ETHAN

This is Ethan. He was only 1 year and 6 months in this photo.

Photo taken in my sister's room at Zamboanga, December 2004.

THE OLD YOU

I saw this article and thought that it would be nice to share. Maybe we all need to go back to our younger selves from time to time. I guess that would be a lot of fun! =D

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/balancing/recapture-your-youth

Three Ways to Recapture the Girl You Used to Be
By Barbara Sher

The life you want is probably the life you have -- but with the best of your younger days added in. How do you revive the "you that you used to be"? By looking back at the things in your life that once gave you pleasure. To get started, do the easy exercises below.

1) Think about a small object or article of clothing you've kept over the years. Write down three things that you associate with it. Let's say the object you have in mind is a vase that you picked up at a gallery in Santa Fe when you were driving across the country with your senior-year roommate.
Close your eyes and think. Then write. You may find that you've jotted down "college pottery class," "time with girlfriend," and "figuring out how to read a map."

2) On the same page, write down at least three things you enjoyed doing when you were a child. Then write at least three more activities you enjoyed as a teen, and another three from your days as a young adult. These can be big or little things, solo or group undertakings. Don't censor yourself; sometimes the silliest-sounding items can open a rich path of association.

3) Add anything you've tried and liked as an adult but just haven't found time for in a while. You should have a list of at least 12 activities, maybe even 20 or more. Now comes the fun part: Do everything on the list -- once. Do only one thing a week if you like, but don't stop until you've done every single thing. Ride a bike. Sing a song. Write a song. Read under the piano. Travel -- if not cross-country, then to a town or neighborhood you've never visited.

Okay, you can probably think of a million stumbling blocks to getting started, so here's my advice: Stop thinking! If you feel you have no time, try dropping your most hated chore from your to-do list. Or maybe you think you're too old. We're all traumatized by birthdays. But think of how foolish you will feel at 60, 70, or 80 if you thought 30, 40, or 50 was "too old."

Why should small actions like the ones you've listed be such a big deal? Because they will wake up the senses that filled your life when you were in your most creative years. You'll learn -- or remember -- how powerful it is to do even the simplest thing you love, instead of just thinking, talking, or writing about it.

-- Barbara Sher is the author of It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now

DUCKS

Checking out the local wildlife. I think those ducks are so cute. =D

Photo taken at Yokohama.

WET SATURDAY

Now that there's no more Harry Potter to distract me, I'm back to studying my assignments. It's really not that bad at all. Just a matter of discipline actually and turning the tv off. Last night, as I was in the last few pages of a chapter, Nikki wanted to do some art, he said. I didn't want to go through all the prepaprations because I wanted to be done with the chapter so I just lay a manila paper on the floor, gave them their brushes and let them be as creative as they want using their acrylic paints. To simplify matters more, I let them use the covers as easels. Ethan really wanted to dip the brushes into the containers but I told him the covers will have to do now because I don't want him to get all excited and be mixing colors in the containers. I told him to do the mixing in the covers. So they painted away while they left me in peace and I was able to finish the chapter before they were done. =D

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It's such a weird day today. When I woke up, it was all sunny. After few minutes, I heard water dripping and I thought, "it can't be raining!" But when I looked out the window, yeah, it WAS raining indeed which really looks so weird when the sun is shining so brightly. So it really doesn't feel at all like a rainy day. Ho-hum.

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Ruther is going to watch Transformers tonight with his friends. In Japan, this movie is scheduled for showing today so yes, the screening was early in the Philippines so I got to watch it ahead of him. I'm excited for Ruther to watch it because he's really a big Transformers fan. I know he'll love the movie if only for the acting of Shia LeBeouf and the special effects AND the robots. I bought him a Transformers shirt just for him to wear tonight and I hope he takes a photo because I want to see him wearing the shirt. I can't wait to talk to him tonight and hear his take on the movie.

For my comments about Transformers, you can read it here. =D

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Ruther did another sweet thing for me. Last night when we spoke through Skype, he said that he was going to show me something. He then told me, "Look, I bought this..." and showed me a bottle of Pepsi which made me wonder why he purchased it because he really drinks Coke most of the time, but he went on, "...because of this!" And he showed me the free item that came with the bottle. It was a really cute Peanuts keychain/magnet. Ruther knows I love Snoopy stuff and even if he does not like the taste of Pepsi (I can't even recall the last time he drank it), he bought it still because he wanted me to have the prize. Isn't that sweet? =D

Thanks sweetie! Mwah!

GARDEN

Beautiful Sankeien Garden.

Photo taken by Ruther at Yokohama, November 2006.

TGIF

Sushi's flaky condition seems to be improving. Which is a good thing. I try to apply some oil on the affected areas twice a week and that seems to work. Today I noticed that the flaky area around the eye is almost gone and there are some fur growing back. It's also not reddich anymore. I haven't checked her paws yet (because she was busy eating at that time) but hopefully, will more oil applications, she will be good as new. =D

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The boys and I went to the mall today to buy the cellphone battery charger. You know, to replace the one Sushi gnawed a few nights ago. I did not take any chances though and tested the charger with the phone. When I saw the phone light up and "charging" appeared on the screen, I was really glad.

After that, we went to check the mattresses and I found an orthopedic one that was queen size. Since there was a mall-wide sale today (until Sunday), it only cost P6,600. Not bad, right? Our old mattress (queen size also) I believe cost us around P10,000+ so I think this is a great bargain. But of course, I will have to consult my dear husband about it first. If he does agree, it's back to the mall tomorrow. =D

H.L.MENCKEN SAID...

It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office.

SLEEPING CAT

Took this photo yesterday. That's one of the many stray cats that manage to find a place to sleep in our unfinished house.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

I was dusting some photo albums yesterday when I chanced upon my pregnancy calendar. It's the one I made while I was pregnant with Nikki. I thought it would be nice to record the pregnancy for Ruther to appreciate later on (because he was not with me during the 9 months). Anyway when I leafed through the pages, it really gave me a nice warm feeling remembering what it was like being pregnant with Nikki. I laughed when I saw this page and read Ruther's reaction...

I remember that I found out I was pregnant during April Fool's Day and when I told Ruther I tested positive he thought I was fooling him. Haha! =D It was nice remembering that...

Anyway, this is another something I wrote in there:

PLAYTIME

Having fun at SM City Sucat.

Photo taken today. =D

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

Did you hear about that tragic incident at Minneapolis? I was really shocked when I heard about the bridge collapse. All those poor people. According to the news, the center section collapsed first. Looking at the videos and photos, I'm just saddened about it all. What a very unfortunate event. =(

You can readthe news article here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/02/bridge.collapse/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

.....

Last night, as I was charging Ruther's celphone (he can't use it out of the country), I wondered why it refused to turn on. I tried to turn it on again and again and still it would shut off after a few seconds. When I removed the charger from the socket and inspected it, this is what I saw:

Sushi gnawed it!! Naughty bunny! I suppose she thought it was a funny-looking toy. Oh well, I could not very well scold her for doing what a rabbit does but still, now I'll have to spend P500 (approximately US$11) for a new charger. Naughty Sushi...

.....

This afternoon I was watching Destination Week on Discovery Travel and Living and whaddya know? Tokyo was featured! Sigh. Talk about wrenching my bleeding heart wide open. Unlike before, when I would watch a documentary about Japan or listen passively at topics, this time, I drank in the sights, the people, the music, the fashion, everything I've missed in a country I've grown to love so fiercely. Every topic was like a tiny electric shock that would make my heart beat faster: manga, ramen, shibuya, anime, cosplay, trains, zen gardens, temples, akihabara, architecture and so much more. If I could only fly...

ALL SET

Nikki and Ethan, all set with nowhere to go. =D

Photo taken 3 years ago.

BIRTHDAY PRESENT

I finally got my birthday present from Ruther this afternoon. Tadaa!!

It's wrapped so wonderfully (of course I'm biased because I love anything Japanese) and although I got it from Ruther's officemate, I decided not to open it immediately. I waited until Ruther and I spoke tonight and I opened it. And this is what I saw...

Isn't that cute?!?! I LOVE it. I love the red and black design, I love that Ruther has a similar watch, I love that there are Japanese characters all over the face... love, love, love. I was just sad that I could not give Ruther a kiss as thanks for the wonderful present. =(

Maybe later on Ruther and I could take a photo of our similar watches. That would be cool! =D

Thanks so much for my wonderful birthday present sweetie! Mwah!

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The happy recipient...

What do you think? How does it look on my wrist?

FUN DAY

Ruther and Nikki having fun at CosmoWorld, Yokohama. =D

PAYING IT FORWARD

Today I had to go to Ruther's office to pick up some things. Ruther's officemate just came home from Japan recently and aside from bringing home my birthday gift from Ruther, I also had to get other things as well. So I scheduled the pick-up for today and left the house while the boys were napping.

When I got into the tricycle that would take me halfway to Alabang-Zapote, a lady approached the driver (he was waiting for other passengers) and asked if the route we were taking was the way to Southmall. The driver said yes and the lady hopped in. I could tell that she had no clue whatsoever where to go and after gauging her appearance and how trustworthy she was, I asked her, "Pupunta ka sa Southmall?" (Are you going to Southmall?) She replied, "Oo, first time ko dumaan dito." (Yes, it's my first time to pass this way.) So I told her that when we get off halfway, she would have to take another tricycle then a jeepney to Southmall. This confused her all the more so I told her she could follow me since I was passing by that mall on the way to the office. She looked so relieved. So after we got out of the first tricycle, we had to walk to the second terminal. She then told me that she was familiar with another route (BF/Lopez) going to Southmall but not this one (Evacom/CAA route). After we rode the second tricycle and when we got to Alabang-Zapote, she effused her thanks but I told her it was nothing. We then waited for a jeepney and rode the same jeep. She insisted on paying my fare as thanks for the help I gave her and I refused at first but she was adamant about it. So I let her and thanked her. After a few minutes we arrived at Southmall and she said thanks to me again and after I told her "sige, ingat" (take care) she got off.

Remember my luck at the bank yesterday? Well it feels really good that after that guard helped me I was able to help another person today. Talk about paying it forward. In my experience, it is always safer to offer help than to give it when asked because that usually leads to scams and trickery. So yeah, I feel pretty good today. I hope that lady pays it forward as well. A little help can go a long long way. =D

EDWARD P. MORGAN SAID...

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy.

TRANQUIL WATERS

Photo taken at Alaminos, June 2007.

IT'S AUGUST TOMORROW

Last day of the month. And it's Harry Potter's birthday...

.....

Do you sometimes think luck hits you when you are not expecting it?

Today I went to the bank to deposit some money. I decided to go out while the boys were having their afternoon nap so that I would not have to take them along. Being payday today, I already expected a long queue so I decided to bring my Deathly Hollows book with me to while the time away. When I got there, I asked for a number from the guard and my number was 1. When I checked the counter, the number read 75. Oh-kay. Since all the seats were occupied, I braced myself for the long wait, stood in a corner, flipped open my book and started reading. After reading like 3 pages, the guard (who was near me by the way) asked me if I was going to do one transaction and I said "yes". He then directed me to teller 4 because he said she does single transactions only. He got my number back and I proceeded to the counter. My deposit slip had scarcely touched the countertop when the teller announced to the waiting people, "Yung mga may single transaction, pumila lang kayo dito." ("Those with single transactions, please line up here.") If I tarried a bit longer, I would have been at the back of the line (teller 4 was on the other side of the room from where I was standing) or I might have waited until all the people before my number were entertained. So, turns out, it really was a stroke of luck that I ended up in front of the teller before the announcement was made, another stroke of luck that the guard told me about the teller at the right time and another stroke of luck that i was not asked for my number since I would have been transferred to the back of the line.

Yup, lucky.

.....

I have finally finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. The moment I closed the book after it ended, I really felt like I lost a friend. It was just sad that the tale is over. Of course I am quite happy that good prevailed over evil but still, I know I will really miss all of Harry's adventures.

It just seems too anticlimatic that after all this time, after anticipating the final book, I am now sad that I have no more Harry stories to look forward to. Yes, really sad. =(