bonin, William Martinez, etc.

Ang pantalon, ok lang mahaba..itutupi pa nang pabalik,

Or lalagyan ng perdibleng napakarami...

Uso kasi. punk style...

Di pwedeng walang spraynet ang hair...

Naka mini skirt na maong, hi-cut na rubber shoes..

Aba, "in" ka nun.

Marinig mo lang sa radyo ang "Together Forever" ni Rick Astley,

Mapapasayaw ka...

Or di kaya.."Wake me up before you go go" ng Wham.

Di pa uso ang cd, cassette tapes at LP's pa.

Minus one pa ang gamit pag nagkakantahan.

Enjoy din sa panonood ng betamax.

Sa bag, andun ang pocket book na Mills & Boons... mga nakakakilig na love stories.

'Yung crush mo ng high school?

Todo pa-cute ka, di ka naman lingunin

'Yung atat naman sa'yo...ayaw mo ding pansinin.

Di ka na naman makaiwas pag nahuli ka at i-handcuff for "instant wedding" sa booth pag Foundation day.

'Yung suitor?

Naranasan ko naman yung haranahin...

Kunwari tulog ako, pero nakasilip sa pagitan ng bintana.

Hay...nakakatuwa palang balikan sa isip.

Ang JS Prom me combo pa. Hindi pa "banda" ang tawag dun.

Usong-uso ang loveteam ni Sharon at Gabby.

Tinitipid ko allowance, para me pambili ng Kislap magazine.

Makapag clippings lang ng paboritong artista.

Hindi pa uso ang internet noon. Love letters ang iaabot sa'yo.

Minsan, me kasama pang chocolates or flowers.

Wala pang cellfone. tatlong .25 cents ihuhulog mo sa kulay red na pay phone.

Di pa uso text messages...pager lang...pwede na ring mag- LYF (luv you forever) sa bf/gf.

Favorite show ko pa noon, Sunday Funday, si Janice at Aga hosts..

Napupuyat din ako kakatype ng thesis papers...sideline.

Sayang eh, pang-allowance din.

Di pa kasi uso yung computer-typed.

Typewriter lang katalo na.

Halos 30 years ago na pala ang lumipas.

Andami nang nagbago...

Iba na siguro ang uso after a decade...

Masarap din namang me naaalala ka...

Nakakapangiti..

Balang araw, meron akong ikukwento sa mga anak ko.

Baka tawanan na lang ng magiging apo ko ang iphone, ipad, wii or blu-ray discs

Kaya, sige lang...

Namnamin natin ang ating panahon...

Balikan mo minsan ang nakaraan...at masasabi mong...

"Ambilis talaga ng panahon....ang isang libo, para na lang piso"

Di ba?

55th

for my 55th blog i just want to share verses from the bible. i may not be a very religious person, but i do read the words of God.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

TGIF #2: something italian

when you live (long enough) in a non-speaking english country, chances are, you got to learn their language and culture. one thing i love about italy is their music. from classic to pop, they're awesome.

here are my five favorite italian pop songs. i'll do it as a countdown.

5.) DOMANI (tomorrow) - italian artists

50 italian artists have joined in singing this song, "domani 21.04.09". this is written by Mauro Pagani to raise funds for the reconstruction and restoration of the Conservatory "Alfredo Casella" and home of the Teatro Stabile D'Abruzzo Aquila. one year ago Abruzzo suffered from a terrible earthquake and lost over 300 lives.

4.) PIU BELLA COSA (the most beautiful thing) - eros ramazzotti

this song is a declaration of love of Eros to his wife, Michelle Hunziker. i love the lyrics of this song. refrain says: "nothing's most beautiful on earth but you, thanks for existing."

3.) PER TE (for you) - jovanotti

the song is dedicated by lorenzo cherubini aka "jovanotti" to her little daughter teresa. i just simply adore this song. it's like a lullabye.

2.) LA SOLITUDINE (solitude) - laura pausini

laura pausini won with this song at san remo italian music festival back in 1993. when i first arrived here, the song is so popular. i almost memorized the lyrics. even pops fernandez (pinay singer) sung this song when she had a concert here.

1.) GOCCE DI MEMORIA (drops of memory) - giorgia

drops of memory is a song written by giorgia herself with the music of andrea guerra. this is a movie theme song from the movie, "la finestra di fronte" (the window in front) by ferzan ozpetek. the single is the 2nd most sold in italy in 2003, selling 200,000 copies. with this track, giorgia won the silver ribbon for best song. the song also won, best single, best composition and best arrangement in the italian music awards (sort of grammy).

this is my number one fave, not just because i adore giorgia's voice (i got her hit cd's!), but also her songs are so romantic and make you fall in love over and over again.

hope you enjoyed the songs.