Introspection

I was running wild gasping for air, asking heavens for release from the gnawing pains inside of me. I know I couldn’t endure more as the nights were getting colder and the days were getting fiercer. I had to make a life-changing decision before it was too late for me to be free. I stopped and looked the other way. Eventually, I found the end of the dark tunnel and had become emancipated again. I then realized that happiness indeed comes in broken pieces. I couldn’t have it all, no matter how hard I persisted.

Welcome to the World, Daniel!

The 20th of January commemorates not only the inauguration of President Obama but also the birth of an angel to our family.

Last Monday evening, my younger brother informed me that his wife was scheduled for an immediate premature delivery when the Ob-Gyne found out that their baby had cord coiling and low heartbeat. I and my family were so worried yet we commenced our prayer brigade at once. At three in the morning yesterday, we received happy news that the operation was successful. We were ecstatic.

Daniel Marcus (named after his two grandfathers) came into this world at the most historic time indeed. My brother said the baby looks like our tatay. I can imagine him to be a mirror image of my first nephew NJ who resembles tatay as well.

(NJ at 1 & 1/2 years old)

The not so good news is, our little angel is still under observation. He is still depending on dextrose monohydrate, pulse oximeter, and oxygen mask. This morning my mother told me that the baby has contracted pneumonia.

I've never begged in my whole life but right now I’m begging to all of you who read my blog to please help me and my family pray for the recuperation of our baby Daniel. Please. I really need your prayers. Thanks.

I Celebrate the Obama Era

It’s everywhere.. the Obama madness I mean. History is being made and it’s happening not only in America but also in every part of the globe. I want to do my part by sharing with you the videos that has moved me in one way or another.

Almost all big stars from movie and music industry gathered at We Are One Concert at the Lincoln's Memorial to celebrate history and the future. You’ll Never Walk Alone sang by Renee Fleming with US Naval Academy Glee Club made me cry. It stroke deep chords of my emotions and it made me missed my great grandmother so much.

The sensational Charice Pempengco graced at various Obama Pre-inauguration Balls in Washington, DC. She made every Filipino proud when she brought the house down with her world-class performances. She was also dubbed by Oprah as The Most Talented Girl in the World. Mabuhay ka Charice!

And now, the turning point of our history – the swearing in of President Obama. I want the video to say it all..

Lastly, the first dance of President Obama and First Lady Michelle with Beyonce singing "At Last". (What a fitting song for the first couple! After all their struggles, they finally made it to the White House!) I could only describe it with one word - overwhelming!

Witnessing a Political Milestone: The Barack Obama Inauguration

Barack Obama will finally swear in as the first African-American President of the United States of America! As expected, all news networks around the world are beholding at this paramount political event as it is happening in Washington, DC today.

Not only it is a celebration of a significant history of our time but also it gives triumphant finale to the struggles of the personified men and women in Amistad, Glory, Men of Honor, and my other favorite movies that depicted discrimination to minorities. In addition, it smashes the record held by Armstrong’s walk on the moon in 1969 and Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 in terms of viewership. Millions of people around the globe are waiting for this great political milestone.

I am watching CNN right now and I'm so overwhelmed with the intensity of President-elect Obama’s journey to the White House. Commencing from Barack’s travel by train from Philadelphia to Washington that retraced Abraham Lincoln’s route taken hundred years ago, to the star-studded inauguration party at the Lincoln’s Memorial, to the big gathering of people of all colors and races at National Mall, to the preparation of Secret Service Counter-snipers on top of the buildings, to the testimonies that Barack has indeed made Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream come true, and so on. I can’t wait to see him on stage. I’m sure I will shed tears of joy.

Let’s join hands in celebrating this meaningful moment of our history. It will be streamed live on CNN, ANC, Channel News Asia, BBC, Bloomberg, ABS-CBN, Studio 23, and GMA Network at 11.30pm Manila time. The replay of Yes We Can: The Obama Inauguration Celebration at the Lincoln's Park will be aired on HBO at 7pm Manila time.

Long live President Barack Obama!

Ways to Say I Love You

Mark and I have our share of ups and downs as a couple but no matter what, we are still committed to say I Love You to each other always. It helps us revive our vow to make our marriage stay fresh till the end.

Likewise, we have our ways of exclaiming the three magic words without actually saying it. We couple words with action, so to speak. How do we do it? Let me count the ways..

* We gaze at the stars.

* We hold hands.

* We take trips.

* We cuddle.

* We listen.

* We scrub each other's back.

* We write unexpected love notes or emails.

* We schedule a day to just bum around the house.

* We don't forget anniversaries and birthdays. (Well, he does occasionally.)

* We share why we love each other to family and friends. (Like what I’m doing now.. winks!)

* We give the gift of time by performing trivial chores such as making coffee, cooking dinner, etc.

* We smile a lot. (Hmmm, I guess it’s just me but most often than not, I stimulate him to do the same unconsciously.)

* We wink to each other impulsively.

* We dance in our own living room.

* We plan and cook a meal together.

* We give each other a massage.

* We compete against each other in our favorite games like chess and billiards.

* We create fun outdoors.

* We watch TV and movies together.

* We tell jokes and laugh.

* We go joyriding on his bike.

* We watch the sunrise as well as the sunset.

* We give each other a surprising hug and a teasing tickle.

* We share memories by looking at old photographs and talking about memories we share.

* We let our hands do the talking.

* We share.

* We call and text often.

* We sing together.

* We heal our wounds.

* We surf the net and read books together.

* We update each other with what’s happening around the world.

* We view each other’s profile at Friendster.

* We go malling.

* We try new restaurants from time to time.

* We give each other me-alone-time every week.

* We debate on certain topics. (We’re thinkers!)

* We educate each other.

* We try new hobbies.

* We go to Mass and pray together.

* We kiss romantically.

Making Marriage Work

OK.. (Sigh) It was our longest fight ever. Four days. Yesterday morning, Mark kissed and hugged me then I gave in. We’ve decided to just learn the lesson from our rift and take it from there. Go figure.

There are five things that pretty much keep our marriage working.

- Number One –
We always say ‘I love you’ to each other.

-Number Two-
We don’t fight much and long. If we do, we simply give each other space and time to contemplate.

-Number Three-
We go on romantic dates from time to time. It helps us escape from routines and reminds us that we are lovers above anything else.

-Number Four-
We keep our communication open. My husband's job demands so much of his time and concentration that’s why communication is very important to us.

-Number Five-
We center our marriage to God. This way, we feel secured that nothing can go wrong to our marriage because we are always taken care of by the Big Guy up there.

Rendezvous at Greenwich Pizza.. Yummy!

Moving House, Anyone?

With the kind of job my husband does, I am expected to move with him from one place to another. I have become like a rolling stone that gathers no moss but honestly, I am cut out for it. I don’t fear changes. Instead, I like to welcome new surroundings that bring fresh feelings and I love meeting new friends. Most of all, I am pleased to revolutionize erstwhile routines that has been dragging me to monotony.

There’s one thing I dread so much though – packing!

I’m so stressed out and I’m in constant struggle to settle on what to bring and what to forego. No matter how it is done, it’s back-breaking and it takes more time than I wish to spend on such a task. I’m also amazed of how much junk we have accumulated through a short period of time.

Thankfully I have my sister to help me put prized possessions in boxes and throw away what I consider rubbishes to the dumpster. I just bribe her with brownies and Tropicana juice. She’s not whining yet, I don’t know in the next days.

Some of our clothes are now in luggages, pasalubongs in canvas bags, books and shoes in boxes. I haven’t loaded yet the curtains, beddings, PC, Mark’s cherished gadgets, and yeah, his bike too.

I’m thinking, how about if we just live in a boat like the Badjaos (sea gypsies) so that if we have to move again, we’ll just simply sail away! How about that, huh?

A House That is Not a Home

Funny how it seems but just in time I already know where to buy the tastiest pandesal and freshest seafood in town, I have to leave it because we’re moving to Cebu City soon.

Actually, Cebu City is more strategic for me as it is nearer to my beloved Bohol (I can go home to my folks anytime I want to); closer to scenic islands like Boracay, Camiguin, Palawan, and Davao; and most importantly, it’s convenient for me to study my Masters again and put up a business.

Ah, I should also emphasize that goods and services there are cheaper as well as lifestyle is more laid-back compared to Greater Manila Area. It would take me just few minutes to go to the mall and church. I’m kinda liking it. I’m excited, to say the least.

But while packing our things this afternoon, I felt wistful. I guess I’m emotionally attached to the house where we’ve lived in for almost a year now. It has witnessed my efforts to be a great wife to Mark. It has smelt my aromatic cooking along with the burnt ones. It has seen me laugh and cry. I will surely miss it.

Boob Tube Indulgences

As a plain housewife by circumstance, I consider TV as my best friend. It feeds me current events, provides me fashion updates, gives me cooking tips, and a whole lot more. It’s all in one, so to speak.

I am not a couch potato though. I only watch shows that have to do with my interests.

TV Patrol World on ABS-CBN (6.30pm Monday to Friday). It’s the only local show that I watch for as long as I can remember. I like Ted Failon, Karen Davila, and Julius Babao. They are my best source of local news ever.

Naked Science on National Geographic (10pm Thursday). I am amazed with the scientific investigation about the big mysteries of our time such as human life beginnings and death of our universe. It features experts who conduct experiments and lay out realistic scenarios that confirm or debunk common assumptions and misconceptions.

Discovery Channel. If I’m not watching my other favorite programs, I’m undoubtedly stuck with Discovery Channel. I really like most of its first-rate shows.

Tennis Tournaments on Star Sports. The tennis season officially began in Abu Dhabi then in Doha, Qatar earlier this month. My beloved Rafael Nadal reveals more power now that he is the world’s number one. I’m looking forward to cheer for him at the first Grand Slam this year, Australian Open, starting in January 19. Vamos Rafa!

Amazing Race Asia on AXN (9pm Thursday). The Hongkong team brought home the most coveted first prize in Season 3. Team Philippines came second. I think Season 4 will be aired in the 3rd quarter yet. I’ve always wanted to join Amazing Race Asia. Question is, am I capable of doing roadblocks and detours? If you ask me now, I don't think so.

HBO, Star Movies and Cinemax. Needless to say, I’m a movie enthusiast. I browse for movie schedules on these three channels but more often than not, I watch HBO frequently as it runs more up to date movies than the latter two.

American Idol on Star World (6pm Wednesday and Thursday). AI is back! I was addicted to AI last year and I’m glad Season 8 is nothing short of spectacular. There is one I’m rooting for as early as now – Michael Castro. He’s the younger brother of Season 7 fourth placer, Jason Castro. He’s ballsy and I like how he sang Gavin Degraw’s ‘I’m In Love with a Girl’. I’m excited to see how he fares the next round.

ANC. When there’s significant local news I want to follow, I tune in to ABS-CBN News Channel It runs 24/7 and it feeds live streaming from Malacanang Palace or Congress or Senate. Also when I’m in the mood for debates, I watch Korina Today on ANC.

CNN. I always start my day with watching the news from around the world on CNN. My favorite CNN anchors are Christiane Amanpour, Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, and Larry King.

Channel News Asia. If I’m not paying attention to ANC for local news or CNN for international news, I switch to Channel News Asia for Asia-Pacific Region updates.

Oprah on Hallmark Channel (8pm Monday to Friday). Please refer to my post about Oprah below. It's very informative and entertaining.

Lifestyle Network. It’s one good channel for housewives and working moms. However, I don’t really get to watch it religiously because its programs are replayed over and over and I get bored sometimes. But when there are fresh episodes, I watch Everyday Italian, Barefoot Contessa, and Pairings with Andrea. And oh, Martha also. I love Martha Stewart!

Project Runway on ETC (10pm Wednesday). I’m such a fan of Heidi Klum and that goes without saying, I go crazy over her Project Runway as well. It’s one heck of a show. Love it!

The Insider on 2nd Avenue (11pm Monday to Friday). Showbiz gossips, anyone? If there’s an avant-garde authority in delivering entertainment juices, it’s got to be The Insider.

Velvet. I don’t like Velvet much but it has special programs that I don’t want to miss like Mariah’s Concert in California and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, among others.

Freezing Cold and Gloomy Heart

Sounds like a pair of mixed drinks – freezing cold and gloomy heart. But I do have some of both for two days now.

Freezing cold is as it sounds. In Cavite City, we are experiencing a drop of temperature, cloudy skies, scattered light rains, and gusty winds. According to weather news, it is due to the tail-end of a cold front. My feet get numb whenever I slip them out of my thick blanket while I sleep. Right now, I’m wearing thick socks but I still feel chilly. Grrrr. I hope I won’t get hypothermia. Heaven forbid.

With regard to my gloomy heart, I think it’s pretty normal to feel this way for this kind of weather. But I tell you, it's mainly because I have a serious fight with my husband.

We are not talking to each other for two days now. I’m mad at him because he missed out on a very important engagement. He is likewise mad at me because he said I don’t try to understand him. I refute because the said engagement was very critical to me. I've invested so much time and effort for it and it was what I've always wanted in my whole life.

Usually we just talk things out. Not now. I want to hold my ground and let him know I'm hurt deeply.

I hope that the coldness and our rift won’t last long though. For the time being, I just need a cup of coffee and a long hot bath to make me feel better.