Hay naku...!

Both me & my husband didn't get to sleep all night Thursday. Our daughter and son are both sick. See, the thing is we brought both of them to the doctor, but actually it was only my son who has an annual check up for that day, but knowing life here in America, man, every penny counts. We didn't leave our daughter to the babysitter (so we didn't have to pay) 'coz we thought it was ok to bring her, and we always do. This time she caught a flu and has passed it on to her brother. My son was cranky all night and it was really a test of patience. He sleeps for a few minutes every hour from 11:30 pm of Thursday 'til 5 or 6 am of Friday. Every so often he would cry because his nose is stuffy ... well actually he has a runny nose, but then he still has problem breathing. On top of that he has a cough. All this happened in a matter of one day that we brought them to the doctor's office. That was lesson enough for us. We would still bring both of them during check ups but the other one not scheduled to see the doctor would stay outside the office. Yes, not even in the waiting room, were we suspected my daughter caught the flu. There were lots of toys in the doctor's office to entice every child that go there, oh but please if you can let them not play with it, by all means, do it. There is no "flu season" to these kids. When they get it, they get it, period.

I can't stress enough how hard it is for parents to see their kids getting sick and getting cranky. But them not getting sick is not the end of it. If they don't get the flu they get some other thing going on... say like, bumps, cuts, and bruises from playing. These, all parents would agree, are normal and a part of growing up. There is no way you can raise your child without them getting hurt once in a while. Getting hurt could give them benefits for their future, too. You just have to take it as one of life's trials.

Jumping to another story... this is one I would consider stupidly funny. I, yes me, was looking for one more precious CD online. I saw ebay has it so I went there directly. I was looking for the CD of the album of Chris Christian - Mirror of Your Heart. I had a cassette tape version of it, but I tell you, I luv, luv'd, the songs in it. Anyway, I got excited when I saw one ebay seller put it up for auction. But there was this "buy it now" icon beside the title. I didnt want to waste time bidding so I hit the buy-it-now button, and presto! I won the album. I got so excited to see that the price was only $2.99! Golly gee, I said to myself, what a bargain I got! I waited and waited for it to be shipped to me. Finally, on the 5th day, I saw this media mail in our mail box. I was surprised to see a 12" x 12" x 1" box, and I thought, this guy (seller), doesn't know what size to use ... I ordered a CD and he put it in a big box. "How stupid of him" I said, talking to myself. I didn't open it right away, although my excitement has got my adrenalins workin'. Finally, I found the time to open it. And what do you know ... "Nye! Plaka pala 'to!" LP pa kamo! So that's the reason why it was in a big box - it was a vinyl record! Stupid me (now it's me) didn't check to see the specs! I don't know what happened there, but it was there, all specifications and stuff, but my eyes run through it like it didn't read the fine prints! Ay tange! Hayan... sobra kasing excited. Instead of being happy, I was extremely dissapointed. I asked my bro who was an Ebay buyer/seller expert if I could possibly return it. He said no and asked "magkano mo ba nabili yan?" I said "$5.99" And my bro almost half laughing and half upset with me... sabi niya: "Diyos ko ka naman! $5.99 lang pala. It would cost you much higher to return it to ebay or the seller and besides when you use the "buy it now" button, you can't return it." Now I am stuck with a Chris Christian LP that I can not play in my entire life! Uso pa ba ang plaka ngayon? hehe.. ewan! Anyway, that was lesson number 2: Don't get too, too excited. Hay naku, Lora...

A boring revelation

My bro bought 2 precious CDs for me (well, actually I told him to buy it and paid it, too). Kasi naman, I don't have the time to drop by Tatak Pilipino . They have online shopping and store here in Los Angeles. Anyway, my point is, these CDs are a treasure to me. These CDs, the PAPURI COLLECTION Vol. 1 & 2, bring me back in the days I first received the Lord Jesus Christ in my heart . A friend and classmate in college, Pearly, have been very patient in sharing all these wonderful things about the Lord. She was my "mother" in faith. She's a very strong-willed individual but very friendly. My parents didn't like the idea though, my friend teaching me all things and stuff, because they were afraid I'd change into a born again christian and being a born again is a bad, bad idea to them. They think being born-again is being a fanatic. They think being born-again contradicts everything the Catholic Church teaches. So they didn't like me to see my friend. That was sad. When I recall all the things that happened to me because the name of the Lord is involved.... ah! The bible is telling the truth. Persecution has started and has not ended even as I write. That was back in 1988 and I still feel I am being pulled away from being a Christian. I guess I don't have enough guts to say "hey this is what I now believe! This is between me and my Saviour" until now. I've opened up to my husband about my disbelief in the Catholic church. He understood me, but he is not going to go to a Christian church. I guess I'm just a weak Christian, not showing enough example to convert anybody to my beliefs. I must do something.... I know I must.

Anyhow, I kept playing those CDs over and over at work and I am getting "high" at times. Feeling repentant...feeling God's love embracing me.

My other Christian CDs include the Songs 4 Worship by various artist from Time Life.com, the entire collection. I also have the cd by Kathy Trocolli - Stubborn Love, the one by Steven Curtis Chapman , and Michael W Smith . Lovely cds. I have other Christian cd collection and all of them are dear to me. I think I'd rather buy them than a new pair of shoes :-)

I am not ashamed to admit this. I will not be ashamed of this. I love my Lord and I always will.

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Can You Reach My Friend

I got a call from an old friend
We laughed about how we had changed
But I could tell things wren?t going as well as he claimed
He tried to hide his feelings
But they only gave him away
The longer I listened
The more I kept wishing that
I knew the right words to say

So, Can you reach my friend?
Bring his searching to an end
Lord I know you love him
Help him understand
Can you reach my friend
You?re the only one who can
Help him give his heart to you

We talked for more than an hour
I smiled when he mentioned Your name
I said that I knew You
I told him the difference You made
But, He never thought He would need You
But maybe he?s changing his mind
As we said goodbye Lord
He told me that I had found
Something that he?d like to find

So, can you reach my friend?
You?re the only one who can
Lord I know that you love Him
Help him understand
Can you reach my friend?
Bring his searching to an end
Help him give his heart to you
Maybe he?s ready tonight

Lord, he said that he might need to call
You, oh, oh yes my Lord
I wanna know ? yeah
So, Can you reach my friend?
Bring his searching to an end
Lord I know you love him
Help him understand
Can you reach my friend
You?re the only one who can
Help him give his heart to you

Stubborn Love

When I'm feeling low, I sing this old song by Amy Grant. It speaks to the heart.


I'm caught again,
Your faithless friend
Do you ever tire of hearing
What a fool I've been
Guess I should pray what can I say
Oh, it hurts to know the hundred times
I've caused you pain
Forgive me sounds so empty
When I never change
Yet you stay and say you love me
Still forgiving me time and time again

Chorus:
It's your stubborn love
That never lets go of me
I don't understand how you can stay
Perfect love, embracing the worst in me
How I long for your stubborn love

Funny me, just couldn't see,
Even long before I knew you, you were loving me
Sometimes I cry, you must cry too,
When you see the broken promises
I made to you, I keep saying that I'll tryst you,
Though I seldom do,
Yet you stay and say you love me
Still knowing someday I'll be like you

(Chorus)
It's your stubborn love that never lets go of me
I don't understand how you stay
Perfect love, embracing the worst in me
And you'll never let me go
I believe I finally know,
I can't live without, your stubborn love.

I hate KK!! ... I luv u DD...!

Siguro kung may taong galit sa Krispy Kreme, ako lang yon. Kasi naman ang tamiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssss tamiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssss nya. Kinikilig ang buo kong katawan kapag kumakain ako nyan. Nuong unang inintroduce ang KK, it was a sensation! Long lines every day sa mga outlets nyan. Ang sarap sarap daw. Naisip ko, what more could beat my favorite ever na Dunkin Donuts? So I keep watching my friends fall in that long line to buy the famous donut. Tapos pinatikim nila ako... Ngee... it tastes like the donut around the corner!?!?!?! Ano ang extra-ordinary dito? Dito pa naman sa LA area walang Dunkin Donuts kaya nafa-frustrate ako. Miss na miss ko na ang DD!

Anyhow, nito kasing umaga, may nagbigay dito sa opisina ng isang kahong Krispy Kreme. Pagka-announce ng boss ko na "Doughnuts for everybody!!" naku takbuhan na ang mga ka-opisina ko para maka kuha ng donut. Actually, the box was just in front of my cubicle pero I didnt respond to the announcement. I peeped, yes I did, pero just to see what kind of KK they gave us. My goodness, palagi na lang yung "original glazed" flavor ang pamigay nila. Di ko nga pinansin, although I didnt have breakfast that morning and I was really hungry. Pinabayaan ko na lang na dumugin nila yun. Buti na lang may baon akong pound cake from Costco... hehe. Saved by the bell ako.

Duon sa mga paborito ang KK, sorry mare I really dislike it to the point na kailangan ko talaga ito isulat dito just to make my point. Oh well...

Here & There

I have lechon for lunch today (again?). Oo eh. Couple weeks ago I was just talking of getting tired of paksiw na lechon for 4 days straight... and now it's haunting me again. Well, the paksiw na lechon came about when we held our son's baptism. This lechon I had today was from my son's birthday. This time hindi ko na pinapaksiw kasi I'm having goose bumps just recalling the taste and smell of paksiw. Anyhow, 'twas good! Just dippin' the meat in Mang Tomas sauce is waaaaaaaayyyy yummy than paksiw.

......

Before I started lunch nga pala, my husband called me up just to tell me that I should be careful in giving our toddlers food specifically the popcorn. He read in the papers that a tot in New York was choked for eating popcorn inside the movie theatre. Apparently, the parents, particularly the Dad, got a promotion so he took out his family to see a movie to celebrate the occasion, but to their dismay, their 3-year old son choked on the popcorn it was eating and died. *Sigh* sad story but I want to share to all the parents out there to be more watchful of what and how their kids eat. Yun lang.

......

Few days ago, I got a surprise email from a long time IRC friend, Laraine! We used to chat in efnet and quarterdeck (servers). Her handle is LoKaReTTe, and she still is. :-) 'Twas really nice of her to have found me in friendster. I saw a few old friends in there, too. I am thinking, sana one time ay magkaroon ng reunion ang mga chatters ng Quarterdeck. How fun! To Larah, good to see and chat with you again.

Amazing Banana

Thought this will boost the banana industry....

After Reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at the Banana in the same way again!! In fact, I think I'll go get some today..

Doctors - Home Remedy If you want a quick fix for flagging energy levels there's no better snack than a banana. Containing three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose - combined with fiber a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90 minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION - According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. (Kat, take note)

PMS - Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA - High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE - This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER - 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION - High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS - One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milk shake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEART BURN - Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heart burn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS - Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood s ugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES - Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES - Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

OVERWEIGHT and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS - The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness.. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in o ver chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER - (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

SMOKING - Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

STRESS - Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high potassium banana snack.

STROKES - According to research in 'The New England Journal of Medicine' eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

WARTS - Those keen on natural alternatives swear that, if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So you see a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. And bananas don't need a doctor's prescription, and I doubt there are many people who have been warned off of bananas by doctors; bananas are just another fruit in that popul ar food type.

So maybe its time to change that well known phrase so that we say, "A Banana a day keeps the doctor away.........