4PM

I took this photo the other day from the balcony of the house. The sun looks upsidedown, doesn't it?

CAN'T PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER

I finally finished my 5th assignment for the current module. I'm submitting my exam tomorrow, good luck with that. I plan to start the 6th assignment tonight. I don't want to lag behind again. I've just become too lazy. Yup, lazy - plain and simple. Hopefully, I won't be in the next few days. I intend to finish this course by October so I can check my employment options.

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Last night, Nikki and I did an activity together. We tie-dyed 2 of their plain house shirts red and Nikki enjoyed the activity a lot. I was so pleased because he usually is very cautious. I let him do the stirring while the shirts were in the dye bath and he was eager to see the results. When we finally rinsed the shirts he loved the tie-dye design. Even Mama was so impressed with the shirts and asked me how we did it. I was just glad that we found another fun - and yet not messy - activity. Photos to follow later on...

ANTON CHEKHOV SAID...

Man has been endowed with reason, with the power to create, so that he can add to what he's been given. But up to now he hasn't been a creator, only a destroyer. Forests keep disappearing, rivers dry up, wild life's become extinct, the climate's ruined and the land grows poorer and uglier every day. [Uncle Vanya, 1897]

MANGOSTEEN

I love eating this fruit. But of course, sweet mangoes are still my favorite. Anyway, these were given by my cousin who went home to Zamboanga to attend our barrio fiesta. August 16 was the Feast of San Roque and that's the name of our baranggay. I always remember inviting our teachers for lunch to our house during our fiesta. Before you say I'm trying to be a teacher's pet, I'm not. My mom was a teacher in my school so she invited her co-teachers.

Anyway, I digress... Mangosteens are yummy. A bit heavy (when you have like a dozen with you) and a bit messy but love the texture. I always eat mangosteen with soy sauce. Don't ask why, I just do. I suppose it's a quirk of mine. I just love the saltiness of the soy sauce mixed with the sweet flavor and texture of the mangosteen. Anyway, hope to eat more of this before it goes out of season.

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And while we're at it, a little info from Wikipedia:

The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. The tree grows from 7 to 25 meters tall. The rind (exocarp) of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. Botanically an aril, the fragrant edible flesh is sweet and creamy, citrusy with some peach flavor. Often heralded as the "Queen of Fruits"[1], mangosteen is closely related to other edible tropical fruits such as button mangosteen and lemondrop mangosteen.

MOUSE-CAPADES

I was not able to sleep early last night. In fact, I went to bed at around 3 in the morning. And all because of a pesky mouse. As you all know, the house is still undergoing renovations. So there are areas where it's still a bit messy and open and well, mice could just easily come into the lower rooms or the lower part of the house. I already placed a barrier on the doorway so that the mice won't dash into the room but last night, I saw one scampering about and it really freaked me out. The bed in the boys' room is on the floor (Japanese-style) and I really can't think about that mouse on the boys or me while we were sleeping. So I had to put some flypaper in the areas of the room and prayed that the mouse will get stuck on those at least. Come morning, sure enough, the mouse was stuck fast on the flypaper that was near the door. Can't say I was sorry for the little bugger. I just wanted it out.

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I really had a bad dream this morning when I woke up. It bothered me so much I decided to call Ruther. Good thing it was lunchtime and so I didn't have to worry about disturbing him at work. I told him that I just wanted to hear his voice to take away the anxiety I felt about the nightmare. He told me not to think about it anymore and said it wasn't true. I was relieved at his reassurance but I was more relieved that he didn't say "you're nuts" or something to that effect. I just love that guy...

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I was not able to do much studying today. And I feel that I have so much to finish. Sigh. Been feeling out of it these past days. But I still have 2 exams to finish before I go on to the next module. So I suppose I have to get on with it soon. Maybe tomorrow... Sigh...

NINOY AQUINO DAY

Today is Ninoy Aquino Day but I understand the holiday was moved to yesterday, Monday (personally I think that's crazy but well, who cares what I think?). Who was Ninoy Aquino? Here's a short one from Wikipedia:

Benigno "Ninoy" Simeón Aquino, Jr. (November 27, 1932 – August 21, 1983) was a Philippine senator and a leading oppositionist to the autocratic rule of Ferdinand Marcos. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (now named the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor) upon returning home from exile in the United States. His death catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, to the limelight and the presidency, subsequently replacing the 20-year old Marcos regime.
In Aquino's honor, the Manila International Airport where he was assassinated was renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and his image is printed on the 500-peso bill. The Philippine Congress enacted Republic Act (R.A.) 9256, declaring August 21st, the anniversary of his death, as Ninoy Aquino Day, an annual public holiday in the Philippines. Several monuments were built in his honor. Most renowned is the bronze memorial in Makati City near the Philippine Stock Exchange, which today is a venue of endless anti-government rallies and demonstrations.

JAZZ

Really talented jazz musicians. I really enjoyed their performance and could have listened to them all afternoon if we didn't have to go around Minato Mirai that day.

Ruther took this photo (with the train as a background) just outside Sakuragicho station.

THE SUN CAME OUT

At last the clouds parted and the sun shone today. It was lovely. It was still a bit overcast but not that gloomy anymore. I heard in the news that classes will resume tomorrow. Well, it's about time, anyway.

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Since the weather was so agreeable today I thought of bringing the boys back to SM. Since I forgot my list last Saturday I was not able to get everything we needed. I asked my sis to come along today since she did not go to work (it's a holiday here but more on that later) and I thought it would be nice to spend time together. She gamely agreed to come. We spent a few minutes at the grocery and armed with my list, I got everything we needed while the boys played in the baby section where a play center was and my sister watched over them. After that, we paid and the boys complained that they were hungry. So off we went to Jollibee. My sis and I shared the palabok while the boys of course, shared the fried chicken (their all-time favorite). Then we went to Watson's to buy my mom's special soap. My sis and I had a good laugh at my mom's vanity and we texted my mom to tease her about it. After that, we went to National Bookstore because I had to get some art supplies for the boys. Shortly after, we headed home.

I really love going out with my siblings. We usually try to go out once every week. I think it also helps that my sis and brother stay over at my aunt's house while I'm here with my in-laws because the houses are adjacent to each other. This way we always see each other a lot. Which is great. My brother is in Cebu at the moment because of work and will probably be back next month or in October and I miss him already. I think it also helps that the three of us were born on the same month so we have similar personalities. Anyway, I hope we'll get to do this more often. I think it's really nice.

PHOTOS OF THE HOUSE

At last here are some photos. Do note that the house is still not completely done yet and there are still a lot of stuff lying around the house (because we have no idea where to put them at the moment) but I think you would appreciate the changes if you see the before and after photos.

THE LIVING ROOM

Before:

The floor was not even cemented yet in this photo...

After:


The floor is done but the walls have yet to be smoothened and painted (which the workers are currently doing now). This is the view from the kitchen. You can see part of the staircase as well.

DINING ROOM/KITCHEN

Before:

Really cramped place.

After:

Walls have yet to be painted and windows and cabinets installed. According to my in-laws, we will be getting a bigger table for the family and we will NOT be using those hideous green chairs.

STAIRCASE

Before:

Looks scary doesn't it?

After:

You can see the bannister and the smoothened steps. However, they have to be tiled yet. You can also see the rounded post which I think will be nice when Christmas comes (I want to put some garlands around it). =D

BALCONY

Before:

This is the door leading to our bedroom. The walls were not painted yet.

After:

The workers just finished tiling this area just the other day. To the left will be sliding doors (to be installed later) leading to and from the balcony.

FRONT OF THE HOUSE

Before:

Still have a lot to do here...

After:

Russell took this photo. The front is not too visible but I guess some of the changes are there.

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM

Love the color. The walls have to be painted and the door as well (it was recycled).

HOUSE UPDATE

The house is looking more and more beautiful everyday. It's still not completely done yet but so far it's taking shape wonderfully. I'm going to take some photos tomorrow so you could see the tiled floor, the painted walls (just the base coat though) of the living room and the tiled bathroom upstairs. My brother-in-law Russell is asking Mama to rush the painting because his wife is coming home in September and he wants the house to look homey for her. Hmmm... he's usually not this panicky so I guess he really wants her to like the house. =D I think it will be wonderful to have everyone under one roof. It will be like a family reunion. It'll be so great! It's just sad that Ruther can't come home then yet... Sigh...

YOKOHAMA SUNSET

Took this photo while Ruther, the boys and I were having a stroll near Ruther's office. It was a lovely, cool afternoon...

Photo taken at Yokohama.

UNEXPECTED

Ruther did something unexpected again.

While we were chatting on Skype tonight, we discussed an ad I saw in the paper about some appliances. It was a 4-page ad about cool deals from an appliance store. Since we previously talked about getting a new tv for our bedroom, I thought that he might be interested to check some of the prices out. (We considered letting the boys have the old tv but of course, their tv viewing will still be monitored.) Anyway, we were already kind of leaning toward the Samsung LCD. Not only is it cool-looking but it is reasonably priced compared to other brands. So, when I saw the ad in the paper and saw some Samsung tvs as part of their deals/discounts, I thought of discussing it more with Ruther and asking him if he really is interested to get one for our room. We had barely begun to talk about it when he cut me off with "Would you rather we put that on hold muna and you come to Japan instead?" Now THAT blew me away. I know how much Ruther loves his gadgets and high-tech stuff. And I know that as a stay-at-home wife and mom, I really feel guilty not giving in to Ruther's desires because he does work hard for those things. But Ruther is not very emotionally-driven like me. I know that going back to Japan would be like pulling a LOT of strings not to mention more budget-tightening but when he suggested that out of the blue, I was just caught off-guard. Of course I want to go back to Japan. I mean, I AM going back there sooner or later (I think it's more like "by hook or by crook") but these past months, I have already been conditioning myself not to hope that I will be going back anytime soon. There's just a lot to think about. But of course, deep in my heart, I miss Japan a lot. I miss it so much I think about it everyday. It's just become such a big part of me I can't get rid of it anymore. I'm not saying that I did not have some difficulty in Japan. Of course I had a hard time adjusting. It's like a whole new world there. But I still loved and love it. And I look forward to going back to that wonderful place.

I still don't know if Ruther said that as a joke or if he was serious. I also don't know if it could still happen. Thinking deeply about it, I am still hesitant. The practical side of me tells me to wait but my emotional side wants to fly away and step on Japan soil once more. I don't know. But who knows what surprises life has in store for me. I can only keep my fingers crossed.

8 WAVES

Photo taken at 8 Waves in Bulacan. Such a fun place. =D

BUCKMINISTER FULLER SAID...

I live on Earth at present, and I don’t know what I am, I know I am not a category. I am not a thing -- a noun. I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process -- an integral function of the universe.

12:16AM

Some thoughts before I sleep...

I had a lot of fun at the baby shower today. I most especially enjoyed exchanging stories with Ruther's cousins and Tita Nicki (their Aunt from Australia who is married to my mother-in-law's younger brother). It's just a wonderful thing to bond with family and to share experiences and ideas and opinions. I love Ruther's family. Since we were sweethearts, I have always felt welcome and they have all treated me warmly which is why I have no difficulty being so comfortable with everyone. It's just really wonderful spending the day with all these people I call family. I hope we get to do it again soon...

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Ruther has still been having some difficulty getting restful sleep. I think it's because he sometimes snores (just the quiet snores) in the evenings. When I'm with him (I'm a light sleeper), I usually roll him gently to his side so he would stop snoring and settle into a deeper sleep. But I suppose now that he's alone he can't know when to roll to his side and so he tells me that sometimes when he wakes in the mornings, he feels like he's still a bit tired. My poor sweetie. I have been doing a lot of research on snoring and stress and all that and hopefully when he comes home he'll be able to sleep better and be more restful in the mornings.

BEAUTIFUL BIG BROWN EYES

Ethan and his big brown eyes.

Photo taken June 2007.

SATURDAY SHOWERS

The day still looks gloomy. I was expecting some sunshine to be peeking from time to time today but no such luck. Still rainy and blustery.

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We're off to a baby shower this afternoon. Ruther's cousin (maternal side) is giving birth in October and her sister planned this shower for her. It's a good thing that the event will be in the nearby mall because it would be so inconvenient should it be somewhere else because of the rains. My present is a soft book (it looks like a lunchbox) that has removable pictures so the baby could use it in the bath (they float). Plus, he/she could use it when he is older because it's a book as well. I was so glad I found that because it was such a clever book. Anyway, I hope she'll like it.

SUSHI

Sushi with her apple slices. Isn't she getting FAT? =D

Photo taken last week.